Methods for releasably connecting an overhead electrical wire
OwnerCarlos M. Santosinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A strain release connector for an overhead electrical wire includes a first connector part securable to the overhead electrical wire with a fixed clamping force, and a second connector part cooperable with the first connector part and securable to a service cable with an adjustable clamping force, less than the fixed clamping force. The second connector part has at least one strain adjustment screw for modifying the adjustable clamping force. The adjustable clamping force is set by the at least one strain adjustment screw such that the second connector part is configured to release the service cable upon an application of a predetermined tension force.
Claims15
A method of releasably connecting an overhead electrical wire, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) cutting the wire to define a line side wire and a load side wire;
- (b) securing a first connector part to the line side wire by crimping;
- (c) securing a second connector part, cooperable with the first connector part, to the load side wire with an adjustable clamping force, the second connector part including at least one strain adjustment screw;
- and
- (d) adjusting the adjustable clamping force with the at least one strain adjustment screw such that the second connector part is configured to release the load side wire upon an application of a predetermined tension force.
A method of releasably connecting an overhead electrical wire, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) securing an electric wire to an electrical pole;
- (b) connecting a service cable with the electric wire that is coupleable with a service location;
- and
- (c) connecting a strain release connector between the electric wire and the service cable, wherein step (c) is practiced by:
- securing a first connector part to the electric wire with a fixed clamping force, and
- securing a second connector part cooperable with the first connector part to the service cable with an adjustable clamping force, the second connector part including at least one strain adjustment screw for modifying the adjustable clamping force,
- the method further comprising setting the adjustable clamping force by the at least one strain adjustment screw such that the second connector part is configured to release the service cable upon an application of a predetermined tension force, the adjustable clamping force being set based on the predetermined tension force,
- wherein the service cable comprises a load-side extension of the electric wire, and wherein when the service cable is released upon the application of the predetermined tension force, current in the service cable is disconnected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.