Abstract:
The switchable lightning-arrester system has a safety-switchable connector ( 10 ), which, for differing power-line features, can include optionally a counter-lever safety connector ( 14 ), a slide safety connector ( 40 ), a hinged safety connector ( 56 ) and a pivot safety connector ( 67 ) intermediate a power line ( 11 ) and a lightning arrester ( 1 ) for on-spot disconnection to protect workers from self-destructing arresters when changing lightning arresters or working on damaged lines without costly, time-consuming and power-disruptive shutdown of power lines. This is highly important because the lightning arresters are changed and repair work is done on damaged lines as quickly after self-destruction from lightning surges as possible requiring the change and repair. The safety-switchable connectors are made to be operable and changeable from a safe distance remotely, which is preferably from a ground position near a light pole, a transformer or other line support ( 9 ). Many line-worker lives have been injured or lost in the past without this safety-switchable connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to switchable contact of lightning arresters to power lines on power poles and on or near transformers.  
         [0002]     Currently, the most commonly used lightning arresters on power poles and on or near transformers are not designed to continue to operate repeatedly after nearly all lightning strikes, but to be sacrificial with designedly predetermined self-destruction from lightning electrical surges in excess of design amounts which are most typically 10 KV.  
         [0003]     After sacrificial self-destruction, the lightning arresters must be replaced promptly at high risk by line workers. The high risk results from not shutting down power lines to a self-destructed lightning arrester while line workers electrically connect a replacement lightning arrester to a power line in order to avoid interruption of electrical service to residential and commercial power users and in order to save high power-plant costs. For initial installation of lightning arresters, power to power lines and transformers can be delayed until the lightning arresters are installed. Shutdown of a power line is expensive and time consuming for single and separate replacement of lightning arresters because (a) high power-plant-employee costs in addition to power-line workers are required and (b) shutdown for a single power line or transformer often requires shutdown of branched power lines to a plurality of users. Accordingly, power-line workers are often under employment pressure to avoid injury-preventive shutdowns for replacing single lightning arresters. Generally, the replacement can be accomplished safely, but serious injury and death of line workers result frequently from unexpected electrical surges and from accidental occurrences during replacement and electrical-line contact of the lightning arresters without safety shutdowns.  
         [0004]     There is no known switchable lightning-arrester system for allowing replacement of lightning arresters with safe electrical connection to a power line without interrupting electrical service and without expensive power-plant shutdown of power in a manner taught by this invention.  
         [0005]     Examples of most-closely related known but different devices are described in the following patent documents:  
                                       U.S. Pat. No.   Inventor   Issue Date                   2,296,991   Fox   Sep. 29, 1942       3,614,700   Beard, et al.   Oct. 19, 1971       3,497,148   MacDonald   Aug. 07, 1990       4,688,013   Nishikawa   Aug. 18, 1987       4,546,341   McNaghten, et al.   Oct. 08, 1985       4,795,996   Brown, et al.   Jan. 03, 1989       4,814,550   Newberg   Mar. 21, 1989       4,450,425   Manning   May 22, 1984                  
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide safe, quick, convenient and inexpensive line work and replacement of lightning arresters following lightning damage; and 
        to provide optional utilization or non-utilization of conventional power-line structure and technology of lighting arresters with the safety-switchable lightning-arrester system.        
 
         [0008]     This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a switchable lightning-arrester system having a safety-switchable connector which can include a counter-lever safety connector, a slide safety connector, a hinged safety connector or a pivot safety connector intermediate a power line and a lightning arrester for on-spot disconnection to protect workers from self-destructing arresters when changing lightning arresters or working on damaged lines without costly, time-consuming and power-disruptive shutdown of power lines. This is highly important because the lightning arresters are changed and repair work is done on damaged lines as quickly after self-destruction from lightning surges as possible when lightning storms are very likely to still exist in the area requiring the change and repair. The safety-switchable connectors are made to be operable and changeable from a safe distance remotely, which is preferably from a ground position near a light pole, a transformer or other line support. Many line-worker lives have been lost in the past without this safety-switchable connector.  
         [0009]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of a counter-lever embodiment of the switchable lightning-arrester system having a counter-lever safety switch and mounted on an arrester-attachment base for attachment to a power-line support that can include transformers and light posts and for operation from an attachment side;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the counter-lever embodiment mounted on the attachment base for operation from a different side than the attachment side;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a top portion of the counter-lever embodiment in an open mode;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an open-lock pin;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the counter-lever embodiment for use of a remote actuator that includes a contraction-force spring;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the counter-lever embodiment for use of a remote actuator that includes a remote-control motor having a linear-actuation bar;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a top portion of the counter-lever embodiment for optionally hand or remote-tool operation;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a top portion of the counter-lever embodiment for optionally hand or remote-electrical operation and being in a closed mode;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of an embodiment of the switchable lightning-arrester system having a slide safety switch with a connection insert that is opened and closed from a lever side of a slide connector;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of an open mode of the  FIG. 9  illustration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of an embodiment of the switchable lightning-arrester system having a slide safety switch with a connection insert that is opened and closed from opposite a lever side of the slide connector;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of an open mode of the  FIG. 11  illustration;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of the  FIG. 11  illustration with the control lever being on an opposite of the lightning arrester and with the control lever pivotal upwardly to the closed mode;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of an embodiment of the switchable lightning-arrester system having a hinged safety switch on a hinge rod in a hinge bay;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the  FIG. 14  illustration; having a support connector for connecting an arrester-attachment base to a line-support platform independently of a power-line support or pole;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a partially cutaway front elevation view of the  FIG. 14  illustration;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of an open mode of the switchable lightning-arrester system having the hinged safety switch on a hinge rod removed from the hinge bay for being either removed for discard by downward travel or replaced and closed by upward travel;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the  FIG. 16  illustration;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 16  illustration;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of a pivot-connector embodiment with a pivot axle on an arrester side of a pivotal connection;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of an open mode of the  FIG. 20  illustration;  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a partially cutaway front elevation view of the  FIG. 20  illustration;  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the  FIG. 20  illustration;  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a closed mode of the pivot-connector embodiment with the pivot axle on a line side of the pivotal connection; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is a partially cutaway fragmentary side view of a top portion of an open mode of the  FIG. 24  illustration.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0036]     Listed numerically below with reference to the drawings are terms used to describe features of this invention. These terms and numbers assigned to them designate the same features throughout this description.  
                                                    1. Lightning arrester            2. Base end            3. Power-line end            4. Link bolt            5. Arrester fins            6. Ground end            7. Terminal end            8. Arrester-attachment base            9. Power-line support           10. Safety-switchable connector           11. Power line           12. Ground-line connector           13. Ground line           14. Counter-lever safety switch           15. Switch platform           16. Fulcrum pillar           17. Pillar end           18. Line-support arm           19. Support-arm axle           20. Switch-rod end           21. Power-line clamp           22. Switch rod           23. Control lever           24. Control-lever handle           25. Control-lever axle           26. Control-link rod           27. First link-rod end           28. First link axle           29. Second link-rod end           30. Second link axle           31. Open-lock aperture           32. Open-lock pin           33. Contraction-force spring           34. Pin ring           35. Remote-control motor           36. Linear-actuation bar           37. Wrench socket           38. Hand knob           39. Electrical socket           40. Slide safety switch           41. Slide platform           42. Slide-fulcrum pillar           43. Slide pillar           44. Line-support platform           45. Slide aperture           46. Slide rod           47. Connection insert           48. Slide-rod axle           49. Lever-link rod           50. Lever-link axle           51. Connector-side pillar groove           52. Lever-side pillar groove           53. Slide groove           54. Pillar stop           55. Lever stop           56. Hinged safety switch           57. Hinge rod           58. Hinge bay           59. Bifurcation arms           60. Handle base           61. Latch knob           62. Spring latch           63. Latch stop connector           64. Arcuate guides           65. Hinge-rod base           66. Support connector           67. Pivot safety switch           68. Connector base           69. First connector boss           70. Second connector boss           71. Connector plug           72. Pivot member           73. Pivot axle           74. Tapered sides           75. Tapered ends           76. Support pillar                      
 
         [0037]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the switchable lightning-arrester system can include counter-lever-switchable connection with a lightning arrester  1  having a base end  2 , a power-line end  3  and a link bolt  4  positioned internally from arrester fins  5 . The link bolt  4  has a ground end  6  proximate the base end  2  and a terminal end  7  proximate the power-line end  3 . An arrester-attachment base  8  is provided for receiving the base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1  for attaching the lightning arrester  1  to a power-line support  9 .  
