Energy-limiting device for a surge arrester
An energy-limiting assembly includes: a current interrupter that includes: a current interrupting assembly; a sidewall that extends from a first end to a second end; a first end cap mounted to the first end; and a second end cap mounted to the second end. The sidewall, the first end cap, and the second end cap define an interior region. The energy-limiting arrester also includes a disconnect in the interior region, the disconnect including: a movable electrically conductive element that, when in a first position, is electrically connected to the current interrupting assembly and forms part of a current path through the energy-limiting assembly.
1 . A system comprising:
a surge arrester; and
an energy-limiting device configured for electrical connection to the surge arrester, the energy-limiting device comprising:
a disconnect comprising:
a disconnection conductor;
a locking assembly configured to hold the disconnection conductor in a first position; and
a key attached to a moveable piston, the key configured to cause the locking assembly to release the disconnection conductor from the first position.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable piston is configured to push the key toward the locking assembly to release the disconnection conductor from the locking assembly.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the disconnect further comprises a snuffer element that at least partially surrounds the disconnection conductor when the disconnection conductor is in the first position.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the snuffer element is a tube.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the snuffer element comprises a fire-suppressing material.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the disconnect further comprises a retention structure configured to receive a potting material.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy-limiting device further comprises a current interrupter that comprises at least one fusible element in an interior region of the current interrupter; and the at least one fusible element is electrically connected to the disconnect and to the surge arrester.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an electrical terminal of the disconnect is configured for direct electrical connection to the surge arrester.
9 . A system comprising:
a surge arrester; and
an energy-limiting device configured for electrical connection to the surge arrester, the energy-limiting device comprising:
a current interrupter comprising:
a current interrupting assembly;
a sidewall that extends from a first end to a second end;
a first end cap mounted to the first end; and
a second end cap mounted to the second end, wherein the sidewall, the first end cap, and the second end cap define an interior region; and wherein,
the energy-limiting device further comprises:
a disconnect in the interior region, the disconnect comprising:
a disconnection conductor that, when in a first position, is electrically connected to the current interrupting assembly and forms part of a current path through the energy-limiting device;
a locking assembly configured to hold the disconnection conductor in a first position; and
a key attached to a moveable piston, the key configured to cause the locking assembly to release the disconnection conductor from the first position.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the moveable piston is configured to push the key toward the locking assembly to release the disconnection conductor from the locking assembly.
11 . A system comprising:
a surge arrester; and
an energy-limiting device configured for electrical connection to the surge arrester, the energy-limiting device comprising:
a disconnect comprising:
a disconnection conductor;
a locking assembly configured to hold the disconnection conductor in a first position; and
a key attached to a moveable piston, wherein the locking assembly releases the disconnection conductor from the first position in response to an interaction with the key.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the locking assembly releases the disconnection conductor from the first position in response to the key applying a force on the locking assembly.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the key comprises a first side and a second side; the first side is attached to the moveable piston; the second side contacts the disconnection conductor when the locking assembly holds the disconnection conductor in the first position; and
the second side of the key has a smaller extent than the first side of the key.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the disconnect further comprises a housing that defines an interior region, and wherein the locking assembly, the key, and the moveable piston are in the interior region.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the disconnection conductor extends from a first end to a second end, and the locking assembly is configured to hold the disconnection conductor in the first position with the second end of the disconnection conductor extending through an end of the housing.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the disconnection conductor exits the housing after being released from the locking assembly.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the disconnection conductor comprises an opening; the locking assembly comprises a moveable release element that extends into the opening to hold the disconnection conductor in the first position; and, to deactivate the locking assembly, the key pushes the moveable release element away from the opening to release the disconnection conductor.
18 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an activation assembly configured for activation based on a current that exceeds a threshold flowing in the disconnect conductor.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the disconnect further comprises:
a resistive ring;
a conductive body that defines a recess and a bore; and
an insulator between the moveable piston and the activation assembly.
20 . The disconnect of claim 1 , wherein the key comprises a first side and a second side; the first side is attached to the moveable piston; the second side contacts the disconnection conductor when the locking assembly holds the disconnection conductor in the first position; and
the second side of the key has a smaller extent than the first side of the key.