Connector assembly

A method of connecting first and second limbs of an electrical conductor on opposite sides of a pressure barrier in an oil or gas well, the method comprising passing the first limb of the conduit into a body of a penetrator assembly, said body having a bore adapted to receive the first limb of the electrical conductor within the bore, wherein the method includes the steps of sealing an annular space between the first limb of the electrical conductor and the bore with a sealing device, the sealing device being resilient;

• communicating fluid between an external surface of the body and the annular space through a fluid pathway, wherein the fluid pathway comprises at least one port passing through the body into the bore;
• and transmitting a pressure differential through the port between the external surface of the body and the annular space to act on one side of the sealing device, wherein the resilient sealing device comprises an extended sheath portion configured to surround at least a portion of an outer surface of an electrical conductor, wherein the extended sheath portion of the sealing device extends from a body of the sealing device on said one side of the sealing device, wherein the extended sheath portion of the sealing device is in fluid communication with the annular space, and wherein the method includes creating or enhancing a seal between the extended sheath portion of the sealing device and the electrical conductor forcing the extended sheath portion of the sealing device radially against the outer surface of the electrical conductor using a pressure differential communicated to the annular area via the fluid pathway to apply pressure to the extended sheath portion of the sealing device.

A penetrator assembly for connecting electrical conductors on opposite sides of a pressure barrier in an oil or gas well, the penetrator assembly having a body, the body having a bore with an axis, adapted to receive a plurality of electrical conductors within the bore, each electrical conductor having a terminal attached thereto, the penetrator assembly including a sealing device adapted to seal an annular space between the plurality of electrical conductors and the bore, and a fluid pathway adapted to allow fluid communication between an external surface of the body and the annular space, wherein the sealing device is resilient, wherein the fluid pathway comprises at least one port passing through the body into the bore, and wherein the port is adapted to transmit a pressure differential between the external surface of the body and the annular space to act on one side of the sealing device, wherein the sealing device comprises a respective extended sheath portion for each electrical conductor, each extended sheath portion being configured to surround at least a portion of an outer surface of an electrical conductor, wherein the extended sheath portions of the sealing device extend axially parallel to the axis from a body of the sealing device on said one side of the sealing device, wherein the extended sheath portions of the sealing device are in fluid communication with the annular space, whereby the pressure differential communicated to the annular area via the fluid pathway applies pressure to the extended sheath portions of the sealing device and forces the extended sheath portions of the sealing device radially against the outer surfaces of the electrical conductors, thereby creating or enhancing a seal between the extended sheath portions of the sealing device and the electrical conductors.