TAP CHANGER WITH IMPROVED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION

An on-load tap changer is provided having a pair of bypass switches, each of which includes a plurality of contacts at least partially disposed in a contact carrier. The contacts are arranged in a stack and cooperate to form a groove and a mounting bore. A mounting post extends through the mounting bore such that the contacts are pivotable about the mounting post between an open and a closed position. When an actuation assembly moves the contacts to the open or closed position, the contacts move longitudinally relative to the contact carrier.