MXPA00000002A - Pre-bussed rigid conduit electrical distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

A sectionalized electrical distribution feeder system for carrying electrical power from source point to a use point or a distribution point. Each section of the distribution system includes a cylindrical enclosure capable of being easily cut with a handsaw. The enclosure also provides support and protection from physical damage to a plurality of electrical conductors that are disposed witin the enclosure. The conductors are held firmly in place by a continuous electrically insulating support that snugly fits inside the enclosure. Each conductor can be easily cut with a metal cutting handsaw.

Description

SYSTEM. OF ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRE-WIRED RIGID CONDUIT Field of the Invention This invention relates to electrical distribution systems for use in industrial and commercial locations and, more particularly, to electrical connections between adjacent sections of the electrical distribution system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, industrial and commercial electrical distribution feeder systems have generally employed cable and conduit, cable and cable tray, or electric bus bar channel. Where the cable is used with conduit, the conduit must first be installed and then the cables are pulled through it to complete the installation. The cable used with cable tray or wire channel again involves installing the cable tray first and then laying the cables in the wire tray or channel to complete the installation. Bus bar channel installations are generally simpler than cable and conduit, cable and tray or cable and wire channel, as the conductors are already inside the protective housing and do not require additional labor after the housing is installed . The bus bar channel designs of the past have generally included several bus bars having a rectangular cross section, placed parallel to each other and installed in a rectangular housing. The bus bar section sections are produced in specific lengths that can not be altered in the field during installation. For this reason, if special lengths are required, they must be designed in engineering and manufactured in the plant. This special engineering and manufacturing design requires additional time for shipment to the construction site and generally an increase in the cost to the consumer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alternative to cable and conduit designs, cable and tray, and bus bar channel for electrical distribution systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical distribution system includes one or more lengths of a generally cylindrical tubular housing that may be similar in construction to the conventional metallic conduit. Arranged within the housing is a plurality of substantially rigid electrical conductors. A continuous support member is disposed within the housing to support the electrical conductors and maintain electrical spacings. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to the technicians in the material upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. This application relates to an invention that constitutes an improvement of the inventions disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,484,300 and 5,266,044, which were assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an isometric view of two adjacent sections of an electrical distribution system in sections of the present invention, electrically and mechanically connected together by a gasket connector of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a standard section of the electrical distribution system in sections of the present invention. Figure 3 is an end view of a standard section of the electrical distribution system in sections before inserting a foam conductor support according to the present invention. Figure 4 is an end view of a standard section of the electrical distribution system in sections after the foam conductor support has been foamed in place in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is an exploded view of a field-modifiable section of the electrical distribution system in sections of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an end view of the field-modifiable section of Figure 5, prior to installing a plug according to the present invention. Figure 7 is an end view of the field-modifiable section of Figure 5, after installing a plug according to the present invention. Figure 8 is an isometric view of an assembled joint connector of the present invention. Figure 9 is an isometric view of one half of the gasket connector housing of the present invention. Figure 10 is an isometric view of an insulating member, constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 11 is an exploded view of the joint connector of Figure 8. Figure 12 is an isometric view of an end insulator constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 13 is an isometric view of an end stop constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket connector of Figure 11. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket connector installed between a standard section and a field-modifiable section of the distribution system as shown. in Figure 1, according to the present invention. Before an embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details of the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is susceptible of other embodiments and of being put into or carried out in various other ways. In addition, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be considered as limiting. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 generally illustrates a pre-wired, rigid conduit electrical distribution system 10, where a first pre-wired rigid conduit section 14 is electrically and mechanically connected to a second rigid conduit section 18 wired by a connector 22. The pre-wired rigid conduit of the present invention can be of a standard length, unalterable, as will be described with reference to the first section 14 in figures 2, 3 or 4, or of a modifiable length in field, as will be described with reference to the second section 18 in Figures 5, 6 and 7. The first section 14 includes a plurality of substantially rigid electrical conductors 26, each surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath 30. The conductors 26 are received. slidably within a substantially rigid housing 34, such that an equal portion of each conductor 26 extends beyond the former. of the housing 34, forming male connectors 36. The housing 34 extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end region 38 and a second end region 42. The second section 18 also includes a plurality of substantially rigid electrical conductors. 