Abstract: The circuit breaker according to the present invention has first and second terminals having favorable electric conductivity and joined to each other with solder; and a heater whose circumference is insulated installed for melting the solder and supplied with electric power from the current path separate from current paths passing through the first and second terminals; wherein the first and second terminals are separated by a spring force and insulated when the solder is melted.

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 retention arrangement for a circuit interrupter to ensure that ensures the retention of the circuit interrupter in its mounting. The retention arrangement cooperates with a latch member of the mounting for the circuit interrupter. Accordingly, the circuit interrupter is retained in its mounting even where the dimensions of the circuit interrupter may vary from the nominal specified dimensions.

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: 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: A mounting for a circuit interrupter is provided that facilitates the easy removal and insertion of the circuit interrupter. The mounting includes upper and lower terminal and support arrangements that cooperate with upper and lower device mounting studs of a circuit interrupter. The device mounting studs also function as electrical circuit connection points to connect the circuit interrupter in an electrical circuit via respective upper and lower contact assemblies of the mounting. The upper and lower contact assemblies include resilient retention facilities for providing suitable electrical contact forces when engaged with the device mounting studs. The upper and lower terminal and support arrangements retain the circuit interrupter within the mounting and are selectively operable to release the circuit interrupter for removal from the mounting.

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 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 delay mechanism for retarding relative movement between two members has particular application in a hinge assembly for a dropout fuseholder. In one embodiment, a pin member rotatably connecting two adjacent members is disposed through a sleeve which has a cavity filled with viscous material, such as silicon putty. Protrusions extending from the shaft of the pin engage the putty and retard the relative rotational movement of the two members. In another embodiment, a friction member, such as a washer or annular seal, is disposed between the adjacent rotatable members. The friction member has facing surfaces contacting the opposing surfaces of the rotatable members such that the frictional forces between the friction member and the rotatable members retard rotation. In still another embodiment, the hinge assembly of a dropout fuseholder includes a latch member which rotates away from the fuseholder once dropout is initiated.

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: An interlock assembly is provided for use in a manually operated multi-phase fusible switch having a fuse in series with a blade for each phase and a handle for simultaneously controlling the position of the blades. Each fuse is CONDUCTIVE when it allows current to flow therethrough and is BLOWN when it does not allow current to flow therethrough. The handle is coupled to a drive rod and is movable between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position wherein the blades conduct current therethrough when the handle is in the CLOSED position and do not conduct current therethrough when the handle is in the OPEN position. The interlock assembly includes an interlock mechanism for preventing the handle from being moved from the OPEN position to the CLOSED position when one or more of the fuses are BLOWN or missing, thereby preventing the blade for each phase from moving into the CLOSED position when one or more of the fuses are BLOWN or missing.

Abstract: A current responsive latching apparatus may be employed in a dropout fuseholder or other electrical component for retaining the component in a current-carrying position and disconnecting and isolating the electrical component upon the occurrence of an overcurrent of a predetermined magnitude. The apparatus includes a current path through the component, including a current-carrying stud or conductor, a portion of which extends outside the component for releasably engaging a support member. A latching apparatus, which may include an actuating member of memory allow or a bimetallic material, engages the conductor to retain the support member in a supporting position beneath the electrical component. The apparatus may further include a heater element in the current path to ensure that the actuation member is heated to the temperature necessary to cause it to change shape and release the conductor upon the presence of an overcurrent.

Abstract: A current-limiting dropout fuseholder includes multiple current paths through the fuse body. A primary current path includes a high current fusible element. A secondary current path in parallel with the primary path includes a triggering conductor that extends outside the fuse body and is connected to a moveable support. The second current path further includes a first spark gap for severing the triggering conductor upon the occurrence of a fault and the shifting of the fault current from the primary current path to the second current path. A second spark gap formed between the primary and the second current paths ensures that the fault current flows across the first spark gap for a time sufficient to sever the triggering conductor, thereby ensuring that dropout will occur.

Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a fusible switch which has a fuse in series with a switch and an operating mechanism for controlling the operation of the switch. The interlock assembly is mechanically coupled to the operating mechanism and includes an indicator member disposed adjacent to the fuse for indicating the status of the fuse and an actuator member mechanically coupled to the operating mechanism for actuating the operating mechanism to open the switch when the fuse is BLOWN. A toggle member is coupled to the indicator member and to the actuator member for mechanically communicating the status of the fuse to the actuator member from the indicator member wherein the toggle member is in one position when the fuse is CONDUCTIVE and the toggle member is in another position when the fuse is BLOWN.

Abstract: A fuse mounting bracket assembly for air-insulated, live front padmounted switchgear is provided that in a first configuration permits only one type of fuse to be selectively mounted in the bracket assembly and in a second configuration allows only a second different type of fuse to be selectively mounted in the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a main frame having an end wall and two side walls with slots being provided in the side walls for pivotally receiving opposed, outwardly extending mounting protuberances on the selected one type of fuse. A pair of adapters may be selectively mounted on the frame assembly in blocking relationship to the slots and which present components that extend inwardly toward one another from respective side walls for engagement with a mounting hook on a second type of fuse, thus allowing the fuse mounting bracket assembly to be selectively configured for either of the two types of fuses with minimum overall parts requirements.

Abstract: The fuseholder includes a current limiting fuse mounted within a fuse body and a lower contact and hinge assembly. The fuse body has contact assemblies mounted on each end thereof. The lower contact assembly on the fuse body is mounted on a hinge which is rotatably supported on an interchangeable cutout mounting. The current limiting fuse includes a fuse element spirally wound around a spider which extends the length of the fuse body. The fuse element includes a high current fusible element and a low current fuse element. The fusible element includes a plurality of spaced reduced areas and is supported on the spider by support surfaces which are located between adjacent reduced areas of the fusible element. An auxiliary wire also extends the length of the fuse body about the spider.

Abstract: This sectionalizer comprises a movable current-carrying member carrying a first contact that is engageable with a second contact when the sectionalizer is closed. Overcenter toggle means holds the current-carrying member in its closed position when the toggle means is in an overcenter condition but is ineffective to hold the current-carrying member in said closed position when the toggle means is driven out of its overcenter condition. Electronic control means develops a pulse of electrical energy when predetermined conditions have occurred in the circuit through the sectionalizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote closing of fuse circuits for overhead power lines is described which has a body fabricated of insulating material for detachable engagement with a fuse tube, the apparatus having a handle with a head thereon extending therefrom with a cord attached thereto and extending to the ground.The handle is positioned in the apparatus and the cord pulled for swinging the fuse tube so that the fuse tube is moved to a position for closing a circuit, thereby rendering it unnecessary to close a transformer or tip switch from the pole or from a bucket truck. The apparatus normally slides off the fuse tube in closed position but can be removed from the fuse tube by pulling the cord from the ground.

Abstract: A pull-ring for an electrical device, such as a high-voltage fuse, which may be placed in a mounting. The pull-ring operates a latch, which is capable of holding the fuse closed in the mounting, only when it is reciprocated. The pull-ring is pivotable independently of its reciprocation without affecting the condition of the latch. Accordingly, when a trunnion on the device is in a hinge of the mounting and a pushing force is applied to the pull-ring with a tool to close the device, the natural decrease in the interior angle between the tool and the device can rotate the pull-ring without preventing the latch from holding the device closed. Further, whether the pushing force or a pulling (opening) force is applied to the pull-ring, the direction of application of the force may be adjusted or may naturally change before, during,or after such force application with affecting the ability of the latch to hold the device closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an arcing rod catcher for a high voltage fuse which engages the arcing rod when the arcing rod moves during fuse operation so that the arcing rod will not bounce back or reverse directions during and after fuse operation. Since the arcing rod movement is utilized to actuate a fuse latch assembly to release the fuse from an upper mounting when it operates, it is necessary for the arcing rod to move to the operating position and remain in that position to permanently indicate that the fuse has operated and to prevent the possibility that a blown fuse will be re-latched into a closed position. The disclosed invention utilizes engaging fingers which allow the arcing rod to pass in one direction but prevent the arcing rod from returning in the opposite direction when the fuse operates.