Compact recloser

A recloser comprising:

• a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact, the second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position, which allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter, and an open position, which separates the contacts and prevents current from passing through the circuit interrupter;
• an actuator coupled to the circuit interrupter, the actuator including a plunger coupled to the second contact for closing and opening the circuit interrupter;
• an external indicator for indicating a condition of the circuit interrupter, the external indicator including a first display portion that indicates the closed position and a second display portion moveable relative to the first display portion and that indicates the open position;
• and
• a linkage assembly coupled between the second display portion and the plunger, the linkage assembly forcing the second display portion to extend out of the recloser when the plunger opens the circuit interrupter and forcing the second display portion to retract into the recloser when plunger closes the circuit interrupter.

A recloser comprising:

• a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position, which allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter, and an open position, which separates the contacts and prevents current from passing through the circuit interrupter;
• an actuator coupled to the circuit interrupter, the actuator including a plunger coupled to the second contact for closing and opening the circuit interrupter;
• a handle for mechanically opening and closing the circuit interrupter without any electrical assistance;
• and
• a linkage assembly coupled between the handle and the plunger for effecting movement of the plunger when the handle is rotated.

A recloser assembly for use with a power distribution system, comprising:

• a recloser including:
• a first terminal including a contact rod that extends outward from the recloser in a first direction and a contact head coupled to the contact rod, the contact head extending in second direction, and
• a second terminal;
• and
• a cutout configured to electrically connect the recloser to the power distribution system, the cutout including:
• a first coupling mechanism configured to electrically and mechanically connect to the first terminal, the first coupling mechanism including:
• a conductive frame that defines an opening configured to receive the contact head, and
• a jaw rotatably coupled within the opening and configured to latch onto the contact head when the contact head is inserted in the opening, and
• a second coupling mechanism configured to electrically and mechanically connect to the second terminal.

A recloser for use in a power distribution system, the recloser comprising:

• a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position, which allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter, and an open position, which separates the contacts and prevents current from passing through the circuit interrupter;
• an actuator coupled to the circuit interrupter, the actuator including:
• a magnetic frame that defines a first space and a second space;
• a plastic bobbin assembly coupled to the magnetic frame;
• a plunger coupled to the second contact and operable to move within the magnetic frame to open and close the circuit interrupter;
• and
• a single coil wound around the plastic bobbin assembly, the single coil configured to generate a magnetic field for driving the plunger when the single coil is excited with current provided by the power distribution system.

A recloser comprising:

• a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position, which allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter, and an open position, which separates the contacts and prevents current from passing through the circuit interrupter;
• an actuator coupled to the circuit interrupter, the actuator including a plunger coupled to the second contact for closing and opening the circuit interrupter;
• a sensor board including a first position sensor and a second position sensor, the first and second position sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a position of the plunger;
• and
• a controller including an electronic processor and communicatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor board, the controller configured to determine a velocity of the plunger based on a first signal generated by the first position sensor and a second signal generated by the second position sensor.

A method of detecting contact erosion in a recloser, the recloser including a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position and an open position, an actuator including a plunger that is coupled to the second contact for closing and opening the circuit interrupter, a sensor board including a plurality of position sensors for detecting a position of the plunger, and a controller including an electronic processor operatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor board, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the controller, a first signal from a first position sensor;
• determining, by the controller, a first time at which the plunger moves past the first position sensor based on a voltage change in the first signal;
• receiving, by the controller, a second signal from a second position sensor;
• determining, by the controller, a second time at which the plunger moves past the second position sensor based on a voltage change in the second signal;
• determining, by the controller, a velocity of the plunger based on a difference between the first and second times and a lateral distance between the first and second position sensors;
• determining, by the controller, whether a difference between the velocity of the plunger and a baseline velocity of the plunger exceeds a threshold;
• and
• performing, by the controller, an operating action when the difference between the velocity of the plunger and the baseline velocity exceeds a threshold.

A method of detecting contact erosion in a recloser, the recloser including a circuit interrupter including a first contact and a second contact movable relative to the first contact between a closed position and an open position, an actuator including a plunger that is coupled to the second contact for closing and opening the circuit interrupter, a position sensor for detecting a position of the plunger, a current sensor for detecting a current flowing through the circuit interrupter, and a controller including an electronic processor operatively coupled to the actuator and the sensor board, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the controller, a first signal from the position sensor;
• determining, by the controller, a first time at which the plunger moves past the position sensor based on a voltage change in the first signal;
• receiving, by the controller, a second signal from the current sensor;
• determining, by the controller, a second time at which current begins to flow through the circuit interrupter based on the second signal;
• determining, by the controller, whether a difference between the first and second times exceeds a threshold;
• and
• performing, by the controller, an operating action when the difference between the first and second times exceeds the threshold.