US2278322A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J; H. KNUTZ ET AL SWITCH Filed Aug. 9, 1940 March 31, 1942.

March 31, 1942.

J; H. KNUTZ ET AL. 2,278,322

SWITCH Filed Aug. 9, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 31,1942. J. H. KNUTZ E? AL SWITCH Filed Aug. 9, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 4 INSULATION INSULATION Patented Mar. 31, 1942 Jay R. Knutz and B usaell H. MacKinnon,

vanston, Ill. Application August 9, 1940, Serial No. 351,978

12 Claims. (01. 200-48) Our invention relates to switches for high voltage outdoor electrical distribution and transmission lines.

In'rnost instances heretofore, high voltage electrical distribution switches for use on outdoor circuits above 690 volts have been of one of two general classiiiations, the so-called enclosed type of switch which is the most universally used or the open type of switch.

The enclosed type of switch has contacts,

" blades and connectors, etc., mounted within a single porcelain enclosure. The switches are mounted on a crossarm or pole such that the exposed energized taps, box and blade (in the open position) project towards the lineman when he is in position to operate the switch. The blade in the closed position and the contacts, however, are protected from accidental contact of the lineman operating the switch.

The open type switch has energized contacts, blades, connectors, etc., which are exposed to contact by the operator. The energized parts are mounted on post or pin type insulators which in turn are mounted on a channel or bracket, or the energized parts are mounted on the two ends of a long post typeinsulator with a bracket clamp attached aroundthe insulator midway the ends. The switch is mounted on a crossarm or pole such that the exposed energized parts of the switch and the conductor taps thereto project towards the lineman when he is in position to operate the switch. Thefollowing defects are inherent in the present types of switch:

1. Hazlmos 'ro LINEMAN OPERATING Swrrcn A. Open type switch The exposed conducting parts including the line" taps are on the same side of crossamn as the operator when he opens and closes the switch. Hence he must take extra precaution in his switching procedure to avoid contacting theenergized parts which are not practical to cover with conventional safety devices such as rubber hose, hoods and blankets.

B. Closed type switch tact with the blade in the open position. Al-

though the blade is hinged from the porcelain box below the lower switch clip, such so-called dead blades are often energized to near line potential by leakage from either or both clips to the blade hinge.

The third hazard is in testing, such as "phase flashing" between clips of the enclosed box. With top and bottom clips energized from separate sources, unusual precautions must be exercised to avoid the possibility of accidentally causing a short due to the necessarily cramped working conditions and the lack of any insulating barrier between the two clips.

2. Hazanos 'ro LINEMEN 0a Gunman Woaxmo o.\' Uououoroas 0N Loan SIDE or OPEN Swncnas A. Closed type switch The inside surfaces oi the enclosed switches often become contaminated within a short time after installation so that leakage is present between the line and load clips with the blade in the open position. Where a deenergized conductor is required such as for cable work, it is necessary to remove one of the conductor taps from each switch or ground the load clip of each switch to eliminate the possibility of leakage to the supposedly deenergized conductors. Leakage current has been often measured on switches removed after a short period of service and found to be of suflicient magnitude to be fatal to man.

B. Open type switch The outside surfaces ofthe insulating members of the open type switch may become contaminated to such an extent that hazardous leakage may be present between the line and load clips with the switch blade open. Leakage is reduced by the washing action of rain on the insulators, but with wet and contaminated insulators, considerable leakage may be present unless the channel or bracket is grounded. Grounding of the channel or bracket, however, increases the hazard to the switch operator due to the proximity of the grounded metal to the exposed energized parts. Hence the usual practice is to operate similarly to the closed type switch, that is, remove a tap or ground to load clip of each switch.

8. HAzAaos 'ro LINEMEN WORKING ON Cormvc'rons ABOVE SWITCHES Both the open type and enclosed type switches extend a considerable distance in front of the arm on which they are mounted. This, togetherwith the side entrances of tap conductors considerably block the linemans working space.

4. BIECHANICAL OBJEOTIONS The projection of the open and the closed types of switch in front of the crossarm causes a turn-- ing moment on the arm which often must be counteracted by bracing, use of two arms or of heavy arms.

