WO2018173018A2

WO2018173018A2 - T-connector for electrical networks

Info

Publication number: WO2018173018A2
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Chang FRAGUEIRO; Nolman BARROSO HARTMANN; Víctor Andrés MARTÍNEZ CORREA
Original assignee: Elektra Noroeste SA
Current assignee: Elektra Noroeste SA
Priority date: 2018-05-30
Filing date: 2018-06-20
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-30
Also published as: WO2018173018A3

Abstract

T-connector for electrical networks. It allows attaching a secondary network cable and a service cable of an installation. It comprises a front section and a rear section being dismountable and each of them being "T"-shaped, such that, upon attachment of both sections these form a horizontal duct configured for receiving the secondary network cable, and a vertical duct configured for receiving the service cable. It comprises a fastener being partially arranged outside the ducts and partially accommodated inside of them, configured for being in contact at least with the service cable for guaranteeing the position thereof inside the second duct. It is also provided with an aluminium sheet, arranged at the rear section, accommodated inside the ducts, intended for being in contact with the cables so as to provide for conductivity thereof.

Description

T-CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL NETWORKS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be included in the technical field of electric energy and it particularly refers to service cables connectors for connecting thereof to the low-voltage secondary network.

The main object of the invention refers to a connector which is fixed to the low-voltage distribution network without affecting the cable integrity, and adapting at the same time the service cable by means of a T-coupling which allows distributing energy to the customer energising said cable without involving mechanical compression. The connector being disclosed is also reusable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently there is little variety of connectors in the market for secondary distribution networks, in overhead lines with unsheathed cables. These connectors must be placed using mechanical compression so as to fix the connection. This method for placing them is prone to errors since it depends on the operator ability for performing such action correctly, and this not being so hot spots may be generated thus affecting the installation being energised with the cabling.

In the last years, new solutions have been developed for replacing the overhead network connectors. However, these alternatives are exclusive for networks having sheathed cabling, since the fixing mechanism of these connectors is by means of teeth penetrating into the sheathed cabling. In a network where there is no sheathed cabling, this type of connector would compromise the network integrity, causing fluctuations and disturbance therein.

Another solution being known in the state of the art is to create cable braiding. The problem of this technique is that it depends on the operator skill and the connection is prone to generate hot spots. Another problem associated to the solutions being described is that these are not reusable. Furthermore, they cannot be removed from the network because that would compromise the quality of the power supply. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a T-connector for electrical networks. This connector allows connection between the overhead low-voltage distribution network and the service cable energising the installations of the power system.

The connector comprises a front and a rear section, which can be detached from each other so as to allow mounting the connector around the distribution network cable and the service cable. In the operating position both sections are attached and the cables keep their position thanks to a fastener, which is preferable of the pin type.

The connector guarantees an easy and safe installation for the operator. Thus, possible problems derived from human factor are eliminated and the generation of hot spots in the distribution network is prevented. Another object of the present invention is also to carry out with the connector disconnection in such a way that it allows releasing the cables without generating any stress thereto. Likewise, once being previously uninstalled, the connector can be reused at the moment the cables are reconnected. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To implement the present description being made and in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as part of this description, with an illustrative but not limitative purpose, which represents the following:

Figure 1 .- It shows a front view of the T-connector for electrical networks of the invention.

Figure 2.- It shows a top view of the T-connector for electrical networks of the invention. Figure 3.- It shows a side view of the T-connector for electrical networks of the invention.

Figure 4.- It shows a view of the rear section of the connector and it also shows an aluminium plate providing for conductivity thereof.

Figure 5.- It shows a front view of the connector with a cable of the secondary network passing through the horizontal duct and with a service cable of an installation to be energised going into the vertical duct.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following is a description, with the help of figures 1 to 5, of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The T-connector for electrical networks may be observed in figure 1 . The connector can be dismounted and it comprises a front section (4) and a rear section (5) which can be detached from each other in order to place the connector around the secondary network cable and the service cable for an installation, which are intended to be attached.

Each one from the front and rear sections (4, 5) has a "T" configuration having grooves which, when said sections are attached, form a horizontal duct (1 ) and a vertical duct (2).

The horizontal duct (1 ), being a through duct, is configured for receiving the secondary network cable. The vertical duct (2), is perpendicular to the horizontal duct (1 ), also being a through duct and configured for receiving the service cable for the installation intended to be electrically supplied.

Likewise, the connector comprises a fastener (3) preferably arranged in an area being near to the confluence area between the horizontal duct (1 ) and the vertical duct (2). The fastener (3) is the element in charge of keeping the connector encapsulation. In order to do that the fastener (3) is regulated for pressing the service cable of the installation being accommodated in the vertical duct (2). Thus, said service cable of the installation is held in its correct position, in contact with the secondary network cable.

It preferably comprises a fastening device (3A), arranged outside the ducts, which can be for example a pin, a screw or a similar fastening element, and it comprises a contact device (3B), accommodated inside at least one of the ducts (1 , 2) (between the front section (4) and the rear section (5)).

Preferably, the fastener (3) is arranged at the front section (4). Figure 1 represents the contact device (3B) with broken lines so as to show the position thereof inside the connector.

Figure 2 represents a top view of the conductor showing the horizontal duct (1 ), and showing the front section (4) and the rear section (5) forming the connector. Since said sections can be detached, the connector can be dismounted after being used so as to be able to use it again. Likewise, as the connector encapsulation is done by means of the fastener (3) without damaging the cables, it is not necessary to repair any of them after removing the connector. Figure 3 represents a side view of the connector. As it can be seen, inside the vertical duct (2) a cable being depicted using broken lines represents the service cable of the installation. It also shows the fastener (3) contacting said cable inside the connector.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the rear section (5) and it shows another essential element of the connector which is an aluminium sheet (6), arranged at said rear section (5). The aluminium sheet (6) provides for conductivity and integrity of all the conducting cables inside the connector. In an embodiment of the invention said aluminium sheet has a concave configuration with respect to the rear section so as to provide for a better contact with the cables.

Figure 5 represents a front view of the connector, being already installed, with a secondary network cable passing through the horizontal duct (1 ) and with a supply cable coming out from the vertical duct (2). As it has been previously described, the cabling connection and the connector encapsulation are realized thanks to the fastening device (3).

Claims

C L A I M S

1 . - T-connector for electrical networks configured for accommodating a secondary network cable and a service cable of an installation, and providing for an electrical connection between them, said connector comprising:

-a front section and rear section being dismountable and each being "T"-shaped such that, upon attachment of both sections these form a horizontal duct configured for receiving the secondary network cable and a vertical duct configured for receiving the service cable;

-a fastener partially arranged outside the ducts and partially accommodated inside thereof, configured for being in contact at least with the service cable so as to guarantee the position thereof inside the second duct;

-an aluminium sheet, arranged at the rear section and being accommodated inside the ducts, intended for being in contact with the cables so as to provide for conductivity thereof.

2. - The connector according to claim 1 , where the fastener is arranged in an area being near the attachment between the horizontal duct and the vertical duct.

3.- The connector according to claim 1 , where the fastener comprises a fastening device outside the ducts and a contact device accommodated inside at least one of the ducts.

4. - The connector according to claim 1 , where the fastening device is selected from a pin or a screw.

5. - The connector according to claim 1 , where the aluminium sheet has a concave configuration with respect to the rear section.