Abstract: A current limiting spark gap for use in a valve type lightning or surge arrester includes a plurality of identical, mirror-image insulating gap plates assembled together to define arc elongation and cooling chambers between each pair of adjacent gap plates. Conductive electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of each gap plate. Dielectric rods extend through holes formed in the gap plates to vertically and horizontally align the gap plates in a vertical stack and to define and maintain the gap spacing between a pair of electrodes in each arc chamber. The spark gap utilizes only the electrode and arc chamber configurations to cause a follow current arc to move in each arc chamber to increase the length of the arc and to compress the arc against cooling walls and surfaces of the arc chambers. The electrode and arc chamber configurations achieve greater arc elongation and compression, and resultant cooling, to enhance follow current limitation.

Abstract: A cable termination connector assembly for physically receiving and securely retaining the bared end of a current carrying center conductor of a high voltage power cable and for making an external electrical connection to the center conductor includes a multi-barrel connector for use with many different sizes of high voltage power cables. In a specific embodiment, four, elongated, axially extending apertures are formed in the connector for receiving the wire strands of a segmented or nonsegmented center conductor of a high voltage power cable. For smaller power cables, only one or two of the four apertures may be used; for larger power cables, three or four of the apertures may be used.

Abstract: A grounded surface distribution apparatus and system is provided including elastomer encapsulated cable terminals, joints, taps, load-break switches, current limiting fuses and surge protectors, each enclosed completely within a metal sheath combined in various arrangements to perform operational functions required in loop and radial underground distribution systems. The cable terminals include a soft dielectric filler making a void-free interfacial engagement with the surface of a hard dielectric filler of a mating component. To provide for breaking a coupling under load, an arc-quenching follower is retractable into an axial cavity in the coupling components of the system and projectable therethrough upon breaking of the circuit and disconnecting of the components to provide an improved arc-quenching function. Thus, there is provided an underground system having security, operational safety and convenience.

Abstract: A valve type surge arrester includes a line terminal disposed partially within and spaced from a conductive outer housing that functions as a ground terminal. The surge arrester is formed with an extremely compact configuration and occupies only approximately 0.17 cubic inches of volume. Also disposed within the housing is a spark gap in series with a power follow current limiting valve block. An insulating spacer is disposed within the conductive outer housing. The spacer includes two integrally formed shoulders that determine the spark gap spacing and an integrally formed, tubularly shaped, extending portion that electrically insulates portions of the valve block from the conductive outer housing. An elastic sealing gasket resiliently compresses the line terminal, the spark gap structure, and the valve block components into series contact against an inner end of the housing.

Abstract: A surge protector or arrester for providing surge protection for relatively low voltage or secondary equipment, circuits and systems includes a vertically stacked, parallel arrangement of two, independent, spark gap and valve block assemblies, the components of which are generally horizontally disposed within a triangularly shaped surge protector housing. The triangular shape of the housing enables maximum spacing of the three electrode contacts associated with the two assemblies to prevent their flashover while maintaining minimum exterior housing dimensions. The components of the two assemblies are disposed horizontally within the housing after a sealing and insulating compound has been applied to the entrance portions of the three contacts. Each of the three contacts includes an integrally formed crimp contact, an integrally formed lead-in electrode and an integrally formed spring contact.

Abstract: A grounded surface distribution apparatus and system is provided including elastomer encapsulated cable terminals, joints, taps, load-break switches, current limiting fuses and surge protectors, each enclosed completely within a metal sheath combined in various arrangements to perform operational functions required in loop and radial underground distribution systems. The cable terminals include a soft dielectric filler making a void-free interfacial engagement with the surface of a hard dielectric filler of a mating component. To provide for breaking a coupling under load, an arc-quenching follower is retractable into an axial cavity in the coupling components of the system and projectable therethrough upon breaking of the circuit and disconnecting of the components to provide an improved arc-quenching function. Thus, there is provided an underground system having security, operational safety and convenience.

Abstract: A surge protector assembly includes a unitary miniature surge protector having a pair of hollow electrode members extending within and sealed to a ceramic cylinder. The electrodes are provided with end walls which face one another within the cylinder to define a gap, and which are adapted to soften or melt under continuation of a predetermined arc discharge. Cylindrical contact members are slidably receivable within the electrodes and are spring-biased for urging the electrode end walls toward one another for shorting the gap, as, for example under extended breakdown conditions. The unitary surge protector and the contact members are received within a cylindrical holder having a spring means for urging the contact members toward the aforementioned end walls. The holder is threadedly received within a base member which makes electrical connection with the surge protector.