US 2010/0060085 A1 · Shorting stick for safing of high-voltage equipment

Abstract

An electrical shorting stick and method of using it. The apparatus and method allow the user to work on or about high-voltage equipment at tremendously reduced risk of accidental electrocution. The apparatus permits the user to secure a reliable short-circuit of the equipment to the absolute ground, so that current cannot be directed through the bodies of the service crew. The apparatus is placed into contact with the equipment of interest. While in contact with the equipment, the apparatus is manipulated by the user to safely discharge to absolute ground all potentially hazardous electrical current. The apparatus has a handle assembly movable upon a main road assembly. When the handle assembly is placed into a first position, current is directed from the equipment to the absolute ground via the apparatus including a resistor. The handle assembly is shifted to a second position, in which current is directed through the apparatus, but bypassing the resistor, in a conductive circuit directly to absolute ground, thus providing a safe “hard” grounding of the equipment of interest.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A shorting stick comprising:

a main rod assembly comprising:
a rod;
a resistor mounted between first and second conductive mounting assemblies, at least one of the mounting assemblies attached to the rod thereby to dispose the resistor upon the rod;
and
an equipment contact member electrically connected to the second mounting assembly and defining the distal end of the shorting stick;
and
a handle assembly movably disposed on the rod, the handle assembly comprising:
a non-conductive handle;
a grounding strap on the handle;
a conductive collar extending from the handle;
and
a traveling contact situated upon the collar and electrically connected to the grounding strap;
wherein the handle assembly is movable between a first position with the traveling contact in electrical contact with the first mounting assembly and a second position with the traveling contact out of contact with the first mounting assembly and in electrical contact with the second mounting assembly;
wherein when the handle assembly is in the first position, electric current may flow from the equipment contact member toward the grounding strap via the resistor;
and
wherein when the handle assembly is in the second position, electric current bypasses the resistor en route from the equipment contact member to the grounding strap.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shorting stick for safing of high-voltage equipment

Life of this patent

Shorting stick for safing of high-voltage equipment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17