Abstract:
A wiring adapter is provided which controls the shear point for a wiring system in a traffic control box and other electrical panels. The wiring adapter includes a bottom segment which is securely mounted in the control box. Incoming wires to the control box are connected to the bottom segment. The top segment of the wiring adapter includes connections for wires running from the wiring adapter to the power or control elements in the control box. The wiring adapter uses a quick release retention mechanism to secure the top segment to the bottom segment. When a triggering event occurs, the quick release mechanism separates the top segment from the bottom segment to ensure that the shear point for the wiring system occurs at the wiring adapter.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention pertains to controlled shear point adapters for mounting and connecting electrical wires and fiber optic cables. More particularly, this invention pertains to a controlled shear point wiring adapter with an anchored bottom segment and a quick release top segment. The wiring adapter is positioned in a control box or other mounting cabinet structure to facilitate the connection of various wires utilized in the structures, such as the power wires from a power source to the control box or the control wires from the control box to external control elements. When a physical stress is placed on the wiring system, the quick release function of the wiring adapter is triggered to separate the top segment from the bottom segment, such that the shear point of the wiring system occurs at the wiring adapter. 
         [0002]    The power systems utilized in the control boxes or other mounting cabinet structures will typically require physical wires that provide connectivity to a source of power. The control systems will also have significant wiring requirements to provide connectivity between the control elements in the control boxes and the external control elements and sensors. Fiber optic cables may be used for traffic monitoring and control, as well as road structure monitoring, where communicating information to a traffic management center or other control center via a fiber optic communication system is advantageous. The physical wires and fiber optic cables may be buried in the ground or run behind walls or mounted on poles above ground level. In many situations, it is difficult to access or repair the physical wires in the event that the wires are damaged. 
         [0003]    In a control box, stable junction connections between terminals in a power system or control system are preferred. The connection requires that the terminals be properly aligned and held steady during operation in a clean connection. These connections are susceptible to damage caused by sudden motion. Sudden motion may damage the physical wires by pulling, tearing, or breaking the physical wires. 
         [0004]    The physical wires are generally made up of a plurality of segments connected together through junctions. In many applications where a junction is use to connect a first terminal is connected to a second terminal, a rigid connection is required. The advantage of a rigid connection is that it promotes the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal with transmission mediums such as electrical signals, power supplies, or fiber optic light waves. The disadvantage of such a connection is that any force applied to the connection may result in damage to the physical cable connected by the junction. In order to avoid damage caused by forces applied to the junction, a quick release mechanism is available to provide the advantages of a physical connection between the first and second terminal while allowing for a quick release of the first terminal from the second terminal in the event of a force being applied to the junction. 
         [0005]    For both the outdoor and in-building control box installations, the wires are often placed in conduit or other ducts. The conduit provides protection for both physical and environmental abuse. In underground installations, the conduit protects the cable from shifting rocks, aggressive rodents, digging equipment, and other hazards. In metropolitan areas, multiple conduits are often grouped as duct banks to accommodate future growth of the wiring infrastructure without major traffic disruptions from cutting and trenching of the streets. 
         [0006]    Control boxes are used extensively in the transportation industry for various traffic control and road monitoring applications. The control boxes are generally mounted along the edge of the highway or local streets in proximity to the location of the traffic signals or other traffic control or monitoring elements. One of the most expensive problems in operating such systems is to repair damages to the wiring systems caused by traffic accidents which physically damage the control boxes. The wiring connections inside the control boxes are often ripped apart and destroyed. The physical wires, which are in a conduit buried under ground or mounted on a pole, are damaged within the conduit. In such a case, the wiring may need to be re-laid from the source to the destination. The process of replacing wiring connectors and relaying the physical wires is time consuming, labor intensive, expensive, and dangerous. The longer an intersection is disabled for repair work, the more likely it is for secondary accidents to occur. 
