US20100227483A1 - Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp - Google Patents
Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100227483A1 US20100227483A1 US12/397,161 US39716109A US2010227483A1 US 20100227483 A1 US20100227483 A1 US 20100227483A1 US 39716109 A US39716109 A US 39716109A US 2010227483 A1 US2010227483 A1 US 2010227483A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ground
- armored cable
- ground wire
- armored
- clamp
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/58—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
- H01R4/64—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
- H01R4/643—Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail for rigid cylindrical bodies
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
- H01R4/36—Conductive members located under tip of screw
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
- H01R4/38—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut
- H01R4/46—Clamping area between two screws placed side by side
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/30—Installations of cables or lines on walls, floors or ceilings
- H02G3/32—Installations of cables or lines on walls, floors or ceilings using mounting clamps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/5313—Means to assemble electrical device
- Y10T29/532—Conductor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to electrical grounding and bonding, and more particularly to a ground fitting for easily grounding or bonding a ground wire carried in spiral metal sheathing (e.g., an armored cable) at a midpoint along the length of the sheathed cable.
- spiral metal sheathing e.g., an armored cable
- ground wires frequently require protection from damage.
- the ground wire is generally a heavy gauge wire, for example eight gauge, six gauge, or four gauge, and may be stranded or solid, and is generally uninsulated.
- a common method for protecting a ground wire is to carry the ground wire in a spiral metal sheathing (e.g., armored cable), thereby creating an armored ground wire.
- a spiral metal sheathing e.g., armored cable
- ground wire it is often necessary to connect the ground wire to a ground member (or ground point) such as a water pipe or ground rod, positioned at a point along the length of the armored cable (i.e., not at an end).
- a ground member such as a water pipe or ground rod
- the spiral metal sheathing may frustrate or complicate attempts to electrically connect to the ground wire.
- the protective metal sheathing must be cut to expose the ground wire. The sheathing on one side of the cut must be removed and the ground wire threaded through a ground fitting attached to the ground member. Then, the sheathing must be replaced over the ground wire. This can be a difficult task, especially if a long length of sheathing has been removed.
- a need remains for a ground fitting (or clamp) and method of use which simplifies connecting a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, to a ground point along a length of sheathed ground wire.
- the ground fitting must further secure the ends of the metal sheathing sufficiently to meet code requirements.
- the present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a ground fitting (or clamp) which allows simplified electrical connection between a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, and a ground point such as a water pipe or ground rod.
- the metal sheathing is cut and separated and a short length of ground wire is exposed.
- the ground wire is inserted laterally into a wire clamp portion of the ground fitting, and opposing ends of the metal sheathing carrying the ground wire are inserted longitudinally under clamping plates on opposite sides of the ground fitting.
- a ground screw is tightened against the ground wire to hold the ground wire in the ground fitting and plate screws securing the clamping plates are tightened to secure the sheathing under the clamping plates.
- a midpoint ground fitting includes an armored ground wire grasping portion and a ground point grasping portion.
- the armored ground wire grasping portion includes a first armored cable entry, a first armored cable clamp, a second armored cable entry opposite the first armored cable entry, a second armored cable clamp, a ground cable passage, a ground cable mouth, and a ground wire screw.
- the first armored cable clamp comprises a first clamp seat facing a first clamping plate for sandwiching a first armored cable end inserted into the first armored cable entry.
- the first clamp seat and the first clamping plate include interior concave dished portions including interior ridges for engaging an exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the first armored cables end in the first armored cable entry.
- the second armored cable clamp comprises a second clamp seat facing a second clamping plate for sandwiching a second armored cable end inserted into the second armored cable entry.
- the second clamp seat and the second clamping plate including interior concave dished portions including interior ridges for engaging the exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the second armored cable end in the second armored cable entry.
- the ground wire passage between the first armored cable entry and the second armored cable entry provides for passage of the ground wire through the sheathed ground wire grasping portion.
- the ground wire mouth opens into the ground wire passage for allowing lateral inserting of the ground wire into the ground wire passage.
- the ground wire screw intersects the ground wire passage between the armored cable entries and is approximately perpendicular to the ground wire passage to intersect and thereby clamp the ground wire in the sheathed ground wire grasping portion.
- the ground point grasping portion is electrically connected to the cable grasping portion and is adapted to electrically connect to a ground point.
