FR3089701A1 - Device for electrical insulation of cable connection assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for electrical insulation of cable connection assemblies The device (1) comprises at least three electrically insulating branches (60) extending in the longitudinal direction and transversely between their bases and their free ends, which are integral with one another others in the vicinity of their bases. Two adjacent branches define between them a compartment (51, 52, 54) for receiving a single connection assembly (41) formed of connectable parts of the conductors (11, 21) of the cables to be connected and of a connector (31). At least one of the two branches defining a compartment is movable between a working position, in which the compartment is opened transversely to allow access to an operator making the connection of the conductors, and an isolation position, in which the two branches are linked to close the compartment transversely, in order to prevent access to the corresponding connection assembly. Figure 4a

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical insulation device for cable connection assemblies

The present invention relates to an electrical isolation device for cable connection assemblies and a connection system comprising such an electrical isolation device. The invention also relates to a method of connecting cables using such an electrical isolation device.

The invention particularly finds its application in the field of underground electrical connections of live cables, especially low voltage. Such a connection can allow a junction (extension) or a bypass.

Cable connection involves connecting two by two of the corresponding cable conductors by means of a connector. For this purpose, connectable parts of a conductor of the first cable and the corresponding conductor of the second cable are stripped, to be placed in the connector in order to make the electrical connection between said conductors.

During these operations, in order not to risk electrocuting or exposing oneself to a short circuit, the operator implements electrical isolation devices.

It is thus known to place an insulating sheet between the conductors of a cable, previously spaced apart, so as to separate one conductor from the others. This layer makes it possible to electrically separate the conductor on which the operator will work and all the other conductors, by defining two electrically insulated workspaces. Thanks to such a sheet, it is avoided that, when the operator works on a given conductor, the operator is not likely to touch a metal part of another conductor.

In addition, once the connection is made on two conductors, this connection must be electrically isolated before the operator can work on two other conductors not yet connected. This can be done using the same sheet, wrapped around already connected conductors, or other means (heat shrinkable or cold shrinkable insulating sleeve, tape with tape or mastic, etc.).

The existing solutions are not fully satisfactory, both from an ergonomic point of view and in terms of operator safety.

Indeed, the fact of having to repeat several times the insertion of an insulating sheet (typically four times, for the successive connection of the three phases and the neutral) involves renewing the difficult step of spacing the conductors and constitutes a waste of time. In addition, the insertion of a tablecloth several times increases the handling, friction, the risk of a displacement of a tablecloth previously po2

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Sitionée, and ultimately the electrical risk.

Furthermore, since the ply is generally made of a dense and heavy material (for example rubber), it is difficult to place it in equilibrium on the conductor because it tends to fall by its own weight. Any movement during operator connection work can also cause the cable to fall, which would be critical for electrical safety.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above, by improving the simplicity of implementation, the reliability, the safety for the operator, and this without causing any significant additional cost.

To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for electrically isolating cable connection assemblies, each connection assembly comprising a connectable part of a conductor of a first cable, a connectable part of 'a conductor of a second cable and, in the connected state, a connector of said connectable parts.

According to a general definition of the invention, the device comprises at least three electrically insulating branches, each branch extending in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the main direction of the conductors, and transversely between a base and a free end of said branch, the branches being integral with each other in the vicinity of their bases, two adjacent branches defining between them a compartment for receiving a single connection assembly, the compartments defined by the electrical isolation device thus being electrically isolated from each other. In addition, for each compartment, at least one of the two adjacent branches defining said compartment is movable between:

- a working position, in which the two adjacent branches are not linked, except by their bases, so that the corresponding compartment is open transversely to allow access to an operator in order to make the connection of the conductors, in the compartment ;

- And an isolation position, in which the two adjacent branches can be linked together in a separate connection portion of the base and preferably in the vicinity of the free end, so that the corresponding compartment is closed transversely to prevent or limit access to the corresponding connection set.

The invention thus provides an electrical isolation device which alone defines all the necessary working compartments, electrically isolated from each other. The operator therefore only has to install one single device at one time.

