A shunt assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a conductor assembly having a load conductor and a movable contact assembly with a number of movable contact arms. The movable contact assembly is movable in response to a fault current. The shunt assembly includes a number of flexible conductive elements each having a first end electrically connected to the load conductor, a second end electrically connected to a corresponding one of the movable contact arms, and a number of bends disposed between the first and second ends. At least one constraint element is disposed proximate a corresponding one of the bends and constrains movement of the flexible conductive element in response to the fault current, thereby translating the magnetic repulsion force associated with the fault current into a corresponding torque of the movable contact arms of the movable contact assembly.