NL2003317C2 - CABLE SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Description

NL 2003317 Cable system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cable system, in particular a cable with several conductors and a connector therefor.

An example of such a cable is a so-called flexible flat cable with a plurality of flexible conductors that extend parallel to each other. The conductors are accommodated in an insulating jacket that keeps the flexible conductors separate from each other. The conductors and the sheath extend in a straight plane. Connectors can be connected to this cable, so-called Insulation Displacement Connectors, which are simply called IDC connectors. The cable is herein received at the desired location in the connector, with conductive clamps or pins of the connector locally piercing the insulating sheath to come into electrically conductive contact.

Flexible flat cables with IDC connectors are used, for example, to electrically connect remote printed circuit boards within an electronic device. The conductors are then used for both the electrical energy supply and different control currents, whereby the IDC connectors connect to all 2 conductors. However, for example in buildings or in commercial buildings with typical low-voltage voltages of 200-240 Volt or two / three-phase 380-400 Volts for Europe, the use of flexible flat cables is (legally) limited due to the limited conductor cross-section, so that the cable only has a limited may have a maximum length that is practically inadequate within buildings or commercial buildings.

It is an object of the invention to provide a flat cable which is particularly suitable for use within buildings or in commercial buildings.

An object of the invention is to provide a flat cable that can be connected simply and accurately to a suitable IDC connector.

It is an object of the invention to provide a provision of the above-mentioned type which is particularly suitable for use within buildings or in non-residential construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides, from one aspect, a cable comprising an outer sheath and viewed immediately successively next to each other, a first, a second and a third conductor extending within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, the conductors are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the outer contour of the outer sheath at the location of the conductors viewed in a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the cable between the guides for visually and perceptibly indicating the location of the guides 35 on the outside of the outer jacket, the guides extending in an imaginary common straight plane defining a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, the intermediate distance between the first and the second conductor is larger than da n is the distance between the second and third conductors.

The conductors extend in a straight plane, so that there is a flat cable, the conductors of which each have a solid core with a relatively low internal resistance. The flat cable can suitably be laid in complementary shaped insertion channels of a connector, the symmetry in the outer sheath on the one hand and the differences in the intermediate distances on the other hand imposing that insertion is only possible in two positions. The difference in these positions is only that the flat cable is turned around its width axis. In both cases the conductors therefore only fall into the complementary shaped insertion channels of the connector intended for this purpose, as a result of which connection differences on the different conductors can be prevented. The aforementioned properties make the cable particularly suitable for use within buildings or in commercial buildings, wherein the three conductors can be used for the earth conductor, the neutral conductor and a 220-240 Volt phase conductor, respectively. In principle, the earth conductor cannot be confused with the phase conductor.

In an embodiment viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the first conductor, the shape of the outer contour differs from the shape of the outer contour above the second and / or third conductor. This shape difference acts in addition to the distance difference between the first and second conductor, as a result of which forced insertion of the cable 30 into the wrong insertion channels of the connector can be prevented.

The invention further provides, from a further aspect, a cable comprising an outer sheath and, viewed immediately successively next to each other, a first, a second, and a third conductor extending within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, wherein the conductors 4 are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the outer contour of the outer sheath at the location of the conductors viewed in a cross-sectional view of the length of the cable is higher than between the conductors to visually and perceptibly indicate the location of the conductors on the outside of the outer casing, the conductors extending in an imaginary common straight plane 10 defining a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, while transverse to the plane of symmetry considered above the first ge conductor the shape of the outer contour differs from the shape of the outer contour above the second and / or third conductor.

The conductors extend in a straight plane, whereby a flat cable is involved, the conductors of which each have a solid core with a relatively low internal resistance. The flat cable can suitably be laid in complementary shaped insertion channels of a connector, wherein the symmetry in the outer sheath on the one hand and the differences in the shapes on the other hand impose that insertion is only possible in two positions. The difference in these positions is only that the flat cable is turned around its width axis. In both cases, therefore, the conductors only fall into the intended complementarily formed insertion channels of the connector, whereby connection differences on the different conductors can be prevented. The aforementioned properties make the cable particularly suitable for use within buildings or in non-residential construction, wherein the three conductors can be used for the earth conductor, the neutral conductor and a 220-240 Volt phase conductor, respectively. In principle, the earth conductor cannot be confused with the phase conductor.

In one embodiment the distance between the first and the second conductor is greater than the distance between the second and the third conductor. This distance difference 5 acts in addition to the shape difference above the first and second conductor, whereby forced insertion of the cable into the wrong insertion channels of the connector can be prevented.

In one embodiment, the cable within the outer sheath comprises, next to the third conductor, viewed immediately successively next to each other, a fourth conductor and a fifth conductor extending within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, the conductors each be constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the outer contour of the outer casing at the location of the conductors being higher than between the conductors, on the outside of the outer casing to indicate the conductors visually and perceptibly, the conductors extending in the imaginary straight plane that determines the plane of symmetry for the outer contour. The five conductors make the cable particularly suitable for use within buildings or in non-residential construction, whereby they can be used for the earth conductor, the neutral conductor and three phases of 220-240 Volt which together form a 380-400 Volt connection.

In one embodiment the outer casing completely encloses the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor individually in the circumferential direction. As a result, the conductors remain in their mutually fixed relationship even when the cable, which is relatively rigid due to the solid cores, is bent in a sharp bend or rotated about its longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor, the outer contour is uniform.

In an embodiment viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the second conductor, the third conductor, and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor, the outer contour comprises a circular contour part.

In an embodiment viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor the outer casing has a constant radial thickness with respect to the center of the conductor in question.

In one embodiment the outer contour around the first conductor has a polygonal shape, preferably a quadrilateral or octagonal shape.

Alternatively, the outer contour around the first conductor has a rectangular shape with straight bevels at the corners.

In one embodiment the outer contour 15 comprises between first and second conductor a first straight contour part which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry.

In an embodiment the outer sheath, viewed in the width direction of the cable, comprises between the first conductor and the second conductor a straight first bridge part, the outer contour of which extends parallel to and at a distance from the plane of symmetry.

In one embodiment, the first bridge part, viewed in the width direction of the cable, merges at the ends into the widening of the outer jacket around the first and second conductor.

The aforementioned shape properties make it possible, individually or in combination, to lay the cable in a form-closed manner but self-releasing in the complementary shaped insertion channels of the connector.

In one embodiment the first bridge part comprises interruptions to provide a series of first holes, which are spread over the length of the cable and which are substantially uniform, and which divide the first bridge part into bridge part segments. The first holes can be used as a secure attachment point for the cable, because the conductors thereof are remote.

7

The holes can be used as a length measure for the cable if the first longitudinal holes and / or the successive bridge section segments have substantially equal mutual distances. With this a piece of cable 5 with roughly the correct length can be measured and taken from a stock.

In a material-saving embodiment, the first longitudinal holes are longer than the bridge segments.

In an embodiment, according to a repeating pattern, a number of the bridge part segments are provided with one or more second holes which are shorter in the longitudinal direction of the cable than the first holes. The second holes clearly show a repeating pattern extending over a plurality of bridge section segments in the bridge section segments, so that during measurement, for example, only the bridge section segments provided with second holes can be counted out to quickly measure roughly the correct length and take it off a stock.

In one embodiment the outer jacket is in abutting but loose contact with the insulating sheath of the conductors, the insulating sheaths of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor mutually different colors or color codes to own. The adjacent but loose contact makes it possible to strip the insulating jacket off the conductors without damaging the insulating jacket. Based on the different color codes, the cable can then be easily connected in the correct manner.

In one embodiment, the insulating sheath and the solid core both have a circular contour in the cross-section, whereby it is possible to process or connect conductors in the manner customary in buildings or utility construction, for example with insert welding caps.

The cable is particularly suitable for 220-240 Volt or 380-400 Volt low voltage installations if the 8 core of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably of the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor of copper or a copper alloy with a cross-sectional area of preferably 2.5 square millimeters.

In one embodiment, the cable comprises a plurality of low-current conductors within the outer sheath which extend on the side of the first conductor opposite to the second and third conductor, the outer contour of the outer sheath being higher than 10 between the conductors at the location of the conductors to indicate visually and palpably the location of the conductors on the outside of the outer casing, the conductors extending in the imaginary straight plane that determines the plane of symmetry for the outer contour. The low-voltage conductors can be used to control devices supplied with electrical energy via the cable, for example by means of a serial bus protocol.

In an embodiment thereof, the outer contour comprises two opposing circular contour parts around the low-voltage conductors which extend through the plane of symmetry and which merge into straight contour parts extending parallel to and spaced from the plane of symmetry, so that the location of the low-current conductors can be clearly distinguished from the outside of the remaining 25 conductors.

In one embodiment, the outer contour between the first conductor and the low-current conductors comprises a second straight contour part which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry.

Alternatively, the outer sheath, viewed in the width direction of the cable, comprises, between the first conductor and the low-voltage conductors, a straight second bridge part, the outer contour of which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry.

The aforementioned distinction between the location of the low-voltage conductors can be strengthened if the second bridge part is shorter than the first bridge part.

9

In one embodiment, the first straight bridge part and / or the second straight bridge part viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry has a thickness which is substantially equal to the thickness of a solid core of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor, the fourth conductor or the fifth conductor.

Despite the massive cores in the form of the desired cable path, the cable can be forced or pierced through IDC connectors if the outer sheath is made of a flexible plastic, preferably of a polyolefin combined with fire retardants.

