Stud bolt holder for a power distribution box

In combination with a power distribution box, an assembly for electrically connecting a power supply to electrical components mounted on or in the power distribution box, the assembly comprising:

• a bus bar mounted on the power distribution box and in electrical contact with the electrical components, the bus bar having a portion adapted to electrically mate with a power supply terminal;
• a power supply terminal electrically connected to an external source of power;
• a non-conductive bolt holder connectable to and separable from the power distribution box independently of the busbar and having means for restraining a bolt within the power distribution box such that a shank of the bolt extends through the bus bar portion and electrical terminal, the bolt further being separable from and replaceable in the bolt holder while the bolt holder is connected to the power distribution box;
• and
• a nut for securing the terminal to the bolt shank and against the bus bar.

A method for securing a terminal bolt in a power distribution box in secure electrical connection with a terminal and a bus bar, comprising the following steps:

• providing a bolt holder formed separately from the power distribution box and bus bar;
• inserting a bolt into the bolt holder with a shank portion of the bolt protruding from the holder;
• inserting the bolt holder into a mating receptacle in the power distribution box such that the shank portion of the bolt extends through the terminal and the bus bar;
• and
• securing the terminal to the bus bar by applying a nut to the bolt shank.

In a power distribution box (PDB) having a housing and an electrically conductive bus bar in the housing for electrical engagement with a bolt-type terminal connection, an improved holding apparatus for a terminal bolt comprising:

• a bolt holder receptacle in the PDB housing in association with the bus bar and bolt-type terminal connection;
• a bolt holder separate from the bus bar and made from an electrically non-conductive, heat-resistant material, the holder being removably connected to the PDB housing in the bolt holder receptacle;
• and
• a terminal bolt removably secured in the bolt holder in a terminal engaging position, the bolt holder being adapted to release the bolt independently of the connection between the bolt holder and the PDB housing.