Line-mounted electrical energy measurement device with integrated voltage pickup and clamp

A tap assembly for a measurement device for generating measurement data associated with at least one conductor of an electrical distribution system comprising:

• a clamp base comprising a brace portion defining a bolt opening;
• a main assembly comprising a contact plate;
• a piercing member supported by the contact plate;
• a clamp member defining an anchor surface;
• and
• a bolt member defining a shaft portion and a head portion;
• whereby
• the clamp base is attached to the main assembly to define a clamp notch, where the contact plate is adjacent to the clamp notch;
• the shaft portion of the bolt member extends through the bolt opening and engages the anchor surface such that axial rotation of the bolt member displaces the clamp member towards and away from the piercing member;
• and
• at least a portion of the conductor is arranged within the clamp notch between the clamp member and the piercing member such that displacement of the clamp member towards the piercing member causes the piercing member to engage the conductor.

A method of generating measurement data associated with at least one conductor of an electrical distribution system, comprising the steps of:

• providing a clamp base comprising a brace portion defining a bolt opening;
• providing a main assembly comprising a contact plate;
• supporting a piercing member supported on the contact plate;
• providing a clamp member defining an anchor surface;
• providing a bolt member defining a shaft portion and a head portion;
• attaching the clamp base to the main assembly to define a clamp notch, where the contact plate is adjacent to the clamp notch;
• extending the shaft portion of the bolt member through the bolt opening;
• engaging the shaft portion of the bolt member with the anchor surface;
• arranging at least a portion of the conductor within the clamp notch between the clamp member and the piercing member;
• and
• axially rotating the bolt member to displace the clamp member towards the piercing member to cause the piercing member to engage the conductor.