Claims
- 1. A surge arrester comprising:
- a surge arresting element, wherein the surge arresting element is arranged to conduct in the presence of a surge;
- a first end cap arranged to electrically connect the surge arresting element to a first electrical line;
- a second end cap electrically connected to the surge arresting element, wherein the second end cap has first and second ends, wherein the first end is in direct physical and electrical engagement with the surge arresting element, wherein the second end of the second end cap is recessed to form a disconnector housing, and wherein the second end cap is substantially conductive throughout; and,
- a fault disconnector arranged to electrically connect the second end cap to a second electrical line, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the surge arresting element from the second electrical line in the event of a fault, and wherein the fault disconnector is housed within the disconnector housing formed by the second end cap.
- 2. The surge arrester of claim 1 wherein the first electrical line is a power line, and wherein the second electrical line is substantially at ground.
- 3. The surge arrester of claim 1 wherein the first and second end caps are in electrical contact with the surge arresting element.
- 4. The surge arrester of claim 1 wherein the surge arresting element is a metal oxide varistor.
- 5. The surge arrester of claim 1 further comprising a mounting bracket arranged to support the surge arresting element, the first and second end caps, and the fault disconnector.
- 6. The surge arrester of claim 5 further comprising a fastener arranged to fasten the surge arresting element, the first and second end caps, and the fault disconnector to the mounting bracket so that the mounting bracket is clamped between the second end cap and the fastener.
- 7. The surge arrester of claim 6 wherein the second end cap has first and second ends, wherein the first end is in electrical engagement with the surge arresting element, and wherein the second end of the second end cap is recessed to form the disconnector housing.
- 8. The surge arrester of claim 1 wherein the surge arresting element comprises a plurality of surge arresting elements.
- 9. An apparatus for arresting a surge on a power line comprising:
- a surge arresting element, wherein the surge arresting element is arranged to conduct in the presence of the surge on the power line;
- a first end cap, wherein the first end cap is arranged to electrically connect the surge arresting element to a first electrical line;
- a second end cap, wherein the second end cap has first and second ends, wherein the first end of the second end cap is in direct physical and electrical engagement with the surge arresting element, and wherein the second end of the second end cap is recessed to form a disconnector housing;
- an arrester housing arranged to house the surge arresting element and the first and second end caps; and,
- a fault disconnector, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to connect the second end cap to a second electrical line, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the surge arresting element from the second electrical line in the event of a fault, and wherein the fault disconnector is housed within the disconnector housing formed by the second end cap.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second electrical line is substantially at ground.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second end caps are in electrical contact with the surge arresting element.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the surge arresting element is a metal oxide varistor.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second end cap has first and second ends, wherein the first end is in electrical engagement with the surge arresting element, and wherein the second end of the second end cap is recessed to form the disconnector housing.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the arrester housing has a protrusion in the form of an O-ring, and wherein the protrusion is arranged to form a seal with respect to the first end cap.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first end cap has first and second ends, wherein the second end is in electrical engagement with the surge arresting element, and wherein the arrester housing forms a seal over the first end of the first end cap.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a mounting bracket arranged to support the surge arresting element, the first and second end caps, the arrester housing, and the fault disconnector.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the arrester housing is arranged to form a seal with respect to the mounting bracket and the second end cap.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a fastener arranged to fasten the surge arresting element, the first and second end caps, the arrester housing, and the fault disconnector to the mounting bracket so that mounting bracket is clamped between the second end cap and the fastener.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the mounting bracket and the second end cap when the mounting bracket is clamped between the second end cap and the fastener so as to form a seal.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the mounting bracket has first and second recesses, wherein the first recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, wherein the wall is tapered, wherein the second recess is arranged to receive a flange of the second end cap, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the tapered wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the second end cap when the mounting bracket is clamped between the second end cap and the fastener so as to form a seal.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the surge arresting element comprises a plurality of surge arresting elements.
- 22. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, the arrester elements being arranged to conduct in the event of a surge;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements;
- a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing; and,
- a fastener that clamps the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester housing is wedged between the mounting bracket and the arrester elements in order to form a seal for the arrester elements.
- 23. The surge arrester of claim 22 wherein the arrester elements comprise an end cap, wherein the end cap has first and second ends, wherein the first end is in electrical engagement with another of the arrester elements, and wherein the second end of the end cap is recessed to form a disconnector housing.
- 24. The surge arrester of claim 23 further comprising a fault disconnector, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to be in electrical series with the arrester elements, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the arrester elements from an electrical line in the event of a fault, and wherein the fault disconnector is housed within the disconnector housing formed by the end cap.
- 25. The surge arrester of claim 22 wherein the mounting bracket has first and second recesses, wherein the first recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, wherein the second recess is arranged to receive a flange of one of the arrester elements, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the one arrester element when the arrester elements and the arrester housing are clamped to the mounting bracket.
- 26. The surge arrester of claim 25 wherein the wall is tapered, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the tapered wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the one arrester element when the arrester elements and the arrester housing are clamped to the mounting bracket.
- 27. The surge arrester of claim 25 wherein the arrester elements comprise an end cap, wherein the end cap has first and second ends and the flange, wherein the first end is in electrical engagement with another of the arrester elements, and wherein the second end of the end cap is recessed to form a disconnector housing.
- 28. The surge arrester of claim 27 further comprising a fault disconnector, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to be in electrical series with the arrester elements, wherein the fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the arrester elements from an electrical line in the event of a fault, and wherein the fault disconnector is housed within the disconnector housing formed by the end cap.
- 29. The surge arrester of claim 22 wherein the arrester elements comprise an arrester block and first and second end caps.
- 30. The surge arrester of claim 29 wherein the arrester block comprises more than one arrester block.
- 31. The surge arrester of claim 22 wherein the mounting bracket has a recess, wherein the recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and one of the arrester elements.
- 32. The surge arrester of claim 31 wherein the one of the arrester elements is an end cap.
- 33. The surge arrester of claim 32 wherein the end cap houses a fault disconnector.
- 34. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, the arrester elements being arranged to conduct in the event of a surge;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements;
- a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing; and,
- a threadless fastener, wherein the threadless fastener is arranged to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester elements and the arrester housing are supported by the mounting bracket, and wherein the threadless fastener is a snap ring.
- 35. The surge arrester of claim 34 wherein the conductive end cap is a first conductive end cap, and wherein the arrester elements comprise an arrester block and a second conductive end cap.
- 36. The surge arrester of claim 35 wherein the arrester block comprises more than one arrester block.
- 37. The surge arrester of claim 35 wherein the arrester block has first and second ends, wherein the first conductive end cap is electrically coupled to the first end of the arrester block, wherein the second conductive end cap is electrically coupled to the second end of the arrester block, and wherein the threadless fastener engages the second conductive end cap in order to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket.
- 38. The surge arrester of claim 37 wherein the second conductive end cap has a first end electrically coupled to the arrester block and a second end protruding through the mounting bracket, and wherein the threadless fastener engages the second end of the second conductive end cap.
- 39. The surge arrester of claim 38 wherein the second end of the second conductive end cap has a groove, and wherein the threadless fastener engages the groove in the second end of the second conductive end cap.
- 40. The surge arrester of claim 39 wherein the threadless fastener is a snap ring.
- 41. The surge arrester of claim 37 wherein the arrester block comprises first and second arrester blocks, wherein each of the first and second arrester blocks has first and second ends, wherein the first conductive end cap is electrically coupled to the first end of the arrester block, and wherein the second conductive end cap is electrically coupled to the second end of the second arrester block.
- 42. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, the arrester elements being arranged to conduct in the event of a surge;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements;
- a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing; and,
- a threadless fastener, wherein the threadless fastener is arranged to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester elements and the arrester housing are supported by the mounting bracket;
- wherein the mounting bracket has a recess, wherein the recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and one of the arrester elements when the threadless fastener attaches the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket.
