Power conducting components

Switches
Switch currents up to their rated normal current and make
or break circuits.
When the lever is stroked to the closing position a switch
position bar moves up on its pivoting support legs driving the
contacts to close position closing the circuit. If the lever is
stroked the opening position a switch position bar moves up
on its pivoting support legs driving the contacts to open
position disconnecting the circuit.

Circuit Breaker
Make and break all currents within the scope of their ratings, from small
inductive and capacitive load currents up to the full short circuit current, and this
under all fault conditions in the power supply system, such as earth faults, phase
opposition, and so on.
When an over current happens, the moving contacts moves away from the
stationary contacts while the compressed sf6 gas is released
suppressing the arcing from the two contacts.

Disconnectors
Used for no-load closing and opening
operation. Their function is to isolate
downstream devices so they can be worked on.
It breaks the connection by having the motors pull the
levers in contact with each other. This method ensures the
safety of the personnels working as they can break
the connection without in the vicinity of the arcing.

Fuses
Consist of a fuse base and a fuse link. With the fuse base, an isolating
distance can be established when the fuse link is pulled out in de-energized
condition (like in a disconnectors). The fuse link is used for one single breaking of a
short circuit current.
 It breaks the connection by taking the advantage of when
the current exceeds the limit current (ampacity) of the wire it
will heat until it melts. Then in addition a projectile will be
launched piecing on the end cap of the fuse so that it can be
easily identified that it is the blown fuse.

Lightning Arrestors
To discharge loads caused by lightning
strikes (external overvoltage) or switching operations and
earth faults (internal overvoltage). They protect the
connected equipment against impermissibly high
voltages.
It works by providing low resistant path to ground
instead. if lightning or other anomaly occurs the arrestors will
divert the lightning to ground instead of the lightning passing
on the device that it is protecting.

References: SIEMENS Power Engineering Guide Switchgear and

Substations