Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector body having a passageway therethrough. The connector body may include a first layer adjacent the passageway, a second layer surrounding the first layer and comprising an insulative thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, and a third layer surrounding the second layer. The third layer preferably has a relatively low resistivity, and may also include a semiconductive TPE material. In some embodiments, the first layer may also include a semiconductive TPE material. The TPE material layers may be overmolded to thereby increase production speed and efficiency thereby lowering production costs. The TPE material may also provide excellent electrical performance and other advantages.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector body having a passageway therethrough. The connector body may include a first layer adjacent the passageway, a second layer surrounding the first layer, and a third layer surrounding the second layer. The third layer may be arranged in three spaced apart portions with first and third portions to be connected to a reference voltage so that the second portion floats at a monitor voltage for the electrical connector. The first and third layers may have a relatively low resistivity, and the second layer may be an insulator having a relatively high resistivity. At least one of the layers preferably includes a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. A monitor point may extend outwardly from the second portion of the third layer, and a cover may also be included.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving therein an electrical bushing insert, and a second end for receiving therein an electrical conductor. The connector body may have an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway being movable between an unseated position and a seated position, and the connector body may also include indicia on an outer end portion that has a visibility changing to indicate the seated position. The indicia may take the form of a colored band. The outer end portion may move to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder of the electrical bushing insert. When properly seated, the indicia will be visible to the technician looking down along the axis of the electrical bushing insert and first connector end.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector body having a passageway therethrough with a first end for receiving an electrical bushing insert including a shoulder, and a second end for receiving an electrical conductor. The connector body may have an outer end portion adjacent the first end of the passageway with a flared shape. The outer end portion may be movable to the flared shape upon abutting a shoulder of the electrical bushing insert. The outer end portion may have a radius of curvature so that it progressively curls to the flared shape upon abutting the shoulder of electrical bushing insert. To facilitate the flaring and/or to reduce the vacuum, the outer end portion may have a series of slits therein. The outer end portion may be formed to initially have the flared shape even when spaced from the shoulder of the electrical bushing insert.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body having a passageway therethrough. The connector body may include a first layer adjacent the passageway, a second layer surrounding the first layer, and a third layer surrounding the second layer. At least one of the layers may include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. The connector may also include a cold shrink core within at least a portion of the passageway. The cold shrink core may include a carrier and a release member connected thereto so that the carrier maintains adjacent connector portions in an expanded state, such as to permit insertion of an electrical conductor. The release member can then be activated, such as pulling, to remove the cold shrink core so that the connector closes upon the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A method for making an electrical connector of the bus and post type includes connecting the posts to the bus with respective locking pins so that the posts extend outwardly from the bus. Each locking pin engages a lower open end of a post and extends into and engages a respective opening in the bus. Each locking pin may be expanded radially outwardly to securely engage adjacent portions of the bus and post. Accordingly, strong mechanical and electrical connection is established between the bus and the posts. Expanding each locking pin outwardly may be achieved by impacting at least one end face of each locking pin. In some embodiments, each post further has an upper open end in communication with the open lower end to define a central bore.