Abstract: An over-voltage protection system including a phase bus connected to a phase conductor of an electrical system and one or more transient-suppressing lines connected to the phase bus. Each of the transient-suppressing lines includes a contactor and a transient-suppressing element. The contactor of each transient-suppressing line is selectively opened and closed by a processor, thereby protecting the transient suppressing element from excessive currents.

Abstract: A mechanical reinforcement for an electrical apparatus has at least one electrical element with an outer surface and a reinforcing structure attached to the outer surface. The electrical element may be a monolithic MOV disk or a bonded MOV disk stack. The monolithic element may, for example, have a rating greater than 6 kV. The reinforcing structure may be pre-impregnated fiber matrix that may be, for example, pre-impregnated with resin. The mechanical reinforcement provides improved high current durability to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of {fraction (4/10)} microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes at least one housing segment and at least one MOV disk. The housing segment includes a sheath and defines a bore having a first opening at one end of the housing segment and a second opening at the opposite end of the housing segment. The MOV disk is positioned within the bore. An adhesive is positioned in the bore between the MOV disk and the housing segment and is configured to circumferentially bond the MOV disk to the housing segment.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical apparatus includes a sheath, at least one shed and a hydrophobic coating. The sheath includes a first electrically insulative material and an outer surface. The at least one shed includes a second electrically insulative material and an outer surface. The hydrophobic coating is applied to the outer surface of at least one of the sheath and the at least one shed. One of the first electrically insulative material and the second electrically insulative material includes an electrically insulative, polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: A mechanical reinforcement for an electrical apparatus has at least one electrical element with an outer surface and a reinforcing structure attached to the outer surface. The electrical element may be a monolithic MOV disk or a bonded MOV disk stack. The monolithic element may, for example, have a rating greater than 6 kV. The reinforcing structure may be pre-impregnated fiber matrix that may be, for example, pre-impregnated with resin. The mechanical reinforcement provides improved high current durability to the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive and mechanically-compliant joint is formed between a pair of electrical components. The joint is positioned between a lower face of a first electrical component and an upper face of a second electrical component. The Young's modulus of the joint is less than approximately half that of the Young's modulus of the electrical components.

Abstract: A housing for an electrical apparatus includes a sheath, at least one shed and a hydrophobic coating. The sheath includes a first electrically insulative material and an outer surface. The at least one shed includes a second electrically insulative material and an outer surface. The hydrophobic coating is applied to the outer surface of at least one of the sheath and the at least one shed. One of the first electrically insulative material and the second electrically insulative material includes an electrically insulative, polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: An improved surge arrester includes metal oxide varistors in series with spark gap assemblies arranged such that the MOV elements conduct the low magnitude, steady-state current through the arrester along a path that is separate and distinct from the path through which impulse current is conducted during an overvoltage.

Abstract: A fuse is provided for protection of high current power distribution equipment, such as transformers. The fuse includes a dual function fuse element having a solder pot which permits fuse opening in response to long-term current overload conditions, and a minimum cross-section wire portion for short circuit opening. The fuse element is enclosed within a tube, and the tube is received within a housing. The tube is closed off on one end thereof with a dual size button, which size is selectable for reception into the housing.