One object of our invention is to reduce to a minimum the hazard of accidental contact, by the operator, of any energized parts of the switch and conductor tap by the novel recessed arrangement of the contact clips (or stud) and conductor tap connector within opposite ends of insulating bushings, and enclosure of blade in an insulator.

Another object is the improvement in saiety to the operator from leakage to the blade in the open position. The combination of the leakage distance inside the bushings with the outside surface to the bracket reduces the leakage to a min imum and with bracket grounded, complete disconnection is made from the energized parts of the switch, as the grounded bracket interposes a perfect guard electrode.

A further object is to provide an insulating barrier between clips of the switch and between either clip and the mounting bracket to avoid the possibility of shorting between clips in routine test work such as "flashing of phases.

ent invention.

Another object is to eliminate hazard to men moment on the arm by the symmetrical mechanical design.

Anotherobject is to eliminate massive porcelain bodies which are diflicult to satisfactorily cast, by use of symmetrical electrical and mechanically balanced structures.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for interconnecting the line terminals by fusible means.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

Fbr a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of this invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of the improved form of disconnecting switch in the switch open position Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, at an enlarged scale, of the disconnecting switch shown in Figure l, the switch being shown in the closed position;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the contact engaging portions of the switch blade;

:F mlre 5 is a view, in front elevation, of a combihed disconnect switch and fuse, the support bracket being omitted;

Figure 6 is a detail view, partly in section, taken along the lin 6--6 of Figure 5;

aavaeee Figure '7 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section of the device shown in Figure 5; and

li-lgure B is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figure 5.

Referring now particularly to Figure l of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character I designates, generally, a disconnecting switch which embodies the features of the pres- Th'e disconnecting switch i is arranged for outdoor mounting on any suitable means such as a cross arm 2 that is carried by a pole 3 of conventional type. Obviously, the disconnecting switch 9 can be mounted on any other suitable means well known to those skilled in the art. The disconnecting switch l is arranged to interconnect a line conductor t and a load conductor 5. As is customary practice, the line conductor 4 will normally be continuously energized from the power system while the load conductor 5 will be energized only when the disconnecting switch i is in the closed position.

The disconnecting switch i generally comprises a pair of terminal assemblies shown, generally, at 6 and I, respectively, which are carried at the ends of a bracket or metallic support memher 8. The terminal assemblies 8 and I are arranged to cooperate with a movable switch arm, shown generally at 9, which can be moved from and to a position in which the terminal assemblies 6 and I are interconnected. The switch arm 9 is carried by an insulator H], such as a porcelain insulator, which is pivotally mounted on the bracket or metallic support member 8 in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings, the details of construction of the terminal assemblies 6 and I are essentially the same. Reference should also be had to Figure 3 which shows the further details of construction of these terminal assemblies. Each terminal assembly comprises a tubular insulator II that is preferably formed of porcelain and is corrugated to improve the electrical insulating properties thereof. When the bracket or metallic support member 8 is mounted, as shown, in a vertical position, the tubular insulators l I will occupy generally horizontal positions. Each insulator II is provided with an inwardly projecting central portion I2 intermediate its ends to which a conductor member, shown generally at I3, is clamped. The opening through the central portion of flange i2 is non-circular and is adapted to receive ribs H on a portion of the conductor member I: for preventing rotation thereof within the insulator H.

The conductor member I3 comprises a generally rod-like section l5 which provides a shoulder against which a washer Ii reacts, the washer i6 being arranged to abut a gasket ll, such as a cork washer, which directly engages one face of the central portion of flange l2. A similar gasket i8 is provided on the opposite face of the central portion of flange I2 and a sleeve-like nut H, which is threaded on an extension 20 of the rod-like section l5, abuts against the same and. when tightened in place, serves to hold the conductor means I! securely within the insulator II. It will be observed that the ribs l4 are formed integrally with the sleeve-like nut 19.

A switch jaw, shown generally at 21, is secured by screws 22 to the other end of the sleevelike nut I9. Each switch jaw comprises several pairs of contact fingers 23 which are somewhat flexible and which are biased toward each other by individual rod-like spring I members 24.. Each of the contact fingers 23 is provided with an insert 25, Figure 3, of silver or like material which projects inwardly to provide point contact engagement with a cooperating part the switch terioration to which ordinary disconnecting switches of the ope'n'type are subjected.

