Abstract: A multi-path switching configuration provides independent switching of multiple circuit paths. In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of circuit interrupters have one end connected in common with each other and a second end providing a circuit path connection. An operating facility is arranged to independently operate the circuit interrupters via an operating member operatively connected to a respective circuit interrupter and controlling the respective interrupting path. Two or more of the operating members are moved to selectively provide desired connections of circuit paths.

Abstract: An arrangement capable of being assembled with either an existing installed electrical equipment enclosure having an access door or during the fabrication and assembly of such an electrical equipment enclosure that increases the arc-resistant capabilities and characteristics of the electrical equipment enclosure. The arc-resistant capabilities of the electrical equipment enclosure are increased via the provision of shielding facilities disposed in the vicinity of the access opening of the enclosure to substantially limit the heat generated by internal arcing within the enclosure from reaching the access door to the enclosure.

Abstract: A manual trip control method and arrangement is provided to manually trip a plurality of circuit interrupters. Specifically, where the circuit interrupters include magnetic-actuator-driven vacuum interrupters including permanent magnets that hold the contacts of the circuit interrupter in the closed position via a plunger, a first of the circuit interrupters is manually tripped via movement of the plunger. To operate the remaining circuit interrupters to trip open, the voltage generated in the magnetic actuator of the first circuit interrupter is coupled to the magnetic actuators of the remaining circuit interrupters for tripping thereof.

Abstract: An operation indicator is provided to indicate the open/closed status of device, e.g. a circuit interrupter operable between open and closed operating positions. The operation indicator includes two indicator members having cooperating interleaved or interlaced construction such that a relative small operating stroke of the operable device results in relatively larger open and closed symbol and indicating surfaces.

Abstract: A current sensor for installation on a conductor without breaking the conductor may include an insulating base having a conductor supporting portion and a conductive coil disposed within an outer surface of the insulating base. A magnetically permeable conductor retaining member includes a portion that passes through the coil and is secured to the insulating base. The retaining member defines a conductor receiving aperture portion with the aperture portion being disposed adjacent the conductor supporting portion of the insulating base. With a conductor positioned within the aperture portion, the conductor is secured by the retaining member to the conductor receiving portion of the insulating base and a substantially continuous permeable path is formed by the conductor retaining member about the conductor.

Abstract: A current sensor is provided including a Rogowski coil in an assembly that is easily positioned about a conductor, e.g. without cutting the line or deenergizing the line. In one arrangement, the Rogowski coil is formed about a split helical structure such that the ends of the Rogowski coil are not coincident. While this does introduce a small error in the current measurement, this small error is easily correctable by calibration and/or application software. The current sensor includes suitable insulation such that it can be placed about energized, high-voltage lines.

Abstract: A molded voltage sensor is provided that achieves excellent sensing accuracy over a wide temperature range by molding promary and secondary capacitances are of a voltage divider into a solid dielectric material and wherein th e capacitances are preferably fabricated from the same material, or at least materials having nearly identical temperature coefficients of permittivity. In a preferred arrangement, a first member of dielectric material includes a conductive pattern of the outer surface thereof and an electrical connection attached to the conductive pattern. The first memberis the molded into a prerdetermined location with respect to a central conductor and a layer of the dielectric molding material is also molded over the exterior of the first member. Another conductive pattern is formed on the over-molded layer. The overall assembly is then molded to form a body of the sesired shape and provides insulation between the conductor and the conductive patterns.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided to protect an electrical switch from the deleterious effects of ice formation that inhibits switch operation. In a preferred arrangement, an ice shield is provided that protects the current-carrying contact structures and other operative elements of the switch from ice buildups. In one specific arrangement, as the switch is moved from the open position to the closed position, the ice shield moves away from the contact structure of a moving contact of the switch to permit unfettered engagement with a stationary contact structure of the switch.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices to optimize operation of the power electronic system. Further, electrically isolated power supplies to individual control stages for high-voltage, series-connected switch devices/power electronic devices.

