GB2366921A

GB2366921A - Electrical connector for streetlight

Info

Publication number: GB2366921A
Application number: GB0022770A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Buckley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-16
Filing date: 2000-09-16
Publication date: 2002-03-20
Also published as: GB0022770D0

Abstract

A push fit electrical connector 10 has a two part housing consisting of a male 12 and female connection 14 that can be separated in order to isolate an electric cable 22 supplying a streetlight fused connection unit. The electrical connector 10 has a retaining device 50,52. A weatherproof sealing cap (62, Fig 62) is provided and can be fixed to the (female) live side of the connector 14 to negate access to electrical terminals by unauthorised personnel.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electrical connectors and especially, but not limited to, a push fit electrical connector for connecting a street lamp to a Regional Electricity Company (REC) supply cable and a method of connecting a street lamp to an REC supply cable.

Background to the Invention At present, street lamps are connected to REC supply cables through a junction box 1, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The junction box 1 has three terminals for a live 2, neutral 3 and earth wire 4 of the street lamp. Low. tension cables 9 carry a low voltage are located underground and are connected to REC supply cables by a breach joint. The REC supply cable is the property of the REC and, therefore, only employees of the REC are authorised to handle them.

If a street lamp is damaged, for example, as a result of .vandalism or a road traffic accident, it is sometimes necessary to wait and pay for the REC to disconnect the REC supply cable prior to commencing work on the damaged street lamp. Accordingly, this can be time consuming and expensive for the owner of the street lamps, for example the local council. This results from only employees of the REC being allowed to disconnect the REC support cable to enable certain repairs to be carried out.

The REC own the wires to which the street light circuit are connected to. The wires are engaged in terminals by a conventional electrical connector whereby the end of the wire is secured in a conductive housing by a screw with the wire from the REC supply cable being engaged in the housing by a second screw. Accordinaly, to disengage the REC supply cable from the junction box an employee of the REC must be awaited in order to remove the REC supply cable from the connector. The junction box 1 comprises a fuse 5 which is located between the live wire 2 of the REC supply cable and the live wire of the street light circuit. If the junction box is not damaged and work is only needed to be conduced above the REC cable then a non-employee of the REC can remove the fuse 5 from the protective housing 6. The protective housing shields the live terminals and, therefore, this prevents the live terminals from coming into contact with a person or becoming exposed. However, if the protective housing is damaged, or if the junction box is damaged or it is otherwise necessary to disconnect the REC supply cable then it is necessary to use the REC to do this work since there is a risk that the live wire of the REC supply cable could come into contact with a worker. This is especially dangerous since there _s no fuse in relation to this particular piece of the supply cable. The term street light refers to lights incorporated in street furniture or the like, for example st-eet !'=S, road signs, illuminated bollards etc.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical connector for connecting the circuit of a street light to a supply cable, wherein the electrical connector comprises a male connecting member and a female connecting member which are releasably secured to each other by a push fit connection.

Preferably the supply cable is a Regional Electricity Company supply cable.

Preferably the male connecting member comprises a live terminal and preferably a neutral terminal and preferably an earth terminal.

Preferably the female connecting member comprises a live terminal and preferably a neutral terminal and preferably an earth terminal.

Preferably the male member is connected to the street light circuit.

Preferablv the female member is connected to -:#::e supply cable.

Preferably the wires of the supply cable are connec:ed to terminals provided by the connecting member.

Preferably the wires are connected to terminals provided by the connecting member by permanent means.

The earth terminal of the supply cable may be connected to the neutral wire of the supply cable. Preferably the or each male terminal of the male member engage in the or each female terminal of the female member through an interference fit. Accordingly, the or each male terminal may be contracted or reshaped in order to engage in the or each female terminal. Alternatively or additionally, the or each female terminal may expand or reshape in order to engage the or each male terminal.

