Patent Publication Number: US-10777945-B2

Title: Shorting block for a current transformer

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of current transformers. More specifically, examples of the present disclosure relate to shorting blocks for current transformers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Current transformers scale a supply current or voltage to a suitable value for a secondary power source or load, such as another transformer and/or a relay. For instance, current transformers may transform a high-voltage current to a level that may be suitable for operation of the secondary power source or load. In some cases, installation and/or maintenance procedures may involve connecting or disconnecting the current transformer from the secondary power source or load. Shorting blocks are utilized to disconnect the current transformer from the secondary power source or load while maintaining the high-voltage current of the current transformer within a closed-loop circuit. In other words, shorting blocks short circuit the current transformer while disconnecting the current transformer from the secondary power source or load. Unfortunately, existing shorting blocks are relatively large and expensive. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Certain examples commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are discussed below. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the examples set forth below. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, the phrase A “based on” B is intended to mean that A is at least partially based on B. Moreover, unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive (e.g., logical OR) and not exclusive (e.g., logical XOR). In other words, the phrase A “or” B is intended to mean A, B, or both A and B. 
     In accordance with one example, a shorting block includes a first shorting contact that may be electrically coupled to a first terminal of a current transformer, where the first shorting contact has a first contact portion, a second shorting contact that may be electrically coupled to a second terminal of the current transformer, where the second shorting contact has a second contact portion, and where the first contact portion and the second contact portion may electrically couple the first shorting contact and the second shorting contact in a shorting position of the shorting block, a first activation contact that may be electrically coupled to a load, and a second activation contact that may be electrically coupled to the load, where the first activation contact and the second activation contact may be inserted into the first shorting contact and the second shorting contact, respectively, such that the first activation contact and the second activation contact direct the first contact portion and the second contact portion away from one another to form a gap between the first contact portion and the second contact portion in an operating position of the shorting block. 
     In accordance with another example, an electric power system includes a current transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a load that may be electrically coupled to the secondary winding of the current transformer, and a shorting block that may couple the current transformer to the load. The shorting block includes a first shorting contact that may be electrically coupled to a first terminal of the current transformer, a second shorting contact that may be electrically coupled to a second terminal of the current transformer, where the first shorting contact and the second shorting contact may contact one another in a shorting position of the shorting block, a first activation contact that may be electrically coupled to the load, and a second activation contact that may be electrically coupled to the load, where the first activation contact and the second activation contact may contact the first shorting contact and the second shorting contact, respectively, to form a gap between the first shorting contact and the second shorting contact in an operating position of the shorting block. 
     In accordance with another example, a connector for a shorting block includes a body that may be coupled to a current transformer, an overlapping member coupled to the body, a biased portion coupled to the overlapping member via a bent portion, where the overlapping member and the biased portion overlap with one another with respect to a width of the body, a first contact portion coupled to the biased portion, where the biased portion may bias the first contact portion in a direction away from the overlapping member, and a second contact portion coupled to the base, where a gap is formed between the first contact portion and the second contact portion in a shorting position of the shorting block, and where the first contact portion and the second contact portion are electrically coupled to one another in an operating position of the shorting block. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an example of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an example of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example of a shorting contact member of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an expanded view of an example of a first contact portion and a second contact portion of the shorting contact member, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example of the shorting contact member of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an example of the shorting contact member of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an example of a shorting assembly of the shorting block in a shorting position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of an example of the shorting assembly of the shorting block in an operating position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of an example of the shorting contact member of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of an example of the shorting assembly of the shorting block having a shorting bar, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example of an activation header for the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an example of the activation header for the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of activation contacts of the shorting block, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these examples, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     As set forth above, current transformers may be utilized to regulate a voltage provided to a secondary power source or load (e.g., a relay, another transformer, an electronic instrument, and/or another power consuming device). For instance, a current transformer may include a primary winding electrically coupled to a high-voltage current and a secondary winding electrically coupled to the secondary power source or load. The high-voltage current of the primary winding of the current transformer may be unsuitable for operation of the secondary power source or load. As such, the current transformer may decrease the voltage in order to provide a reduced-voltage current to the secondary power source or load that is suitable for operation of the secondary power source or load. 
     During normal operation, the current transformer is electrically coupled to the secondary power source or load via a shorting block to form a closed loop circuit between the current transformer and the secondary power source or load. The shorting block may be utilized to disconnect (e.g., electrically isolate) the current transformer from the secondary power source or load when undergoing maintenance procedures and/or installation of various components. For instance, the shorting block may generally short circuit the current transformer by forming a closed loop between terminals of the current transformer. The shorting block may include an operating position that electrically couples the current transformer to the secondary power source or load as well as a shorting position that disconnects the current transformer from the secondary power source or load while maintaining the current transformer in a closed loop circuit (e.g., electrically coupling the terminals of the current transformer to one another). 
