Manipulation assembly for online electrical system test probe installation

A method comprising:

• opening a split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor, wherein the opening step comprises:
• pivoting distal portions of a first arm and a second arm away from each other about an actuation hinge;
• pivoting a third arm and a fourth arm toward each other about a proximal hinge;
• and
• pivoting a first half and a second half of the split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor away from each other about a sensor hinge that is spaced from the actuation hinge;
• positioning the open split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor about an energized electrical cable;
• and
• closing the split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor, wherein the closing step comprises:
• pivoting distal portions of the first arm and the second arm toward each other about the actuation hinge;
• pivoting a third arm and a fourth arm away from each other about the proximal hinge;
• and
• pivoting the first half and the second half of the split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor toward each other about the sensor hinge.

An assembly for online partial discharge testing, the assembly comprising:

• a split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor having a first half and a second half connected by a sensor hinge;
• an actuation subassembly comprising:
• a first arm comprising electrically insulative material and having a distal portion and an opposite proximal portion, wherein the distal portion of the first arm defines an at least partially curved grip feature, and wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion of the first arm are angled relative to each other and meet and a first apex;
• a second arm comprising electrically insulative material and having a distal portion and an opposite proximal portion, wherein the distal portion of the second arm defines an at least partially curved grip feature, and wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion of the second arm are angled relative to each other and meet and a second apex;
• an actuation hinge connecting the first apex of the first arm and the second apex of the second arm, wherein the actuation hinge is spaced from the sensor hinge;
• a biasing member for biasing distal portions of the first and second arms toward each other relative to the actuation hinge;
• a third arm comprising electrically insulative material and pivotally connected to the proximal portion of the first arm;
• and
• a fourth arm comprising electrically insulative material and pivotally connected to the proximal portion of the second arm, wherein the third arm and fourth arm are pivotally connected to each other at a proximal hinge located opposite the pivotal connections to the first and second arms;
• and
• one or more fasteners for securing the split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor to at least one of the first arm and the second arm of the actuation subassembly,
• wherein the assembly is configured such that the distal portions of the first arm and the second arm of the actuation subassembly can pivot about the actuation hinge to cause the first half and the second half of the split-core radio-frequency current transformer sensor to pivot about the sensor hinge.