Preferably the or each female terminal comprises an inlet for engagement with the or each male terminal. Preferably the or each female terminal is countersunk in a housing of the female connecting member. Preferably the housing of the female connecting member comprises a non-conductive or insulating material and preferably comprises a plastics.

Preferably the female terminals of the female member are arranged linearly across the width of the female connecting member. Preferably, the female terminals are not equally spaced across the width of the female connecting member. Preferably the middle term-.nal is located closer to one terminal relative @o the ot:er terminal.

Preferably the or each female terminal provides an opening for engagement with the or each respective ^@a_@

terminal. Preferably the opening is substantially circular in cross-section. Preferably the or each male terminal comprises a projection. Preferably the projection is substantially elliptical in cross-section. Preferably the greatest width of the cross-section of the male terminal is greater than the greatest width of the cross-section of the opening of the respective female terminal.

Preferably the or each male terminals is countersunk in a housing of the male connecting member. Preferably the housing of the male connecting member comprises an insulating material.

Preferably the male terminals are arranged linearly across the width of the male connecting member. Preferably the male terminals are not equally spaced across the width of the male connecting member. Preferably the middle terminal is located close to one terminal relative to the other terminal.

Preferably the male connecting member comprises alignment means for aligning the or each male term-nal with the or each female terminal. The female member may comprise alignment means for aligning the or each female terminal with the or each male terminal.

The alignment means may comprise an alignmenE meT.ber which is arranged, in use, to co-operate with at lease one and preferably two alignment plates. Preferably zhe alignment member is arranged, in use, to locate in bet:;een two substantially parallel and preferably spaced apart alignment plates. Preferably the female connecting meM.ber

comprises one or preferably two alignment members. Preferably the alignment members are located adjacent to lateral sides of the female connecting member. Preferably the alignment plates are provided on the male connecting member. Preferably there are two sets of two alignment plates. Preferably the two sets of two alignment plates are located adjacent to both lateral sides of the male connecting member.

Preferably alignment means are provided on each lateral side of the female connecting member and the male connecting member.

The male connecting member may be locked to the female connecting member. The alignment member may have a locking or retaining aperture defined therein. The or each alignment plate may have a locking aperture defined therein. When the male connecting member is connected to the female connecting member the aperture on the alignment member may cooperate with the aperture defined in the or each alignment plate. A locking element or retaining element may be removably located through the cooperating apertures.

Preferably the housing of the male member -s substantially rectangular in cross-section.

Preferably the housing of the female member is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

Preferably the housing of the connecting rr,emer connected to the supply cable comprises a sealed cable chamber.

The electrical connector may comprise a seal member. Preferably the seal member engages with the female member in order to seal the or each female terminal when the male connecting member is disconnected from the female connecting member. The seal member may comprise projections which locate in and engage with the or each female terminal through an interference fit. Preferably, the seal member comprises an insulating material. The seal member may comprise an associated seal housing. Preferably the seal housing locates over the seal member when the seal member is engaged with the female connecting member. Preferably the seal housing comprises alignment means to co-operate with alignment means provided on the female connecting member. Preferably the seal housing can be locked to the female connecting member. The seal housing may comprise an aperture which is arranged, in use, to align with an aperture provided on the female connecting member in order for a locking element to project through. Preferably two such locking means are provided which may be located on both lateral sides of the seal housing and female connecting member.

According to a second aspect of the present inventLon there is provided a method of connecting a street l@@ht circuit to a supply cable comprising securing a ;`1e connecting member to a t:--male connecting member t:r:,uc@ a push fit connection.

The method may comprise aligning one or two or preferably three male terminals provided in t^ e rnale connecting member with one or two or preferably tree female terminals provided in the female connecting member.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is front view of prior art connection apparatus for connecting an REC supply cable to a street light circuit.

