Abstract: A current interrupter wherein current is normally carried by a bus bar, and a portion of the bus bar is segmented by a pyrotechnic charge under excess current conditions. The charge is detonated by a detonator which is triggered by voltage across a resistive element in series with the bus bar. At the time the detonator is triggered, the resistive element provides sufficient resistance to trigger the detonator while operating at a temperature below its melting point. A control device may be employed to control current flow through the detonator.

Abstract: An explosively-assisted fuse is passively triggered (without electronics) by means of an auxiliary fuse in series with the main conductor. The auxiliary fuse provides a detonating voltage across a gap formed therein on melting in response to a fault current. The auxiliary fuse is configured to facilitate sizing for a variety of current loads with a standard fuse configuration.

Abstract: A current limiting protector for use in electric power transmission lines includes a conductive strip of material and a chemical charge for physically interrupting the conductive strip in response to a fault current. A current sensor triggers the chemical charge when the line current is symmetrical and the RMS value of the line current exceeds a first value, and the current sensor triggers the chemical charge when the line current is asymmetrical and the RMS value of line current exceeds a second value.

Abstract: A vacuum switch with integrated capacitor shield comprising an evacuated insulating envelope provided with metallic end cap closures through which relative movable contact rods extend; the evacuated envelope encloses a plurality of shields which also serve as capacitor vanes permanently fixed to another shield and the stationary contact.