Concretely, the number of branches, and therefore the number of compartments, corresponds to the number of electrical poles to be treated. We can therefore typically have an electrical isolation device comprising four branches for a conventional three-phase system (three phase conductor and a neutral conductor). It should be noted that, in certain cases, the neutral conductor, without insulation, could be electrically isolated by other separate means, the electrical isolation device of the invention then being able to have only three branches.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that each compartment can be closed individually, in a simple manner, with a considerably reduced or even eliminated risk of inadvertent opening of the compartments. The transition from one pole to another is thus not only quick, but also secure for the operator.

Due to its three-dimensional shape, unlike the flat sheets of the prior art, the electrical insulation device according to the invention makes it possible to take advantage of the gravity which naturally keeps the compartments partitioned by pole. In addition, the device being nested in the middle of several conductors, for example in the middle of four conductors in three directions, it self-immobilizes and does not risk falling.

It is specified that the connection assembly includes:

- before the connection is made: the connectable parts of the conductors to be connected, and possibly the pending connector; the connectable parts may not be stripped;

- once the connection has been made, that is to say in the connected state: the connectable parts of the conductors to be connected and the connector, the connectable parts being stripped.

The electrically insulating branches are for example made - totally or at least in part - from an electrically insulating material.

The connectable end part of a cable can be the end part of the cable, in particular during the junction (or extension) between two cables. In the case of a branch, the connectable part of at least one of the cables is not located at one end of the cable, but in an intermediate part of this cable, also called "pass-through part". Furthermore, to be able to be connected, the connectable part must be stripped. This can result from an action carried out by the operator, consisting in stripping part of the cable, or the stripped part can already be present in the case where the conductor does not have insulation.

The invention relates to the connection of the conductors of at least a first cable and a second cable. In the case of a junction, the connection concerns exactly two cables. In the case of a branch, the connection can relate to exactly two cables (single branch), or three cables (double branch, i.e. a cable with a passable connecting part, and two cables with each an end connectable).

In one possible embodiment, each movable branch is deformable between the working position and the isolation position. The fact that a branch is deformable must be understood to mean that the branch is deformable as a whole. In particular, the branch can be made up of several rigid non-deformable parts which can be moved relative to one another, for example articulated to each other.

The electrical isolation device may include means for temporarily connecting the connecting portions of the branches. Thus, an inactive compartment, that is to say one on which the operator does not work, can be temporarily closed for security reasons, but can be reopened later, when it becomes the active compartment in which the operator make a connection.

The electrical isolation device may include means for permanently connecting the connecting portions of the branches. These means can be implemented once the connection in the compartment concerned has been made, since it will not be necessary to reopen this compartment. Preferably, the permanent connection means and the temporary connection means, when they are both provided, are distinct from each other.

The connecting means may include a Velcro® type system, an adhesive, a self-locking link, a clamp, another type of mechanical assembly, etc.

According to one embodiment, at least one movable branch has a flexible part or is fully flexible. By "flexible" is meant that the branch can be easily folded, rolled up, deformed, even under the effect of its own weight.

According to one embodiment, at least one movable branch has a semi-rigid part or is entirely semi-rigid. By “semi-rigid” is meant that the branch has sufficient rigidity to remain in its position in the unstressed state, but can be deformed by hand to another position (in which remains, or, as a variant , from which it returns by elasticity to its position in the unstressed state when the stress ceases).

A mixed embodiment, in which a movable branch comprises a flexible part, a semi-rigid part and / or a rigid part, is conceivable.

According to a preferred embodiment, all the branches of the electrical insulation device are identical.

Each movable branch can comprise at least one ply, preferably flexible, made of an electrically insulating material.

Alternatively, each movable branch may comprise two plies, preferably flexible, made of an electrically insulating material, said two plies being substantially superimposed and contiguous, and preferably being assembled together in a reversible manner. In other words, each branch comprises a first ply which can close a first compartment on one side of the branch and a second ply which can close a second compartment on the other side of the branch. Having a "double" branch improves ergonomics and safety, since closing one compartment does not risk reopening another adjacent compartment. The fact of reversibly assembling the two layers of the same branch makes it easier to handle the electrical insulation device, and in particular its insertion between the conductors. It can be expected that the two layers of the same branch are identical, both from the point of view of their constituent material and their dimensions.

