US 2025/0166935 A1 · CONTACT FOR HIGH AMPERAGE SWITCH AND TEST METHOD FOR IDENTIFICATION OF CAUSES OF CONTACT FAILURE

Abstract

A method of testing contacts of a high voltage switch to replicate corrosion fretting exhibited by switches used with renewable energy generators. The method comprises a test assembly being constructed which comprises a vertical break switch having a plurality of contacts. The switch is connected to a high current, low voltage continuous current test loop. A plurality of thermocouples is attached along multiple locations on the switch, the contacts and the test assembly. A vibratory motor is mounted to the test assembly and the plurality of contacts are overloaded by applying current to the test assembly in an amount more than two times a designated current density for the contacts. The contacts being allowed to reach a thermal equilibrium and activating the vibratory motor.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method of testing contacts of a high voltage switch to replicate corrosion fretting exhibited by switches used with renewable energy generators, the method comprising:

constructing a test assembly comprising a vertical break test switch having a plurality of contacts, the test switch connected to a high current, low voltage continuous current test loop;
attaching a plurality of thermocouples along multiple locations on the test switch, plurality of contacts and test assembly;
mounting a vibratory motor to the test assembly;
overloading the plurality of contacts by applying current to the test assembly in an amount more than two times a designated current density for said plurality of contacts;
allowing the plurality of contacts to reach a thermal equilibrium and activating the vibratory motor, and
operating the switch until the plurality of contacts achieve a temperature increase higher than an ambient temperature for the plurality of contacts.

3 more elements

A contact assembly for a high voltage switch comprising:

a contact body comprising a c-shaped member having a central channel between opposing parallel first and second flanges extending from opposing sides of the channel;
a plurality of contacts, each contact a comprising U-shaped copper band comprising a first and second segments having first terminal ends and opposing ends joined together by a curved segment, the first segment being substantially straight along its length, the second segment having a bend along its length between a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second member being substantially parallel to first member and the second portion of the second member angling toward the first member as it extends from the first segment to the curved segment, wherein the first portion of the second segment of the copper body is covered by a silver plating along at least a portion thereof, and the first segment of copper body is covered by a plating of tin along at least a portion thereof,
the plurality of contacts comprising a first contact secured to the first flange of the contact body and a second contact fixedly secured to the second flange of the contact body, the first contact being secured such that at least a portion of the second segment of the first contact extends into the channel of the contact body and is adjacent to an interior surface of the first flange with a space therebetween, the second contact being secured such that at least a portion of the second segment of the second contact extends into the channel of the contact body and is adjacent to an interior surface of the second flange with a space therebetween;
a contact plug within the channel of the contact body, the contact plug having first and second outer edges;
a plurality of biasing members comprising a first biasing member secured to the first flange of the contact body and a second biasing member secured to the second flange of the biasing member,
wherein, the first biasing member extends between the inside surface of the first flange and the inside surface of the first contact in the space therebetween, the first biasing member providing a force to influence the second segment of the first contact toward the first outer edge of the contact plug such that the outer surface of the second segment of the first contact is engaged against the first outer surface of the contact plug,
wherein, the second biasing member extends between the inside surface of the second flange and the inside surface of the second contact in the space therebetween, the second biasing member providing a force to influence the second segment of the second contact toward the second outer edge of the contact plug such that the outer surface of the second segment of the second contact is engaged against the second outer surface of the contact plug.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Contact for high amperage switch and test method for identification of causes of contact failure

Life of this patent

Contact for high amperage switch and test method for identification of causes of contact failure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23