     Some shorting blocks include shorting contacts, bridging elements, and an actuator. The shorting block may include a pair of shorting contacts where a first shorting contact is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the current transformer (e.g., a first terminal associated with the secondary winding of the current transformer) and a second shorting contact is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the current transformer (e.g., a second terminal associated with the secondary winding of the current transformer). A first bridging element (e.g., a conductive bar or shunt) may be physically coupled to the first shorting contact and be configured to electrically couple the first shorting contact to a first terminal of the secondary power source or load during normal operation. Similarly, a second bridging element (e.g., a conductive bar or shunt) may be physically coupled to the second shorting contact to and be configured to electrically couple the second shorting contact to a second terminal of the secondary power source or load during normal operation. 
     In the operating position, the first bridging element contacts both the first shorting contact and the first terminal of the secondary power source or load and the second bridging element contacts both the second shorting contact and the second terminal of the secondary power source or load. As such, a closed loop circuit is formed between the current transformer and the secondary power source or load. To transition the shorting block from the operating position to the shorting position, the actuator or actuators (e.g., non-conductive actuators) may be inserted into the first and second shorting contacts to disengage the first and second bridging elements, respectively. The actuator or actuators remove contact between the first shorting contact, the first bridging element, and the first terminal of the secondary power source to electrically decouple the first shorting contact from the first terminal of the secondary power source. Additionally, the actuator or actuators remove contact between the second shorting contact, the second bridging element, and the second terminal of the secondary power source or load to electrically decouple the second shorting contact from the second terminal of the secondary power source or load. Further still, the actuator or actuators may simultaneously bring the first contacting element into contact with the second contacting element to form a closed loop circuit between terminals of the current transformer. As such, the current transformer is short circuited, but remains within a closed loop circuit. Unfortunately, some shorting blocks that include the shorting contacts, the bridging elements, and the actuators may have a relatively large size and be expensive to manufacture. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to an improved and simplified shorting block that has shorting contacts with a reduced length and eliminates the bridging element by utilizing activation contacts (e.g., conductive activation contacts) that transition the shorting block between an operating position and a shorting position. Thus, the shorting block of the present disclosure includes a reduced size and a reduced cost because of the reduced number of components when compared to existing shorting blocks. 
     For instance, the shorting block may include a pair of shorting contacts configured to directly contact one another in the shorting position. The activation contacts may be inserted into the shorting contacts to form a gap between the shorting contacts (e.g., the shorting contacts do not contact one another) and place the shorting block in the operating position. As such, the activation contacts both remove contact between the pair of shorting contacts and establish an electrical connection between the pair of shorting contacts and the secondary power source or load. In some examples, the shorting contacts may include an overlapping or folded configuration that reduces a size (e.g., length) of the shorting contacts, while ensuring that the shorting contacts are in contact with one another in the shorting position and not in contact with one another in the operating position. The shorting contacts may be inserted into the shorting block as pairs, where a first shorting contact is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the current transformer (e.g., a first terminal of the secondary winding of the current transformer) and a second shorting contact is coupled to a second terminal of the current transformer (e.g., a second terminal of the secondary winding of the current transformer). The shorting contacts may be mirror images of one another, or self-similar, such that both shorting contacts function substantially the same. The shorting contacts may each include a bias that directs the shorting contacts toward one another when positioned in the shorting block. In other words, the bias of the shorting contacts urges the shorting contacts toward one another and into contact with one another. Therefore, the shorting contacts are in contact with one another as a default position upon insertion into the shorting block. As such, when the shorting contacts are in contact with one another, the first and second terminals of the current transformer form a closed loop circuit. 
     A first activation contact (e.g., a conductive activation contact) is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the secondary power source or load and a second activation contact (e.g., a conductive activation contact) is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the secondary power source or load. The first and second activation contacts may be inserted into the first and second shorting contacts, respectively, to direct the shorting contacts away from a direction of the bias and away from one another to form a gap between the shorting contacts. Therefore, the activation contacts electrically couple the first terminal of the current transformer to the first terminal of the secondary power source or load as well as electrically couple the second terminal of the current transformer to the second terminal of the secondary power source or load. The electrical connection formed between the activation contacts and the shorting contacts forms a closed loop circuit between the current transformer and the secondary power source or load. Therefore, insertion of the activation contacts enables the shorting block to transition from the shorting position to the activation position. 
