A circuit interrupter having a housing within which components of the circuit interrupter are disposed, the circuit interrupter comprising: a line terminal connectable to a source of electrical power; a load terminal connectable to a load; a stationary contact positioned within said housing; a moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact by movement of the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") so as to place the line terminal and the load terminal into and out of electrical communication; and an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation; wherein the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly (108, 108"), so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable contact and the stationary contact as the moveable contact and the stationary contact are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts ; wherein the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") comprises a contact arm carriage and a contact arm member , the contact arm member slideable within the contact arm carriage , characterised in that the at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly (108, 108") are positioned on the contact arm carriage ; wherein the contact arm carriage has at least one slot formed therein, and wherein the contact arm member comprises at least one pin projecting from a surface thereof, the at least one pin cooperating with and slideable within the at least one slot . a line terminal connectable to a source of electrical power; a load terminal connectable to a load; a stationary contact positioned within said housing; a moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact by movement of the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") so as to place the line terminal and the load terminal into and out of electrical communication; and an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation; wherein the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly (108, 108"), so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable contact and the stationary contact as the moveable contact and the stationary contact are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts ; wherein the moveable contact arm assembly (108, 108") comprises a contact arm carriage and a contact arm member , the contact arm member slideable within the contact arm carriage , characterised in that the at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly (108, 108") are positioned on the contact arm carriage ; wherein the contact arm carriage has at least one slot formed therein, and wherein the contact arm member comprises at least one pin projecting from a surface thereof, the at least one pin cooperating with and slideable within the at least one slot . <EOS>