The insulating sheath can easily be punctured or stripped off if the insulating sheath is made of plastic, preferably cross-linked polyethylene.

The invention provides, from a further aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a first connector engaging the cable and a separate second connector for engaging the cable, the cable having an outer sheath 20 and next to each other a first, a second and a comprises a third conductor and a plurality of control current conductors extending within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, wherein the first, second and third conductor are each constructed with an insulating jacket of electrically insulating material wherein only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is included, and the control current conductors extend on the side of the first conductor opposite to the second and third conductors 30, the first connector comprising a first housing with first casing-piercing electrical contacts, wherein the cable is in extends longitudinally between two opposite end faces of the first housing, the first electrical contacts each protruding through the outer jacket and insulating jackets of the first, second or third conductor and then being in electrically conductive contact with the core thereof, the first housing on at least one of the longitudinal sides extending between the head sides is provided with a recess limiting insert frame within which the cable extends freely lying at the location of the control current conductors 5, wherein the second connector comprises a second housing and second jack-piercing electrical contacts, the second connector being arranged for placement within the insertion frame and piercing the outer sheath 10 of the cable by means of the second electrical contacts in order to come into electrically conductive contact with the control current conductors.

The cable is a so-called flat cable, the first, second and third conductors of which have a solid core with an optimum conductor cross-section. The three conductors 15 can be used for an earth conductor, a neutral conductor and 220-240 Volt phase conductor, of which a branch can be made by means of the first connector. The control current conductors within the deployment framework remain unaffected. In utility buildings, this is sufficient for many 20 tapping points. Optionally, the second connector can be placed in the insert frame and brought into contact with the control current conductors to also branch control steam there.

Control current is a weak current for controlling electrical components that are fed by or connected to the first, second and third conductor. The control steam can for example be controlled on the basis of a serial bus protocol, such as the KNX protocol.

In one embodiment, the first connector 30 is provided with a cable carrier with a contact profile formed complementary to the outer jacket in which the cable is suitably accommodated, the first electrical contacts protruding from the contact profile, the insert frame interrupting the contact profile laterally. The abutment profile can determine the position of the cable within the connector with certainty, and thus also the position of the control current cables within the insertion frame. The second connector 11 can then engage with certainty on the desired control cables.

In a simple embodiment, the insert frame has a rectangular shape.

The second connector can be fixed within the insertion frame if the first and second connector are provided with cooperating couplings for coupling the second connector with the first connector within the insertion frame.

Alternatively, the cable itself carries the second coupling within the deployment frame.

The invention provides, from a second aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a connector engaging the cable and a branch conductor to be connected to the connector, the cable being an outer sheath and next to each other a first, a second and a third conductor comprises inside the outer casing extending substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, wherein the first, second and third conductor and the branch conductor are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is included, the connector comprising a housing, casing-piercing electrical contacts and a branch connection for the branch conductor, the electric contacts each passing through the outer casing and the insulating jackets of the first, second or third conductor and are then in electrically conductive contact m the core thereof, wherein the branch connection comprises an insertion contact electrically conductively connected to at least one of the electrical contacts and an input channel leading to the insertion contact, wherein the insertion channel is directed for guided insertion of the branch conductor parallel to an insertion direction in the insertion direction on the imaginary straight plane of the cable.

The cable is a so-called flat cable, the first, second and third conductors of which have a solid core with an optimum conduction cross-section. The three conductors can be used for an earth conductor, a neutral conductor and 220-240 Volt phase conductor, of which a branch can be made by means of the first connector. The flat cable and the branch conductor behave as rigid cables through the solid cores, whereby a height compact branch can be achieved due to the parallelism of the insertion direction on the cable.

In one embodiment, the input channel is directed for guided input of the branch conductor with the insertion direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable.

In one embodiment the housing comprises an outer wall extending above the cable in which the input channel is defined. The branch conductor can then be inserted into the input channel with an overview.

In one embodiment thereof, the input channel is bounded by a slide track partially sunk into the outer wall, which slide is open on the side remote from the cable. The branch conductor can then be placed in the slide from above to be guided.

The slide preferably has a cylindrical bottom shape. Such a shape connects to a round insulation sheath of the branch conductor.

In one embodiment, the input channel is delimited by a tunnel segment extending partly above the outer wall and defining a passage through the upper wall. The branch conductor can then be guided to its end position within the tunnel segment.

In one embodiment thereof, the tunnel segment has a cylindrical inner wall and / or upper wall. Such a shape connects to a round insulation sleeve of the branch conductor. The upper wall in particular then forms a point of recognition on the outer wall for inserting the branch conductor.

In a combined embodiment, the 13 tunnel segment is located behind the slide in the insertion direction.

In particular, the tunnel segment can connect to the slide in the insertion direction.

An end of the branch conductor stripped of the insulating jacket can be permanently connected to the connector in one insertion movement if the insertion contact is adapted for self-locking engagement with the core of the branch conductor.

In one embodiment, the input channel of the branch connection, viewed transversely to the imaginary straight plane, lies directly above the conductor with which the branch connection is in electrically conductive contact via its electrical contact. The location of the input channel thus provides a direct visual indication of the conductor 15 with which contact can be made via that input channel. This limits a risk of incorrect connection.

In one embodiment, the connector comprises a plurality of branch conductors, for example one or two for each of the first, second and third conductors, wherein the branch conductors 20 are mutually offset in the insertion direction to simplify the insertion of the branch conductors.

The invention provides, from a further aspect, an assembly comprising a first cable, a second cable and a connector engaging the first and second cable, wherein the first and second cable have an outer jacket and next to each other a first, a second and a comprises a third conductor extending within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, wherein the first, second and third conductor and the branch conductor are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is included, the connector comprising a housing, first casing-piercing electrical contacts and second casing-piercing electrical contacts, the first contacts each passing through the outer casing and the 14 insulation jackets of the first, second or third Insert the conductor of the first cable and then are in electrically conductive contact with the cores thereof and the second contacts each protrude through the outer sheath and insulating jackets of the first, second or third conductor of the second cable and then be in electrically conductive contact with the cores thereof, the first and second cables extend straight above each other and with the imaginary surfaces parallel to each other through the housing and the first and second contacts electrically connect the conductors extending transversely to the imaginary surface with each other electrically.

The cables are so-called flat cables, the first, second and third conductors of which have a solid core with an optimum conductor cross-section. The three conductors can be used for an earth conductor, a neutral conductor and 220-240 Volt phase conductor, of which a branch can be made by means of the first connector. The flat cable and the branch conductor behave as rigid cables through the solid cores. Owing to the parallelism of the cables, the rigid cables can nevertheless be forced relatively simply, because transversely to their plane, to the connector, whereby a cable coupling which is compact in height can be effected by means of the connector.

In one embodiment, the connector is provided with a cable carrier partially accommodated in the housing and the electrical contacts protrude from the housing in the direction of the cable carrier, wherein the cable carrier is movable relative to the housing between a first predetermined position in which the electrical contacts are spaced from the outer jacket, and a second predetermined position in which the electrical contacts protrude through the outer jacket and the insulating jacket. The connection of the connector to the cables can then take place in two consecutive operations, wherein the cables are first positioned in the relevant cable carriers and the cable carriers are then brought from the first position to the second position to connect the electrical contacts . The change of position can for instance be effected by means of a pair of pincers in which the connector is received.

In one embodiment thereof, the cable carrier is provided with an insertion part and a closing flap, wherein the closing flap can be placed on the insertion part in the first position of the cable carrier for suitable confinement of the first or second cable. The cable in question can then be positioned relative to the connector by closing the valve.

The connector is preferably provided with closing parts for the valve, the closing parts being adapted for repeated opening and closing of the valve 15 in the first position and permanent closing of the valve in the second position. In that case, by re-opening the valve, the connector can still be repositioned or shifted with respect to the cable if necessary. The outer jacket or the insulation jackets have not yet been pierced. After the cable carrier has been converted to the second position, i.e. after the jackets have been punctured, this is no longer possible due to the permanent closure unless the connector is unintentionally forced and destroyed.

In an embodiment the first or second cable is suitably included in a contact profile of the cable carrier formed complementary to the outer jacket.

In one embodiment, the outer contour of the outer jacket at the location of the conductors is viewed in a cross-section transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable than between the conductors to visually and perceptibly indicate the location of the conductors on the outside of the outer jacket, wherein the imaginary straight plane defines a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, the spacing between the first and the second conductor being greater than the spacing between the second and the third conductor. The flat cable can suitably be laid in insertion channels of the complementarily shaped abutment profile 16, the symmetry in the outer jacket on the one hand and the differences in the intermediate distances on the other hand imposing that insertion is only possible in two positions. The difference in these positions is only that the flat cable is turned around its width axis. In both cases, therefore, the conductors only fall into the appropriate complementary shaped insertion channels of the abutment profile, so that connection differences on the different conductors can be prevented. The above-mentioned properties make the cables and the connector particularly suitable for use within buildings or in non-residential construction, wherein the three conductors can be used for the earth conductor, the neutral conductor and a 220-240 Volt phase conductor, respectively. In principle, the earth conductor cannot be interchanged with the phase conductor.