46, each surrounded by an electrically insulating liner 50. The conductors 46 are slidably received within a substantially rigid housing 54 such that an equal portion of each conductor 46 extends beyond the ends of the housing 54 forming male connectors 56. The housing 54 extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end region 58 and a second end region 62. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a first section 14 of the distribution system is shown. 10 of rigid pre-wired conduit that does not have an alterable length in the field. The housing 34 includes several integrally formed cavities 64 that extend longitudinally between the first and second end regions, 38 and 42, respectively. The cavities 64 are disposed in the housing 34 such that the housing 34 has a uniform cross section along its entire length. Each cavity 64 receives one of the conductors 26 such that the conductors 26 and the male connectors 36 that extend form a pattern that is also of uniform cross section along the entire length of the first section 14. After the conductors 26 are placed inside the housing 34, a preliminary support member, which consists of several generally tubular plugs 66, is received loosely but slidably within the housing 34 along its longitudinal axis. The plugs 66 simultaneously link all the conductors 26, thereby forcing them outwards, towards the cavities 64. At this point, a permanent support member 70 is placed inside the housing 34. The permanent support member 70 is a foam material of closed cells that is foamed into place within the housing 34, such as to provide continuous support for the conductors 26 along the entire length of the housing 34. As the permanent support member 70 is foamed into place, it forms a bond between the conductors 26 and the housing 34, preventing any movement of the conductors 26 with respect to the housing 34. Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a second section 18 is shown which does not have an alterable length in the field. The housing 54 includes several integrally formed cavities 74 that extend longitudinally between the first and second end regions 58 and 62, respectively. The cavities 74 are disposed in the housing 54 such that the housing 54 has a uniform cross section along its entire length. Each cavity 74 receives one of the conductors 46 such that the conductors 46 and the male connectors 56 that extend form a pattern that is also of uniform cross section along the entire length of the second section 18. After the conductors 46 are placed within the housing 54, a substantially rigid support member 78 is slidably received within the housing 54 along its longitudinal axis. The support member 78 has a perimeter structure comprising several peaks 82 and alternating valleys 86 corresponding to the number of conductors 46. The perimeter structure additionally defines a hollow interior 90 extending along its longitudinal axis. A conductor 46 is nested in each valley 86, which provides continuous support along the length of the housing 54 while each peak 82 separates adjacent conductors 46 from each other. Preferably, the support member 78 is extruded, such that it is substantially rigid along its longitudinal axis but is selectively expandable in circumference. In its normal state, its circumference is such that it can easily be received within the housing 54 after the conductors 46 have been installed. In this state, the conductors 46 can be moved longitudinally with respect to the housing 54. A plug 94 is pushed hollow inside 90 at each end of the support member 78, causing the support member 78 to expand in circumference, forcing the conductors 46 toward the cavities 74. This effectively locks the conductors 46 in place, thereby impeding movement longitudinal of the conductors 47 with respect to the housing 54. To alter the length of a modifiable section in pre-wired rigid conduit field, such as the second section 18, the plugs 94 are removed from the hollow interior 90 of the support member 78, thereby allowing the conductors 46 to be moved longitudinally with respect to the housing 54. The conductors 46 are then moved longitudinally. Finally, until they are at the level of one end of the housing 54. The plugs 94 are re-installed within the hollow interior 90 of the support member 78 to prevent longitudinal movement of the conductors 46 with respect to the housing 54. The desired length of the housing is then measured from the end of the housing 54 from which the conductors 46 extend. Measuring from this end will automatically place the conductors 46 in the proper position for cutting. The housing 54 is marked to the desired length. Then, using a hacksaw or similar tool, the housing 54, the conductors 46 and the support member 78 are simultaneously cut in a manner generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 54 at the mark. The plug 94 is again removed from the hollow interior 90 of the support member 78 to allow longitudinal movement of the support member 78 and the conductors 46 with respect to the housing 54. The cut end of the housing 54 is roughened to remove any sharp edges caused by the cut. The insulating liner 50 is removed from a portion of the cut end of each conductor 46, providing a contsurface. The cut end of each conductor 46 is bevelled, thereby removing any sharp burrs and providing a bevel at the end of the conductor 46. The conductors 46 are then moved longitudinally with respect to the housing 54, such that an equal amount of each conductor 46 is extend beyond each end of. housing 54, thereby forming the male connectors 56. The plugs 94 are then re-installed within the hollow interior 90 of the support member 78, thereby forcing the conductors 46 into the cavities 74. This effectively locks the conductors 46 into the housing 54, thereby preventing the longitudinal movement of the conductors 46 with respect to the housing 54. Referring again to Figure 1, it can be seen that the adjacent ends of the first and second sections 14 and 18, respectively, are electrically and mechanically connected. by the connector 22. The connector 22, as illustrated in FIG. 8, generally includes a connector housing 98, which is generally hollow and defines a housing passageway 102 for receiving the adjacent ends of the first and second sections 14 and 18, respectively. The connector housing 98 is made of two substantially identical halves. At each end of the connector housing 98, a compression pulley 110 is held in place by a compression nut 114.

