NZ553768A - Cable connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical cable connection device (1) is disclosed. The device has a body (2) with a cavity (9) separated into upper (13) and lower (14) tunnels by a partition (10) formed of an electrically conductive material. A first cable is received in the upper tunnel, and a second cable is received in the lower tunnel. A fastener extends through an aperture (21) in the upper wall (3) and forces the first cable towards the lower wall. The partition (10) is displaced towards the lower wall (4) upon application of a predetermined force by the fastener, resulting in the first and second cables being clamped between the fastener and the lower wall, with the partition providing an electrical connection. The displacement of the partition may be enabled by the use of frangible nodes (17, 18) received in opposing slots (15, 16) in the side walls (5, 6). The partition may also include piercing teeth (19) for penetrating insulation of the first cable. The device is typically used for connecting an electrical power distribution house service cable to a consumer power cable.

Description

10053480129* ;6 ;55 ;8 ;Intellectual property office of n.z. ;1 2 MAR 2007 ;RECEIVED ;PATENTS FORM 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 ;OurRef: 798815NZ Dated: 9 March 2007 ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;Cable connection device ;We, Cable Accessories (Australia) Pty. Ltd., an Australian company, ACN 002 184 616, of 26 Derby Street, Silverwater, New South Wales, 2128, Australia, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;1 ;0013E(708868_1):IRG ;la ;CABLE CONNECTION DEVICE ;Field of the Invention ;The present invention relates to the field of cable connection devices, and particularly relates to, but is not limited to, a cable connection device for connecting an electrical power distribution house service cable to a consumer power cable. ;Background of the Invention ;Overhead electrical distribution mains house service cables provide mains electrical power from overhead power cables running along a street to individual consumer buildings. These service cables are typically formed of single insulated XLPE aluminum conductors of various sizes, but typically between 16 and 35 mm m cross sectional area for electrical distribution authorities in Australia. This service cable is connected to a consumer or house side cable, typically at or adjacent the roof edge of the house or other building to which electricity is to be supplied. The consumer cable is typically either a single or double insulated stranded copper conductor of up to 25 mm in cross sectional area, and most typically from 6 to 16 mm2. ;A current form of cable connection device for forming the connection between the service cable and the consumer cable, typically referred to as a house service connector, is in the form of a conductive aluminum block having a single tunnel extending therethrough, forming a cable entry point at each end of the tunnel. One end of the tunnel is specifically configured to receive the aluminum service cable, bearing a series of teeth in the tunnel wall for piercing the insulation of the insulated service cable. The opposing end of the tunnel has a smooth wall to accept the end of a stranded consumer cable that has been stripped of its insulation. Shear head bolts extend through the aluminum block into each opposing end of the tunnel so as to directly contact the cable located in each end of the tunnel. ;At the service cable end, as the shear head bolt is tightened, the leading end of the shear head bolt drives the insulator cable into the insulation piercing teeth so as to make the required electrical connection, and further tends to tear out the insulation so as to provide some electrical connection between the aluminum conductor and the shear held bolt itself. At the consumer cable end, the shear head bolt bears against the bare stranded copper conductor, providing a pressure based electrical connection between the copper ;(707356J):PRW ;conductor, the aluminum block and the shear head bolt. The heads of the shear head bolts shear off when the predetermined required torque, and resultant pressure application, is achieved. ;These types of house service connectors suffer various problems that has resulted in an unacceptable level of connection failure. One problem is that the connector only provides a single electrical contact point for each cable, whereas multiple contact points are preferred to ensure the integrity of the electrical connection. The connector also provides no ability to confirm the quality of the electrical connection. Other problems include poor water sealing capability of the house service connector, and potential corrosion resulting from water ingress and contact between dissimilar metals in the connection. ;Object of the Invention ;It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above problems. ;Summary of the Invention ;The present invention provides an electrical cable connection device comprising: a body having an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls separating said upper wall and said lower wall, said upper, lower and side walls each longitudinally extending between opposing open first and second ends of said body and defining a cavity extending between said first and second ends; ;a partition formed of an electrically conductive material and mounted in said cavity; detent means adapted to retain said partition in a first position spaced from said upper wall and said lower wall so as to divide said cavity into a first tunnel for receipt of a first cable and a second tunnel for receipt of a second cable, said detent means being configured to allow displacement of said partition towards said lower wall upon application of a predetermined force; and a fastener extending through said upper wall and being displaceable through said first tunnel toward said partition. ;Typically, said detent means comprises a pair of opposing slots longitudinally extending along each of said side walls and a pair of frangible nodes longitudinally extending along opposing sides of said partition and engaging said slots, said frangible nodes being frangible upon application of said predetermined