Explosion-proof electrical fitting

A fitting for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, comprising:

• a substantially tubular body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a cable receiving end,
• wherein the central bore is configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough;
• and
• a substantially tubular sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve, and
• wherein the sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free from voids or air bubbles,
• wherein the forward end of the body further comprises:
• an inner tubular portion projecting radially inward within the central bore, wherein the inner tubular portion forms a groove in the forward end of the body for receiving a rearward portion of the sealing sleeve.

A fitting for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, comprising:

• a substantially tubular body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a cable receiving end,
• wherein the central bore is configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough;
• and
• a substantially tubular sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve, and
• wherein the sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free from voids or air bubbles,
• wherein the forward end of the body is sized to fit within a rearward end of the sealing sleeve, wherein the forward end of the body further comprises:
• a notch in an outer periphery thereof,
• wherein the notch is configured to engage an inward projection in the rearward end of the sealing sleeve to prevent rotation of the sealing sleeve relative to the body upon positioning of the sealing sleeve on the body.

A fitting for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, comprising:

• a substantially tubular body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a cable receiving end,
• wherein the central bore is configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough;
• a substantially tubular sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free from voids or air bubbles;
• and
• a tubular sealing cartridge configured for receipt within the sealing sleeve prior to engagement of the sealing sleeve with the body,
• wherein the sealing cartridge includes a number of longitudinal notches therein for receiving the two or more conductors and for maintaining the two or more conductors in a spaced relationship.

A fitting for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, comprising:

• a substantially tubular body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a cable receiving end,
• wherein the central bore is configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough;
• a substantially tubular sealing sleeve configured to engage the forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve,
• wherein the sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free from voids or air bubbles;
• a substantially tubular hub nut positioned forward of the sealing sleeve following receipt of the sealing compound in the sealing sleeve,
• wherein the hub nut includes a bore therein for receiving the sealing sleeve;
• a main nut rotatably coupled to each of the cable receiving end of the body and the hub nut;
• a gland nut rotatably coupled to a cable receiving end of the main nut;
• and
• a substantially tubular compression bushing positioned between the gland nut and the main nut,
• wherein axial movement of the gland nut relative to the main nut cause compression of the compression bushing to retaining the electrical cable in the fitting.

A method for installing an explosion-proof fitting, comprising:

• coupling a forward end of a substantially tubular main nut to a rearward end of a fitting body,
• wherein the fitting body includes a central bore extending therethrough and a forward end opposing the rearward end;
• inserting an electrical cable having two or more separated conductors extending therefrom through the main nut and the fitting body, such that the two or more separated conductors extend from the fitting body;
• inserting the two or more separated conductors through a generally tubular sealing sleeve;
• engaging a rearward end of the sealing sleeve with the forward end of the fitting body;
• injecting an explosion-resistant sealing compound into the sealing sleeve, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors;
• inserting the two or more separated conductors extending from a forward end of the sealing sleeve through a hub nut;
• and
• coupling the hub nut to the main nut to secure the fitting body between the hub nut and main nut.

A fitting for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, comprising:

• a substantially tubular fitting body having a central bore extending therethrough, a forward end, and a cable receiving end,
• wherein the central bore is configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough;
• a main nut rotatably coupled to the cable receiving end of the fitting body;
• a gland nut rotatably coupled to a cable receiving end of the main nut;
• and
• a cap guide element positioned between the gland nut and the main nut,
• wherein the cap guide element comprises a cup-shaped portion for receiving the two or more conductors,
• wherein forward advancement of the electrical cable through the gland nut causes the two or more conductors to engage the cup-shaped portion, and
• wherein continued forward advancement of the electrical cable in the fitting causes the cup-shaped portion to advance through the fitting to maintain the two or more conductors in a grouped relationship as the electrical cable proceeds through the fitting.