Electrical connector having grounding mechanism

A medium or high voltage power cable elbow connector assembly, comprising:

• a connector body having a conductor receiving end, a bushing receiving end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body, and a connection end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and oriented substantially opposite to the bushing receiving end,
• wherein the connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the bushing receiving and connection ends, respectively, and
• wherein the bushing receiving end is configured to receive a switchgear bushing therein;
• a grounding device configured for insertion into the third axial bore of the connection end,
• wherein the grounding device is configured to conductively connect to the switchgear bushing,
• wherein the grounding devices include an exposed conductive portion configured to engage a grounded hot line clamp, during grounding of the electrical connector assembly,
• wherein the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device comprises one of a cylindrical configuration for engaging clamping members of the hot line clamp or a ball configuration for engaging a ball socket of the hot line clamp;
• and
• an insulated cap configured to cover the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device during normal operation of the electrical connector.

A method, comprising:

• connecting a bushing interface of the power cable elbow connector to a switchgear bushing,
• wherein the power cable elbow connector further comprises a connector body for receiving a power cable therein, and a connector end projecting from the connector body oppositely from the bushing interface,
• wherein the connector end includes an axial bore therein;
• inserting a grounding device into the axial bore in the connector end,
• wherein the grounding device includes an insulated body and a conductive core extending therethrough,
• wherein the conductive core is configured to couple with the bushing in the bushing interface and further includes an exposed conductive portion projecting from the insulated body,
• wherein the exposed conductive portion includes a generally cylindrical configuration for engaging clamping members of a hot line clamp during;
• installing an insulated cap over the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device;
• energizing the power cable elbow connector;
• de-energizing the power cable elbow connector;
• removing the insulated cap;
• and
• attaching the hot line clamp to the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device,
• wherein the hot line clamp is coupled to a ground line to ground the power cable elbow connector.