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US 2026/0229797 A1Published application
Ground devices, systems, and methods of use
AssigneeMw Lineman Tools, LLC
InventorLarry McHenry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ground device and related methods and systems prevent electrocution of a line worker while replacing distribution transformers. The ground device directly or indirectly connects to the secondary lines to discharge the hot line and prevent back-feed-caused electrocution. Multiple electrically collected clamps form the connections with the secondaries to shunt the back feed.
Claims25
A ground device, comprising:
- at least one shunt;
- three clamps that are electrically connected by the at least one shunt that defines an electrically conductive path extending to all of the clamps, the clamps sized to attach to secondary lines that connect to secondary terminals of a distribution transformer, and the clamps and conductor physically capable of carrying current flows such that electrical current applied to one clamp of higher electrical potential flows along the conductor to at least one other clamp of lower electrical potential of the three clamps,
- wherein when some or all of the three clamps are attached individually to the secondary lines, back feed electrical current through one of the secondary lines is diverted to at least one of the other secondary lines.
A method of replacing a distribution transformer, the method comprising:
- clamping a neutral clamp of a ground device to a neutral secondary line such that the clamped neutral secondary lines may be removed from the distribution transformer without disconnecting the neutral clamp;
- clamping two power line clamps of the ground device to two power secondary lines such that the two clamped power secondary lines may be removed from the distribution transformer without disconnecting the two power clamps;
- removing the clamped neutral line and clamped power secondary lines from the distribution transformer;
- replacing the distribution transformer with a new distribution transformer;
- connecting the clamped secondary lines to the new distribution transformer;
- removing the two power line clamps from the two or more power secondary lines;
- and
- removing the neutral clamp from the neutral secondary line.
5 more elements
A system, wherein the system comprises:
- a distribution transformer with secondary terminals;
- and
- three secondary lines that connect to the secondary terminals;
- a ground device with three clamps electrically connected by at least one shunt, with each clamp connected to each of the three secondary lines, wherein
- when any of the three secondary lines becomes energized from back feed, the ground device discharges the back feed from the energized secondary line to at least one other of the three secondary lines.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.