U.S. patent number 3,643,209 [Application Number 04/852,240] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-15 for meter and service connector for electric service reconversion systems.
Invention is credited to Ostis D. Coston.
United States Patent |
3,643,209 |
Coston |
February 15, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
METER AND SERVICE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE RECONVERSION
SYSTEMS
Abstract
A connector is provided having two pairs of rearwardly extending
stab terminals and two pairs of forwardly facing socket terminals
mounted to opposite sides of a pair of insulative bushings. One
pair of the stab terminals is electrically isolated from the
corresponding socket terminals, while the other pair of the stab
terminals is conductively connected to the corresponding pair of
forwardly facing socket terminals. The isolated pair of the socket
terminals has connected thereto the ends of a pair of power or
current input lines. The stab terminals are adapted to be received
in a conventional meter socket mounted to a building that normally
supports a plug-in type of watt-hour meter. The unconnected ends of
the power input lines have affixed thereto male plug-in jacks for
quick connection to the female connectors connected to the ends of
a service line of a portable electric power bypass system. A
watt-hour meter is plugged into the forwardly facing socket
terminals of the connector to record electric consumption.
Inventors: |
Coston; Ostis D. (Bessermer,
AL) |
Family
ID: |
25312821 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/852,240 |
Filed: |
August 22, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/517; 361/662;
361/668; 439/651 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R
11/04 (20130101); H01R 24/76 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01r 033/76 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/14,31,154,156,155,19,192RL
;317/104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111 ;324/110 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Staab; Lawrence J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A connector comprising a ring base, a plurality of stab
terminals mounted within said ring base, a plurality of socket
terminals mounted within said ring base, said socket terminals all
facing in one direction, said stab terminals all facing in the
opposite direction, each stab terminal being mounted diametrically
opposite a socket terminal, insulative mounting means for
electrically isolating and mounting opposing stab and socket
terminals, and at least two of said socket terminals including
means for directly connecting thereto an electric input power
service line, including male connectors adapted to be detachably
connected to the power line, said two of said socket terminals
being at all times electrically isolated from the diametrically
opposite stab terminals and means for electrically connecting at
least two of the other of said socket terminals to the
diametrically opposite stab terminals.
2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of
stab terminals include a first pair and a second pair, said
plurality of socket terminals include a first pair and a second
pair, and said means for isolating opposing terminals comprising a
first and a second insulative bushing, and means for mounting said
first pairs to opposite sides of said first bushing and said second
pairs to opposite sides of second bushing, and means for supporting
said first and second bushing within said ring base.
3. A connector as set for in claim 1 wherein said means for
connecting said two of said socket terminals to a power service
line comprises a first line terminal connected to one of said two
socket terminals, a second line terminal connected to the other of
said two socket terminals, said line terminals including leads
connected thereto having male connector means for detachably
connecting the power input lines.
4. A meter and service connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein
said means for supporting said first and said second bushing
includes a channel strap connected across said ring base, said
first bushing being disposed above said second bushing on one side
of said channel strap, and further including a passage in said ring
base adjacent one end of said channel strap adapted to allow
passage of a pair of power input lines from without said ring base
to a position within said ring base, the ends of said power input
lines being connected to said two socket terminals.
5. A meter and service connector comprising a ring base open at its
forward and rearward ends, a first insulative bushing, a second
insulative bushing, means for supporting said bushings in spaced
relationship, one above the other, within said ring base, a first
pair of socket terminals disposed on one side of said first
bushing, a second pair of socket terminals disposed on one side of
said second bushing, a first pair of stab terminals disposed on the
other side of said first bushing, a second pair of stab terminals
disposed on the other side of said second bushing, said first and
said second pair of socket terminals being disposed to face in the
same direction, each stab terminal being mounted diametrically
opposite a socket terminal, means electrically connecting one
socket terminal of said first pair to one stab terminal of said
first pair, means electrically connecting the other socket terminal
of said first pair to the other stab terminal of said first pair
and said socket terminals of said second pair being permanently
electrically isolated from said stab terminals of said second pair
and means for directly connecting said socket terminals of said
second pair to an electric input power service line including male
connectors adapted to be plugged into corresponding female
connectors of a power service line.
6. A meter and service connector set forth in claim 5 wherein said
means for supporting said bushings comprises a channel strap
extending across said ring base, said bushings being mounted to one
side of said channel strap.
7. A meter and service connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein
said ring base includes a passage, said passage being disposed
adjacent to one end of said channel strap.
