LOADBREAK CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH PREVENTS SWITCHING FLASHOVER

摘要

PURPOSE: A loadbreak connector assembly is provided to prevent flashover from occurring at the interface of connectors. CONSTITUTION: A loadbreak connector assembly includes a power cable elbow having a conductor(2) receiving end and a loadbreak bushing insert insertion end and a loadbreak bushing insert(4). The loadbreak bushing insert includes an insulating outer housing having an axial bore therethrough, a conductive member positioned within the axial bore of the housing and wherein the outer housing is formed in three sections. The first end section is dimensioned to be seated in a universal bushing well, a second end section is dimensioned for insertion into the power cable elbow connector and the third section is a mid-section(18) which is radially larger than the first and second end sections. The mid-section preferably includes a conductive portion for attachment of a ground conductor and a transition shoulder(20) portion between the second end section and the mid-section. In order to prevent a pressure drop in a cavity(24) formed between an elbow cuff(10) of the elbow connector and the mid-section of the bushing insert, the transition shoulder portion of the bushing insert includes means for venting an annular top surface of the transition shoulder portion with the longitudinal side surface of the housing mid-section.