A trip actuator reset assembly for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a pole shaft, said trip actuator reset assembly comprising: a cradle assembly including a first end structured to be pivotably coupled to said pole shaft, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and springs (348, 349) disposed between the first end and the second end, said cradle assembly being structured to be movable among a first position corresponding to said separable contacts being closed, and a second position corresponding to said separable contacts being open; a reset lever including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end of said reset lever, and a pivot structured to pivotably couple said reset lever to said housing; a trip actuator including an actuating element which, in response to a trip condition, is structured to move the first end of said reset lever; a rigid element structured to be pivotably coupled to said housing proximate the second end of said reset lever; and a guide member, wherein, after said trip condition, said actuating element of said trip actuator is structured to be reset, wherein, when said rigid element pivots said reset lever, the first end of said reset lever moves said actuating element of said trip actuator, thereby resetting said trip actuator, wherein, after said trip actuator has been reset, if said cradle assembly continues to move beyond said second position, then said first and secondsprings (348,349) of said cradle assembly accommodate any additional motion of said cradle assembly, characterised by said cradle assembly having a first cross member disposed proximate the first end thereof and a second cross member disposed at or about the second end thereof and first and second rods (344, 346) fixedly coupled to said second cross member and extending through said first cross member, a first spring being disposed on said first rod and a second spring being disposed on said second rod of said cradle assembly, said first and second springs (348, 349) biasing said cradle assembly toward the second position; wherein, when said cradle assembly moves from said first position toward said second position, said guide member guides said cradle assembly into engagement with said rigid element which pivots said reset lever. a cradle assembly including a first end structured to be pivotably coupled to said pole shaft, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and springs (348, 349) disposed between the first end and the second end, said cradle assembly being structured to be movable among a first position corresponding to said separable contacts being closed, and a second position corresponding to said separable contacts being open; a reset lever including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end of said reset lever, and a pivot structured to pivotably couple said reset lever to said housing; a trip actuator including an actuating element which, in response to a trip condition, is structured to move the first end of said reset lever; a rigid element structured to be pivotably coupled to said housing proximate the second end of said reset lever; and a guide member, wherein, after said trip condition, said actuating element of said trip actuator is structured to be reset, wherein, when said rigid element pivots said reset lever, the first end of said reset lever moves said actuating element of said trip actuator, thereby resetting said trip actuator, wherein, after said trip actuator has been reset, if said cradle assembly continues to move beyond said second position, then said first and secondsprings (348,349) of said cradle assembly accommodate any additional motion of said cradle assembly, characterised by said cradle assembly having a first cross member disposed proximate the first end thereof and a second cross member disposed at or about the second end thereof and first and second rods (344, 346) fixedly coupled to said second cross member and extending through said first cross member, a first spring being disposed on said first rod and a second spring being disposed on said second rod of said cradle assembly, said first and second springs (348, 349) biasing said cradle assembly toward the second position; wherein, when said cradle assembly moves from said first position toward said second position, said guide member guides said cradle assembly into engagement with said rigid element which pivots said reset lever.