Quick-make, quick-break switch mechanism combined with inverse time element tripping operation and trip free handle design. Type CH circuit breakers trip to the OFF position, eliminating nuisance callbacks. The CHF family also includes a trip flag to differentiate between a trip and the breaker being turned off. The thermal-magnetic trip curve avoids nuisance tripping on mild overloads while reacting almost instantaneously to severe short-circuit conditions. Multi-pole breakers have internal common trip connection to operate all poles simultaneously. Handles are marked with ON-OFF indication and ampere rating of the breaker.