GB1392239A - Protective cable splice assembly and method - Google Patents

Abstract

1392239 Cable joints J T THOMPSON and G W GILLEMOT 4 July 1972 31199/72 Heading H2E Service connections from a multiple conductor shielded main cable are provided by forming a loop in the main cable, removing a length of cable sheath and shielding at the loop, clamping the shield ends on the legs of the loop against the cable sheath and in electrical connection with a grounding conductor, locating a plurality of service cables or passageways therefor lengthwise of the legs of the loop, potting the legs and the service cables or passageways to enclose the connection with the grounding conductor and enclosing the loop with a fluid-tight closure cap having one end telescoping about the adjacent end portion of the potting compound. The main cable 32<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 10, is formed into a loop from which the sheath and shield are removed. A triangular headed bolt is inserted behind the shield on each leg of the loop to hold a grounding conductor strip 33<SP>1</SP> Required connections are made between the conductors of the service cables 40<SP>1</SP>, 41<SP>1</SP> and the conductors of the main cables. The shields of the service cables are crimped in ferrules 81 on a grounding ring 80 which is connected to the grounding conductor 33<SP>1</SP> by a wire 84. An external ground 88 may also be provided. In another embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), the grounding conductor comprises two strips bolted together and the shields of the service cables are clamped above the potting compound to the strips or to wires connected to the strips. In a further embodiment, Figs. 14 and 15 (not shown), a terminal board is bolted to one of the strips to make the connections between service and main cable conductors. The joint comprises a central tubular section 60<SP>1</SP> and a lower cap 591 which after assembly are filled with potting compound 73<SP>1</SP> to a depth sufficient to enclose the connections 81 and 35<SP>1</SP>. A flexible cap 61<SP>1</SP> is then slipped over the tubular section 60<SP>1</SP> and held in place by a band clamp 751. Cap 611 flexes to equalize pressure inside and outside the joint. Any service cables not required for immediate use are collected in a plastics sock full of potting compound. In the embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15 (not shown), tubes are provided through the potting compound each sealed at the top by a plastics cap and at the bottom by a boss in the lower cap. Whenever a service connection is required, the seals at the ends of a tube are broken and the connection when made is located in the tube. The tubes are then filled with non-setting potting compound. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specifications 1,309,261 and 1,309,263.