High voltage disconnector with fixed and locking members secure under Lorentz forces

High voltage installation comprising:

• a first conductor;
• a second conductor;
• a third conductor;
• a high voltage disconnector having
• first and second movable contacts connected to the first conductor,
• a first fixed contact connected to the second conductor, and
• a second fixed contact connected to the third conductor,
• each of the movable contacts having a first locking part,
• each of the fixed contacts having a second locking part,
• the movable contacts being movable with respect to the fixed contacts,
• wherein the movable contacts and the corresponding fixed contacts form, when contacting with one another, a combined conductor to produce an electrical connection between the second and third conductors,
• one of the combined connectors forms an angle between the first and the second conductor, such that, when the first fixed contact and the first movable contact are in contact with one another during operation, a Lorentz force prevails which pulls the first fixed and first movable contacts apart and is transverse to the first and second conductors,
• the first locking parts of the movable contacts and the second locking parts of the fixed contacts engaging in one another when the contacts are in contact with one another, and the first locking parts of the movable contact and the second locking parts of the fixed contact acting in a direction parallel to the Lorentz force which is pulling the fixed and movable contacts apart.

A method of switching voltages comprising the step of:

• switching from a high voltage disconnector from a first position to a second position, the high voltage disconnector comprising
• a movable contact connected to a first conductor;
• a fixed contact connected to a second conductor;
• and
• a locking means, the locking means having a first locking part located on the movable contact and a second locking part located on the fixed contact,
• the movable contact being movable with respect to the fixed contact,
• wherein the movable contact and the fixed contact form, when contacting with one another, a combined conductor to produce an electrical connection between the first conductor and the second conductor,
• the combined connector forming an angle between the first and the second conductor, such that, when the fixed contact and the movable contact are in contact with one another during operation, a Lorentz force prevails which pulls the fixed and movable contacts apart and is transverse to the first and second conductors,
• the first locking part of the movable contact and the second locking part of the fixed contact engaging in one another when the two contacts are in contact with one another, and the first locking part of the movable contact and the second locking part of the fixed contact acting in a direction parallel to the Lorentz force which is pulling the fixed and movable contacts apart.