As shown in Figure 9, each housing half 106 has a threaded end portion 118 that threadably receives one of the compression nuts 114 and a flanged end portion 122. The threaded end portion 118 abuts a step 126 in half 106 of the accommodation. The step 126 defines a change in the diameter of the housing passage 102 such that the diameter in the threaded end portion 118 is smaller than the diameter in the flanged end portion 122. Each flanged end portion 122 has a flange that extends circumferentially 130, which includes several openings 134 spaced at intervals around the flange 130 to receive assembly hardware such as screws 138 or rivets. Each flange 130 also includes a sealing groove 142 located inwardly of said apertures 134. The sealing groove 142 receives a sealing ring 146, shown in Figure 11, which is compressed between the two halves 106, thereby sealing the 98 connector housing against the ingress of liquids. Referring now to Figure 10, an insulating member 150 is contained within the accommodation passage 102 such that it is retained between the steps 126. The insulating member 150 defines several passages 154 which pass longitudinally through the insulating member 150 and disposed in a uniform pattern corresponding to the uniform cross section of the male connectors 36 and 56 of the first and second pre-wired rigid conduit sections 14 and 18, respectively. Each passage 154 is dimensioned to loosely receive an electrical connector 158. Each insulating member 150 also includes a circumferential lip 162 extending outward from each end, a retention aperture 166 aligned along its longitudinal axis and several alignment ribs. 170 extending radially outward of the retainer opening 166. The insulating member 150 preferably includes three parts, an average insulator 174 and two generally identical end insulators 178. The middle insulator 174 includes the passages 154 of the insulating member 150 having a generally cone-like end portion at each end and are dimensioned to receive the electrical connectors 158 loosely but slidably in their middle part. Each end insulator 178, as shown in FIG. 13, includes the circumferential lip 162, the retainer opening 166 and the alignment ribs 170 of the insulating member 150. Each end insulator 178 also has several generally cone-like projections 182. which extend from the side opposite the circumferential lip 162, each projection 182 terminating at a distal end 186. The projections 182 are arranged in the same pattern as the passages 154 such that a projection 182 is slidably received within each similar end portion. a cone of one of the passages 154. The distal ends 186 of the projections 182 are in juxtaposed relation to the ends of the electrical connectors 158 such that the electrical connectors 158 can not move longitudinally within the passages 154. A packing generally in the form of of U 190 is received on the end of each lip 162 such that, when the housing halves 10 6 are assembled, as best shown in Figure 14, the gaskets 190 link the steps 126 of each housing half 106, effecting a liquid-tight seal between the threaded end portions 118 of the connector housing 98 and the insulating member 150. As shown in Figure 15, the gaskets 190 also link the inserted ends of the first and second pre-wired rigid conduit housings 14 and 18, respectively, effecting a liquid-tight seal between the housings 34 and 54 and the connector housing 98. The electrical connectors 158, shown in Figure 11, make the electrical connections between the conductors 26 of the first section 14 and the conductors 46 of the second section 18. Each electrical connector 158 is generally tubular in shape., defining a female member dimensioned to loosely but slidably receive the male connectors 36 and 56 of the first and second sections 14 and 18, respectively. An end stop 194, as shown in FIG. 13, is provided at each end of the insulating member 150. The end stops 194 provide a positive stop to prevent the adjacent ends of the first and second sections of rigid conduit wiring 14 and 18, respectively, enter the connector 22 too far during the installation of a pre-wired rigid conduit electrical distribution system 10. Each end stop 194 is generally planar and circular in shape and includes several corresponding openings 198 in FIG. location and number to the male connector pattern 36 and 56, a retaining male 202 extending outwardly from one side along its longitudinal axis, an alignment ring 206 also extending outwardly from the same side and generally concentric around the male of retainer 202, and a circumferential flange 210 also extending from the same side as the retaining pin 202. The detent