NZ744166A - An electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

electrical connector for connecting to one or more conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable, and one or more contacts, each of the one or more contacts movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat, wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection. ble seat, wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an electrical connector. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to electrical cables and power sockets. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional electrical connections to cables with multiple conductors commonly require two steps. The first step is to cut and strip away the outer sheath insulation of a cable and then strip the insulation from the individual wires contained within the cable to expose the electrical conductors and make the wires ready for connection to an electrical connector. This is commonly achieved in the field using hand tools such as cutters and wire strippers. The second step is attaching the exposed conductor of the wires to a connector by twisting them and then screwing them down with a clamp to form the connection.

The use of tools like cutters for stripping cable and screw drivers for connecting and securing the conductor to a connector is time consuming especially when multiple connections are required. As well, forming an electrical connection requires skills and often a qualified electrician to handle live conductors and wires.

These problems have been addressed in US5464352. The described in US5464352 has a hinged clamp which when closed applies a direct force on uninsulated wires into wire guide channels and slotted blade conductors to make a connection. The connector however does not accommodate a cored cable. The outer core insulation of the cable must still be stripped and the individual wires manually placed into the wire guide channels. The disadvantage is that several pre steps are required before the connector can be used.

The problems are also addressed in , which describes the use of a cam to push the cable onto piercing connector elements. However, this device requires a tool to operate the cam so that sufficient force is applied to make the connection.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with electrical connectors and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an electrical connector for connecting to one or more conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; and one or more contacts, each of the one or more contacts is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat, wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more contacts and the one or more conductors.

A portion of each of the one or more contacts preferably has a sharp point to pierce the cable.

The one or more contacts are preferably located within the main body or a second body portion. Preferably when each of the one or more contacts contact a separate and different conductor in the cable they conductively engage with said conductor.

The electrical connector preferably includes a cover. The cover is preferably locatable over at least part of the cable seat. The cover is preferably movable from an open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the cover is preferably secured to the main body. In the open position, the cover is preferably removable from the main body. Movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position preferably causes movement of each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position.

The cover is preferably movable from the open position to the closed position in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable seat. The longitudinal axis of the cable seat preferably extends in a direction substantially parallel to the cable when it is located in the cable seat. The cover preferably slides relative to the main body between the open position and the closed position. In another embodiment, the cover can rotate from the open position to the closed position.

Preferably the cover is securable to the main body when the cover is in the closed position. In one embodiment, there is a snap style lock arrangement between the main body and the cover to secure the cover in the closed position. The electrical connector preferably includes a locking mechanism that prevents the cover from moving from the closed position to the open position. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism can be opened using a tool.

The cover preferably includes a securing portion that secures the cable in the cable seat when the cover is in the closed position. In the closed position, the securing portion preferably presses the cable into the cable seat creating a friction fit.

The cover preferably includes one or more protrusions that operatively move the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position. In one embodiment, each of the one or more protrusions is engageable with a corresponding lever member and each lever member engages with a corresponding one of the one or more contacts.

Each lever member is preferably pivotably attached relative to the main body. Each of the one or more protrusions is preferably slideably engageable with a corresponding lever member. Each of the one or more contacts is preferably pivotably attached relative to the main body. Each lever member is preferably slideably and or pivotably engaged with a corresponding one of the one or more contacts.

One of the main body or the cover preferably includes one or more slide rails to guide the cover from the open position to the closed position. The one or more slide rails preferably secure the cover to the main body in the closed position.

The electrical connector preferably includes a stationary contact. The stationary contact preferably extends into the cable seat. The stationary contact preferably pierces the cable and conductively engages with a corresponding conductor in the cable as the cable is located within the cable seat. Alternatively, or additionally the stationary contact pierces the cable and conductively engages with a corresponding conductor in the cable as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position. The stationary contact preferably conductively engages with an earth conductor in the cable as the cable is located within the cable seat or as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position.

The cable is preferably a flat 3 core power cable. In an alternate embodiment, the cable is a flat 2 core power cable.

The electrical connector includes preferably an electrical outlet. The electrical outlet is preferably electrically connected to each of the one or more contacts when each the one or more contacts is in the second position. Each of the one or more contacts preferably engages a corresponding conductive connector of the electrical outlet when each the one or more contacts is in the second position. Each of the one or more contacts is preferably disengaged from a corresponding conductive connector of the electrical outlet when each the one or more contacts is in the first position. In an alternate embodiment, each of the at least contact is electrically connected to a corresponding conductive connector of the electrical outlet in the first position and the second position.