         [0038]     A safety-switchable connector  10  proximate the power-line end  3  of the line bolt  4  is articulated for open and closed switching of electrical communication from a power line  11  to the link bolt  4  and to a ground-line connector  12  proximate the ground end  6  of the link bolt  4  for connecting a ground line  13  to the line bolt  4 .  
         [0039]     The safety-switchable connector  10  can include a counter-lever safety switch  14  having a switch platform  15  to which the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  is attached. A fulcrum pillar  16  is extended vertically upward from a pillar end  17  of the switch platform  15 . A line-support arm  18  is attached pivotally to a support-arm axle  19  proximate a top of the fulcrum pillar  16 . The line-support arm  18  is extended from proximate the support-lever axle  19  to a switch-rod end  20 .  
         [0040]     A power-line clamp  21  on the switch-rod end  20  is positioned vertically above the link bolt  4  in a closed mode of the counter-lever safety switch  14 . A switch rod  22  is extended downward vertically from the line-support arm  18  for contacting the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  in a closed mode of the counter-lever safety switch  14 . The support-arm axle  19  is positioned horizontally on the fulcrum pillar  16  at a control-fulcrum distance upwardly from the switch platform  15 .  
         [0041]     A control lever  23  having a control-lever handle  24  is attached pivotally to the fulcrum pillar  16  with a control-lever axle  25 . A control-link rod  26  has a first link-rod end  27  attached pivotally to the line-support arm  18  with a first link axle  28 . The control-link rod  26  has a second link-rod end  29  attached pivotally to the control lever  23  with a second link axle  30 .  
         [0042]     The control-link rod  26  is articulated and positioned intermediate the line-support arm  18  and the control lever  23  for transmitting downwardly locking force on the line-support arm  18  from downward travel of the control lever  23  and for transmitting upwardly unlocking force on the line-support arm  18  from upward travel of the control lever  23  as transmitted to the control-lever handle  24  selectively. The control-link rod  26  transmits a lock-shut mode of the counter-lever safety switch  14  with the switch rod  22  being in contact with the terminal end  7  of link bolt  4  by positioning of the first link axle  28 , the second link axle  30  and the control-lever axle  25  in a straight line for transmitting lightning power to the ground line  13  for a use mode of the lightning arrester  1 .  
         [0043]     The control-lever handle  24  can be articulated for hand-grasping and for selectively remote grasping with a control rod.  
         [0044]     The support-arm axle  19  is positioned a predetermined distance in a direction away from the pillar end  17  of the switch platform  15  for causing a predetermined central-actuation slant of the control lever  23 , below which opening of the counter-lever safety switch  14  with upward travel of the switch rod  22  is prevented by offsetting leverage.  
         [0045]     An open-lock aperture  31  is articulated and positioned in the control lever  23  for receiving an open-lock pin  32  for preventing downward travel of the control-link rod  26  and thereby preventing unintended downward actuation of the control lever  23 .  
         [0046]     The counter-lever safety switch  14  can include a remote actuator intermediate the fulcrum pillar  16  and the control lever  23  for remote actuation of the control lever  23  predeterminedly.  
         [0047]     The remote actuator can include a contraction-force spring  33  in combination with the open-lock aperture  31  that is articulated and positioned in the control lever  23  for receiving the open-lock pin  32  for preventing downward travel of the control-link rod  26  and thereby preventing unintended downward actuation of the control lever  23  by the contraction-force spring  33 .  
         [0048]     The open-lock pin  32  can include a remotely accessible pin ring  34 .  
         [0049]     The remote actuator can include a remote-control motor  35  having a linear-actuation bar  36  extended from the remote-control motor  35  to pivotal contact with the control lever  23  for actuating the linear-actuation bar  36  outwardly in a direction away from the fulcrum pillar  16  for opening and inwardly in a direction towards the fulcrum pillar  16  for closing the counter-lever safety switch  14 .  
         [0050]     The remote-control motor  35  can include a wrench socket  37  for rotation with a socket wrench.  
         [0051]     The remote-control motor  35  can include a hand knob  38  for hand rotation.  
