Abstract: Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a male contact element and a high voltage cable includes a housing securable to the cable and defining an axial passage having a cavity, a piston assembly with a female contact element movable in the passage and defining a chamber, material generating arc-quenching gas, a gas-pressure responsive valve providing communication between the chamber and cavity selectively on fault closure to accelerate engagement of the contact elements and connectors for providing continuous electrical connection to the female contact element of substantially fixed resistivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a male contact element and a high voltage cable includes a housing securable to the cable and defining an axial passage having a cavity, a piston assembly with a female contact element movable in the passage and defining a chamber, material generating arc-quenching gas, a gas-pressure responsive valve providing communication between the chamber and cavity selectively on fault closure to accelerate engagement of the contact elements and connectors for providing continuous electrical connection to the female contact element of substantially fixed resistivity.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes complementary contact elements, one contact element being supported for axial movement in its housing as part of a contact assembly also including a piston and a member evolving arc-quenching gas upon being subjected to an arc. Such contact assembly is disposed in a passage having an encircling electrically conductive wall and a piston thereof is responsive to evolved gas to displace the contact assembly. A resilient contactor is situated radially outwardly of the contact assembly and radially inwardly of the conductive wall for resiliently engaging the contact assembly and wall for providing electrical continuity therebetween.