The electrical insulation device can be formed of at least two separate portions secured to one another, preferably at one or more areas of attachment in the vicinity of the base of the branches of the device . According to one embodiment, the joining zones will form the base of the branches of the device. The joining can be carried out by gluing, welding, sewing, mechanical assembly ...

Alternatively, the electrical isolation device can be formed in one piece. It can be obtained by extrusion, for example of a star shape with several branches. Such a one-piece device can be less costly to produce.

According to one embodiment, for at least one compartment, the branches defining said compartment are each formed of at least one flexible sheet of electrically insulating material, at least one of the branches further comprising a semi support element -rigid adjoining the flexible sheet. Said support element is preferably in the form of an angle iron comprising two wings each contiguous and assembled with the flexible sheet of a branch. Said support element is preferably arranged between the two branches, in the vicinity of their base, on the interior side of the compartment.

Such a support, by its semi-rigidity properties, can retain its shape in the unconstrained state, for example at an angle, but can however be deformed manually by the operator, without necessarily retaining its shape once that the operator ceases to maintain it in the deformed position. This support thus makes it possible to maintain the spacing between the two plies of the branches defining the compartment, in the unstressed state. It can be deformed towards the isolation position, for example by being wrapped around the connection assembly with which it is preferably in contact.

The support element can be made of a compressible material such as a foam. Preferably, the thickness and / or density of the material are chosen to impart semi-rigidity properties to the support, that is to say so that it can retain its shape in the unstressed state. Thanks to the compressibility, the connection assembly can be slightly pressed into the support, which allows the maintenance of

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The connection assembly longitudinally relative to the electrical isolation device.

The electrical isolation device may include holding means capable of preventing or limiting the movement of the connection assembly relative to the device in the longitudinal direction. This can result from the compressibility of the material of the branch - or part of the branch - as explained above, leading to local crushing of the material by the connection assembly. Other solutions include making axial stops, for example formed by a material recess located in the branch.

In addition, the branches can be configured to allow the entry of a filling material, such as a waterproof and electrically insulating resin, preferably curable, inside the closed compartment, when the branches are in the position of insulation. This can be obtained by passing the filling material through the thickness of the branches - the material constituting at least part of the branches being for this purpose porous to the filling material, for example formed from an open cell foam - and / or by passage through at least one open longitudinal end of the compartment.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a connection system comprising:

- a first and a second cable each comprising conductors, such as phase conductors and a neutral conductor;

- connectors, each connector connecting together the connectable parts of two corresponding conductors of the cables, thus forming a connection assembly;

- an electrical isolation device as previously described, which defines closed compartments each receiving a connection assembly;

- an envelope surrounding the electrical insulation device and containing a filling material such as a waterproof and electrically insulating resin.

The envelope can be formed from a rigid box or from a rolled flexible wall. It can constitute a junction box or a junction box intended to be buried in the ground.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a cable connection method, for connecting a connectable part of a conductor of a first cable and a connectable part of a conductor of a second cable, by means of a connector. , said connectable parts and the connector, in the connected state, forming a connection assembly, and this for each of the cable conductors. The method includes the steps of:

- provide an electrical isolation device as previously described;

- place each connection set in a dedicated compartment of the electrical isolation device;

- deform or move the mobile branches of the device to an isolation position, to close all but one of the compartments, the compartment remaining open being called the active compartment.

In addition, the method then comprises the steps consisting in:

A) in the active compartment, strip the connectable parts of the conductors, if necessary, then make the connection of the conductors;

B) once the connection of the conductors has been made, close the active compartment by deformation or displacement of at least one branch from the working position to the isolation position;

C) open one of the compartments where the connection has not yet been made, by deformation or displacement of at least one movable branch from the isolation position to the working position, said compartment in front of the compartment active;

D) repeat steps a) to c) until the connection has been made in all the compartments.