Alternatively or in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first and second cable, the outer contour of the outer jacket at the location of the conductors is higher than between the conductors in order to visibly and feel the location of the conductors on the outside of the outer jacket wherein the imaginary straight plane defines a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, the transducer viewed transversely of the plane of symmetry, the shape of the outer contour differed from the shape of the outer contour above the second and / or third conductor. The flat cable can suitably be laid in insertion channels of the complementarily shaped abutment profile, the symmetry in the outer jacket on the one hand and the differences in the forms on the other hand imposing that insertion is only possible in two positions. The difference in these positions is only that the flat cable is turned around its width axis. In both cases, therefore, the conductors only fall into the appropriate complementary shaped insertion channels of the abutment profile, so that connection differences on the different conductors can be prevented. The aforementioned properties make the cables and the connector particularly suitable for use within 17 buildings or in non-residential construction, whereby the three conductors can be used for the earth conductor, the neutral conductor and a 220-240 Volt phase conductor, respectively. In principle, the earth conductor cannot be interchanged with the phase conductor.

In one embodiment the abutment profiles for the first and second cable are symmetrical with respect to a center plane of symmetry extending parallel between the cables.

The invention provides, from a further aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a connector engaging the cable and a device connection connected to the connector, the cable comprising an outer jacket and next to each other a first, a second and a third conductor which extend within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, wherein the first, second and third conductor are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material, the connector comprising a housing, casing-piercing electrical contacts, and multi-pole first plug connection 25 electrically connected to the electrical contacts, the electrical contacts each passing through the outer jacket and insulating jackets of the first, second, or third conductor steke and then be in electrically conductive contact with the core thereof, wherein the device connection is provided with a multi-pole second plug connection and a flexible multi-core cable connected to the second plug connection, the conductors of which are each composed of a bundle of several conductors, the first plug connection and the second plug connection are connected to each other and are intended and adapted for multiple disconnections and entering into the mutual connection.

The assembly can be part of an electrical supply installation for devices, for example lighting fixtures included in a system ceiling. The assembly offers the possibility of being built up in phases, whereby first the flat cable is placed and provided with the connector, then the system ceiling is built up and finally a lighting fixture is installed. The lighting fixture is thereby connected to the flexible multi-core cable and the first plug connection is connected to the already installed second plug connection. Similarly, the same cable can be provided with several connectors that are spread over the length of the cable, so that a pre-installed first plug connection is present at several places.

In one embodiment, the connector is provided with a plurality of first plug connections and a plurality of device connections connected thereto. In the aforementioned example, one connector can then form a local central connection point 20 for several lighting fixtures.

The invention further provides, from a further aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a connector engaging the cable, a box for electrical installations carrying the connector, and a branch conductor connected to the connector, the cable having an outer jacket and adjacent each other comprises a first, a second and a third conductor which extend within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane 30, wherein the first, second and third conductor are each constructed with a insulating jacket of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the connector comprising a housing, casing-piercing electrical contacts and a branch connection for the branch conductor, the electrical contacts each passing through the outer casing and the insulating jackets of the first 19 second or third conductor and then be in electrically conductive contact with the core thereof, the branch connection being electrically conductively connected to at least one of the electrical contacts, the box 5 being provided with a peripheral wall and a bottom wall defining a first cavity for electrical connections to which the branch conductor carries and the peripheral wall has an installation edge for the construction of electrical switching material, the box further comprising a connector holder 10 for the connector, the connector holder being adapted for guided linear translation of the connector relative to the installation edge over a limited stroke for adjustment of the position of the connector relative to the installation edge.

The box with the connector holder can be handled as a whole, whereby the connector can in practice be connected to the cable placed at an earlier stage. The guided linear translation of the connector relative to the installation edge makes it possible to change the position of the box relative to the connector engaging the cable, so that the box can be set in the right place, for example in a wall drain box.

In one embodiment, the connector holder 25 is adapted for guided linear translation of the connector in the longitudinal direction of the cable. Due to its conductors extending parallel to each other, the cable will be stiffer in the longitudinal direction than transversely thereto. The guided linear translation of the connector precisely in the longitudinal direction helps to compensate for the inconvenience of this stiffness.

In one embodiment, the installation edge spans a straight installation surface, the connector holder being adapted for guided linear translation of the connector parallel to the installation surface.

In one embodiment the installation edge has an elongated rectangular contour for the construction of an elongated series of switching materials, the connector holder being adapted for guided linear translation of the connector parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated rectangular contour.

5 The installation edge forms the basis for the construction of installation material on the visible side of the box. The guided linear translation of the connector parallel to the installation surface or parallel to the rectangular contour makes it possible to shift the built-up installation material to the desired position in the work.

Formulated quantitatively, the limited stroke has a length of at least 1/3 of the length of the connector in the direction of the stroke.

In one embodiment, the cable extends behind and along the outside of the bottom wall remote from the installation edge.

In an embodiment thereof, the bottom wall is provided with an elongated channel which is situated back towards the installation edge and in which the cable extends at least partially. The depth of the box can thus be adjusted to the depth of an installation space for the box. The channel thereby ensures the space required for the cable at the rear of the box.

In one embodiment, the connector holder carries the connector on the outside of the circumferential wall, so that the connection of the connector to the cable can take place with an overview.

In one embodiment, the connector holder 30 is provided with a frame or box with a second cavity in which the connector is accommodated, the second cavity merging into the first cavity and the branch conductor extending through the first and second cavity. The branch conductor can therefore be completely shielded within the assembly.

In one embodiment, the connector holder is provided with a framework in which the connector is fixed, and conductors cooperating with each other for guided linear translation of the framework and thus the connector with respect to the installation edge. The connector itself can then remain free of translation-conducting parts, which can limit the complexity of the connector.

In one embodiment, the connector is provided with a cable carrier partially accommodated in the housing and the electrical contacts protrude from the housing in the direction of the cable carrier, the cable carrier being movable relative to the housing between a first predetermined position in which the electrical contacts are at a distance from the outer casing, and a second predetermined position in which the electrical contacts protrude through the outer casing and the insulating jacket, the cable carrier being provided on the side remote from the housing with a substantially straight tongue engagement surface on which one of the two opposing jaw parts of a pair of pincers can be placed interposing the connector to pinch the cable carrier from the first position to the second position, the tang engaging surface and an imaginary straight continuation thereof extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable free in the first and second position b extend the boundary of the connector holder. The tongue engagement surface and its straight extension, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cable, extend freely above the boundary of the connector holder in the first and second position, so that the connector holder does not interfere with the jaw part engaging the tongue engagement surface when connecting of the connector on the cable.

In an embodiment thereof, the cable carrier is provided with an insertion part and a closing flap, wherein the closing flap in the first position of the cable carrier can be placed on the insertion part for suitable locking of the cable, the closing flap being pivotable with respect to the insertion part and is located on the side of the insertion part remote from the installation edge. Laying in and connecting the cable can take place at the rear of the box, where most of the installation space is usually available.

In one embodiment, switching material is installed on the installation edge which is connected to the branch conductor. The assembly can then be handled as one pre-assembled whole, whereby in the work only the cable still has to be connected to the connector in order to be put into operation.

In a practical application, the box is in the form of a wall gutter box, wherein the assembly further comprises an elongated wall gutter in which the box is received, the cable extending within and in the longitudinal direction of the wall gutter.

The invention further provides, from a further aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a connector engaging the cable, a box for electrical installations carrying the connector, and a branch conductor connected to the connector, the cable having an outer jacket and adjacent each other a first, a second and a third conductor 20 which extend within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, wherein the first, second and third conductor are each constructed with a insulating jacket of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the connector comprising a housing, casing-piercing electrical contacts and a branch connection for the branch conductor, the electrical contacts each passing through the outer casing and the insulating casings of the first, second or third conductor and then be in electrically conductive contact with the core thereof, the branch connection being electrically conductively connected to at least one of the electrical contacts, the connector being provided with a cable carrier partially accommodated in the housing and the electrical contacts from the housing projecting in the direction of the cable carrier, 23 wherein the cable carrier is movable with respect to the housing between a first predetermined position in which the electrical contacts are remote from the outer jacket, and a second predetermined position in which the electrical contacts pass through the protruding outer jacket and insulating jacket, the box being provided with a circumferential wall and a bottom wall delimiting a first cavity for electrical connections to which the branch conductor leads, the box further comprising a connector holder for the connector, the connector holder being arranged and positioned for wearing the connector on d The housing with the cable carrier in at least the first position is freely or unobstructed accessible to the cable from the outside of the box. The box with the connector holder and the connector worn thereby and freely accessible to the cable form a manageable whole to which the cable can be easily connected from outside. It is superfluous to introduce the cable into the first cavity. This makes the assembly suitable for connecting with multiple assemblies to the same cable as the through-going cable.

In one embodiment, the circumferential wall has an installation edge for the construction of electrical switching material on the box, the connector holder being positioned for supporting the connector on the rear side of the box remote from the installation edge, whereby a safe distance and installation space between the switching material and the connector can be maintained.

In one embodiment, switching material is installed on the installation edge 30 which is connected to the branch conductor. The box with connected switching material thus forms a ready-for-use unit to which only the cable needs to be connected.

In one embodiment, the connector holder 35 is positioned for supporting the connector with the cable holder relative to the housing away from the installation edge.

24

In one embodiment, the connector holder is positioned for supporting the connector with the branch connection facing the housing or facing into the first cavity, whereby the branch connection can be fed over a relatively short distance to the first cavity for further connection.

In one embodiment the connector holder is provided with a frame or box with a second cavity in which the connector is accommodated, the second cavity merging into the first cavity and the branch conductor extending through the first and second cavity. The branch conductor can therefore be completely shielded within the assembly.