Figure 2 is a front schematic view of part of a street light.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an electrical connector.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a male connecting member. Figure 5 is a plan view of a female connecting member. Figure 6 is an exploded cross-section view of a sealing member.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in Figure 3, the electrical connector 10 comprises a male connecting member 12 arid a -female connecting member 14. The male connecting member 12 is arranged, in use, to secure to the female connecting member 14 by a push fit connection in order Lo connect -:he circuit of a street licht to an electric supply. 7:"e street light may comprise a street lamp, o-- a light =or

use with a road sign or a light located within a bollard or a light associated with other forms of street furniture.

The male connecting member 12 comprises three male terminals 16, 17, 18. The first male terminal 16 relates to the live wire, the second male terminal 17 relates to the neutral wire and the third male terminal 18 relates to the earth wire. Similarly, the female connecting member 14 comprises three female terminals 19, 20, 21. The first female terminal 19 relates to the live wire, the second female terminal 20 relates to the neutral wire and .the third female terminal 21 relates to the earth wire.

The female connecting member 14 is connected to a supply cable for street lighting, for example an REC supply cable 22. An REC supply cable 22 connects to a low tension cable 9 located underground and supplies power to street lighting or the like. The REC supply cable 22 secures to the low tension cable 9 through a breach joint. The REC cable comprises a live wire 24, a neutral wire 25 and an earth wire 26. However, the neutral wire 25 and the earth wire may comprise a single cable. Accordingly, the REC cable may be a coaxial cable with a central wire 26 forming the live wire 24. A plurality of wires 28 may then be twisted around the central wire 26 with an insulating material located therebetween. The wires 28 may comprise the neutral wire 25 and the earth wire 26. Accordingly, the wires 28 are separated with approximately half being connected to the earth female terminal and half beina connected to the neutral female terminal.

The female connecting member 14 comprises a housing 30 housing the female terminals 19, 20, 21 secured therein. The female terminals comprise a conductive material. The housing 30 comprises an insulating material. The female terminals 19, 20, 21 are countersunk in the housing 30 such that the female terminals are not exposed and, therefore, this prevents the live terminal 19 and the other terminals 20, 21 from being accidentally touched when disconnected from the male connecting member. The female connecting member 14 preferably comprises a sealed cable chamber 23.

The male connecting member 12 also comprises a housing 32. The male terminals 16, 17, 18 are retained within the housing 32. Again, the male terminals 16, 17, 18 comprise a conductive material and the housing 32 comprises an insulating material. The male terminals 16, 17, 18 are countersunk relative to the face of the housing 32.

The male terminals 16, 17, 18 connect to tie circ@@i t for the street light. The live wire connects to a fuse 34 or cut off. The fuse 34 is located within. a protective insulated housing 36 such that the fuse 34 can be quickly and easily removed it simple or minor work needs to be conducted in the street light. However, if ma-'or work -s recuired, for example, the protective housing 36 of -he fuse 34 needs to be replaced, then, the r@a 1 e member =% needs to be disconnected from the female member 14 in order to prevent the risk of an electric shock.

As shown in Figure 4, the male connecting member 12 comprises a rectanaular housing 32. The rousing 32 comprises a planar face plate 38 with a countersunk

40 located centrally. The male terminals 16, 17, 18 are elliptical in cross-section and are solid. The male terminals 16, 17, 18 are arranged linearly across the width of the male connecting member 12. However, the male terminals 16, 17, 18 are not equally spaced. The middle terminal 17 is located closer to a first terminal, preferably the live terminal 16, relative to the other terminal, preferably the earth terminal 18. Accordingly, such an arrangement prevents the male connecting member 12 being incorrectly connected to the female connecting member 14 since the male terminals 16, 17, 18 will only align and cooperate with the female terminals 19, 20, 21 in a single orientation, i.e. the male connecting member could not be rotated relatively through 180 and connected to the female connecting member.