Each tubular insulator II is clamped intermediate its ends to the ends of the bracket or metallic support member I. The insulator ll forming a part of the upper terminal assembly 6 is secured in place by a generally semi-circular clamp member 21 having projecting ears, which are apertured to cooperate with similarly aper-.

tured ears integrally formed with the upper end of the bracket or support member Bjtor receiving clamp bolts 28. l

Intermediate its ends the bracket or metallic support member 8 may beprovided with an intermediate clamp section 28 that is generally rectangular in shape for interfltting with the cross arm 2. A correspondingly shaped cooperating clamp 30 is also provided and it may be secured in place by suitable screws 3|, which are threaded into suitable threaded apertures in the bracket or metallic support member I. It will be apparent that the bracket or metallic support member I can be generally channelshaped, as shown, or that it can be otherwise formed as may be desired.

The insulator il forming a part of the lower terminal assembly 1 is clamped to the bracket or metallic support member I in a manner which is similar to that previously described for the upper terminal assembly 0. The clamp member 32, having a generally semi-circular portion with "apertured extending ears, is arranged to be secured by bolts 33 to the lower'end oi the bracket or metallic support member 8, Figures 1 and 3 oi the drawings.

The clamp member 82 has a screw 34 threaded therein for receiving a ground conductor. By this means the bracket or metallic support member I can be permanently grounded so as to urther reduce the hazard to a lineman working on v the circuit connected to the load conductor 5 when the switch I is in the open circuit position.

The clamp member 32 is provided with a forwardly curved extension 35 whose outer end is slotted and through which a transverse pin 36 extends for hingedly mounting a fitting 31 havrelatively rugged and is capable of withstanding the usual shocks to which the switch will be sub-. jected during its life.

A fitting 39 is provided having. a portion .40 which is cemented into the upper end of the insulator It and another flat portion 4| which is secured by a screw 42 to the lower end of.a conductor I! which serves as the current carrying means between the switch jaws 2| oi the terminal assemblies 6 and l.

The conductor II is formed of suitable conducting material such as copper and it is embedded in a covering 44 of insulation, which is preferably capable of being moulded about the conductor 43. For example, a. phenolic condensation product, such as Bakelite, is well suited for this purpose. The insulating material M is moulded about the conductor 4! so that together they form an integral unit.

The insulation 44 includes a boss 45 having an eye portion 48 for receiving the prong of a switch stick for operating the movable switch arm from and to the switch closed position.

The ends of the insulation ll embedding the conductor 43 are flanged as indicated at 4,1 and 48 for inter-fitting with the adjacent ends I! and .50 of the insulators ll, Figure 2, so that, when the movable switch arm 8 is in the switch closed position, these ends of the insulators Ii are substantially completely enclosed.

At each end of the conductor 43 there is an integrally formedswitch blade member II and 52. These switch blade members II and 52 are arranged to interiit with switch jaws II and each is provided with an insert i3 01- copper, Figure 4, in which is embedded a strip 54 or silver which, in the switch closed position, as shown in Figure 3, is adapted to engage the inwardly projecting heads oi. the inserts 25 in the contact fingers 23. In this manner, point contact engagement between good conducting non-oxidizable conducting metals is provided. With aview to latching the movable switch member 9 in the switched closed position, the

switch blade member 5|, Figure 2, is provided being movably mounted, it will be understood arm 9 forming the base.

that their positions can be reversed. However, since the switch blade members 5| can be readily formed integrally with the conductor 43, it is preferable to employ the arrangement shown and described hereinbefore.

The terminal assemblies 6 and I together with the movable switch arm 8 provide a generally U-shapedconfiguration with the terminal assemblies 6 and I forming the branches and the switch The parts are insulated by the insulators II and by the covering 44. To open the circuit the base of the U comprising the switch arm 9 and the insulating covering 44 in which it is embedded is removed from its switch closed position.