         [0007]    In order to minimize the damage caused by sudden physical stress to a wire, it is desirable to control the shear point, which is the point at which the wires break when sufficient stress is applied. When the wiring system is stressed, the quick-release function of the wiring adapters ensures that the shear point occurs at the adapter and not elsewhere in the wiring system. By controlling the shear point, damages to the wiring system caused by a physical stress are limited, and the time and expense for repairs are drastically reduced. 
         [0008]    Another concern when a control box is damaged in a traffic accident or other incident is an exposed power wire. When the wires are ripped apart in the accident, one end of the wires will still typically be connected to a power source. Although the power source may have an electrical circuit breaker in the system, the circuit breaker may not always trip when the wires are damaged. Any exposed live wires at the scene of the accident may be an electrical hazard to any persons at the scene of the accident. When a stress occurs in the wiring system and the top segment of the wiring adapter is separated from the bottom segment, the exposed ends of the power wires are still retained in the lower adapter segments, thereby reducing the danger caused by exposed wires. The electrical connectors on the lower adapter segment are recessed to prevent accidental human contact. 
         [0009]    The control boxes for traffic control and many other applications, such as street light poles, dynamic message boards, school crossing lights, and speed monitoring poles, are mounted outdoors. When torrential rain or snow storms occur, the inside of the control boxes may have standing water, which may damage the wiring systems and create an electrical hazard for persons around the control boxes. The controlled shear point wiring adapter of the present invention is a sealed adapter such that the adapter continues to function when exposed to standing water. 
         [0010]    Wiring damages caused by control box accidents are also a concern in industries other than the transportation industry. Control boxes are used in other outdoor and indoor applications where the wires are positioned in underground conduits or other conduit locations where wire repairs would be difficult. For example, street light poles, which typically have underground power wires but no control wires, frequently have damage to the power wires caused by traffic accidents. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed-description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0012]    The present invention includes a controlled shear point wiring adapter with a quick release function, which is used to connect wires being connected in a control box or other application. The wiring adapter includes a top segment and a bottom segment which are provided as separate components for mounting in the control box. The bottom segment includes an anchor system to secure the bottom segment to the concrete floor of the control box or other device. The bottom segment is mounted in proximity to the open end of a conduit used to deliver power wires or control wires to the control box. The wires extending from the conduit are connected to terminals in the bottom segment of the wiring adapter. The wires extending from the controller in the control box or other similar devices are connected to the top segment. The top segment and bottom segment include conductor lugs and an alignment mechanism to facilitate proper connectivity and alignment between the top and bottom segment. 
         [0013]    Once the wires have been connected to the top segment and the bottom segment, the two segments are connected in the control box. A spring is positioned between the top segment and the bottom segment. When the segments are connected the spring is compressed to store potential energy. One or more quick release retainer clips are used to hold the segments together and compress the internal o-rings. A trip ring or other trigger mechanism is connected to the top segment, and one or more trip wires are connected between the trip ring and anchors or other fasteners in the control box or other similar device. When an accident occurs and the control box is being damaged, the physical stress will cause the trip wire to be moved, which will pull the trip ring. When the trip ring is pulled, the retainer clips release and the energy of the spring, combined with any additional energy from the moving of the control box as a result of the accident, cause the top segment to vertically separate from the bottom segment, thereby causing the shear point of the wiring system to occur at the location of the wiring adapter. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the top segment may be formed by two plates, a top outer backing plate and a top connector plate. The bottom segment may also be formed by two or more plates, including an outer bottom backing plate and a bottom connector plate. One of the connector plates will have female lugs or other types of connectors, and the other connector plate will have the corresponding male lugs or other types of connectors. After the bottom segment is secured near the conduit bringing wires to the control box, the top connector plate is aligned with the bottom connector plate and the upper male lug is inserted into the lower female lug to provide the electrical connection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a control box which is used for traffic control and road monitoring, said control box including two conduits entering the bottom of the control box: (i) a power wire conduit with a power wiring adapter mounted in proximity to the conduit opening at the bottom of the control box, and (ii) a control wire conduit with a control wiring adapter mounted in proximity to the conduit opening at the bottom of the control box. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the power wiring adapter with retention clips securing the top segment to the bottom segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the power wiring adapter with retention clips securing the top segment to the bottom segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the three plates of the bottom segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, top perspective view of the three plates of the bottom segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the top segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the top lug plate in the top segment of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the power wiring adapter taken along a center diameter of the power wiring adapter. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the power wiring adapter taken along a second center diameter of the power wiring adapter, rotated 90 degrees from  FIG. 8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a control wiring adapter with retention clips securing the top segment to the bottom segment of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the two plates of the bottom segment of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the control wiring adapter showing bottom of the base plate and the female connectors positioned in the four vertical apertures of the base plate. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is an exploded, top perspective view of the two plates of the top segment of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the two plates of the top segment of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a bottom perspective view of the top segment of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view of the control wiring adapter taken along a center diameter of the control wiring adapter. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is an alternative bottom plan view of the control wiring adapter showing six vertical apertures in the bottom of the base plate and the female connectors positioned in the six vertical apertures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects of the best mode may be simplified or omitted. Note that some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified by the claims. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from the best mode that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
         [0000]    Although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,515,233, entitled “Adapter for Mounting Cable Connectors,” by Jeffrey Michael Dominique, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a control box  10  provides an enclosure mounted on a concrete pedestal  28 . For traffic and road monitoring applications, the control box  10  is typically positioned on the side of the road at an intersection or other strategic location. Similar control boxes may be used for other control transmission or power transmission applications. The control box  10  includes two conduits entering the control box. For traffic control applications, the first conduit  12  contains power wire  14  to provide 120 volt or 240 volt electrical power to the control box  10 . The second conduit  16  contains low voltage control wires  18 . The control wires  18  may be used to send electrical control signals between the traffic light signal devices, video cameras, crosswalk systems, pavement sensors, and other traffic or road devices (not shown), which are mounted in proximity to the control box  10 . The power system components  20  and the control system components  22  are positioned in the control box  10 . The conduits  12 ,  16  could also enter the side or top of control box  10  for special traffic locations or for control boxes in industries other than traffic control and monitoring. 
         [0036]    One of the problems faced by state and local governments in maintaining traffic control boxes  10  mounted along a street is the damage caused to the control boxes  10  by traffic accidents or other impact accidents. After an accident, the control box  10  itself and the power system components  20  and the control system components  22  may need to be replaced. But the costs are increased significantly if the power wire  14  or control wires  18  are damaged in an accident. If the power wire  14  or control wires  18  are ripped apart or otherwise damaged, such wires will need to be replaced. This often involves significant digging with special equipment, pavement repair work, and other costly repair services to reestablish the connections. 
         [0037]    In addition to traffic control boxes, the power wiring adapter and the control wiring adapter can be used in other devices and applications where controlling the shear point of a stressed wiring is beneficial, such as production equipment, power supplies, and applications where wires extend through a concrete pedestal. For example, street light poles only have power wires extending from a concrete pedestal and do not typically have any control wires. A power wiring adapter could be mounted at the base of the light pole to control the shear point of the power wires if the light pole is damaged in an accident. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 1 , the power wiring adapter  24  and the control wiring adapter  26  are mounted on the concrete pedestal  28  in proximity to the openings of conduit  12  and conduit  16 , respectively. The power wire  14  may be any type of power wires used to deliver alternating current power to the power system components  20  in control box  10 . The power wire  14  may be twisted copper wires having an outer jacket to protect the inner conductors (not shown). The three inner conductors are usually insulated copper conductors twisted around a flexible core. The three conductors include a hot-power conductor, a common-neutral conductor, and a ground wire. The power provided by the power wire  14  is typically 120 volts, 60 Hz, single phase. When the power wire  14  exits the conduit  12 , the power wire is cut by the installer-technician and the three conductors in the power wire  14  are connected to the bottom segment of the power wiring adapter  24 . Then a power wire segment  30  is connected between the top segment of power wiring adapter  24  and the terminals for the power system components  20 . 
