75 YEARS - Hubbell Power Systems

TIPS &NEWS
www.hubbellpowersystems.com
CELEBRATING
75 YEARS
of keeping lineman
safe on the job.
ENDURING PRODUCTS AND PEOPLE YOU CAN DEPEND ON.
VOL. 16 NO. 3 | SEPTEMBER 2012

2
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
H U B B E L L
OUTSIDE PLANT
QUALITY • INNOVATION • CUSTOMER SERVICE
Hubbell Power Systems supplies
products to meet your outside plant,
aerial and burial needs.
• Aerial Pole Line Hardware
• Anchoring Systems
• Deadends and Connectors
• Polymer Concrete Enclosures and Pads
Chance ® Anderson Fargo ®
Quazite ® Hubbell ®

Powerful
Partnership.
Together, we can make a difference.
NEWS
HPS Wadsworth, Ohio Supports
United Way Day of Action
Special thanks to Lisa Pelfrey, Barb
Geimer, Mike Comber, Ed Nyszczy and
Michael Hearne of Hubbell Power Systems
(HPS) in Wadsworth, Ohio, who
recently participated in this year’s United
Way Day of Action. Across America
on Thursday, June 21, people of all
ages, backgrounds and abilities donated their time and talent to help others. Last year,
more than 258 communities across each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico hosted a Day of
Action, benefitting more than 242,680 people! HPS’s volunteers took part by volunteering
for a Kidney Foundation of Medina County local service project.
Congratulations to Dick Erdel on 40 years
of Service with HPS! We’ve been told that some
of you know Dick better as Erdel the Turtle and
fondly remember the 70s as the Erdel Years.
For the rest, you know Dick as the Ringmster
at our trade shows and our Mad Man– I mean
Ad Man- for 39 years. It's been a great 40 years;
thanks for all your hard work, Dick!
Join Hubbell Power Systems in support of
sustainable business practices. Sign up for
electronic statements, electronic invoices,
and ACH payments.
SIMPLE. SECURE. SMART.
“Hubbell is committed to reducing harmful
impacts to the environment…
Our efforts will afford the next generation
a future of brighter tomorrows”
– Tim Powers, Chairman,
CEO & President
Hubbell Incorporated
Call us at 573-682-8508 or 573.682.8816
and start making a difference today.
SEPTEMBER
10 – 13 Solar Power Int Orlando, FL
11 – 14 ARTBA (Road & Trans Builders) Memphis, TN
12 – 14 Transmission & Sub Symposium Univ TX, Arlington
16 – 18 AREMA American Railway Eng Chicago, IL
18 – 20 UPMG Louisville, KY
24 – 28 Hands On Distributor Training Aiken, SC
24 – 26 FTTH Dallas, TX
25 – 27 DistribuTech, Brazil, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
29 – 30 WEFTEC (Water Equip) New Orleans, LA
30 – Oct 2 UPMG Seattle, WA
OCTOBER
1 – 5 Finepoint Circuit Breaker Conf Pittsburgh, PA
3 – 6 NCSEA St. Louis, MO
10 – 13 Lineman’s Rodeo Overland Park, KS
17 – 19 SCTE Cable Tec Orlando, FL
18 – 20 ASCE Conference Quebec, Canada
20 – 23 USMA Scottsdale, AZ
29 – 30 ASPE Engineered Plumbing Charlotte, NC
11 SCE&G Equipment Show Columbia, SC
12 CEEUS Columbia, SC
NOVEMBER
14 – 15 Outside Plant Denver, CO
Upcoming Shows
3

4
A rich history
like no other...
The first Ad Manager
1939-1942
Women lineman for Grand Valley
Rural Power Lines, Inc
1947 -1948
1956-1957

2003-2007
1956-1957
CELEBRATING
75 YEARS
of keeping lineman
safe on the job.
1995-1996
Christmas Card Contest
1956-1957
&
TIPS NEWS
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
1967 -1968
Recognize this
handsome
man? It’s Ed West,
our Test Lab
Manager.
1975-197 6 1977 -1979 1980-1983
5

6
Parkingstand Lightning
Arrester 200 Amp 15 kV
FEATURES:
• Fully wrapped Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) block
modules ensure compliance with all requirements
of IEEE Std. C62.11, including safe failure mode
• Provides excellent protection against lightning or
switching surges
• Operating interface conforms to figure 5 of IEEE Std. 386
• Fully shielded and submersible, either continuously or
intermittently, to a depth of 6 feet (2m)
• ID band and stamp on end cap provides clear
identification of voltage specifications
• 36 inch standard lead length; other lengths are available
• Internal contact molded into conductive insert to fully
seal the chambers
• Stainless steel bracket resists rust and corrosion
Hubbell has a policy of continuous product improvement. We reserve the
right to change design and specifications without notice.
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated
S U R G E P R O T E C T I O N
Safety and Surge Protection–
Wrapped Into One
HUBBELL ® ELASTIMOLD ® COOPER ®
215PLA03 167PSA03 3237686C03M
215PLA06 167PSA06 3237686C06M
215PLA09 ----- 3237686C09M
215PLA10 167PSA10 3237686C10M
215PLA12 167PSA12 3237686C12M
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated www.hubbellpowersystems.com e-mail:hpsliterature@hubbell.com

From the name you trust and brand you depend on . . .
L I N E M A N G R A D E T O O L S TM
• ASTM D120 • Colors: Yellow-under-Black, Red-under-Black
For details on CHANCE ® Lineman Grade Gloves, contact your local Hubbell
Power Systems representative or check out Catalog Section 2650 on our web site.
Ergonomic innovation. Timely solutions.
Just a few of the reasons the industry turns to Hubbell Power Systems and the Chance brand.
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated www.hubbellpowersystems.com e-mail:hpsliterature@hubbell.com
TO THOSE WHO CLIMB
Contour-Cuff Gloves &
Bell-Cuff Rubber Gloves
CHANCE ® natural rubber insulating gloves by Hubbell
Power Systems. Our ergonomic design provides better
flexibility and comfort without compromising safety.
Available in three ASTM classes, and a full range of
sizes. CHANCE gloves deliver the ultimate protection
and comfort To Those Who Climb.
• Classes 2, 3 & 4
• Length available: 18”
• Featuring our durable on-product label
Natural rubber formula provides excellent flexibility
and electrical insulation
Oval-shaped fingers help provide “No-Dead-Spots”
feel and better dexterity
Straight fingers relative to palm help prevent fatigue
to tendons in back of hands
Straight wrist in natural rest poition helps avoid
fatiguing forearms and hands
• Classes 1 through 4
• Length 14” through 18”
• Sizes: 9, 9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2, 11, 12
7

