AU2009202376A1

AU2009202376A1 - Cable connection device

Info

Publication number: AU2009202376A1
Application number: AU2009202376A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bruce James Ogden
Original assignee: CABLE ACCESSORIES AUSTRALIA PT
Current assignee: LEGEND CORPORATE SERVICES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-15
Filing date: 2009-06-15
Publication date: 2009-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-12
Also published as: AU2007201069A1; AU2007201069B2; AU2009202376B2

Description

S&F Ref: 798815D1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Cable Accessories (Australia) Pty. Ltd., of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 002 184 616, of 8 Distribution Place, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2147, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Bruce James Ogden Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Cable connection device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(2148645_1) CABLE CONNECTION DEVICE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of electrical cable connection devices. 5 Background of the Invention Overhead electrical distribution mains house service cables provide mains electrical power from overhead power cables running along a street to individual consumer buildings. These service cables are typically formed of single insulated XLPE aluminum io conductors of various sizes, but typically between 16 and 35 mm2 in cross sectional area for electrical distribution authorities in Australia. This service cable is connected to a consumer or house side cable, typically at or adjacent the roof edge of the house or other building to which electricity is to be supplied. The consumer cable is typically either a single or double insulated stranded copper conductor of up to 25 mm 2 in cross sectional is area, and most typically from 6 to 16 mm 2 . A current form of cable connection device for forming the connection between the service cable and the consumer cable, typically referred to as a house service connector, is in the form of a conductive aluminum block having a single tunnel extending therethrough, forming a cable entry point at each end of the tunnel. One end of the tunnel 20 is specifically configured to receive the aluminum service cable, bearing a series of teeth in the tunnel wall for piercing the insulation of the insulated service cable. The opposing end of the tunnel has a smooth wall to accept the end of a stranded consumer cable that has been stripped of its insulation. Shear head bolts extend through the aluminum block into each opposing end of the tunnel so as to directly contact the cable located in each end 25 of the tunnel. At the service cable end, as the shear head bolt is tightened, the leading end of the shear head bolt drives the insulator cable into the insulation piercing teeth so as to make the required electrical connection, and further tends to tear out the insulation so as to provide some electrical connection between the aluminum conductor and the shear held 30 bolt itself. At the consumer cable end, the shear head bolt bears against the bare stranded copper conductor, providing a pressure based electrical connection between the copper conductor, the aluminum block and the shear head bolt. The heads of the shear head bolts shear off when the predetermined required torque, and resultant pressure application, is achieved.

2 These types of house service connectors suffer various problems that has resulted in an unacceptable level of connection failure. One problem is that direct engagement of the conductors with the shear head bolt results in application of a circular grinding force to the conductor which may damage the conductor, particularly in the case of the stranded 5 copper service cable which may result in fracture of individual strands of the cable. Further, the direct engagement results in an electrical connection only being established over a relatively small area equal to or less than the area of the end face of the shear head bolt. Another problem is that the connector only provides a single electrical contact point for each cable, whereas multiple contact points are preferred to ensure the integrity of the io electrical connection. The connector also provides no ability to confirm the quality of the electrical connection. Other problems include poor water sealing capability of the house service connector, and potential corrosion resulting from water ingress and contact between dissimilar metals in the connection. Similar problems exist with other known forms of cable connection device, including connection devices used to connect is underground mains service cables to individual consumer cables in pillars or underground pits. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at 20 least one of the above problems. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an electrical cable connection device comprising: a body having an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls 25 separating said upper wall and said lower wall, said upper, lower and side walls each longitudinally extending between opposing first and second ends of said body and defining a cavity extending between said first and second ends; a member formed of an electrically conductive material and mounted in said cavity; detent means adapted to retain said member in a first position spaced from said 30 lower wall so as to define a tunnel in said cavity for receipt of a cable between said member and said lower wall, said detent means being configured to allow displacement of said member towards said lower wall upon application of a predetermined force; and a fastener extending through said upper wall and being displaceable through said cavity toward said member.

