Abstract:
An external connector block that can be positioned over multiple standard-sized power supply terminals that are secured to the housing of, e.g., a compressor is disclosed. The connector block includes an electrically conductive bridge connecting respective pins of the terminals in parallel. By connecting the terminals in parallel, the connector block increases the maximum allowable operating current of a terminal connection, while still utilizing standard-sized power terminal feed-throughs. As such, the connector block of the present disclosure may enable higher power rated applications without requiring a new power supply terminal design.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to electrical connections for a hermetic compressor. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a connector block having a parallel electrical connection for connecting a plurality of terminals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Hermetically sealed motor-compressor units are prevalent in refrigeration applications where the motor-compressor units are employed to compress refrigerant vapor. The compressor is generally driven by an electric motor which rotates a crankshaft of the compressor at relatively high speeds. These hermetically sealed motor-compressor units are frequently located in environments where it becomes necessary to protect the connections to the electrical system and ensure that the integrity of the electrical connections is maintained. Typical electrical connections for a hermetically sealed compressor include power lines for providing electricity for operating the electric motor and control circuitry which monitors the operation of the compressor. 
     Typically, one or more hermetic terminals are provided in the motor-compressor unit to allow electric power and/or electrical monitoring systems to extend through a housing of the motor-compressor unit. Power supply terminals typically include a body member welded or otherwise secured to the housing. The body member has a plurality of current conducting pins which are hermetically secured to and extend through the housing such that one end of each current conducting pin is located within the housing and the opposite end is located outside the housing. Electrical insulating and sealing material such as glass and/or epoxy forms a hermetic seal between each current conducting pin and the body member. The internal end of each current conducting pin is connected to electrical leads of the electric motor. The external end of each conductor is connected to a power supply by way of a connector block that attaches to the current conducting pins of the terminal. Typically, the electric motor is powered by a 3-wire single-phase electricity distribution system and the terminals include three current conducting pins. 
     In order to provide protection and sealing for the terminals, a terminal box is attached to the housing around the various terminals. The terminal box includes the appropriate cutouts to provide access to the various terminals, and seals are provided around these cutouts in order to protect the terminals from the outside environment. Typically, an external connector block is positioned over the power supply terminal with this external connector block being held in place by a terminal box cover which closes the terminal box. The external power is typically provided by a plurality of conductors which are attached to the external connector block. Each of the plurality of conductors electrically engages a respective current conducting pin when the external connector block is assembled to the power supply terminal. Once this connection is made, the terminal cover is attached to the terminal box to retain the external connector block and isolate the electrical connections within the terminal box. 
     On the inside of the housing, an internal connector block is positioned over the power supply terminal. The internal connector block routes electrical power from the power supply terminal to the electric motor which drives the compressor. The internal connector block includes a plurality of connectors or end fittings which frictionally engage the current conducting pins of the power supply terminal. It is preferred that the size of the internal connector block be kept as small as possible so that it does not interfere with the other components of the motor-compressor unit located inside the housing. 
     More frequently, new compressor applications require ever increasing electrical amperages (i.e., a higher electrical current) to be supplied to the electric motor. In some cases, requested power ratings for new applications exceed that of the largest available standard power supply terminal. One approach to dealing with higher amperage is to increase the diameter of the current conducting pins, which in turn increases the size of the power supply terminal, the external connector block, and the internal connector block. 
     In addition to creating unwanted size increases, such a solution requires investments in tooling and other disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides the art with an external connector block that can be positioned over two standard-sized power supply terminals that are secured to a compressor shell. The connector block includes an electrically conductive bridge connecting respective pins of the two terminals in parallel. By connecting the two terminals in parallel, the connector block doubles the maximum allowable operating current of terminal connection, while still utilizing standard-sized power terminal feed-throughs. As such, the connector block of the present disclosure may be used in higher power rated applications without requiring a new power supply terminal design. 
     The parallel connection of the present disclosure allows higher compressor operating currents than what can be achieved (within the dimensions of existing power supply terminals) by employing serial connection designs. The present disclosure advantageously avoids the need to invest in a new, larger power supply terminal design and tooling, including a terminal cap tool, terminal welding machinery, and associated terminal sealing fixtures. The present disclosure also allows terminal customers to continue to use standard, existing connector blocks on the inside of the compressor housing. For example, two internal connector blocks can connect to the two terminals in parallel to the motor windings. The present disclosure also does not affect the compressors&#39; hydrostatic burst pressure rating, which would otherwise be expected in the case where larger terminal caps (welded into larger mounting holes in the compressor shell) are used. 
