AU2022201485A1 - Electric power cable connector arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Electric power cable connector arrangement (1) comprising a first electric power cable (100) comprising a first connector (110) having first concentric electrical conductors 5 (120) mutually insulated, the first concentric electrical conductors (120) having a first power electric connection portion (130); a second electric power cable (200) comprising a second connector (210) having second concentric electrical conductors (220) mutually insulated, the second concentric electrical conductors (220) having a second power electric connection portion (230); a connecting element (300) releasably 10 connecting the first connector (110) and the second connector (210) along a coupling direction (X-X) to connect the first electric power cable (100) with the second electric power cable (200); the first connector (110) comprises a first ground conductor (140) surrounding the first concentric electrical conductors (120) and extending beyond the first power electric connection portion (130) towards the connecting element (300) 15 along the coupling direction (X-X); the second connector (210) comprises a second ground conductor (240) surrounding the second concentric electrical conductors (220) and extending beyond the second power electric connection portion (230) towards the connecting element (300) along the coupling direction (X-X). [Fig. 1] 1 7 1/10 6C 6N C% Ln NN LL Co N6 NX

Description

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Australian Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT

Invention Title Electric power cable connector arrangement

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of equipment and components for the

connection of electric power cables. In particular, the invention concerns a pluggable

connection for multi core, low voltage, power cables.

Background of the invention

A connector assembly for electric cables involves complex sockets in order to ensure

a correct connection between the cables and to ensure a high safety level for the user.

Typically, the sockets have two parallel sleeve female arrangements configured to

receive two parallel conductor pin male arrangements.

Electric power cables include electric power conductors, which typically have

conductor cross sections between 16 mm 2 and 400 mm2 . In these infrastructures, the

joints between the cables are traditionally made in situ. In this process, the aluminium

or copper conductors are mounted to each other by means of either soldering, crimping

or by means of a bolted connection, and subsequently enclosed in a housing. The

housing is finally filled with a hardening resin to provide the insulation and to prevent

ingress of water. Another solution is to enclose the connection in a heat shrinkable

enclosure. When the cables are reconfigured, the cables are cut off and the joints are

disposed.

WO 2016/110748 Al discloses a cable connector assembly comprising two electric

power cables with multiple insulated electrical conductors and a connector assembly

that forms a releasable joint between the ends of the electric power cables. The cable

connector assembly comprises two end connectors on the meeting ends of the power

1 n cables, an intermediate connector between the end connectors, and a housing that receives the connectors, wherein the end connectors are aligned with their couplings towards the couplings of the intermediate connector and the housing surrounds at least these interlocking couplings.

US 9935410 B2 discloses an electric connector including a female connector

removably connectable with a male connector. The female connector includes an outer

ring shield, and first and second ring insulator. The first ring insulator is spaced

inwardly of the outer ring shield to define a first recess with a first female electric

contact provided in the first recess. The second ring insulator is spaced inwardly of the

first ring insulator to define a second recess with a second female electric contact

provided in the second recess. An outer ground electrode could be present.

W02009134379 Al discloses an electric connection system including a trivial socket

and a trivial plug, each having three concentric contacts: an inner, an intermediate and

an outer contact. In the process of connecting, the outer contacts connect first, the inner

contacts connect second, and the intermediate contacts connect third. All contacts

except the plug inner contact are connected to an insulator that covers one radial side

of the contact and extends past and over the end of the contact. Two of the insulators

isolate the inner contacts from the intermediate contacts prior to either of their

connections being made.

CN 101841113 A discloses a high-voltage lead wire connector for microwave heater,

has two double-core connecting plug sleeves and single-core connecting plug sleeve

that are inserted on connecting module, and clamping slot arranged on baffle plate.

Summary of the invention

The applicant has tackled the problem of providing an electric power cable connector

arrangement able to connect electric cables in a simple and safe way avoiding

commonly employed jointing systems, which require relevant process time and

technical skills.

The Applicant has found that providing connectable connectors having concentric

conductors surrounded by a ground conductor which extends beyond the respective

concentric conductors improves the coupling between the phases by improving the

axial alignment of the conductors and removing the need to align the cable conductors.

Therefore, the present invention relates to an electric power cable connector

arrangement comprising a first electric power cable comprising a first connector

having first concentric electrical conductors mutually insulated, the first concentric

electrical conductors having a first power electric connection portion, a second electric

power cable comprising a second connector having second concentric electrical

conductors mutually insulated, the second concentric electrical conductors having a

second power electric connection portion, a connecting element releasably connecting

the first connector and the second connector along a coupling direction to connect the

first electric power cable with the second electric power cable, the first connector

comprises a first ground conductor surrounding the first concentric electrical

conductors and extending beyond the first power electric connection portion towards

the connecting element along the coupling direction, the second connector comprises

a second ground conductor surrounding the second concentric electrical conductors and extending beyond the second power electric connection portion towards the connecting element along the coupling direction.

According to one embodiment, the first ground conductor comprises a first ground

connection portion extending beyond the first power electric connection portion

towards the connecting element along the coupling direction, the second ground

conductor comprises a second ground connection portion extending beyond the second

power electric connection portion towards the connecting element along the coupling

direction.

According to one embodiment, the first electric power cable includes first electric

power conductors, each first electric power conductor being electrically connected to

a respective first concentric electrical conductors, and the second electric power cable

includes second electric power conductors, each second electric power conductor

being electrically connected to a respective second concentric electrical conductors.

According to one embodiment, the first concentric electrical conductors and the second

concentric electrical conductors comprise respectively an inner conductor having an

inner power electric connection portion, a middle conductor surrounding the inner

conductor and having a middle power electric connection portion, an outer conductor

surrounding the middle conductor and having an outer power electric connection

portion.

According to one embodiment, the inner power electric connection portion, the middle

power electric connection portion and the outer power electric connection portion

A define the first power electric connection portion and the second power electric connection portion.

According to one embodiment, the first ground connection portion and the second

ground connection portion extend beyond the inner power electric connection portion,

the middle power electric connection portion and the outer power electric connection

portion.

According to one embodiment, the first connector and the second connector comprise

first insulating members and second insulating members respectively interposed

between each first concentric electrical conductor and each second concentric

electrical conductor.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element comprises first receiving

concentric electrical conductors and second receiving concentric electrical conductors

spaced apart along the coupling direction and configured to respectively connect the

first concentric electrical conductors and the second concentric electrical conductors.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element comprises a first receiving

ground conductor and a second receiving ground conductor spaced apart along the

coupling direction and surrounding respectively the first receiving concentric electrical

conductors and the second receiving concentric electrical conductors, the first

receiving ground conductor and the second receiving ground conductor being

configured to respectively connect the first ground conductor and the second ground

conductor.

According to one embodiment, the first connector comprises a first sealing sleeve

covering the first connector, the second connector comprises a second sealing sleeve

covering the second connector, the connecting element comprises a third sealing sleeve

covering the connecting element.

According to one embodiment, each sealing sleeve has one or more gripping grooves

configured to engage a clamping member of a clamping device for connecting and

disconnecting the first connector and the second connector.

According to one embodiment, the electric power cable connector arrangement further

comprises a protective cover provided to protect the electric power cable connector

arrangement and installed on the first connector, the second connector and the

connecting element upon connection of the first connector and second connector to the

connecting element.

According to one embodiment, the electric power cable connector arrangement

comprises a clamping device having a clamping member configured to engage with

the first connector and the second connector for connecting and disconnecting the first

connector and the second connector.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference

to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments of the invention are

shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric power cable connector arrangement

according to one embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled configuration;

A

FIG. 2 a perspective view of the electric power cable connector arrangement of the

FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric power cable connector arrangement of FIG.

1 in a disassembled configuration with a protective cover;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electric power cable connector arrangement of FIG.

3 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned side view of the electric power cable connector arrangement of

FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section view of a first part of the electric power cable connector arrangement

of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a section view of a second part of the electric power cable connector

arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a section view of a third part of the electric power cable connector

arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electric power cable connector arrangement

according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a clamping device cooperating with the electric power

cable connector arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the connectors thereof.

Detailed description

Figures 1-10 show an electric power cable connector arrangement 1 for connecting

electric power cables.

For the purpose of the present invention, an electric power cable is deemed to be any

electric cable which has one or more electric power conductors enclosed in a sheath.

'7

In particular, the invention concerns electric power cables having a plurality of electric

power conductors enclosed in the cable sheath, preferably a three-phase or multi-phase

electric power cable. The electric power cable includes a plurality of insulated electric

power conductors which may be helically wound each other. At least one of the

plurality of insulated electric power conductors is a ground conductor.

It is worthwhile to note that, for the purposes and meaning of present invention, the

insulated electric power conductors are configured to sustain an electric current, either

AC current or DC current, of at least 60 A for several hours without interruption.

Furthermore, for the purpose of the present invention, an electric connection is deemed

to be a direct connection and/or a connection through an electrically high conductive

path.

An example of cables suitable to be employed in the present invention are a multi

phase electric power cable including 3 or 4 cable cores, wherein each core presents an

electric power conductor with nominal conductor cross-sectional area ranging from 16

mm2 to 400 mm 2 and, preferably, maximum operating voltage of 1 kV.

The electric power cable connector arrangement 1 comprises a first electric power

cable 100, a second electric power cable 200 and a connecting element 300 connecting

the first electric power cable 100 with the second electric power cable 200.

The first electric power cable 100 and the second electric power cable 200 extend

between a first end, connected and/or connectable to an electric power system (not shown in the figures) to receive or supply electric power, and an opposed second end configured to be connected respectively to the second electric power cable 200 and the first electric power cable 100.

It is to be noted that, for the purpose of the present invention, the first electric power

cable 100 and the second electric power cable 200 have the same technical features.

For this reason, in the following specification, only the first electric power cable 100

has been described in detail. The references for the second electric power cable 200

have been increased by one hundred with respect to the first electric power cable 100

and tagged with "second" instead of "first" when related to the second electric power

cable 200.

The first electric power cable 100 comprises a first connector 110. The first connector

is attached to the second end of the first electric power cable 100 and with the

respective electric power conductors of the first electric power cable 100.

The connecting element 300 releasably connects the first connector 110 and the second

connector 210 along a coupling direction X-X to connect the first electric power cable

100 with the second electric power cable 200.

The first connector 110 has first concentric electrical conductors 120 mutually

insulated. For the purpose of the present invention, each concentric electrical

conductor 120 can be associated to a phase defined by a multi-phase electric power

cable. According to the concentric arrangement, first concentric electrical conductors

120 extends along a central axis A-A which is aligned with the coupling direction X

X during the coupling of the first connector 110 with the connecting element 300. By

this arrangement, first concentric electrical conductors 120 are mutually arranged in a

coaxial arrangement. In particular, the first concentric electrical conductors have

circular shape.

The first concentric electrical conductors 120 have a first power electric connection

portion 130 connectable to the connecting element 300. Specifically, the first

concentric electrical conductors 120 extend between the first power electric connection

portion 130 and an opposed second power electric connection portion 170 connected

to the conductors of the first electric power cable 100 at the second end.

According to one embodiment, the first concentric electrical conductors 120 comprise

an inner conductor 121, a middle conductor 122 surrounding the inner conductor 121

and an outer conductor 123 surrounding the middle conductor 122. The first concentric

electrical conductors 120 can have a cylindrical shape as shown in figures.