8
The Guardian
Mike Glueckert, Sr. is a Journeyman
Lineman/Troubleshooter at
Northwestern Energy in Helena,
Montana. He is also the guardian of hundreds of
antique line tools.
Glueckert started collecting line tools when he was
a young apprentice, more than 37 years ago. But,
he did not get serious until the end of the 1990’s.
“The OSHA regulations changed and utilities in
the US had to dispose of all their wooden tools. I
saw my supervisor cutting the wooden handles in
half and I asked if I could take the rest of the tools
home with me. He said yes and it became clear to
me that I needed to preserve some of our past,”
explains Glueckert.
What do you have in your collection?
Primarily I collect safety line tools, but I have a
little bit of everything. I have a lot of line tools
including saddles, clamps, and anything to do
with transmission work. I have wooden tools and
some of the very first, epoxy-glass sticks. I have old
wooden insulator cradles and wooden link sticks.
I'm not a big insulator collector, but I do have some
rubber goods.”
Most of my tools are Chance ® tools. Of course,
before it was Chance it was Tips Tool Company
(1918-1937). Our forefathers, started with Tips.
And, some of the most popular tools in the
collection are the Tips and Chance shotgun sticks.
I have quite a few for transmission work, as well
as six-footers and folding sticks. I have a number
of different universal sticks with all the tips and a
variety of tie heads.
I also have my own, fully refurbished, 1959 hot stick
trailer. It is a Chance trailer, filled with Chance tools.
of Historic Line Tools
What is the oldest thing you have in your
collection?
“I have some very old tool belts. They are
homemade out of horse harness leather. I don’t
know how old they are for sure, but I suppose they
were made at the turn-of-the-century or early in
the 1900s. As far as tools go, I have a large variety
of Tips tools from the 1920s.”
What do you think has changed the most
over the years?
“The basic tools haven’t changed much over the
years, but there have been many modifications.
Most of the changes were made because the
hardware on the lines changed. Over the years,
more large heavy tools have been developed for
transmission work. These have been incorporated
into the trade to accommodate the heavy string of
bells, for example. Those are all fairly new tools.
And, since the industry is reluctant to take lines out
of service, we've been seeing more live line work
and more bare hand work and all the tools that
you need to do that work. One major change is the
addition of electronic components to line tools.”
What are some the strangest items that you
have?
“One of the most unique things is an old Tips Tool
grounding chain. It is a braided copper chain the
linemen would attach to ground--either the shield
wire or a local ground. Then, they would pull the
other end of the chain over the conductor with an
old manila rope. So, it was just a copper chain lying
over the conductor. There aren’t many of those
around anymore.
Also, I have some antique climbing hooks that
the lineman wore. In the old days, the shank was

Learn more about our walk-in tool
1951-1953
trailers! Email hpsliterature@hubbell.com
and request bulletin number 07-1201.
1975-1976
1947-1948
1963
on the outside of the leg, with a very
small gaff on the inside. Back then,
everyone wore tall boots and it wasn’t
uncomfortable to have the support on
the outside.”
What are your future plans?
“I will keep collecting these tools, but
they don't belong to me. They belong to
everyone. When I retire, I am going to
put them someplace where all linemen
can see and enjoy them.”
2012
9

10
MISSION-CRITICAL
PROTECTION
HPS just concluded its 3-part webinar series
detailing how Chance® cutouts provide
mission-critical protection. Presented by
Charles Worthington, Cutout Product
Engineer, the presentation covered the
three strengths of the Chance® cutouts:
technology, experience, and quality.
TECHNOLOGY
• Synthetic fusetube liner delivers consistent arc
quenching and longer life
• Moisture excluded by sealed hardware via polymer
overmounding and blind end fitting bolt holes
EXPERIENCE
• The OB insulator is the only design to employ timeproven
durable, tracking-resistant ESP hydrophobic
silicon-alloy rubber
• Combined technological excellence from 50+ years of
Chance cutouts and 30+ years of Ohio Brass insulators.
QUALITY
• Exceptional mechanical and electrical performance due
to hardware crimping technology and chemical bonding
technology at interface to polymer watershed
• Withstands 250% of ANSI C29.13 for boiling water/
steep wave tests
• For corrosive areas, available with stainless-steel
hardware and assist spring
To receive the audio recording from the
webinar, contact your territory manager.
CUTOUT
TECHNOLOGY | EXPERIENCE | QUALITY
Hubbell has a policy of continuous product improvement. We reserve the right to change
design and specifications without notice.
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated
Printed in U.S.A.
LINER AND SHELL
Liner and shell epoxy-resin matrices form a
chemical bond as the shell is wound over the
uncured liner. This outperforms the mechanical
bond of a fusetube with a bone fiber liner due
to its high moisture content — illustrated by
comparison photos after a thermal cycling test
which simulates aging.
FUSETUBE INTEGRITY
BONE FIBER SYNTHETIC

