Apparatus, system and methods for deadfront visible loadbreak

A separable connector system comprising:

• first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection to a deadfront electrical apparatus under energized circuit conditions, the first connector assembly being stationary and the second connector assembly being movable relative to the first connector assembly, wherein the second mating connector assembly is selectively positionable between a first position in which the first and second mating connector assemblies are electrically and mechanically engaged with one another and a fixed, second position in which the first and second mating connector assemblies are electrically disconnected from one another;
• an actuating element configured to selectively position the second mating connector assembly from the first position to the second position;
• and
• a stop element configured to prevent the first and second mating connector assemblies from separating more than a predetermined amount when the actuating element selectively positions the second mating connector assembly from the first position to the second position.

A method of visibly breaking an electrical connection to a deadfront electrical apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second electrical connectors, the first electrical connector being fixed to a deadfront electrical apparatus and the second electrical connector being movable relative to the first electrical connector, one of the first and second electrical connectors comprising an arc follower and the other of the first and second electrical connectors comprising an arc interrupter;
• joining the first and second electrical connectors under energized circuit conditions to complete an electrical connection with the apparatus, the joined first and second electrical connectors being electrically and mechanically engaged with one another;
• and
• separating the electrical engagement of the first and second electrical connectors to disconnect the electrical connection with the apparatus, the separated first and second electrical connectors being in a fixed position in which the first and second electrical connectors are mechanically engaged with one another.

A method of visibly breaking an electrical connection to a deadfront electrical apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second electrical connector assemblies, the first electrical connector assembly being fixed to a deadfront electrical apparatus and the second electrical connector assembly being movable relative to the first electrical connector assembly, at least one of the first and second electrical connector assemblies comprising first and second contact elements connected to a bus, thereby providing a series connection between the first and second contact elements;
• joining the first and second electrical connector assemblies under energized circuit conditions to complete an electrical connection with the apparatus, the joined first and second electrical connector assemblies being electrically and mechanically engaged with one another;
• and
• simultaneously breaking electrical arcing at the first and second contact elements by separating the first and second electrical connector assemblies, the separated first and second electrical connector assemblies being in a fixed position in which at least a portion of one of the first and second electrical connector assemblies is at least partially disposed within the other of the first and second connector assemblies.