According to the concentric arrangement, the inner conductor 121 is arranged

substantially along the central axis A-A of the concentric arrangement and it has an

outer surface 124. The middle conductor 122 is interposed between the inner conductor

121 and outer conductor 123. The middle conductor 122 can have a hollow cylindrical

shape such that an inner surface 125 of the middle conductor 122 faces the outer

surface 124 of the inner conductor 121 and an outer surface 126 of the middle

conductor 122 faces the outer conductor 123. The outer conductor can have a hollow

cylindrical shape such that an inner surface 127 of the outer conductor 122 faces the

outer surface 126 of the middle conductor 122.

1 )

In detail, the inner conductor 121 has an inner power electric connection portion 121a,

the middle conductor 122 has a middle power electric connection portion 122a and the

outer conductor 123 has an outer power electric connection portion 123a. It is to be

noted that the inner conductor 121, the middle conductor 122 and the outer conductor

123 are connected to the conductors of the first electric power cable 100 by means of

a portion 121b, 122b, 123b opposed respectively to the inner power electric connection

portion 121a, the middle power electric connection portion 122a and the outer power

electric connection portion 123a along the central axis A-A. Specifically, the inner

conductor 121 has an inner electric power cable connection portion 121b, the middle

conductor 122 has a middle electric power cable connection portion 122b and the outer

conductor 123 has an outer electric power cable connection portion 123b. By this

arrangement, the inner electric power cable connection portion 121b, the middle

electric power cable connection portion 122b and the outer electric power cable

connection portion 123b connect to the conductors of the first electric power cable 100

respectively to the inner conductor 121, the middle conductor 122 and the outer

conductor 123.

According to one embodiment, a first phase can be associated to the inner conductor

121, a second phase can be associated to the middle conductor 122 and a third phase

can be associated to the outer conductor 123.

It is to be noted that the assembly of the inner power electric connection portion 121a,

the middle power electric connection portion 122a and the outer power electric

connection portion 123a defines the first power electric connection portion 130.

1 1

According to one embodiment, the first connector 110 comprises first insulating

members 150 interposed between each first concentric element conductor 120.

Namely, a first insulating member 150 is arranged between the inner conductor 121

and the middle conductor 122 and between the middle conductor 122 and the outer

conductor 123. The first insulating members 150 can be provided respectively on the

inner surface 125 of the middle conductor 122 and on the inner surface 127 of the outer

conductor 123.

The first connector 110 further comprises a first ground conductor 140 surrounding

the first concentric electrical conductors 120. Specifically, the first ground conductor

140 extends beyond the first power electric connection portion 130 towards the

connecting element 300 along the coupling direction X-X.

Thanks to this extension of the first ground conductor 140, a ground connection with

the connecting element 300 is achieved before any electric power connection is

established with the first concentric electrical conductors 120.

Specifically, the first ground conductor 140, connected to a ground conductor of the

first electric power cable 100, has an inner surface 140a faced at least to an outer

surface 128 of the outer conductor 123 opposed to the relative inner surface 127. It is

to be noted the inner surface 140a of the first ground conductor 140 can be partially

faced to outer surface 124 of the inner conductor 121 and/or to the outer surface 126

of the middle conductor 122.

The reasons lie in the fact that inner conductor 121, the middle conductor 122 and the

outer conductor 123 can have different extensions along the central axis A-A.

The extension of the conductors 120, 140 can be measured from the second end of the

first electric power cable 100.

For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the inner connector 121 has an

extension along the central axis A-A greater than the extension of the middle conductor

122 and the outer conductor 123, while the middle conductor 122 and the outer

conductor 123 have the same extension. Therefore, in this example, the inner surface

140a of the first ground conductor 140 faces the outer surface 128 of the outer

conductor 123 and at least partially the outer surface 124 of the inner conductor 121.

However, the extension of the first ground conductor 140 is always greater than the

greatest extension of the inner conductor 121, the middle conductor 122 and the outer

conductor 123, along the coupling direction X-X.