In one embodiment, on the side remote from the housing, the cable carrier is provided with a substantially straight tongue engagement surface on which one of two opposing jaw parts of a pair of pincers can be placed which intervene the connector to move the cable carrier from the first position to the second position squeezing, wherein the tongue engagement surface and an imaginary straight continuation extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable extend freely above the boundary of the connector holder in the first and second position. The tongue engagement surface and its straight extension, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cable, extend freely above the boundary of the connector holder in the first and second position, so that the connector holder does not interfere with the jaw part engaging the tongue engagement surface when connecting of the connector on the cable.

In a first practical application, the box is designed as a hollow wall box, wherein the connector extends through an opening in the bottom wall.

In a second practical application, the box is designed as a wall duct box, the assembly further comprising a wall duct in which the wall duct box is received, the connector being positioned within the wall duct and the cable extending through the wall duct.

25

In a third practical application, the box is designed as a cable duct box, the assembly further comprising a cable duct to which the cable duct box is attached, wherein the cable duct comprises a bottom wall and two side walls rising therefrom, the connector being positioned directly above the top wall.

The invention further provides, according to a further aspect, an assembly comprising a cable, a connector engaging the cable, a box for electrical installations carrying the connector, a branch conductor connected to the connector, and a pair of pincers for connecting the connector closing on the cable, the cable comprising an outer sheath and next to each other a first, a second and a third conductor which extend within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances in an imaginary common straight plane, the first, second and third conductor are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the connector comprising a housing, casing-piercing electrical contacts and a branch connection for the branch conductor, the electrical contacts each through the outer jacket and the insulating jackets of the first, second or third conductor protrude and then be in electrically conductive contact with the core thereof, the branch connection being connected to at least one of the electrical contacts electrically conductively, the connector being provided with a partly in the cable carrier received in the housing and the electrical contacts protruding from the housing in the direction of the cable carrier, wherein the cable carrier is movable relative to the housing between a first predetermined position in which the electrical contacts are remote from the outer jacket, and a second predetermined position in which the electrical contacts protrude through the outer jacket and the insulating jacket, the box being provided with a circumferential wall and a bottom wall defining a cavity for electrical connections to which the branch conductor leads, the box further comprising a connector holder for the connector , wherein the connector holder is arranged and 5 positioned for supporting the connector with the cable holder with respect to the housing away from the box, wherein the cable carrier on the side remote from the housing is provided with a substantially straight first tangent engagement surface and the connector on the box 10 facing opposite side is provided with a second tongue engagement surface on which two opposing jaw parts of the pincers can be placed interposing the connector to pinch the cable carrier from the first position to the second position, the box being provided with a protrusion extending above the second tongue engagement surface continuous plug-in channel for inserting the jaw part engaging the second tongue engagement surface from the outside of the box.

The box and the connector carried by it form a ready-to-use unit, the plug-in channel forming a clear recognition point for inserting the jaw part of the pincers when connecting the connector to the cable as the last step.

In one embodiment, the insertion channel and the jaw part are elongated and have a uniform contour in cross-section for the guided insertion of the jaw part. The uniformly shaped contours form a shape lock so that the jaw part can only be inserted in an orientation in which the opposite jaw part can land exactly on the first tangent engagement surface. This promotes the manageability and ease of installation of the assembly.

In one embodiment, the insertion channel ends in the peripheral wall of the box, so that the entrance of the insertion channel can be clearly visible.

In one embodiment, the circumferential wall has an installation edge which defines an installation surface for the construction of electrical switching material on the box, wherein the insertion channel extends parallel to the installation surface. The switching material can hereby be built up at the front of the box and the pincers with overview can be inserted from the side with the jaw part.

In one embodiment the box is elongated and the circumferential wall defines a narrowing along the longitudinal direction of the box with on both sides a widening of the box and the cavity for the construction of several pieces of switching material at the location of the widening, wherein the insertion channel is situated at that location from the narrowing. The location of the plug-in channel at the location of the narrowing can limit its length, so that the connector can be connected with a relatively simple pair of pincers.

In one embodiment the box is in the form of a hollow wall box, preferably a multiple hollow wall box for the construction of a series of consecutive switching materials.

The aspects and measures described in this description and claims of the application and / or shown in the drawings of this application can, where possible, also be applied separately from each other. Those individual aspects may be the subject of split-off patent applications directed thereto. This applies in particular to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the subclaims.

30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Shown are: Figures 1A and 1B an isometric front view and a cross-section of a first cable according to the invention; Figures 2A and 2B are an isometric front view and a cross-section of a second cable according to the invention; figures 3A-C show an isometric front view, a cross-section and a top view of a third cable according to the invention; figures 4A and 4B are an isometric front view and a cross-section of a fourth cable according to the invention; Figures 5A-5D areometric front views of a first connector according to the invention, shown for connection to the fourth flat cable according to figures 4A and 4B, with some parts successively taken from the connector; Figure 6 is an isometric front view of a second connector according to the invention, which is a variant of the first connector according to figures 5A-5D; figures 7A and 7B areometric front views of a third connector according to the invention, shown for connection to the fourth flat cable according to figures 4A and 4B, wherein in figure 7B some parts of the connector have been removed; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a fourth connector according to the invention, which is a variant of the third connector according to Figures 7A and 7B; Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a fifth connector according to the invention, which is a variant of the third connector according to Figs. 7A and 7B; Figure 10 shows an isometric front view of a pair of pincers for connecting the connectors according to the preceding figures.

Figures 11A-11D show two isometric top views, a side view and an isometric rear view of a pre-assembled hollow wall box with the third connector 35 according to figure 7 to which the third flat cable according to figures 3A and 3B is connected; figures 12A-12C areometric views of a cable duct with a holder and a socket connection, both of which are provided with the first connector according to figures 5A-1C to which the fourth flat cable according to figures 4A and 4B is connected; Figure 13A is an isometric front view of a wall gutter in which an insert box with an outlet and the third connector according to figures 7A and 7B is included; 13B-13E show two isometric front views and two isometric rear views of the insert box 10 according to figure 13A, from which a number of parts have been taken successively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15

Figures 1A-4B show a first flat cable 100, a second flat cable 200, a third flat cable 300 and a fourth flat cable 400 according to various embodiments of the invention. In the detailed description of the cables 100, 200, 300, 400 below, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Figures 1A and 1B show the first flat cable 100 according to the invention. The cable 100 is provided with an outer sheath 101 of a flexible plastic, with a constant cross-section over its length L. The flat cable 100 is provided with a first electrical conductor 10, a second electrical conductor 20 and a third electrical conductor 30 which are completely surrounded by the outer sheath 101. The conductors 10, 20, 30 extend parallel to each other in the median longitudinal plane and symmetry plane or median longitudinal plane V of the flat cable 100.

The conductors 10, 20, 30 each comprise only one single solid core 11, 21, 31 with a circular cross-section. The core 11, 21, 31 is made of electrically conductive metal. The solid core 11, 21, 31 is completely surrounded by an insulating sheath 12, 22, 32 with a circular cross-section. The insulation jacket 12, 22, 32 is made of a flexible, electrically insulating plastic.

The outer sheath 101 has an octagonal outer contour or a quadrilateral outer contour around the first conductor 10, the corners of which are obliquely straight, so that the outer sheath 101 is provided on the top and bottom with a straight surface 102 parallel to the plane of symmetry V extends, a straight end face 104 and two straight inner faces 105 extending perpendicular to the plane of symmetry V, and four straight bevel faces 106 that are at 45 degrees to the plane of symmetry V.

The outer sheath 101 has a constant radial thickness around the second conductor 20 and the third conductor 30, as a result of which a circular outer contour parts 107 are formed, an imaginary circle continuation P of which touches the adjacent insulating sheath 22, 32 between the second and third conductor 20, 30 .

The outer sheath 101 is provided between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 20 with a first straight bridge portion 108 with a constant thickness, so that the outer sheath 101 is provided with two straight surfaces 109 extending parallel to the plane of symmetry V. The thickness of the straight bridge part 108 is substantially equal to the thickness of the conductors 10, 20, 30, and is smaller than the thickness of the insulating sheath 101 directly above the conductors 10, 20, 30.

The first bridge member 108 comprises a repeating pattern of continuous first holes 120 extending in the longitudinal direction L with substantially the same lengths and mutually substantially the same intermediate distances, whereby a repeating pattern of bridge member segments 122, 122a is also formed with mutually substantially the same lengths and substantially the same intermediate distances. A fixed number of several consecutive bridge part segments 122 is followed by the bridge part segment 122a which is provided with a plurality of through-going second holes 121 and thus forms a repeating pattern. The first holes 120 have a rectangular circumference and are longer in the longitudinal direction than the bridge segments 122, 122a. In this example, the first holes 122 have a width of 2.5 mm and a length of 32.5 mm, the second holes 121 have a width of 2.5 mm and a length of 5 mm. The bridge section segments 122, 122a have a length of 30 mm. The holes 120, 121 can be used to fix the cable 100 by means of pins or flat tension bands, the second holes 121 representing a practical length unit for the cable 100, for example one meter. This gives an installer a simple tool to cut the correct length of cable 100 from a supply roll. Alternatively or additionally, the cable 100 may be provided with a printed marking of a length unit, for example one meter.

The outer sheath 101 is in loose but contiguous contact with the insulating sheaths 12, 22, 32, whereby it can be stripped at one end of the cable 100 such that the conductors 10, 20, 30 remain entirely. The insulation jackets 12, 22, 32 can be stripped of this individually to release the solid conductive core 11, 21, 31.

