FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1070
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
An inter column connector for a Surge arrester
APPLICANT (S)
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company
INVENTOR (S)
Devraj John Yesuraj, of Crompton Greaves Limited, Switchgear (S1 & S4) R&D Division, Switchgear Complex, Crompton Greaves Limited, A3, Ambad, Nashik, Maharashtra, India; Awkale Ramesh Ramkrishna, of Crompton Greaves Limited, SI-R&D Division, Switchgear Complex, Crompton Greaves Limited, A3, Ambad, Nashik, Maharashtra, India; Jha Nitin, of Crompton Greaves Limited S4 R&D Division, Switchgear Complex, Crompton Greaves Limited, A3, Ambad, Nashik, Maharashtra, India; Selvraj Saravanan, of Crompton Greaves Limted, Analytics Centre, Global R&D Centre, Crompton Greaves Ltd, Bhaskara Building, Kanjurmarg (East), Mumbai - 400042, Mumbai, India; all Indian Nationals.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of switchgear equipment Particularly, this invention relates to Surge Arrester equipment.
More particularly, this invention relates to an inter Column connector for a Surge arrester.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
With the ever increasing demand for power there is a need for a high voltage transmission system to transmit power from point to another with low loss. Currently, India is installing 1200 kV transmission system for transmitting power with low loss. In this scenario, Surge arresters play a key role. It is used to reduce the Basic Insulation Level (BIL) of the other associated equipments in the sub¬station.
A 1200 kV Surge Arrester is designed for this transmission system.
A Surge arrester is a device used for insulation coordination purpose in a substation / transmission line. The heart of surge arrester is ZnO blocks. ZnO blocks are non linear in nature, i.e. they offer low resistance to high voltage and high resistance to low voltage. When a high voltage surge comes across a surge arrester, it clips over voltage proportional to its protection level and the remaining is discharged within itself in the form of energy.
1200 kV Surge arrester consists of 4 parallel column. Each column is made up typically of 5 stacks of individual units. All four columns are connected through an

inter column connector which is connected to flanges of every unit, in each stages. Flat plates and annular discs have been previously used as interconnects. However, these items are prone to water retention during rainfall, which creates problem in surge arrester operation. In certain other scenarios, the design of the Inter column Connector is such that there is an impediment in the air flow towards and / or around the Surge arrester.
There is a need for a better inter column connector for Surge arresters.
Prior Art:
US6842323 discloses Electrical surge arresters. Here, The individual surge arresters in each stage I, II, etc are coupled together and to the adjoining arresters of the next adjacent stage by means of cast metal brackets (spiders) having a plurality of limbs extending from a central body portion with even angular spacing of 90 degrees.
However, this design is not an aerodynamic design and is prone to water retention and upward air thrust.
US2476791 discloses a Surge arrester. Here, the complete arrester is made self-supporting, however, by bracing the three columns to each other. For this purpose, a top brace IS is provided at the top of the arrester. The top brace is of generally similar construction to the base, and consists of three arms, each made up of a pair of steel channels.
However, this design is not an aerodynamic design and is prone to water retention and upward air thrust.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a mechanically stable inter column connector for Surge Arrester.
Another object of the invention is to provide firm electrical connection through inter column connector for Surge Arrester.
Yet another object of the invention is to maintain the performance of a Surge arrester.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an inter column connector for Surge arrester with better reliability.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an inter column connector for Surge arrester which is easily assembled on to the Surge arrester.
Yet an additional object of the invention is to provide an inter column connector with improved aerodynamic design.
Still an additional object of the invention is to provide an inter column connector which eliminates mechanical stress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided an inter column connector for Surge arrester comprising a first pipe and a second pipe intersecting at their substantive

midpoints at right angles, thereby forming a cross, said first pipe having first and second ends and said second pipe having first and second ends in order to form four end points where plates are placed for coupling with end plates of the columns of Surge reactors, said plates including bolting arrangement for bolted coupling with said end plates.
A Surge arrestor of four columns placed in a square array formation with adjacent constant column space is constant, said Surge arrestor having end plates protruding into the inner zone of the four located Surge arresters, and said four columns being connected by an inter column connector for Surge arrester comprising a first pipe and a second pipe intersecting at their substantive midpoints at right angles, thereby forming a cross, said first pipe having first and second ends and said second pipe having first and second ends in order to form four end points where plates are placed for coupling with end plates of the columns of Surge reactors, said plates including bolting arrangement for bolted coupling with said end plates.
Typically, said pipes are hollow pipes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a top isometric schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor with inter column connector;

