Vacuum switching apparatus, and contact assembly and method of securing an electrical contact to an electrode therefor

A contact assembly (100,300) is for a vacuum switching apparatus (400,500). The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope (402,502). The vacuum envelope has an interior (404,504). The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts (110,210,310) located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact (110,210) having a hole (112); and a number of electrodes (120,120',220',320) each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode (120,120',220') including a base (122,122') and a protrusion (124,124'). The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.