3 Typically, said detent means comprises a pair of opposing slots longitudinally extending along each of said side walls and a pair of frangible nodes longitudinally extending along opposing sides of said member and engaging said slots, said frangible nodes being frangible upon application of said predetermined force. 5 Typically, said fastener is a shearhead fastener. In one form, said member is provided with first piercing means for piercing cable insulation. Typically said first piercing means comprises a plurality of teeth. In one form, said lower wall of said tunnel is provided with second piercing means 10 for piercing cable insulation. Typically, said second piercing means comprises a plurality of teeth. Typically, said electrical cable connection device is provided with two said members and two said fasteners, a first said member being located toward said first body first end and a second said member being located toward said body second end, each of 15 said fasteners being disposed above a respective one of said members. In one embodiment, said cable connection device further comprises a barrier transversely extending across said tunnel, dividing said tunnel into a first tunnel portion extending from said first end and a second tunnel portion extending from said second end. The cable connection device may further comprise a housing within which said 20 body is received, said housing comprising: a cable entry port communicating with said tunnel for receipt of an electrical cable; and a fastener entry port for receipt of said fastener. Typically, said housing further comprises a first window for viewing said tunnel. 25 The housing may be formed of a waterproofing material, typically silicone rubber. There is further disclosed an electrical cable connection system comprising a first electrical cable connection device as defined above and a second electrical cable connection device as defined above, said body of each of said electrical cable connection devices being electrically and mechanically joined. 30 Typically, said bodies of said first and second electrical cable connection devices are joined side to side with said tunnel of each of said electrical cable connection devices extending generally parallel.