It will be apparent that the switch construction shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings and described hereinbefore combines the advantageous features of both the open and the enclosed types of disconnecting switches without the at tendant disadvantages of either as set forth hereinbefore. It will be apparent that any surfaces on which dust is likely to collect are exposed directly to the weather so that rain will keep them constantly washed clean and will reduceto a mlnimumleakage current between the terminal assemblies-B and I when theswitch is in the opened position. the terminal assemblies 6 and I in the switch Leakage current between" open position can be eliminated entirely by connecting a grounded conductor to the bracket or metallic support member 8 by the screw 34 as previously described. The bracket or metallic support member then acts as an effective "guard ring" between the energized line conductor I and the terminal'assembly 8 connected thereto and the deenergized load conductor and the terminal assembly I connected thereto. The tubular insulators ll provide adequate barriers be- 10 tween the energized parts and the bracket or metallic support member I so that no hazard is presented to the operator by grounding the. latter. The barriers provided by the tubular insulators II also permit testing such as flashing of phases" etc. without the possibility of accidental short circuits between the line and load terminal assemblies I and 1.

Referring now particularly to Figures 5 and 'l of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character 62 designates, generally, a

combination disconnecting switch and fuse in which are incorporated many of the novel fea-- tures that are embodied in the switch construc--' tion as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawlugs and described hereinbefore;

The combination disconnecting switch and fuse device is provided with generally tubular insulators 63 and G4 which are generally similar to the tubular insulators ii, shown in Figure 2,

and are arranged to be mounted in the same manner. Accordingly, in Figures 5 and '1 of the drawings the parts which would be substantially duplicates of those shown and described previously are omitted. Suitably mounted within the tubular insulators 83 and 64 are station-- As shown in,

ary switch members 65 and 66. Figure 6 of the drawings, the stationary switch member 85 may comprise a pair of spaced apart plate-like switch members. switch member 66 asshown more clearly in the lower portion of Figure 7, is generally L-shaped.

Also mounted within the lower tubular insulator 64 is a pair of support members 61 having upwardly opening hook shaped end portions 58 for receiving a pin 69 that extends through a terminal or movable switch member 10 mounted on the lower end of a fuse tube -'II for pivotally mounting the latter and the parts associated therewith. or movable switch member 10 is provided with a rearwardly projecting lug I! which is arranged to engage the down turned end portion 13 of the stationary switch member 66.

Enclosing the lower end of the fuse tube Ii to the insulating housing 14 by means of suitable 5 screws II, as is more clearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. I

As its upper end .the fuse tube H is provided with a terminal having at its upper end a screw cap Ii to permit the insertion of a conventional type of fuse link 82 with its flexible lead 83. The flexible lead extends from the fuse link 02 through the bore of the fuse tube II and out of its lower end where it islooped over a 75 insulating material;

The stationary 40 It will be noted that the terminal 50 The lower rear portion of 60 i) ing comprising,

means for mounting said support member in a stud '84 extending from the terminal 10 and clamped in place by a clamp nut II.

with a view to detachably mounting the fuse tube II at its upper end, the terminal II is provided with oppositely extending arms or lugs II which are suitably recessed for receiving contact fingers III that are carried by and depend from a movable switch member '9. It will be observed that the fuse tube II can be inserted or removed from place by an endwise movement thereof with respect to the contact fingers I.

Themovable switch member I! is provided with an integrally formed rearwardly projecting tongue which, as shown more clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings, is arranged to be placed between the pair of plate-like members forming the stationary switch member 65. The movable switch member 88 is mounted by means of screws 9| in an insulating housing 92. The insulating housing 92 is generally circular in shape and is arranged to substantially completely enclose the metallic parts at the upper end of the fuse tube ll. At its rear portion it is provided with a peripheral groove 93 within which the end portion 94 of the insulator ii projects so as to provvide a substantially weather tight connection therebetween.

The insulating housing 92 has a boss 95 integrally formed therewith which is apertured to provide an eye 96 for receiving the prong of a switch'stick for operating the combination disconnecting switch and fuse device to the open and closed circuit positions.

It will be understood that the insulating housings H and 92 can be formed of any suitable Since they are intended to be located outdoors, they should be formed of weather resisting materialsuch as a phenolic condensation product or Bakelite, or other thermo-plastio product.

The combination disconnecting switch and fuse device 62 obviously'possesses the advantageous features of the present invention in either of these forms. That is, as a disconnecting switch, all of the metallic parts are substantially protected from the weather and consequently are not directly subjected to it. When the device is operated to the open circuit position with the metallic support member grounded, there is no possibility of the leakage path being formed between the stationary terminals 65 and 65. The same desirable features are also present in the fuse construction. As a fuse, it has the advantageous features of an enclosed fuse and at the same time when it is in the open circuit position it has the advantageous features of the conventional open type fuse in that there is no possibility of a leakage path being. formed between the-stationary line terminals with the metallic support member grounded.

Since certain further changesmay be made in the foregoing constructionsand different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings or described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:,

1. A disconnecting switch for outdoor mounta metallic support member,

substantially vertical position on a cross arm or the like, tubular insulators supported intermediate their ends by said support member substantially at right angles thereto in spaced relation, conductor means in each insulator having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at-the other end, movable switch means for interconnecting said stationary switch means means on said support member providing a hinge support for said movable switch means, and insulator means hingedly mounting said movable switch means on said hinge support.

2. A disconnecting switch for outdoor mounting comprising, a metallic support member, means for mounting said support member in a substantially vertical position on a cross arm or the like, tubular insulators supported intermediate their ends by said support member substantially at right angles thereto in spaced relation with their ends spaced substantial distances in opposite directions from a vertical plane through the center of the cross arm,'conductor means in each insulator having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at the other end, movable switch means for interconnecting said stationary switch means, and insulating 9 means movable with said movable switch means and enclosing the same except for the portions thereof which engage said stationary switch means, said insulating means having cup shaped recesses for interfltting with said insulators so as to overlap the juxtaposed ends of the same when said movable switch means is in the closed position whereby said stationary and movable switch means are completely enclosed from weather.

3. A disconnecting switch for outdoor mounting comprising, a metal bracket, means inter-' mediate the ends of said bracket for mounting the same on a cross arm or the like in a sub--, stantially vertical position, metal clamp means at the upper and -lower ends of said bracket, a tubular insulator secured intermediate its ends by each clamp means in a substantially horizontal position, conductor means secured wholly within each said insulator and having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at the other end, an extension from the clamp means at said the lower end of said bracket, a post type insulator hingedly mounted on said extension, a switch arm fastened to said post type insulator and movable therewith including means at each end for projecting into said tubular insulators and interfitting'with said stationary switch means therein for interconnecting the same, and an insulator sheath enclosing said switch arm except for the portions thereof which engage said stationary switch means.

4. A disconnecting switch for outdoor mounting comprising, a metal bracket, means intermediate the ends of said bracket for mounting the same on a cross arm or the like in a substantially vertical position, metal clamp means at the upper and lower ends of said bracket, a tubular insulator secured intermediate its ends by each clamp means in a substantially horizontal position, conductor means secured wholly within each said insulator and having terminal means at one end stationary switch means therein for interconnecting the same, and an insulator sheath, enclosing said switch thereof which engage said stationary switch means, said insulator sheath embedding said switch arm and generally conforming to the configuration thereof with the ends facing said tubular insulators interfltting therewith to provide a substantially weather tight enclosure for the live parts of the switch. said insulator sheath having" an integrally formed projecting portion providing an. eye for engagement by a switch stick for operating the switch to open and closed positions, said completely disconnecting said stationary switch means and leaving the same insulated by said tubular insulators with said metal bracket there-v:

said cross arm and to support said switch mem'- bers substantially equidistantly one above and the other below said cross arm thereby providing a balanced mechanical arrangement thereof with substantially equal creepage orstriking distances between said switch members and said metallic member, an'extension of said metallic member below the lower stationary switch member, an insulator hingedly mounted on said extension, and aswitch member carried'by said insulator and adapted to be moved therewith into and out of engagement with said stationary switch-members for connecting and disconnecting the' same.

6. A switch comprising, a metallic support member, a pair of hollow insulators carried intermediate their ends in spaced relation by said support member, a stationary switch member at one end of each insulator and spaced from the walls thereof, line conductor terminal means at the other end of each insulator and spaced from the walls thereof, means interconnecting each stationary switch member and its associated terminal means and clamping the same intermediate the ends of the associated insulator thereto whereby the creepage paths from each stationary switch member and terminal means extend over 1 both the inner and outer surfaces of the end portions of the associated insulators, a movable switch member for interconnecting said stationary switch members, a body of insulation formed about said movable switch member so as to be substantially integral therewith, and insulator means carried by said metallic support member {)or'pivotally mounting said movable switch mem- 7, A switch comprising, a metallic support member, a pair of hollow insulators carried intermediate their ends in spaced relation by said support member, the intermediate portion of the opening in each insulator being of reduced diameter as compared to the end portions thereof, a stationary switch member at one end of each insulator and spaced from the walls"thereof, line conductor terminal means at the other end of each insulator and spaced from the walls thereof, means interconnecting each stationary switch member and its associated terminal means and clamping the same to the intermediate portion of the associated insulator whereby the creepage paths from each stationary switch member and terminal means to said metallic support member extend over both the inner and outer surfaces of arm except for the portions switch arm in the open position the end portions of the associated insulators, a movable switch member for interconnectingsaid stationary switch members, a body of insulation formed about said movable switch member so as to be substantially integral therewith, and in sulator means carried by said metallic support. member for pivotally mounting said movable,

