A circuit breaker comprising: a first contact and a second contact; said first or said second contact (16, 18) movable with respect to the other contact such that contacts may be placed in a first state where the contacts are closed relative to each other, and a second state where the contacts are open relative to each other; an overcurrent mechanism for measuring a current passing through the contacts, said overcurrent mechanism including: a first trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said first trip mechanism opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a first threshold level; a second trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said second trip mechanism having a setting that introduces a time delay in the opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a second threshold level; a linkage having at least first and second pivot arms (40, 52) connected to each other via a pivot, said linkage acted on by said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism such that actuation of said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism causes movement of said linkage, which causes one of said first or second contacts (16, 18) to move relative to the other contact; a handle connected to said linkage such that manual actuation of said handle causes said contacts to move between open and closed positions; wherein when the contacts are in a closed position, an angle θ 1 is formed between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm, where the angle θ 1 is less than 180 degrees, the first and second pivot arms (40, 52) held under a mechanical advantage; and wherein when said linkage is acted on by said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism the mechanical advantage is released and one of the contacts are moved to the open position such that the angle θ 1 is changed to an angle θ 3, wherein the angle θ 3 is greater than 180 degrees. characterized in that said first pivot arm is connected at one end to said handle and is connected at another end to said second pivot arm, said linkage further comprising: a third pivot arm connected at one end to said second contact and at another end to said second pivot arm. a first contact and a second contact; said first or said second contact (16, 18) movable with respect to the other contact such that contacts may be placed in a first state where the contacts are closed relative to each other, and a second state where the contacts are open relative to each other; an overcurrent mechanism for measuring a current passing through the contacts, said overcurrent mechanism including: a first trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said first trip mechanism opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a first threshold level; a second trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said second trip mechanism having a setting that introduces a time delay in the opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a second threshold level; a linkage having at least first and second pivot arms (40, 52) connected to each other via a pivot, said linkage acted on by said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism such that actuation of said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism causes movement of said linkage, which causes one of said first or second contacts (16, 18) to move relative to the other contact; a first trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said first trip mechanism opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a first threshold level; a second trip mechanism for causing the contacts to open relative to each other, said second trip mechanism having a setting that introduces a time delay in the opening of the contacts when the current exceeds a second threshold level; a linkage having at least first and second pivot arms (40, 52) connected to each other via a pivot, said linkage acted on by said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism such that actuation of said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism causes movement of said linkage, which causes one of said first or second contacts (16, 18) to move relative to the other contact; a handle connected to said linkage such that manual actuation of said handle causes said contacts to move between open and closed positions; wherein when the contacts are in a closed position, an angle θ 1 is formed between the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm, where the angle θ 1 is less than 180 degrees, the first and second pivot arms (40, 52) held under a mechanical advantage; and wherein when said linkage is acted on by said first trip mechanism or said second trip mechanism the mechanical advantage is released and one of the contacts are moved to the open position such that the angle θ 1 is changed to an angle θ 3, wherein the angle θ 3 is greater than 180 degrees.