Figure 2 illustrates a front schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor with inter column connector;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric schematic view of inter column connector;
Figure 4 illustrates an isometric top view of inter column connector;
Figure 5 illustrates an isometric side view of inter column connector; and
Figure 6 illustrates a bottom isometric schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor with inter column connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided an inter column connector for Surge arrester.
Figure 1 illustrates a top isometric schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor
with inter column connector.
Figure 2 illustrates a front schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor with inter
column connector.
Figure 6 illustrates a bottom isometric schematic view of columns of Surge arrestor
with inter column connector.
Typically, four columns of Surge arresters (12) are placed in a square array formation. Adjacent column space is constant. There are end plates (13) which

protrude into the inner zone of the four located Surge arresters.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric schematic view of inter column connector (100). Figure 4 illustrates an isometric top view of inter column connector (100). Figure 5 illustrates an isometric side view of inter column connector (100).
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a first pipe (14) and a second pipe (16) intersecting at their substantive midpoints at right angles, thereby forming a cross. The first and second ends of the first pipe and the first and second ends of the second pipe form the four end points where plates (IS) are placed for coupling with end plates of the columns of Surge reactors. The plates include bolting arrangement (20) for bolted coupling with the end plates.
The pipes are hollow pipes. They provide good mechanical strength to the columns of Surge arrester. The use of hollow pipes results in material cost reduction as compared to solid plates or annular plates.
This inter column connector also electrically connects one column of the Surge arrester to another.
The design of this inter column connector is such that water dripping is very fast, water deposition is very negligible. It is made up of aluminum pipe which has a good surface finish and has good mechanical strength. The inter column connecter also provides a good mechanical strength of the four column. It also provides electrical connection to all the four units. The design of the Inter Column Connecter is aerodynamic so that air can flow easily without exerting upward air

thrust on the surge arrester.
In the prior art, transverse entry of water towards the dry zone was common. In the prior art, of flat plates, water retention was common, thus causing corrosion and compromise in mechanical and electrical integrity. In the prior art, air from the downward direction caused thrust from downside to a round sheet plate.
The curvature of the pipe provides an aerodynamic design which allows the air to pass through easily without exerting extra mechanical stress on the insulator column. This design does not allow water retention, as the slopes / curvature drains off the water, if any, quickly. It also channels the water away from the dry zones (insulation) of the Surge arrestor. This provides better electrical performance in rainy weather. The thrust factor is eliminated as the curved (aerodynamic) design provides laminar flow of air.
Its surface curvature minimizes the effect of corona and gives good RIV performance.

We claim,
1. An inter column connector for Surge arrester comprising a first pipe and a second pipe intersecting at their substantive midpoints at right angles, thereby forming a cross, said first pipe having first and second ends and said second pipe having first and second ends in order to form four end points where plates are placed for coupling with end plates of the columns of Surge reactors, said plates including bolting arrangement for bolted coupling with said end plates.
2. An inter column connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said pipes are hollow pipes.
3. A Surge arrestor of four columns placed in a square array formation with adjacent constant column space is constant, said Surge arrestor having end plates protruding into the inner zone of the four located Surge arresters, and said four columns being connected by an inter column connector for Surge arrester comprising a first pipe and a second pipe intersecting at their substantive midpoints at right angles, thereby forming a cross, said first pipe having first and second ends and said second pipe having first and second ends in order to form four end points where plates are placed for coupling with end plates of the columns of Surge reactors, said plates including bolting arrangement for bolted coupling with said end plates.
4. An inter column connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said pipes are hollow pipes.