Abstract A cable tap assembly for connecting a tapping concentric cable to a high-voltage energized concentric cable. The tap assembly includes a two-piece housing having openings through which the cables extend. The tapped cable extends through two of the openings, and the tapping cable extends through a third opening. A fourth opening in the housing permits access for engaging a clamping assembly with the center conductor of the tapped cable. The clamping assembly includes two hinged members having knife contacts thereon. When the hinged members are forced together, the knife contacts pierce the insulation and make contact with the center conductor of the tapped cable. The tapping cable is electrically connected to the clamping assembly. A liquid insulating material is injected into the housing and allowed to solidify. The housing and the clamping assembly may first be positioned around the grounded portion of the tapped cable and then moved over to a prepared ungrounded portion of the tapped cable. When in position, the clamping means is tightened to make contact with the center conductor.
A method of connecting a concentric tapping cable to an energized high-voltage concentric cable having a semiconductive layer adjacent to the outer conductor of the cable, said method comprising the steps of: removing the outer conductor of the energized cable from around the cable insulation and the semiconductive layer; attaching the tapping cable to a clamping means and placing the clamping means around a portion of the energized cable from which the outer conductor was removed; placing a housing around the cables and the clamping means; removing the semiconductive layer from a portion of the energized cable located at the side of the housing and the clamping means; sliding the housing and clamping means along the energized cable until the clamping means is positioned over the portion of the cable from which the semiconductive layer and the outer conductor have been removed; inserting a tool through an opening in the housing and adjusting the clamping means to provide electrical contact between the inner conductors of the energized and tapping cables; and injecting an insulating material into said opening to insulate the clamping means from the housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of connecting a concentric tapping cable to an energized high-voltage concentric cable having a semiconductive layer adjacent to the outer conductor of the cable, said method comprising the steps of: removing the outer conductor of the energized cable from around the cable insulation and the semiconductive layer; attaching the tapping cable to a clamping means and placing the clamping means around a portion of the energized cable from which the outer conductor was removed; placing a housing around the cables and the clamping means; removing the semiconductive layer from a portion of the energized cable located at the side of the housing and the clamping means; sliding the housing and clamping means along the energized cable until the clamping means is positioned over the portion of the cable from which the semiconductive layer and the outer conductor have been removed; inserting a tool through an opening in the housing and adjusting the clamping means to provide electrical contact between the inner conductors of the energized and tapping cables; and injecting an insulating material into said opening to insulate the clamping means from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the insulating material is injected into the housing before the clamping means is adjusted to provide electrical contact.