500kV switch

[things]

I too have seen that vid heaps, I believe it was a problem in shutting off the main supply. One flaw I instantly noticed is that the contacts slowly move away from each other, it was stretching the arc to begin with. Stupid design really.

 

[RODALCO]

That type of switch is an ABS ( Air break Switch ) isolator.

These switches are not designed to be switched under load conditions.

A small arc and crackle does usually occur.

In this case I think that one of the OCB or VCB contacts failed to open properly and a current was still flowing, hence the huge arc.

 

[arrie]

Thanks Rodalco.

But it was pretty.