Abstract: A surge arrester particularly suited for secondary side protection of distribution transformers, includes a low-voltage, high-energy varistor disk having electrodes disposed about its facing surfaces and a self-compressing spring clip with spring arms disposed about the varistor to provide the compressive force necessary to maintain good electrical contact between the electrodes and the varistor. The arrester includes terminals for electrically interconnecting the electrodes with the electrical apparatus being protected by the arrester. The arrester further includes a dielectric coating substantially enveloping the varistor, the spring clip and electrodes. The arrester requires no other housing. The spring arms may be made in a variety of configurations and shapes and may be interlaced with adjacent spring clip and varistor subassemblies so as to form three-phase or other multi-pole arresters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for structurally restraining and reinforcing an amorphous metal core of an electrical transformer employs an adhesive bonding agent applied to the lamination edges and protective layers of the core followed by adhesion of a woven fabric thereto to form a highly permeable oil/air interface with the lamination edges of the amorphous material, while providing an effective chip containment system thereto. A temporary guide sleeve aids the core and coil lacing operation. A method for breaking performance inhibiting interlaminar bonds between the amorphous layers of the core.

Abstract: A method of heat treating an amorphous metal alloy by immersing the alloy in a fluidized bed to heat the alloy to a temperature below its recrystallization temperature. The alloy is maintained in the fluidized bed for a time sufficient to reduce internal stresses While minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. Then, the alloy is removed from the fluidized bed and cooled. A magnetic field can be applied to the alloy before, during or after heating the alloy in the fluidized bed. The magnetic field is applied for a time sufficient to achieve substantial magnetic domain alignment while minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. The cooling step is effective to maintain the magnetic domain alignment in the alloy. The cooling step can be performed with a chill bath or a fluidized bed which is cooled by a circulating gas such as nitrogen or air. The alloy can be slowly cooled by convection and radiation after it is removed from the first fluidized bed.

Abstract: A hanger for a power factor capacitor and method of attachment by brazing reduces metallurgical changes that can lead to cracks in the tank wall from welding. The hanger has a base plate with a circular opening and a raised shoulder that provides a single ring of contact between the tank wall and hanger. A ring of brazing alloy is placed within the opening on the tank wall. Through induction of electric current, the brazing alloy melts and flows resulting in a complete braze between the hanger and the tank wall which is accomplished at a much lower temperature than other welding techniques.

Abstract: The fuseholder includes a current limiting fuse mounted within a fuse body and a lower contact and hinge assembly. The fuse body has contact assemblies mounted on each end thereof. The lower contact assembly on the fuse body is mounted on a hinge which is rotatably supported on an interchangeable cutout mounting. The current limiting fuse includes a fuse element spirally wound around a spider which extends the length of the fuse body. The fuse element includes a high current fusible element and a low current fuse element. The fusible element includes a plurality of spaced reduced areas and is supported on the spider by support surfaces which are located between adjacent reduced areas of the fusible element. An auxiliary wire also extends the length of the fuse body about the spider.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for structurally restraining and reinforcing an amorphous metal core of an electrical transformer employs an adhesive bonding agent applied to the lamination edges and protective layers of the core followed by adhesion of a woven fabric thereto to form a highly permeable oil/air interface with the lamination edges of the amorphous material, while providing an effective chip containment system thereto. A temporary guide sleeve aids the core and coil lacing operation. A method for breaking performance inhibiting interlaminar bonds between the amorphous layers of the core is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transformer core of non-circular cross-section, preferably rectilinear, is formed by successively wrapping individual packets of core strips around a stationary mandrel of non-circular cross-section. Each packet is wrapped by a pair of yieldably biased rollers which follow the contour of the mandrel. As the packet is being wrapped, pressure pads are extended to hold the packet against the mandrel. The pressure pads are momentarily retracted to accommodate return movement of the roller wipers to receive a subsequent packet. The ends of the packet form a joint at the top of the mandrel. The positions of successive packets can be changed to vary the location of the joint in order to form a desired joint pattern.

Abstract: A fuse is provided for protection of high current power distribution equipment, such as transformers. The fuse includes a dual function fuse element having a solder pot which permits fuse opening in response to long-term current overload conditions, and a minimum cross-section wire portion for short circuit opening. The fuse element is enclosed within a tube, and the tube is received within a housing. The tube is closed off on one end thereof with a dual size button, which size is selectable for reception into the housing.

Abstract: The electrical connector of the present invention includes an electrically conductive sleeve having a passage therethrough and an elastomeric housing molded therearound. After the molding of the housing around the sleeve, contact element is disposed within the passage of the sleeve for engagement with the contact member of another connector. An arc snuffer housing and arc snuffer are attached to one end of the contact element for guiding the contact member toward the contact element and for evolving an arc-quenching gas in response to an arc being struck between the contact member and the contact element. The contact element includes a piston member responsive to the evolved gas for jointly displacing within said passage the arc snuffer and contact element toward the contact member. A support member is provided within the sleeve for reciprocably supporting the piston member of the contact element.

