Abstract: Provided herein are buoys comprising a floatable support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface formed from a plurality of outer faces and a central orifice, wherein at least one outer face has a surface shape that is flat to prevent rolling of the floatable support around a longitudinal axis of the floatable support; an outer tube connected to the floatable support that is positioned in the central orifice having: an upper portion extending past the upper surface, and a lower portion extending past the lower surface; and an inner tube telescopingly connected to the outer tube so that a depth of a lower end of the inner tube relative to the floatable support is controllably adjustable, wherein the inner tube comprises a depth-adjustable instrument receiving volume configured to protectably receive a water quality instrument.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing and, as the load increases, the gripping force on the electrical cable increases. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing and, as the load increases, the gripping force on the electrical cable increases. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.