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US 2015/0087171 A1Published application
Permanent Ground Point for Splicing Connectors
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsLarry N. Siebens, Carlos H. Hernandez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A permanent ground point for a splicing connector is provided. The ground point is comprised of a ground rod that is permanently attached to a port on the splicing connector. A grounding clamp may then be attached to the ground point after the system is de-energized in order to provide a safe connection to system ground.
Claims20
An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
- a yoke, which is comprised of an outer housing and a central conductor provided within the outer housing, wherein the central conductor comprises at least three outwardly extending portions;
- a first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion of the central conductor which are operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively;
- and
- a third outwardly extending portion of the central conductor comprised of a permanent ground point that is mechanically and electrically connected to the central conductor and allows for the entire connector assembly to be grounded when a grounding device that is connected to system ground is attached to the permanent ground point.
1 more element
An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
- a yoke, which is comprised of an outer housing and a central conductor provided within the outer housing, wherein the central conductor comprises at least three outwardly extending portions;
- a first outwardly extending portion and a second outwardly extending portion of the central conductor which are operatively coupled to first and second power cables, respectively;
- a third outwardly extending portion of the central conductor comprised of a permanent ground point that is electrically and mechanically connected to the central conductor and allows for the entire connector assembly to be grounded when a grounding device that is connected to system ground is attached to the permanent ground point;
- and
- wherein the permanent ground point further comprises a port that is integrally formed with the outer housing of the yoke, a contact which is seated within the port and which extends into a portion of the central conductor, and a ground rod which is mated with the contact of the port and which extends from the outer housing of the yoke for attachment to a grounding device.
2 more elements
A method for grounding an electrical connector assembly, the method comprising:
- providing an electrical connector having an outwardly extending portion comprised of a permanent ground point conductively connected to a yoke of the electrical connector;
- de-energizing the electrical connector assembly and any equipment conductively coupled to the electrical connector assembly;
- removing a removable ground rod cap which is shaped to precisely fit over the permanent ground point to fully cover the permanent ground point;
- connecting a grounding device, which is also connected to system ground, to the permanent ground point to safely ground the electrical connector assembly;
- performing service on equipment conductively coupled to the electrical connector assembly;
- disconnecting the grounding device from the permanent ground point;
- re-installing the removable ground rod cap over the permanent ground point;
- and
- re-energizing the electrical connector assembly and any equipment conductively coupled to the electrical connector assembly.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.