An electrical switching apparatus (2;50;90; 100) comprising: a ferromagnetic frame including a first portion and an opposite second portion; a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion of said ferromagnetic frame; a ferromagnetic core disposed between the first portion and the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame; a coil disposed about said ferromagnetic core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion between the first portion and the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature, wherein the pivot portion is pivotally disposed on the ferromagnetic core, wherein when said coil is de-energized said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature has a first position in which the first portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature is magnetically attracted by said permanent magnet and the second tapered portion is moved apart from the first tapered portion, wherein when said coil is energized said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature has a second position in which the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame characterized in a magnetic coupler disposed on the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame, said magnetic coupler having a first tapered portion thereon; the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature having a second tapered portion therein, wherein the second tapered portion is complementary to the first tapered portion, wherein when said coil is energized the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion, and wherein the magnetic coupler and a first air gap shim are mounted to an end of the ferromagnetic frame by two screws. a ferromagnetic frame including a first portion and an opposite second portion; a permanent magnet disposed on the first portion of said ferromagnetic frame; a ferromagnetic core disposed between the first portion and the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame; a coil disposed about said ferromagnetic core; and a ferromagnetic or magnetic armature including a first portion, an opposite second portion and a pivot portion between the first portion and the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature, wherein the pivot portion is pivotally disposed on the ferromagnetic core, wherein when said coil is de-energized said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature has a first position in which the first portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature is magnetically attracted by said permanent magnet and the second tapered portion is moved apart from the first tapered portion, wherein when said coil is energized said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature has a second position in which the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature is magnetically attracted by the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame characterized in a magnetic coupler disposed on the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic frame, said magnetic coupler having a first tapered portion thereon; the opposite second portion of said ferromagnetic or magnetic armature having a second tapered portion therein, wherein the second tapered portion is complementary to the first tapered portion, wherein when said coil is energized the first tapered portion is moved into the second tapered portion, and wherein the magnetic coupler and a first air gap shim are mounted to an end of the ferromagnetic frame by two screws.