- a method for adding a midpoint ground point connection to an armored ground wire includes cutting through a metal armored cable sheath surrounding a ground wire to form a first armored cable end and an opposing second armored cable end without any substantial cutting into the ground cable, separating the two armored cable ends to expose a short length of the ground wire, laterally inserting the exposed ground wire through a ground cable mouth of a ground fitting into a ground cable passage through the ground fitting, tightening a ground wire clamp to grip the ground wire in place in the ground wire passage, inserting the opposing armored cable ends into armored cable entries at opposite ends of the ground fitting and into armored cable clamps, tightening the armored cable clamps to grip the armored cable ends and connecting the ground fitting to a ground point.
- Tightening a ground wire clamp may comprise tightening a ground wire screw against the ground wire, wherein the ground wire screw is approximately centered on the ground wire passage and advances against the ground wire in a direction approximately perpendicular to the ground cable passage.
- Tightening the armored cable clamps may comprise tightening clamping plates to sandwich the armored cable ends between concave dished portions of the clamping plates and clamp seats and intersecting at least one ridge on the concave dish portions with exterior spiral surfaces of each of the armored cable ends to retain the armored cable ends in the armored cable entries.
- ridges are provided on both the clamping plate and clamp seat to further secure the ends of the metal sheathing sufficiently to meet code requirements.
- FIG. 1 is an armored ground wire suitable for use with the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is a side view of a ground fitting according to the present invention connecting a sheathed ground wire to a ground point.
- FIG. 2B is an end view of the ground fitting according to the present invention connecting the sheathed ground wire to the ground point.
- FIG. 2C is a top view of the ground fitting according to the present invention connecting the sheathed ground wire to the ground point.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2C of the ground fitting according to the present invention with the sheathed ground wire held in a cable grasping member, of the ground fitting, according to the present invention.
- FIG. 4A is a side view of the ground fitting alone.
- FIG. 4B is an end view of the ground fitting alone.
- FIG. 4C is a top view of the ground fitting alone.
- FIG. 5A is a side view of the cable grasping member according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5B is an end view of the cable grasping member according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5C is a top view of the second clamp half according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6A is a top view of a clamping plate according to the present invention for holding the sheathing.
- FIG. 6B is a side view of the clamping plate according to the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping plate according to the present invention taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 6A .
- FIG. 1 An armored (or sheathed) ground wire 30 suitable for use with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the armored ground wire 30 is generally protected by an armored cable 32 formed from a metal spiral allowing flexing while protecting the ground wire 34 inside the armored cable 32 .
- an armored cable 32 formed from a metal spiral allowing flexing while protecting the ground wire 34 inside the armored cable 32 .
- making a midpoint ground using known fittings requires the armored cable 32 be cut to expose an armored cable end 32 a and the ground wire 34 .
- the armored cable 32 on one side of the cut must be removed and the ground wire 34 threaded through a ground fitting attached to the ground member. Then, the armored cable 32 must be replaced over the ground wire 34 . This can be a difficult task, especially if a long length of armored cable 32 has been removed.
- FIG. 2A A side view of a ground fitting 10 (see FIG. 4A-4C ) according to the present invention connecting an armored ground wire 30 to a ground point 16 is shown in FIG. 2A
- FIG. 2B an end view of the ground fitting 10 connecting the armored ground wire to the ground point is shown in FIG. 2B
- FIG. 2C a top view of the ground fitting 10 connecting the armored ground wire to the ground point is shown in FIG. 2C
- FIG. 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2C of the ground fitting according to the present invention with the sheathed ground wire held in a cable grasping member, of the ground fitting is shown in FIG. 3 .
- the ground wire 34 resides in a ground wire passage 36 (see FIG.
- a ground wire screw 18 is advanced against the ground wire 34 to grip the ground wire 34 .
- the ground wire screw 18 is preferably approximately centered in the armored ground wire grasping portion 12 and approximately perpendicular to the ground wire passage 36 .
- the armored cable 32 is cut to expose a portion of the ground wire 34 which is laterally inserted into the ground wire passage 36 through the mouth 40 .
- the armored cable ends 32 a are inserted into armored cable entries 21 and sandwiched in an armored cable clamp formed between clamp seats 23 and clamping plates 20 .
- the screw 18 is tightened against the exposed ground wire 34 and screws 22 are used to tighten the clamping plate 20 against the armored cable 32 to hold the armored cable 32 .
- the screws 22 are preferable 10 - 24 stainless steel screws.
- the ground point 16 is commonly a pipe or ground rod.
- the pipe or ground rod 16 is held between a bottom surface of the armored ground wire grasping portion 12 and a ground point plate 14 for sandwiching the pipe or ground rod 16 .
- Screws 24 are tightened to clamp the pipe or ground rod 16 .
- FIG. 4A A side view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown in FIG. 4A
- FIG. 4B An end view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown in FIG. 4B
- FIG. 4C a top view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown in FIG. 4C .
- the ground wire passage 36 is provided for the ground wire 34 .
- FIG. 5A A side view of the cable grasping member 12 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5A , an end view of the cable grasping member 12 is shown in FIG. 5B , and a top view of the cable grasping member 12 is shown in FIG. 5C .
- a ground wire mouth 40 allows the ground wire 34 to be inserted laterally into the ground wire passage 36 , thereby eliminating the need to thread the ground wire through known ground fittings.
- the clamp seats 23 preferably include interior concave dished portions including interior ridges 44 for engaging an exterior spiral surface of the armored cable 32 to retain the armored cable ends in the armored cable entry 21 (see FIG. 3 ).
- the ridges 44 preferably are a pair of two short offset clamp seat ridges 44 in opposite corners of the concave dished clamp seat 23 for engaging the exterior spiral surface of the armored cable 32 .
- FIG. 6A A top view of a clamping plate 20 according to the present invention for holding the armored cable 32 is shown in FIG. 6A
- a side view of the clamping plate 20 is shown in FIG. 6B
- a cross-sectional view of the clamping plate 20 taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 6A is shown in FIG. 7 .
- the clamp plate 20 includes concave dished portions facing the clamp seats 23 and each clamp plate 20 includes a shallow ridge 20 a inside the concave dished portion turned slightly away from the direction of the ground wire passage 35 and approximately aligned with an exterior spiral surface of the armored cable 32 for engaging the exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the armored cables ends in the armored cable entries.
- the screws 18 and 24 and the clamping plates 20 are preferably zinc coated steel, and more preferably have an approximately 0.001 inch thick zinc coating.
- the ground wire grasping portion 12 and the ground point plate 14 are preferably made of a copper alloy and are more preferably approximately 80 percent copper.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to electrical grounding and bonding, and more particularly to a ground fitting for easily grounding or bonding a ground wire carried in spiral metal sheathing (e.g., an armored cable) at a midpoint along the length of the sheathed cable.
- Ground wires frequently require protection from damage. The ground wire is generally a heavy gauge wire, for example eight gauge, six gauge, or four gauge, and may be stranded or solid, and is generally uninsulated. A common method for protecting a ground wire is to carry the ground wire in a spiral metal sheathing (e.g., armored cable), thereby creating an armored ground wire. Such spiral metal sheathing provides the desired protection to the ground wire.
- It is often necessary to connect the ground wire to a ground member (or ground point) such as a water pipe or ground rod, positioned at a point along the length of the armored cable (i.e., not at an end). Unfortunately, the spiral metal sheathing may frustrate or complicate attempts to electrically connect to the ground wire. To accomplish this connection, the protective metal sheathing must be cut to expose the ground wire. The sheathing on one side of the cut must be removed and the ground wire threaded through a ground fitting attached to the ground member. Then, the sheathing must be replaced over the ground wire. This can be a difficult task, especially if a long length of sheathing has been removed.
- Further, known fittings for grounding and bonding armored ground wires do not sufficiently grasp ends of the metal sheathing to meet code requirements.
- Therefore, a need remains for a ground fitting (or clamp) and method of use which simplifies connecting a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, to a ground point along a length of sheathed ground wire. The ground fitting must further secure the ends of the metal sheathing sufficiently to meet code requirements.
- The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a ground fitting (or clamp) which allows simplified electrical connection between a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, and a ground point such as a water pipe or ground rod. The metal sheathing is cut and separated and a short length of ground wire is exposed. The ground wire is inserted laterally into a wire clamp portion of the ground fitting, and opposing ends of the metal sheathing carrying the ground wire are inserted longitudinally under clamping plates on opposite sides of the ground fitting. A ground screw is tightened against the ground wire to hold the ground wire in the ground fitting and plate screws securing the clamping plates are tightened to secure the sheathing under the clamping plates.