We now describe, by way of nonlimiting example, a possible embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures:

[Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a connection system according to the invention, comprising two cables, the conductors of which are connected by connectors, the system comprising an electrical isolation device according to the invention and an envelope;

[Fig.2] is a perspective view of an electrical isolation device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[Fig.3] illustrates a first step in a cable connection process using the electrical isolation device of Figure 2;

[Fig.4a] illustrates a second step of the connection process;

[Fig.4b] is a detailed view of a connector placed in the electrical isolation device in the step of Figure 4a;

[Fig.5] illustrates a third step of the connection process;

[Fig.6] illustrates a fourth step of the connection process;

[Fig.7] illustrates a fifth step of the connection process;

[Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of the connection system, when the connections are made, the assembly being housed in the envelope;

[Fig.9] is an exterior view of an embodiment of the connection system;

[Fig. 10] is a perspective view of another embodiment of an electrical isolation device of the invention;

[Fig.l 1] is a perspective view of another embodiment of an electrical insulation device of the invention;

[Fig. 12a] schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electrical isolation device of the invention provided with means for connecting the branches of the device;

[Fig. 12b] illustrates the electrical isolation device of FIG. 12a when the connections are made and when the connection means are implemented;

[Fig. 13a] is a perspective view of an embodiment of a material constituting a branch of the electrical insulation device;

[Fig. 13b] is a detailed view of a connector placed in the electrical isolation device comprising the material of FIG. 13a.

The invention relates to the electrical connection of cables, in one of the following applications: two cables end to end (junction), or one end of cable on a pass portion of a second cable (branch) or two ends of two separate cables on a pass portion of a third cable (double bypass).

Figure 1 shows the connection type connection between a first cable 10 and a second cable 20, which each comprise several conductors. In the embodiment shown by way of example, the cables 10, 20 belong to a three-phase system and each comprise three phase conductors, respectively 11, 12, 13 and 21, 22, 23, and a neutral conductor 14, respectively 24 .

The ends of the cables 10, 20 are stripped, revealing the conductors. The connectable parts of the conductors - namely the end parts of the conductors in the case of a junction, as illustrated in the figures - are stripped and assembled in dedicated connectors to allow electrical connection. More specifically, the corresponding conductors (11 and 21, 12 and 22, 13 and 23, 14 and 24) of the cables 10, 20 are electrically connected via connectors 31, 32, 33, 34.

A "connection assembly" is defined as comprising the connectable part of a conductor of the first cable and the connectable part of a conductor of the second cable. If the conductors are connected, the corresponding connection set also includes the connector. If the conductors are not connected, the corresponding connection set may include the connector on standby. There are thus, in the nonlimiting example shown, four connection assemblies, respectively 41, 42, 43 and 44.

The invention relates to an electrical insulation device 1 of the connection assemblies 41-44 of the cables 10, 20 which, as shown very diagrammatically in FIG. 1, once the connection has been made, defines compartments 51, 52, 53, 54 which are closed transversely, and which each receive a connection assembly 41, 42, 43, 44. The compartments 51, 52, 53, 54 are preferably open at their longitudinal ends.

An envelope 2 is provided to surround the electrical insulation device 1 and the adjacent part of the cables 10, 20 not sheathed, this envelope 2 containing a filling material 3, such as a waterproof resin, electrically insulating and preferably curable. The assembly thus forms a connection system 5 generally housed in a trench, and which will be covered with earth.

The longitudinal direction X is defined as the general direction of the cables 1, 2, at least in the vicinity of the connection assemblies 41-44. The term “transverse” designates any direction situated in a transverse plane, that is to say a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.

An embodiment of an electrical isolation device 1 is shown in Figure 2.

The electrical isolation device 1 comprises four electrically insulating branches 60. Each branch 60 extends in the longitudinal direction X over a length L which is sufficient for each connection assembly 41-44 to be fully housed in the corresponding compartment 51-54 of the electrical isolation device 1. In other words , the length L of the branches 60 is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the connection assemblies 41-44. Concretely, the length L may be greater than 15 cm, preferably greater than 20 cm, more preferably still greater than 25 cm, and it may be less than 30 cm. In addition, each branch 60 extends transversely between its base 61 and its free end 62. The branches 60 are integral with each other in the vicinity of their bases 61.

