Abstract: A fuse cutout assembly having enhanced safety features to aid in both removal and replacement of fuse tubes. The inventive assembly can be produced by making modifications to standard fuse cutout assemblies. The modifications include lengthening the trunnions of the lower contact assembly and adding reflectors as a further visual aid for positioning the lower contact portion of the fuse tube within the trunnion sockets. Additionally, a molded plastic guide placed proximate the lower contact area of the fuseholder of the cutout promotes “self guiding” of the fuseholder during replacement. Also, the pull ring is modified by the addition of protruding arcuate sections extending from a standard pull ring, the sections allowing the technician to engage the pull down ring without aiming the hook stick through the ring. Additional reflectors are strategically placed to facilitate replacement of the fuseholder.

Abstract: An insulator for a cutout switch and fuse assembly used in connection with an electrical power grid, including a body including a first end and a second end, a guide connector, a conductor strip, and a tool structure is located, a pivot connector is located at the second end of the body, and a mounting connector is located on the body between the first end and the second end. In an alternative embodiment, universal connectors are located at the first end and the second end. The body is manufactured by a filament winding process.

Abstract: A fault condition monitoring apparatus for use with a fuse cutout includes a housing operable to be supported by the fuse cutout. The housing has first and second contacts operable to make electrical contact with fuse contacts on the fuse cutout when the housing is supported by the fuse cutout. A current sensor is mounted inside the housing and is connected to the first and second contacts. A signaling device is coupled to the current sensor and is operable to cause a signal to be produced when current sensed by the current sensor meets a criterion.

Abstract: An improved fuse cutout is provided of the type having a fuse tube assembly that moves to a dropout position upon operation in response to a fault current or other overcurrent. These types of fuse cutouts include the pivotal mounting of the fuse tube assembly with respect to a support hinge with the fuse tube assembly being released for pivotal movement to the dropout position when the fuse cutout has operated. The fuse tube assembly includes a collapsible toggle joint that collapses upon operation of the fuse cutout. The improved fuse cutout includes additional dropout assistance that is provided via a resilient member operating between the components of the collapsible toggle joint to apply a force to assist the collapse of the toggle joint.

Abstract: An isolating circuit breaker (40) for pole mounting (12) in relation to a electrical distribution line, said isolating circuit breaker including: an isolating switch (50) with a pivoting link (52), said isolating switch having respective terminals (45, 44) for electrical coupling to load and supply conductors (54, 53) of the electrical distribution line; a circuit interrupter (55) disposed in series with the isolating switch (50), intermediate said load and supply conductors and preferably incorporated in the pivoting link of the isolating switch; an actuator (58) arranged for selectively opening and closing the circuit interrupter (55); an electronic controller (61) controlling operation of the isolating circuit breaker in response to electrical conditions in the distribution line; and said isolating switch, circuit interrupter, actuator and electronic controller arranged together on a mounting structure (41, 42, 43) adapted for pole mounting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical fuse cutout comprising: (i) an insulator having a composite body and at least two connectors, wherein a first connector couples the composite body to a fuse assembly and a second connector couples the body to a utility structure; (ii) a housing containing the composite body; and (iii) a fuse assembly.

Abstract: An insulator assembly for a polymeric cutout assembly has a core with first and second ends and an outer surface. First and second end caps are attached at the first and second core ends. The end caps have outer surfaces. A sleeve is disposed on the outer surface of the core. A projection extends laterally outwardly from an outer surface of the sleeve. An insulator is molded around the outer surface of the core, the sleeve and the first and second end caps. A center pin is attached to the projection to secure the cutout assembly to a support.

Abstract: A fuse cutout for connection to a power source, includes a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of the mounting. A holder member is fixedly attached to the lower support member of the mounting and a pivot member is received in the holder member at a first pivot point. The pivot member is movable between first and second positions. A lever member, movable between non-release and release positions, has unitary first and second portions. The first portion is pivotally coupled to the pivot member. A fuseholder, movable between closed and open positions, has upper and lower ends, the lower end being pivotally coupled to the pivot member at a second pivot point. The first and second positions of the pivot member and each of the closed and open positions of the fuseholder, correspond to each of the non-release and release positions of the lever member.

Abstract: A fuse cutout switch (12) attached to electrical distribution equipment mounted on poles of electrical distribution systems operable with hooksticks (16) in which a connection assembly (28) detachably engages a first distal end of a fuse body (20) that is pivotably and detachably engaged at a second distal end to a hinge (22). A grab member (32) attached to the fuse body (20) near the first distal end includes a receptacle (36) for selectively receiving the hookstick (16) for disengaging the fuse body (20) from the connection assembly (28). A restoring member (40) attached to the fuse body (20) near a second distal end has a receptacle (42) for selectively receiving the hookstick (16) for pivoting the fuse body (20) about the hinge (22) and engaging the fuse body (20) to the connection assembly (28). Various embodiments of the grab member and the restoring member are disclosed, together with methods of modifying existing fuse cutout switches and of operating a fuse cutout switch.

