Circuit condition monitoring system having integral test point
First Claim
1. A connector for establishing an electrical monitoring connection between the electrical terminals of components of an electrical distribution system, comprising:
- a connector body portion formed of electrically non-conductive material;
first and second terminal means for electrically and mechanically engaging the electrical terminals of said components;
electrical conductor means extending within said body portion between said first and second terminal means for providing an electrical current path therebetween, said conductor means being substantially surrounded by said body portion;
sheath layer formed of an electrically-conductive material overlying the surface of said body portion; and
means defining a channel in said sheath layer, said channel extending through said sheath layer and into said body portion and forming a closed loop whereby an interior portion of said sheath layer is electrically isolated from said sheath layer and capacitively coupled to said conductor means to provide said electrical monitoring connection.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit condition monitoring system for an electrical power distribution system includes a connector component having an integrally formed test point which provides fault current or voltage loss monitoring of a conductor within the connector. The connector includes an electrically conductive outer sheath layer. An annular channel formed on the surface of and extending through this layer receives the cylindrical end of a circuit monitoring module to form an electrically-isolated sheath portion which is capacitively coupled to the system conductor and to the module to function as a test point for providing operating power to the module. An electrically conductive end cap may be provided to cover the test point when a module is not installed.
46 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A connector for establishing an electrical monitoring connection between the electrical terminals of components of an electrical distribution system, comprising:
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a connector body portion formed of electrically non-conductive material; first and second terminal means for electrically and mechanically engaging the electrical terminals of said components; electrical conductor means extending within said body portion between said first and second terminal means for providing an electrical current path therebetween, said conductor means being substantially surrounded by said body portion; sheath layer formed of an electrically-conductive material overlying the surface of said body portion; and means defining a channel in said sheath layer, said channel extending through said sheath layer and into said body portion and forming a closed loop whereby an interior portion of said sheath layer is electrically isolated from said sheath layer and capacitively coupled to said conductor means to provide said electrical monitoring connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A connector for an electrical power distribution system for establishing an electrical monitoring connection between terminals on one or more components of the system, comprising:
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a connector body including a generally cylindrical portion formed of electrically non-conductive material; first and second terminal means for electrically and mechanically engaging the component terminals; electrical conductor means extending generally axially within said cylindrical portion between said first and second terminal means for providing an electrical current path therebetween, said conductor means being surrounded by said cylindrical body portion; a concentric sheath layer formed of electrically-conductive material overlying said cylindrical body portion; and means defining on the surface of said sheath layer a channel extending in a closed loop through said sheath layer to said body portion, said channel defining a central portion of said sheath layer electrically isolated from said sheath layer and capacitively coupled to said conductor for providing said electrical monitoring connection. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A circuit condition monitoring system for an electrical power distribution system providing an electrical monitoring connection btween the terminals of electrical components within the distribution system, comprising:
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a connector body formed of electrically non-conductive material; first and second terminal means for electrically and mechanically engaging the component terminals; electrical conductor means extending within said body between said first and second terminal means for providing an electrical current path therebetween, said conductor means being substantially surrounded by said body; a sheath layer formed of an electrically-conductive material overlying the surface of said body; a circuit condition monitoring module including a monitoring circuit operable from a capactive coupling to said conductor; means defining a channel in said sheath layer, said channel extending through said sheath layer and into said body portion and forming a closed loop dimensioned to receive said module, and whereby an interior test point portion of said sheath layer is electrically isolated from said sheath layer and capacitively coupled to said conductor means; and said module including an internal capacitive coupling element at one end for establishing a capacitive coupling to said test point portion and electrical coupling to said monitored conductor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A monitoring system for providing an electrical monitoring connection between the terminals of electrical components within an electrical power distribution system, comprising:
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a connector body including a generally cylindrical portion formed of electrically non-conductive material; first and second terminal means for electrically and mechanically engaging the component terminals; electrical conductor means extending generally axially within said cylindrical portion between said first and second terminal means for providing an electrical current path therebetween, said conductor means being surrounded by said cylindrical body portion; a concentric sheath layer formed of electrically-conductive material overlying said cylindrical body portion; means defining a channel in said sheath layer, said channel extending through said sheath layer and into said body portion and forming a closed loop dimensioned to receive said module, whereby an interior portion of said sheath layer is electrically isolated from said sheath layer and capacitively coupled to said conductor to provide a test point; and a circuit condition monitoring module including a monitoring circuit operable from a capacitive coupling to said conductor, said module including an internal capacitive coupling element at one end for establishing when said module is seated in said socket said capacitive coupling to said conductor, and ground return means for establishing electrical coupling to said sheath layer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification