Patent ID: 7950939
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: H01H,H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A separable insulated connector, comprising: an insulation system defining an insulating housing; a conductive ground plane extending on an outer surface of the insulating housing; a shield housing situated within the insulating housing; an axial passage that extends through at least a portion of the shield housing, the axial passage defining an open end of the connector; a contact element mounted within the axial passage and spaced an axial distance from the open end, wherein the connector connects and disconnects with another connector to make and break high voltage connections that are energized but not carrying load current, wherein, when connecting and disconnecting the connectors, the insulation system mitigates substantially all risk of flashover at the open end only when the connector is not carrying load current, wherein the insulation system comprises continuous, uninterrupted insulation extending along an arc path between the contact element and the ground plane, the connector being devoid of any gaps in the insulation system along the arc path; and wherein the insulation system comprises a nonconductive nosepiece, and an extension of the housing to a distal end of the connector, thereby increasing a creep distance along the insulation system.