4 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical cable connection device according to 5 a first embodiment; Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 with the partition thereof in a first position; Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view of detail of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 with io the partition thereof displaced from the first position; Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view of detail of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 1 including a water proof housing; Figure 7 is an end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 6; is Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cable connection device of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the electrical cable connection device according to the first embodiment; Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 9 including an alternate waterproof housing; 20 Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cable connection device of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a cable connection device according to a second embodiment; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 12 taken at cross-section 12-13; 25 Figure 14 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 12 taken at section 14-14; Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view depicting the first detent means of the cable connection device of Figure 12 prior to application of a first predetermined force; 30 Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the first detent means of the cable connection device of Figure 12 upon application of the first predetermined force; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 12 taken at section 14-14 upon application of the first predetermined force; 5 Figure 18 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of the cable connection device of Figure 12 taken at section 14-14 upon application of a second predetermined force; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional end elevation view of a cable connection system comprising two cable connection devices according to a third embodiment; and s Figure 20 is a side elevation view of the cable connection system of Figure 19. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A cable connection device I according to a first embodiment is depicted in Figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. 10 Firstly, referring to Figures 1 to 3, a cable connection device 1 has a body 2 in the shape of a rectangular prism with an upper wall 3, lower wall 4 and a pair of opposing side walls 5, 6 that separate the upper wall 3 and lower wall 4. Each of the upper, lower and side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 longitudinally extends between opposing first and second ends 7, 8 of the body 2. The walls 3, 4, 5, 6 also define a cavity 9 that extends between the first is and second ends 7, 8. Both the first and second ends 7, 8 are open, communicating with the cavity 9. The body 2 is here 40 mm long, 40 mm high and 22 mm wide. The cavity 9 is 28 mm high and 14 mm wide. The body 2 is extruded from aluminum and tin-plated. A first member in the form of a first partition 10 is mounted in the cavity 9 toward the first end 7. The first partition 10 is formed of an electrically conductive material, here 20 aluminum, so as to form an electrical connection between electrical cables engaging opposing upper and lower faces 11, 12 of the first partition 10 as will be discussed below. The first partition 10 is retained in a first position spaced from the upper wall 3 and lower wall 4 so as to divide the cavity into longitudinally extending first and second tunnels 13, 14. 25 The first partition 10 is retained in the first position by way of a detent means, here in the form of a pair of opposing slots 15, 16 that extend along the opposing side walls 5, 6 of the body 2 and a pair of frangible nodes 17, 18 that longitudinally extend along the opposing sides of the first partition 10 and engage the slots 15, 16. The frangible nodes 17, 18 and slots 15, 16 thus retain the first partition 10 in a position that enables the first 30 and second electrical cables 100, 101 (as depicted in Figure 2) to be readily inserted into the first and second tunnels 13, 14 respectively. The frangible nodes 17, 18 are configured such that they are frangible upon application of a predetermined force to the partition 10, as specifically depicted in Figures 4 and 5. With the frangible nodes 17, 18 breaking from the remainder of the partition 10, 6 the first partition 10 is free to be pushed further toward the lower wall 4. Rather than arranging the frangible nodes 17, 18 on the first partition 10, it is envisaged that the frangible nodes could be formed on the opposing side walls 5, 6 of the body 2, with corresponding recesses provided in each opposing side of the first partition 10. 5 The first partition 10 is also provided with piercing means for piercing cable insulation, here in the form of a plurality of piercing teeth 19 formed on the upper surface of the first partition 10. An identical second member in the form of a second partition 20 (not separately depicted) is mounted in the cavity 9 toward the second end 8, again with opposing 10 frangible nodes engaged in the same slots 15, 16. The upper wall 3 of the body 2 is provided with first and second fastener apertures 21, 22 located directly above the first and second partitions 10, 20 respectively. First and second threaded fasteners 23, 24 (omitted from Figure 1 for clarity purposes) are received in the first and second fastener apertures 21, 22 respectively, as depicted in Figure 2. The is first and second fasteners 23, 24 protrude into the first tunnel 13 and are each displaceable by threadingly driving the fastener 23, 24 through the first tunnel 13 toward the first and second partitions 10, 20 respectively. The first and second fasteners 23, 24 are typically shearhead fasteners, the heads of which are configured to shear off upon application of a predetermined torque. 20 The lower wall 4 of the body 2 is provided with three shallow longitudinally extending recesses 25 for receiving the second cable 101. Referring to Figures 6 to 8, the cable connection device I may further comprise a housing 30 within which the body 2 is received. The housing 30 includes a first cable entry port 31 located at the first end 7 of the body 2 and communicating with the upper 25 tunnel 13. The first cable entry port 31 is sized so as to receive a first electrical cable 100. A second cable entry port 32 is located at the second end 8 of the body 2 and communicates with the lower tunnel 14. The second cable entry port 2 is sized to receive a second electrical cable 101. Whilst the first and second cable entry ports 31, 32 are located at opposing ends of the housing, it is envisaged that both cable ports might be 30 located at the same end, so as to both communicate with the respective tunnel 13, 14 at the same end of the body 2. A first cable viewing window 33 is provided in the housing 30 at the end of the first tunnel 13 opposing the first cable entry port 31. The first tunnel 13 can thus be viewed through the first cable viewing window 33 along its length toward the first cable entry 7 port 31. Similarly, a second cable viewing window 34 is provided in the housing 30 at an end of the second tunnel 14 opposing the second cable entry port 32. The second tunnel 14 can be viewed along its length toward the second cable entry port 32 through the second cable viewing port 34. The housing is also provided with first and second fastener 5 entry ports 35, 36 for receiving the first and second fasteners 23, 24. The housing 30 will typically be formed of a waterproofing material, which may be silicone rubber that is over-molded onto the body 2. Each of the cable entry and fastener entry ports 31, 32, 35, 36 is sized to provide a water resistant seal between the housing 30 and the relevant cable/fastener. 1o In use, a first cable 100, typically an insulated service cable, is inserted through the first cable entry port 31 into the first tunnel 13. A second electrical cable 101, typically in the form of a stranded consumer cable that has been stripped of its insulation, is inserted through the second cable entry port 32 into the second tunnel 14. The first and second fasteners 23, 24 are then threadingly driven into the first tunnel 13, engaging with the is upper surface of the insulator of the first cable 100. The first and second fasteners 23, 24 will gradually compress the first cable 100 between the fastener and the piercing teeth 19 of the first and second partitions 10, 20 respectively. The piercing teeth 19 will pierce the insulation 102 of the first cable 100, allowing contact with the metallic core 103 of the first cable 100. Similarly, the insulation 102 will be torn by the ends of the fasteners 23, 20 24, providing electrical connection between the typically aluminum shaft of the first and second fasteners 23, 24 and the metallic core 103 of the first cable 100. Simultaneously, the compressive force conveyed by the first and second fasteners 23, 24, transmitted through the first cable 100 and piercing teeth 19 of the partitions 10, 20 will impose a force on the frangible nodes 18, 19. Once this force reaches a 25 predetermined force, the frangible nodes 18, 19 will break from the body 2 of the first and second partitions 10, 20, thereby allowing the first and second partitions 10, 20 to be displaced towards the lower wall 4, into contact with the second cable 101, as depicted in Figure 4. The second electrical cable 101 is thus compressed between the lower face 12 of the first and second partitions 10, 20 and the lower wall 4. Electrical connection is thus 30 established between the first and second cables 100, 101 via the first and second partitions 10, 20. An additional electrical connection is also established via the fasteners 23, 24 and the body 2. The integrity of the electrical connection can be readily visually assessed by viewing the connection through the first and second cable viewing windows 33, 34.