     In some examples, the first activation contact may come into physical contact with the first shorting contact before the second activation contact comes into physical contact with the second shorting contact without placing the current transformer in an open circuit. For example, even though the first activation contact comes into physical contact with the first shorting contact before the second activation contact comes into physical contact with the second shorting contact, contact between the shorting contacts may be maintained because of the bias of the shorting contacts, which maintains the current transformer in a closed circuit (e.g., between the terminals of the current transformer). In short, the current transformer does not realize an open state during the transition between the shorting position and the activation position, or vice versa. Examples of the present disclosure are directed to a shorting block that includes fewer components than existing shorting blocks, includes a reduced a size when compared to existing shorting blocks, and is less expensive to manufacture when compared to existing shorting blocks. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a shorting block  10 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , the shorting block  10  includes a housing  12  that is configured to receive various components of the shorting block  10 . The housing  12  may include openings configured to receive activation plugs  14 . As described in detail herein, the activation plugs  14  may include apertures that receive activation contacts that ultimately transition the shorting block  10  between an operating position and a shorting position. The shorting block  10  also includes a fastener retainer  16  that covers one or more openings on a top portion  17  of the housing  12 . The housing  12  has first compartments  18  and second compartments  20  that alternate along a length  21  of the housing  12 . The first compartments  18  may receive electrical connectors (e.g., wires, ring terminals, or other suitable terminals) of a first terminal of a current transformer. Similarly, the second compartments  20  may receive electrical connectors (e.g., wires, ring terminals, or other suitable terminals) of a second terminal of the current transformer. The electrical connectors of the first and second terminals of the current transformer may be coupled to the shorting block  10  via fasteners  22 . In some examples, the fasteners  22  may be loosened and/or tightened using a tool (e.g., a screwdriver) to facilitate coupling the electrical connectors to the shorting block  10 . 
     In some examples, the shorting block  10  may include one or more securement fasteners  24  configured to secure the housing  12  of the shorting block  10  to another component. For example, the shorting block  10  may be positioned in an electrical cabinet and secured to the electrical cabinet and/or a component within the electrical cabinet via the one or more securement fasteners  24 . The securement fasteners  24  may block movement of the shorting block  10  with respect to the electrical cabinet, which may reduce inadvertent movement of components within the housing  12  and/or reduce inadvertent disconnection of electrical components of the shorting block  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shorting block  10  illustrating the activation plugs  14  secured to the housing  12  via an interface  40 . For instance, the interface  40  may include openings within the housing  12  that receive respective protrusions of the activation plugs  14 . The protrusions of the activation plugs  14  may be compressed upon insertion of the activation plugs  14  into the housing  12  and then move upward into the openings upon reaching the openings. The protrusions may then secure the activation plugs  14  to the housing  12  and substantially block movement of the activation plugs  14  with respect to the housing  12 . 
     As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 2 , the activation plugs  14  include first openings  42  and second openings  44  that may receive first activation contacts and second activation contacts, respectively. As discussed above, the first activation contacts may be electrically coupled to a first terminal of a secondary power source or load (e.g., a relay, another transformer, an electronic instrument, or another device that consumes power) and the second activation contacts may be electrically coupled to a second terminal of a secondary power source or load. Inserting the first and second activation contacts into the first and second openings  42 ,  44 , respectively, causes the shorting block  10  to transition from a shorting position to the operating position, which establishes an electrical connection between the current transformer and the secondary power source or load. The first and second openings  42 ,  44  of the activation plugs  14  may guide the first and second activation contacts toward shorting contacts that are disposed within the housing  12  and facilitate the transition between the shorting position and the operating position. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are exploded perspective views of the shorting block  10  illustrating first shorting contacts  60  and second shorting contacts  62  that are disposed within the housing  12 . As shown in the illustrated example, the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  alternate along the length  21  of the housing  12 , thereby forming pairs of adjacent first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . In some examples, the first shorting contacts  60  and the second shorting contacts  62  are mirror images of one another, or self-similar. The configuration of the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  is discussed in further detail herein with reference to  FIGS. 5-10 . The first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  are electrically coupled to a current transformer  63  and secured to the electrical connectors of the current transformer  63  by the fasteners  22 . Thus, the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  may include a conductive material, such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, nickel, tin, another suitable metallic material, or any combination thereof to establish the electrical connection with the current transformer  63 . Further, the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  may be secured to or within the activation plugs  14  via support members  64 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support members  64  may include protrusions extending from the activation plugs  14 . As such, the support members  64  may engage the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  and block movement of the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  with respect to the activation plugs  14 . In any case, the activation plugs  14  may receive activation contacts  61  that are electrically coupled to a load  65 . As used herein, the load  65  may include any suitable device or component that receives current from the current transformer  63 , such as another transformer, a relay, a power source, an electronic instrument, or any other suitable device. 