- In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a midpoint ground fitting. The ground fitting includes an armored ground wire grasping portion and a ground point grasping portion. The armored ground wire grasping portion includes a first armored cable entry, a first armored cable clamp, a second armored cable entry opposite the first armored cable entry, a second armored cable clamp, a ground cable passage, a ground cable mouth, and a ground wire screw. The first armored cable clamp comprises a first clamp seat facing a first clamping plate for sandwiching a first armored cable end inserted into the first armored cable entry. The first clamp seat and the first clamping plate include interior concave dished portions including interior ridges for engaging an exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the first armored cables end in the first armored cable entry. Similarly, the second armored cable clamp comprises a second clamp seat facing a second clamping plate for sandwiching a second armored cable end inserted into the second armored cable entry. The second clamp seat and the second clamping plate including interior concave dished portions including interior ridges for engaging the exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the second armored cable end in the second armored cable entry. The ground wire passage between the first armored cable entry and the second armored cable entry provides for passage of the ground wire through the sheathed ground wire grasping portion. The ground wire mouth opens into the ground wire passage for allowing lateral inserting of the ground wire into the ground wire passage. The ground wire screw intersects the ground wire passage between the armored cable entries and is approximately perpendicular to the ground wire passage to intersect and thereby clamp the ground wire in the sheathed ground wire grasping portion. The ground point grasping portion is electrically connected to the cable grasping portion and is adapted to electrically connect to a ground point.
- In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for adding a midpoint ground point connection to an armored ground wire. The method includes cutting through a metal armored cable sheath surrounding a ground wire to form a first armored cable end and an opposing second armored cable end without any substantial cutting into the ground cable, separating the two armored cable ends to expose a short length of the ground wire, laterally inserting the exposed ground wire through a ground cable mouth of a ground fitting into a ground cable passage through the ground fitting, tightening a ground wire clamp to grip the ground wire in place in the ground wire passage, inserting the opposing armored cable ends into armored cable entries at opposite ends of the ground fitting and into armored cable clamps, tightening the armored cable clamps to grip the armored cable ends and connecting the ground fitting to a ground point. Tightening a ground wire clamp may comprise tightening a ground wire screw against the ground wire, wherein the ground wire screw is approximately centered on the ground wire passage and advances against the ground wire in a direction approximately perpendicular to the ground cable passage. Tightening the armored cable clamps may comprise tightening clamping plates to sandwich the armored cable ends between concave dished portions of the clamping plates and clamp seats and intersecting at least one ridge on the concave dish portions with exterior spiral surfaces of each of the armored cable ends to retain the armored cable ends in the armored cable entries. In one embodiment, ridges are provided on both the clamping plate and clamp seat to further secure the ends of the metal sheathing sufficiently to meet code requirements.
- The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is an armored ground wire suitable for use with the present invention. -
FIG. 2A is a side view of a ground fitting according to the present invention connecting a sheathed ground wire to a ground point. -
FIG. 2B is an end view of the ground fitting according to the present invention connecting the sheathed ground wire to the ground point. -
FIG. 2C is a top view of the ground fitting according to the present invention connecting the sheathed ground wire to the ground point. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2C of the ground fitting according to the present invention with the sheathed ground wire held in a cable grasping member, of the ground fitting, according to the present invention. -
FIG. 4A is a side view of the ground fitting alone. -
FIG. 4B is an end view of the ground fitting alone. -
FIG. 4C is a top view of the ground fitting alone. -
FIG. 5A is a side view of the cable grasping member according to the present invention. -
FIG. 5B is an end view of the cable grasping member according to the present invention. -
FIG. 5C is a top view of the second clamp half according to the present invention. -
FIG. 6A is a top view of a clamping plate according to the present invention for holding the sheathing. -
FIG. 6B is a side view of the clamping plate according to the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping plate according to the present invention taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6A . - Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.
