Abstract: A hotstick operable electrical connector for use in a power distribution system that includes a housing, a well and first and second frustoconical members extending from a surface of the housing. Each frustoconical member has a distal end and an axial bore that extends from the distal end into the housing. The well includes a wall, a base with an aperture and a tapered cavity that extends into the housing from the surface opposite the frustoconical members. The well is adapted to receive a male end of an insert device, such as a feed-thru insert or bushing insert. The aperture provides communication between the cavity and the axial bore of one of the frustoconical members. An electrical contact assembly extends through the aperture between the cavity and the axial bore. The integrally formed well provides a means for direct connection with an insert device without the use of an adapter.

Abstract: An insulated plug for use in a high voltage device includes a torque limiting bolt, including a first hex element, a second hex element, and a shearable shaft element. Alternatively, an insulated plug assembly for use in a high voltage device includes an insulated plug having a torque limiting bolt, where the torque limiting bolt includes a first hex element attached to the insulated plug and a second hex element attached to the first bolt head via a shearable connector, the assembly further including a separate BIP cap.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A bushing well, which generally includes a bushing well housing defining a conical inner cavity for receiving an end of a bushing insert and an electrically conductive insert disposed within the housing, wherein the insert has an installation tool engagement portion accessible by an installation tool via the inner cavity of the housing for attaching the bushing well to an electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention includes an insulated plug for use in a high voltage device including a torque limiting bolt, including a first hex element, a second hex element, and a shearable shaft element. Alternatively, the invention provides an insulated plug assembly for use in a high voltage device including an insulated plug having a torque limiting bolt, where the torque limiting bolt includes a first hex element attached to the insulated plug and a second hex element attached to the first bolt head via a shearable connector, the assembly further including a separate BIP cap.

Abstract: A bushing well, which generally includes a bushing well housing defining a conical inner cavity for receiving an end of a bushing insert and an electrically conductive insert disposed within the housing, wherein the insert has an installation tool engagement portion accessible by an installation tool via the inner cavity of the housing for attaching the bushing well to an electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A visible open indicator for high voltage vacuum interrupters and switches, which use a vacuum bottle having a high voltage contact and an actuating element that opens and closes the contact, is provided. The visible open indicator includes: an actuating mechanism that operates the actuating element; a housing that contains the actuating mechanism; an indicator attached to the actuating mechanism, wherein the indicator shows that the contact is in an open position or closed position; a viewing window extending through the housing, wherein the viewing window is aligned with the indicator so that the indicator can be viewed through the viewing window. The indicator includes a first indicating portion and a second indicating portion. The first indicating portion is visible through the viewing window when the contact is open and the second indicating portion is visible through the viewing window when the contact is closed.

Abstract: A bushing well, which generally includes a bushing well housing defining a conical inner cavity for receiving an end of a bushing insert and an electrically conductive insert disposed within the housing, wherein the insert has an installation tool engagement portion accessible by an installation tool via the inner cavity of the housing for attaching the bushing well to an electrical device.

Abstract: A connector system for a high voltage vacuum switch which includes: a voltage source connector; a load connector; a first contact in a vacuum bottle; and a second contact connected in series with the first contact, wherein the second contact is external to the vacuum bottle. The voltage source is connected to the load through the first and second contacts and the second contact includes a first separable interface, a second separable interface and a conducting pin. When the conducting pin is removed, an insulating pin can be inserted in its place. In preferred embodiments, the connector system includes a housing and a sight glass which extends through the housing for viewing the conducting pin. The connector system can also include a first and second connectors for the first and second separable interfaces, which are used for test connections and/or grounding connections.

Abstract: A bushing well, which generally includes a bushing well housing defining a conical inner cavity for receiving an end of a bushing insert and an electrically conductive insert disposed within the housing, wherein the insert has an installation tool engagement portion accessible by an installation tool via the inner cavity of the housing for attaching the bushing well to an electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a fuse connection includes an insulative sleeve body having first and second body portions adapted to provide a water-resistant seal at opposite ends of the fuse connection and a substantially transparent window disposed between the first and second body portions. The window permits a visual indicator of the fuse of the fuse connection to be visible therethrough.

Abstract: A multiple fused junction with blown fuse indication which generally includes a main body, a fuse connected to the main body and a switch disposed within the main body. The main body has multiple cable ports extending outwardly therefrom. At least one of the ports is adapted for electrical connection with a feeder cable and another of the ports is adapted to receive a fuse. The fuse is removably connected to the fuse port of the main body and has an indicator rod movably disposed therein, which protrudes from an axial end of the fuse into the main body upon electrical interruption of the fuse. The switch is disposed within the main body adjacent the fuse port and is activated by the indicator rod of the fuse upon protrusion of the rod from the fuse to provide indication of electrical interruption of the fuse.

Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.

Abstract: A multiple fused junction with blown fuse indication which generally includes a main body, a fuse connected to the main body and a switch disposed within the main body. The main body has multiple cable ports extending outwardly therefrom. At least one of the ports is adapted for electrical connection with a feeder cable and another of the ports is adapted to receive a fuse. The fuse is removably connected to the fuse port of the main body and has an indicator rod movably disposed therein, which protrudes from an axial end of the fuse into the main body upon electrical interruption of the fuse. The switch is disposed within the main body adjacent the fuse port and is activated by the indicator rod of the fuse upon protrusion of the rod from the fuse to provide indication of electrical interruption of the fuse.

Abstract: A high voltage loadbreak bushing insert includes an insulative housing having a first end section, a second end section opposite the first end section, a mid-section disposed between the first and second end sections and a transition shoulder portion disposed between the second end section and the mid-section. The second end section is dimensioned for insertion into a power cable elbow connector and the mid-section is dimensioned to be sealed against an elbow cuff of the power cable elbow connector. The transition shoulder portion includes at least one raised portion protruding radially outwardly from the transition shoulder portion. The raised portion is adapted to force the elbow cuff of the power cable elbow connector to expand in a radially outward direction upon withdrawal of the second end section from the power cable elbow connector, thereby venting a cavity formed between the bushing insert and the power cable elbow connector.

Abstract: A visible open indicator for high voltage vacuum interrupters and switches, which use a vacuum bottle having a high voltage contact and an actuating element that opens and closes the contact, is provided. The visible open indicator includes: an actuating mechanism that operates the actuating element; a housing that contains the actuating mechanism; an indicator attached to the actuating mechanism, wherein the indicator shows that the contact is in an open position or closed position; a viewing window extending through the housing, wherein the viewing window is aligned with the indicator so that the indicator can be viewed through the viewing window. The indicator includes a first indicating portion and a second indicating portion. The first indicating portion is visible through the viewing window when the contact is open and the second indicating portion is visible through the viewing window when the contact is closed.

Abstract: A connector system for a high voltage vacuum switch which includes: a voltage source connector; a load connector; a first contact in a vacuum bottle; and a second contact connected in series with the first contact, wherein the second contact is external to the vacuum bottle. The voltage source is connected to the load through the first and second contacts and the second contact includes a first separable interface, a second separable interface and a conducting pin. When the conducting pin is removed, an insulating pin can be inserted in its place. In preferred embodiments, the connector system includes a housing and a sight glass which extends through the housing for viewing the conducting pin. The connector system can also include a first and second connectors for the first and second separable interfaces, which are used for test connections and/or grounding connections.