Crash failures vs. crash + link failures

A contact arrangement for electric switchgear is disclosed. The contact arrangement comprises a bifurcated offset contact bridge having two contact bridge parts, each of which is inserted into an opening in an actuating contact bridge carrier. Each contact bridge part rests on a first supporting surface of the opening. A spring retainer rests against the contact bridge and a compression spring is mounted between a second surface of the opening and the spring retainer. The spring retainer is guided in the contact bridge carrier against movement transverse to the direction of motion of the carrier. Each end of each contact bridge part is provided with a semicircular contact pad which, when the contact bridge parts are placed adjacent each other, form a bifurcated circular contact pad which engages with corresponding stationary contacts. Each part of the bifurcated contact bridge is provided with a recess on both sides in the area of the offset in order to maintain both contact bridge parts in close proximity with each other and to ensure proper contact engagement.