According to various embodiments, the extension along the central axis A-A of the

inner conductor 121, the extension along the central axis A-A of the middle conductor

122 and the extension along the central axis A-A of the outer conductor 123 can have

all the same value, or different values or just two of them can have the same value as

in figures 6 and 8.

According to one embodiment, the first ground conductor 140 comprises a first ground

connection portion 141 extending beyond the first power electric connection portion

1ll

130 towards the connecting element 300 along the coupling direction X-X. The first

ground conductor 140 further comprises a second ground connection portion 142

opposed with respect to the first ground connection portion 141 along the central axis

A-A and connected to the ground conductor of the first electric power cable 100.

Specifically, the first ground connection portion 141 extends beyond the inner power

electric connection portion 121a, the middle power electric connection portion 122a

and the outer power electric connection portion 123a.

According to one embodiment, the first connector 140 further comprises a first ground

insulating member 151 interposed between the outer conductor 123 and the first

ground conductor 140, namely arranged on the inner surface 140a of the first connector

140.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element 300 comprises first receiving

concentric electrical conductors 310 and second receiving concentric electrical

conductors 320 spaced apart along the coupling direction X-X. The first receiving

concentric electrical conductors 310 and the second receiving concentric electrical

conductors 320 are configured to respectively connect the first concentric electrical

conductors 120 and the second concentric electrical conductors 220.

The first receiving concentric electrical conductors 310 and the second receiving

concentric electrical conductors 320 electrically connect the first electric power cable

100 and the second electric power cable 200.

1 A

Specifically, the first receiving concentric electrical conductors 310 comprises an inner

receiving conductor 311, a middle receiving conductor 312 and an outer receiving

conductor 312. The middle receiving conductor 312 surrounds the inner receiving

conductor 311 and the outer receiving conductor 313 surrounds the middle receiving

conductor 312. The second receiving concentric electrical conductors 320 have the

same conductor arrangements comprising an inner receiving conductor 321, a middle

receiving conductor 322 and outer receiving conductor 323.

Furthermore, the connecting element 300 comprises a first receiving ground conductor

330 and a second receiving ground conductor 340 spaced apart along the coupling

direction X-X and surrounding respectively the first receiving concentric electrical

conductors 310 and the second receiving concentric electrical conductors 320. The

first receiving ground conductor 330 and the second receiving ground conductor 340

are configured to respectively connect the first ground conductor 140 and the second

ground conductor 240.

As described above, the first receiving concentric electrical conductors 310, the second

receiving concentric electrical conductors 320, the first receiving ground conductor

330 and the second receiving ground conductor 330 340 can have cylindrical shape

such that the outer surface of surrounded conductor faces the inner surface of the

surrounding conductor.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element 300 comprises first receiving

insulating members 360 associated with the first receiving concentric electrical

conductors 310 and the first receiving ground conductor 330. Specifically, first receiving insulating members 360 are provided between the inner receiving conductor

311 and the middle receiving conductor 312 and between the middle receiving

conductor 312 and the outer receiving conductor 313 and between the outer receiving

conductor 313 and the first receiving ground conductor 330. In detail, the first

receiving insulating members 360 can be arranged on the respective outer surface of

the inner receiving conductor 311, of the middle receiving conductor 312 and of the

outer receiving conductor 313. The connecting element 300 further comprises second

receiving insulating members 370 associated with the second receiving concentric

electrical conductors 320 and the second receiving ground conductor 340. Specifically,

the second receiving insulating members 370 are provided between the inner receiving

conductor 321 and the middle receiving conductor 322 and between the middle

receiving conductor 322 and the outer receiving conductor 323 and between the outer

receiving conductor 323 and the second receiving ground conductor 340. In detail, the

second receiving insulating members 370 can be arranged on the respective outer

surface the inner receiving conductor 311, of the middle receiving conductor 322 and

of the outer receiving conductor 323.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element 300 comprises afirst retaining

element 380 and a second retaining element 390 firmly retaining the first connector

110 and the second connector 220 upon connection with the connecting element 300.

