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Date：07-29-2025
With our constant shift towards underground electrical systems, the need for reliable, safe and flexible distribution is increasing everyday. This calls for an organized setup of loadbreak elbow connectors to safely connect and disconnect energized circuits.
These connectors connect underground cables to dead front bushings on padmount transformers, ensuring a safe and reliable interface between electric cables and the transformers.
So, what exactly is a Loabreak elbow connector? How does it work?
Let’s answer these questions, among many others, in this article.
Load brake elbow is a separable, insulated connector, used in most low-to-medium voltage systems for energized load switching. Load break elbow connectors are used to connect underground, medium-voltage cables to transformers, switchgear and other equipment.
These connectors provide a fully shielded and submersible mechanical and electrical connection, and are designed to make or break connections under load. They are mostly rated for 15 kV, 25 kV and 35 kV systems.
To ensure interchangeability and safe performance under load and across various electrical systems, most load break elbows meet industry standards like IEEE 386.
Load bread elbows enable live disconnection and reconnection with the help of hot-stick tools. Here are some of its key features:
This is their core function, as they can interrupt and connect a connection of up to 200 A, while sectionalizing or isolating different equipment and without de-energizing the entire system.
A ceramic electrode tip extends beyond the elbow body and helps extinguish the arc formed when separating the connection under load.
Operators can use insulated live line tools (hot sticks) to pull out and insert the elbow. Here, a spring mechanism is used to reduce electrical stress and wear, while controlling arc initiation.
Capacitive test points are integrated into the load break elbows to verify if the connection is live before and after the disconnection. These capacitive points are not linked with the main conductor.
All these components work in harmony to allow load break connectors to connect and disconnect live connections while maintaining operator and system safety.
Load break connectors come in various types based on voltage class, application environment and configuration. Let’s talk about some of the most commonly used types:
Load break elbows come in various voltage ranges, some of them are:
15kV: They are designed for circuits of up to 15 kV, with a continuous current of 200 Amperes. These 15 kV elbow connectors are fully shielded, submersed and sometimes feature bimetal contacts.
25kV: These 25 kv load break elbows are rated for systems up to 24 kV, often at 250 A continuous current with a 300 A overload capacity for 8 hours. Supports XLPE or EPR insulated cables with conductor cross-sections from ~25–120 mm² . They are most frequently used in modern electrical systems and offer a safe and secure way to connect/disconnect more circuits.
35kV: Although 25 Kv load break elbows are used most often, the 35 kV are also used for some specific applications. They can withstand a continuous current of up to 200 Amperes and voltage rating or up to 35 kV. To manage this large voltage ,they feature peroxide‑cured EPDM insulation and semiconducting shield, a coppertop compression connector, tin‑plated copper probe with arc‑follower tip, and optional capacitive test points.
Load break connectors come in various configurations to suit different applications
Standard loadbreak elbow: These are used to connect a single cable to a single piece of apparatus (e.g. transformer, switchgear). They use protruding ceramic probe tips to support energized operations.
Junction‑type elbow: They are also called multi‑way or tee configuration elbows. They allow branching by connecting multiple cables together within a single insulated housing. Common configurations include 2‑point, 3‑point, and 4‑point junction elbows used in complex distribution layouts.
With capacitive test point: These load break elbows include a molded, capacitive sensor to indicate circuit voltage (typically around 10–12% of phase‑to‑ground voltage). This feature enables safe voltage verification without energizing the connector directly.
Without test point: These are suitable for installations where voltage testing is done elsewhere, these elbows cannot provide immediate phase‑to‑ground voltage feedback.
Although most load break elbows come with a submersible design, some also come with corrosive-resistent designs.
Submersible Designs
These submersible designs can operate reliably under water or in saturated soil when properly mated with compatible bushings or plugs. For instance, Anhuang’s 25 kV load break elbows offer fully submersible, separable connection.
Corrosive‑Resistant Designs
Some load break elbows are used in corrosive environments, such as coastal zones or chemical plants. They provide fully screened and submersible separable connections with stainless steel hardware and EPDM rubber components designed to resist environmental degradation in harsh conditions.
Here are some real life applications of load break elbows:
Underground power distribution
Load break elbows are widely used to connect medium‑voltage underground cables to transformers, switchgear, and other equipment without interrupting service.
Pad‑mounted transformers & switchgear
They enable safe, hot‑stick operation when connecting or disconnecting equipment on live systems such as pad‑mounted transformers and switchgear.
Industrial, utility & commercial installations
Load break elbows are used across utility substations, industrial power systems, and commercial buildings where sectionalizing and live load switching are required.
Wind, solar & renewable energy farms
These are ideal for renewable installations (such as wind and solar farms)where flexible, live‑line operations help reduce downtime during maintenance.
Mining & railway Systems
Used in harsh environments like mining operations and railway or metro electrical systems to maintain continuous power while isolating segments for service.
Load break elbow connectors are a must have when you want to isolate some parts of a medium-volatage, underground electrical system. They offer a reliable and secure way to repair some parts of the circuits without disturbing the overall electrical supply.
If you are looking to buy 25 kV loadbreak elbow connectors for your application, you must check out Anhuang’s range of load break elbows.
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