         [0052]     The remote-control motor  35  can include an electrical socket  39  for receiving electrical current.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-13 , the switchable lightning-arrester system can include slide-switchable connection with the lightning arrester  1  having the base end  2 , the power-line end  3  and the link bolt  4  positioned internally from arrester fins  5  of the lightning arrester  1 . The link bolt  4  has the ground end  6  proximate the base end  2  and the terminal end  7  proximate the power-line end  3 . The arrester-attachment base  8  receives the base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1  for attaching the lightning arrester  1  to the power-line support  9 .  
         [0054]     The safety-switchable connector  10  proximate the power-line end  3  of the link bolt  4  for open and closed switching of electrical communication from the power line  11  to the link bolt  4  can include a slide safety switch  40  having a slide platform  41  to which the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  is attached detachably. Included also can be the ground-line connector  12  proximate the ground end  6  of the link bolt  4  for connecting the ground line  13  to the link bolt  4 .  
         [0055]     The slide-fulcrum pillar  42  is extended vertically upward from a pillar end of the slide platform  41 . A slide pillar  43  is extended vertically upward from the slide platform  41  intermediate the slide-fulcrum pillar  42  and the link bolt  4 . A line-support platform  44  is attached pivotally to a top of the slide pillar  43 . The power-line clamp  21  is attached to a top of a line-support platform  44  with the switch rod  22  for holding the power line  11 .  
         [0056]     The slide pillar  43  has a slide aperture  45  for receiving a slide rod  46  having a connection insert  47  on a first end and a slide-rod axle  48  on a second end.  
         [0057]     The connection insert  47  is articulated to contact a bottom end of the switch rod  22  and the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  for conveying lightning current to the lightning arrester  1 .  
         [0058]     A lever-link rod  49  is positioned intermediate the slide rod  46  and the control lever  23  with a first end of the lever-link rod  49  attached pivotally to the slide-rod axle  48  and a second end of the lever-link rod  49  attached pivotally to the control lever  23  with a lever-link axle  50 ;  
         [0059]     The control lever  23  is attached pivotally to the slide-fulcrum pillar  42  with the control-lever axle  25 .  
         [0060]     The switch rod  22  is extended downward vertically from the line-support platform  44  for contacting the connection insert  47  with the slide safety switch  40  being in a closed-circuit mode with the control lever  23  oriented pivotally for sliding the slide rod  46  in opposite directions selectively.  
         [0061]     The control-lever axle  25  is positioned predeterminedly above the slide platform  41  for allowing the control-lever  23  to be pivoted with the control-lever handle  24  being raised above a horizontal attitude of the control lever  23  for sliding the slide rod  46  and thereby moving the connection insert  47  out of contact with the terminal end  7  and the switch rod  22  for breaking circuitry of the counter-lever safety switch  14  or optionally with the control-lever handle  24  being lowered below the horizontal attitude of the control lever  23  for sliding the slide rod  46  and thereby moving the connection insert  47  out of contact with the terminal end  7  and the switch rod  22  for breaking circuitry of the counter-lever safety switch  14  with the lever-link rod  49  having a double-end pivotal contact with the slide rod  46  and the control lever  23 .  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the slide rod  46  can include an inwardly opening length for positioning the connection insert  47  in a closed mode of the counter-lever safety switch  14  with the connection insert  47  in electrical communication with the terminal end  7  and the switch rod  22  by positioning of the control lever  23  and the lever-link rod  49  collinearly in line and for positioning the connection insert  47  inwardly towards the slide pillar  43  by optionally upward or downward pivoting of the control lever  23 .  
         [0063]     As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the slide rod  46  can include an outwardly opening length for positioning the connection insert  47  in a closed mode of the counter-lever safety switch  14  with the connection insert  47  in electrical communication with the terminal end  7  and the switch rod  22  by positioning of the control lever  23  and the lever-link rod  49  collinearly in line and for positioning the connection insert  47  outwardly in an opposite direction from the slide pillar  43  by optionally upward or downward pivoting of the control lever  23 .  
