CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH BRAKE SYSTEM FOR SHAFT THAT OPENS SEPARABLE CONTACTS

A circuit interrupter includes a frame, a set of separable contacts that can be generally stated as including a stationary contact and a movable contact, the stationary contact being affixed to the frame, a shaft movably situated on the frame, the movable contact being situated on the shaft, a drive system situated on the frame and operable to move the shaft with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position, the set of separable contact being a CLOSED state in the first position of the shaft and being in an OPEN state in the second position of the shaft, and a brake that can be generally stated as including a mass movably situated on the frame, the shaft being structured to engage the mass and to cause the mass to be in motion when moving from the first position toward the second position.