Abstract: The invention relates to a high tension circuit breaker capable of interrupting alternating fault currents which have a pseudo period T. The faults occur at an instant t.sub.0 and delay the zero crossing of the current after a maximum time lapse of t.sub.zmax -t.sub.0. The circuit breaker includes a plurality of interrupting chambers in series. These chambers open at an instant t.sub.1 which is subsequent to the fault instant t.sub.0 and include moving equipment and an arc blaster. The arc blaster operates between instant t.sub.1 and instant t.sub.c, where instant t.sub.c is earlier than the instant t.sub.zmax -T. The circuit breaker also includes a feature which causes blasting to be extended to an instant t.sub.2 lying in the range t.sub.zmax -T and t.sub.zmax +T.

Abstract: The movable contact of a puffer interrupter contains a movable conductive tubular sleeve which is electrically connected to and is slidably mounted within a hollow conductive adapter which is supported from the end of a bushing insulator. An insulation rod flexibly connects the adapter to the housing. A pair of flexible rods connect the end of the interrupter to the end of the housing. The puffer interrupter is mounted within a dead tank housing.

Abstract: A load interrupter device is provided for live front padmounted high voltage switchgear unit wherein circuit interruption is independent of the speed at which a lineman opens the switch of the switchgear. The interrupter includes an insulating body having a fixed terminal and a moveable terminal spaced therefrom which forms a part of manually operable switch structure. A conductive element within the body connected to the moveable terminal normally engages the fixed terminal. A pair of moveable conductive members are also provided in the body, with one of the conductive members normally engaging a contact electrically connected to the first terminal, while the second member is joined to the second terminal for movement therewith.

Abstract: A vaporizable material, for example, a silicone, that is buried beneath the surface of a Teflon nozzle for a sulfur hexafluoride power circuit breaker in an area of the nozzle which is exposed to abrasion and wear due to arc products. In a similar manner, aluminum or titanium or some other vaporizable material is buried beneath the surface of the contact of the circuit interrupter which is exposed to abrasion and wear. When the buried layers are exposed due to abrasion of their covering surfaces, these materials will be vaporized and their presence will be sensed by sensors within the circuit interrupter, thus revealing some predetermined degree of wear of the surfaces of the nozzle and contact and other surfaces within the circuit interrupter which may also be subject to abrasion by arcing or arc products. When aluminum is used as the vaporizable material for the contact, it also senses the presence of flashover to aluminum exterior housings.