8 The first and second fasteners 23, 24 are driven until a predetermined torque is reached at which the heads of the fasteners shear off. This results in a predetermined known compressive force being applied between the fasteners 23, 24, first cable 100, first and second partitions 10, 20, second cable 101 and lower wall 4. Electrical connections 5 can thus be readily made in a known and consistent manner. Referring to Figures 9 to 11, an alternate form of the cable connection device 1' is depicted which is identical to the cable connection device depicted in Figures 1 to 8, apart from the location of the cable viewing windows. Accordingly, the features of the cable connection device l' of Figures 9 to 11 that are identical to the features of the cable 10 connection device I of Figures 1 to 8 are provided with like reference numerals. In the cable connection device I' of Figures 9 to 11, the first cable viewing window 33' is provided on the side wall of the housing 30 toward the end of the first tunnel 13 opposing the first cable entry port 31. To enable viewing of the first tunnel 13, a first opening 26 is provided in the side wall 6 of the body 2 immediately underlying the first is window 33'. Similarly, a second cable viewing window 34' is provided in the side wall of the housing 30 toward the end of the second tunnel 14 opposing the second cable entry port 32. A second opening 27 in the side wall 6 of the body 2 directly underlying the second cable viewing window 34' allows viewing of the second tunnel 14 through the second cable viewing window 34'. The integrity of the electrical connection of both first 20 and second cables 100, 101 can be readily visually assessed by viewing the connections through the first and second cable viewing windows 33', 34' from one side of the cable connection device 1'. If desired, one or other of the cable viewing windows could be located on the end of the cable connection device, as per the arrangement of Figures 1 to 8 with the other cable viewing window located on the side of the cable connection device. 25 Whilst the upper, lower and side walls 3, 4, 5, 6, and upper and lower tunnels 13, 14 have been described with specific orientations, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the described connection device may be used in any orientation. The upper, lower and side terminology is merely used in the context of this specification for convenience. An electrical cable connection device according to a second embodiment is depicted 30 in Figures 12 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. Firstly, referring firstly to Figures 12 to 14, a cable connection device 201 has a body 202 extending between opposing first and second ends 202a, 202b. The body 202 is here in the general shape of a rectangular prism. The body 202 is formed of an electrically conductive material, typically aluminium and tin-plated. The body 202 has an 9 upper wall 240, lower wall 241 and opposing side walls 242, 243. The walls 240, 241, 242, 243 define a cavity 244 that extends between the first and second ends 202a, 202b of the body 202. A first member, in the form of a first clamp element 206, is mounted in the cavity 244 toward the first end 202a of the body 202. Similarly, a second member in the s form of a second clamp element 217, is mounted in the cavity 244 towards the second end 202b of the body 202. A tunnel 245 is defined in the cavity 244 between the first and second clamp elements 206, 217 and the lower wall 241 of the body 202. A barrier 205, which may be conveniently formed of plastic sheet material, transversely extends across the tunnel 245 between the first and second clamp elements 206, 217. The barrier 205 io divides the tunnel 245 into a first tunnel portion 203, longitudinally extending from the first end 202a, and a second tunnel portion 204, longitudinally extending from the second end 202b. The body 202 is approximately 40mm long, 40mm high and 22mm wide. The first and second tunnel portions 203, 204 are here each approximately 28mm high and 14mm wide. 15 The first clamp element 206 is formed of an electrically conductive material, here aluminium. The first clamp element 206 is retained in a pre-connection position, as depicted in Figures 12 and 13, by a first detent means 207. In the pre-connection position, the lower or cable engagement face 208 of the first clamp element 206 is spaced from an opposing cable engagement wall 209 of the first tunnel portion 203, being part of 20 the lower wall 241 of the first tunnel portion 203. The cable engagement face 208 and cable engagement wall 209 are spaced so as to enable receipt of a first electrical cable 100 therebetween as depicted. The first electrical cable 100 is a 35mm 2 service cable formed of a single insulated XLPE aluminium conductor. The cable engagement face 208 is provided with a first piercing means, here in the form of a plurality of piercing teeth 216, 25 for piercing insulation of the first electrical cable 100 and thereby establishing an electrical connection between the first service cable 100 and the first clamp element 206. Similarly, the cable engagement wall 209 is provided with a second piercing means, again in the form of a plurality of piercing teeth 216a. The first detent means 207 is configured to allow displacement of the first clamp 30 element 206 toward the cable engagement wall 209 of the first tunnel portion 103 upon application of a first predetermined force. In the arrangement depicted, the first detent means 207 comprises a pair of opposing slots 210 that longitudinally extend along the opposing side walls 242, 243 and a pair of frangible nodes 212 that longitudinally extend along opposing sides of the first clamp element 206. The nodes 212 engage the slots 210, 10 as best depicted in Figure 15. The nodes 212 are frangible upon application of the first predetermined force, as best depicted in Figure 16. The first predetermined force is provided by a first fastener 213 that extends through the body 202 into the cavity 244 so as to engage with the first clamp element 206 5 and displace the first clamp element 206 toward the cable engagement wall 209 of the first tunnel portion 203. Here the first fastener 213 is a shear head fastener which engages the first clamp element 206 and displaces the first clamp element 206 by threadingly driving the first fastener 213 through the cavity 244. The head 214 of the first fastener 213 is configured to shear off upon application of a first predetermined torque. 