Separable Connectors & Elbows
Ryan Sales supplies separable connectors from Richards MFG and G&W Electric, covering 200A loadbreak elbows, 600/900A deadbreak elbows and T-bodies, junctions, elbow arresters and junction bars from 15kV through 35kV. Our reps help utilities, contractors and industrial plants in Texas and Oklahoma spec the right interface for each transformer, switch and vault.
Send the voltage, ampacity and fault duty. A rep will narrow it down.
G&W ElectricJunction Bars and Sectionalizing CabinetsCompact dead-front junction bars and cabinets for loop, tap, grounding, testing and sectionalizing underground cable.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 900 A
- BIL
- 95 / 125 / 150 kV
Richards MFG200A Loadbreak Elbow200A class loadbreak elbow for hot-stick load break and load make operations on 15kV underground systems.- Voltage class
- 15 kV
- Operating voltage
- 8.3 / 14.4 kV
- Continuous current
- 200 A
Richards MFG600/900A Deadbreak AccessoriesComplete accessory family for 600/900A deadbreak systems covering insulating, testing, grounding and circuit expansion.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Interfaces
- 600/900A deadbreak and 200A loadbreak
- Insulation
- EPDM
Richards MFG600/900A Deadbreak ElbowFully shielded 600A/900A deadbreak elbow for terminating and splicing primary underground cable through 35kV.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- Short-time withstand
- 25 for 10 cycles and 10 for 3 s (Al) / 40 for 10 cycles (Cu) kA
Richards MFG600/900A Deadbreak JunctionsMulti-point deadbreak junctions in 2-, 3- and 4-way configurations for sectionalizing and tapping underground circuits.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- BIL
- 95–150 kV
Richards MFG600A 35kV R-Stack ArresterDeadbreak elbow surge arrester with gapless MOV technology that protects underground cables and equipment from over-voltages.- Voltage class
- 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 600 A
- Symmetrical fault current
- 40 kA
Richards MFGBushing Extender R-800The only fully integrated 200A loadbreak tap and 600/900A deadbreak bushing extender in a single factory-molded unit.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 kV
- Continuous current
- 200 A
- Deadbreak interface
- 600 / 900 A
Richards MFGCS8 Series Cold Shrink R-800Cold shrink version of the R-800 combining a 600A deadbreak elbow, 200A loadbreak tap and cold-shrink cable entrance in one unit.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 kV
- Deadbreak side current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- Loadbreak tap current
- 200 A
Richards MFGCSH Series Cold Shrink HammerheadAll-in-one cold shrink hammerhead T-body that combines termination and splicing for medium voltage cable through 35kV.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- Short-time withstand
- 25 for 10 cycles (Al) / 40 for 10 cycles (Cu) kA
Richards MFGDeadbreak Elbow Extension AdapterMolded bus adapter that extends deadbreak elbow connections to a disconnectable joint sleeve for equipment upgrades and dead-front conversions.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 28 (standard); 35 (custom) kV
- Continuous current
- 600 / 900 A
- BIL
- 95–162 kV
Richards MFGR-800Integrated 600A deadbreak elbow with a molded-in 200A loadbreak tap for simplified underground connections.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 kV
- Deadbreak side current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- Loadbreak tap current
- 200 A
Richards MFGR-StackFactory-molded composite that combines a deadbreak connecting plug and deadbreak elbow with reduced stack height and installation force.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 600 (Al) / 900 (Cu)
- Short-time withstand
- 25 for 10 cycles (Al) / 40 for 10 cycles (Cu) kA
How to choose separable connectors & elbows
Loadbreak or deadbreak interface
Use loadbreak where crews need to switch a circuit with a hot stick, and deadbreak where the connection carries feeder current and is only operated de-energized. The 200A Loadbreak Elbow handles load make and break on 15kV pad mounted transformers and URD equipment. The 600/900A Deadbreak Elbow terminates primary feeder cable through 35kV. When you need both, the R-800 molds a 200A loadbreak tap into a 600A deadbreak elbow for grounding, testing or a tap without a separate adapter.
Current rating and conductor material
Match the connector to the cable ampacity and the conductor metal. Richards deadbreak products rate 600A with aluminum and 900A with copper, and the short-time rating follows the same split: 25kA for 10 cycles on aluminum and 40kA for 10 cycles on copper. Check that the connector's short-time rating meets the available fault current at that point on the system.
Voltage class and BIL
Select the class for the system voltage, not the cable's insulation level alone. The 15, 25 and 35kV classes carry BIL ratings of 95, 125 and 150kV respectively, all per IEEE 386 so interfaces from compliant manufacturers mate.
| Product | Interface | Current | Classes | BIL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200A Loadbreak Elbow | Loadbreak | 200A | 15kV | 95kV |
| 600/900A Deadbreak Elbow | Deadbreak | 600A Al / 900A Cu | 15/25/35kV | 95-150kV |
| R-800 | Deadbreak + 200A loadbreak tap | 600A Al / 900A Cu | 15/25kV | 95/125kV |
| R-Stack | Deadbreak plug + elbow | 600A Al / 900A Cu | 15/25/35kV | 95/125/150kV |
Stacking, taps and tight spaces
In crowded cabinets and manholes, stack height and installation force decide what fits and what a lineman can assemble. The R-Stack combines a connecting plug and elbow, cutting stack height by 20% with a 25 lb installation force. For multi-way taps, 600/900A Deadbreak Junctions come in 2-, 3- and 4-way versions, and G&W Junction Bars and Sectionalizing Cabinets offer up to 6-point configurations with 900A continuous rating.
Surge protection at open points
Put arresters where a surge would otherwise reflect. A voltage wave traveling down a cable roughly doubles when it reaches an open end, so normally open points in a loop are the classic location. The 600A 35kV R-Stack Arrester uses a gapless MOV element in a deadbreak elbow form.
For background, read deadbreak vs loadbreak elbows, and see our cable splices and terminations for the rest of the cable run.
Frequently asked questions
Deadbreak vs loadbreak elbow?
A loadbreak elbow can be connected or disconnected while energized and carrying load, using a hot stick. A deadbreak elbow must be de-energized first. Loadbreak elbows, usually rated 200 A, have arc-quenching parts for switching. Deadbreak elbows, rated 600 A or 900 A, bolt onto the bushing for higher current and are used on main feeders. Richards MFG makes both: a 200 A loadbreak elbow and 600/900 A deadbreak elbows, all built to IEEE 386.
200A vs 600A — what's the difference?
The 200 A and 600 A ratings are the continuous current classes of separable connector interfaces. 200 A connectors are usually loadbreak and serve transformer taps and laterals. 600 A connectors are deadbreak, bolted systems for main feeders and switchgear, and 900 A versions are available with copper. The interfaces have different bushing shapes, so they are not interchangeable. Richards MFG's R-800 combines a 600/900 A deadbreak side with a 200 A loadbreak side.
What is IEEE 386?
IEEE 386 is the standard for separable insulated connector systems, such as elbows, bushings and junctions, on power distribution systems above 600 V. It defines interface dimensions, ratings and test requirements, so connectors from different manufacturers fit and work together. When a connector meets IEEE 386, it can be mated with other compliant equipment. Richards MFG elbows and G&W Electric junction bars are built to IEEE 386.