DISCONNECTING MECHANISM FOR A HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHING DEVICE

A switching device is disclosed herein. The switching device includes a pair of movable current path arms (12 and 14) detachably coupled with one another via a disconnecting mechanism (10) for controlling transfer of electrical current therebetween. The disconnecting mechanism (10) has a transfer contact system (26, 28) for transferring electrical current from a rotatable terminal stem (30, 32) to the movable current path arm (12, 14). The transfer contact system (26, 28) includes a plurality of flexible braided conducting leads (36) each rigidly fixed at both of its ends to the current path arm (12 or 14) and in rigid contact with the terminal stem (30 or 32), and a connector unit (44) rigidly attached to the terminal stem (30 or 32) and designed so as to support the plurality of flexible conducting leads (36) based on an amperage rating of the switching device, which is greater than or equal to 2500A.