what are these things on distribution lines?

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mbrooke

mbrooke

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ptonsparky said:
It is a fuse but I’ve never seen them installed that way. (Doesn’t mean much. I haven’t seen a lot.)

Zoom in and and you can see the ring for the hot stick.
Click to expand...

Not a fuse, but an inline disconnect. They suck because they roll, bounce and giggle when a hot stick approaches them.
 
mbrooke

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These:

https://www.te.com/commerce/Documen...E380ApdfEnglishENG_DS_E380_A.pdf83843-7



20160112140822_wejtap.jpg
 
kwired

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What I have seen that is very similar is just an inline disconnect.

They are usually installed as a quick way to isolate a section of line. I think they connect them to the line then cut the line. The ones I see around here don't have the switch but rather is just an insulator that gets spliced "in line" then they cut the line, and later install a jumper wire around it, but leave the insulator in place when they install the jumper. Jumper has those connectors on it that they can install with a hot stick while live.

Mostly seen them used after adverse conditions such as an ice storm. They put such a device on to isolate a section of line where there wasn't already some method to disconnect the desired portion of line they want disconnected.
 
kwired

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LarryFine said:
Cheaper to install; no mounting. Used for sectional isolation.

Customer count has to do with placement in circuit.
Click to expand...
Around here a disconnect that was designed/planned for is more rigidly mounted on a pole/structure. This kind of thing is used when in a pinch on existing lines and need to isolate something that doesn't already have a means for quick isolation.
 
mbrooke

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electrofelon said:
Ahh ok. Why might they be installed? Seems like they would be killing a lot of customers if they were opened.
Click to expand...



To sub-sectionalize the line for repair. Or isolate the down stream problem so to re-energize everything upstream.


Its done all the time with either manual switches/disconnects or automatic equipment.


Here is an example of what I'm talking about:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGs7FdrSIE
 
mbrooke

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electrofelon said:
Ahh ok. Why might they be installed? Seems like they would be killing a lot of customers if they were opened.
Click to expand...

Manual operated switches with load break attachment:


https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/omni-rupter-switches/


https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/alduti-rupter-switches-outdoor-distribution/


Automatic remote control operator if desired:

https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/6801m-automatic-switch-operator/


Recloser with microprocessor control:


https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/cata...ontrol-systems/nova-three-phase-recloser.html

https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/cata...-control-systems/form-6-recloser-control.html
 
mbrooke

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kwired said:
Around here a disconnect that was designed/planned for is more rigidly mounted on a pole/structure. This kind of thing is used when in a pinch on existing lines and need to isolate something that doesn't already have a means for quick isolation.
Click to expand...

This is how you do a disconnect:

https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/loadbuster-disconnect-switches/


Of note, because these can not break any significant load current you need one of these if dropping load:


https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/loadbuster-tool/
 
kwired

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mbrooke said:
Manual operated switches with load break attachment:


https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/omni-rupter-switches/


https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/alduti-rupter-switches-outdoor-distribution/


Automatic remote control operator if desired:

https://www.sandc.com/en/products--services/products/6801m-automatic-switch-operator/


Recloser with microprocessor control:


https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/cata...ontrol-systems/nova-three-phase-recloser.html

https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/cata...-control-systems/form-6-recloser-control.html
Click to expand...

All the items you linked to are a type designed to mount on a pole or cross arm in a fairly rigid fashion.

The item in the OP is more of a non rigid "in line" item that goes directly on the overhead span of conductor, and then they cut the conductor, instead of mounting on a pole or cross arm. Advantage I would assume is it can be installed rather quickly when conditions call for that. Like I said when we had an ice storm several years ago, a lot of these were installed to isolate different sections so they can get the main lines up more quickly, then come back and fix those areas they isolated.
 
electrofelon

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mbrooke said:
To sub-sectionalize the line for repair. Or isolate the down stream problem so to re-energize everything upstream.


Its done all the time with either manual switches/disconnects or automatic equipment.


Here is an example of what I'm talking about:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGs7FdrSIE
Click to expand...

great video. That scenario is an example of them being for the future as a disconnecting means, not put in as a repair (although they might also use one for the repair).
 
mbrooke

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kwired said:
All the items you linked to are a type designed to mount on a pole or cross arm in a fairly rigid fashion.

The item in the OP is more of a non rigid "in line" item that goes directly on the overhead span of conductor, and then they cut the conductor, instead of mounting on a pole or cross arm. Advantage I would assume is it can be installed rather quickly when conditions call for that. Like I said when we had an ice storm several years ago, a lot of these were installed to isolate different sections so they can get the main lines up more quickly, then come back and fix those areas they isolated.
Click to expand...

Already noted here:


https://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=198717&p=2002706#post2002706


I posted what I did as an example of various devices that isolate and segment lines- either manually or automatically everywhere from a simple none load break switch to a vacuum interrupting microprocessor controlled circuit breaker.
 
mbrooke

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electrofelon said:
Ok this is starting to make sense. So basically they are not installed "for the future" they were installed for repair and "left in place".
Click to expand...


They are installed as part of the sectionlizing philosophy of the distribution system. Typically every 250-500 customers gets a segment. A distribution feeder on average serves between 2,500 and 3,500 customers so getting outages down to a reasonable segment size if very desirable.

electrofelon said:
great video. That scenario is an example of them being for the future as a disconnecting means, not put in as a repair (although they might also use one for the repair).
Click to expand...

If its just a one time deal they may just undo the jumpers on a dead end. But these serve a purpose long into the future.
 
kwired

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