Disconnector

摘要

A disconnector for a surge arrester explosively separates an electrical lead, normally a ground lead, from the arrester to prevent a permanent fault on a circuit and to provide an indication of a failed arrester. The disconnector includes means for the direct or positive venting of the interior of the housing of the arrester to the disconnector prior to the operation of the disconnector and to the atmosphere subsequent to the explosive operation of the disconnector. The disconnector further includes means for creating a relatively large air gap to aid in extinguishing an electrical arc thereacross and in interrupting the flow of continuous follow current upon the explosive operation of the disconnector. Finally, one embodiment of the inventive disconnector includes an insulating housing having a reduced thickness portion to increase the capacity or ability of the disconnector housing to fracture in response to the application of tensile forces as a result of the explosive operation of the disconnector. This embodiment of the disconnector further includes bridging or strengthening material disposed over at least a portion of the reduced thickness portion of the disconnector housing to increase the capacity or ability of the disconnector housing to withstand the inadvertent application of compressive forces without fracturing.