- The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
- An armored (or sheathed)
ground wire 30 suitable for use with the present invention is shown inFIG. 1 . Thearmored ground wire 30 is generally protected by anarmored cable 32 formed from a metal spiral allowing flexing while protecting theground wire 34 inside thearmored cable 32. Unfortunately, making a midpoint ground using known fittings requires thearmored cable 32 be cut to expose anarmored cable end 32 a and theground wire 34. Thearmored cable 32 on one side of the cut must be removed and theground wire 34 threaded through a ground fitting attached to the ground member. Then, thearmored cable 32 must be replaced over theground wire 34. This can be a difficult task, especially if a long length ofarmored cable 32 has been removed. - A side view of a ground fitting 10 (see
FIG. 4A-4C ) according to the present invention connecting anarmored ground wire 30 to aground point 16 is shown inFIG. 2A , an end view of the ground fitting 10 connecting the armored ground wire to the ground point is shown inFIG. 2B , a top view of the ground fitting 10 connecting the armored ground wire to the ground point is shown inFIG. 2C , and a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2C of the ground fitting according to the present invention with the sheathed ground wire held in a cable grasping member, of the ground fitting is shown inFIG. 3 . Theground wire 34 resides in a ground wire passage 36 (seeFIG. 4B ) passing through the armored groundwire grasping portion 12. Aground wire screw 18 is advanced against theground wire 34 to grip theground wire 34. Theground wire screw 18 is preferably approximately centered in the armored groundwire grasping portion 12 and approximately perpendicular to theground wire passage 36. - The
armored cable 32 is cut to expose a portion of theground wire 34 which is laterally inserted into theground wire passage 36 through themouth 40. The armored cable ends 32 a are inserted intoarmored cable entries 21 and sandwiched in an armored cable clamp formed betweenclamp seats 23 and clampingplates 20. Thescrew 18 is tightened against the exposedground wire 34 and screws 22 are used to tighten the clampingplate 20 against thearmored cable 32 to hold thearmored cable 32. Thescrews 22 are preferable 10-24 stainless steel screws. - The
ground point 16 is commonly a pipe or ground rod. The pipe orground rod 16 is held between a bottom surface of the armored groundwire grasping portion 12 and aground point plate 14 for sandwiching the pipe orground rod 16.Screws 24 are tightened to clamp the pipe orground rod 16. - A side view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown in
FIG. 4A , an end view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown inFIG. 4B , and a top view of the ground fitting 10 alone is shown inFIG. 4C . Theground wire passage 36 is provided for theground wire 34. - A side view of the
cable grasping member 12 according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 5A , an end view of thecable grasping member 12 is shown inFIG. 5B , and a top view of thecable grasping member 12 is shown inFIG. 5C . Aground wire mouth 40 allows theground wire 34 to be inserted laterally into theground wire passage 36, thereby eliminating the need to thread the ground wire through known ground fittings. The clamp seats 23 preferably include interior concave dished portions includinginterior ridges 44 for engaging an exterior spiral surface of thearmored cable 32 to retain the armored cable ends in the armored cable entry 21 (seeFIG. 3 ). Theridges 44 preferably are a pair of two short offsetclamp seat ridges 44 in opposite corners of the concave dishedclamp seat 23 for engaging the exterior spiral surface of thearmored cable 32. - A top view of a clamping
plate 20 according to the present invention for holding thearmored cable 32 is shown inFIG. 6A , a side view of the clampingplate 20 is shown inFIG. 6B , and a cross-sectional view of the clampingplate 20 taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6A is shown inFIG. 7 . Theclamp plate 20 includes concave dished portions facing the clamp seats 23 and eachclamp plate 20 includes ashallow ridge 20 a inside the concave dished portion turned slightly away from the direction of the ground wire passage 35 and approximately aligned with an exterior spiral surface of thearmored cable 32 for engaging the exterior spiral surface of the armored cable to retain the armored cables ends in the armored cable entries. Previous apparatus for clamping armored cable ends has failed to meet new electrical requirements requiring, for example, the clamping to hold under 50 pounds of tension. The combinedridges armored cable 32 out of the ground fitting 10 thereby meeting the new requirements. The ridges extend approximately 0.035 inches from the concave dished surface to engage the armored cable. - The
screws clamping plates 20 are preferably zinc coated steel, and more preferably have an approximately 0.001 inch thick zinc coating. The groundwire grasping portion 12 and theground point plate 14 are preferably made of a copper alloy and are more preferably approximately 80 percent copper. - While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/397,161 US7780461B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/397,161 US7780461B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US7780461B1 US7780461B1 (en) | 2010-08-24 |
US20100227483A1 true US20100227483A1 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
Family
ID=42583276
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/397,161 Active US7780461B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7780461B1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110189901A1 (en) * | 2010-01-29 | 2011-08-04 | Mecatraction | Wire clamp |
EP2555331A1 (en) | 2011-08-04 | 2013-02-06 | Agro Ag | Earth terminal |
US20140167763A1 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2014-06-19 | Consolidated Edison Company Of New York, Inc. | Tracer wire connector devices and methods for use |
EP3096407A1 (en) | 2015-05-20 | 2016-11-23 | Agro Ag | Earth terminal |
US20170125994A1 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2017-05-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Subsea screen connection assembly |
CN109571364A (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2019-04-05 | 国家电网公司 | Special wire-clip clamp device |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8007293B2 (en) * | 2008-12-29 | 2011-08-30 | Hubbell Incorporated | Grounding rebar connector |
US8177563B1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-15 | Mike Vernica | Swivel ground clamp for bare armor wire |
US8864504B1 (en) * | 2012-06-10 | 2014-10-21 | Arlington Industries, Inc. | Intersystem grounding clamp with serrated gripping surfaces and a plurality of grounding terminals |
US9647350B2 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2017-05-09 | Greaves Corporation | Ground clamp adapter |
US9666978B2 (en) * | 2015-05-11 | 2017-05-30 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Cable clamping system for strain relief and grounding |
US9966695B2 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2018-05-08 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Cable clamping system for strain relief and grounding |
CN105024183A (en) * | 2015-08-09 | 2015-11-04 | 曾宪雄 | Improved insulating platform grounding line |
US10033120B2 (en) * | 2015-09-09 | 2018-07-24 | Hubbell Incorporated | Grounding assemblies for large conductive pipes and ground clamps for such assemblies |
USD768097S1 (en) * | 2015-10-20 | 2016-10-04 | LWE, Inc. | Insulator for press pack clamp |
CN107785835A (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2018-03-09 | 李强 | Plow-in cable anti-theft device |
CA2987136A1 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2018-05-28 | Ppc Broadband, Inc. | Coaxial cable bonding/ground blocks having an integrated ground wire |
US11196186B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2021-12-07 | Ppc Broadband, Inc. | Coaxial cable bonding/grounding blocks |
US10686263B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2020-06-16 | Ppc Broadband, Inc. | Coaxial cable bonding/grounding blocks having an integrated ground wire |
US9859628B1 (en) * | 2016-12-20 | 2018-01-02 | Tyco Electronics Canada Ulc | Insulation piercing connector |
US20180294582A1 (en) * | 2017-04-05 | 2018-10-11 | Mike Vernica | Armored Cable Ground Clamp |
CA3066753A1 (en) | 2017-06-14 | 2018-12-20 | Hubbell Incorporated | Clamp assembly |
CN109560523A (en) * | 2018-12-05 | 2019-04-02 | 浙江泰昌实业有限公司 | A kind of zero potential wire clamp |
CN109616783B (en) * | 2019-01-22 | 2023-08-29 | 天津市管道工程集团有限公司 | Steel pipe grounding wire mechanism |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2116776A (en) * | 1934-11-08 | 1938-05-10 | Andrew Terry Company | Ground fitting |
US2533897A (en) * | 1946-05-10 | 1950-12-12 | Morris D Reddock | Ground clamp |
US3058087A (en) * | 1960-12-02 | 1962-10-09 | Thomas & Betts Corp | Grounding clamp for armored conductors |
US6976857B1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2005-12-20 | Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corp. | Compact ground clamp |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1899309A (en) | 1929-07-26 | 1933-02-28 | Thomas & Betts Corp | Grounding fitting |
US2077613A (en) | 1934-12-31 | 1937-04-20 | Andrew Terry Company | Ground fitting |
US3549787A (en) | 1968-11-12 | 1970-12-22 | Thomas & Betts Corp | A connector for coupling a ground conductor to the shield of a shielded conductor |
US3568128A (en) | 1968-12-09 | 1971-03-02 | George W Taylor | Ground clamp |
US3639677A (en) | 1970-09-24 | 1972-02-01 | Andrew Bain | Electrical conduit coupling means |
US3901577A (en) | 1974-01-25 | 1975-08-26 | Gen Signal Corp | Grounding clamps and connectors therefor |
US4613191A (en) | 1985-04-15 | 1986-09-23 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Grounding connector |
US4776808A (en) | 1987-03-16 | 1988-10-11 | Davidson Richard J | Ground contactor |
US4925395A (en) | 1987-11-05 | 1990-05-15 | Franks George J Jr | Clamp for electrically conductive strips |
US4820901A (en) | 1988-02-08 | 1989-04-11 | Peviani Thomas P | Quick releasable ground and rod clamp for welding |
US5364281A (en) | 1993-06-01 | 1994-11-15 | Philly D. Harrison | Electrical connector system for grounding member and ground wire |
US5306170A (en) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-04-26 | Pacomex Industries, Inc. | Electrical pipe fitting with integral grounding fixture |
-
2009
- 2009-03-03 US US12/397,161 patent/US7780461B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2116776A (en) * | 1934-11-08 | 1938-05-10 | Andrew Terry Company | Ground fitting |
US2533897A (en) * | 1946-05-10 | 1950-12-12 | Morris D Reddock | Ground clamp |
US3058087A (en) * | 1960-12-02 | 1962-10-09 | Thomas & Betts Corp | Grounding clamp for armored conductors |
US6976857B1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2005-12-20 | Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corp. | Compact ground clamp |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110189901A1 (en) * | 2010-01-29 | 2011-08-04 | Mecatraction | Wire clamp |
EP2555331A1 (en) | 2011-08-04 | 2013-02-06 | Agro Ag | Earth terminal |
US20140167763A1 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2014-06-19 | Consolidated Edison Company Of New York, Inc. | Tracer wire connector devices and methods for use |
EP3096407A1 (en) | 2015-05-20 | 2016-11-23 | Agro Ag | Earth terminal |
DE202016008620U1 (en) | 2015-05-20 | 2018-09-13 | Agro Ag | ground terminal |
US20170125994A1 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2017-05-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Subsea screen connection assembly |
US10014678B2 (en) * | 2015-11-04 | 2018-07-03 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Subsea screen connection assembly |
CN109571364A (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2019-04-05 | 国家电网公司 | Special wire-clip clamp device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7780461B1 (en) | 2010-08-24 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7780461B1 (en) | Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp | |
US8177563B1 (en) | Swivel ground clamp for bare armor wire | |
US8864504B1 (en) | Intersystem grounding clamp with serrated gripping surfaces and a plurality of grounding terminals | |
CA2587343C (en) | Junction failure inhibiting connector | |
US9196976B2 (en) | Tapered ground strap shield connector | |
CA2945054C (en) | Adjustable bus bar for power distribution equipment | |
US20160118748A1 (en) | Connectors including apertures for grounding outer conductors of conduits and connectors including grounding grooves for grounding outer conductors of conduits | |
WO2004045025A2 (en) | Clamping apparatus for connecting ground wire to grounding member | |
US8500497B1 (en) | Connector device for joining multiple conductors | |
GB2435968A (en) | Electrical connection method using clamp comprising corrosion resistant material | |
US5580284A (en) | Electrical wire connector | |
US8299362B2 (en) | Cable adapter and adapted system | |
US5055056A (en) | Ground wire connector | |
US4840581A (en) | Cable jacket strain relief adapter assembly | |
US20180294582A1 (en) | Armored Cable Ground Clamp | |
US20020090847A1 (en) | Ground connector | |
US6921300B2 (en) | Electrical connector | |
US4334726A (en) | Bonding device | |
JP4513104B2 (en) | Cable termination | |
JP5172396B2 (en) | Power cable pooling eye | |
WO2023229927A1 (en) | Conductor terminations | |
JP2017208951A (en) | Cable traction structure and cable terminal | |
US20200295473A1 (en) | Pin adapter type cable connectors | |
EP1030405A2 (en) | Jointing sleeve or connector for splice or branch connections in electric cables | |
US10014626B1 (en) | Compression connector for terminating grounding electrodes |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PATENT HOLDER CLAIMS MICRO ENTITY STATUS, ENTITY STATUS SET TO MICRO (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: STOM); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, MICRO ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M3552) Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO SMALL (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SMAL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 12 |