     The connector block provides an easy external 3-wire connection for a 3-wire single-phase distribution system, which is the same as the 3-wire connection of Fusite&#39;s present strap models. The 3-wire connection reduces the risk of making an incorrect connection with the electric motor. 
     In various aspects, the connector block can be scaled up to connect three or more terminals in parallel, as may be desired in various applications. It will be appreciated that the connector block can be used with electrical devices other than hermetically sealed motor-compressor units. 
     According to the present disclosure, an exemplary connector block includes a nonconductive body having a longitudinal axis and a support having a first side and a second side. A first boss is disposed on the first side of the support and adapted to engage a first terminal, the first boss and the support defining a first set of N holes extending through the first boss and the support to the second side and adapted to receive a first set of N current conducting pins of the first terminal, N being an integer greater than two. A second boss is disposed on the first side of the support and adapted to engage a second terminal, the second boss is longitudinally spaced apart from the first boss, the second boss and the support defining a second set of N holes extending through the second boss and the support to the second side and adapted to receive a second set of N current conducting pins of the second terminal. Further, walls extending from the second side define longitudinally extending channels separated from each other by the walls and a plurality of conductive connectors are coupled to the second side of the nonconductive body, each extending longitudinally within a respective one of the channels and adapted to connect a first pin of the first set of current conducting pins to a respective second pin of the second set of current conducting pins via a first hole of the first set of holes and a second hole of the second set of holes. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view illustrating a connector block according to the present disclosure connected to two power supply terminals of a refrigeration compressor; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating terminals of the refrigeration compressor and the connector block of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is partial cross-sectional view illustrating the refrigeration compressor and the connector block of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a body of the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view illustrating the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view illustrating the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a back view illustrating the connector block of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another exemplary connector block for the refrigeration compressor of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring now to the drawings, a hermetically sealed compressor assembly  10  connected to an external connector block  12  according to the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Connector block  12  connects compressor assembly  10  to an external power source (not shown). While a compressor assembly used for refrigeration is illustrated for purposes of the present example, it will be appreciated from the following description that connector block  12  can be used with other electrical machines. Compressor assembly  10  can be a scroll compressor, a piston compressor, a screw compressor, or any other type of compressor known in the refrigeration art. Compressor assembly  10  includes a shell  14 , an electric motor  16 , and a compressor  18 . Shell  14  defines a hermetically sealed chamber  20  within which electric motor  16  and compressor  18  are disposed. Electric motor  16  drives compressor  18 . 
     Compressor assembly  10  further includes terminals  22 ,  24 , conductive coupling members or straps  26 , and a terminal box  28 . Terminals  22 ,  24  extend through shell  14  and provide an electrical connection through which power is supplied to electric motor  16 . Terminals  22 ,  24  are connected in parallel to the external power source via connector block  12 . Terminals  22  and  24  are connected in parallel to windings of electric motor  16  via internal connector blocks  36  and  38  ( FIG. 3 ), respectively. Terminals  22 ,  24  can be any suitable terminals known in the art. As illustrated by the present example, terminals  22 ,  24  can be existing, standard “3K3” terminals sold by the FUSITE Division of Emerson Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. Internal connector blocks  36 ,  38  can be any suitable internal connector blocks known in the art. For example, internal connector blocks  36 ,  38  can be existing, standard connector blocks known in the art. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , terminal  22  includes a body member  40 , a plurality of current conducting pins  42 , a plurality of insulators  44 , and elastomeric over surface protection coverings  46 ,  47 . Body member  40  is generally circular in shape and is secured within an aperture  48  formed within shell  14  by resistance welds. According to the present example, three current conducting pins  42  are illustrated (see  FIG. 1 ), however the number of current conducting pins provided can vary. Current conducting pins  42  extend through body member  40 . Insulators  44  are disposed between respective current conducting pins  42  and body member  40 . Over surface protection covering  46  is positioned over a portion of each of the current conducting pins  42  and is disposed on body member  40  on the exterior side of terminal  22 . Over surface protection covering  47  is positioned over a portion of each of the current conducting pins  42  and is disposed on body member  40  on the interior side of terminal  22 . The current conducting pins  42  are hermetically sealed to the body member  40 . 
     Terminal  24  is identical to terminal  22  and includes a body member  50 , a plurality of current conducting pins  52 , a plurality of insulators  54 , and over surface protection covering  56 ,  57 . Body member  50 , current conducting pins  52 , insulators  54 , and over surface protection covering  56 ,  57  can be identical to body member  40 , current conducting pins  42 , insulators  44 , and over surface protection covering  46 ,  47 . For brevity, a detailed description of terminal  24  will be omitted with the understanding that the above description of terminal  22  applies equally to terminal  24 . According to the present example, three current conducting pins  52  are provided and are connected in parallel to respective current conducting pins  42  via connector block  12  as described in further detail below. While an equal number of current conducting pins  42 ,  52  are illustrated, the terminals  22 ,  24  may have an unequal number of current conducting pins as may be desired, for example, to accommodate separate communication connections. In this case, a common set of current conducting pins for supplying power can be connected in parallel by connector block  12  according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
     Coupling straps  26  are each resistance welded or otherwise fixedly attached to an associated one of the current conducting pins  42 ,  52 . Coupling straps  26  are configured to pass through connector block  12  when in a first straight configuration as shown in  FIG. 2  and to be bent into a second L-shaped configuration used to secure connector block  12  to compressor assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each coupling strap  26  includes a pin engaging section  60  and a strap engaging section  62  formed by two separate parts. Each of the parts is made of a conductive material, preferably a bimetal of copper and cold rolled steel. Copper is used on one side to facilitate electrical connections with respective conductive pins  42 ,  52 . Cold rolled steel is used on an opposite side to facilitate resistance welding coupling straps  26  to conductive pins  42 ,  52 . When secured to connector block  12 , coupling straps  26  create electrical connections between respective current conducting pins  42 ,  52  as discussed in further detail below. 
     Terminal box  28  is secured to the exterior of shell  14  and houses connector block  12 , terminals  22 ,  24 , as well as the electrical connections between connector block  12 , terminals  22 ,  24 , and the external power source. Terminal box  28  includes a body  64  having a generally rectangular box shape and a cover  66  pivotally secured to body  64 . Cover  66  is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, cover  66  isolates connector block  12 , terminals  22 ,  24 , and electrical connections within terminal box  28  from the environment. In the open position, cover  66  provides access to the various components and electrical connections housed within terminal box  28 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1-3 , connector block  12  is adapted to be disposed on and to attach to terminals  22 ,  24  and thereby be secured to the exterior of shell  14 . Connector block  12  connects three leads or wires  70  of the external power source to the current conducting pins  42  and  52  of terminals  22  and  24  in parallel. When secured, connector block  12  engages external surfaces  72  and  74  of terminals  22  and  24 , respectively, and receives portions of coupling straps  26  and current conducting pins  42  and  52  of terminals  22  and  24 , respectively. Wires  70  are attached to connector block  12  via respective threaded fasteners  76 . In various aspects, threaded fasteners  76  are made from a conductive material, such as zinc coated steel or brass. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 4-10 , an exemplary implementation of connector block  12  is shown in detail and will now be described. For reference, an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis are shown in each of  FIGS. 2-10 . The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis extend in what will generally be referred to as a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a lateral direction, respectively, with respect to connector block  12 . With initial reference particularly to  FIGS. 2-4 , connector block  12  includes a nonconductive body  100 , and a plurality of conductive connectors or bridging straps  102 . Generally, the number of bridging straps  102  will be equal to the number of pairs of current conducting pins  42  and  52  to be connected in parallel. In the present example, three bridging straps  102  and six coupling straps  26  are illustrated. 
     Nonconductive body  100  can be molded from a suitable nonconductive material which also preferably resists absorbing moisture (e.g., hydrophobic). For example, nonconductive body  100  can be made from a polymeric material. Nonconductive body  100  includes a support  110 , bosses  112 ,  114 , a boundary wall  116 , and two partition walls  118 . In various aspects, support  110 , bosses  112 ,  114 , boundary wall  116 , and partition walls  118  can be formed integral to each other as a single piece part. For example, support  110 , bosses  112 ,  114 , boundary wall  116 , and partition walls  118  can be molded together. In a preferred example, connector block  12  is molded from a phenolic material as a single piece part. 
     Nonconductive body  100  further includes a plurality of rectangular-shaped through holes  122  and  124 , and a plurality of blind holes  126  and  128  ( FIG. 5 ). Through holes  122  and  124  extend through bosses  112  and  114 , respectively, and support  110 . Through holes  122  and  124  are each sized to receive coupling straps  26 , current conducting pins  42  and  52 , respectively, and portions of elastomeric gaskets  46  and  56  that circumscribe current conducting pins  42  and  52 . 