ends thereof, said terminal means being spaced from the adjacent walls of said insulating means whereby the creepage paths from themto said metallic support means extend over portions of the inner and outer surfaces of said insulating means, the base portion of said U shaped conducting and insulating means being removable from the remaining portion thereof to permit opening and closing of the circuit therethrough.

9. A disconnecting switch comprising, a metallic support member disposed to be mounted in a substantially vertical position on a cross arm or the like and having a reentrant intermediate portion for interfltting with the cross arm so as to locate the end portions of the support member inwardly of a side of said cross arm toward the center thereof and above and below the same, means for clamping said support member to said cross arm, clamp means at the upper and lower end of said support member, tubular insulators" supported intermediate their ends by said clamp means substantially at right angles to said Support member with their ends spaced substantial distances in opposite directions from a vertical plane through the center ,0! the cross arm, conductor means within each insulator having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at .the other end, and movable switch means for interconnecting said stationary switch means.

10. A disconnecting switch comprising, a metallic support member disposed to be mounted in a substantially vertical position on a cross arm or the like and having a reentrant intermediate portion for interfitting with the cross arm so as to locate the end portions of the support member inwardly of a side of said cross arm toward the center thereof and above and below the same, means for clamping said support member to said cross arm, clamp means at the upper and lower end of said support member, tubular insulators supported intermediate their ends by said clamp means substantially at right angles to said support member with their ends spaced substantial distances in opposite directions from a vertical plane through the center of the cross arm, con. ductor means within each insulator having ter minal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at the other end, movable switch means for interconnecting said stationary switch means, and means pivotally mounting said movable switch means on said support member belcw the lower insulator.

11. A disconnecting switch comprising, a metallic support member disposed to be mounted in a substantially vertical position on a cross arm or the like and having a reentrant intermediate portion for interfitting with the cross arm so as to locate the end portions of the support member inwardly of a side of said cross arm toward the center thereof and above and below the same, means for clamping said support member to said cross arm, clamp means at the upper and lower end of said support member, tubular insulators supported intermediate their ends by said clamp means substantially at right angles to said support member with their ends spaced substantial distances in opposite directions from a vertical plane through the center of the cross arm, conductor means within each insulator having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at the other end, a movable switch member for interconnecting said stationary switch means, a body of plastic insulating material moulded about said switch member so as to be substantially integral therewith and embedding substantially all of it except the portions thereof adapted to engage said stationary switch means, and insulator means carried by said support member below the lower insulator for pivotaily mounting said movable switch member.

12. A disconnecting switch for outdoor mounting comprising, a metal bracket, means intermediate the ends ,of said bracket for mounting the same on a cross arm or the like in a substantially vertical position, metal clamp means at the upper and lower ends of said bracket, a tubular insulator secured intermediate its ends by each clamp means in a subtsantially horizontal position, conductor means secured wholly within each said insulator and having terminal means at one end for connection to a line conductor and stationary switch means at the other end, an extension from the clamp means at said lower end of said bracket, a post type insulator hingedly mounted on said extension, a switch arm fastened to said post type insulator and movable therewith including means at each end for pro jecting into said tubular insulators and interiitting' with said stationary switch means therein for interconnecting the same, and an insulator sheath enclosing said switch arm except for the portions thereof which engage said stationary switch means, said insulator sheath embedding said switch arm and generally conforming to the configuration thereof with the ends facing said tubular insulators interiit'ting therewith to provide a substantially weather tight enclosure for the live parts oi. the switch.

JAY H. KNUTZ. RUSSELL H. MAOKINNON.

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