Bill,

Yes, the handle does indeed operate a switch. When the door is closed it engages with the mechanism on the lower left. The rod running horizontally across the bottom is turned by the mechanism so that the three U-shaped sections on it bridge the appropriate contacts.

Do you see the porcelain barriers below each fuse holder? The contact on the left of each barrier links to the fuse above it. The contact to the right of each is the lug for the incoming phase. You have to unscrew the brown paxolin cover strip to access the incoming terminals.

The design insures that the parts which remain energized when the cover is open are covered, as far as is possible (415V between phases, remember). The fact that the switch blades rotate out of the contacts on that lower operating rod also provides a visual reassurance that all phases are indeed isolated.

Here's a blown up and lightened picture, where I hope it shows more clearly:
[Linked Image]



[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-30-2003).]