     Blind holes  126  and  128  extend through support  110  and partially through bosses  112  and  114 , respectively. Blind holes  126  and  128  are located adjacent through holes  122  and  124 , respectively, and are adapted to receive conductive threaded inserts  130  used to secure an electrical connection between wires  70 , bridging straps  102 , and coupling straps  26  as discussed in further detail below. Threaded inserts  130  are generally cylindrical in shape and include internal threads. Threaded inserts  130  are manufactured from a metal, which preferably is zinc coated steel. Threaded inserts  130  can be secured within blind holes  126  and  128  according to various methods. For example, threaded inserts  130  can be molded in when forming nonconductive body  100  using a suitable insert molding process, or can be pressed into blind holes  126  and  128  after forming nonconductive body  100 . 
     Support  110  is a generally flat structure that supports bosses  112 ,  114  on a first side  132 , and boundary wall  116 , partition walls  118  and bridging straps  102  on a second side  134  opposite first side  132 . Support  110  has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in the lateral direction. Support  110  electrically insulates bridging straps  102  from components located on the first side  132 . 
     Bosses  112  and  114  protrude from the first side  132  of support  110  and are adapted to engage external surfaces  72  and  74  of terminals  22  and  24 , respectively, and, more particularly, elastomeric gaskets  46  and  56 . Bosses  112 ,  114  provide a desired lateral spacing between support  110  and shell  14 . Bosses  112  and  114  define portions of the through holes  122  and  124  extending through nonconductive body  100 , respectively. Boss  112  includes a base section  140  and an engagement section  142 . Base section  140  extends from support  110  and engagement section  142  extends from base section  140 . Base section  140  defines portions of blind holes  126 . Boss  114  includes a base section  150  and an engagement section  152 . Base section  150  extends from support  110  and engagement section  152  extends from base section  150 . Base section  150  defines portions of blind holes  128 . 
     Boundary wall  116  extends from support  110  in the lateral direction and along three peripheral sides of support  110 . Together, boundary wall  116  and support  110  define an interior space  160  adjacent to the second side  134  of support  110 . Partition walls  118  extend from support  110  in the lateral direction within the interior space  160  and generally along a length of support  110  in the longitudinal direction. Partition walls  118  partition interior space  160 , and together with boundary wall  116  define a plurality of isolated channels  162 . Channels  162  have a width in the transverse direction that provides a creepage distance or spacing sufficient to isolate bridging straps  102  from each other. For purposes of the present example, a spacing of at least around 12.7 millimeters (mm) can provide suitable isolation. 
     Channels  162  are open at one end and closed at an opposite end, the end pointed to by x-axis. Each of the channels  162  extends between and intersects with a respective pair of the through holes  122  and  124 , thereby providing communication between the first and second sides  132  and  134 . Each of the channels  162  further intersects with a respective pair of blind holes  126  and  128 . Partition walls  118  and  120  join together and join to a transverse section of boundary wall  116  extending along the closed end to create a wall section  168  ( FIG. 5 ) that closes channels  162 . In various aspects, a height and/or a width of partition walls  118  can be the same and can be the same as a height and/or a width of boundary wall  116 . 
     Together, bridging straps  102  and coupling straps  26  are adapted to electrically connect wires  70  to respective pairs of current conducting pins  42  and  52  and thereby connect terminals  22  and  24  in parallel. Bridging straps  102  can be manufactured from a suitable metal material. Bridging straps  102  are generally flat and elongate parts manufactured from a sheet metal material, which preferably is copper or a copper alloy such as brass, or an aluminum material. Each of the bridging straps  102  is adapted to extend between a respective pair of blind holes  126  and  128 . Bridging straps  102  are disposed on the second side  134  within respective channels  162  and electrically isolated from each other by nonconductive body  100 . 
     Each of the bridging straps  102  includes a laterally offset middle section  170  and end sections  172  and  174  extending from opposite ends of the middle section  170  that define eyelets  176  and  178 , respectively. As best seen in  FIGS. 2-3 , middle sections  170  are embedded within nonconductive body  100  and, more particularly, within support  110 , thereby coupling bridging straps  102  to nonconductive body  100 . In various aspects, middle sections  170  are embedded to a depth D 1  sufficient to isolate the middle sections  170  from the first side  132  and a depth D 2  sufficient to isolate the middle sections  170  from the second side  134 . For purposes of the present example, depths D 1 , D 2  of at least around 0.7 mm can provide suitable isolation. Depth D 2  can be greater than D 1  as illustrated. Bridging straps  102  can be embedded when forming nonconductive body  100  using a suitable insert molding process. 