8. A meter and service connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein
the connecting means for said socket terminals comprises terminal
means connected to said socket terminals of said second pair, said
terminal means comprising a first strap member having a slot, a
second strap member extending from said socket terminal and
disposed to be received within said slot and screw means threaded
in said first strap member for securing a conductor against said
strap member.
9. A meter and service connection adapted for connecting an
alternate input power source service line to a consumer load upon
deenergization of a main input power service line comprising a
meter box having a first pair of socket terminals and a second pair
of socket terminals, means for connecting said first pair of socket
terminals to the consumer load and means for connecting said second
pair of socket terminals to the main service line, said last named
means comprising a meter and a service connector, said service
connector including a first pair of stab terminals and a second
pair of stab terminals facing in one direction and adapted to be
plugged into said first and said second pairs of said socket
terminals of the meter box, a first pair of socket terminals and a
second pair of socket terminals facing in the opposite direction,
each socket terminal of the service connector being mounted
diametrically opposite a stab terminal, said socket terminals of
the service connector being adapted to receive the stab terminals
of a plugged in meter, said meter being mounted to said socket
terminals of the service connector to measure the consumption of
electricity, a pair of input power leads having male connectors
attached thereto and connected to said second pair of socket
terminals of said connector and adapted for connection to the
alternate power service line, said second pair of socket terminals
of the connector being electrically isolated from the diametrically
opposite stab terminals and means electrically connecting said
first pair of stab terminals of the connector to the diametrically
opposite socket terminals to thereby allow recording of the power
consumption from the alternate power service line.
10. A service connection as set forth in claim 9 wherein said meter
box includes a clamping bead, said connector having a rim adapted
to be disposed over said clamping bead, the opposite end of said
connector having a clamping bead, said meter having a rim adapted
to be disposed over said clamping bead.
11. A meter and service connection adapted for connecting an
alternate input power source service line to a consumer load upon
deenergization of a main input power service line comprising a
meter box having a first pair of socket terminals and a second pair
of socket terminals, means for connecting said first pair of socket
terminals to the consumer load and means for connecting said second
pair of socket terminals to the main service line, said last named
means comprising a meter and a service connector including a first
pair of stab terminals and a second pair of stab terminals facing
in one direction and adapted to be plugged into said first and said
second pairs of said socket terminals of the meter box, a first
pair of socket terminals and a second pair of socket terminals
facing in the opposite direction, each socket terminal of the
service connector being mounted diametrically opposite a stab
terminal, said socket terminals of the service connector being
adapted to receive the stab terminals of a plugged in meter, said
meter being mounted to said socket terminals of the service
connector to measure the consumption of electricity, a pair of
input power leads connected to said second pair of socket terminals
of said connector and adapted for connection to the alternate power
service line, said second pair of socket terminals of the connector
being electrically isolated from the diametrically opposite stab
terminals, means electrically connecting said first pair of stab
terminals of the connector to the diametrically opposite socket
terminals to thereby allow recording of the power consumption from
the alternate power service line, and said input power leads
including a male connector connected at the end of each lead, said
male connectors adapted to be plugged into corresponding female
connectors of a power service line.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a connector for a portable, electric
power bypass system for rebuilding existing power lines with a
minimum interruption of service. The connector constitutes one of
the many prefabricated sections of the power bypass system and
facilitates connection of the service lines of the bypass system to
the electric consumer.
Many rural electric service systems designed to provide direct
electric service to household, commercial and industrial users from
high-voltage transmission power lines are rapidly becoming
obsolete. With the installation of heavy duty equipment and greater
reliance on modern machines and appliances, it is frequently
necessary to uprate, repair, rebuild or convert outdated rural
electric service systems. Since the power lines leading from a
distribution transformer located at the transmission line may
provide service to several users simultaneously, it is essential
that conversion of the in-service power lines of one user be
accomplished with a minimum of uninterrupted service to the one
user as well as the other users, and in a manner which would be
safe for the workmen and the public. This requirement is even more
important where long sections of transmission lines are being
replaced.
There is also a great need for providing a rapid reconnection of
electric service from high-voltage transmission lines in areas
where storms or other causes result in interruption in electric
power service. A rapid diversion of electric power from operable
service lines, while sections of the damaged lines are disconnected
and repaired, would substantially alleviate suffering and
inconvenience to the electric consumers.
In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,281, issued Jan. 14, 1969, there is
disclosed an electric power bypass system for reconversion of rural
electric service systems that permits the deenergization of a
section of a transmission line in order to repair, rebuild, or
uprate the section and existing service drop lines to the consumer
while maintaining service to the consumers. In the system described
in the aforementioned patent, when connecting the bypass power
lines to the residence or load of the consumer, a temporary service
cable of the bypass system is connected at the weatherhead to the
customer service. The existing overhead service line or service
drop is cut ahead of the weatherhead to eliminate back feeding of
electric power into the system for safety.
Cutting the existing service line has been found to be essential in
the system disclosed in the aforementioned patent to avoid the
hazards of back feeding into the system. However, this operation is
still undesirable and dangerous, because of possible accidental
energization of the existing service line. Also, the splice
connection made at the weatherhead is exposed to the elements and
subject to deterioration. There is also a danger of shock or
electrocution to unauthorized personnel who may tamper with the
exposed connection. Further, much labor time is involved in the
disconnection and reconnection of the lines which adds to the costs
of the installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, these and other
disadvantages are overcome and there is provided means by which a
safe and rapid connection may be made between the electric power
service lines of an electric power bypass system and a consumer
while existing sections of the power lines are being replaced or
repaired. Advantageously, connection is made by "plugging in" into
the existing system. The consumption meter is operatively received
in the connector to continue to record the electric or power
consumed, and the power bypass system is hooked in without the
necessity of cutting any existing service lines or service drops,
thus avoiding the aforementioned hazards and disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the meter and service connector of
the present invention connected to a house socket and having a
watt-hour consumption meter mounted in its forward face;
FIG. 2 is a front, elevational view of the connector of the present
invention illustrating the forward facing socket terminals and
service line connectors with the input service lines cutaway;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the connector of the present
invention illustrating the rearward facing stab terminals and
service line connectors with the input service lines cutaway;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 3
taken along lines 4--4; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connectors shown in
the area enclosed by a circle formed by dash lines in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1,
reference numeral 10 designates a meter and service connector as
installed in a conventional consumer input line having a low
voltage service drop 11 comprising a three wire single phase supply
with one wire grounded. Ground wire 12 is connected to a conductive
clamp 13 which also has connected thereto the consumer ground line
or wire 14. Power input lines 15 and 16 have connected at their
respective ends connectors 17 and 18 adapted to be joined to mating
connectors 19 and 20, respectively. Advantageously, connectors 19
and 20 are of the male type to ensure that the input lines are not
exposed should the service drop be accidentally energized.
Connectors 19 and 20 receive the ends of the meter and service
connector input conductors 21 and 22 which carry the electric
current or power into the meter and service connector 10.
Connector 10 is mounted to a conventional service meter box or
socket 23 secured to the side of the building 24 and generally
installed at the service entrance where the service or current
supply lines enter the building. The meter box is of the
conventional socket or plug-in type. Box 23 is generally
constructed with a sheet metal front and back and forwardly
extending sidewalls and in the exemplary embodiment is shown as
being of rectangular outline. However, as should be apparent, other
forms of construction and other materials may be used. A conduit 25
is provided in one wall of the meter box 23 for enclosing the
existing supply line conductors 26 leading to the transmission line
and the load conductors 27 extending into the box.
Formed in the front face of the meter box is a circular socket
receptacle which normally receives a socket or plug-in type of
electric watt-hour meter. This socket receptacle is usually
surrounded by a clamping bead over which the clamping or sealing
band of the meter normally engages. Mounted within the socket
receptacle is a group of stationary socket terminals. For single
phase service, four socket terminals are usually provided, the two
upper terminals being connected to the load conductors. In the
standard conventional socket receptacle, these terminals are of the
spring jaw or female type adapted to receive the plug-in terminals
of the stab or male type projecting rearwardly from the rear side
of the socket type electric meter.
In accordance with the present invention, the existing service drop
26 and load conductors 27 are retained in their connected position.
The existing meter 28 is removed from the meter box and plugged
into connector 10 which is in turn plugged into the socket
receptacle of meter box 23. Connection to the power lines is made
through input conductors 21 and 22 which are internally connected
to the upper line terminals A and B of the connector 10. As will be
hereinafter described, the connector line terminals A and B are
electrically isolated from the upper stab terminals to prevent
back-feeding of electric power into the auxiliary power system.
A standard consumption meter of the socket mounted type is
indicated at 28. The meter is usually of the watt-hour type having
current and voltage responsive electromagnets acting upon a
rotating disc which operates through gearing to drive pointers over
an indicating scale or dial. It will be understood that other types
of meters may be used. In the exemplary form of the meter disclosed
all of the operating mechanism is enclosed within a large
cup-shaped cover 29 which has at its rear edge a peripheral rim 30.
As hereinbefore described rim 30 is normally adapted to be received
over the clamping bead of meter box 23, but in accordance with the
present invention, it is received over the forward flange of the
meter and service connector 10. Thereafter, the meter may be
clamped or sealed in place by a conventional clamping or sealing
band 31.
Projecting rearwardly from the meter are four stab or male type
terminals (not shown) which are adapted to be received in
corresponding socket or female type terminals in the connector 10.
The four stab terminals are supported by insulating bushings and
extend through the meter base so that the meter may be readily
mounted at a suitable location by merely pushing the rearwardly
facing stab terminals into the forwardly facing socket terminals of
the connector, after which the sealing band 31 is applied.
The structural details of the meter and service connector 10 of the
present invention are most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 to
which reference should now be made. As illustrated therein,
connector 10 includes a circular trough or ring base 32 open at its
forward and rearward ends and having a rigid channel or strap
member 33 extending across the diameter thereof. The terms rearward
and forward are relative terms as applied to the ring base and
refer to the position of the ring base as it is mounted in meter
socket 23. Thus, the rearward face of ring base 32 is mounted
adjacent meter socket 23, while the forward face is adjacent meter
28.
Rigidly affixed to channel member 33 is a pair of insulative
bushings 34 and 35, each of which is identical in construction.
Thus, only bushing 34 will be hereinafter described in detail.
Bushing 34 may be fabricated of any suitable material such as
ceramic, phenolic or the like and is provided with a central bore
extending therethrough through which a supporting bolt 36 passes
for mounting the bushing to the channel member. The forward face of
the bushing includes a pair of slots 37 and 38 disposed to each
side of bolt 36 and adapted to receive the upturned sides 39 and 40
of channel member 33. Sides 39 and 40 thus provide a rail
construction which facilitates fabrication of the unit.
Advantageously, bore 41 adapted to receive bolt 36 may be slotted
to permit relative adjustment of the bushings 34 and 35 along the
strap member. For rigidly supporting the bushing to the strap a
counterbore 42 is provided in the rearward face within which is
received a securing nut adapted to be threaded on bolt 36. Bore 42
is preferably made of the same configuration as the nut, but
slightly larger, to avoid the necessity of using a tool gripping
means for clamping the nut when securing the bushings to the strap
member.
To each side of central section 43 of the bushing at the rearward
face thereof, the surface of the bushing is cutaway partially to
form a partial terminal enclosure comprising sidewalls 44 and 45
and base 46. Base section 46 is provided with a cross-shape recess
47 within which is received a socket terminal 48. A bore extending
through the bushing and terminating at the recess enables each
socket terminal to be fastened in place by means of threaded bolt
49.
Each socket terminal includes upwardly spaced arm members 50 and
51, the upper portion of which are biased together by means of a
C-spring clip 52. Spring clip 52 and base 53 of the corresponding
socket terminal are provided with openings which are coaxially
aligned so as to enable insertion of bolt 49. Clip 52 and its
corresponding socket terminal are rigidly fastened to the bushing
by threading the bolt 49 into a strap member 54 which extends
outwardly of the spring clip.
An additional groove or recess 55 is provided adjacent wall 45 and
a channel is formed by sloping sidewalls 56 and 57 within which is
received nut 58 adapted to be threaded on bolt 59 for fastening of
a stab terminal 60 to the bushing. One stab terminal is provided
opposite each socket terminal and is insulated therefrom by the
intermediate portion of the bushing. Bolt 59 passes through an
aperture in each stab terminal, and each of the L-shaped stab
terminals are seated in a rectangular groove 61 provided in the
rearward surface of the bushing. Groove 61 is counterbored at 62 to
receive the head of screw 49 used to fasten the socket
terminals.
It can be readily appreciated that the construction of each of the
socket terminals 48 and each of the stab terminals 60 is identical;
however, it should be noted that the opposite upper socket and stab
terminals, as viewed in the drawing, are electrically isolated from
each other, while the lower opposite socket and stab terminals are
electrically connected. For convenience, in the following
description the lower terminals will be identified by the
alphabetic character L following the corresponding numerical
character, while the alphabetic character U will be used to
designate the upper terminal.
Each of the lower socket terminals 48L have extending therefrom a
conductive strap member 54 which has formed integral therewith a
right angle extension 63. Extension 63 terminates in an arm section
64 which doubles back over the bushing and overlaps the stab
terminal 60L. Arm 64 is maintained in a tight conductive engagement
with the stab terminal 60L upon tightening of its fastening
bolt.
Referring now to the upper bushing 34, stab terminals 60U are
maintained electrically isolated from the corresponding socket
terminals 48U mounted to the opposite side of the bushing. To this
end, each of the conductive strap members 54U extend inwardly of
the ring base and pass through the slotted sides of a C-shape
conductive strap 65 having a threaded aperture between its arms. A
threaded bolt 66 is received in the threaded aperture to form a
cable clamp corresponding to previously designated upper line
terminals A and B.
The ends of input conductors 21 and 22 are stripped of insulation
and separately inserted within the C-shape straps 65, between flat
strap 54U and bolt 66. Bolt 66 is threaded inwardly to clamp the
conductor against the strap. Since complete electrical isolation
must be maintained between socket terminals 48U and the
corresponding stab terminals 60U mounted on the opposite side of
bushing 34, nylon bolts and nuts are preferably utilized so as to
avoid the possibility of shorts or arc creeping between adjacent
parts.
As hereinbefore described, bushings 34 and 35 are mounted to cross
strap 33 of ring base 32. Ring base 32 is open at both the front
and back. The front or forwardly facing side includes a flange or
clamping bead 67 over which is received the rim 30 of meter 28.
Meter 28 is thereafter sealed in place by a conventional sealing
band 31. The back or rearwardly facing side of base 32 includes a
rim 68 adapted to be received over the sealing bead of meter box 23
and sealed in place by a conventional sealing clamp not shown. An
internal corrugated type strap 70 welded to the rim provides
additional strength thereto.
Input conductors 21 and 22 are brought into the ring base 32 from
the bottom through a slotted aperture 71 and grommet 72 mounted
therein. Preferably, conductors 21 and 22 are about 4 feet in
length, but the length is not critical. The ends of conductors 21
and 22 are stripped of their insulation and electrically connected
to separate male plug-in connectors 19 and 20, an exemplary form of
which is illustrated in FIG. 5.
Each male connector includes an insulative housing 73 having a
reduced diameter front or head section 74. Housing 73 is provided
with a central bore 75 within which is received a hollow
cylindrical conductive member 76. Section 74 includes a bore of
smaller diameter than bore 75 and supports a metallic plug member
77 electrically connected to cylinder 76 which is in-turn
electrically and physically connected to conductor 21.
Plug 77 is adapted to be received in the female connector which
includes an insulative housing 78, provided with a mating recess 79
for front section 74 of the male connector. A central bore has
mounted therein a hollow, cylindrical conductive sleeve 80 within
which the plug 77 is inserted. A second conductive sleeve 81 is
provided in coaxial arrangement therewith. Sleeve 81 is of slightly
larger diameter than sleeve 80 to enable the sleeve to be fitted
thereover and in close engagement therewith. Conductor 15 is
electrically connected to sleeve 81. The male and female connection
shown in FIG. 5 is by way of explanation and any suitable form of
connector may be utilized.
Connection between the ground wires 12 and 14 is made by a
conventional hot line clamp comprising a clamp section 82 which
receives wire 12 and a vice grip section 83 which receives wire 14.
As is well known, barrell 84 is threaded to receive a helical screw
member attached to post 85. Upon turning of post 85, plate 86 is
caused to move up or down, depending upon the direction that post
85 is turned, by virtue of mating internal threads on plate 86.
In accordance with the present invention, when it is desired to
connect an auxiliary service line to a consumer's service
installation, meter 28 of the existing installation is removed from
meter socket 23 and the meter and service connector 10 plugged into
the socket. The service line 11 may be preconnected to the
connector 10 through mating male and female connectors 17, 19 and
18, 20 or connection may be made after the connector 10 is in
place. The meter is plugged into the socket terminals of the
connector 10. Since the upper stab terminals of the connector 10
are electrically isolated from the forward upper socket terminals,
there is no danger of backfeeding from the existing power supply
line conductors 26 which remain in place. Load line conductors 27
supply power or current to the consumer load circuits and the meter
continues to register consumption, all with a minimum of disruption
to the consumer. Advantageously the entire hookup may be made
between the auxiliary bypass system and consumer while the system
is energized with complete safety. The only disruption which might
occur is during switchover from an existing supply to the auxiliary
supply when replacing sections of transmission line; however, the
time element in such a case is almost unnoticeable and often less
than would be experienced on a short term overload when a
conventional circuit breaker in the system cycles.
* * * * *