- 43. The surge arrester of claim 42 wherein the one of the arrester elements is an end cap, wherein the end cap has a first end electrically coupled to another of the arrester elements and a second end protruding through the mounting bracket, and wherein the threadless fastener engages the second end of the end cap in order to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket.
- 44. The surge arrester of claim 43 wherein the second end of the end cap has a groove, wherein the threadless fastener is a snap ring, and wherein the snap ring engages the groove in the second end of the end cap.
- 45. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, the arrester elements being arranged to conduct in the event of a surge;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements;
- a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing; and,
- a threadless fastener, wherein the threadless fastener is arranged to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester elements and the arrester housing are supported by the mounting bracket;
- wherein the mounting bracket has first and second recesses, wherein the first recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, wherein the second recess is arranged to receive a flange of one of the arrester elements, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the one arrester element when the arrester elements and the arrester housing are attached to the mounting bracket.
- 46. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, the arrester elements being arranged to conduct in the event of a surge;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements, the arrester housing having an O-ring formed as a protrusion of the arrester housing; and,
- an electrically conductive connector cooperating with the O-ring to form a seal between an interior of the arrester housing and an exterior of the arrester housing, wherein the electrically conductive connector is arranged to be electrically coupled to one of the arrester elements.
- 47. The surge arrester of claim 46 wherein the electrically conductive connector has a flange forming a recess, and wherein the recess receives the O-ring.
- 48. The surge arrester of claim 46 wherein the arrester housing has an opening through which the electrically conductive connector extends, wherein the opening has first and second ends and is circumscribed by a wall extending between the first and second ends and defining the opening, wherein the O-ring is integrally formed around the wall, and wherein the electrically conductive connector has an annular groove that receives the O-ring to form the seal.
- 49. The surge arrester of claim 46 further comprising a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing.
- 50. The surge arrester of claim 49 further comprising a fastener that clamps the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester housing is wedged between the mounting bracket and one of the arrester elements in order to form a seal for the arrester elements.
- 51. The surge arrester of claim 50 wherein the electrically conductive connector has a flange forming a recess, and wherein the recess receives the O-ring.
- 52. The surge arrester of claim 49 wherein the mounting bracket has a recess, wherein the recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and one of the arrester elements.
- 53. The surge arrester of claim 52 wherein the electrically conductive connector has a flange forming a recess, and wherein the recess receives the O-ring.
- 54. The surge arrester of claim 49 wherein the mounting bracket has first and second recesses, wherein the first recess is formed by a wall of the mounting bracket, wherein the second recess is arranged to receive a flange of one of the arrester elements, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the one arrester element when the arrester elements and the arrester housing are clamped to the mounting bracket.
- 55. The surge arrester of claim 54 wherein the wall is tapered, and wherein the arrester housing is arranged to be wedged between the tapered wall of the mounting bracket and the flange of the one arrester element when the arrester elements and the arrester housing are clamped to the mounting bracket.
- 56. A surge arrester comprising:
- arrester elements, wherein the arrester elements are arranged to conduct in the event of a surge, wherein the arrester elements include a conductive end cap, and wherein the conductive end cap has a first end electrically coupled to another of the arrester elements;
- an arrester housing that houses the arrester elements;
- a mounting bracket that supports the arrester elements and the arrester housing, wherein a second end of the conductive end cap protrudes through the mounting bracket; and,
- a threadless fastener, wherein the threadless fastener engages the second end of the conductive end cap in order to attach the arrester elements and the arrester housing to the mounting bracket so that the arrester elements and the arrester housing are supported by the mounting bracket.
- 57. The surge arrester of claim 56 wherein the second end of the conductive end cap has a groove, and wherein the threadless fastener engages the groove in the second end of the conductive end cap.
- 58. The surge arrester of claim 57 wherein the threadless fastener is a snap ring.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/907,327 filed on Aug. 6, 1997, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 655 814 |
May 1995 |
EPX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
907327 |
Aug 1997 |
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