Top-loading pad mount connector
AssigneeDelri LLC
InventorRobert De France
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A top-loading pad mount electrical connector is provided with swing-away pressure pads for securing secondary conductors to the connector body. The swing-away pressure pads are frictionally engaged with threaded fasteners to pivot with the fastener between a clamping position where a jaw is aligned with and over a conductor lay-in groove and an open position which clears a conductor lay-in opening above the lay-in groove. A split insulating cover permits the top-loading pad mount connector to be installed and the connections with secondary conductors established prior to electrically insulating the assembly to ensure code compliance.
Claims23
An electrical connector comprising:
- a longitudinally extending electrically conductive body having a longitudinal axis, a length measured along said axis, a width measured transverse to said axis and means for receiving an electrical connection;
- a plurality of conductor lay-in grooves defined by said body;
- a pressure pad for at least one said conductor lay-in groove;
- and
- clamping means for clamping said pressure pad to said body,
- wherein said clamping means permit movement of said pressure pad relative to said body between at least a first position where said pressure pad extends over said lay-in groove and a second position where said pressure pad does not extend over said lay-in groove.
An electrical connector comprising:
- an electrically conductive body defining an open-ended conductor lay-in groove;
- a pressure pad movable relative to said body, said pressure pad comprising a jaw defining a clamping surface;
- and
- clamping means for clamping said pressure pad to said body, said clamping means allowing movement of said pressure pad between at least a first position wherein said clamping surface projects over and substantially parallel to said lay-in groove and a second position wherein said clamping surface is substantially perpendicular to said lay-in groove to define a substantially unobstructed conductor lay-in path is to said lay-in groove.
An electrical connector and cover assembly comprising:
- an electrical connector comprising:
- an electrically conductive body defining at least one conductor lay-in groove and means for receiving an electrical connection;
- a pressure pad movable relative to said body, said pressure pad comprising a jaw defining a clamping surface;
- and
- clamping means for clamping said pressure pad to said body, said clamping means allowing movement of said pressure pad between at least a first position wherein said clamping surface projects over and substantially parallel to said lay-in groove and a second position wherein said clamping surface is substantially perpendicular to said lay-in groove to open a lay-in path above said lay-in groove;
- and
- an electrically insulating cover comprising first and second cover portions that fit together to define a body cavity with at least one conductor path in communication therewith,
- wherein said cover portions are connectable over said electrical connector to surround and electrically insulate said body, pressure pad and clamping means from an ambient environment.
A method of establishing a secondary electrical connection with a pad-mount transformer comprising the steps of:
- laying a secondary electrical conductor into a conductor lay-in groove defined in the electrically conductive body of an electrical connector having a primary electrical connection to said transformer;
- fixing the secondary electrical conductor to the body of the electrical connector to form an electrical and mechanical connection to said body;
- and
- surrounding the electrical connector body and un-insulated portions of the secondary electrical conductor with an insulating cover comprising first and second cover portions that fit together to define a body cavity with at least one conductor path in communication therewith, said conductor path extending substantially parallel to said secondary electrical conductor,
- wherein said step of surrounding takes place after said steps of laying and fixing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.