Patent ID: 6236010
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: H01H,H01R

Abstract:
A male contact configured for removable engagement with a receiver of a female contact, comprising:a gripping portion configured to cause a relatively high tension engagement with the receiver of the female contact when the gripping portion is in contact with the receiver;an elongate shaft portion connected to the gripping portion and configured to cause a relatively low tension engagement with the receiver of the female contact when the elongate shaft portion is adjacent to the receiver;the gripping portion and the elongate shaft portion of the male contact configured to maintain electrical conduction with the receiver when the male and female contacts are energized within an intended high voltage range, the electrical conduction maintaining as the male and female contacts slide past each other in an opening stroke until the male and female contacts define an arc gap;the male and female contacts configured to extinguish the electrical conduction at the arc gap during the opening stroke; andthe male and female contacts configured to extinguish the electrical conduction for multiple opening strokes without substantially physically degrading the male or female contacts.