Locking mechanism for electrical switching device

Abstract

A locking mechanism for an electrical switching device comprises a cover 100 coupled to the switching device, and a slider 200 disposed within the cover and moveable between a first position S1 and a second position S2. In the first position, the slider protrudes from the cover by a first amount. In the second position, the slider protrudes from the cover by a second amount greater than the first amount. When the switching device is in the OFF state, the slider is movable between the first and second positions. When the slider is in the second position, the switching device is prevented from switching from the OFF state to the ON state. The switching device may be freely switched between the ON and OFF state when the slider is in the first position. When the switching device is in the ON state, the slider may not be moveable between the first and second positions. The slider may have an aperture 210 through which an operating shaft 300 of the switching device is inserted. The rotation of the operating shaft may be allowed when the slider is in the first position and prevented when the slider is in the second position. The slider may comprise a locking portion 220 which receives a padlock. Figure 4