New Side Load
Quadrant Deadend
For more information, contact your Territory Manager.
Hubbell has a policy of continuous product improvement. We reserve the right to
change design and specifications without notice.
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated
Printed in U.S.A.
19-2000 JUNE 2012
Q U A D R A N T D E A D E N D
PATENT PENDING
SLQ48N: A Truly Unique Quadrant Clamp
• Side loading conductor groove makes
installation much quicker than conventional
u-bolt style quadrant clamps.
• Single 1/2” bolt allows for hand or hydraulic
tool installations.
• Spring loaded design holds keeper out of the
way for easier conductor insertion.
• For use with AAC, AAAC, & ACSR conductors.
CATALOG
NUMBER
SLQ48N
SLQ48S
SLQ48C
CLAMPING RANGE RECOMMENDED
ACSR ALUM IN. (mm) TORQUE
#6 (6/1)
To
2/0 (6/1)
#4 (7 str) To
2/0 (19 str)
0.19 - .048
(4.8-12.2)
45 LB-FT
(61 Nm)
WRENCH
FLAT
3/4”
(19 mm)
www.hubbellpowersystems.com
11

12
Migrating to USCO ®
Center Break V Switches:
Problems and Solutions
Technical Support Assists with
Customer Switch Transition
For over 25 years, Arizona Public Service
(APS) used Cooper Power Systems
(formerly KPF) air break switches on
our 69-kV overhead transmission
lines. The switches are rated for 900-
A, which worked well for us, since APS
used 795 all-aluminum conductors on
our transmission lines with the average
amperage of about 850-A.
www.hubbellpowersystems.com
By Juan Gutierrez,
Jr., Senior Engineer
Arizona Public Service (APS)
Yuma, Arizona
In 2009, APS began designing lines that could
carry more current. The operation/planners
began looking for ways to carry more current
over our existing lines; therefore, we started
reconductoring existing lines with 795 ACSS
conductors, which can carry currents as high as
1500-A. Since the Cooper/ KPF air break switch
was rated for 900-A, it was no longer an option.
APS’ T&D Engineering and Standards (TDES)
began looking at higher-rated air break switches
and contacted a Hubbell representative for
more information on the USCO® Center Break
V Switch. This switch could withstand currents
as high as 2000-A, but it was a different
kind of switch and our APS construction and
maintenance crews had reservations.

BUMPY TRANSITION
As a trial, we bought and installed three
of the new USCO switches. Although the
construction crew members said they liked the
switches, they complained that the switches
were not packaged the way they wanted them
to be nor were they comfortable with the
installation instructions.
Further, our old switch configuration included
an interrupting bottle that dropped the
parallel line charge on the lines for up to 40
miles. Some of our people wanted to continue
using the vacuum bottles. Others didn’t want
to use the bottles. And some didn’t want the
USCO switches at all.
Another issue was training. Even though
USCO/Hubbell Power Systems offered to train
our crews on how to install the Center Break
V Switches, our APS crews couldn’t work it
into their busy schedule. Despite all this, APS
decided to buy and install the USCO Center
Break V switches, as our new standard on new
and existing 795 ACSS lines.
In the beginning of 2010, TDES began receiving
reports of USCO switch failures in Yuma, AZ;
problems included both vacuum bottle and
switch operation failures. APS had purchased
and installed 10 USCO switches in the area
and, after an investigation, we discovered that
each of the 10 switches had been installed
in a different manner. It became very clear
that the problems were due to lack of proper
switch installation training.
Pete Swales, Sales Representative for Hubbell
Power Systems, and Ron Chamblee, Production
Supervisor for Hubbell’s USCO brand were
immediately contacted for training assistance.
Without delay, Hubbell started working with
us to fix the problem. Although Ron was based
out of Alabama, he said “If I have to jump on a
plane tomorrow, I will.”
TIPS &NEWS
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
Working with TDES, Pete and Ron set up on-site
training, in Yuma, to make sure that all USCO
switches were properly installed and operated
correctly.
This training took place in the middle of the
Arizona summer, when temperatures were hitting
110 degrees Fahrenheit, every day. Ron came
down twice and spent a week each time with the
crews responsible for installing the switches. He
even went up in a bucket with groups of crew
members to make sure everyone really learned
how to properly install the switches.
While Ron was here in Arizona, we had the
APS training department make an installation
training video, which is currently available on
our internal APS web site.
13

