Abstract: A printed circuit panel connector comprises an encased heat sink for maintaining all electrical connections to the connector at substantially the same temperature. The heat sink is disposed between a plurality of tubular electrical connector elements adapted to receive corresponding external conductors, and a like plurality of electrical contact elements for making electrical connections between each one of the tubular electrical connector elements and a corresponding terminal adjacent the edge of a printed circuit board. Portions of the contact elements are in spring loaded contact with the heat sink such that the heat sink positively retains the contact elements within the terminal block body and maintains the various tubular electrical connector elements and electrical contact elements at substantially the same temperature.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes a male contact with an electrically insulative member arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. The insulative member has a hollow interior adjacent the contact and electrically conductive material in such hollow interior is in electrically conductive connection with the contact. Arc-quenching material overlies the insulative member and, on fracturing of such material, the insulative member isolates the electrically conductive material therein and the contact from electrical arcing.

Abstract: A bus duct assembly characterized by a bus duct section having top and bottom walls and opposite side walls forming a housing, a plurality of multi-phase bus bars supported within the housing, a ground bar within the housing and adjacent to one side wall and substantially coextensive with the housing, a retaining bracket mounted on the side wall and overlapping the ground bar, a tap box mounted on one of the side walls which overlaps the other and having a plurality of terminals connected respectively to the several bus bars, and a ground terminal within the tap box and connected to the ground bar.

Abstract: A male contact assembly for high voltage switching applications includes an elongate male contact with an electrically conductive extension arranged concentrically with the contact and extending longitudinally therefrom. A layer of electrically insulative material overlies the contact extension and arc-quenching material overlies such electrically insulative layer. The electrically insulative layer is more resilient than both the extension and arc-quenching material whereby the assembly can withstand greater cantilever stressing prior to fracture of the arc-quenching material than an assembly lacking such resilient layer. On such fracturing, the electrically insulative layer isolates the contact extension and contact from electrical arcing.

Abstract: In a high voltage bushing having a hollow tubular bore contact engageable with the probe of a high voltage cable terminator, a nose shield for reducing corona around the probe on close-in of the terminator with the bushing, the nose shield being formed of a conductive cylinder which is embedded within the bushing housing but is electrically isolated from the conductive cylinder in the bushing and is electrically connected to the conductive insert of the terminator on close-in.

Abstract: An electric plug that has a retractable ground terminal in addition to the customary two terminals. This ground terminal is connected to the ground wire in the plug cable and when the ground terminal cannot be used, it is swung into a retracted or inoperative position and concealed from view. A ground outlet wire is used when the ground terminal is in inoperative position and this ground wire is wound around a spool when the ground terminal is used. This ground wire is connected by novel means to the ground terminal only when the latter is swung into inoperative position whereby the ground wire may be unwound from its inoperative position on the spool, and electrically connected to the outlet box and thus establish a ground connection from the outlet box to the ground terminal and thence to the ground wire in the outlet cable for the plug.

Abstract: A one-piece strain relief adapter is mounted on the rear end of an elongate electrical connector and carries pressure members for pressing against insulated conductors which have been inserted into insulation-opening contact portions of respective electrical contacts. The strain relief adapter carries a plurality of hook-shaped elements for positively aligning the pressure members with the conductors and for preventing ride-up of the adapter when these elements engage a forward facing surface of the electrical connector. The adapter also includes a yieldable resilient latch mechanism, preferably centered with respect to its ends, to engage a shoulder at the rear end of the electrical connector for holding the adapter to the electrical connector and for preventing bulging at the center of the adapter. The adapter also has a recess for slidingly receiving an internal rib of a hood and a forwardly facing surface which engages the internal rib to prevent removal of the hood in the rearward direction.

Abstract: An improved strain relief device is disclosed for permanent attachment to known electrical connector housings. The subject strain relief device allows for simple tie down of the conductors leading to the connector in either angled or in-line configurations.

Abstract: A connector for underwater use comprises a male part carried by a pod and a female part carried by a sub-sea platform, associated for instance with a well head. The female part comprises a bearing member and a water-tight bush which can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position for protecting connecting elements. A plunger comprising lateral connecting elements is similarly movable between two positions in the male part and is protected against sea water when retracted.

Abstract: A safety plug that includes an elongated neck portion having externally accessible means seated thereto to aid against the electrical wire and thereby substantially reduce or eliminate the tendency of the same to be prematurely pulled loose from the plug connection, a non-conductive material may be employed in manufacturing the plug thereby further enhancing its utility.

Abstract: An electrical connection for all of the exposed concentric neutrals of underground direct burial power cables made from a kit including a soft, completely tin-coated, L-shaped copper sleeve wrapped about the cable, the short leg of the L forming a projecting tab. A ring-tong crimp type connector is bolted to the tab and the entire bolted connection and crimp connector is dip soldered. After the sleeve is wrapped about the cable, it is surrounded by a rubber gasket field cut to fit. A hose clamp having a special metal shim constricts the sleeve causing good electrical contact with all of the exposed concentric neutrals and secures the sleeve in place. A lead wire is then crimped in place in the crimp type connector.

Abstract: A convertible electrical plug is disclosed in which one of the prongs is a retractable grounding prong movable between a forwardly projecting active position and a rearwardly projecting inactive position, the grounding prong being releasably locked in the active position for insertion into a three-prong receptacle and movable to the inactive position for insertion of the plug into a two-prong receptacle. In one form of the invention, the grounding prong is axially reciprocable in a metal tube connected to the ground wire of the electrical cord, and a manually engageable latch releasably locks the grounding prong in its active position. A spring is provided for automatically urging the grounding prong to its latched, active position. In another form of the invention, the grounding prong has an end pivotally mounted in a channel in the plug body, with the prong being swingable about the pivot between its active position and inactive position.

Abstract: Multi-contact electrical connector comprises two housing parts which can be telescopically assembled to each other. Means are provided on at least one of the housing parts to spread or otherwise reposition the conductors on the end of a cable, which has been positioned between opposed surfaces of the two housing parts, when the housing parts are assembled to each other so that after assembly, the conductors will be precisely located adjacent to the mating face of the assembled housing. Electrical contact means are provided adjacent to the mating end of the connector face which electrically contacts the conductors and permits them to be connected to further conductors on a printed circuit board or in a complementary connector.

Abstract: A selectively deflectable tab hingedly coupled to the cover portion of a two part wiring device is positionally responsive to the presence or absence of an obstruction located within a cable receiving notched opening in the housing portion of the device so that, in the absence of such cable, the tab will enter the notched opening to provide a seal thereat but will selectively tilt away from the opening upon contact with an obstruction located therein.

Abstract: A heat sink and connection device for use with electrical leads and wires. A piece of tubing, large compared with the electrical lead to which it is to be connected, is formed with a diametrical hole through both sides of the tube wall. The lead is passed through both holes and the tube is then crimped, thereby forming 3-point contact with the lead and making positive electrical and physical connection therewith. The same concept may be used to join together two ends of wires or to connect a terminal clip or connector to a wire. The method of using the tubing to form the heat sink or connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: To mate two complementary insulated electrical connectors while they are bathed in an electrically conductive medium, such as sea water, the two are first brought into mechanical contact with their respective matable electrical parts presented in axial alignment across a chamber defined therebetween. A non-conductive fluid is pumped under pressure through the chamber to flush electrically conductive medium and possible contaminants therefrom. Then an axial force is applied to the matable electrical part of one connector, forcing it axially across the chamber and into mating relation with the matable electrical part of the other connector. By preference, the matable electrical parts are pins and sockets and the interfacial chamber is flushed via ported bores in the sockets, using compressed air or a thick fluid such as hydraulic oil, transformer oil or polybutene. A typical use is to make and break an electrical connection for an electrically operated subsea oil wellhead flow control device.

Abstract: An anti-snag device for use with an electrocardiographic electrode lead clip having moveable arms for engaging the electrode. A lead wire extends from one of the arms. The anti-snag device comprises an elongated means extending from the other arm and joined to the lead wire so as to provide a smoothed configuration to the lead clip. The anti-snag device may comprise a piece of tubing, one end of which is inserted over the arm of the lead clip and the other end of which is fastened to the wire. The anti-snag device may also comprise an integral extension of the arm.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electrical extension cable unit in which the portion of the flexible cable extending from the plug is surrounded by strain-relieving means comprising a contractible sleeve of stiff interlaced wires, the ends of which are clamped to the plug, said wires being sufficiently stiff to resist sharp bending of the cable adjacent its connection to the plug. In the event of the socket for the plug being connected to a flexible power-carrying cable, the latter is also surrounded by a like strain-relieving, sharp bending resistant sleeve secured to the receptacle for the plug.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a male contact element and a high voltage cable includes a housing securable to the cable and defining an axial passage having a cavity, a piston assembly with a female contact element movable in the passage and defining a chamber, material generating arc-quenching gas, a gas-pressure responsive valve providing communication between the chamber and cavity selectively on fault closure to accelerate engagement of the contact elements and connectors for providing continuous electrical connection to the female contact element of substantially fixed resistivity.

Abstract: A full rotational freedom, substantially zero friction electrical contact assembly for conducting electrical currents between relatively rotatable members of sensitive instruments such as gyroscopic devices and the like and a method of and apparatus for the assembly thereof is disclosed. Each electrical transfer unit of the assembly comprises a pair of coaxial, concentric, coplanar, continuous, concave conductor rings, one mounted on a relatively fixed member and the other mounted on the rotatable member, the relative diameters of the rings providing a substantial annular radial gap therebetween. A resilient, electrically conducting, continuous, filamentary loop is disposed in the radial gap such that its generally flat outside surface contacts and rolls on the concave surfaces of the concentric conductor rings.