Electrical connector assembly with a wedge and lubricant

An electrical connector assembly for power utility transmission conductors, the assembly comprising:

• a first conductive member having a first wedge portion and a deflectable first channel portion extending from the first wedge portion, the first channel portion having a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a tap conductor at a spaced location from the first wedge portion, and the first wedge portion having a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a main conductor and a conductive member engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a second conductive member;
• the second conductive member having a second wedge portion and a deflectable second channel portion extending from the second wedge portion, wherein the second wedge portion is configured to nest with the first wedge portion when the first and second conductive members are joined to one another, the second channel portion having a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the main conductor at a spaced location from the second wedge portion, and the second wedge portion having a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the tap conductor and a conductive member engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the conductive member engagement surface of the first conductive member;
• wherein the tap conductor is captured between the first channel portion and the second wedge portion, and further wherein the main conductor is captured between the second channel portion and the first wedge portion when the first and second conductive members are joined to one another;
• and
• a lubricant applied to at least one engagement surface of at least one of the first and second conductive members.

An electrical connector assembly for power utility transmission conductors, the assembly comprising:

• a first conductive member including a generally C-shaped body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, the C-shaped body formed by a first hook portion defining a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a tap conductor and a second hook portion defining a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a main conductor, wherein each of the main conductor engagement surface and the tap conductor engagement surface defines a contact wiping surface that is configured to be wiped by the main conductor and tap conductor, respectively, during interfacing therewith with the intention of removing some substance from the engagement surfaces;
• a second conductive member having opposed leading and trailing ends and opposed first and second sides angled toward one another to define a wedge-shaped body having the leading end being shorter than the trailing end, the first side includes a first channel and the second side includes a second channel, the first channel defines a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the tap conductor and the second channel defines a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the main conductor, the second conductive member being positionable between the first and second hook portions of the first conductive member to engage the tap and main conductors, wherein each of the main conductor engagement surface and the tap conductor engagement surface defines a contact wiping surface that is configured to be wiped by the main conductor and tap conductor, respectively, during interfacing therewith with the intention of removing some substance from the engagement surfaces;
• and
• a lubricant applied to at least one engagement surface of at least one of the first and second conductive members prior to interfacing with the conductors, wherein the placement and amount of lubricant is selected to allow wiping of the respective engagement surface.