Two adjacent branches 60 define between them one of the compartments 51-54, each compartment receiving a single connection assembly 41-44. The compartments 51-54 defined by the electrical isolation device 1 are thus electrically isolated from each other.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each branch 60 is mobile, for example deformable, between:

- A working position (Figure 2), in which two adjacent branches 60 are not linked, except by their bases 61, so that the corresponding compartment 51-54 is opened transversely to allow access to an operator in order to carry out the connection of conductors 11-14, 21-24, in compartment 51-54;

- And an isolation position (see in particular Figure 5), in which two adjacent branches 60 can be linked together, so that the corresponding compartment 51-54 is closed transversely to prevent or limit access to the assembly connection 41-44 corresponding. Concretely, the connection between the branches 60 takes place at the level of a connection portion 63 which is distinct from the base 61 and preferably located in the vicinity of the free end 62 of the branches 60.

The branches 60 of an electrical insulation device 1 are preferably identical.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 by way of non-limiting example, each branch 60 comprises two plies 64, 65 identical, flexible, made of an electrically insulating material, which are substantially superimposed and contiguous. A ply 64 is thus turned towards a compartment 51, and the other ply 65 of the same branch 60 is turned towards another compartment 52.

For example, a web can be made from one of the following materials: rubber (EPDM, Nitrile, Viton ...), silicone, flexible thermoplastic (TPE, PVC ...), textile (canvas waxed, perforated canvas ...). The thickness of the sheet may be between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 and 3 mm.

As seen in Figure 2, the electrical insulation device 1 can be formed from four walls 6, 7, 8, 9 identical flexible each folded in half in an L shape. The fold lines 4 walls 6, 7, 8, 9 are joined together and form the base 61 of the branches 60. In addition, each wall 6, 7, 8, 9 thus has a wing which forms a ply of a branch 60 and another wing which forms a sheet of an adjacent branch 60.

As a variant, the plies could form a one-piece assembly, produced for example by extrusion of a star shape with eight branches.

The electrical insulation device 1 as illustrated in Figure 2 further comprises support elements 66, preferably four support elements 66 each arranged in a compartment 51-54. Each support element 66 can be in the form of an angle iron having:

- an edge 67 which is contiguous to the base 61 of the branches 60 defining the compartment 51-54 in which the support element 66 is located;

- And two wings 68, 69 each contiguous and assembled with the flexible sheet of one of said two branches 60 which faces the compartment 51-54 in which the support element 66 is located.

Each support element 66 is semi-rigid, so that, as can be seen in FIG. 2, it remains in its angle position as long as an operator does not force it to deform. The support element 66 thus makes it possible to maintain the spacing between the adjacent branches 60 to avoid that, due to the flexibility of the plies 64, 65, the branches 60 do not deform under the effect of gravity and complicate access in compartments 51-54. The semi-rigidity also allows an operator to manually deform the support element 66 to bring the branches into the isolation position.

Concretely, the support element 66 can be made of a compressible material such as a foam. Preferably, the transverse dimension 166 of the support element 66 is less than the transverse dimension 1 of a sheet 64, 65, for example of the order of half.

We now describe the use of the electrical isolation device 1 to connect the conductors 11-14, 21-24 of the cables 10, 20, with reference to Figures 3 to 9.

As seen in Figure 3, first, an operator installs the electrical isolation device 1 between the conductors 11-14, 21-24, placing each connection assembly 41-44 in a compartment 51-54 dedicated to the electrical isolation device 1. In practice, at this stage, the connection assemblies 41-44 generally include only the connectable parts of the conductors 11-14, 21-24 but no connector.

Advantageously, in order to simplify this installation, the plies 64, 65 can be assembled together in a reversible manner, to form an electrical insulation device 1 consisting of four visible walls rather than eight, which would be more delicate. To manipulate. To this end, the plies 64, 65 may include reversible mutual assembly means 70. These means 70, illustrated schematically in FIGS. 4a and 4b, in particular, may be of the Velcro® type and arranged on the facing faces of the plies 64, 65 of the same branch 60.

