Double end break switches (See Figures 4 and 5.) can be installed on minimal phase spacing, the
same phase spacing that vertical break switches can be installed on; as the double end break switch’s
disconnect blades, when in the open position, are disconnected from both the source and the load. In
the open position the blade is not complete de-energized, but instead is at a floating potential of about
30% of system voltage. An advantage that double end break switches enjoy over vertical break
switches is that they can be installed in locations which have minimal overhead clearance as the
blades swing open to the side rather than lifting upward. An additional advantage that double end
break switches enjoy over vertical break switches is that they do not require their blades to be
counterbalanced as the blades are not lifted. (Vertical break switches typically require their blades to
be counterbalanced at 69 kV and above.) Double end break switches are excellent for applications in
environments which can experience large amounts of ice formation and are also excellent for
installations which have large amounts of fault current due to their reverse loop contact design. In
fact, double end break switches are even better performers in icy environments than vertical break
switches are as the orientation of the jaw assembly of a double end break switch (a “C” configuration
rather than the vertical break switch’s “U” configuration) reduces the amount of ice accumulation