HIGH-VOLTAGE LOADBREAK SWITCH WITH ENHANCED ARC SUPPRESSION

摘要

A high-voltage loadbreak switch operates submersed in a dielectric fluid and may be configured to switch one or more phases of power using one or more phase switches. Each phase switch may include first and second stationary contacts. The first stationary contact may be connected to a phase of a high-voltage power source. Each phase switch also may include a non-stationary contact. The non-stationary contact may be placed in a first position to electrically couple the first stationary contact to the second stationary contact, and in a second position to decouple the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact. The region of motion of the first non-stationary contact between the first position and the second position includes an arcing region. The high-voltage loadbreak switch uses a fluid circulation mechanism to improve circulation of the dielectric fluid through the arcing region. To suppress arcing between different phases, a non-conductive baffle may separate different phase switches when more than one phase switch is used. A non-conductive baffle also may separate a phase from ground to prevent phase-to-ground arcing.