     In some examples, the fasteners  22  may include biasing members  66  (e.g., springs) that facilitate coupling the electrical connectors of the current transformer  63  to the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . For example, the biasing members  66  may exert a biasing force on the fasteners  22  in a direction  68  toward the fastener retainer  16 . Therefore, the fasteners  22  may abut or contact the fastener retainer  16  when the fasteners  22  are loosened or not tightened into corresponding openings of the housing  12 . A gap or space may be formed between the fasteners  22  and the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  when the fasteners  22  are abutting or contacting the fastener retainer  16 , such that an electrical connector (e.g., a ring terminal) of the current transformer  63  may be disposed in the gap or space between the fasteners  22  and the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . The fasteners  22  may then be tightened or driven away from the fastener retainer  16  in a direction  70 , such that the fasteners  22  pass through openings of the electrical connectors and openings of the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . The fasteners  22  thus secure the electrical connectors to the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  and establish an electrical connection between the current transformer  63  and the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example of the second shorting contact  62 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 5 , the second shorting contact  62  includes a body  80  having an opening  82 . The opening  82  may receive the fastener  22  to secure the second shorting contact  62  into the housing  12  and to electrically couple the second shorting contact  62  to the electrical connector of the current transformer  63 . Further, the body  80  is coupled to a shorting portion  84  of the second shorting contact  62  that is configured to enable the shorting block  10  to transition between the shorting position and the operating position. 
     The shorting portion  84  of the second shorting contact  62  includes an overlapping member  86 , a bent portion  88 , a biased portion  90 , a first contact portion  92 , and a second contact portion  94 . As shown in the illustrated example, the overlapping member  86  is positioned at an angle  85  relative to the body  80  of the second shorting contact  62 . The angle  85  of the overlapping member  86  may at least partially contribute to a bias of the biased portion  90 , which enables the second shorting contact  62  to contact the first shorting contact  60  upon insertion into the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . For instance, the first shorting contact  60  is positioned on a side  96  of the second shorting contact  62  that is adjacent to the biased portion  90 , and the angle  85  positions the shorting portion  84  toward the side  96  to facilitate contact between the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62 . In some examples, the angle  85  may be between 0 degrees and 20 degrees, between 1 degree and 15 degrees, or between 3 degrees and 15 degrees. 
     The overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  are coupled to one another via the bent portion  88 . While the bent portion  88  has a substantially linear cross-section in the illustrated example of  FIG. 5 , it should be recognized that the bent portion  88  may include any suitable shape or configuration, such a semi-circle. Additionally, the configurations of the overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  are not limited to the configurations illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The bent portion  88  enables the overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  to substantially overlap with one another with respect to a width  98  of the second shorting contact  62 . In other words, the overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  are generally parallel to one another with respect to a length of the body  80 . In some examples, the bent portion  88  enables the second shorting contact  62  to bend back on itself, such that the overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  form an angle of between 160 degrees and 200 degrees, or approximately (e.g., within 10% of, within 5% of, or within 1% of) 180 degrees, with one another. Further, by the second shorting contact  62  bending back on itself, the bend portion  88  allows the activation and deactivation to be performed via insertion of a male contact. Forming the overlap between the overlapping member  86  and the biased portion  90  with respect to the width  98  of the second shorting contact  62  enables the length  100  of the second shorting contact  62  to be reduced. 
     In some examples, the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  are in contact with one another at a contact point  102  before the second shorting contact  62  is disposed within the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . As such, contact between the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  may direct the first contact portion  92  away from the second contact portion  94  and form a gap between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94 . In other examples, the gap between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  may be formed prior to disposal of the second shorting contact  62  into the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . As such, the gap may increase in size due to contact between the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  upon assembly of the shorting block  10 . The gap between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  may facilitate insertion of an activation contact  61  between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94 . In some embodiments, shorting of the shorting block  10  may be integrated into the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  such that shorting occurs prior to insertion and following removal of an activation contact between the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62 . In still further embodiments, the second contact portion  94  of the second shorting contact  62  may be eliminated, such that the activation contact  61  is configured to establish an electrical connection with only the first contact portion  92 . 
       FIG. 6  is an expanded view of the contact point  102  between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 6 , the first contact portion  92  includes an extension  110 , which may be utilized to contact and guide the activation contact  61  into the gap between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94 . Additionally or alternatively, the extension  110  and an end  112  of the second contact portion  94  may form an angle  114  at the contact point  102 . In some examples, the angle  114  between the extension  110  of the first contact portion  92  and the end  112  of the second contact portion  94  is between 20 degrees and 90 degrees, between 25 degrees and 60 degrees, or between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. In other examples, the angle  114  may be any suitable angle that is configured to facilitate insertion of the activation contact  61  between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  and to maintain contact between the first contact portion  92 , the activation contact  61 , and the second contact portion  94  when in the operating position. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example of the second shorting contact  62  illustrating the shorting portion  84  of the second shorting contact  62  offset from the body  80  of the second shorting contact  62  with respect to a thickness  128  of the second shorting contact  62 . As such, the shorting portion  84  may move independently from the body  80 , which is configured to be secured to the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . In other words, the offset between the shorting portion  84  and the body  80  enables the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  of the second shorting contact  62  to move with respect to the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . The shorting portion  84  is coupled to the body  80  via a base portion  130 . In some examples, the base portion  130  is configured to form the offset between the shorting portion  84  and the body  80 . Additionally, or alternatively, the base portion  130  may be inserted into a plug that is disposed in the housing  12 . Therefore, the base portion  130  may also be secured with respect to the plug and the housing  12 , which also facilitates movement of the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  with respect to the base portion  130  and/or the body  80 . 
     In some examples, the body  80  may have a raised portion  134  formed by a transition portion  136  of the body  80 . The raised portion  134  and/or the transition portion  136  may enable the body  80  to be further secured to the activation plug  14  and/or to accommodate other adjacent features of the shorting block  10 . For instance, the transition portion  136  may include an aperture  138  that is configured to at least partially receive the support member  64  of the activation plug  14 . The raised portion  134  allows the body  80  to conform to the support member  64 , and in some examples, contact a top portion of the support member  64 . In other words, the raised portion  134  enables the support member  64  to be at least partially disposed in the aperture  138  without obstructing the second shorting contact  62  within the activation plug  14 . 
     Additionally, the second shorting contact  62  includes a lip  140  that may further secure the second shorting contact  62  within the housing  12 . For example, the lip  140  is configured to abut a protrusion, ledge, or other suitable feature within the housing  12  to block movement of the second shorting contact  62  in a direction  142  along the length  100  of the second shorting contact  62 . Therefore, the lip  140  further secures the second shorting contact  62  within the housing  12 , thereby reducing inadvertent movement of the second shorting contact  62  with respect to the housing  12  and/or inadvertent interruption of an electrical connection between the second shorting contact  62  and the current transformer  63 . 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the second shorting contact  62  further illustrating the offset between the body  80  and the shorting portion  84  with respect to the thickness  128  of the second shorting contact. As set forth above, the offset may enable movement of the biased portion  90 , the first contact portion  92 , and/or the second contact portion  94  with respect to the body  80 . As such, the body  80  may be secured to the housing  12  and/or the activation plug  14  while the biased portion  90 , the first contact portion  92 , and/or the second contact portion  94  may move with respect to the housing  12  and/or the activation plug  14 . In some examples, the opening  82  in the body  80  of the second shorting contact  62  includes a ridge  150  that is configured to be disposed within a corresponding opening in the housing  12 . For instance, as discussed above, the fastener  22  may extend through the opening  82 , through an opening of the electrical connector of the current transformer  63 , and into a corresponding opening of the housing  12  to electrically couple the second shorting contact  62  to the current transformer  63 . Positioning the ridge  150  within the corresponding opening of the housing  12  may further secure the body  80  to the housing  12  and ensure a sufficient electrical connection between the second shorting contact  62  and the current transformer  63  when the fastener  22  is disposed in the corresponding opening of the housing  12 . 
     In some examples, disposing the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  into the housing may cause the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  to be in a shorting position. For instance,  FIG. 9  is a plan view of an example of a shorting assembly  156  of the shorting block  10  having the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  in a plug  158 . In some examples, the plug  158  may be formed integrally with the housing  12 . In other examples, the plug  158  may be a separate component from the housing and coupled to the housing  12  via a weld, a fastener, a clamp, and/or another suitable securement feature. The plug  158  may include a temperature resistant material such as nylon, nylon having a glass filler (e.g., 30% glass filler), or another suitable material. As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 9 , the first shorting contact  60  is substantially a mirror-image of the second shorting contact  62  (e.g., the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  are self-similar). Thus, the first shorting contact  60  also includes a body  160  having an opening  162  configured to facilitate coupling the first shorting contact  60  to the current transformer  63  (e.g., an electrical connector of the current transformer  63 ). Further, the first shorting contact  60  includes a shorting portion  164  having an overlapping member  166 , a bent portion  168 , a biased portion  170 , a first contact portion  172 , and a second contact portion  174 . Further, the shorting portion  164  of the first shorting contact  60  may be coupled to the body  160  via a base portion  176 . 