male 202 is received in the latch opening 166 of the end insulator 178 by a snap action such as to retain the end stop 194 in the end insulator 178. The alignment ring 206 includes several slots 214 corresponding to the ribs. of alignment 170 of the end isolator 186. Each alignment rib 170 is received in one of the alignment slots 214, preventing rotational movement of the end stop 194 with respect to the insulating member 150, such that the apertures 198 maintain alignment with the passages 154 of the insulating member 150. The end stops 194 are made of a material having sufficient rigidity to provide a positive stop for "the ends of the first and second pre-wired rigid conduit sections 14 and 18, respectively, and Insert into connector 22 during assembly. The material also has sufficient flexibility to allow light compression of the end stops 194 due to linear expansion of sections of the pre-wired rigid conduit, such as sections 14 and 18, caused by the temperature increases resulting from the normal operation of the electrical distribution system. A material having a hardness on the Shore A scale of 70 ± 15 has been found to work well for this application. The connector 22 also has a clamping indicator which indicates the tightening state of the compression nuts 114. The indicator of tightening includes a first indicator ring 218 that is concentric about and spaced from the threaded end portion 118 of the connector housing 98 and a second indicator ring 222. The first indicator ring 218 abuts the step 126 that may have a spine 226 to maintain the spacing between the first indicator ring 218 and the threaded end portion 118. The second indicator ring 222 is also concentric about the threaded end portion 118 of the connector housing 98, but loosely fits against the threads such that it is not move easily. The second indicator ring 222 is also dimensioned to be slidably received between the threaded end portion 118 and the first indicator ring 218. During the installation of a pre-wired rigid conduit electrical distribution system 10, the compression nuts 114 they must be sufficiently tight to cause the compression rollers 110 to be compressed tightly around the housings 34 and 54 of the first and second adjacent sections 14 and 18, respectively. As shown in Figure 14, before tightening the compression nuts 114, both first and second indicator rings 118 and 222 are clearly visible. When the compression nuts 114 are threadedly received in the threaded end portions 118, the compression nuts 114 push the second indicator rings 222 inward and under the first indicator rings 218. When the proper tightening of the compression nuts 114 has been achieved, as shown in Figure 15, the second indicator ring 222 already it is not visible. The second indicator ring 222 should be of a color having high visibility from a distance. This allows to visually verify the tightening state of compression nuts 114 located in areas that are difficult to access and manually verify. In the preferred embodiment, the second indicator rings 222 are red. As an alternative to the gasket connector 22 of FIG. 8, a bolted joint connector, as described and claimed in the United States patent application, attorney's file OXF-22, filed concurrently with the application whose priority is claimed herein, and entitled "Bolted Electrical Connecting Device for Multiple Electrical Conductors", may be used to connect together two adjacent sections 14 and 18 of pre-wired rigid conduit.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS 1. A pre-wired rigid conduit section, comprising, in combination: a substantially rigid housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end region and a second end region, said housing including a plurality of cavities, each extending along said longitudinal axis between said first and second end regions, said housing having a uniform cross section along its extension; a plurality of substantially rigid conductors, each being received within one of said cavities of said housing, said plurality of conductors extending from said first end region of said housing to said second end region of said housing; a preliminary support member, said preliminary support member forcing said conductors towards said cavities; a permanent support member for supporting said plurality of conductors along their length within said housing and separating said plurality of conductors from each other; and said plurality of conductors forming a pattern that is of uniform cross section along the length of said section such that said plurality of conductors form a pattern of male connectors extending at each end of said section.