The first retaining element 380 and the second retaining element 390 can be a spring

element providing a proper electric contact. For example, the second retaining element

390 can be a multi-lam spring element.

1A

For the symmetric features of the connecting element 300, the coupling of the first

electric power cable 100 with the first receiving concentric electrical conductors 310

and the first receiving ground conductor 330 is disclosed hereinafter.

The first receiving ground conductor 330 and the outer receiving conductor 313 define

a ground receiving area 300a therebetween for receiving the first ground connection

portion 141 and for establishing a ground connection between an outer surface 141b

of the first ground connection portion 141 and an inner surface of the first receiving

ground conductor 330.

The outer conductor receiving conductor 313 and the middle receiving conductor 312

define an outer receiving area 300b therebetween for receiving the outer power electric

connection portion 123a and for establishing an electric power connection between the

outer surface 128 of the outer conductor 123 and an inner surface of the outer receiving

conductor 313.

The middle receiving conductor 312 and the inner receiving conductor 311 define a

middle receiving area 300c therebetween for receiving the middle power electric

connection portion 122a and for establishing an electric power connection between the

outer surface 126 of the middle conductor 122 and an inner surface of the middle

receiving conductor 312.

The inner conductor receiving conductor 311 has an inner receiving area 300d for

receiving the inner power electric connection portion 121a and for establishing an

1'7 electric power connection between an outer surface 124 of the inner conductor 121 and an inner surface of the inner receiving conductor 311.

According to one embodiment, sealing sleeves 160, 260, 350 are provided for covering

the first connector 110, the second connector 210 and the connecting element 300.

Specifically, the first connector 110 comprises a first sealing sleeve 160 covering the

first connector 110, the second connector 210 comprises a second sealing sleeve 260

covering the second connector 210 and the connecting element 300 comprises a third

sealing sleeve 350 covering the connecting element 300.

In detail, the first sealing sleeve 160 surrounds the outer surface 141b of the first

ground conductor 140 and defines a first receiving sealing area 160a between the outer

surface 140b of the first ground conductor 140 and the first sealing sleeve 160 itself.

The first receiving sealing area 160a receives the first receiving ground conductor 330.

In the same way, the second sealing sleeve 260 surrounds the outer surface 241b of

the second ground conductor 240 and defines a second receiving sealing area 260a

between the outer surface 240b of the second ground conductor 240 and the second

sealing sleeve 260 itself. The first receiving sealing area 260a receives the second

receiving ground conductor 340.

More in detail, the third sealing sleeve 350 surrounds the outer surface of the first

receiving the grounds conductor 330 and the second receiving ground conductor 340

and defines a third receiving sealing area 350a and a fourth receiving area 350b

respectively between the outer surface of the first receiving grounds conductor 330 and the third sealing sleeve 350 and between the outer surface of the second receiving ground conductor 340 and the third sealing sleeve 350. In this case, the third receiving sealing area 350a receives at least a portion of the first sealing sleeve 160, while the fourth receiving area 350b receive at least a portion of the second sealing sleeve 260.

According to one embodiment, each sealing sleeve 160, 260, 350 has one or more

gripping grooves 161, 261, 361 configured to be engaged by a clamping member 601

of a clamping device 600 for connecting and disconnecting the first connector 110 and

second connector 210. An example of clamping device 600 is shown in figure 10. The

clamping device 600 is required to engage the sealing mechanism and potentially to

compress O-ring type seals 362.

According to one embodiment, the electric power cable connector arrangement 1

further comprises a protective cover 400 provided to protect the electric power cable

connector arrangement 1 and installed on the first connector 110, the second connector

210 and the connecting element 300 upon connection of the first connector 110 and

second connector 210 to the connecting element 300. Specifically, the protective cover

400 comprises attaching elements 410 configured to attach the protective cover 400

on the electric power cable connector arrangement 1. The protective cover 400 can

comprise two half body portions 402, 403 mutually couplable to surround the electric

power cable connector arrangement 1 upon connection.

