Solid dielectric insulated switchgear

A switchgear system comprising:

• an enclosure made of dielectric material and containing atmospheric air;
• a first plurality of switch assemblies disposed within the enclosure, wherein the first plurality of switch assemblies is arranged in a first row, wherein each switch assembly of the first plurality of switch assemblies corresponds to a different phase of a multi-phase power distribution system, wherein each switch assembly of the first plurality of switch assemblies is configured to be electrically connected to at least one switch assembly of a second plurality of switch assemblies arranged in an adjacent second row, wherein each switch assembly of the second plurality of switch assemblies corresponds to a different phase of the multi-phase power distribution system, and
• wherein each switch assembly of the first plurality of switch assembles includes
• a loadbreak module including a fixed contact, a movable contact and a pair of opposed line terminals electrically coupled to the movable contact, and wherein the movable contact is selectively operable to break or establish an electrical pathway with the fixed contact,
• a bushing coupled to the enclosure and having a load terminal configured to be electrically coupled with an external electrical component,
• a disconnect switch positioned between and electrically coupled with the load terminal and the fixed contact, wherein the disconnect switch is selectively operable to break or establish an electrical pathway between the load terminal and the fixed contact;
• and
• a first plurality of bridge assemblies, wherein each bridge assembly of the first plurality of bridge assemblies is configured to electrically connect one of the pair of opposed line terminals of each switch assembly in the first row to one of the pair of opposed line terminals of a switch assembly in the adjacent second row such that the switch assembly in the first row and the switch assembly in the second row each corresponds to a same phase of the multi-phase power distribution system.

A switchgear system comprising:

• an enclosure made of dielectric material and containing atmospheric air;
• and
• a plurality of switch assemblies disposed within the enclosure and arranged in a row, wherein each switch assembly of the plurality of switch assemblies corresponds to a different phase of a multi-phase power distribution system, and wherein each switch assembly of the plurality of switch assemblies includes
• a first electrical conductor configured to be electrically coupled with an external component, and
• a loadbreak module assembly made of dielectric material and having
• a loadbreak module housing made of dielectric material,
• a fixed contact,
• a movable contact selectively operable to break or establish an electrical pathway with the fixed contact,
• a first terminal assembly that includes a first recess positioned entirely within the first terminal assembly and a first terminal, wherein the first terminal is positioned within the first recess and is configured to be electrically coupled with the fixed contact, wherein the first terminal is configured to electrically couple the fixed contact with the first electrical conductor, wherein the first recess is defined by a wall made of dielectric material and is configured such that an electrical connection between the first terminal and the first electrical conductor is positioned entirely within the dielectric wall of the first terminal assembly, and
• a second terminal assembly that includes a second recess positioned entirely within the second terminal assembly and a second terminal, wherein the second terminal is positioned within the second recess and configured to be electrically coupled with the movable contact, wherein the second terminal is configured to electrically couple the movable contact with an electrical conductor assembly, wherein the second recess is defined by a wall made of dielectric material and is configured such that an electrical connection between the second terminal and the electrical conductor assembly is positioned entirely within the dielectric wall of the second terminal assembly, and
• wherein the electrical conductor assembly includes a conductive rod surrounded by a dielectric cover, wherein the conductive rod and dielectric cover are configured to be received within the second recess of the second terminal assembly such that an electrical connection between the conductive rod and the second terminal is positioned entirely within the dielectric wall of the second terminal assembly.