CONTACTOR WITH A REMOVABLE ARC CHUTE

A contactor with a removable arc chute having a clapper plate carrying a movable contact to make and break contact with a fixed contact in accordance with a contact signal applied to an actuator characterized by a latch or safety mechanism for preventing movement of the clapper plate to a position to make contact when the arc chute is removed or displaced from the predetermined position with respect to the contacts. Preferably the latch mechanism also prevents breaking of contact should the arc chute be dislodged. The safety or latch mechanism comprises a pin attached to the clapper plate and having an end surface forming one abutment surface and a second abutment surface formed by a groove in the pin which abutment surfaces coact with edges of a keyhole slot of a slideable plate member carried on the housing of the switch assembly. The plate member with the keyhole slot is movable from a locking position for engaging either the end of the pin or the groove thereof to an unlocking position in which the pin can pass through the wide portion of the keyhole slot. When the arc chute is on the housing in the predetermined position, the chute will hold the sliding plate in the second position enabling free movement of the clapper plate in response to the actuator.