Abstract: A fuse cutout for connection to a power source includes a mounting having upper and lower support members extending from opposing ends of the mounting. The upper support member includes a first contact having opposing first and second end portions, with the first end portion being attached to the upper support member, and a dome portion disposed between the first and second end portions. The dome portion includes opposing first and second dome surfaces and a first ridge extending along the second dome surface. A holder member is fixedly attached to the lower support member of the mounting. A pivot member is received in the holder member at a first pivot point, the pivot member being movable between first and second positions. A fuseholder is movable between closed and open positions and has upper and lower ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the pivot member at a second pivot point.

Abstract: A fusible element is provided that includes cooperating interfitting parts surrounded by fusible material. The cooperating interfitting parts are arranged so as to place compressive force on the fusible material in response to attempted separation of the interfitting parts. Further, the arrangement also reduces the forces on the fusible material. In response to a predetermined time-current condition, the fusible material softens sufficiently to permit the release and separation of the interfitting parts.

Abstract: A circuit-interrupting device for electrical power distribution and transmission systems is provided having improved handling provisions for removal and installation with respect to conventional mountings. The handling provisions permit the circuit-interrupting device to pivot about the lower hinge of the mounting before the circuit-interrupting device is lifted out of the mounting via a handling tool. This permits the dimensions of the circuit-interrupting device to be greater than conventional circuit-interrupting devices. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the circuit-interrupting device includes exhaust diverter structure which directs exhaust away from the mounting, the exhaust diverter structure extending beyond the maximum dimensions which allow the circuit-interrupting device to be directly lifted out of the mounting hinge, i.e. the exhaust diverter structure interferes with the mounting if the circuit-interrupting device is lifted in a direction out of the mounting.

Abstract: A switch, for an electrical transmission line, can be used as a vertically mounted cut out or as an in-line switch. The switch has an insulator, mounting bars at either end, and a first and second brackets extending from the mounting bars. Brackets are configured to receive a fuse element, which can be of known construction. A first bracket includes a pair of bracket elements that defines slots for receiving pivot lugs of the fuse element. To enable the switch to be used either vertically as a cut out or horizontally as an in-line switch, the bracket elements are moveably, preferably rotatably, mounted to the first bracket. The bracket elements can then be located so that the slot is always at least partially directed upwardly. Then, for either use, the fuse element will always be retained by its pivot lugs in the slot. To enable the switch to be mounted as an in-line switch, the insulator can be provided with a relatively narrow central portion to its body and a removable clamp.

Abstract: A horizontally mounted electrical cut-out device is provided. The device includes an insulator electrically isolating a pair of terminals and a fuse assembly comprising a fuse carrier housing a fuse element removably connected between the terminals. The fuse assembly is pivotally connected at one end to one of the terminals to allow the other end of the fuse assembly to engage the other terminal when the fuse assembly is pivoted. The pivotal connection is such so as to permit the fuse assembly to drop automatically to an open position following an interruption resulting from an overload or fault thereby establishing an open circuit condition. This increases safety and provides a visible indication of the open circuit condition. A latch is provided on the other terminal to engage releasably the other end of the fuse assembly to maintain the electrical connection between the two terminals.

Abstract: An electric cutout of the link break type includes a fuse holder comprising a hollow fuse tube of insulating material, a lower tube casting secured to one end of the fuse tube, a conducting hinge element pivotally mounted on one side of said lower tube casting and having a pair of coaxial trunnions seated in a pair of jaw contacts constituting one terminal of the cutout, an ejector element pivotally mounted on the conducting hinge element biased away from the fuse tube and having its swing end normally spaced from one end of the fuse tube and substantially normal to the axis of the fuse tube together with a ramp portion angularly disposed to the axis of the fuse tube and to the swing end portion thereof and integral therewith, a fuse link disposed within the fuse tube and having an extension secured to the conducting hinge element and in engagement with the swing end of the ejector element so as to hold the conducting hinge element and the ejector in their normal positions, a manually operable fuse link break

Abstract: An electric circuit interrupter arranged to interrupt overload currents and having a pair of relatively movable normally closed disconnect contacts is associated with an electric circuit interrupter arranged to interrupt load currents and having a pair of relatively movable normally closed contacts forming a parallel circuit to the disconnect contacts only during opening of said disconnect contacts so as to prevent arcing at said disconnect contacts during opening thereof.

Abstract: An electric cutout includes a fuseholder in which a fusible element is mounted, a conducting element pivotally mounted to the lower end of the fuseholder and having a pair of trunnions disposed within a pair of spaced jaws on which a pair of guide surfaces are respectively mounted for cooperation with complementary guiding surfaces of arcuate configuration on the conducting element so that rotation of the fuseholder and conducting element about the trunnions may be effected in such manner that the trunnions are securely held against the bight portions of the jaws thereby to prevent rocking action of the fuseholder during closing movement thereof, an ejector latching element pivotally mounted on the conducting element and arranged to eject the fusible element upon rupture thereof and also arranged to engage a part of the fuseholder so as to prevent relative movement between the conducting element and the fuseholder, a U-shaped contact fixed in position adjacent the jaws and arranged to engage opposite surfaces