The operator can then deform branches 60 of the electrical isolation device 1 from the working position to the isolation position, to close all but one of the compartments. In the example of FIG. 3, the compartments 52, 53, 54 are closed, thus electrically isolating the connection assemblies 42, 43, 44, while the compartment 51, called the active compartment, is open to allow the connection of the conductors 11, 21 which are placed there, without electrical risk vis-à-vis other conductors. With the embodiment of FIG. 2, the deformation of the branches 60 translates concretely into a deformation of the plies 64, 65 and of the support elements 66, which are wound around the connection assemblies 42-44.

The provision of branches 60 each consisting of two plies 64, 65 simplifies the transition from the working position to the isolation position for closing the compartments.

The sheets 64, 65 closing the compartments 52-54 are linked together at a connection portion 63, by temporary connection means 71. In the embodiment shown, these temporary connection means 71 are of the type Velcro®, and are arranged on faces facing the sheets 64, 65, these faces being turned towards the compartment 52-54 to be closed temporarily. The connection portions 63 are here located along the free ends 62 of the plies 64, 65. However, other types of temporary connection means 71 and / or other locations of the connection portions 63 on the plies 64, 65 (or more generally on the branches 60) can be envisaged.

Then, the operator makes the electrical connection in the active compartment 51, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b. To do this, first of all, it strips the connectable parts of the conductors 11, 21 (unless they are bare conductors). Then it electrically connects the connectable parts - here the end parts - of the conductors 11,21 by means of the connector 31. This operation is simplified by the fact that the support element 66, by its semi-rigidity, keeps the compartment active 51 sufficiently open.

The connector 31 may be slightly pressed into the material of the support element 66, in order to position and maintain it longitudinally, to avoid sliding of the electrical insulation device 1 relative to the cables 10, 20 along the longitudinal direction X.

Once the connection of the conductors 11, 21 has been made in the active compartment 51, this compartment 51 is closed, by deformation of the corresponding branches 60 from the working position to the isolation position. Concretely, in this case it is the deformation of the plies 64, 65 delimiting the active compartment 51 and the support element 66 located in the compartment 51, which are wound around the connection assembly 41 .

The sheets 64, 65 closing the compartment 51 in which the electrical connection has been made are linked together at a connection portion 63. This connection can be achieved by means of the temporary connection means 71 described above, or by permanent connection means 72.

In the embodiment shown, these permanent connection means 72 include orifices 73 arranged opposite in the sheets 64, 65, and a link 74, possibly equipped with a seal 75, ensuring the joining of the sheets 64, 65 between they. The orifices 73 are for example interposed between two zones of Velcro® forming part of the temporary connection means 71. The connection portion 63, considered as a strip of the ply 64, 65 along the free end 62, is identical for the temporary connection means 71 and permanent connection means 72, but this embodiment should not be considered as limiting.

Of course, other types of permanent connection means 72 and / or other locations of the connection portions 63 on the sheets 64, 65 (or more generally on the branches 60) can be envisaged.

At this stage, as illustrated in FIG. 5, there is therefore a compartment 51, where the connection has been made, which is closed, preferably permanently, and three compartments 52-54, where the connection does not has not been carried out, which are temporarily closed.

It should be noted that the closure of a compartment aims to prevent contact of the corresponding connection assembly with a tool or the operator's hand, but not to achieve a sealed closure.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, another compartment 52, hitherto closed temporarily, is open, and the operator makes the electrical connection in this compartment 52, as described above. These operations are repeated until the connections have been made in each of the compartments 51-54.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 is then obtained, where all the compartments 51-54 are closed, preferably by the permanent connection means 72.

The connection system 5 is then finalized, towards its form illustrated in FIG. 8. To this end, the previously produced assembly, and illustrated in FIG. 7, is surrounded by a metallic mesh 76, which will be placed to the ground, the envelope 2 is produced surrounding the assembly, then the envelope 2 is filled with the filling material 3. The envelope 2 can be rigid or flexible; it constitutes mechanical and electrical protection.

It is specified that the free ends 62 of the branches 60 - or of the plies 64, 65 forming the branches 60 - can be pinched against each other, with their inner faces in contact shown in FIG. 8. In alternatively, one could have an overlap (the inner face of a branch being in local contact with the outer face of the other branch), or an end-to-end positioning of the two branches.