14
TIPS &NEWS
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
TRAINING IS KEY
This on-the-job training was warmly received by
all the crews and they really appreciated Ron’s
knowledge and training skills. Our crews were
particularly impressed by the extent to which
Ron endorsed the switch, a good indication of a
quality product. Ron’s customer service didn’t end
with his training. He passed out his business cards
to the crews, with an invitation to call him with
any questions or problems they might encounter.
Several linemen have taken advantage of Ron’s
offer, and he was able to resolve their issues over
the phone.
When the switches were not operating correctly,
a lot of the crew members lost their confidence in
the switch and no longer wanted them. But, after
showing everyone how to properly install the USCO
Center Break V switch, the crews don’t want to use
anything else.
After the training, complaints about the USCO
switches dropped from eight or nine per week to
zero.
Migrating to USCO® Center Break V Switches
STREAMLINE PURCHASING
The support from Hubbell Power Systems didn’t
end with on-site training. When we first began
purchasing USCO switches, we bought two different
models: a vertically stacked configuration and a
delta configuration. One came with a 1.5-inch pipe
(handle) and the other with a 2-inch pipe. TDES
asked if USCO/Hubbell Power Systems could provide
APS with only one size pipe for both configurations.
Hubbell Power Systems confirmed that the 2-inch
pipe would work for both switch configurations.
This made standardization, purchasing, and
shipping simpler and more efficient and, since then,
we haven’t had any issues with receiving our orders.
T&D Engineering and Standards has experienced
many companies extolling the virtues of their
customer service department, but this doesn’t mean
they know what they’re talking about. Not once did
Pete or Ron unduly praise Hubbell’s customer service
department; they didn’t need to pat themselves
on the back. They knew what needed to be done
and, once it was completed, they started to work
on a follow-up plan. Hubbell Power Systems gets an
A+ and 100% from me, because of the continued
technical and customer support on the USCO Center
Break V switch.

CHANCE ® ANCHORS
TRUE-SPEC ANCHORS
To assure your trust in CHANCE® Anchors,
we authenticate the steel we use in them.
Look for our Standard Marks of Anchor Excellence.
COMPLETE MATERIAL TRACEABILITY
• Components are permanently stamped with unique numbers.
• Assures you the steel meets the specs we demand from our suppliers.
PRODUCTS INCLUDED:
• PISA ® anchors and rods
• Square Shaft lead sections and extensions
• No-Wrench anchors
For more details on CHANCE ® Anchors and Anchor Tools, contact your Hubbell Power
Systems representative or visit http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/anchoring/
©Copyright 2012 Hubbell Incorporated www.hubbellpowersystems.com e-mail:hpsliterature@hubbell.com
15
15

SPENT FUSE LINKS
TiPS of the trade
A used link has a story to tell
Finding cutouts open, but no signs of trouble on
the line, can be frustrating for line personnel. A link
removed from an open cutout and visually examined
is sometimes categorized as having “pulled apart.”
In reality, the link may be spent because there was a
fault and the link reacted to it. By looking for certain
characteristics on activated Chance Type T, K, and Slo-
Fast links, you can determine when links have operated
and at what general current levels.
FUSE CONSTRUCTION
To analyze the remains of a fuse link, one must
first know link construction. Different element
materials, strain wires, solder and crimp
connections, heater coils and solder junctions
are all used in Chance fuse links to control
operating speeds. Those performances
are shown on published minimum melt
and total clear curves (see Table 1 upper
right).
T LINK CONSTRUCTION
T links, 1 through 3 amps have stainless
steel elements mechanically crimped
at the buttonhead and cable adapter.
The 6 through 100 amp links have a similar
construction except the stainless steel wire acts
mainly as a load-bearing strain member.
Current is carried primarily by a parallel pure tin
element which is soldered to the exterior of the
buttonhead and cable adapters at the crimps.
16 www.hubbellpowersystems.com

