Overhead Electrical Powerline Break-Away Coupling by a tension clip or shear pin

(Shear Pin Coupling) A break-away electrical coupling system comprising:

• a male coupling comprising a housing and a polarity of conductive prongs,
• a longer neutral prong and at least two shorter hot prongs,
• a female coupling comprising a housing and corresponding receptacles for receiving said prongs,
• a shear pin configured to pass through aligned bores in the male and female couplings and to mechanically join the couplings together;
• wherein the shear pin comprises a narrowed region defining a predetermined tensile failure point, and wherein the shear pin fractures when axial load exceeds a predefined threshold, permitting separation of the couplings while allowing reuse of the male and female housings.

(Method of Installation and Use) A method of providing a disconnect table electrical connection between a power source and a load using a break-away coupling system, the method comprising:

• Inserting conductor wires into a male coupling and securing them with set screws,
• inserting conductor wires into a female coupling and securing them with set screws,
• inserting the prongs of the male coupling into the receptacles of the female coupling,
• Mechanically joining the couplings using a replaceable tension clip or shear pin, wherein said clip or pin is selected based on a desired mechanical break threshold,
• installing the couplings in line with an overhead utility cable, such that mechanical tension is relieved through anchor loops or wedge clamps, and wherein the coupling is configured to separate safely when subjected to excessive axial force,