In practice, the filling material 3 can be introduced in liquid or fluid form, so that it can fill substantially all of the empty space between the components disposed inside the envelope 2. This material filling 3 can harden in a few hours, in order to solidify and waterproof the connection system 5.

The filling material 3 can enter each compartment 51-54, once it is closed, by the longitudinal ends of the compartment, which remain open. The support elements 66, by creating a space between the connection assembly 41-44 and the branches 60 of the compartment 51-54, ensure that a minimum thickness of filling material 3 will be housed all around the assembly of connection 41-44, to create a waterproof and insulating barrier.

In order to improve the filling, provision can also be made for the branches 60 to be able, at least in part, to be traversed in their thickness by the filling material 3. Thus, the support elements 66 can be made of a material with open cells, so that they can be filled with filling material 3.

In FIG. 9, the connection system 5 comprises a flexible envelope 2 formed from a winding of ribbons preventing the filling material 3 from coming out. It shows a valve 77 for injecting the filling material 3 and degassing vents 78.

Other alternative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 10 to 13b.

In FIG. 10, the electrical isolation device 1 is in one piece, for example formed by extrusion. In addition, each of its branches 60 is formed from a single wall, and not from two superimposed layers as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 11, the electrical insulation device 1 is produced by assembling two walls 81, 82, for example substantially identical, along a line 83, preferably in the middle, without necessarily a fold line. Each of the walls 81, 82 thus defines two branches 60. The joining of the walls 81, 82 at the level of the line 83 can be done by gluing, welding, sewing, etc.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate a variant immobilization of the branches 60 of the electrical insulation device 1. At least one of the branches 60 of the electrical isolation device 1 can be provided with immobilizing straps 84, for example comprising Velcro® type hook-and-loop means or adhesive means. These straps 84 can be wrapped around the branches 60 closing the compartments 51-54, once the electrical connections have been made.

FIG. 13a represents a wall with reliefs, comprising a flexible layer 85 from which protrude deformable reliefs 86, such as fingers arranged one next to the other, and spaced apart from one another.

This relief wall can constitute the branches 60 of an embodiment of the electrical insulation device 1, as seen in FIG. 13b. The deformation of the reliefs 86, typically by support of the connector 31, promotes the maintenance of the connection assembly 41 in the longitudinal direction X as explained above, while providing interstices in which the filling material will be able to pass.

Other embodiments, not shown, implement, for the production of the branches - or plies forming the branches - of microperforated walls promoting the passage of the filling material but preventing the passage of the finger, for reasons because of the small diameter of the perforations or the inclination of their main axis.

Alternatively, one can use solid branches, that is to say without perforations, which have the advantage of preventing the passage of an electric arc.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples but that it includes all the technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Thus, although the description has been made in the case of joining cables end to end, the invention also applies to the production of a bypass, that is to say the connection of the end of at least one new cable along an existing cable.

Furthermore, the electrical isolation device according to the invention can be used for repairing a cable.

Claims (1)