STRAIN
WIRE
CRIMP
BOTH
ENDS
SOLDER
BOTH
ENDS
SMOOTH
TIN
ELEMENT
140 and 200 amp T links have a heavy
copper element which is soldered
into the buttonhead at the top and
mechanically crimped into the cable
adapter at the bottom.
K LINK CONSTRUCTION
The 1 through 3 amp K links are
constructed the same as T links. The 6
through 100 amp K links have stainless
steel strain wires to provide mechanical
strength and copper alloy elements
to carry current. These two wires are
attached in parallel by crimps at the
buttonhead and cable adapter (see
Photograph 1). The 140 and 200 amp K
links have large silver/copper elements
which, unlike T links, are crimped
both at the cable adapter and
buttonhead (see Photograph 2).
SLO-FAST LINK
COPPER
ELEMENT
SOLDER
CRIMP
CONSTRUCTION
Slo-Fast links have two sections
(Photograph 3). The slow section
has a current-carrying heater coil
wrapped around an insulated strain
pin. The two in parallel are crimped at
one end in the buttonhead and at the
other in a small copper tube. The fast
section has a stainless steel strain wire
and parallel copper element, similar
to a K link. These two are crimped at
one end in the cable adapter and at the
other end in a small copper tube. The
two crimped copper tubes are joined by
a solder connection.
GENERAL STRENGTH
T, K, and Slo-Fast links are designed to
withstand pull forces in excess of 20 lb.
This is twice the ANSI requirement of
10 lb. The actual withstand capabilities
vary from fuse to fuse. Generally, larger
links have greater capability, but type
of construction is also a big factor.
15 amp T link 140 amp T link Photograph 1
Photograph 2
FUSE OPERATION
High level faults, 1,000 amps and up, are
easy to recognize. The fuse’s auxiliary
tube is nearly gone or totally destroyed,
and the element is consumed. When
faults are in the 500 to 1,000 amp
range, the auxiliary tube will burst but
remain intact. In such cases most of the
element is consumed depending on the
size of the fuse. Unlike high-level fault
incidents, lowlevel faults are sometimes
hard to accept as having occurred
because of the limited damage. In a
low-level fault the auxiliary tube is
not damaged, and the element may
be nearly whole. By knowing the
characteristics of a fuse link’s remains
after a low-current operation, one can
recognize that a fault has occurred.
These characteristics vary with the fuse
type.
Photograph 3
STRAIN
WIRE
15 Amp K Link
CRIMP
BOTH
ENDS
COPPER
ALLOY
ELEMENT
CRIMP
BOTH
ENDS
140 Amp K Link
SILVER
COPPER
ELEMENT
T LINK LOW-LEVEL OPERATION
T links, 1 through 100 amps, which
have operated at low fault or
overload currents, have auxiliary tubes
(Photograph 4) that have not ruptured.
The tin element will melt somewhere
between the soldered connections.
This transfers the full current to the
stainless steel strain member, which in
turn melts in its mid-section. After the
interruption, the remaining tin element
will have its original smooth surface.
The element’s solder connections,
and the strain member’s crimped
connections will be undisturbed. In
Photographs 5, 6 and 7 the auxiliary
tubes did not rupture, the tin elements
17