2. 2. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 1, wherein said preliminary support member further includes: a plurality of plugs, one being depressed toward each of said first and second end regions of said housing, such that each one of said plugs simultaneously connects all the conductors of said plurality of conductors, thereby simultaneously forcing each conductor of said plurality of conductors into an associated cavity of said cavities.
3. 3. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 2, wherein said permanent support member is a foam of closed, expandable cells.
4. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 3, wherein said closed cell foam is foamed in place after said substantially rigid conductors have been forced into said associated cavities by said preliminary support member, said foam closed cells connecting said substantially rigid conductors to said substantially rigid housing along its entire length.
5. 5. A section of pre-wired rigid conduit, field alterable by cutting the section through its length in order to join it with an additional section to form an electrical distribution system, comprising, in combination: a substantially rigid housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end region and a second end region, said housing including a plurality of cavities, each extending along said longitudinal axis between said first and second end regions, said housing having a uniform cross section along its extension; a plurality of substantially rigid conductors, each being received within one of said cavities of said housing, said plurality of conductors extending from said first end region of said housing to said second end region of said housing; a support member extending along a longitudinal axis to support said plurality of conductors along their entire length within said housing and separating said plurality of conductors from each other, said supporting member supporting said plurality of conductors such said plurality of conductors being longitudinally movable in a selective manner with respect to said housing, said supporting member being substantially rigid and circumferentially expandable to selectively lock said conductors within said cavities; and said plurality of conductors forming a pattern that is uniform in cross section along the length of said section, such that said plurality of conductors form a pattern of male connectors extending at each end of said section and forming the same pattern of male connectors that extend if said section is altered in field by cutting the section through its length.
6. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 5, wherein said support member comprises a perimeter structure defining a hollow interior extending along said longitudinal axis.
7. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 6, wherein said perimeter structure further defines a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys corresponding to the number of conductors of said plurality of conductors, said peaks and valleys extending along said longitudinal axis of said support member.
8. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 7, wherein each conductor of said plurality of conductors nests within one of said valleys and one of said peaks separates two adjacent conductors.
9. The pre-wired rigid conduit section of claim 6, wherein said support member further includes: a pair of plugs, one being depressed towards said hollow interior at each end of said support member, causing said support member it expands circumferentially, thereby locking said conductors into said cavities of said housing, preventing longitudinal movement with respect to said housing.
10. 10. An electrical seal connector, comprising: a first end portion of a first section of an electrical distribution system in sections, said first end portion including a first housing end and a first plurality of electrical conductor ends forming a pattern that is uniform in cross section along the length of said first section such that said first plurality of electrical conductors form a first pattern of extending male connectors; a second end portion of a second section of the electrical distribution system in sections, said second end portion including a second receiving end and a second plurality of electrical conductor ends forming a pattern that is uniform in cross section throughout of the length of said second section, such that said second plurality of electrical conductors form a second pattern of extending male connectors; a connector housing, said housing defining a passage dimensioned to loosely receive said first and second housing ends; an insulating member that is contained within said passage of said connector housing, said insulating member defining a plurality of connector passages that are arranged in a pattern complementary to said patterns of said first and second male connectors; a plurality of electrical connectors, each being slidably received within one of said connector passages of said insulating member, each of said connectors defining a female member to slidably receive one of said first male connectors and one of said second male connectors such that an electrical connection is made between said first and second sections of the electrical distribution system; a pair of end stops, one being attached to each end of said insulator member, thereby providing a positive stop for said first and second housing ends; means for mechanically connecting said first and second housing ends to said connector housing; and means for sealing between said connector housing and said first and second housing ends to prevent the ingress of liquids.
