Abstract: An elongated, lightweight, insulative, multi-section, break-resistant telescoping tool especially adapted for work around energized electrical lines is disclosed which overcomes breakage problems heretofore encountered in tools of this type by provision of closely fitting, reciprocable, telescoping sections having imperforate bases which preclude air flow centrally through the sections to thereby prevent the quick escape of air from adjacent, surrounding sections during nesting retraction of the tool which serves to cushion such retractive movement and prevent inadvertant breakage of the sections. Spring-loaded buttons are provided for releasably securing the sections in an extended position and are formed of high-impact, shear-resistant deformable synthetic resin material so that the buttons can safely absorb shocks resulting from an accidental dropping of the tool without breakage of the tool sections or the buttons themselves.

Abstract: A low cost, lightweight, helically preformed line tie is disclosed which is configured for yieldably securing an elongated conductor or the like to various standard sizes of conventional, grooved insulative supports without the need for specialized ties by provision of a unitary, substantially shape-retaining resilient metallic wire tie which includes a central, generally U-shaped, line-receiving bight and a pair of legs extending therefrom which have intermediate sections adjacent the bight and helically formed line-gripping terminal sections; in preferred forms, the intermediate sections include a pair of interconnected, generally straight segments disposed at an angle relative to each other, and the intermediate sections are wrapped under tension about the support body with the helical leg sections secured about the line for yieldably securing the latter to the support without creation of localized, rigidly held stress areas at the line support points which can lead to premature line failure by virtue of b

Abstract: A completely self-enclosed, weatherproof expulsion interruption device is disclosed which includes a detachable, arc-suppressing tube assembly which can be readily replaced in the field as needed, in conjunction with novel spring-loaded expulsion actuation mechanism for quickly breaking a high voltage circuit with only a minimum of objectionable arcing across the internal tube contacts of the device. The interrupter is especially adapted for use with high voltage, manually operable, blade-type switches and safely overcomes problems associated with arcing across switch contact points during opening thereof. As the switchblade is opened and engages the actuating arm of the interrupter, current is passed in shunt relationship through the interrupter until the respective switch contacts are safely parted.

Abstract: A current limiting fuse especially adapted for installation within the oil tank of a transformer for protecting the latter from the effects of high magnitude fault currents is provided which is completely fluid-submersible and capable of withstanding severe thermal cycling without damage to the fluid-tight seals thereof. In addition, the fuses hereof are especially constructed for permitting quick, individual helium testing thereof in order to ensure that the fuses meet required safety standards. The main body of the fuse is encapsulated within a fluid-impervious casing of filled epoxy material which is penetrated by a pair of opposed, end-mounted, electrically conductive terminals each being threadably connected to the body of the fuse and bearing against a respective resilient seal member to form fluid-tight seals between the opposed terminals and the apertured ends of the encapsulating casing.

Abstract: A self-aligning articulated crossarm assembly for supporting electrical transmission lines is provided which utilizes unique mounting structure for insuring that the assembly assumes a true perpendicular orientation with respect to the supported line even in the event that the mounting holes therefor in the pole are off-center or otherwise out of alignment. Ball and socket mounting of the horizontal support arms of the assembly in conjunction with multi-clevis coupling of the strain member thereof between the horizontal arms and pole permits use of the assembly on irregular poles or the like without the necessity of precisely boring the mounting holes for the assembly. In preferred forms, the ball sockets for the support arms have open bottoms so that upon failure of the strain member the arms can swing downwardly while remaining operatively secured to the pole with the line still supported above-grade.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost, high mechanical advantage pulling tool especially adapted for use in detaching electrical termination appliances such as transformer elbows is provided which ensures quick, safe, elbow separation with reduced probability of flashover through the use of an elbow-gripping tool and a juxtaposed, pivotally interconnected, lever-actuated pushrod which permits the user to smoothly detach a stuck-in-place elbow without unsafe abrupt jerking movements which can cause the user to lose his balance in dangerously close proximity to energized electrical equipment. The tool includes an elongated, insulative pole having elbow-gripping structure thereon with an adjacent lever-actuated pushrod pivotally linked thereto permitting relative axial shifting movement between the pushrod and elbow-gripping pole.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, conductor-mounted open link fault interrupter having mounting means permitting suspension thereof directly from an overhead power line without the need of cumbersome pole-mounting structure. Pinwheeling and flashover problems heretofore encountered during operation of conductor-mounted, closed link interrupters are precluded by virtue of the open link, fusible element employed since through use thereof no net rotational forces are imparted to the interrupter during its operation. The interrupter hereof provides especially advantageous protection when electrically connected in series with a unique high range current limiting fuse capable of safely interrupting high magnitude fault current to insignificant values substantially ahead of the first natural zero point.

Abstract: A rigid, unitary, externally mounted combination bus bar and current interrupter especially adapted for protecting pad-mounted transformers from the effects of fault currents is provided which precludes catastrophic transformer failures by ensuring that all energized parts within the transformer tank are on the protected load side of the current interrupter while also providing an external, insulated bus bar having strategically spaced, line-connecting, loop feed bushings which preclude arcing-over therebetween and permit the transformer to be safely system-installed according to established practices with preexisting feeder lines. The assembly preferably includes a rigid, encapsulated bus bar carrying a central conductor which electrically connects the spaced terminator-receiving bushings thereon in order to define an external electrical feed loop, with an integrally attached, oil-submersible high-range current limiting fuse extending from the bar and into the tank of the protected transformer.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, portable pull-testing device is disclosed which is especially adapted for testing the load capabilities of installed, relatively small earth anchors such as those utilized with hold-down equipment for mobile homes or the like. The device includes a tripod-mounted, vertically adjustable, hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder assembly securable to the upper protruding end of an earth anchor shaft, with generally upright tripod support legs positioned closely adjacent the protruding shaft end to permit use of the device by a single operator in crowded areas such as beneath a mobile home where space is at a premium. Novel creep indicator apparatus is also disclosed for the accurate measurement of anchor creepage independent of any settling of the device itself into the earth which may occur during pull testing.