Southern States, Inc.

South States LLC

Brian J Berner

Joseph R Rostron

Raj Anand

Buddy Reneau

Jiyuan Fan

Hua Fan

Cary J Ahrano

David Lester Moore

Brian Roberts

Brian VanHiel

Kirk William Charles

Teng Hu

Todd Douthit

Andres Rodriguez

Karl Fendor

A high voltage electric switch includes contacts with graphite carbon electrode forming the arc gap. In addition, the carbon contacts are located in a chamber containing at least 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dielectric gas to achieve improved arc interrupting performance. In conventional switches, the metallic contacts introduce metallic vapors into the arc plasma that inhibits the ability of the dielectric gas to interrupt high voltage, high current arcs. As the element carbon is inherently present in CO2 gas, the addition of vapors from the carbon electrodes into the dielectric gas does not significantly interfere with the dielectric arc-interrupting performance of the CO2 dielectric gas.

High voltage electric power switch with carbon arcing electrodes and carbon dioxide dielectric gas

Fault detection, isolation and restoration systems for electric power systems using 'smart switch' points that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. Each smart recloser can be individually programmed to operate as a tie-switch, a Type-A (normal or default type) sectionalizer, or a Type-B (special type) sectionalizer. The Type-A recloser automatically opens when it detects a fault, uses a direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault operating protocol, and stays 'as is' with no automatic opening when power (voltage) is lost on both sides of the switch. The Type-B sectionalizer does the same thing and is further configured to automatically open when it detects that it is deenergized on both sides for a pre-defined time period, and to operate like a tie-switch once open.

Autonomous electric power fault detection, isolation and restoration systems

Electric power Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) systems using 'smart switches' that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. The smart switches typically operate during the substation breaker reclose cycles while the substation breakers are open, which enables the substation breakers to reclose successfully to restore service within their normal reclosing cycles. Alternatively, the smart switch may be timed to operate before the substation breakers trip to effectively remove the substation breakers from the fault isolation process. Both approaches allow the FDIR system to be installed with minimal reconfiguration of the substation protection scheme.

Direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault electric power sectionalizer systems

High voltage electric power switch

A blade closing detector for an electric power switch includes a blade closing detector and an electronic or visual indicator. A first type of detector uses a gravity switch and a magnetic pickup to detect proper engagement between the blade and the switch. A second type of detector uses a sliding latch with a visual indicator rod to provide a visual indication of proper engagement of the blade within the jaws. A third type of detector uses a magnetic switch with a pivot arm and a dome shaped visual indicator. These detectors may be deployed individually or in combination and may be augmented with communication equipment to transmit switch status to a remote location. It will be understood that specific embodiments may include a variety of features in different combinations, as desired by different users.

High voltage switch blade closing detector

An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF ) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes. The interrupter has a bellows arrangement that provides a seal to contain the sulphur-hexaflouride (SF ) gas while allowing the actuator mechanism to freely operate without deterioration of interrupter components. The bellows arrangement enables the interrupter to be utilized in capacitor switching applications in which frequent switching is required. The interrupter may also include a voltage-clamping device connected in parallel across the contacts of the circuit interrupter.

Limited restrike electric power circuit interrupter suitable for use as a line capacitor and load switch

An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF,) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes. The interrupter has a bellows arrangement that provides a seal to contain the sulphur-hexaflouride (SF,) gas while allowing the actuator mechanism to freely operate without deterioration of interrupter components. The bellows arrangement enables the interrupter to be utilized in capacitor switching applications in which frequent switching is required. The interrupter may also include a voltage-clamping device connected in parallel across the contacts of the circuit interrupter.

Limited restrike circuit interrupter used as a line capacitor and load switch

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Anderson, SC, United States of America

Brian J Berner