force. ;(707356_1):PRW ;Typically, said fastener is a shearhead fastener. ;In one form, said partition is provided with piercing means for piercing cable insulation. ;Typically, said piercing means is provided on an upper face of said partition. ;Typically said piercing means comprises a plurality of piercing teeth. ;In a preferred form, said body lower wall is provided with at least one longitudinally extending recess for receipt of the second cable. ;Typically, said electrical cable connection device is provided with two said partitions and two said fasteners, a first said partition being located toward said first body first end and a second said partition being located toward said body second end, each of said fasteners being disposed above a respective one of said partitions. ;The cable connection device may further comprise a housing within which said body is received, said housing comprising: ;a first cable entry port communicating with said upper tunnel for receipt of the first electrical cable; ;a second cable entry port communicating with said lower tunnel for receipt of the second electrical cable; and a fastener entry port for receipt of said fastener. ;Typically, said housing further comprises a first window for viewing said first tunnel; and a second window for viewing said second tunnel. ;The housing may be formed of a waterproofing material, typically silicone rubber. ;Brief Description of the Drawings ;Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: ;Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical cable connection device. ;Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 with the partition thereof in a first position. ;Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view of detail of Figure 2. ;Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 with the partition thereof displaced from the first position. ;Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view of detail of Figure 4. ;(707356_1):PRW ;Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 including a water proof housing. ;Figure 7 is an end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 6. ;Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cable connection device of Figure 6. ;Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternate electrical cable connection device. ;Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 9 including an alternate waterproof housing. ;Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cable connection device of Figure 9. ;Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments ;Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a cable connection device 1 has a body 2 in the shape of a rectangular prism with an upper wall 3, lower wall 4 and a pair of opposing side walls 5, 6 that separate the upper wall 3 and lower wall 4. Each of the upper, lower and side walls 3,4, 5, 6 longitudinally extends between opposing first and second ends 7, 8 of the body 2. The walls 3,4, 5, 6 also define a cavity 9 that extends between the first and second ends 7, 8. Both the first and second ends 7, 8 are open, communicating with the cavity 9. The body 2 is here 40 mm long, 40 mm high and 22 mm wide. The cavity 9 is 28 mm high and 14 mm wide. The body 2 is extruded from aluminum and tin-plated. ;A first partition 10 is mounted in the cavity 9 toward the first end 7. The first partition 10 is formed of an electrically conductive material, here aluminum, so as to form an electrical connection between electrical cables engaging opposing upper and lower faces 11,12 of the first partition 10 as will be discussed below. The first partition 10 is retained in a first position spaced from the upper wall 3 and lower wall 4 so as to divide the cavity into longitudinally extending first and second tunnels 13,14. ;The first partition 10 is retained in the first position by way of a detent means, here in the form of a pair of opposing slots 15,16 that extend along the opposing side walls 5, 6 of the body 2 and a pair of frangible nodes 17,18 that longitudinally extend along the opposing sides of the first partition 10 and engage the slots 15, 16. The frangible nodes 17,18 and slots 15,16 thus retain the first partition 10 in a position that enables the first and second electrical cables 100,101 (as depicted in Figure 2) to be readily inserted into the first and second tunnels 13,14 respectively. ;The frangible nodes 17, 18 are configured such that they are frangible upon application of a predetermined force to the partition 10, as specifically depicted in Figures 4 and 5. With the frangible nodes 17,18 breaking from the remainder of the partition 10, ;(707356J ):PRW ;5 ;the first partition 10 is free to be pushed further toward the lower wall 4. Rather than arranging the frangible nodes 17,18 on the first partition 10, it is envisaged that the frangible nodes could be formed on the opposing side walls 5, 6 of the body 2, with corresponding recesses provided in each opposing side of the first partition 10. ;5 The first partition 10 is also provided with piercing means for piercing cable insulation, here in the form of a plurality of piercing teeth 19 formed on the upper surface of the first partition 10. ;An identical second partition 20 (not separately depicted) is mounted in the cavity 9 toward the second end 8, again with opposing frangible nodes engaged in the same slots 10 15,16. ;The upper wall 3 of the body 2 is provided with first and second fastener apertures 21, 22 located directly above the first and second partitions 10,20 respectively. First and second threaded fasteners 23,24 (omitted from Figure 1 for clarity purposes) are received in the first and second fastener apertures 21, 22 respectively, as depicted in Figure 2. The 15 first and second fasteners 23, 24 protrude into the first tunnel 13 and are each displaceable by threadingly driving the fastener 23,24 through the first tunnel 13 toward the first and second partitions 10,20 respectively. The first and second fasteners 23,24 are typically shearhead fasteners, the heads of which are configured to shear off upon application of a predetermined torque. ;20 The lower wall 4 of the body 2 is provided with three shallow longitudinally extending recesses 25 for receiving the second cable 101. ;Referring to Figures 6 to 8, the cable connection device 1 may further comprise a housing 30 within which the body 2 is received. The housing 30 includes a first cable entry port 31 located at the first end 7 of the body 2 and communicating with the upper 25 tunnel 13. The first cable entry port 31 is sized so as to receive a first electrical cable 100. A second cable entry port 32 is located at the second end 8 of the body 2 and communicates with the lower tunnel 14. The second cable entry port 2 is sized to receive a second electrical cable 101. Whilst the first and second cable entry ports 31, 32 are located at opposing ends of the housing, it is envisaged that both cable ports might be 30 located at the same end, so as to both communicate with the respective tunnel 13,14 at the same end of the body 2. ;A first cable viewing window 33 is provided in the housing 30 at the end of the first tunnel 13 opposing the first cable entry port 31. The first tunnel 13 can thus be viewed through the first cable viewing window 33 along its length toward the first cable entry ;(707356_1):PRW ;6 ;port 31. Similarly, a second cable viewing window 34 is provided in the housing 30 at an end of the second tunnel 14 opposing the second cable entry port 32. The second tunnel 14 can be viewed along its length toward the second cable entry port 32 through the second cable viewing port 34. The housing is also provided with first and second fastener 5 entry ports 35, 36 for receiving the first and second fasteners 23,24. The housing 30 will typically be formed of a waterproofing material, which may be silicone rubber that is over-molded onto the body 2. Each of the cable entry and fastener entry ports 31, 32, 35, 36 is sized to provide a water resistant seal between the housing 30 and the relevant cable/fastener. ;10 In use, a first cable 100, typically an insulated service cable, is inserted through the first cable entry port 31 into the first tunnel 13. A second electrical cable 101, typically in the form of a stranded consumer cable that has been stripped of its insulation, is inserted through the second cable entry port 32 into the second tunnel 14. The first and second fasteners 23,24 are then threadingly driven into the first tunnel 13, engaging with the 15 upper surface of the insulator of the first cable 100. The first and second fasteners 23,24 will gradually compress the first cable 100 between the fastener and the piercing teeth 19 of the first and second partitions 10,20 respectively. The piercing teeth 19 will pierce the insulation 102 of the first cable 100, allowing contact with the metallic core 103 of the first cable 100. Similarly, the insulation 102 will be torn by the ends of the fasteners 23, 20 24, providing electrical connection between the typically aluminum shaft of the first and second fasteners 23,24 and the metallic core 103 of the first cable 100. ;Simultaneously, the compressive force conveyed by the first and second fasteners 23,24, transmitted through the first cable 100 and piercing teeth 19 of the partitions 10, 20 will impose a force on the frangible nodes 18,19. Once this force reaches a 25 predetermined force, the frangible nodes 18,19 will break from the body 2 of the first and second partitions 10,20, thereby allowing the first and second partitions 10,20 to be displaced towards the lower wall 4, into contact with the second cable 101, as depicted in Figure 4. The second electrical cable 101 is thus compressed between the lower face 12 of the first and second partitions 10, 20 and the lower wall 4. Electrical connection is thus 30 established between the first and second cables 100,101 via the first and second partitions 10,20. An additional electrical connection is also established via the fasteners 23, 24 and the body 2. The integrity of the electrical connection can be readily visually assessed by viewing the connection through the first and second cable viewing windows 33,34. ;(707356_1):PRW ;7 ;The first and second fasteners 23, 24 are driven until a predetermined torque is reached at which the heads of the fasteners shear off. This results in a predetermined known compressive force being applied between the fasteners 23, 24, first cable 100, first and second partitions 10,20, second cable 101 and lower wall 4. Electrical connections 5 can thus be readily made in a known and consistent manner. ;Referring to Figures 9 to 11, an alternate cable connection device 1' is depicted which is identical to the cable connection device depicted in Figures 1 to 8, apart from the location of the cable viewing windows. Accordingly, the features of the cable connection device 1' of Figures 9 to 11 that are identical to the features of the cable connection 10 device 1 of Figures 1 to 8 are provided with like reference numerals. ;In the cable connection device 1' of Figures 9 to 11, the first cable viewing window 33' is provided on the side wall of the housing 30 toward the end of the first tunnel 13 opposing the first cable entry port 31. To enable viewing of the first tunnel 13, a first opening 26 is provided in the side wall 6 of the body 2 immediately underlying the first 15 window 33'. Similarly, a second cable viewing window 34' is provided in the side wall of the housing 30 toward the end of the second tunnel 14 opposing the second cable entry port 32. A second opening 27 in the side wall 6 of the body 2 directly underlying the second cable viewing window 34' allows viewing of the second tunnel 14 through the second cable viewing window 34'. The integrity of the electrical connection of both first 20 and second cables 100,101 can be readily visually assessed by viewing the connections through the first and second cable viewing windows 33', 34' from one side of the cable connection device 1'. If desired, one or other of the cable viewing windows could be located on the end of the cable connection device, as per the arrangement of Figures 1 to 8 with the other cable viewing window located on the side of the cable connection device. 25 Whilst the upper, lower and side walls 3,4, 5,6, and upper and lower tunnels 13,14 ;have been described with specific orientations, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the described connection device may be used at any orientation. ;(707356_1):PRW *

