Abstract: In a high-voltage bushing insert having a moving, piston-operated, female contact assembly electrically coupled to an interior metallic sleeve by means of a louvered contact ring, the improvement comprising a static metallic contact member providing an alternative electrical path from said female contact assembly to said metallic sleeve. The static contact member is generally circular and substantially closed at a first end and is multiply slotted adjacent its second end to provide a series of bulbous, spring fingers thereat. The spring fingers making intimate electrical contact with the interior of the female contact assembly in its static position and for a portion of its travel away from the closed end of the metallic sleeve. An exterior ring at the contact's first end assures good electrical contact with the metallic sleeve.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use in connecting a male contact to a female contact in an energized high voltage circuit, the electrical connector having a female contact assembly which is movable and is accelerated in response to the generation of arc-quenching gases within the electrical connector to aid in more rapidly closing the connection between the female contact and the male contact, and kinetic energy absorption and dissipation means for gradually absorbing and dissipating at least a portion of the kinetic energy imparted to the female contact assembly as a result of such acceleration thereof, so as to decelerate the female contact assembly and thereby facilitate bringing the female contact assembly to a halt subsequent to closing the connection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a female electrical connector for separably connecting a male contact element with a high voltage circuit. The connector comprises a conductive housing having a first end adapted to receive the male contact element, a second end adapted to be closed and an internal wall surface providing an axially extending opening therebetween. The connector includes an elongate female contact assembly including a tubular conductive piston within and in conductive relationship with the housing and axially movable between a normal first position wherein the piston is maximally spaced from the first housing end and a second position. The piston provides a chamber adjacent the second housing end. The assembly also includes female contact means, for engaging the male contact element, carried by and movable with and in electrically conductive relationship with the piston.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes an elongate male contact with an electrically conductive extension arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. A layer of electrically insulative material overlies the contact extension and arc-quenching material overlies such electrically insulative layer. The electrically insulative layer is more resilient than both the extension and arc-quenching material whereby the assembly can withstand greater cantilever stressing prior to fracture of the arc-quenching material than an assembly lacking such resilient layer. On such fracturing, the electrically insulative layer isolates the contact extension and contact from electrical arcing.