In this example, the outer jacket 101 is made of a polyolefin combined with fire retardants. The insulation jackets 12, 22, 32 in this example are made of cross-linked polyethylene. The insulating jackets 12, 22, 32 are provided with unique colors for the optical distinction. The insulating jacket 12 of the first conductor 10 in this example is substantially yellow with green stripes or bands 13 to indicate an earth conductor. The insulating jacket 22 of the second conductor 20 is blue to indicate a neutral conductor, and the insulating jacket 32 of the third conductor is brown to indicate a phase conductor, solid cores 12, 22, 32 are made of copper in this example, and in this example have a cross-sectional area of 2.5 square 32 millimeters. The bridge part 108 here ensures a sufficient distance from the first conductor 10 used for earthing with respect to the other conductors 20, 30.

The colors, cable thicknesses and distance differences of the conductors 10, 20, 30 used in this example are typical for the use of cable 100 in single-phase 220-240 Volt low-voltage installations, such as in commercial and industrial buildings. The solid core 11, 21, 31 thereby ensures an acceptable low internal resistance of the conductors 10, 20, 30. The symmetry in the top and the bottom of the cable 100 makes it possible to safely incorporate it into a schematic shown Insulation Displacement Connector or IDC connector 500.

The IDC connector 500 is provided with a first clamping part 501 and a second clamping part 502 that can be fitted against each other in direction U, wherein the clamping parts 501, 502 are provided with a profile with parallel insertion channels on the side facing the cable 100. 20 which fit suitably to the top or bottom of the cable 100. The first clamping part 501 is thereby provided with electrically conductive cutting pins 503, 504, 505 per insertion path which, when the cable 100 is received, partially protrude through the outer sheath 101 and the insulating sheath 22 to come into electrically conductive contact with the relevant core 11, 21, 31. Due to the difference in shape of the outer sheath 101 at the location of the first conductor 10 on the one hand and the second conductor 20 or the third conductor 30 on the other hand, or by the difference in distance formed between the first bridge part 108 and the symmetry applied therewith with respect to the median longitudinal plane V, the cable 100 can only The position shown and in direction Q are inserted inversely about a width axis, with the respective insert contacts 503, 504, 35 505 coming into contact with the same conductor 10, 20, 30 in both insertion options. The differences in shape and height in the width direction of the outer sheath 101 clearly show the location of the different 33 conductors 10, 20, 30 from the outside.

Figures 2A and 2B show the second flat cable 200 according to the invention. With respect to the first cable 100 described above, the outer sheath 201 on the side of the first conductor 10 remote from the second and third conductor 20, 30 is provided with a second straight bridge part 110 which has a straight surface 111 on the top side and the bottom side. and an oval-shaped sheath portion 112 which includes a twin conductor 60 wound in metal foil 63 with an insulating sheath 62 and two parallel cores 61. The oval-shaped outer sleeve portion 112 is then constructed with two semi-circular arcs which are oppositely directed and are connected to each other by straight, parallel lines. In this example, the cores 61 of the twin conductor 60 have a diameter which can be smaller than that of the first, second and third conductor 10, 20, 30, and can each be formed as a single core or as a multiple or braided core. The twin conductor 60 can be used, for example, for electronic bus communication, for example according to the KNX protocol, with devices that may be provided with grounding and electrical energy by means of the first, second and third conductor 10, 20, 30. The clamping parts 551, 552 of the IDC connector 550 used for this purpose are provided with an additional insertion channel with pin pins 506, the electrically conductive end of which extends into the center of the cores 61 when the cable 200 is clamped.

Figures 3A-3C show the third flat cable 300 according to the invention. Compared with the first cable 100 discussed above, the third cable 300 with insulating sheath 301 is also provided with a fourth conductor 40 and a fifth conductor 50 which differs from the insulating sheath only with respect to the first conductor 10 or the second conductor 20. . In this example, the insulating sheath 42 of the fourth conductor 40 is black and the insulating sheath 52 of the fifth conductor 50 is gray. The colors and cable thicknesses used in this example are typically 34 for the use of cable 300 in three-phase 380-400 Volt low voltage installations, such as in utility construction or machine parks. The colors used in the different embodiments are in accordance with European harmonization document HD308 and the Dutch standard NEN1010.

Figures 4A and 4B show the fourth flat cable 400 according to the invention. With respect to the third cable 300, the oval-shaped outer sleeve portion 112 is added to the outer sheath 401, in which the twin conductor 60 wound in metal foil 63 is accommodated for bus communication with devices which may be via the first, second, third, fourth and fifth conductor 10, 20 , 30, 40, 50 with grounding and electrical energy.

The aforementioned shape characteristics of the outer sheath 15 are not limited to flat cables, the conductors of which have a single solid core. Similarly, the conductors may have flexible or multi-bundled or braided cores.

Figure 5A shows the fourth flat cable 400 and a first connector 600 to be connected thereto according to the invention. In Figures 5B-5D, successive parts have been taken from the connector 600. The first connector 600 is mirror-symmetrically constructed with respect to its median longitudinal plane W, which functionally divides the connector 600 into an upper connection 621 and a lower connection 622. The corresponding parts of the connections 621, 622 will be explained below with reference to the top connection 621.

The first connector 600 includes a plastic housing 623 that carries two plastic cable holders 660. As shown in Figure 5D, the housing 623 comprises a straight bottom 624 located in the longitudinal longitudinal plane W and a straight rear wall 626 directed transversely thereto, two straight side walls 625 and two front wall parts 627 connected to the side walls 625 and facing each other and which together form a rectangular outer shape of the housing 623. The front wall parts 627 are connected by means of two intermediate walls 629 extending parallel to the side walls 625 to a recessed wall 628 which extends parallel to the front wall parts 627 to define a rectangular insert frame 630. The side walls 625 are provided on either side of the housing 623 with a protruding, elongated fixing rib 633 which extends the middle longitudinal plane W.

The side walls 625 are provided with a profiled recess 640 for receiving one of the sides of the sheath 401 of the fourth flat cable 400. For this purpose, the recess 640 successively comprises a first profile parts 641 for the four circle-shaped jacket segments 107 and a second profile part 642 for the polygonal casing segment 102, 106 and the oval casing segment 112. The first profile part 641 and the second profile part 642 are separated from each other by an upright part 643 of the side wall 625 which can suitably connect to the first bridge part 108 and the immediately adjacent thereto portions of the polygonal sheath segment 102, 106 and the circular sheath segment 107. The intermediate walls 629 and the recessed wall 628 are provided with a joint profiled recess 644, the edge 645 of which, viewed in the direction of the median longitudinal plane W, is a continuation or projection of the second section part 642.

The housing 623 is provided with a total of five metal cutting contacts 650 spread over the bottom 624, the shape of which is also mirror-symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal plane W. The cutting contacts 650 comprise a base 652 which is fixed in a thickened by circumferential thickening 653 has a limited passage in the bottom 624, and on both sides of the longitudinal median plane W two upright knives 651 which define a straight insertion slot 654. The knives 651 extend transversely to the median longitudinal plane W viewed as far as the upper edge of the housing 623, where the insertion slot 654 has a widened receiving end.

As shown in Figs. 5A-5C, the cable holder 660 comprises a cable insertion part 661 which is arranged but movably movable in direction C transversely of the longitudinal median plane W within the walls 625, 626, 627, 628, 629 of the housing 623. Therefore, a recess 668 is also defined in the insert 661 which coincides with the inside of the insert frame 630 of the housing 623.

The cable insertion part 661 is provided on the side remote from the housing 623 with, in turn, a hinge half 666, four first straight channel-shaped profile parts 663 that are complementary to the four round casing segments 107, a straight channel-shaped second profile part 664 that is complementary to the polygonal sheath segment 102, 106 and a third profile portion 665 that is complementary to the oval sheath segment 112 of the fourth cable 400. Furthermore, straight top surfaces 682, 683 are provided for fitting abutment against the first bridge portion 108 and second bridge portion 110, respectively. 663, 664, 665, feed-through slots 674 are provided which coincide with the cutting contacts 650, with the insertion slots 654 on either side of the longitudinal longitudinal plane W being located in the middle of the four first profile parts 641 and the second profile part 642, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 5B, the cable insertion part 661 is provided on the side facing the housing 623 at two diagonally opposite angular points with a hook-shaped upholder 667, the end 669 of which in the shown intermediate position of the connector 600 is supported on an inwardly directed first cam 631 on the front wall part 627. The cable insert part 661 is furthermore provided on the hinge half side 666 with two permanent closing lugs 670, and on the opposite side 30 of two closing lips 671 with a first recess 672 in which a second cam 632 directed inwards at the front wall portion 627.

The cable holder 660 further comprises a closing valve 662 which, in the position shown, projects substantially above the housing 623. The closing valve 662 is in figures 5A and 5B in the position in which it can easily be opened again. The closing valve 662 is successively provided on the side facing the insertion part 661 with a hinge half (not further shown) that is clicked on to the hinge half 666 of the insertion part 661, four straight channel-shaped first profile parts 676 that are complementary to the four round casing segments 107, a straight channel-shaped second profile part 677 that is complementary to the polygonal sheath segment 102, 106 and a channel-shaped third profile part 678 that is complementary to the oval sheath segment 112 of the fourth cable 400. The access to the third profile part 678 is on closed on both sides by means of a breakable cap 686. Furthermore, straight top surfaces 684, 685 are provided for fitting abutment against the first bridge part 108 and second bridge part 110, respectively. The closing valve 662 is provided with jacket pickers (not further shown) protruding from the center of the profile parts 676, 677, 678 for the partially elastic depression only the outer sheath 401 without permanently damaging it.

