Abstract: Insulated vacuum switchgear and active switchgear elements therefor are provided with a rigid support structure mechanically isolating a vacuum insulator from axial loads in use without reinforcing or insulating encapsulations. At least one of the elastomeric insulating housing and the support structure directly contacts an outer surface of the insulator. Systems and methods for assembling the switchgear are also provided.

Abstract: Stiff and soft materials each provide certain advantages when used in the manufacture of separable insulated connectors, such as elbow and T-body connectors. Utilizing a shell or an insert that includes one section made from a stiff material and one section made from a soft material can provide a separable insulated connector that capitalizes on the advantages associated with both types of materials. The stiff materials and soft materials can be placed strategically on the shell or insert of the separable insulated connector to maximize the advantages of each material. For example, the stiff material can be used to form a section of the separable insulated connector where strength and durability is most desirable, and conversely, the soft material can be used to form a section of the connector where flexibility is desirable.

Abstract: Medium voltage separable insulated connector system for power distribution systems and configured to make and break energized connections at rated voltage but in the absence of load current.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a sleeve defining an axis and a contact assembly inserted in the sleeve, the contact assembly including pieces that move axially relative to one another during a fault close operation. An interface between the sleeve and the contact assembly is configured to permit replacement of the contact assembly without replacing the sleeve.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: Stiff and soft materials each provide certain advantages when used in the manufacture of separable insulated connectors, such as elbow and T-body connectors. Utilizing a shell or an insert that includes one section made from a stiff material and one section made from a soft material can provide a separable insulated connector that capitalizes on the advantages associated with both types of materials. The stiff materials and soft materials can be placed strategically on the shell or insert of the separable insulated connector to maximize the advantages of each material. For example, the stiff material can be used to form a section of the separable insulated connector where strength and durability is most desirable, and conversely, the soft material can be used to form a section of the connector where flexibility is desirable.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a sleeve defining an axis and a contact assembly inserted in the sleeve, the contact assembly including pieces that move axially relative to one another during a fault close operation. An interface between the sleeve and the contact assembly is configured to permit replacement of the contact assembly without replacing the sleeve.

Abstract: Insulated vacuum switchgear and active switchgear elements therefor are provided with a rigid support structure mechanically isolating a vacuum insulator from axial loads in use without reinforcing or insulating encapsulations. At least one of the elastomeric insulating housing and the support structure directly contacts an outer surface of the insulator. Systems and methods for assembling the switchgear are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a sleeve defining an axis and a contact assembly inserted in the sleeve, the contact assembly including pieces that move axially relative to one another during a fault close operation. An interface between the sleeve and the contact assembly is configured to permit replacement of the contact assembly without replacing the sleeve.

Abstract: Insulated vacuum switchgear and active switchgear elements therefor are provided with a rigid support structure mechanically isolating a vacuum insulator from axial loads in use without reinforcing or insulating encapsulations. At least one of the elastomeric insulating housing and the support structure directly contacts an outer surface of the insulator. Systems and methods for assembling the switchgear are also provided.

Abstract: A jacket sleeve with grippable tabs provides protection to exposed portions of cable that are connected to an electrical connection. The jacket sleeve can be made as part of the electrical connector or may be connected subsequent to its creation through the use of glues or other adhesives. The jacket sleeve can be made of a material that is more pliable than the electrical connector, making it easier for a lineperson to place the sleeve over an exposed portion of cable. The jacket sleeve can include holes or slots either in the sleeve or in tabs that are attached to the sleeve. A lineperson can place one or more fingers into each hole or slot in order to get a better grip on the sleeve and pull the sleeve over the exposed portion of cable with less slippage and effort on the part of the lineperson.

Abstract: Medium voltage separable insulated connector system for power distribution systems and configured to make and break energized connections at rated voltage but in the absence of load current.

Abstract: A grounding and testing device for power distribution systems includes an electrically insulated housing with a bore that extends from an aperture at a front of the housing towards a rear of the housing. An electrical contact is disposed at least partially within the bore, and the bore, aperture, and conductive contact are adapted to mate with a bushing. A current interrupter, such as a current limiting fuse, is electrically connected between the contact and a grounding cable. An annunciator is connected to the current interrupter such that the annunciator provides an indication when a current flows through the current interrupter. A lead is electrically connected to the contact to provide a connection point for a permanent ground connection.

Abstract: A novel protective cap or elbow connector comprises a semi conductive insert which includes an additional volume of air which surrounds energized portions of the elbow connector or protective cap beyond what is necessary to accommodate a female bushing. During separation of the elbow connector or protective cap from the female bushing, the semiconductive insert stretches, which increases the volume of the interior space between the elbow connector or protective cap and the female bushing. Because the additional volume of air is provided, the reduction in pressure during separation is lessened, so that the dielectric strength of the air surrounding energized portions of the elbow connector or protective cap is maintained at a higher level. The increased dielectric strength of the air significantly reduces the possibility of a flashover occurring during separation of the elbow connector or protective cap from the female bushing.

Abstract: A novel male connector for an electrical connector assembly comprises an elastic housing which includes a recess for receiving the end of a female connector. When the male and female connectors are connected, a cavity is formed between the female connector and the recess of the male connector. Along the length of the recess, a rigid member is provided in the male connector which prevents the recess from stretching substantially when the male connector is disconnected from the female connector. Because the recess is prevented from stretching, the air pressure in the cavity between the male connector and the female connector remains relatively high during disconnection. The dielectric strength of the air in the cavity, which is a function of pressure, also remains high, so that the possibility of flashover is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the risk of flashover during loadbreak operations of insulated separable connectors. In one aspect, the flashover distance for an electrical connector assembly is increased by supplementing exposed conductive portions of the male connector with insulated portions such that energized points on the energized connector are placed a greater distance away from the nearest ground plane on the complimentary connector. The additional insulation compensates for reductions in dielectric strength of the air occurring during separation of the male connector from the female connector. Also, the semi-conductive ground shield of the bushing is supplemented by an insulating sleeve. The insulative sleeve effectively removes a common ground plane to which an arc might tend during a flashover. In another aspect, a substantial airtight seal is prevented between elastomeric seals of the female connector and the probe of the male connector.