     The base portion  130  of the second shorting contact  62  and the base portion  176  of the first shorting contact  60  may be disposed within the plug  158 . In some examples, a first wall  180  of the plug  158  secures the base portion  130  and blocks movement of the body  80  of the second shorting contact  62 . Further, the first wall  180  may apply an opposing force to the base portion  130  in a direction  181  that is opposite of a force applied to the shorting portion  84  by the first shorting contact  60 . Similarly, the plug  158  may include a second wall  182  that is configured to secure the base portion  176  and block movement of the body  160  of the first shorting contact  60 . Further, the second wall  182  may apply an opposing force to the base portion  176  that is in a direction  183  that is opposite of a force applied to the shorting portion  164  by the second shorting contact  62 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 9 , the base portions  130 ,  176  contact a relatively small portion of the plug  158 . While the walls  180 ,  182  of the plug  158  apply an opposing force to the base portions  130 ,  176  a load or stress on the plug  158  is relatively low. Therefore, the operating life of the plug  158  may be increased as due to relatively little wear experienced by the plug  158 . 
     Accordingly, the opposing forces applied by the walls  180 ,  182  enable the shorting portions  84 ,  164  to contact one another and apply opposing forces to one another. The opposing forces applied to the shorting portions  84 ,  164  may be sufficient to drive movement of the first contact portions  92 ,  172  away from the second contact portions  94 ,  174 , respectively. Accordingly, a first gap  184  may be formed between the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94  of the second shorting contact  62  and a second gap  186  may be formed between the first contact portion  172  and the second contact portion  174  of the first shorting contact  60 . In some examples, the gap  184  and/or the gap  186  may facilitate insertion of the activation contacts  61  between the first contact portions  92 ,  172 , and the second contact portions  94 ,  174 , respectively. Additionally, the opposing forces applied by the walls  180 ,  182  establish contact between the shorting portion  84  and the shorting portion  164  at a contact point  188  of the second shorting contact  62  and a contact point  190  of the first shorting contact  60 . Therefore, an electrical connection is established between the first shorting contact  60  (e.g., coupled to a first terminal of the current transformer  63 ) and the second shorting contact  62  (e.g., coupled to a second terminal of the current transformer  63 ) to form a closed loop circuit between the first terminal of the current transformer  63  and the second terminal of the current transformer  63 . The shorting block  10  is thus in a shorting position  191  when the first shorting contact  60  and the second shorting contact  62  are disposed within the plug  158  and the housing  12 . 
     As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 9 , the plug  158  includes a first opening  192  and a second opening  194  to enable access to the second shorting contact  62  and the first shorting contact  60 , respectively, from outside of the plug  158 . To transition the shorting block  10  to an operating position, a first activation contact  196  and a second activation contact  198  may be inserted into the first opening  192  and the second opening  194 , respectively, to engage the second shorting contact  62  and the first shorting contact  60 . The first activation contact  196  is electrically coupled to a first terminal or connection of the load  65  and the second activation contact  198  is electrically coupled to a second terminal or connection of the load  65 . As such, the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  include a conductive material that establishes the electrical connection between the current transformer  63  and the load  65 . In some examples, the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  include copper, copper alloy, aluminum, nickel, tin, another suitable metallic material, or any combination thereof. In other examples, the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  may include any suitable conductive material. 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of the shorting assembly  156  in an operating position  200 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 10 , the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  are disposed within the first opening  192  and the second opening  194 , respectively. The first activation contact  196  engages the second shorting contact  62  and contacts the first contact portion  92  at a contact point  210  and contacts the second contact portion  94  at contact point  212 . As such, an electrical connection is established between the first activation contact  196  and the second shorting contact  62  via the first contact portion  92  and the second contact portion  94 . Similarly, the second activation contact  198  is electrically coupled to the first shorting contact  60  via a contact point  214  with the first contact portion  172  and a contact point  216  with the second contact portion  174   
     Additionally, when the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  are engaged with the second shorting contact  62  and the first shorting contact  60 , respectively, a gap  218  is formed between the second shorting contact  62  and the first shorting contact  60 . In other words, the contact point  188  of the second shorting contact  62  and the contact point  190  of the first shorting contact  60  are not in contact with one another to form the gap  218 . As set forth above, the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198  are both electrically coupled to the load  65 , and thus, a closed loop circuit is formed between the current transformer  63  and the load  65  when the shorting block  10  is in the operating position  200 . 
     Further still, the current transformer  63  is maintained within a closed loop circuit during insertion of the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198 . As a non-limiting example, in some cases, the first activation contact  196  may contact or otherwise engage the second shorting contact  62  before the second activation contact  198  contacts or engages the first shorting contact  60 . As such, the first activation contact  196  may be electrically coupled to the first contact portion  92  and/or the second contact portion  94  before the second activation contact  198  contacts one or both of the first contact portion  172  and the second contact portion  174  of the first shorting contact  60 . However, the current transformer  63  remains within a closed loop circuit because the contact point  188  of the second shorting contact  62  maintains contact with the contact point  190  of the first shorting contact  60 . In other words, the first activation contact  196  may begin to urge the second shorting contact  62  away from the first shorting contact  60 , but the biasing force of the shorting portion  164  of the first shorting contact  60  may continue to urge the first shorting contact  60  toward the second shorting contact  62  and maintain contact. Therefore, a closed loop is maintained between the first and second terminals of the current transformer  63  despite the second activation contact  198  not being in contact with the first shorting contact  60 . The shorting block of the present disclosure thus enables the current transformer  63  to remain within a closed loop circuit throughout the entire transition between the shorting position and the operating position, and vice versa. The shorting block thus includes a make before break connection, which enables current flow to remain uninterrupted throughout transitions between the shorting position and the operating position. 
     While the examples of  FIGS. 3-10  illustrate the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  having a specific configuration, in other examples, the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  may include other suitable shapes and designs. For example,  FIG. 11  is a plan view of an example of a shorting contact  228  that may be utilized with the shorting block  10 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 11 , the shorting contact  228  includes a base portion  230 , which may be inserted and secured within the plug  158 . Further, the shorting contact  228  includes an overlapping member  232 , a curved portion  234 , a biased portion  236 , a first contact portion  238 , and a second contact portion  240 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 11 , the shorting contact  228  includes a curved portion  234  having a generally semi-circular cross-section instead of the bent portion  88  that included a substantially linear cross-section. While the shorting contact  228  includes a different configuration (e.g., shape) than the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 , it should be recognized that the shorting contact  228  may function substantially the same as the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 . In other words, the shorting contact  228  may cooperate with a corresponding shorting contact that is a mirror image of the shorting contact  228 . Additionally, the first activation contact  196  may be utilized to transition the shorting contact  228  (and the corresponding shorting contact) between the shorting position and the operating position. 
     In still further examples, the shorting block  10  may include a shorting bar in addition to, or in lieu of, direct contact between shorting contacts. For example,  FIG. 12  is a plan view of an example of a shorting assembly  250  that includes a first shorting contact  252 , a second shorting contact  254 , and a shorting bar  256 . In some examples, the shorting bar  256  is physically coupled (e.g., welded or fastened) to the first shorting contact  252  or the second shorting contact  254 . The shorting bar  256  may be in contact with both the first shorting contact  252  and the second shorting contact  254  when the first shorting contact  252  and the second shorting contact  254  are disposed within the plug  158  and/or the housing  12  of the shorting block  10 . As such, the shorting assembly  250  may be in the shorting position (e.g., electrically coupling the first and second terminals of the current transformer  63 ) as a default upon insertion of the first shorting contact  252  and the second shorting contact  254  into the housing  12 . 
     As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 12 , the first shorting contact  252  includes a first receiving portion  258  and the second shorting contact includes a second receiving portion  260 . The first receiving portion  258  is coupled to a first contact portion  262  of the first shorting contact  252  and the second receiving portion  260  is coupled to a second contact portion  264  of the second shorting contact  254 . The first and second contact portions  262 ,  264  may include segments of the first and second shorting contacts  252 ,  254  that contact the shorting bar  256  and establish a direct electrical connection between the first and second shorting contacts  252 ,  254 . The activation contacts  196 ,  198  may be disposed in the first and second receiving portions  258 ,  260  to drive the first and second contact portions  262 ,  264  away from one another, such that the shorting bar  256  does not contact at least one of the first shorting contact  252  or the second shorting contact  254 . Accordingly, upon insertion of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198 , the current transformer  63  may be in a closed loop circuit with the load  65  via the first shorting contact  252 , the second shorting contact  254 , the first activation contact  196 , and the second activation contact  198 . 