As shown in Figure 5, the female connecting member 14 comprises a rectangular housing 30. The female terminals 19, 20, 21 are arranged linearly across the width of the female connecting member 14. However, as with the male terminals 16, 17, 18 the female terminal are not equally spaced across the female connecting member. The middle terminal 20 is arranged to be located closer to a first female terminal. Preferably the live terminal 19, relative to the other terminal, preferably the ear=s terminal 21. Accordingly, this arrangement prevents 7-he incorrect terminals being connected together, as previously explained. The housing 30 comprises a planar face plate 42. The housing 30 comprises a raised generally rectangular central portion 44. The female terminals 19, 20, 21 are located in the housing and ale countersunk into the central portion 44 such than no conductive material will be accidentally touched. The

female terminals 19, 20, 21 comprise a generally cylindrical opening or inlet defined therein. The opening enables the male terminals 16, 17, 18 which comprise projecting elliptical members to locate therein and abut the internal wall of the cylindrical openings. The greatest width of the elliptical members is preferably slightly greater than the greatest width of the cylindrical openings in order ensure that a good contact is made between the relevant male terminal and female terminal. The fit is preferably a negative fit, requiring force to cause expansion in the female terminals or contraction in the male terminals. Once fitted together, the face plate 38 of the male connecting member 12 will be adjacent to the face plate 42 of the female connecting member 14. The male connecting member 12 comprises alignment and locking elements in the form of alignment plates 46 provided thereon. Similarly, the female connecting member 14 comprises co-opera#:ing alianment and locking elements in the form of alignment members 48 provided thereon. As shown in Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5, the alignment plates 46 of the male connecting member 12 comprise two pairs of brackets located on both lateral sides of the male connecting member 12. The alignment plates 46 are oarawlel but spaced apart from each other to form G set of pla_es _CCated on both lateral Sides of the ma__ member 12. In addition, the alignment plates 40 have apertures 50 defined therein. The alignment members 48 on the female connec_--_g member 14 comprise two single brackets located o:@ .oth lateral sides of the female connecting memb--r 14.

alignment members 48 have apertures 52 defined therein. When the male connecting member 12 is connected to the female connecting member 14 the alignment members 48 on the female connecting member 14 locate between the pair of alignment plates 46 on the male connecting member 12. Accordingly, the alignment of the terminals is ensured. In addition, a locking or retaining element may be inserted through the apertures 50, 52 of the alignment plates 46 and the alignment members 48 in order to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorised disconnection of the male member 12 and the female member 14. The locking member may comprise a rigid member which may comprise a part of a padlock.

When the male member 12 is disconnected from the female member 13 the female terminals 19, 20, 21 may be further concealed and protected by sealing means 60 by securing a sealing member 62, as shown in Figure 6 to the female connecting member 14.

The sealing means 60 comprises a seal member 62 having three projecting elements 64 projecting therefrom. The projecting elements 64 substantially correspond to the size and shape of the male terminals. Accordingly, the seal member 62 can be secured to the female connecting member 14 in the same manner as the male member 12. 1 seal member comprises an insulating material ^.1d preferably comprises a resilient material, for example- a plastics or rubber material. The sealing means 60 also comprises a housing 66. The housing 66 is shaped to locate over the seal member 62. In addition, tie hous-na 66 has alignment plates 68 provided thereon. 1':-.e alignment plates 68 are substantially the same as =::e

alignment plates 46 provided on the male connecting member 12 and, therefore, cooperate with the alignment members 48 of the female connecting member 14. These alignment plates 68 retain and selectively lock the seal member 62 to the female connecting member 14 in order to prevent the terminals being accidentally touched and also prevents unauthorised or inadvertent removal of the seal member 62 from the female connecting member 14. The male connecting member 12 does not require such a seal member since it is connected to the street light circuit and, therefore, does not have a power supply. However, such a seal member could be provided if the male member was connected to the REC supply cable circuit. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with t`:is specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. A11 of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or a11 of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combinaticn, except combinations where at least some of such featu-es and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this soeciricat--on (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawinas), may be replaced by alternative featu-es se--,=n; the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expresz-",; stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,

each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

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