and stainless steel strain wires melted
between connections, the remaining
elements have smooth surfaces, and
the connections are undisturbed. These
are all signs of a normal fuse operation
at low current. The 140 and 200 amp T
links (see Photograph 8) have a solder
connection at the buttonhead end. On
low-level faults this connection will
melt and pull out of the buttonhead.
This type of operation is often
mistakenly considered a “pull apart.”
As long as buttonhead and element are
well wetted with solder, this is a normal
operation.
T LINK PULL APART
T links, 6 through 100 amps, which have
been mechanically over stressed and
pulled apart, will have a stretched tin
element. The surface of the element
will be rough and the element will be
necked down where it pulled apart. The
strain wire will either pull out of one of
the crimps, recognized by the bend at
that end of the wire, or will break off
right at one of the crimps (Photograph
9). T links, 1 through 3 amps, have only
stainless steel elements. If they pull
apart, they will have elements which
pull out or break off like the strain
wires. The 140 and 200 amp T links are
strong enough that a pull apart (pulling
out of the crimp or solder connection)
is unlikely.
K LINK LOW-LEVEL OPERATION
“K” links that have operated at low
fault currents (Photograph 10) will have
auxiliary tubes that have not
ruptured. Like T links, the strain wire
and element will melt somewhere
between the connections, and the
crimps will be undisturbed. The amount
of element and strain wire consumed
will be somewhat proportional to the
ratio of fault current to the fuse rating,
i.e., a fault of 15 times the fuse rating
will consume more element than one
which is only three times the rating.
18 www.hubbellpowersystems.com
Photograph 4 —Whole LAuxiliary Tube
Photograph 6—40 Amp T Link
STRAIN WIRE BROKEN
K LINK PULL APART
K links, 6 through 100 amps, which have
been mechanically over stressed and
pulled apart will have strain wires which
pull out of the crimp and/or break off
right at the crimp the same as T links.
The element, being much stronger than
tin, will not neck down much. Once the
strain wire gives way, the total stress is
placed on the element. The element will
break at its weakest point anywhere
along its length, not necessarily at the
crimp. K links, 1 through 3 amps, have
Photograph 5—10 Amp T Link
Photograph 7—65 Amp T Link
These links were mechanically pulled apart at forces above 20 lbs.
STRAIN WIRE PULLED OUT
SOLDER MELTED
STRETCHED ELEMENT
ROUGH ELEMENT SURFACE
(Fuse was operated at 22 amps, 15 kV)
Photograph 8
Photograph 9
Photograph 10 —6 Amp K Link
only stainless steel elements. If they pull
apart, they will have elements which
pull out or break off like the strain
wires shown at right (Photograph 11).
The 140 and 200 amp K links are of such
strength that a pull apart is unlikely.
SLO-FAST LINKS
LOW-LEVEL OPERATION
Slo-Fast links have two sections that can
operate at currents of 500 amps and
below. The “fast” section is

similar to a K link. The fuse operates
when the fault current is to the right of
the “knee” of the minimum melt curve
(see Table II). In this mode of operation
the element and strain wire will melt
somewhere between the crimps. The
crimped sections of the element, and
strain wire will be undisturbed. The
remains will look similar to the K link in
Photograph 10 on page 14. A Slo-Fast
link operating in the slow section as
shown in Photograph 12 is sometimes
mistakenly considered a “pull apart.”
At fault or overload currents to the
left of the knee of the minimum melt
curve, the heater coil transmits enough
heat to the solder junction to cause the
solder to melt. Separation at this point
(provided both crimp tubes are wetted
with solder) is a normal operation.
SLO-FAST LINKS - PULL APART
When Slo-Fast fuse links are mechanically
over stressed and pulled apart, they will
separate in the lower (fast) section. This
section is constructed similar to a K link.
As shown in Photograph 13 below, the
strain wire pulls out and the element
breaks off a little way from the crimped
connection.
SUMMARY
By knowing what to look for, you can
spot the characteristics of a normal
low-level fault interruption. When the
auxiliary tube has not burst, look for
the following signs: T links: Element and
strain wire melt in mid-section. Strain
wire crimps undisturbed. Smooth surface
on remaining tin element. K links:
Element and strain wire melt between
crimps. Crimps undisturbed. Slo-Fast
links: Element and strain wire melt
between crimps. Crimps undisturbed.
Separation at solder junction. Heater
coil and strain pin intact.
Photograph 11
These links pulled apart at forces above 20 lb. The elements
broke at the top crimp connection.
Photograph 13—7.0 Amp Slo-Fast Link
(This link was mechanically pulled apart at a force above 20 lbs.)
Photograph 12
Table II
SOLDER MELTED
19

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