10 The second clamp element 217 is also formed of an electrically conductive material, here aluminium. The second clamp element 217 is retained in a pre-connection position, as depicted in Figures 12 and 14, by a second detent means 218. In the pre-connection position, the lower or cable engagement face 219 of the second clamp element 217 is spaced from an opposing cable engagement wall 220 of the second tunnel portion 104, is being part of the lower wall 241. The cable engagement face 219 and cable engagement wall 220 are spaced so as to enable receipt of a second electrical cable 101 as depicted. The second electrical cable 101 is a consumer cable in the form of an insulated standard copper conductor with the end portion of insulation having been stripped. With the insulation having been stripped, there is no need for insulation piercing teeth and the 20 cable engagement face 219 and cable engagement wall 210 are accordingly formed substantially flat so as to avoid cutting of the strands of the second electrical cable 101. The second detent means 218 is configured to allow displacement of the second clamp element 217 toward the cable engagement wall 220 of the second tunnel portion 204 upon application of a second predetermined force. 25 In the arrangement depicted, the second detent means 218 is identical to the first detent means 207, comprising a pair of opposing slots 221 that longitudinally extend along the opposing side walls 242, 243 of the cavity 244 and a pair of frangible nodes 223 that longitudinally extend along opposing sides of the second clamp element 217. The slots 221 of the second detent means and the slots 210 of the first detent means are 30 typically co-extensive. The second predetermined force at which the nodes 223 fail is provided by a second fastener 224 that extends through the body 202 into the cavity 244 so as to engage with the second clamp element 217 and displace the second clamp element 217 toward the cable engagement wall 220 of the second tunnel portion 204. The second fastener 224 is 11 a shear head fastener. The head 225 of the second fastener 224 is configured to shear off upon application of a second predetermined torque. In the arrangement depicted, the first and second fasteners 213, 224 are identical, providing identical first and second predetermined torques at which the heads 214, 225 of the fasteners 213, 224 fail. In the 5 arrangement depicted, the heads 214, 225 fail at a predetermined torque of I ONm. The cable connection device 201 typically further includes a housing 227 within which the body 202 is received. The housing 227 includes a first cable entry port 228 communicating with the first tunnel portion 203 for receipt of the first electrical cable 100 and a second cable entry port 229 communicating with the second tunnel portion 204 for io receipt of the second electrical cable 101. First and second fastener entry ports 230, 231 are also provided for receipt of the first and second fasteners 213, 224 respectively. The housing 227 typically formed of a waterproofing material, such as silicone rubber over moulded onto the body 202. In use, the first electrical cable 100 is inserted through the first cable port 228 into is the first tunnel portion 203. The second electrical cable 101, stripped of its insulation, is inserted through the second cable entry port 229 into the second tunnel portion 204. The first fastener 213 is then threadingly driven into the first tunnel portion 203, engaging the first clamp element 206. As increasing torque is applied to the first fastener 213, force applied to the frangible nodes 212 will reach the first predetermined force, forcing the 20 frangible nodes 212 to break off, allowing the first clamp element 206 to be displaced toward the cable engagement wall 209 of the first tunnel portion 203. As the first clamp element 206 is further displaced by the first fastener 213, the piercing teeth 216, 216a of the cable engaging face 208 and cable engaging wall 209 engage the insulation of the first electrical cable 100, piercing the same to establish an electrical connection between the 25 aluminium conductor of the first electrical cable 100 and both the body 202 and first clamp element 206. Referring to Figure 17, further driving of the first fastener 213 drives the piercing teeth 216, 217 further into the first electrical cable 100 until the first predetermined torque is reached, at which the head 214 of the first fastener 213 fails, thereby resulting in a 30 known predetermined force clamping the first electrical cable 100 within the first tunnel portion 203. Similarly, the second fastener 224 is threadingly driven into the second tunnel portion 204, breaking the frangible nodes 223 and then compressing the stripped second electrical cable 100 between the cable engagement face 219 and cable engagement wall 220, compressing the second electrical cable 101.