In one embodiment, the electrical connector includes an electrical connection.

Preferably the electrical connection is adapted to connect the electrical connector to electrical devices. Preferably the electrical connection is an electrical cable. The electrical cable is preferably electrically connected to the one or more contacts.

In one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a cable adapter to secure the cable in the cable seat.

In one embodiment, each of the one or more contacts is at least partially located within the cover and moves with the cover between the first and second positions. In this embodiment, the cover preferably hingedly moves between the open and closed positions.

The one or more contacts is preferably two contacts. Preferably the two contacts are a first contact and a second contact. The first contact preferably pierces the cable and conductively engages with an active conductor in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position. The second contact preferably pierces the cable and conductively engages with a neutral conductor in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an electrical connector for connecting to three conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; a first contact movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a second contact movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a stationary contact located partially within the cable seat, the stationary contact adapted to pierce the cable and contact a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as the cable is located in the cable seat, wherein in use, the first contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as it moves from the first position to the second position, the second contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as it moves from the first position to the second position, and the stationary contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as the cable is located in the cable seat, to form electrical connections between the first contact, the second contact, the stationary contact and the corresponding conductors of the three conductors.

The first position of the first contact is different to the first position of the second contact, and that the second position of the first contact is different to the second position of the second contact. The first position can be referred to as a retracted or disengaged position and the second position can be referred to as an extended or engaged position.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of connecting an electrical connector as described in this specification to one or more conductors in a cable, including the steps of locating the cable in the cable seat; moving each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position such that each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different one of the one or more conductors in the cable to form an electrical connection between the one or more contacts and the one or more conductors.

Preferably the step of moving each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position includes moving the cover from the open position to the closed position which causes movement of each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position.

Preferably the step of moving the cover includes moving the cover in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable seat.

Preferably the step of moving the cover includes sliding the cover relative to the main body.

Preferably the method further includes the step of securing the cover to the main body in the closed position.

Preferably the method further includes the step of securing the cable in the cable seat. Preferably the step of securing the cable in the cable seat includes pressing the cable into the cable seat with the cover.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical connector according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a partial front view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a bottom view of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 10 is an exploded view of an electrical connector according to a second preferred embodiment: Figure 11 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to a third preferred embodiment; Figure 12 is a partial view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a partial view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a partial view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a partial view of the socket portion of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 16 is a partial view of the socket portion of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 17 is a view of the cover of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 18 is a view of the cover of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 19 is a partially assembled view of the electrical connector of Figure Figure 20 is a partial view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 21 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; Figure 22 is a partial view of the electrical connector of Figure 11; and Figure 23 is a sectioned view of the electrical connector of Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figure 1, there is shown an electrical connector 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector 100 has a bracket 102 configured for housing a plurality of wire contacting means (not shown), a locking plate 104 configured to attach onto the face of the bracket 102 to securely enclose the wire contact means, a cover 106 slideably attachable onto the locking plate 104 for effecting electrical connection through the wire contacting means, and a plug base 108 attachable to the rear side of the bracket 102. The cover 106 includes guiding pins 107 that by sliding link into contacts 110.

The rapid tool-less electrical connection device may further include a one way stopper 130 which terminates electrical cable in the rapid tool-less electrical connection device.

Figure 2 which shows an exploded view of the electrical connector 100. As seen, the electrical connector 100 with the plug base 108 includes a bracket 102 configured to suitably mount a plurality of wire contacting means, namely a pair of contacts 110, a live/active wire contact pin 112, a neutral wire contact pin 114, and an earth wire contact pin 116 which also has a piercing fang. Further, each of the pair of contacts 110 are electrically connected or coupled to the live/active wire contact pin 112, a neutral wire contact pin 114. The wire contacting means are housed inside for establishing connection when the electrical connector 100 is in the operative condition. Though the embodiment herein would be described to provide a 3-pin solution for various electrical loads or appliances. It should be understood that the invention could be suitably customized to provide 1, 2, 4 or 5 pin solutions or more as required.

The electrical connector 100 locking plate 104 is configured to attach onto the face of the bracket 102 to securely enclose the contacts 110, 112, 114 and 116. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that any suitable engagement means may be used to attach the locking plate 104 onto the face of the bracket 102, such as screws or snap fit means which may be used alone, or screws may be used with the snap-fit means to connect the locking plate 104 onto the face of the bracket 102.

The locking plate 104 includes a pair of male guides 118 for enabling the cover 106 to slide thereon thus providing leverage that effects a secure electrical connection, a pair of slits 120 corresponding to each of the contacts 110, and a cable guide 122 through which an electrical cable may be passed from one end to the other end or the electrical cable may be inserted from one end and restricted from exiting the other end using the one way stopper 130.

The electrical connector 100 further includes a cover 106 slideably attachable to the locking plate 104 for establishing an electrical connection by providing leveraged force to the piercing fangs as the cover 106 begins to slide into position as guided by male guides 118. The cover 106 essentially includes a pair of female guides (not shown in Figure 2) that enables the cover 106 to slide onto the locking plate 104 in conjunction with the pair of male guides 118. The top lid guiding pins 107 slot into grooves of the contacts 110 so as to guide the contacts 110 to a closed position as the cover 106 is moved by sliding to a closed, locked position. This operation of this aspect is described in more detail with reference to Figure 3 below.

There is shown a plug base 108 attached to the rear side of the bracket 102.

The plug base 108 comprises a plurality of socket apertures 109 for receiving plug pins of an electrical load. According to the embodiment, a 3 pin socket apertures is shown on the plug base 108 to receive plug pins. Other socket aperture arrangements may be provided (not shown) to receive plug pins of different plugs from various countries as per their standards.

Referring to Figures 3-7 that illustrates sectional views of the rapid tool-less electrical connection device during an operative condition. Considering the electrical connector 100 being in closed condition prior to use. The user needs to slide open the cover 106 disengaging it from the locking plate 104 of the electrical connector 100. Thereafter, as seen in Figure 4-6, the electrical cable 140 preferably of 1.5 mm or 2.5mm but without any limitation is inserted from one end of the cable guide 122 which is restricted to come out from the other end using a one way stopper 130. But, it would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the continuous electrical cable 140 may be passed through the cable guide 122 from one end and made to leave the other end of the guide 122 with stopper 130 not required.

After the electrical cable 140 is passed through the cable guide 122 or aligned with the guide 122 depending on whether the electrical cable is ongoing or terminated, the user taps the cable 140 into the guide 122. In Figure 3 the bracket 102 is shown with contacts 110, 112, 114 and 116 therein. In this view contacts 110 can be seen along with copper to copper connection points 112a/114a between contacts 110 and 112/114 respectively. Earth wire contact pin 116 and piercing fang 116a can also be seen isolated from any other wire contacting means. In Figure 4 electrical cable has been placed in the guide 122 and the rapid tool-less electrical connection device is prepared for mounting the cover 106 (not shown). Figures 3 and 4 show pivot points 111 (by virtue of pivot pins 111) which allow contacts 110 to rotate towards the electrical cable. The sectional view in Figure 4 also shows top lid guiding pins 107 in their initial position in the case where the cover 106 has been initially engaged with bracket 102.

Referring to Figure 5, in order to establish electrical connection the cover 106 is engaged by sliding onto the locking plate 104. In this sectional view one of the pivot pins 111 of the locking plate 104 can be seen locked into receiving hole 110c of the contact 110. Also in this view one of the guiding pins 107 can be seen slotting into the starting position of the groove 110b of the contact 110. As the user begins to engage by sliding the cover 106 with the locking plate 104, the male guides 118 and corresponding female guides of the top lid (not shown) are configured so the cover 106 provides a leveraged force onto the electrical cable thus pushing it firmly into the guide 122.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, as the user continues to slide the cover 106 along the locking plate 104 the guide pins 107 actuate the contacts 110 to pivot around pin 111 thus moving the contact tips 110a inwards through the pair of slits 120 to pierce the live/active wire ‘A’ and the neutral wire ‘C’ of the electrical wire 140 from the sides. Stationary contact 116a pierces the ground ‘B’ of electrical cable 140 and establishes ground connection as seen in Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 3-9, in use, the current can then flow from the electrical wire 140 via contact tips 110a to the live/active wire contact pin 112 and the neutral wire contact pin 114 respectively as they are internally coupled to the contacts 110 through copper connection points 112a and 114a respectively. These current carrying wire contact pins 112, 114, 116, as seen, protrude downward from the bracket 102 into the base plug 108 and terminate into the socket apertures 109 forming a power outlet as seen in Figure 5, so any electrical load or electrical appliances plugged into the socket or plug apertures 109 can received power from the cable 140. Though according to the embodiment, any 10 Amp electrical appliances can easily be plugged onto the socket and operated, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the design could be customized for other loads requirements as it greatly depends on the mains supply, wiring specification etc.

According to another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the electrical connection device of the present invention may not have a plug base 108 attached to the bracket 102 for receiving plug pins of other plugs, instead the electrical connector 100 may have an electrical extension such as a cable to act as mains and connect to any electrical loads or home appliances.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector of the present invention may be circular in shape. Referring to Figure 10, the electrical connector 200 comprises a bottom bracket 202, locking plate 204, wire contacting means 210 and a twisting circular lid 206. In this embodiment twisting the circular lid 206 causes the contacting means 210 to pierce a cable (not shown) to create an electrical connection.

With reference to Figures 11-23 there is shown an electrical connector 300 according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector 300 has a main body 310 having a cable seat 312 for locating a cable 140. The electrical connector 300 has a first contact 314 movable between a first position (as seen in Figure 20) and a second position (as best seen in Figure 13) and a second contact 316 movable between a first position (as seen in Figure 20) and a second position (as best seen in Figure 13).

The electrical connector 300 has a cover 320. The cover 320 is attachable to the main body 310 and movable between an open position (as seen in Figure 19) and a closed position (as seen in Figure 11). In the open position, the cover 320 is removable from the main body 310. In the closed position, the cover 320 is secured to the main body 310 by sliding rails 322,324 and corresponding locking lips 326,328. The sliding rails 322,324 and corresponding locking lips 326,328 also guide the cover 320 as it moves from the open position to the closed position.

The cover 320 has projections 330,332. The projections 330,332 slidingly engage with lever members 334,336. The lever members 334,336 are pivotably attached to the main body 310 via pivot points 338,340. Movement of the cover 320 and hence movement of the projections 330,332 causes movement of the lever members 334,336. The lever members 334,336 slidingly engage contacts 314,316.

Movement of the lever members 334,336 causes movement of the contacts 314,316.

As can be seen, movement of the cover 320 from the open position to the closed position causes movement of the contacts 314,316 from the first position to the second position.

Contacts 314,316 are pivotably attached to the main body 310 by screws 342,344. In the closed position, contacts 314,316 abut contact pins 350,352.

Contact pins 350,352 are part of an electrical outlet 360. The electrical outlet is part of the main body 310.

The electrical connector 300 also has a stationary contact 354 Which is partially located within the cable seat 312. The stationary contact 354 is also part of the electrical outlet 360.

The stationary contact 354 is adapted to pierce into the cable 140 and contact an earth conductor B. The cover 320 has a securing portion 370, which, when the cover 320 is in the closed position, biases the cable 140 in the cable seat 312 and pushes the cable onto stationary contact 354 so that the stationary contact 354 contacts the earth conductor B. The securing portion 370 also secures the cable 140 in the cable seat 312 by creating a friction fit between the cable 140 and the cable seat 312.

First contact 314 is adapted to pierce into the cable 140 and contact an active conductor C. Second contact 316 is adapted to pierce into the cable 140 and contact a neutral conductor A.

The main body 310 has snap lock means 380,382 that secure the cover 320 in the closed position. Additionally, the electrical connector has fastener apertures 390,392 in the main body 310 and fastener apertures 394,396 in the cover 320 so that the cover 320 can be secured to the main body 310 in the closed position by fasteners (not shown).

In use, a cable 140 is located in the cable seat 312. Pushing the cable 140 down into the cable seat 312 can get the stationary contact 354 to partially pierce the cable 140.

After the cable 140 has been located in the cable seat 312, the cover 320 is placed onto the main body 310. The cover 320 is moved from the open position to the closed position. As the cover 320 moves from the open position to the closed position, projections 330,332 cause lever members 334,336 to move, causing contacts 314,316 to move from the first position to the second position.

As the contacts 314,316 move from the first position to the second position, the contacts 314,316 pierce the cable 140. The first contact 314 pierces the cable 140 and contacts the active conductor C. The second contact 316 pierces the cable 140 and contacts the neutral conductor A. As the contacts 314,316 move from the first position to the second position, they also abut contact pins 350,352 of the electrical outlet 360, creating an electrical connection between the cable 140 and the electrical outlet 360.

As the cover 320 moves from the open position to the closed position, the securing portion 370 pushes the cable 140 into the cable seat 312. As the cable 140 is pushed into the cable seat 312, the stationary contact pierces the cable and contacts the earth conductor B.

In another embodiment (not shown) the electrical connector further includes an electrical cable which is electrically connected to the connectors 314,316 and the stationary connector 354. The electrical cable connects the electrical connector 300 to an electrical device (not shown), allowing the electrical device to be connected via the electrical connector 300 to the cable 140.

ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the electrical connector includes creating electrical connections without the use of specialised tools. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the electrical connector includes no requirement to touch or handle live wires of a cable. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the electrical connector includes securing the cable within the electrical connector.

VARIATIONS While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (19)

1. An electrical connector for connecting to one or more conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including 5 a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; one or more contacts, each of the one or more contacts movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a cover locatable over at least part of the cable seat, the cover movable from an open position to a closed position in a direction substantially parallel to a 10 longitudinal axis of the cable seat; wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more 15 contacts and the one or more conductors.

2. An electrical connector for connecting to one or more conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; 20 one or more contacts, each of the one or more contacts movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a cover locatable over at least part of the cable seat, the cover movable from an open position to a closed position; wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and 25 contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more contacts and the one or more conductors, and wherein the cover includes one or more protrusions that operatively move the one or more contacts from the first 30 position to the second position as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position causes movement of each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position. 5

4. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover is movable from the open position to the closed position in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable seat.

5. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the 10 cover includes a securing portion that secures the cable in the cable seat when the cover is in the closed position.

6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the cover includes one or more protrusions that operatively move the one or more contacts 15 from the first position to the second position as the cover moves from the open position to the closed position.

7. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6 or claim 2, wherein each of the one or more protrusions is engageable with a corresponding lever member and each 20 lever member engages with a corresponding one of the one or more contacts, such that when the cover moves from the open position to the closed position, each of the one or more protrusions moves the corresponding lever member which in turn moves the corresponding one of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position.

8. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more contacts is two contacts

9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover is rotatable 30 from the open position to the closed position.

10. A method of connecting an electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 to one or more conductors in a cable, including the steps of locating the cable in the cable seat; moving each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position such that each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the cable to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more contacts and the one or 5 more conductors.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of moving each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position includes moving the cover from an open position to a closed position which causes movement of each of 10 the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein step of moving the cover includes sliding the cover relative to the main body. 15

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, further including the step of securing the cover to the main body in the closed position.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 further including the step of securing the cable in the cable seat.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of securing the cable in the cable seat includes pressing the cable into the cable seat with the cover.

16. An electrical connector for connecting to three conductors in a cable, the 25 electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; a first contact movable between a first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a second contact movable between a first position and a second position 30 relative to the cable seat; and a stationary contact located partially within the cable seat, the stationary contact adapted to pierce the cable and contact a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as the cable is located in the cable seat, wherein in use, the first contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as it moves from the first position to the second position, the second contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as it moves 5 from the first position to the second position, and the stationary contact pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the three conductors in the cable as the cable is located in the cable seat, to form electrical connections between the first contact, the second contact, the stationary contact and the corresponding conductors of the three conductors.

17. An electrical connector for connecting to one or more conductors in a cable, the electrical connector including a main body having a cable seat for locating the cable; one or more contacts, each of the one or more contacts movable between a 15 first position and a second position relative to the cable seat; and a cover locatable over at least part of the cable seat, the cover movable from an open position to a closed position; wherein in use, each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the 20 cable as each of the one or more contacts moves from the first position to the second position to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more contacts and the one or more conductors, and wherein each of the one or more contacts is at least partially located within the cover and moves with the cover between the first and second positions, and wherein the electrical connector further 25 includes an electrical cable electrically connected to the one or more contacts in both the first position and the second position.

18. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cover hingedly moves between the open and closed positions.

19. A method of connecting an electrical connector as claimed in claim 17 to one or more conductors in a cable, including the steps of locating the cable in the cable seat; moving each of the one or more contacts from the first position to the second position such that each of the one or more contacts pierces the cable and contacts a separate and different conductor of the one or more conductors in the cable to form an electrical connection between each of the one or more contacts and the one or 5 more conductors.