SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DISCRETE OPENING AND CLOSING STATES OF ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICES

Abstract

An apparatus for use in an electrical switching device comprising an operating mechanism with an energy storage device, a cam assembly, a pole shaft, and separable contacts. The apparatus includes a clamping device; a discharge detector structured to be arranged adjacent to the cam assembly and to detect the discharge state of the energy storage device based on the position of the cam assembly; a pole shaft position detector structured to be coupled to the pole shaft and to detect the open and closed state of the separable contacts based on the position of the pole shaft; and a switching device monitor coupled to the detectors and structured to receive data from the detectors, analyze the data, and perform control and / or diagnostics on the electrical switching device based on the analysis, including the detected discharge state and the detected open and closed state.