Abstract: The fuseholder includes a current limiting fuse mounted within a fuse body and a lower contact and hinge assembly. The fuse body has contact assemblies mounted on each end thereof. The lower contact assembly on the fuse body is mounted on a hinge which is rotatably supported on an interchangeable cutout mounting. The current limiting fuse includes a fuse element spirally wound around a spider which extends the length of the fuse body. The fuse element includes a high current fusible element and a low current fuse element. The fusible element includes a plurality of spaced reduced areas and is supported on the spider by support surfaces which are located between adjacent reduced areas of the fusible element. An auxiliary wire also extends the length of the fuse body about the spider.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the sufficiency and quality of an amount of dielectric material contained in the cavity of a transformer bushing is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a collar assembly which when placed over the bushing forms a capacitive element, a tunable signal producer for applying a signal to the capacitive element, a circuit for receiving, amplifying and rectifying the output signal from the capacitive element, and an indicator to detect and indicate the dielectric condition or capacitance of the capacitive element and thus the sufficiency and/or quality of the dielectric material within said bushing assembly. The collar assembly in one embodiment comprises a pair of electrically conductive segments which are hinged together for positioning about the bushing. The interior surfaces of the collar assembly are shaped to conform substantially to the outer shape of the transformer bushing.

Abstract: A tool for connecting or disconnecting a loadbreak reducing tap plug, comprising a shaft having a first end adapted for engagement with an end of the loadbreak reducing tap plug and a second end connected to a torque release means, an insulating boot mounted on the shaft, the torque release means having first and second components which release at a predetermined torque, the second shaft engaging the second component, a handle affixed to the first component of the torque release means, such that when a torque that is less than the predetermined torque is applied to the handle, the torque is transmitted through the components to the shaft, whereby the torque is transmitted to the element of the loadbreak reducing tap plug, while a torque that is greater than the predetermined torque is not transmitted through the components, but causes the first component to rotate relative to the second component.

Abstract: A transformer assembly comprises a tank body enclosing a transformer and a cooling liquid. A cooling collar is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the tank body. The cooling collar is formed separately from the tank body in a corrugated shape so as to be elastically expandably mounted onto the tank body. The collar is attached to the tank body by a thermally conductive epoxy. The corrugations of the collar define cooling fins for dissipating heat from the tank body. The cooling collar can be of one-piece or multi-piece construction, the latter comprising a plurality of collar segments hooked together in end-to-end fashion.

Abstract: A method of heat treating an amorphous metal alloy by immersing the alloy in a fluidized bed to heat the alloy to a temperature below its recrystallization temperature. The alloy is maintained in the fluidized bed for a time sufficient to reduce internal stresses while minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. Then, the alloy is removed from the fluidized bed and cooled. A magnetic field can be applied to the alloy before, during or after heating the alloy in the fluidized bed. The magnetic field is applied for a time sufficient to achieve substantial magnetic domain alignment while minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. The cooling step is effective to maintain the magnetic domain alignment in the alloy. The cooling step can be performed with a chill bath or a fluidized bed which is cooled by a circulating gas such as nitrogen or air. The alloy can be slowly cooled by convection and radiation after it is removed from the first fluidized bed.

Abstract: The insulated standoff bushing is used for terminating a connector probe connected to a high voltage circuit. The standoff bushing includes an insulated body having a bore for receiving a shielded housing. The shielded housing in turn has an aperture for receiving a contact which is secured within the aperture. The contact is in the form of a spring having opposed sides with contact pads. The connector probe is inserted into the aperture of the shield housing and passes between the opposed contact pads for the dissipation of current into the insulated standoff bushing.

Abstract: A surge arrester for mounting on a transformer having two line-potential terminals and a neutral terminal. The arrester includes two high energy, low voltage metal oxide varistor disks, each MOV disk having one side connected to an electrode that is electrically connected to one of the line-potential terminals and having the other side of the MOV disks electrically connected to a neutral electrode that is electrically connected to the neutral terminal of the transformer. The MOV disks shunt any current surge to ground upon the application of a predetermined voltage across the disks. In the preferred embodiment, the electrodes and MOV disks are housed within a thermoplastic elastomer housing filled with a potting compound of a resilient elastomeric material. The potting compound completely insulates and seals the electrical connections and MOV disks.

Abstract: A tool for aiding in the insert of an elbow terminator relative to an electrical bushing comprises a frame which is attachable to a fixed coupling element disposed adjacent the bushing, and a handle which is pivoted on a mounting pin of the frame. The handle is also slidable along the mounting pin to enable a drive pin carried by the handle to enter an eye affixed at the rear of the elbow. By rotating the handle selectively in opposite directions, the drive pin pushes the elbow into the bushing, or pulls the elbow out of the bushing, with a mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for mounting an object to a support structure includes a hanger strap for gripping the object and a channel member for supporting the hanger strap. The hanger strap includes a lobe disposed about the object and inwardly projecting mounting tabs which engage aligned slots formed in the sides of the channel member. A single fastener is disposed through the hanger strap adjacent to the tabs so as to cause the lobe to simultaneously grip the arrester and to retain the mounting tabs in the slots.

Abstract: A method for forming cable which is insulated with a rigid insulating layer into a desired shape, comprising the steps of wrapping the a portion of the cable with a heater tape that houses heater elements, causing the elements to become hot and heat the cable portion so that its insulating layer is heated and loses its molecular memory of its prior configuration, and reconfiguring the cable portion into the desired shape.