Gas-insulated bushing having finger contact expansion joint

Abstract

A gas-insulated bushing includes an elongated hollow insulating shell with an elongated inner conductor disposed therein spaced apart from the insulating shell, with an insulating gas electrically insulating the conductor from the insulating shell. A terminal is sealingly secured to the insulating shell and prevents the escape from the interior of the shell of the insulating gas disposed therein. The terminal includes an electrical connector which is external to the shell and which includes a portion extending inwardly into the shell. This electrical connector is aligned with, but spaced apart from, the electrical conductor to provide room for thermal expansion of the electrical conductor. Provisions are included for electrically connecting the central electric conductor with the electrical connector, which includes a conductor adapter secured to the electric conductor and extending outwardly therefrom to adjacent the electrical connector in an overlapping relationship, with the adapter having a recess therein in which is disposed a contact finger which extends outwardly from the adapter to slidingly contact the electrical connector.