Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided to form a gas-tight joint between two housing portions, e.g. between an end flange and a tubular pole-unit housing for a circuit interrupter or an insulating support column. The joint is formed via a heat-shrink process to provide an interference fit. The housing is provided with grooves to retrain adhesive during the assembly process.

Abstract: A fuse is provided that is suitable for operation in unusual environments and includes an operation indicator that is simple and reliable. A movable arcing tube is released during operation. As the arcing tube moves outside the fuse assembly, a latching spring moves into a receiving groove in the arcing tube to retain the arcing tube in the external operated position.

Abstract: System and equipment protection is provided for an electrical power distribution system via one or more protection arrangements for detecting and responding to faults in electrical power distribution systems. The one or more protection arrangements detect whether faults are external or internal to a distribution equipment configuration in a power system via directional sensing. The protection arrangements also detect and respond to faults in a power distribution system utilizing various combinations of primary and back-up protection arrangements that are operational simultaneously and in both closed-loop and open-loop configurations.

Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging the energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling an electric power distribution system including the use and coordination of information conveyed over communications to dynamically modify the protection characteristics of distribution devices (including but not limited to substation breakers, reclosing substation breakers, and line reclosers). In this way, overall protection and reconfigurability of the distribution system or “team” is greatly enhanced. According to additional aspects of the invention, devices within the system recognize the existence of cooperating devices outside of the team's domain of direct control, managing information from these devices such that more intelligent local decision making and inter-team coordination can be performed. This information may include logical status indications, control requests, analog values or other data.

Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.

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 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 measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.

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 compact operating mechanism for switches and circuit interrupters provides improved input drive arrangement and more particularly to a quick-make quick-break operating mechanism for electrical circuit interrupters, i.e. load-interrupter switches and fault interrupters, the drive input arrangement being capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any coupling/decoupling or mode selection.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for electronic devices in which an electronic switch is maintained in a conducting state at all times other than when it is desired to render the electronic switch nonconducting. In a specific embodiment, a latched control signal is utilized which is changed by the receipt of a momentary signal to change the conducting state of the electronic switch. For example, according to one specific arrangement, the momentary signal is a secure, complex signal such that appropriate decoding and detection of the proper signal is required to change the conducting state of the electronic switch.

Abstract: A multi-pole protective device and system for electrical power transmission and distribution systems is provided that operates a multi-pole tripping system at ground level from a line-potential tripping device contained within each pole of the multi-pole system. The system includes multiple pole-unit assemblies each of which is totally self-contained and generates a tripping signal in response to overcurrent conditions to operate a ground-potential operating mechanism. In one arrangement, the pole units each include an internal line-potential tripping arrangement that communicates a trip signal to a ground-potential operating mechanism of the pole unit and associated pole units of the protective device arrangement. In a preferred arrangement, the line-potential tripping arrangement includes an insulated member that is moved to transmit the trip signal from line potential to ground potential.

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 voltage sensing apparatus includes an output for a voltage tap point that is useful in representing the voltage on a conductor that passes through the voltage sensing apparatus. The voltage sensing apparatus also performs the function of a separable insulated conductor, e.g. a conventional bushing or bushing insert as utilized in the electrical power distribution field. The voltage sensing apparatus includes a molded body having an embedded capacitance screen that provides the output. The body is molded about the capacitance screen. An arrangement is provided for locating the capacitance screen within the molded body. In a preferred embodiment, the capacitance screen is molded from a conductive plastic preferably formed with an open mesh or screen structure that permits the free flow of molding material.

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 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 measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.

Abstract: A contact arrangement is provided, e.g. of the type that functions as a wiping contact for a moving contact such as a pivotally mounted switch blade in an electrical power distribution switch. The contact arrangement in an illustrative embodiment includes spaced apart contact members that are biased toward each other to define predetermined contact pressure/force characteristics with respect to the interposed moving contact. The contact members in a preferred embodiment include predetermined contact areas and predetermined structural features to minimize deformation due to magnetic forces experienced in the presence of high currents. The structural features are also arranged to define current paths that increase the contact pressure. In a particular embodiment the contact areas are formed on the contact members so as to minimize the size of the moving contact.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution switch includes an operating member that carries a first plurality of spaced switch contacts and a support arrangement for pivotally supporting the operating member. One of the ends of the operating member includes a circumferential bearing surface. The support arrangement cooperates with the circumferential bearing surface. In a preferred arrangement, electrical connections to the spaced switch contacts carried by the operating member are oriented to provide clearance to cable terminations while also simplifying the electrical connection components.

Abstract: A motor operator for an overhead power switch is disclosed including a microcontroller, a unique and powerful array of well-integrated sensors, a motor and drive developing substantial torque and speed and coupled to a switch actuator and responsive to the microcontroller, and a sophisticated program algorithm stored in memory at the actuator site for dynamically controlling, i.e., governing the various control modes as called for by changing conditions. The sensors include an encoder associated with the motor and drive that develops position information signals fed to the dynamic microcontroller to compute real time information including position, speed, and stopping distance used in conjunction with remote operate commands to open, close and monitor status of the switch in the various ways disclosed.

Abstract: A current transfer arrangement is provided for a circuit interrupter that provides support for the contacts of the circuit interrupter and also provides current transfer between the contacts of the circuit interrupter and the external circuit terminal connection points directly through the end flanges/fittings thereof. The current transfer arrangement includes a first member assembled onto each of the circuit interrupter contacts and clamping members for securing the first member to the end flange. The end flanges include receiving grooves cooperating with the first member.

Abstract: A phasing and indicator arrangement is provided for switchgear or the like that responds to electrical sources and provides voltage indicator functions, phasing determinations, and self-test features. Phasing provisions are responsive to two or more voltage sensors proximate respective electrical sources to provide an output that represents the phase difference, i.e. time relationship, between the electrical sources as an alternating-current voltage measurable by a voltmeter. The output is relatively independent of the voltage of the electrical sources. The indicator arrangement is operable in a test mode to test the integrity of one or more voltage indicators while clearly identifying that the indicator arrangement is in a test mode. In a preferred arrangement, the indicator arrangement in the self-test mode is powered by a photocell.

Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided for minimizing electrical field stress on circuit interrupters and their housings via the arrangement of the external sheds or skirts of the housing. In one arrangement, some of the sheds are grouped about each side of the open gap that is defined by the contacts of the circuit interrupter in an open position.