Connector with conductor piercing prongs for a solar panel
First Claim
1. A connector device for establishing an AC electrical connection between a solar panel and a utility grid comprising:
- a housing having a channel formed therethrough and having three prongs extending into said channel, said three prongs being electrically connected to an AC electrical output of a micro-inverter device integral to said solar panel;
wherein said three prongs establish an electrical connection between said micro-inverter device and a conductor line, which is electrically connected to said utility grid, by piercing and penetrating said conductor line when said housing is compressed about said conductor line.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises an electrical connector device for electrically connecting an alternating current (“AC”) photovoltaic (“PV”) solar panel device having an integral micro-inverter to the utility grid. The electrical connector device is a compression connector fitting that includes an upper and lower housing, which each include a channel for receiving the main electrical conductor line. The electrical connector device further includes three electrical prong, which are designed to pierce and penetrate the insulation of the main electrical conductor line to establish an electrical connection between the micro-inverter and the utility grid, when the electrical connector device is compressed about the main electrical conductor line. The shape of the channel formed in the electrical connector device has a distinctive cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of the main electrical conductor line to insure proper alignment and orientation of the main conductor line within the connector device.
111 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A connector device for establishing an AC electrical connection between a solar panel and a utility grid comprising:
-
a housing having a channel formed therethrough and having three prongs extending into said channel, said three prongs being electrically connected to an AC electrical output of a micro-inverter device integral to said solar panel; wherein said three prongs establish an electrical connection between said micro-inverter device and a conductor line, which is electrically connected to said utility grid, by piercing and penetrating said conductor line when said housing is compressed about said conductor line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification