GB2425665A

GB2425665A - Layered Terminal Block

Info

Publication number: GB2425665A
Application number: GB0508635A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hellier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-28
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Also published as: GB0508635D0

Abstract

An electrical terminal block comprising electrical conductors 110 separated by insulating material 100 and incorporating holes 160 arranged for the insertion of wires and fixing means, preferably screws 120. The terminal block has three electrical conductors arranged in a triangular arrangement, all three conductors lying in planes parallel to each other. There may be holes allowing the insertion of wires in two perpendicular directions (see Figure 2).

Description

Terminal Block This invention relates to a terminal block.

There are many uses of conventional terminal blocks (also known as chocolate blocks') in electrical and electronic wiring applications and normally they are used to join cables and wires at one point or in series. Although it is possible to connect wires in parallel using these, the number of wires used will be limited by their thickness and the terminal hole diameter. Wires joined in this way can result in an unreliable grip by the terminal screw possibly resulting in the release of one or more wires and often the wires' insulation needs to be further removed, resulting in exposure of the wires' core strands.

Many wiring situations require the parallel distribution of electrical power and also require a common earth point connection, therefore requiring a third parallel terminal block. Such situations include, for example, electric cookers, washing machines, other domestic appliances and radial power circuits.

According to the present invention there is provided a terminal block comprising parallel electrical conductors separated by insulating material and arranged to allow wires to enter the electrical conductors independently of each other using a means to grip the wires in the conductors, for example screws. Additionally at least one conductor has holes formed through it to allow the terminal block to be fixed by metal screws to a surface and simultaneously provide electrical continuity between the conductor and any metal mounting surface.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows the terminal block in front elevation Figure 2 shows the terminal block in perspective Figure 3 shows the terminal block end elevation Figure 4 shows the terminal block plan view Referring to the drawing the terminal block comprises an insulating material body 100 electrical conductors 110 arranged in parallel with a plurality of holes 160 arranged such that wires 150 may be inserted into them and held in place by means to grip them, for example, screws 120.

At least one of the electrical conductors, for example, 130 and the insulating material 100 has a plurality of holes 180 formed through them such that any screw or other fixing means 140 passing through them makes electrical contact with the electrical conductor 130 thus providing electrical continuity between the electrical conductor and any electrically conducting fixing surface 200. V 2

When wires 150 are inserted and fixed into the holes 160 they make electrical contact with other wires 150 fixed in any other of the holes 160 of the same electrical conductor.

Terminal holes 160 are also formed in the ends of the electrical terminal block, as shown in figure 3, to accept, for example, incoming power and an earth source to be distributed out of the other terminal holes 160 along the line of the conductors as shown in figure 1.

Claims

1. A terminal block comprising a plurality of electrical conductors arranged in parallel separated by an insulating material and each conductor incorporating at least three holes arranged so that wires may be inserted into them independently of each other using a means to fix them.

2. A terminal block as claimed in Claim 1 which has holes formed through at least one of the parallel electrical conductors to allow a mounting surface fixing screw or other similar means to provide electrical continuity between the conductor and an electrically conducting mounting surface.

3. A terminal block as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which has holes formed in the ends of its parallel electrical conductors to facilitate the connecting of wires.

4. A terminal block substantially as described herein with references to figures 1 - 4 of the drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An electrical terminal block comprising electrical conductors separated by insulating material and incorporating holes arranged so that wires may be inserted into them using a means to fix them, characterised in that the block comprises three electrical conductors longitudinally arranged in parallel, triangularly separated and each conductor incorporates a plurality of fixing holes so that it can receive and provide electrical continuity between a plurality of inserted wires.

2. A terminal block as claimed in Claim 1 which has a plurality of holes formed through at least one electrical conductor so as to allow mounting surface fixing screws or other similar means to provide electrical continuity between that conductor, those screws and any electrically conducting mounting surface.

3. A terminal block as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 which has holes formed in the ends of the parallel electrical conductors to facilitate the connecting of wires perpendicular to other wires.