As shown in Fig. 5B, on the side opposite to the hinge half, the closing valve 662 is provided with closing hooks 679 extending alongside the closing lips 671, which hooks can temporarily engage behind an edge of the insert part 661 (not further shown). In the closing valve 662 there is a insertion opening 680 extending into the closing hooks 679, into which, for example, a screwdriver can be inserted to temporarily release the closing hooks 679 by means of local elastic deformation of the area adjacent to the closing hooks 679. As a continuation of the closing lips 671, two second recesses 673 are provided in the corner edges. On the outside, the closing valve 662 is provided with stiffening ribs 675 which define a lowered tongue engagement surface 681 in the middle.

Figure 5A schematically shows a block-shaped branch connector 90 in addition to the connector 600. The branch connector 90 comprises two clamp halves 91 with an internal profile 92 complementary to the oval 38 sheath segment 112 of the fourth cable 400, and two further not shown pin pins whose electrically conductive end are electrically connected to branch cables 93. The branch connector 90 can be placed in the 630 5 deployment frame.

When connecting two fourth flat cables 400 to the connector 600 as a first application, the caps 686 are broken out, the closing valves 662 swiveled open in direction B and the cables 400 fit from the outside into the profiles 663, 664, 665 of the insert 661 laid. Due to the different profile shapes, this is only possible in the position shown and in a position rotated through 180 degrees about its axis of width of the cable. The cables 400 now extend parallel to each other and on the median longitudinal plane V through the connector 600. The closing valves 662 are then closed in direction D and kept temporarily closed by the closing hooks 679. The installer can now, for example, slide the connector 600 along the cables 400 to fix the correct position and the interrelation in the work. Subsequently, a tool, for example the tong 1200 discussed below and shown in Figure 10, is placed on the opposite tang engagement surfaces 681 and squeezed. The cable holders 660 sink into the housing 623 in direction C, with the up holders 667 moving past the first cams 631 of the housing 623, and the second cams 632 coming out of the closing tabs 671 and falling into the second recesses 673 and the permanent closing cams 670 fall behind an edge not further shown. The cutting contacts 650 hereby protrude through the outer sheath 401 and the respective insulating sheath 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and enclose the respective core 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 of the conductors 10, 20, 30, 40 on both sides. 50. As a result, electrical connections are formed only between the conductors 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 which are situated opposite to each other and above each other with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry W. Due to the shape of the second cams 632, the second recess 673 and the permanent locking cams 670, the cable holder 660 can only be moved back by 39 forcing or destroying. The connector 600 will thereby be irreparably destroyed and can then no longer be reused.

After the connector 600 has been connected, the oval sleeve portion extends freely within the rectangular insert frame 630. In the insertion frame 630, the branch connector 90 can suitably be placed to effect a partial branch or a coupling if this is required at the location of the connector 600.

Due to the difference in shape of the outer sheath 401 at the location of the first conductor 10 on the one hand and the second, third, fourth and fifth conductor 20, 30, 40, 50 on the other hand, or by the difference in distance formed by means of the first intermediate bridge 108 the first conductor 10 and 15, the second conductor 20, and the symmetry applied therewith with respect to the median longitudinal plane V, the fourth cable 400 can only be laid inverted in the position shown and in direction Q about a width axis, wherein in both insertion options the relevant cutting contacts 50 come into contact with the same conductor 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. The shape differences and height differences in the width direction of the outer jacket 401 clearly show the location of the different conductors 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 from the outside. The first connector 600 is also suitable for connection to the third cable 300, whereby the breakable caps 686 can then remain in place.

Figure 6 shows the second connector 650 according to the invention, which is a variant of the first connector 600. The second connector 650 is adapted for electrically connecting two first cables 100 or two second cables 200. To this end, the cable holders 660 of the cable insertion part 661 two first straight channel-shaped profile parts 663 complementary to the two round casing segments 107, a straight channel-shaped second profile part 664 complementary to the polygonal casing segment 102, 106 and a third profile part 665 complementary to the oval casing segment 40 112 of the fourth cable 400. Similarly, the closing valve 662 comprises two straight channel-shaped first profile parts 676 that are complementary to the two round casing segments 107, a straight channel-shaped second profile part 677 that is complementary to the polygonal casing segment 102, 106 and a channel-shaped third profile part 678 complementary to the oval sheath segment 112 of the fourth cable 400. The access to the third profile part 678 is closed on both sides by means of the break-out cap 686.

Figures 7A and 7B show the third connector 700 according to the invention, for connection to the fourth flat cable 400. The third connector 700 comprises a bottom connection 622 for flat cables 400 extending in direction E, such as those located at the first connector 600 from the center longitudinal plane W, and a top connection 721 deviating therefrom, which is discussed in detail below.

The top connection 721 comprises a plastic cover 722 with an upper wall 723 in which four first insertion channels 724 with equal spacing and one second insertion channel 725 further away therefrom are formed on two opposite sides. The insertion channels 724, 725 merge into, internally cylindrical tunnel walls 726 protruding partly above the main surface of the top wall 723 which form a passage to the interior of the top connection 721. The tunnel walls 726 are provided at the top with an index surface 72 on which a type designation of the connection can be applied. The tunnel walls 726 are mutually staggered in the respective passage directions F1-F5 to create some lateral space and finger space. An elevated center portion 727 is formed between the tun walls 726 under which metal locking springs 755 are mounted as shown without the cover 722 in Figure 7B. The lid 722 is provided on the upper side with stiffening ribs 775 which define a lowered tongue engagement surface 781 in the middle. The cover 722 is provided on one longitudinal side and on the opposite longitudinal side 41 with two or one engaging opening 728, respectively. The cover 722 is provided on either side with a protruding, elongated mounting rib 733 extending parallel to the plane W. The cover is provided on the longitudinal sides at the location of the ends with a total of four short fastening ribs 730.

As shown in Figure 7B, the top connection 721 is furthermore provided with a plastic liner 760 with three mounting lips 761 hooking onto the engagement openings 728 to permanently couple the liner 760 with the lid 722. The liner 7 60 is provided with tunnel bottom profiles 763 which extend straight beneath tunnel walls 72 to form an internally cylindrical plug-in channel extending in the direction of passage F1-F5. The tunnel bottom profiles 763 are each continued in a strip-shaped metal conductor segment 754 which via a converted shorter conductor segment 753 merges into the cutting contact 650 as discussed above. The locking springs 755 are provided with barbs 756 which are directed obliquely inwards and are prestressed against the long conductor segment 754.

The third connector 700 can be connected with the bottom terminal 622 to the fourth flat cable 400 as discussed above. The breakable caps 686 must then be broken out. The cores 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 of the fourth flat cable 400 thereby come into electrical contact with only one of the long conductor segments 754. A single conductor 80 with a single solid core 81 and a plastic sheath 82 can be placed thereon. connected by stripping the core 81 at the end of the conductor 80 by stripping it, placing it in one of the insertion channels 724, 725 and under the associated tunnel wall 726 by moving in direction F1-F5 parallel to the straight plane and parallel to the by pushing the longitudinal direction E of the flat cable 400 until the core 81 lies on the long conductor segments 754, the barb 756 pressing the core 81 on the long conductor segment 754 and 42 moving it back into the core 81 by forming a notch blocks. For example, one or two electrical taps can be provided per conductor 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 of the fourth flat cable 400. The single conductors 5 are the same or comparable with the conductors 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 of the flat cable 400. The third connector 600 is also suitable for connection to the third cable 300, whereby the breakable caps 686 can then remain seated .

Figure 8 shows a fourth connector 750 according to the invention, which is a first variant of the third connector 700. The fourth connector 750 is adapted to make electrical taps from the first cable 100 or the second cable 200. To this end, the fourth connector comprises connector 750 the bottom connection 622 as present at the second connector 650, two first insertion channels 724 and a second insertion channel 725 with parallel passage directions F1-F3.

Figure 9 shows a fifth connector 790 according to the invention, which is a second variant of the third connector 700. The fifth connector can be connected to the fourth flat cable 400 with the bottom terminal 622 as discussed above. The breakable caps 686 must thereby be broken out. The fifth connector 790 comprises a top connection 791 which in this example is provided with two plug connections 792 on the lid 722. The plug connection 792 comprises three plug-in sockets 793. The plug connection 792 is adapted for connecting and disconnecting an electric branch line 95. The branch line 95 comprises a three-core flexible electricity cable 96 with at the end a plug 97 which is provided with three insertion bushes 98. The insertion bushes 793, 98 of the plug connection 792 and the branch line 95 have circumferential profiles with complementary shapes, so that the plug 97 only has one can be inserted in the direction of F6 into the plug connection 792. The plug 97 and the plug connection 792 are adapted for multiple connection and disconnection 43 of the plug 97 and the plug connection 7 92. The plug 97 and the plugs 7 93 of the plug connections 7 92 are known per se under the name Wieland ST18 / 3S.

It will be clear that the connecting parts of each of the different connectors 600, 650, 700, 750, 790 can in principle be adapted to connect to each of the different flat cables 100, 200, 300, 400.