The protective cover 400 has an inner surface 400a configured to engage the outer

surface of the sealing sleeves 160, 260, 350 and an outer surface 400b configured to engage the attaching elements 410 to attach the protective cover 400 on the electric power cable connector arrangement 1.

The protective cover 400 can have recesses 401 configured to match with the gripping

grooves 161, 261, 361 retaining the first connector 110 and the second connector 210

attached to the connecting element 300 along the connecting direction X-X.

In the embodiment with the protective cover 400, in a first step the clamping member

601 of the clamping device 600 engages with one or more of the gripping grooves 161,

261, 361 for connecting the first connector 110 and the second connector 210. In a

second step, the protecting cover 400 is arranged to protect the electric power cable

connector arrangement 1.

According to the alternative embodiment shown in figure 9, the coupling element 300

is additionally provided with a branch socket 500 or coupling having conductor

contacts that are electrically connected with the first receiving concentric conductor

310, the second receiving concentric conductor 320, the first receiving ground

conductor 330 and the second receiving ground 340. The third sleeve 350 has a first

opening for receiving the branch socket 500 and the protective cover 400 has a

corresponding second opening for receiving the branch socket 500.

The branch socket 500 comprises a connectable plug configured to extract power for

external uses such as performance testing, street lighting, powering domestic

buildings, electric vehicle charging points etc. The branch socket can be electrically

connected to the first receiving ground conductor 330 or the second receiving ground conductor 340 and one other electrical conductor, either the inner receiving conductor

311, the middle receiving conductor 312 or the outer receiving conductor 313.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires

otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising",

will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers

or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived

from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an

acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or

information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general

knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of

the respective claims.

Claims (15)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electric power cable connector arrangement (1) comprising:

- a first electric power cable (100) comprising a first connector (110) having first

concentric electrical conductors (120) mutually insulated, the first concentric electrical

conductors (120) having a first power electric connection portion (130);

- a second electric power cable (200) comprising a second connector (210) having

second concentric electrical conductors (220) mutually insulated, the second

concentric electrical conductors (220) having a second power electric connection

portion (230);

- a connecting element (300) releasably connecting the first connector (110) and the

second connector (210) along a coupling direction (X-X) to connect the first electric

power cable (100) with the second electric power cable (200);

wherein:

- the first connector (110) comprises a first ground conductor (140) surrounding the

first concentric electrical conductors (120) and extending beyond the first power

electric connection portion (130) towards the connecting element (300) along the

coupling direction (X-X);

- the second connector (210) comprises a second ground conductor (240) surrounding

the second concentric electrical conductors (220) and extending beyond the second

power electric connection portion (230) towards the connecting element (300) along

the coupling direction (X-X).

2. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein:

- the first ground conductor (140) comprises a first ground connection portion (141)

extending beyond the first power electric connection portion (130) towards the

connecting element (300) along the coupling direction (X-X);

- the second ground conductor (240) comprises a second ground connection portion

(241) extending beyond the second power electric connection portion (230) towards

the connecting element (300) along the coupling direction (X-X).

3. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein:

- the first electric power cable (100) includes first electric power conductors, each first

electric power conductor being electrically connected to a respective first concentric

electrical conductors (121, 122, 123), and

- the second electric power cable (200) includes second electric power conductors,

each second electric power conductor being electrically connected to a respective

second concentric electrical conductors (221, 222, 223).

4. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 2 or 3,

wherein the first concentric electrical conductors (120) and the second concentric

electrical conductors (220) comprise respectively:

- an inner conductor (121, 221) having an inner power electric connection portion

(121a, 221a);

- a middle conductor (122, 222) surrounding the inner conductor (121, 221) and having

a middle power electric connection portion (122a, 222a);

- an outer conductor (123, 223) surrounding the middle conductor (122, 222) and

having an outer power electric connection portion (123a, 223a).

5. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein

the inner power electric connection portion (121a, 221a), the middle power electric

connection portion (122a, 222a) and the outerpower electric connection portion (123a,

223a) define the first power electric connection portion (130) and the second power

electric connection portion (230).

6. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein

the first ground connection portion (140) and the second ground connection portion

(240) extend beyond the inner power electric connection portion (121a, 221a), the

middle power electric connection portion (122a, 222a) and the outer power electric

connection portion (123a, 223a).

7. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to 6,

wherein the first connector (110) and the second connector (210) comprise first

insulating members (150) and second insulating members (250) respectively

interposed between each first concentric electrical conductor (120) and each second

concentric electrical conductor (220).

8. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to 7,

wherein the connecting element (300) comprises first receiving concentric electrical

conductors (310) and second receiving concentric electrical conductors (320) spaced

apart along the coupling direction (X-X) and configured to respectively connect the

first concentric electrical conductors (120) and the second concentric electrical

conductors (220).

9. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 8, wherein

the connecting element (300) comprises a first receiving ground conductor (330) and

a second receiving ground conductor (340) spaced apart along the coupling direction

(X-X) and surrounding respectively the first receiving concentric electrical conductors

(310) and the second receiving concentric electrical conductors (320), the first

receiving ground conductor (330) and the second receiving ground conductor (340)

being configured to respectively connect with the first ground conductor (110) and the

second ground conductor (210).

10. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to

9, wherein:

- the first connector (110) comprises a first sealing sleeve (160) covering the first

connector (110);

- the second connector (210) comprises a second sealing sleeve (260) covering the

second connector (210);

- the connecting element (300) comprises a third sealing sleeve (350) covering the

connecting element (300).

11. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to claim 10, wherein

each sealing sleeve (160, 260, 360) has one or more gripping grooves (161, 261, 361)

configured to engage a clamping member (601) of a clamping device (600) for

connecting and disconnecting the first connector (110) and the second connector (210).

12. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to

11, further comprising a protective cover (400) provided to protect the electric power

cable connector arrangement (1) installed on the first connector (110), second

connector (210) and the connecting element (300) upon connection of the first

connector (110) and second connector (210) to the connecting element (300).

13. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to

12, comprising a clamping device (600) having a clamping member (601) configured

to engage with the first connector (110) and the second connector (210) for connecting

and disconnecting the first connector (110) and the second connector (210).

14. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to

13, wherein the first electrical conductors (120) and the second electrical conductors

(220) are configured to sustain an electric current of at least 60 A.

15. The electric power cable connector arrangement (1) according to any claims 1 to

14, wherein the first electric power cable (100) and the second electric power cable

(200) comprise electric power conductors with nominal conductor cross-sectional area

ranging from 16 mm2 to 400 mm 2 .

210

X 300 220

110 350a 1/10

260

350 X 160

Fig.1

210 200

300

110

100 2/10

260

350

160

Fig.2

1 362 261 400a 401 361 400 401 402 401

200 3/10

161 410

400b 403 100 362

Fig.3

200

410

400

410 4/10

100

Fig.4

350a 350b 160 350 260 5/10

160a 361 260a 261 161

Fig.5

100 123b 127 151 140 120 141 150 125 122b 122a 121b 130

A A 6/10

121a 121

142 124 140b 123a 170 123 122 126 150 Fig.6 128 140a

310 320 360 330 370 360 340 370 360

300a 300b 390 300c 380 370 7/10

X X 300d

312 321 322 311 313 Fig.7 323

200 220 223b 227 241 240 225 250 251 240b 222b 222a 221b

230

A A 8/10

221a

221

223a 222 226 223 242 224 228 250 270 Fig.8 240a

410

400 500 9/10

410

300 Fig.9

601 10/10

Fig.10