     Eyelets  176  and  178  are disposed over and generally in co-axial alignment with the respective blind holes  126  and  128 . When bent to secure connector block  12  to compressor assembly  10  an eyelet of the strap engaging section  62  of each coupling strap  26  is generally co-axial with the respective eyelet  176  or  178  and blind hole  126  or  128 . Each coupling strap  26  is secured to nonconductive body  100  by a fastener that passes through a respective eyelet of the strap engaging section  62 , eyelet  176  or  178 , and threads into a respective threaded insert  130 . Fasteners  186  secure coupling straps  26  located at terminal  22 . Fasteners  76  secure coupling straps  26  located at terminal  24  and wires  70 . When secured, electrical connections between terminals  22 ,  24  and bridging straps  102  are created. In various aspects, fasteners  186  are made from a conductive material, and can be identical to fasteners  76 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , methods of assembling connector block  12  to compressor assembly  10  and wires  70  of the external power source to connector block  12  will be described in further detail. A method of assembling connector block  12  includes positioning connector block  12  over terminals  22  and  24  and respective coupling straps  26  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In particular, connector block  12  is positioned so that each of the current conducting pins  42  and  52  and respective coupling straps  26  are disposed within the respective through holes  122  and  124  and connector block  12  engages or abuts external surfaces  72  and  74  of terminals  22  and  24 . 
     After positioning connector block  12 , coupling straps  26  are bent towards their respective bridging straps  102  into an L-shape so that strap engaging sections  62  of coupling straps  26  are positioned over and abut end sections  172  and  174  of bridging straps  102 . Thus positioned, coupling straps  26  can retain connector block  12  in a manner sufficient to enable compressor assembly  10  to be shipped to an end user or customer for final assembly of connector block  12 , which can include assembly of wires  70 . Next, connector block  12  is connected to terminals  22  and  24  using fasteners  76  and  186 . To connect connector block  12  to terminal  22 , fasteners  186  are passed through the eyelets of the coupling straps  26  associated with terminal  22  and eyelets  176  of bridging straps  102  and threaded into the respective threaded inserts  130 . Fasteners  186  are torqued to compress coupling straps  26  and bridging straps  102  together to create the electrical connections between terminal  22  and connector block  12 . According to various methods, fasteners  186  can be secured prior to connecting connector block  12  to terminal  24  and/or wires  70  to connector block  12 . In this way, fasteners  186  can be used to further secure connector block  12  to compressor assembly  10  for shipping to a customer. 
     To connect connector block  12  to terminal  24 , wires  70  are assembled to connector block  12  by passing wires  70  through respective channels  162  at the open end of connector block  12 . Wires  70  are each then connected to terminal  24  by passing threaded fasteners  76  through respective eyelets of wire  70 , eyelets of coupling straps  26  associated with terminal  24 , and eyelets  178  of bridging strap  102  in that order. Then, threaded fasteners  76  are thread into the respective threaded insert  130  and torqued until bridging strap  102  and coupling straps  26  are compressed together to create the electrical connections. Once secured, fasteners  76  and  186  can fixedly, yet releaseably secure connector block  12  to compressor assembly  10 . 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 11 , a partial cross-sectional view illustrates another exemplary connector block  200  for use with compressor assembly  10 . The cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  illustrates a view of connector block  200  corresponding to that of connector block  12  shown in  FIG. 2 . Connector block  200  is substantially similar to connector block  12 , except that connector block  200  includes features for creating separate connections  202  for connecting one or more wires  70  of an external power source (not shown) to connector block  200 . Accordingly, it should be understood that the above description of connector block  12  applies equally to connector block  200 , except as noted below or otherwise evident from the context. 
     According to the present example, connector block  200  includes three separate connections  202  for connecting wires  70  of the external power source to connector block  200 . Connector block  200  includes a nonconductive body  210  and conductive connectors or bridging straps  212 . Nonconductive body  210  is substantially similar to nonconductive body  100 , except that nonconductive body  210  includes an additional boss  220 , blind hole  222 , threaded insert  224 , and slotted recess  226  associated with each connection  202 . Bosses  220  protrude from the same first side  132  (see  FIG. 2 ) as bosses  112 ,  114  and are each adapted to support a respective threaded insert  224  within blind hole  222  in a manner substantially similar to that which bosses  112 ,  114  support threaded inserts  130 . 