Figure 10 shows a pair of pliers 1200 with which the connectors 600, 650, 700, 750, 790 can be squeezed to be connected to the cables 100, 200, 300, 400. The pliers 1200 has an upper jaw part 1201, a lower jaw part 1202, two handles 1204, 1205 and a transfer mechanism 1203 adapted for parallel translation of the upper jaw part 1201 with respect to the lower jaw part 1202 in direction S. The jaw parts 1201, 1202 are both provided with a straight pinch plate 1206 and a narrower back 1207. The backs 1207 are provided with a pre-chamfer 1208 on the insertion side and with a side chamfer 1209 along either side.

Figures 11A-11D show an application of the third connector 700. Figures 11B and 11C show a plastic cavity wall box 800 comprising a circumferential wall 802 provided with a peripheral edge 804 and two bottom parts 802a, 802b bounding two recesses 803a, 803b which partially merge into one another . The peripheral edge 804 forms an installation edge for the construction of switching material, in this example two sockets 820. The hollow wall box 800 is therefore a composite or multiple hollow wall box. On either side 30 of the two installation spaces 803a, 803b, the circumferential wall 802 is provided with pull bands 805 known per se with anchoring plates 806 which can only be pulled up in the G direction by hand. The hollow wall box 800 is suitable for being built into a hollow wall, for example a plasterboard wall, wherein the hollow wall box 800 is inserted into an equally shaped hole in the plasterboard. The peripheral edge 804 thereby comes against the front surface 44 of the plasterboard, after which after the pulling on the tension bands 805 in direction G the anchoring plates 806 come against the rear surface to fix the position of the hollow wall box 800.

As shown in Figure 11B, the hollow-wall box 800 comprises on the bottom side on either side an elevated wall 808a, 808b that is parallel to and higher than the bottom wall 802a, 802b to which it borders, and a bridge wall 807 that is higher than the raised wall. walls 808a, 808b. The bridge wall 807 extends into the center of the hollow wall box 800. The bridge wall 807, the raised walls 808a, 808b and the bottom walls 802a, 802b define a passage opening 809a, 809b in the center of each recess. The third connector 700 is secured under the bridge wall 807 such that the first insertion channels 724 and the second insertion channel 725 are visible and accessible from both sides of the third connector 700 through the passage openings 809a, 809b from the top.

Figures 11C shows the position of the third connector 700 in side view. Figure 11D isometrically shows the space in which the third connector 700 is included. It can be seen here that the hollow wall box 800 is provided on the underside with two first retaining walls 810 and two second retaining walls 811 that are positioned directly opposite each other. The retaining walls 810, 811 are each provided with two longitudinal holes 812 into which the four short mounting ribs 730 of the third connector 700 protrude. The long fixing ribs 733 are thereby located in a lowered edge 817 in the bottom walls 802a, 802b.

The hollow wall box 800 is provided on the underside with stiffening walls 816 in which the guide of the draw bands 805 is formed and which are adjacent to the retaining walls 810, 811. The lower closure 622 of the third connector 700 protrudes above the stiffening walls 816 in the open condition. The bridge wall 807 is concave on the underside facing the third connector 700 and thus forms a through-pass channel 818 accessible from the side of the hollow wall box that extends above and over the lowered tongue engagement surface 781. The insertion channel 818 extends at the location of the transition between the respective built-in spaces 803a, 803b, i.e. where the peripheral wall 802 determines a narrowing of the hollow wall box 800. The plug-in channel 818 terminates on the outside of the hollow wall box 800 in the peripheral wall 820. The plug-in channel 818 extends parallel to the installation surface defined by the peripheral edge 804, transversely of the longitudinal direction of the cable 300.

The insertion channel 818 and the jaw parts 1201, 1202 of the pincers 1200 have a similar cross-section transversely to the insertion direction T, whereby the jaw part 1201 can only be inserted into the insertion channel 818 in an orientation in which the opposite jaw part 1202 is directly above it. freely extending thong gripping surface 681 comes out.

The second retaining walls 811 are provided at the end 20 with an L-shaped adapter 813 which is also provided with two longitudinal holes 812. The adapter 813 is connected to the second retaining wall 811 by means of a film hinge 814, and at the opposite end there is a supplemental part 814 formed. The adapter 813 can be folded down in the direction H 25 to come parallel to and spaced apart from the second retaining wall 811, the supplemental part abutting against the raised wall 808a, 808b to form a copy of a portion thereof. The adapter 813 thus makes it possible to also accommodate the smaller, fourth connector 750 in the hollow wall box 800.

As shown in Figure 11A, two socket outlets 820 can be secured to the hollow wall box 800, in this example so-called "Schuko" outlets. The sockets are connected with conductors 80 with single core 81 as shown in Figure 7A to the top terminal 721 of the third connector 700. The hollow wall box 800 with the third connector 700 and the already 46 connected and pre-assembled sockets 820 form one pre-assembled unit in which the work, for example, the third flat cable 300 can be connected as shown in Figure 11A. Hereby, the third flat cable 300 is placed in the connector 300 and the connector 700 is closed as shown in Fig. 11C, whereafter the pincer 1200 with the upper jaw part 1201 is inserted in direction T through the plug-in channel 818 to connect to the plug-in channel 818 781 from the third connector 700. The lower jaw part 1202 which engages on the outside of the tongue engagement surface 681 can then move outside of the tongue engagement surface 681 in direction S unhindered until the cable holder 660 of the connector 700 has been brought into the permanent closed position. After squeezing the third connector 700, the third flat cable 300 has the end position which is shown in Figure 11C with broken lines. The third flat cable 300 is then located between and within the stiffening walls 816. In this manner, several hollow wall boxes 800 can be connected to the same cable 300.

Figures 12A-12C show applications of the first connector 600 and the third connector 700, related to a cable duct 900 and a wire duct 930. The metal cable duct 900 shown comprises a bottom wall 901 and two side walls 902 thereof, which are provided with an inwards directed beaded edge 903 and a series of mounting holes 904. The metal wire trough 930 comprises a bottom 931 and two side walls 932 formed with flanged transverse wires or bars 933 to which parallel extending bottom wires 934 and side wires 935, 936 are secured.

Figure 12A shows two plastic connector holders 910 in which the first connector 600 is secured. The connector holders 910 include a base 911 that fits between the bottom wall 901 and the bead 903, the base 911 having a plurality of holes 912 that can coincide with the mounting holes 904 of the cable duct 900 to be secured thereto by means of a further not shown rivets, a center piece 913 that can extend over bead edge 903, two spaced apart supports 914 that are then upright above bead edge 903, and two transverse mounting jaws 915 which are provided with a crosswise facing side insertion slot 916 for receiving the elongated mounting ribs 633 of the first connector 600 in the direction J. The connector holders 910 can likewise be fixed on the wire duct 930 shown. To this end, the base 911 comprises a central hook 917 to be placed over the middle side wire 935 and three openings 918 in a row in the sides and above the central hook 917 to receive the upper side wire 936.

Figure 12A shows two mounting positions of the connector holder 910 with respect to the cable duct 900. In the first position shown, the base 911 is fixed against the inside of the side wall 902, whereby the connector is viewed directly above and in vertical projection within the cable duct 900 is held with the longitudinal median plane V parallel to the surface of the bottom wall 901. This position makes it possible to lift a flat cable, for example the third flat cable 300, straight up out of the cable duct 900 and connect it to the bottom connection 622. By means of the top connection 621 a branch can be made with the same flat cable which is also held straight above the cable duct 900. This position is well-arranged and offers the possibility of providing the flat cable with a clearly visible mark, for example a sticker with an indication of the electricity group to which the cable belongs.

Figures 12B and 12C show two plastic cable boxes 950 in which the third connector 700 is secured. The junction boxes 950 comprise the base 911 and the center piece 913 as described above, and a rectangular housing 951 connected to the center piece 913. The housing 951 comprises a straight bottom wall 954 and four straight side walls 952 which are provided with mounting sleeves 953 in 48 corners The cable boxes 950 are provided at the front with a lid 955 known per se with a socket, in this example a double "Schuko" socket. The cover 955 is provided at its 5 corner points with quarter-turn closures 956 with which the cover 955 is fixed on the housing 951. The cable boxes 950 are provided at the rear with a box-shaped connector holder 957 protruding from the bottom wall 954 of the rectangular box 951. The connector holder 957 is hollow from the inside, the inner space passing through an opening in the bottom wall 954 into the interior of the housing 951. The connector holder 957 is closed on the top side remote from the base 911 with a removable cover 958 which is secured by a flexible coupling 959 also remains connected to the connector holder 957 in the removed condition. The connector holder 957 is provided on the underside facing the base 911 with a recess 960 in which the third connector 700 is accommodated.

The third connector 700 is secured by means of its four short mounting ribs 730 that are snapped into longitudinal holes not further shown. The third connector 700 thereby protrudes freely underneath the connector holder 957 with its bottom closure 622, the closing valve 662 being able to pivot open in direction B in the direction of the base 21111 to receive the third flat cable 300. The tang engagement 781 protrudes above the top edge 961 of the opened connector holder 957. The sockets of the cover 955 are connected to conductors 80 with single core 81 as shown in Fig. 7A with top terminal 721 of the third connector 300. The cable box 950 to the third connector 700 and the cover 955, the sockets of which are already connected, form one pre-assembled assembly that can be fixed in work to the cable duct 900 and can be connected to the third flat cable 300 in the cable duct 900 by the third flat cable 300 in the third connector 300, squeezing the third connector 300 with the pair of pincers 1200, 49 with the lower jaw member 1202 engaging the outside of the tongue engagement surface 681 outside the tongue engagement surface 681 moving unobstructedly in direction S until the cable holder 660 of the connector 700 has been brought to the permanent closed position. Finally, the removable cover 958 is replaced. In this way, multiple cable boxes 950 can be connected to the flat cable 300.

Figures 13A-13E show an application of the third connector 700. Figure 13A shows a metal wall gutter 940 known per se for mounting against a wall not further shown. The wall gutter 940 comprises an elongated bottom wall 941, two side walls 942 directed transversely thereto and two front walls 943 directed towards each other, which keep an elongated installation opening 946 free. The front walls 943 are provided on the side of the installation opening 946 with a U-profile 944 with an insertion slot 945 accessible from the front. The installation opening 946 can be covered with a channel cover 947 which is provided with a flanged edge 948 at the ends which are clamped in the insertion slots 945.

In the wall duct 940 a plastic wall duct box 1000 is fixed, which is further shown in figures 13D-13E. The wall gutter box 1000 comprises a first elongated rectangular housing 1001 with an elongated bottom wall 1006, two elongated side walls 1002, a left side wall 1003 and a right side wall 1004. The elongated side walls 1002 are provided with a stop wall 1008 at the front with a bendable insert flap 1009 is formed which is inserted into the insertion slot 945, and on either side thereof barbs 1007 are formed which thereby engage behind the U-profiles 944. On the inside of the elongated side walls 1002, bushes 1005 provided with internal screw thread are formed with which in this example two aforementioned "Schuko" sockets 820 are fixed to the housing 1001. The sockets 820 are finished with attachments 821 and a joint frame 822. In In this position, the 50 wall duct box 1000 can be shifted in direction K to be placed in the desired position in the work. Likewise, the trough cover 947 can be shifted in direction N parallel thereto to form a contiguous whole.

The wall gutter box 1000 comprises a second elongated housing 1010 which is connected to the right-hand side wall 1004 such that the interior of the second housing 1010 passes through a passage opening 1011 into the interior of the first housing 1001. The second housing comprises two elongated side walls 1114, a right side wall 1115, a left front wall part 1116 and a right front wall part 1117. The left front wall part 1116 is provided with a rectangular mounting opening 1118. The left front wall part 1116 and the right front wall part 1117 together keep a rectangular engagement opening 1119 free. As shown in Figures 13D and 13E, the second housing 1010 is open at the rear. The elongated side wall parts 1114 are each provided with two sliding guides 1111 and between them two barbs 1112 which keep an insert frame 1120 locked in such a way that it can slide guided within the second housing 1010 only in direction M parallel to the sliding direction K of the entire wall gutter box 1000 The third connector 700 is secured in the insert frame 1120 by means of the short mounting ribs 730 which are inserted into further elongated holes 812 of the insert frame 1120. The bottom connection 622 of the third connector 300 is thus accessible from the rear, and in the middle position of the insert frame 1120, the top connection 721 is located before the mounting opening 1118 and the engagement opening 1119 as shown.

The sockets 820 are connected with single core conductors 80 as shown in Fig. 7A to the top terminal 721 of the third connector 700. The wall duct 1000 with the third connector and the already connected and pre-assembled sockets 820 form one pre-assembled unit on which in the work for example, the third flat cable 300 can be connected which has already been placed in 51 the wall duct 94 and extends along its length. The third flat cable 300 is herein locally lifted out of the wall duct 940 to be connected by means of the clamping tongs 1200 to the third connector 700. The lower jaw part 1202 which engages on the outside of the tang engaging surface 681 can move outside the tang engaging surface 681 unhindered in the direction S move until the cable holder 660 of the connector 700 is brought into the permanent closing position. After the third connector 700 has been squeezed, it can no longer move with respect to the third flat cable 300. The tangent engagement surface 681 and the imaginary extension thereof transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cable 300 still project freely above the pinched position. edges of the insert frame 1120. In order to nevertheless get some play when inserting the wall gutter box 1000 into the wall gutter 940, the first housing 1001 can still be shifted in direction K relative to the fixed third connector 700 by means of the sliding insert frame 1120. In addition to ease of installation during insertion, it is therefore also possible to set the wall duct 1000 in direction K to the desired end position. In this way a plurality of wall gutter boxes 1000 can be connected to the flat cable 300.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation, many variations will be evident to those skilled in the art that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (30)

1. Cable comprising an outer sheath and immediately next to each other considered a first conductor, a second and a third conductor extending within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, the conductors each being constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, wherein the outer contour of the outer sheath at the location of the conductors at a location of the conductors is higher in a cross-section than the length of the cable than between the conductors on the outside of the outer sheath to indicate the location of the conductors visually and perceptibly, wherein the conductors extend in an imaginary common straight plane 15 which defines a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, the intermediate distance between the first and the second conductor being greater than the intermediate distance between the second and the third conductor. 2. Cable according to claim 1, wherein viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the first conductor, the shape of the outer contour differs from the shape of the outer contour above the second and / or third conductor. Cable comprising an outer sheath and immediately next to each other considered a first, a second 2. and a third conductor which extend within the outer sheath substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, the conductors each being constructed with a insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is accommodated, the outer contour of the outer sheath at the location of the conductors viewed in a cross-section transversely of the length of the cable being higher than between the conductors at the on the outside of the outer casing, to visually and perceptibly indicate the location of the conductors, the conductors extending in an imaginary common straight plane defining a plane of symmetry for the outer contour, the shape of the transducer viewed transversely of the plane of symmetry outer contour differs from the shape of the outer contour above the second and / or third conductor. The cable of claim 3, wherein the spacing between the first and the second conductor is greater than the spacing between the second and the third conductor. 5. Cable as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising within the outer casing next to the third conductor immediately considered successively next to each other a fourth conductor and a fifth conductor extending within the outer casing substantially parallel to each other and at substantially fixed mutual distances, wherein the conductors are each constructed with an insulating sheath of electrically insulating material in which only one single solid core of electrically conductive material is received, the outer contour of the outer casing at the location of the conductors being higher than between the conductors on the outside of the outer casing to indicate visually and palpably the location of the conductors, the conductors extending in the imaginary straight plane that determines the plane of symmetry for the outer contour. 6. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer sheath completely completely encloses the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor in the circumferential direction. Cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry, above the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor, the outer contour is uniform. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the second conductor, the third conductor, and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor, the outer contour comprises a circular contour part. 9. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry above the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor, the outer sheath has a constant radial thickness with respect to the center of the conductor in question. . A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer contour around the first conductor has a polygonal shape, preferably a quadrilateral or octagonal shape. 11. Cable as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer contour around the first conductor has a rectangular shape with straight bevels at the corners. 12. Cable as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer contour between the first and second conductor comprises a first straight contour part which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 13. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in the width direction of the cable, the outer jacket between the first conductor and the second conductor comprises a straight first bridge part, the outer contour of which extends parallel to and at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 14. Cable as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first bridge part, viewed in the width direction of the cable, merges at the ends with the widening of the outer jacket situated around the first and second conductor 35. A cable according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein the first bridge member comprises interruptions to provide a series of first holes distributed over the length of the cable and substantially uniformly shaped, which first divides the first bridge member into bridge member segments. A cable according to claim 15, wherein the 5 consecutive first longitudinal holes and / or the consecutive bridge section segments have substantially equal mutual distances. A cable according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first longitudinal holes are longer than the bridge segments. A cable according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein according to a repeating pattern a number of the bridge section segments are provided with one or more second holes which are shorter than the first holes in the longitudinal direction of the cable. 19. Cable as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer sheath is in adjacent but loose contact with the insulating sheath of the conductors, wherein the insulating sheaths of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor have different colors or color codes. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating sheath and the solid core both have a circular contour in the cross-section. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor and preferably of the fourth conductor and the fifth conductor is of copper or a copper alloy with a cross-section of a surface of preferably 2 , 5 square 30 millimeters. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of weak current conductors within the outer sheath which extend on the opposite side of the first conductor 35 from the second and third conductor, wherein the outer contour of the outer sheath at the location of the conductors is higher than between the conductors for visually and noticeably indicating the location of the conductors on the outside of the outer casing, the conductors extending in the imaginary straight plane that determines the plane of symmetry for the outer contour. 23. Cable as claimed in claim 22, wherein the outer contour around the weak-current conductors comprises two opposite circular contour parts which extend through the plane of symmetry and which merge into straight contour parts extending parallel to and at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 24. A cable according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the outer contour between the first conductor and the low-current conductors comprises a second straight contour part which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry. 25. A cable according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein, viewed in the width direction of the cable, the outer sheath between the first conductor and the low-current conductors comprises a straight second bridge part, the outer contour of which extends parallel and at a distance from the plane of symmetry. A cable according to claims 13 and 25, wherein viewed in the width direction of the cable the second bridge part is shorter than the first bridge part. A cable according to claim 13 or 25, wherein viewed transversely to the plane of symmetry, the first straight bridge part and / or the second straight bridge part has a thickness that is substantially equal to the thickness of a solid core of the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor, the fourth conductor or the fifth conductor. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer sheath is made from a flexible plastic, preferably from a polyolefin combined with fire retardants. A cable according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating sheath is made of plastic, preferably cross-linked polyethylene. 30. Cable provided with one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and / or shown in the attached drawings. -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- FG / HZ