     In some examples, the shorting block  10  may include an integrated activation header  280  that facilitates transitioning multiple shorting assemblies  156  between the shorting position  191  and the operating position  200 . For example,  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example of the integrated activation header  280  that may receive and/or secure a plurality of first activation contacts  196  and a plurality of second activation contacts  198 . The integrated activation header  280  includes a housing  282  having first openings  284  configured to receive first activation contacts  196  and second openings  286  configured to receive second activation contacts  198 . The first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  extend through the first and second openings  284 ,  286  of the integrated activation header  280  and ultimately pass through the first and second openings  192 ,  194  of the plug  158  to engage the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 , for example. 
     Further, the housing  282  of the integrated activation header  280  may include securement features  288  that may engage and secure the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to the housing  282 . In some examples, the securement features  288  include protrusions that may clamp around at least a portion of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  and secure the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to the housing  282 . For example, the securement features  288  may couple to the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  via a friction interference fit that substantially blocks movement of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  with respect to the housing  282 . Accordingly, the securement features  288  may reduce inadvertent movement of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198 , and thus, inadvertent interruption of an electrical connection between the load  65  and the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the integrated activation header  280  illustrating an opening  290  that receives the activation plugs  14 , or in other examples, directly interface with the plugs  158 . As shown in the illustrated example, the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  extend into the opening  290 , and thus, may be inserted into the openings  42 ,  44  of the activation plugs  14  and/or the openings  192 ,  194  of the plugs  158 . In some examples, each set of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may be inserted into a corresponding plug  158  substantially simultaneously using the integrated activation header  280 . In other examples, each set of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may be independently inserted and/or removed from the first and second openings  284 ,  286  of the integrated activation header  280 . 
     In some examples, the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may include various features that facilitate coupling the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62 , the activation plugs  14 , and/or the integrated activation header  280 . For example,  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the first activation contact  196  and the second activation contact  198 . As shown in the illustrated example of  FIG. 15 , the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  each include a body portion  300  and an activation portion  302  extending from the body portion  300 . In some examples, the activation portion  302  is tapered or has a height  303  gradually reduces along a length  304  of the activation portion  302 . Tapering the activation portion  302  may facilitate insertion of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  into the openings  42 ,  44  of the activation plugs  14 , the openings  192 ,  194  of the plugs  158 , and/or the openings  284 ,  286  of the integrated activation header  280 . Further, the activation portion  302  may include tapered ends  305  that further facilitate insertion of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  into the openings  42 ,  44  of the activation plugs  14 , the openings  192 ,  194  of the plugs  158 , and/or the openings  284 ,  286  of the integrated activation header  280 . For example, the reduced height  303  and tapered ends  305  may enable the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to include a reduced surface area at the tapered ends  305  which may enable the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to be easily inserted into the openings  42 ,  44 ,  192 ,  194 ,  284 , and/or  286  as compared to other portions of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  that have a larger surface area. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may include notches  306  that secure the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to the activation plugs  14  and/or the housing  282  of the integrated activation header  280 . For instance, the notches  306  may form a friction interference fit with the openings  42 ,  44 , and/or the openings  284 ,  286  to block inadvertent movement of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  with respect to the activation plugs  14  and/or the integrated activation header  280 . The notches  306  may include a predetermined depth that secures the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  into the openings  42 ,  44 ,  284 , and/or  286  while enabling the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to be removed (e.g., via a tool or application of a force). 
     Further still, the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may each include pronged connections  308  that facilitate coupling the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  to the load  65 . For instance, the load  65  may include slots or other openings that may receive the pronged connections  308  of the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  and establish an electrical connection to the load  65 . In other examples, the load  65  may have other features that enable an electrical connection between the load  65  and the pronged connections  308 . In any case, the first and second activation contacts  196 ,  198  may be removed from the openings  192 ,  194  of the plugs  158  to transition the shorting block from the operating position to the shorting position. 
     In some examples, the shorting block  10  of the present disclosure may not include a shorting bar, which may reduce manufacturing costs of the shorting block  10 . Moreover, the configuration of the first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  enables the shorting block  10  to include a reduced length and/or width, which reduces a size of the shorting block  10 . Utilizing first and second shorting contacts  60 ,  62  that are mirror-images of one another may also simplify manufacturing of the shorting block, which further reduces costs. Finally, the shorting block  10  of the present disclosure ensures that the current transformer  63  is maintained within a closed loop circuit in the shorting position, in the operating position, and during a transition between the shorting position and the operating position. 
     The embodiments set forth in the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it may be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. The disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims. In addition, the techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). For any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, however, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).