12 Referring to Figure 18, the head 225 of the second fastener 224 then shears off once the second predetermined torque is reached, again resulting in a predetermined clamping force retaining the second electrical cable 101 in the second tunnel portion 204, maintaining an electrical connection between the second electrical cable 101 and the body 5 202 and second clamp element 217. As with the first embodiment, whilst the upper, lower and side walls 240, 241, 242 and 243 have been described with particular orientations, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the described connection device can be used in any orientation. An electrical cable connection system 300 comprising a pair of electrical cable 1o connection devices 301 according to a third embodiment is depicted in Figures 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings. Each cable connection device 301 of the third embodiment is similar to the cable connection device 201 of the second embodiment with the omission of the barrier 205 that divides the tunnel 245 into first and second tunnel portions 203, 204. Each cable 15 connection device 301 is intended to receive only a single electrical cable 100, with two or more electrical cable connection devices 301 being mechanically and electrically joined side by side so as to provide for electrical connection between two or more cables. Specifically, each cable connection device 301 has a body 302 extending between opposing first and second ends of the body 302. The body 302 is again in the shape of a 20 rectangular prism and is formed of an electrically conductive material, typically aluminium and tin-plated. The body 302 has an upper wall 340, lower wall 341 and opposing side walls 342, 343. The walls define a cavity 344 that extends between the ends of the body 302. Whilst, in the arrangement depicted, both ends of the body 302 are open, it is envisaged that one end of the body 302 might be closed, given that only a 25 single electrical cable 100 need be received within the cavity 344. A first member, in the form of a first clamp element 306, is mounted in the cavity 344 toward the first end of the body 302. Similarly, a second member in the form of a second clamp element 317 is mounted in the cavity 344 toward the second end of the body 302. A tunnel 345 is defined in the cavity 344 between the first and second clamp elements 306, 317 and the 30 lower wall 341 of the body 302. The first and second clamp elements 306, 317 are each formed of an electrical conductive material, here aluminium. The first and second clamp elements 306, 317 are each retained in a pre-connection position in the same manner as described above in 13 relation to the cable connection device 201 of the second embodiment using a detent means 307 associated with each clamp element 306, 317. As with the second embodiment, each detent means 307 comprises a pair of opposing slots 310 that longitudinally extend along the opposing side walls 342, 343 and 5 a pair of frangible nodes 312 that longitudinally extend along opposing side of each clamp element 306, 317. The first and second shearhead fasteners 313, 324 extend through the body 302 into the cavity 344 so as to engage with the first and second clamp elements 306, 316a respectively in the same manner as described above in relation to the second embodiment. The use of two fasteners and associated clamp elements provides 1o two separate connections with the electrical cable 100 located within the tunnel 345. Piercing teeth 316, 317 are provided on the first and second clamp elements 306, 317 and the lower wall 341 respectively for piercing insulation of the cable 101 in the same manner as described above in relation to the second embodiment. Two or more cable connection devices 301 may be electrically and mechanically is joined side by side utilizing a dove-tail type connection provided for by way of a longitudinally extending reverse tapered recess 350 provided in one side wall 342 of the body 302 of each cable connection device 301 and a mating longitudinally extending dove-tail projection 351 projecting from the opposing side wall 343 of the body 302 of each cable connection device. Utilising this dove-tail connection, a series of several cable 20 connection devices may be interlinked as required so as to connect a single tapoff cable to multiple consumer cables. The assembly of connected cable connection devices 301 will typically be housed in a housing 337. The housing 337 includes cable entry ports 338 communicating with the tunnel 345 of each cable connection device 301 at the first end of the body 302 of each 25 cable connection device 301. Cable viewing windows 353 are provided in the housing 337 opposing the cable entry ports 338 at the end of the tunnel 345 of each cable connection device 301. First and second fastener entry ports 330, 331 are provided for each cable connection device 301 for receipt of the first and second fasteners 313, 324 of each cable connection device 301. A sealing cap 352 seals each of the fastener entry 30 ports 330, 331 and is removed for access to the fasteners. The housing 337 is again typically formed of a waterproofing material, such as silicone rubber overmoulded onto the bodies 302 of the connected cable connection devices 301.

Claims

1. An electrical cable connection device comprising: a body having an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls separating said upper wall and said lower wall, said upper, lower and side walls each 5 longitudinally extending between opposing first and second ends of said body and defining a cavity extending between said first and second ends; a member formed of an electrically conductive material and mounted in said cavity; detent means adapted to retain said member in a first position spaced from said lower wall so as to define a tunnel in said cavity for receipt of a cable between said 1o member and said lower wall, said detent means being configured to allow displacement of said member towards said lower wall upon application of a predetermined force; and a fastener extending through said upper wall and being displaceable through said cavity toward said member. is

2. The cable connection device of claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a pair of opposing slots longitudinally extending along each of said side walls and a pair of frangible nodes longitudinally extending along opposing sides of said member and engaging said slots, said frangible nodes being frangible upon application of said predetermined force. 20

3. The cable connection device of either one of claims I and 2 wherein said fastener is a shearhead fastener.

4. The cable connection device of any one of claims I to 3 wherein said member 25 is provided with first piercing means for piercing cable insulation.

5. The cable connection device of claim 4 wherein said first piercing means comprises a plurality of teeth. 30

6. The cable connection device of either of claims 4 and 5 wherein said lower wall is provided with second piercing means for piercing cable insulation.

7. The cable connection device of claim 6, wherein said second piercing means comprises a plurality of teeth. 15

8. The cable connection device of any one of claims I to 7 wherein said cable connection device is provided with two said members and two said fasteners, a first said member being located toward said first body first end and a second said member being s located toward said body second end, each of said fasteners being disposed above a respective one of said members.

9. The cable connection device of claim 8 wherein said cable connection device further comprises a barrier transversely extending across said tunnel, dividing said tunnel io into a first tunnel portion extending from said first end and a second tunnel portion extending from said second end.

10. The cable connection device of any one of claims I to 9, further comprising a housing within which said body is received, said housing comprising: is a cable entry port communicating with said tunnel for receipt of an electrical cable; and a fastener entry port for receipt of said fastener.

11. The cable connection device of claim 10, wherein said housing further 20 comprises a window for viewing said tunnel.

12. The cable connection device of either of claims 10 or 11, wherein said housing is formed of a waterproofing material. 25

13. An electrical cable connection system comprising a first electrical cable connection device as defined in any one of claims I to 7 and a second electrical cable connection device as defined in any one of claims I to 7, said body of each of said electrical cable connection devices being electrically and mechanically joined. 16

14. The electrical cable connection system of claim 13, wherein said bodies of said first and second electrical cable connection devices are joined side to side with said tunnel of each of said electrical cable connection devices extending generally parallel. 5

15. An electrical cable connection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 11, 12 to 18 or 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 15 June, 2009 Cable Accessories (Australia) Pty. Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicants/Nominated Persons SPRUSON & FERGUSON