# US 10,871,527 B2 · Electrical connector with sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,527 B2 - Document ID: US10871527B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/172,137 - Filed: 2018-10-26 - Published: 2019-05-02 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-26 - Assignees: Hubbell Incorporated - Applicants: Hubbell Incorporated - Inventors: Seydou Diop; Adrian Beau Candelaria - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871527B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/66: Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints (testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55) - G01K 7/36: using magnetic elements, e.g. magnets, coils (magnetic elements per se H01F) - G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes - G01R 27/16: Measuring impedance of element or network through which a current is passing from another source, e.g. cable, power line - H01R 4/52: which is spring loaded - H01R 13/6683: {with built-in sensor} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connector system includes a connector for connecting a first conductor in electrical communication with a second conductor, and a sensor supported adjacent the connector. The sensor is in electrical communication with the first conductor and in electrical communication with the second conductor. The sensor detects a characteristic of the connection between the first conductor and the second conductor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector system comprising: a connector for connecting a first conductor in electrical communication with a second conductor, the connector including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first conductor being received within the elongated body and extending from the first end, the second conductor being received within the elongated body and extending from the second end; and a sensor supported adjacent the connector, the sensor in electrical communication with the first conductor and in electrical communication with the second conductor, the sensor detecting a characteristic of the electrical communication between the first conductor and the second conductor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a conducting coil extending around at least a portion of the connector, the conducting coil being electrically connected to the sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connector system of claim 2, further comprising a spool positioned between the connector and the conducting coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The connector system of claim 2, wherein an electric current passing between the first conductor and the second conductor creates an electric field that induces a current in the conducting coil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is supported by a housing including a first passageway and a second passageway, the first passageway receiving a first wire providing electrical communication between the first conductor and the sensor, the second passageway receiving a second wire providing electrical communication between the second conductor and the sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned within a housing and is selectively coverable by a cap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a first clip and a second clip, the first clip configured to engage the first conductor in electrical contact, the second clip configured to engage the second conductor in electrical contact. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the electrical communication is a resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an RFID temperature sensor and the characteristic of the electrical communication is a temperature. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for displaying measured readings, the indicator positioned on an external surface of the connector system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a first pair of jaws positioned within the elongated body that receive and secure the first conductor relative to the connector and a second pair of jaws positioned within the elongated body that receive and secure the second conductor relative to the connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a housing having a first portion that supports the connector and a second portion that supports the sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The connector system of claim 12, wherein the first portion is coaxial with the connector and the second portion is offset from the first portion. ### Claim 14 A connector system comprising: a connector for connecting a first conductor in electrical communication with a second conductor; a coil disposed around at least a portion of the connector, a current in the coil being induced by an electric field caused by current passing between the first and second conductors; and a sensor in electrical communication with the first conductor and in electrical communication with the second conductor, the sensor detecting a characteristic of the electrical communication between the first conductor and the second conductor, the sensor in electrical communication with the coil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connector system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is powered by current in the coil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The connector system of claim 14, wherein the characteristic of the electrical communication is a resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The connector system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is an RFID temperature sensor and the characteristic of the electrical communication is a temperature. ### Claim 18 A method for monitoring an electrical connection between a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, the method comprising: positioning the first electrical conductor within an elongated body of an electrical connector such that the first electrical conductor extends from a first end of the elongated body; positioning the second electrical conductor within the elongated body of the electrical connector such that the first electrical conductor extends from a second end of the elongated body; placing the first electrical conductor in electrical communication with a sensor positioned adjacent the electrical connector and capable of detecting a characteristic of the electrical connection between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor; and placing the second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning a conducting coil around the electrical connector, the conducting coil electrically connected to the sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein placing the first electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor includes engaging the first electrical conductor with a first wire electrically connected to the sensor, wherein placing the second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the sensor includes engaging the second electrical conductor with a second wire electrically connected to the sensor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein engaging the first electrical conductor includes coupling a first clip to the first electrical conductor, wherein engaging the second electrical conductor includes coupling a second clip to the second electrical conductor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising outputting the characteristic of the electrical connection via an indicator positioned on an outer surface of sensor housing. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the characteristic of the electrical connection is at least one of a temperature and a resistance.