Electrical insulation device (1) for connection assemblies (41-44) of cables (10, 20), each connection assembly comprising a connectable part of a conductor (11-14) of a first cable (10 ), a connectable part of a conductor (21-24) of a second cable (20) and, in the connected state, a connector (31-34) of said connectable parts, characterized in that the isolation device electric (1) comprises at least three electrically insulating branches (60), each branch (60) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to the main direction of the conductors (11-14, 21-24), and transversely between a base (61) and a free end (62) of said branch (60), the branches (60) being integral with each other in the vicinity of their bases (61), two adjacent branches (60) defining between them a compartment (51-54) to receive a single connection assembly (41-44), the compartments (51-54) defined by the electrical isolation device sheet (1) being thus electrically isolated from each other, and in that, for each compartment (51-54), at least one of the two adjacent branches (60) defining said compartment (51-54) is movable between : - a working position, in which the two adjacent branches (60) are not linked, except by their bases (61), so that the corresponding compartment (51-54) is open transversely to allow access to an operator by view of making the connection of the conductors (11-14, 21-24), in the compartment (51-54); - And an isolation position, in which the two adjacent branches (60) can be linked together in a connection portion (63) distinct from the base (61) and preferably in the vicinity of the free end (62) , so that the corresponding compartment (51-54) is closed transversely to prevent or limit access to the corresponding connection assembly (41-44). Electrical isolation device according to claim 1, characterized in that each movable branch (60) is deformable between the working position and the isolation position. Electrical insulation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises temporary connection means (71) of the connection portions (63) of the branches (60). Electrical insulation device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, ca16 characterized in that it comprises permanent connection means (72) of the connection portions (63) of the branches (60). [Claim 5] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one movable branch (60) has a flexible part or is completely flexible. [Claim 6] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one movable branch (60) has a semi-rigid part or is entirely semi-rigid. [Claim 7] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each movable branch (60) comprises at least one ply (64, 65), preferably flexible, made of an electrically insulating material. [Claim 8] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each movable branch (60) comprises two plies (64, 65), preferably flexible, made of an electrically insulating material, said two plies (64 , 65) being substantially superimposed and contiguous, and preferably being assembled together in a reversible manner. [Claim 9] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is formed of at least two separate portions (6, 7, 8, 9, 81, 82) secured one to the other, preferably at one or more securing zones (4, 83) in the vicinity of the base (61) of the legs (60) of the device (1). [Claim 10] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is formed in one piece, for example by extrusion. [Claim 11] Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, for at least one compartment (51-54), the branches (60) defining said compartment (51-54) are each formed of at least at least one flexible ply (64, 65) of electrically insulating material, at least one of the branches (60) further comprising a semi-rigid support element (66) contiguous to the flexible ply (64, 65), said element support (66) preferably being in the form of an angle iron comprising two wings (68, 69) each contiguous and assembled to the flexible ply (64, 65) of a branch (60), and being preferably arranged between the two branches (60), near their base (61), on the inside of the compartment (51-54). [Claim 12] Electrical insulation device according to claim 11, characterized in [Claim 13] [Claim 14] [Claim 15] [Claim 16] that the support element (66) is made of a compressible material such as a foam. Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises holding means (66) capable of preventing or limiting the movement of the connection assembly (41-44) relative to the device (1) in the longitudinal direction (X). Electrical insulation device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the branches (60) are configured to allow the entry of a filling material (3), such as a waterproof and electrically insulating resin , inside the closed compartment (51-54), when the branches (60) are in the isolation position, by passing through the thickness of the branches (60) and / or by passing through at least one longitudinal end open the compartment (51-54). Connection system (5) comprising: - first and second cables (10, 20) each comprising conductors (11-14, 21-24); - connectors (31-34), each connector connecting together the connectable parts of two conductors (11-14, 21-24) corresponding cables (10, 20), thus forming a connection assembly (41-44); - an electrical isolation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which defines closed compartments (51-54) each receiving a connection assembly (41-44); - an envelope (2) surrounding the electrical insulation device (1) and containing a filling material (3) such as a waterproof and electrically insulating resin. Cable connection method, for connecting a connectable part of a conductor (11-14) of a first cable (10) and a connectable part of a conductor (21-24) of a second cable (20), by means of a connector (31-34), said connectable parts and the connector (31-34), in the connected state, forming a connection assembly (41-44), and this for each of the conductors of the cables, characterized in that the method comprises the steps consisting in: - provide an electrical isolation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14; - place each connection assembly (41-44) in a dedicated compartment (51-54) of the electrical isolation device (1); - deform or move the movable branches (60) of the device (1) to an isolation position, to close all the compartments (51-54) except one, the remaining open compartment being called active compartment; and in that the method then comprises the steps consisting in: a) in the active compartment, strip the connectable parts of the conductors (11-14, 21-24), if necessary, then make the connection of the conductors (11-14, 21-24); b) once the connection of the conductors (11-14, 21-24) has been completed, close the active compartment by deformation or displacement of at least one movable branch (60) from the working position to the isolation position; c) open one of the compartments where the connection has not yet been made, by deformation or displacement of at least one branch (60) movable from the isolation position to the working position, said compartment in front of the compartment active; d) repeat steps a) to c) until the connection has been made in all compartments (51-54).