Abstract: A separable, flexible connection arrangement is provided for connection of two conductors. In one arrangement, the separable, flexible connection arrangement is utilized to provide an externally removable bushing for connecting an electrical component located within a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for detecting and responding to disturbances in electrical power systems. In a preferred arrangement, an integration is initiated that is based on a comparison of actual voltage of a source and a reference voltage. When the integration exceeds a predetermined value, the source is considered unreliable. Also in a preferred arrangement, a determination is made as to whether or not the disturbance is a downstream fault condition. For example, this is useful for applications where a transfer is made from a first source to a second source when predetermined disturbances are detected. In this manner, the transfer of the load to a second source is avoided which would continue the supply of the downstream fault. Additionally, the arrangement distinguishes between various degrees of disturbances to permit appropriate response based on the severity and type of disturbance. For example, a first immediate response, i.e.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for detecting and responding to disturbances in electrical power systems. In a preferred arrangement, an integration is initiated that is based on a comparison of actual voltage of a source and a reference voltage. When the integration exceeds a predetermined value, the source is considered unreliable. Also in a preferred arrangement, a determination is made as to whether or not the disturbance is a downstream fault condition. For example, this is useful for applications where a transfer is made from a first source to a second source when predetermined disturbances are detected. In this manner, the transfer of the load to a second source is avoided which would continue the supply of the downstream fault. Additionally, the arrangement distinguishes between various degrees of disturbances to permit appropriate response based on the severity and type of disturbance. For example, a first immediate response, i.e.

Abstract: A rotating arc fault-current interrupter, also known as an arc spinner interrupter, is provided that establishes an easily visible open gap via a movable blade member having a first portion for engaging a stationary main contact and a second portion formed by an arcing electrode for engaging an auxiliary contact associated with an arc spinner assembly. The geometry, orientation and placement of the auxiliary contact is such that during opening of the movable blade member, the arcing electrode remains engaged with the auxiliary contact after the blade member and the stationary main contact are separated from each other whereby current is transferred through the auxiliary contact into the arc spinner assembly, i.e. the current is commutated into the arc spinner assembly.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for detecting and responding to disturbances in electrical power systems. In a preferred arrangement, an integration is initiated that is based on a comparison of actual voltage of a source and a reference voltage. When the integration exceeds a predetermined value, the source is considered unreliable. Also in a preferred arrangement, a determination is made as to whether or not the disturbance is a downstream fault condition. For example, this is useful for applications where a transfer is made from a first source to a second source when predetermined disturbances are detected. In this manner, the transfer of the load to a second source is avoided which would continue the supply of the downstream fault. Additionally, the arrangement distinguishes between various degrees of disturbances to permit appropriate response based on the severity and type of disturbance. For example, a first immediate response, i.e.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated or shorted power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by detecting whether or not any switch is shorted in the series-connected stack of switch stages.

Abstract: An improved fuse cutout is provided of the type having a fuse tube assembly that moves to a dropout position upon operation in response to a fault current or other overcurrent. These types of fuse cutouts include the pivotal mounting of the fuse tube assembly with respect to a support hinge with the fuse tube assembly being released for pivotal movement to the dropout position when the fuse cutout has operated. The fuse tube assembly includes a collapsible toggle joint that collapses upon operation of the fuse cutout. The improved fuse cutout includes additional dropout assistance that is provided via a resilient member operating between the components of the collapsible toggle joint to apply a force to assist the collapse of the toggle joint.

Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A mounting for a circuit interrupter is provided that facilitates the easy removal and insertion of the circuit interrupter. The mounting includes upper and lower terminal and support arrangements that cooperate with upper and lower device mounting studs of a circuit interrupter. The device mounting studs also function as electrical circuit connection points to connect the circuit interrupter in an electrical circuit via respective upper and lower contact assemblies of the mounting. The upper and lower contact assemblies include resilient retention facilities for providing suitable electrical contact forces when engaged with the device mounting studs. The upper and lower terminal and support arrangements retain the circuit interrupter within the mounting and are selectively operable to release the circuit interrupter for removal from the mounting.

Abstract: An arc-quenching composition is provided including a filler, a fiber and a binder. Preferably, the filler includes an arc-quenching compound such as melamine. The binder includes a thermosetting resin to facilitate forming of the arc-quenching composition into an arc-quenching fuse tube. In a preferred arrangement, an outer tube is formed over the arc-quenching fuse tube to provide an overall high-strength fuse tube. Also in a preferred arrangement, in order to provide a fuse tube that is capable of operation over an extremely wide current range, the inner arc-quenching tube includes a tapered bore. According to one fabrication technique, the outer tube is formed over the arc-quenching inner tube before the curing of the inner tube such that a single structure results.