         [0064]     For controlling sliding travel of the slide rod  46 , the switchable lightning-arrester system can further comprise a connector-side pillar groove  51  positioned circumferentially in an inside perimeter of the slide aperture  45  proximate a connector side of the slide pillar  43 . A lever-side pillar groove  52  is positioned circumferentially in an inside perimeter of the slide aperture  45  proximate a lever side of the slide pillar  43  and a slide groove  53  is positioned in an outside periphery of the slide rod  46 .  
         [0065]     The slide groove  53  is articulated to receive a major cross-sectional portion of a toroidal resilient washer. The connector-side pillar groove  51  is articulated to receive a remaining minor cross-sectional portion of the toroidal resilient washer and the lever-side pillar groove  52  is articulated to receive the remaining minor cross-sectional portion of the toroidal resilient washer for restraining travel of the slide rod  46  from optionally open and closed modes of the counter-lever safety switch  14 .  
         [0066]     The switchable lightning-arrester system can further comprise a pillar stop  54  on the slide-fulcrum pillar  42  articulated and positioned for arresting downward travel of the control lever  23 .  
         [0067]     The switchable lightning-arrester system can further comprise a lever stop  55  on the control lever  23  that is articulated and positioned for arresting downward travel of the control lever  23 .  
         [0068]     Referring to  FIGS. 14-19 , for hinge-connection switching, the switchable lightning-arrester system can comprise the lightning arrester  1  having the base end  2 , the power-line end  3  and the link bolt  4  positioned internally from arrester fins  5  of the lightning arrester  1 . The link bolt  4  has the ground end  6  proximate the base end  2  and the terminal end  7  proximate the power-line end  3 . The arrester-attachment base  8  is articulated for receiving the base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1  predeterminedly for attaching the lightning arrester  1  to the power-line support  9 . The safety-switchable connector  10  is positioned proximate the power-line end  3  of the link bolt  4  for open and closed switching of electrical communication from the power line  11  to the link bolt  4 . The safety-switchable connector  10  for this embodiment includes a hinged safety switch  56  having a hinge rod  57  proximate the base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1 . The hinge rod  57  is positioned in a hinge bay  58  on the arrester-attachment base  8  for pivoting the lightning arrester  1  orthogonally to an axis of the hinge rod  57 . The lightning arrester  1  is pivotal interchangeably between a closed mode of the hinged safety switch  56  with the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  in electrical communication with the switch rod  22  and an open mode of the hinged safety switch  56  with the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  being removed pivotally from the electrical communication with the switch rod  22 .  
         [0069]     The ground-line connector  12  proximate the ground end  6  of the link bolt  4  is articulated for connecting a ground line  13  to the link bolt  4 .  
         [0070]     The hinge bay  58  is bifurcated in bifurcation arms  59  extended from the arrester-attachment base  8 . The terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  is positioned in a handle base  60  from which the control lever  23  having the control-lever handle  24  is extended laterally for positioning the hinge rod  57  in and out of the hinge bay  58  and for pivoting the lightning arrester  1  to and from a closed mode of the hinged safety switch  56 . The terminal end  7  can include a latch knob  61  that is latched with a spring latch  62  that is extended laterally from a latch stop connecter  63  that is in electrical communication with the switch rod  22  for communicating lightning current from the power line  11 , through the switch rod  22 , through the spring latch  62  and into the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4 . The latch stop connector  63  stops pivotal travel of the lightning arrester  1  beyond a position of electrical connection of the latch knob  61  with the spring latch  62 .  
         [0071]     The bifurcation arms  59  can include arcuate guides  64  for guiding a portion of the lightning arrester  1  containing the hinge rod  57  between the bifurcation arms  59  while the hinged safety switch  56  is being opened and closed with the control lever  23 .  
         [0072]     The base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1  has an attachable hinge-rod base  65  from which the hinge rods  57  are extended from opposite sides.  
         [0073]     The hinged safety switch  56  can include a support connector  66  extended intermediate the arrester-attachment base  8  and the line-support platform  44 .  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIGS. 20-25 , for a pivotal connection, the switchable lightning-arrester system can include the lightning arrester  1  having the base end  2 , the power-line end  3  and the link bolt  4  positioned internally from arrester fins  5  of the lightning arrester  1 . The link bolt  4  has the ground end  6  proximate the base end  2  and the terminal end  7  proximate the power-line end  3 . The arrester-attachment base  8  receives the base end  2  of the lightning arrester  1  predeterminedly for attaching the lightning arrester  1  to the power-line support  9 . The safety-switchable connector  10  proximate the power-line end  3  of the link bolt  4  for open and closed switching of electrical communication from the power line  11  to the link bolt  4  includes a pivot safety switch  67  positioned on the power-line end  3  of the lightning arrester  1 .  
         [0075]     The pivot safety switch  67  has a connector base  68  that is attached detachably to the power-line end  3  of the lightning arrester  1 . A support pillar  76  is extended orthogonally from the connector base  68  to the line-support platform  44 .  
         [0076]     A first connector boss  69  is extended predeterminedly from the connector base  68  in a direction towards the line-support platform  44 . A second connector boss  70  is extended predeterminedly from the line-support platform  44  in a direction towards the connector base  68 . A connector plug  71  is positioned removably in electrical communication with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 . The connector plug  71  is affixed to a pivot member  72  that is pivotal from a pivot axle  73  on a predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  for pivoting the connector plug  71  into and out from electrical communication with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  selectively.  
         [0077]     The first connector boss  69  is in electrical communication with the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4 . The second connector boss  69  is in electrical connection with the switch rod  22  for electrical communication with the power line  11 .  
         [0078]     As shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  on which the pivot member  72  is positioned can include a connector-base side with the pivot axle  73  positioned on the connector base  68  for pivoting the pivot member  72  in a direction towards the lightning arrester  1  for removing the connector plug  71  from intermediate the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 .  
         [0079]     As shown in  FIGS. 24-25 , the predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  on which the pivot member  72  is positioned can include a line side with the pivot axle  73  positioned on the line-support platform  44  for pivoting the pivot member  72  in a direction opposite from the lightning arrester  1  for removing the connector plug  71  from intermediate the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 .  
         [0080]     The pivot axle  73  is preferably but need not be in line with the an axis of the link bolt  4  and the switch rod  22 . Being in line makes a better contact of the connector plug  71  with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 .  
         [0081]     The connector plug  71  can include tapered sides  74  and the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  include tapered ends  75  that match taper of the tapered sides  74 .  
         [0082]     The pivot member  72  can include the control lever  23 .  
         [0083]     Referring further to  FIGS. 20-25 , the switchable lightning-arrester system can have the pivot safety switch  67  being attachable detachably to the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  proximate the power-line end  3  of the lightning arrester  1 . The pivot safety switch  67  has the connector base  68  that is attached detachably to the power-line end  3  of the lightning arrester  1 . The support pillar  76  is extended orthogonally from the connector base  68  to the line-support platform  44 . The first connector boss  69  is extended predeterminedly from the connector base  68  in the direction towards the line-support platform  44 . The second connector boss  70  is extended predeterminedly from the line-support platform  44  in the direction towards the connector base  68 . The connector plug  71  is positioned removably in electrical communication with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 . The connector plug  71  is affixed to the pivot member  72  that is pivotal from the pivot axle  73  on a predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  for pivoting the connector plug  71  into and out from electrical communication with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  selectively. The first connector boss  69  is in electrical communication with the terminal end  7  of the link bolt  4  and the second connector boss  69  is in electrical connection with the switch rod  22  for electrical communication with the power line  11 .  
         [0084]     As shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  on which the pivot member  72  is positioned can include the connector-base side with the pivot axle  73  positioned on the connector base  68  for pivoting the pivot member  72  in the direction towards the lightning arrester  1  for removing the connector plug  71  from intermediate the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 .  
         [0085]     As shown in  FIGS. 25-25 , the predetermined side of the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  on which the pivot member  72  is positioned can include the line side with the pivot axle  73  positioned on the line-support platform  44  for pivoting the pivot member  72  in the direction opposite from the lightning arrester  1  for removing the connector plug  71  from intermediate the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70 .  
         [0086]     The pivot axle  73  is preferably but not necessarily in line with the an axis of the link bolt  4  and the switch rod  22  of the lightning arrester  1  to which the pivot safety switch  67  is attachable.  
         [0087]     The connector plug  71  can include tapered sides  74  in combination with the first connector boss  69  and the second connector boss  70  which include tapered ends  75  that match taper of the tapered sides  74 . The pivot member  72  can include the control lever  23 .