Contacts
All movable and main stationary contacts employ 
copper-tungsten alloy tips at points subjected to arcing 
duty. Contact points not subjected to arcing employ a 
combination of EPT copper to provide a high conductivity 
current path. Movable contacts are split to make contact 
on both sides of mating parts and resist separation during 
high current surges. Contact pressure is maintained by steel 
compression springs.
Main stationary contacts
The main stationary contact is used for stationary tap 
contacts and the neutral contact.
Main movable contacts
The main movable contact assembly is made up of a set 
of two individual contact assemblies and a thermal set 
material insulating arm. Each of the main movable contacts 
makes contact with the main stationary contacts as the 
tap changer rotates through each tap position. At least one 
of the main movable contacts remains in contact with a 
stationary contact at all times. The main stationary contacts 
bolt to collector rings. The collector rings insert between 
a set of button contacts that are able to hold a continuous 
current path through all 32 steps of the tap changer and 
while in neutral. The movable contact assemblies are 
identical and can be used for either the right or left hand 
contacts.
Reversing stationary contacts
The set of reversing switch stationary contacts on the QD5 
tap-changer consist of three individual stationary contacts, 
a VL-Reversing Stationary, a Reversing Neutral Stationary, 
and a VR-Reversing Raise Stationary contact. The reversing 
switch stationary contacts see less operating duty than the 
main stationary contacts and therefore do not utilize the 
copper-tungsten alloy arcing tips.  
Figure 5.  Main movable contact assembly. 
Figure 6.  VL reversing 
stationary. 
Figure 7.  Figure 8.  Neutral reversing 
stationary. 
Figure 8.  Figure 7. VR 
reversing stationary. 
Figure 4.  Main stationary contact.
Copper-Tungsten   
Arcing Tips
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QD5 QUIK-DRIVE TAP-CHANGER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS   MN225012EN   March 2016