11. 11. The electrical seal connector of claim 10, wherein said connector housing further comprises: two housing halves that are generally identical in shape, each having a threaded end portion, a flanged end portion and a step immediately adjacent said threaded end portion, said portion of threaded end defining an aperture sized to receive said first and second housing ends and said flanged end portion defining an aperture sized to receive said insulating member.
12. The electrical seal connector of claim 11, wherein said flanged end portions of each connector housing half further comprise: a circumferentially extending flange, said flange including a plurality of openings for assembling said housing halves between yes and a circumferential seal groove located inwardly of said openings.
13. The electrical seal connector of claim 12, wherein said sealing means further comprises: a sealing ring, said sealing ring being received within said sealing groove of said flange such that when said flanges are assembled together, said Sealing ring will be compressed, thereby effecting a liquid-tight seal between said tabs.
14. The electrical seal connector of claim 11, wherein said means for mechanically connecting said first and second housing ends to said connector housing comprise: a pair of compression rollers; and a pair of compression nuts, said rollers and said nuts being slidably received in said first and second housing ends such that as said sheaves are threadedly received in said threaded end portions of said connector housing, said compression rollers are compressed tightly around said housing ends.
15. The electrical seal connector of claim 10, wherein said insulating member defines a retaining opening at each end, said opening being aligned along the longitudinal axis of said insulating member, said insulating member further comprising: a plurality of ribs of alignment extending radially outward from each of said retention apertures; and a circumferential lip extending outward from each end of said insulating member.
16. The electrical seal connector of claim 15, wherein said insulating member further comprises: an insulator means wherein each end of said connector passage is cone-shaped generally in cross section; and a pair of end insulators, one being placed at each end of said middle insulator, each of said middle insulators having cone-like projections, one of said projections being received within each said cone-shaped cross section of said passage. of connector, said end insulator including said retention aperture, said alignment ribs and said circumferential lips.
17. The electrical seal connector of claim 15, wherein each of said end stops defines a plurality of holes disposed in a pattern complementary to said patterns of said first and second male connectors; said end stop further comprising: a retaining male to be received in said retention opening of said insulating member, whereby said end stop is fastened to said insulating member; and an alignment ring that is concentric about said retaining pin and having grooves for attaching said alignment ribs of said insulating member.
18. The electrical seal connector of claim 10, wherein said end stops are made of a material having sufficient rigidity to provide a positive stop for said end portions of said first and second sections during installation of the distribution system and having sufficient flexibility to allow a slight compression of said end stop due to the linear expansion of said first and second sections caused by temperature increases that result from the normal operation of the energized distribution system.
19. The electrical seal connector of claim 10, wherein said means for sealing between said connector housing and said first and second housing ends comprises a pair of gaskets, each having a generally U-shaped cross-section, each of said gaskets being slidably received on said circumferential lip of said insulating member such that when said connector housing halves are assembled together, said gasket is compressed between said steps of said connector housing and said circumferential lip of said insulating member, thereby performing a liquid-tight seal between said housing and said insulating member, and wherein said housing ends of said first and second sections are loosely and slidably linked by said packing such that a liquid-proof seal is also effected between said housing connector and said housing ends.
20. The electrical seal connector of claim 14, wherein said joint connector includes means for visibly indicating the tightening of said compression rollers.
21. The electrical seal connector of claim 20, wherein said visible clamping indicator further comprises: a first clamping indicator ring that is concentric about and is spaced from said threaded end portion and abutting said step; and a second clamping indicator ring that is concentric about said threaded end portion and received loosely but slidably between said first indicator ring and said threaded end portion such that when said said compression nut is threadably engaged in said threaded portion, said second indicator ring is urged between said first indicator ring and said threaded portion.
22. 22. The electrical seal connector of claim 21, wherein both first and second indicator rings are visible prior to tightening said compression nut.
23. 23. The electrical seal connector of claim 22, wherein after tightening said nut such that said compression sheave is sufficiently compressed about said housing end, said second indicator ring is no longer visible.
24. The electrical seal connector of claim 21, wherein said second indicator ring is of a particular high visibility color.
25. 25. The electrical seal connector of claim 24, wherein said second indicator ring is red.