Electrical distribution system having an improved splice joint between busway sections

Claim 1

A joint connector for providing a connection between sections of busway having a plurality of bus bars carried by each section of busway including a top and bottom ground bus, said joint comprising: a top plate having a central opening therein, a bottom plate having a central opening therein; a pair of identical outer barriers each having an outer side and an inner side and each having a central circular opening therein; a plurality of identical inner barriers, each having a central generally square-shaped opening therein; a pair of ground connector plates respectively associated in facing relationship with said top plate and said bottom plate, a pair of joint connector plates in facing relationship with each other on each side of each inner barrier, each of said ground connector plates and joint connector plates having a central generally square-shaped opening therein, a bolt extending through said central openings in said top plate, said bottom plate, said outer barriers, said inner barriers, said ground connector plates and said joint connector plates; a nut threadingly engaged with said bolt and adapted to be tightened thereon; and a generally square-shaped insulating tube extending between said outer barriers, said bolt extending through said tube for drawing said plates together in response to the tightening of said nut and bolt to effect a splice connection between bus bars of each section, said top plate and said bottom plate each includes portions defining a plurality of slots; and each of said outer barriers includes a pair of ears extending from said outer surface and respectively received in an associated one of said slots, said outer barriers each includes a receiving channel formed by square-shaped first ribs extending from said inner side around said central opening, said tube having opposite ends respectively received by said receiving channels.