     Threaded inserts  224  are substantially similar to threaded inserts  130  and are each adapted to receive a fastener  228  used to secure the respective connection  202 . Slotted recesses  226  are disposed over respective inserts  224  and extend through the second side  134 , exposing respective portions of bridging straps  212  where wires  70  are attached to make the respective connections  202 . In various aspects, slotted recesses  226  have a size and shape adapted to receive and retain the eyelets of wires  70  in a desired orientation with respect to connector block  200 . For example, slotted recesses  226  can have a size and shape which is generally complementary to that of the ends or eyelets of wires  70 . 
     Bridging straps  212  are substantially similar to bridging straps  102 , except that each includes a middle section  230  defining a through hole  232 . Middle sections  230  can be embedded to a desired depth similar to middle sections  170  of connector block  12 . Through holes  232  are disposed within slotted recesses  226  over respective inserts  224 . Through holes  232  are generally coaxially aligned with inserts  224  to allow fasteners  228  to pass through. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 11 , exemplary methods of assembling connector block  200  and wires  70  to compressor assembly  10  will be described in further detail. A method of assembling connector block  200  and wires  70  generally includes positioning connector block  200  relative to terminals  22  and  24 , connecting connector block  200  to terminals  22  and  24 , and connecting wires  70  to connector block  200  to form connections  202 . Connector block  200  can be positioned relative to terminals  22  and  24  by positioning connector block  200  over terminals  22  and  24  and coupling straps  26  to abut externals surfaces  72  and  74  of terminals  22  and  24 . Initially, connector block  200  can be positioned relative to terminals  22  and  24  in the same manner as connector block  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . After positioning connector block  200 , connector block  200  can be loosely secured to terminals  22  and  24  by bending coupling straps  26  towards respective bridging straps  212  into an L-shape so that strap engaging sections  62  of coupling straps  26  are positioned over and abut end sections  172  and  174  of bridging straps  212 . Thus positioned, coupling straps  26  can retain connector block  200  in a manner sufficient to enable compressor assembly  10  to be shipped to a customer for final assembly of connector block  12 , which can include connecting wires  70  of the external power source to connector block  200 . 
     Next, connector block  200  can be connected to terminals  22  and  24  using fasteners  76  and  186 . Fasteners  186  can be passed through the eyelets of the coupling straps  26  associated with terminal  22  and the eyelets  176  of bridging straps  212  and threaded into threaded inserts  130 . Fasteners  186  can be tightened to compress coupling straps  26  and bridging straps  212  together to create electrical connections between terminal  22  and connector block  200 . Fasteners  76  can be passed through the eyelets of the coupling straps  26  associated with terminal  24  and eyelets  178  of bridging straps  212  and threaded into threaded inserts  130 . Fasteners  76  can be tightened to compress coupling straps  26  and bridging straps  212  together to create electrical connections between terminal  24  and connector block  200 . Once tightened, fasteners  76  and  186  can fixedly, yet releaseably, secure connector block  200  to compressor assembly  10 . 
     Wires  70  can be connected to connector block  200  by passing the wires  70  through respective channels  162  and securing connections  202 . Connections  202  can be secured by passing fasteners  228  through eyelets of the associated wires  70 , through holes  232  of the bridging straps  212  and threading fasteners  228  into threaded inserts  224 . Fasteners  228  can be tightened to compress the eyelets of wires  70  and respective middle sections  230  of bridging straps  212  together to create connections  202 . 
     Advantages of connector block  200  include an advantage that connector block  200  can be removed from compressor assembly  10  without disconnecting wires  70  of the external power source, for example, during servicing of compressor assembly  10 . Connector block  200  can be removed by unthreading fasteners  76 ,  186  and straightening coupling straps  26 . An additional advantage is connector block  200  can be positively secured to both terminals  22  and  24  of compressor assembly  10  via fasteners  76  and  186  without the need to secure wires  70 . In this way, connector block  200  can be positively secured and shipped with compressor assembly  10  to a customer, who can subsequently connect wires  70 . 
     While external connector blocks  12  and  200  of present disclosure has been described with reference to compressor assembly  10 , it will be appreciated that external connector blocks  12  and  200  can be used in other applications using electrically-powered machines. It will be further appreciated that external connector blocks  12  and  200  can be scaled up to provide parallel electrical connections between three or more terminals similar to the connections provided for terminals  22 ,  24 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.