Electrical connector having alignment mechanism

A power cable elbow connector assembly, comprising:

• a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a bushing receiving end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body, and a device connection end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and oriented substantially opposite to the bushing receiving end,
• wherein the connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the bushing receiving and device connection ends, respectively, and
• wherein the bushing receiving end is configured to receive a switchgear bushing therein;
• a conductor spade assembly configured to conductively engage a power cable,
• wherein the conductor spade assembly is configured to be received in the first axial bore such that a spade portion of the conductor spade assembly extends between the second axial bore and the third axial bore;
• and
• a removeable contact received within the second axial bore to conductively engage the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly and the switchgear bushing.

A method, comprising:

• inserting a conductor spade assembly in a first axial bore in a power cable connector body that includes a conductor receiving end, a bushing interface end, and a reducing end,
• wherein the first axial bore is provided in the conductor receiving end,
• wherein the bushing interface end and the reducing end are formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conductor receiving end,
• wherein the first axial bore communicates with a second axial bore and a third axial bore provided in the bushing interface end and reducing end, respectively, and
• wherein the conductor spade assembly includes a spade portion extending from the first axial bore between the second axial bore and the third axial bore, the spade portion including a hole therethrough;
• visually confirming through the third axial bore that the hole is aligned with the third axial bore;
• receiving a switchgear bushing into the bushing interface end such that a stud projects from the switchgear bushing;
• and
• inserting a removeable contact within the second axial bore to conductively engage the stud and the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly.