Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a main conductor to a bail or tap conductor. The connector includes a C-shaped frame having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a main conductor and a curved bottom wall adapted to receive a bail or tap conductor. A fastener-operated wedge assembly is carried within the frame between a conductor receiving position and a conductor clamping position. The wedge assembly has a wedge body with a primary contact surface adapted to contact the main conductor and a secondary contact surface adapted to contact the bail or tap conductor when the wedge body is moved from the conductor receiving position to the conductor clamping position. The fastener positively moves the wedge body between the positions so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired. A head portion of the fastener may include a breakaway feature to help prevent over tightening of the fastener.

Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a main conductor to a bail or tap conductor includes a C-shaped frame having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a main conductor and a curved bottom wall adapted to receive a bail or tap conductor. A fastener-operated wedge assembly is carried within the frame between a conductor receiving position and a conductor clamping position. The wedge assembly has a wedge body with a primary contact surface adapted to contact the main conductor and a secondary contact surface adapted to contact the bail or tap conductor when the wedge body is moved from the conductor receiving position to the conductor clamping position. The fastener positively moves the wedge body between the positions so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired.

Abstract: Wedge type electrical connector assemblies adapted to electrically and mechanically connect conductors within transmission and/or distribution circuits is provided. The wedge type electrical connector assembly includes a frame, an interface and a wedge assembly. The interface is coupled to the frame so that it is movable relative to the frame. The interface can move and flex when installing conductors into the wedge type electrical connector assemblies.

Abstract: Wedge type electrical connector assemblies adapted to electrically and mechanically connect conductors within transmission and/or distribution circuits is provided. The wedge type electrical connector assembly includes a frame, an interface and a wedge assembly. The interface is coupled to the frame so that it is movable relative to the frame. The interface can move and flex when installing conductors into the wedge type electrical connector assemblies.

Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a tool adapted to electrically and mechanically connect an electrical connector to electrical conductors using an extendable reach tool. The tool permits one or more lineman to remotely connect an electrical connector to electrical conductors. The tool includes a glide track assembly, a connector holding member, a gear assembly and a fastener head driver.

Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: A wedge assembly may include a recess, a first tab, a second tab, and/or a retainer. The recess may be configured to receive a main conductor or a tap conductor when the wedge assembly is installed in an electrical connector. The first tab may be configured to be received by a cavity defined in a bottom portion of a body member of the electrical connector. The first tab and the second tab may define respective apertures therethrough that are configured to receive a bolt of the electrical connector. The bolt may be configured to drive the wedge assembly into the electrical connector such that the main conductor and the tap conductor are electrically connected. The retainer may be configured to releasably secure the bolt within the wedge assembly. The retainer may be configured to be removed to enable removal of the bolt from the wedge assembly.

Abstract: A locking mechanism particularly adapted to lock a cover of an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor. The locking mechanism includes a tip portion, a spiral portion, a holding portion, and an engagement portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the spiral portion and where the engagement portion is a widest portion of the locking mechanism. The present invention is also directed to a method of using the locking mechanism to lock the cover, as well as to a cover system which includes the locking mechanism and the cover engaged such that the cover is locked.

Abstract: A captive shear bolt assembly includes a bolt and a shear coupling. The bolt may have a head, an extension, and a shank. The shear coupling may be configured to be received by the extension. The shear coupling may be configured to receive the extension via an orifice in the shear coupling. The shear coupling may be configured to shear when an upper head of the shear coupling is driven at a threshold torque. When the shear coupling has sheared, the extension may be configured to captively secure the upper head to the bolt. The captive shear bolt assembly may be used in a tap connector for electrically connecting a main conductor to a tap conductor.

Abstract: A locking mechanism particularly adapted to lock a cover of an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor. The locking mechanism includes a tip portion, a spiral portion, a holding portion, and an engagement portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the spiral portion and where the engagement portion is a widest portion of the locking mechanism. The present invention is also directed to a method of using the locking mechanism to lock the cover, as well as to a cover system which includes the locking mechanism and the cover engaged such that the cover is locked.

Abstract: Wedge type electrical connector assemblies adapted to electrically and mechanically connect conductors within transmission and/or distribution circuits is provided. The wedge type electrical connector assembly includes a frame, an interface and a wedge assembly. The interface is coupled to the frame so that it is movable relative to the frame. The interface can move and flex when installing conductors into the wedge type electrical connector assemblies.

Abstract: A captive shear bolt assembly includes a bolt and a shear coupling. The bolt may have a head, an extension, and a shank. The shear coupling may be configured to be received by the extension. The shear coupling may be configured to receive the extension via an orifice in the shear coupling. The shear coupling may be configured to shear when an upper head of the shear coupling is driven at a threshold torque. When the shear coupling has sheared, the extension may be configured to captively secure the upper head to the bolt. The captive shear bolt assembly may be used in a tap connector for electrically connecting a main conductor to a tap conductor.

Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a tool adapted to electrically and mechanically connect an electrical connector to electrical conductors using an extendable reach tool. The tool permits one or more lineman to remotely connect an electrical connector to electrical conductors. The tool includes a glide track assembly, a connector holding member, a gear assembly and a fastener head driver.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a main conductor to a bail or tap conductor. The connector includes a C-shaped frame having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a main conductor and a curved bottom wall adapted to receive a bail or tap conductor. A fastener-operated wedge assembly is carried within the frame between a conductor receiving position and a conductor clamping position. The wedge assembly has a wedge body with a primary contact surface adapted to contact the main conductor and a secondary contact surface adapted to contact the bail or tap conductor when the wedge body is moved from the conductor receiving position to the conductor clamping position. The fastener positively moves the wedge body between the positions so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired. A head portion of the fastener may include a breakaway feature to help prevent over tightening of the fastener.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted to electrically and mechanically connect a conductor to a terminal. The connector includes a C-shaped frame having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a conductor. A mounting surface with through holes for mechanical fastening to pad type equipment or fixture. A fastener-operated wedge assembly is carried within the frame between a conductor receiving position and a conductor clamping position. The wedge assembly has a wedge body with a contact surface adapted to contact the conductor when the wedge body is moved from the conductor receiving position to the conductor clamping position. The fastener positively moves the wedge body between the positions so that the clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired. A head portion of the fastener may include a breakaway feature to help prevent overtightening of the fastener.

Abstract: A locking mechanism particularly adapted to lock a cover of an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor. The locking mechanism includes a tip portion, a spiral portion, a holding portion, and an engagement portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the spiral portion and where the engagement portion is a widest portion of the locking mechanism. The present invention is also directed to a method of using the locking mechanism to lock the cover, as well as to a cover system which includes the locking mechanism and the cover engaged such that the cover is locked.