Claims (13)

8 I/WE CLAIM:

1. An electrical cable connection device comprising: a body having an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls separating said upper wall and said lower wall, said top, bottom and side walls each longitudinally extending between opposing open first and second ends of said body and defining a cavity extending between said first and second ends; a partition formed of an electrically conductive material and mounted in said cavity; detent means adapted to retain said partition in a first position spaced from said upper wall and said lower wall so as to divide said cavity into a first tunnel for receipt of a first cable and a second tunnel for receipt of a second cable, said detent means being configured to allow displacement of said partition towards said lower wall upon application of a predetermined force; and a fastener extending through said upper wall and being displaceable through said first tunnel toward said partition.

2. The cable connection device of claim 1 wherein said detent means comprises a pair of opposing slots longitudinally extending along each of said side walls and a pair of frangible nodes longitudinally extending along opposing sides of said partition and engaging said slots, said frangible nodes being frangible upon application of said predetermined force.

3. The cable connection device of either of claims 1 and 2 wherein said fastener is a shearhead fastener.

4. The cable connection device of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said partition is provided with piercing means for piercing cable insulation.

5. The cable connection device of claim 4 wherein said piercing means is provided on an upper face of said partition.

6. The cable connection device of either of claims 4 and 5 wherein said piercing means comprises a plurality of piercing teeth. (707356_1):PRW

7. The cable connection device of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said body lower wall is provided with at least one longitudinally extending recess for receipt of the second cable.

8. The cable connection device of any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said electrical cable connection device is provided with two said partitions and two said fasteners, a first said partition being located toward said first body first end and a second said partition being located toward said body second end, each of said fasteners being disposed above a respective one of said partitions.

9. The cable connection device of any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a housing within which said body is received, said housing comprising: a first cable entry port communicating with said upper tunnel for receipt of the first electrical cable; a second cable entry port communicating with said lower tunnel for receipt of the second electrical cable; and a fastener entry port for receipt of said fastener.

10. The cable connection device of claim 9 further comprising: a first window for viewing said first tunnel; and a second window for viewing said second tunnel.

11. The cable connection device of either of claims 9 and 10 wherein said housing is formed of a waterproofing material.

12. The cable connection device of claim 11 wherein said waterproofing material is silicone rubber. (707356_1):PRW 10

13. An electrical cable connection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 or Figures 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. Cable Accessories (Australia) Pty. Ltd. By the Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON (707356_1):PRW