Abstract: A surge arrester comprises a molded insulative support bracket for mounting the arrester to a metallic bracket. The insulative bracket includes at least two stringers that form at least one aperture between them. The aperture promotes the draining and drying of the insulative bracket. Baffles formed on the stringers increase the creepage distance across the insulative bracket and increase the rigidity and strength of the insulative bracket.

Abstract: The insulative support bracket of a surge arrester includes a concentric annular concavity formed at one or both ends of a bolt hole. A washer, when pressed concentrically to the concavity, contacts the insulative bracket only, at least initially, at surfaces adjacent the outer diameter of the washer. An annular convexity, surrounding the concavity, will mate with the central portion of an external tooth lockwasher to prevent the full penetration of the teeth of the lockwasher into the insulative bracket. The ability of the insulative bracket to withstand the mechanical forces tansmitted to the insulative bracket by the washers is thereby enhanced. The concavity may be formed either in a surface of the insulative bracket or in a surface of the washer.

Abstract: A high voltage insulated bushing module of the gas operated fault closure type for connection with the probe of a mating insulated elbow module is disclosed. The module includes a snuffer tube adapted to perform as a piston within a piston cylinder cut from a length of drawn aluminum tubing. A connector unit mounted on and carried by the tube is provided to conduct load current in series abutting contact with and between the probe and the cylinder. Fault current arcing struck between an incoming probe contact and the tube mounted connector unit generates gas pressure to drive the tube toward the incoming probe, which in turn pulls the connector unit into connection with the probe contact to extinguish the arc. Alternatively, the connector unit is adapted for connection to an elongated, replaceable nut connected directly to the threaded stud of a mating bushing well, thereby rendering all load current conductive components of the bushing insert to be readily replaceable.

Abstract: A fault current interrupting disconnector, or fault disconnector, for a surge arrester operates to separate an electrical lead or ground lead wire from a damaged arrester and to interrupt the current flowing through the damaged arrester. The new fault disconnector includes an explosive charge, a tube of ablative material in a surrounding housing which co-acts with the tube to form a venting chamber, and a conductor extending through a portion of the chamber and through the tube. Excessive current heats and explodes the charge. The explosion pulls the conductor from an elongate connection, through the chamber portion and on through the tube; whereby arcing is first delayed, then is initiated in the chamber and then is drawn into and extinguished within the tube.

Abstract: A disconnector for a surge arrester explosively separates an electrical lead wire, normally a ground lead wire, from the arrester to prevent a permanent fault and to provide an indication of a failed arrester. The disconnector includes an elongated, frangible insulating housing having an elongated opening disposed along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insulating housing; a first electrically conductive terminal disposed at a first end of the opening; a second electrically conductive terminal disposed at a second end of the opening; means for forming an arc gap disposed between the first and second terminals, including an arc gap spacer and an arc electrode being either generally flat or including a raised portion; and an explosive cartridge disposed between the first and second terminals and in contact with the arc electrode.

Abstract: A current limiting spark gap for use in a high voltage valve type lightning or surge arrester includes a plurality of insulating gap plates assembled together in a vertical stack to define a generally horizontally extending arc elongation and cooling chamber between adjacent plates. Series gap electrodes are disposed along opposite sides of each plate and are double electrodes formed by a unitary piece of wire preformed to slide into position onto each plate. A gap spacer is provided in each arc chamber interfitting with the series gap electrodes and the insulating plates for accurately defining and enclosing the series gap and for maintaining the spark gap as an assembly. A new and improved spark initiator with two, resilient, ionizing arms is provided in each arc chamber for consistently achieving low impulse voltage sparkover.

Abstract: Arresters for protecting electrical equipment from damage or destruction due to overvoltage surges, for example overvoltage surges caused by lightning strokes, are provided that are fabricated or assembled integrally with cable taps, cable joints, separable insulated connector apparatus, and overhead arrester assemblies. Arresters are also provided for insertion in arrester receptacles which are integrally provided with cable taps, joints, separable insulated connector apparatus or cable receptacle devices. The arresters include a laminated enclosure for excluding the atmosphere, air and moisture, along the outer surfaces of arrester components and along the outer surface of an insulating housing layer, as well as along interfaces with insulated power cable and separable insulated arrester components. The housing is either fabricated by coating or molding onto the arrester components or by inserting the arrester components in an interference fit relationship into a premolded elastomeric enclosure.

Abstract: A surge protector or arrester for providing surge protection for relatively low voltage or secondary equipment, circuits and systems includes a vertically stacked, parallel arrangement of two, independent, spark gap and valve block assemblies, the components of which are generally horizontally disposed within a triangularly shaped surge protector housing. The triangular shape of the housing enables maximum spacing of the three electrode contacts associated with the two assemblies to prevent their flashover while maintaining minimum exterior housing dimensions. The components of the two assemblies are disposed horizontally within the housing after a sealing and insulating compound has been applied to the entrance portions of the three contacts. Each of the three contacts includes an integrally formed crimp contact, an integrally formed lead-in electrode and an integrally formed spring contact.

Abstract: A current limiting spark gap for use in a valve type lightning or surge arrester includes a plurality of identical, mirror-image insulating gap plates assembled together to define arc elongation and cooling chambers between each pair of adjacent gap plates. Conductive electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of each gap plate. Dielectric rods extend through holes formed in the gap plates to vertically and horizontally align the gap plates in a vertical stack and to define and maintain the gap spacing between a pair of electrodes in each arc chamber. The spark gap utilizes only the electrode and arc chamber configurations to cause a follow current arc to move in each arc chamber to increase the length of the arc and to compress the arc against cooling walls and surfaces of the arc chambers. The electrode and arc chamber configurations achieve greater arc elongation and compression, and resultant cooling, to enhance follow current limitation.

Abstract: A valve type surge arrester includes a line terminal disposed partially within and spaced from a conductive outer housing that functions as a ground terminal. The surge arrester is formed with an extremely compact configuration and occupies only approximately 0.17 cubic inches of volume. Also disposed within the housing is a spark gap in series with a power follow current limiting valve block. An insulating spacer is disposed within the conductive outer housing. The spacer includes two integrally formed shoulders that determine the spark gap spacing and an integrally formed, tubularly shaped, extending portion that electrically insulates portions of the valve block from the conductive outer housing. An elastic sealing gasket resiliently compresses the line terminal, the spark gap structure, and the valve block components into series contact against an inner end of the housing.

Abstract: A surge protector or arrester for providing surge protection for relatively low voltage or secondary equipment, circuits and systems includes a vertically stacked, parallel arrangement of two, independent, spark gap and valve block assemblies, the components of which are generally horizontally disposed within a triangularly shaped surge protector housing. The triangular shape of the housing enables maximum spacing of the three electrode contacts associated with the two assemblies to prevent their flashover while maintaining minimum exterior housing dimensions. The components of the two assemblies are disposed horizontally within the housing after a sealing and insulating compound has been applied to the entrance portions of the three contacts. Each of the three contacts includes an integrally formed crimp contact, an integrally formed lead-in electrode and an integrally formed spring contact.