         [0039]    The control system components  22  may include a power converter to convert the AC power to direct current power or to low voltage AC power, such as 24 volts DC or AC or 12 volts DC or AC. The logic portion of the controllers utilize the direct current power or low voltage AC power to send and receive traffic light power or control signals from the sensors, detectors, light switches and other control components. The control wires  18  are multi-conductor control wires. The control wires  18  may have anywhere from two conductors up to sixty total conductors, but most control wires  18  in the traffic control applications will have two to four conductors per interface device. The control wires  18  include an outer jacket to protect the inner conductors. The inner conductors are individually insulated and usually twisted around a center core. When the control wires  18  exit the conduit  16 , the control wires are cut by the installer-technician and the conductors in the control wires  18  are connected to the bottom segment of the control wiring adapter  26 . Then control wire segments  32  are connected between the top segment of control wiring adapter  26  and the terminals for the control system components  20 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2-9  show the configuration of the power wiring adapter  24  of the present invention. The power wiring adapter  24  may be made of any material, including non-conductive metal, plastic, or rubber. The preferred material and methodology for making the power wiring adapter  24  is a molded or machined, high density PVC plastic or other similar non-conducting material. The power wiring adapter  24  has two main components, a bottom segment  34  and a top segment  36 . The bottom segment  34  includes three plates, a base plate  38 , a bottom lug plate  40 , and a center plate  42 . The top segment  36  includes two plates, the top lug plate  44  and the cover plate  46 . The power wiring adapter  24  is furnished to technicians in the field as a kit, with each of the five plates packaged individually within the kit for assembly at the control box  10 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 2-3  show the power wiring adapter  24  in assembled form. There are three horizontal apertures  46 B,  48 B, and  50 B formed in the bottom segment  34  and three corresponding horizontal apertures  46 T,  48 T, and  50 T formed in the top segment  36 . When the power wire  14  exits the conduit  12 , the outer coating at the end of the power wire  14  is stripped off and the insulation at the ends of the conductors is also stripped off by the technician. The insulated conductors include a hot-power conductor, a common-neutral conductor, and a ground wire. Each of the conductors is color-coded per the applicable electrical wiring standards. Each of the three conductors of power wire  14  is allocated to one of the apertures  46 B,  48 B,  50 B for connection to electrical lugs on the inside of the power wiring adapter  24 . The power wire segment  30  extending from the power system components  20  to the power wiring adapter  24  has the end of the segment  30  prepared in a similar manner for positioning in apertures  46 T,  48 T, and  50 T of the top segment  36 . For electrical continuity purposes, the conductors of power wire  14  positioned in the apertures  46 B,  48 B and  50 B must match the corresponding conductors of the power wire segment  30  positioned in the apertures  46 T,  48 T and  50 T. For example, if the hot-power conductor is positioned in aperture  46 B, the hot-power conductor would also be positioned in  46 T. 
         [0042]    Three mounting bolts  52  extend from the bottom surface of base plate  38 , which are used to secure the bottom segment  34  of the power wiring adapter  24  to the concrete pedestal  28  at the bottom of control box  10 . Three holes are drilled into the concrete pedestal  28 . The anchors  54  are inserted into the holes in the concrete. The plates  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  are assembled in the field at the time of installation. The mounting bolts  52  extend through the plates  38 ,  40 , and  42  to secure the bottom segment  34  to the concrete pedestal  28 . Alternative mounting bolts are available which are specifically designed for self-anchoring in concrete, and the concrete anchors  54  are not necessary to secure the bottom segment  34  to the concrete pedestal  28 . 
         [0043]    The retention clips  56  are used to secure the top segment  36  to the bottom segment  34 . The retention clips  56  are fastened to the top of the cover plate  46  using screws  58  or other similar fasteners. The retention clips are made of aluminum or other flexible metal. The free end of the retention clips  56  includes a hook which is positioned to engage the flanged surface of the base plate  38 . The retention clips  56  are sized so that the clips  56  have sufficient force to secure the top segment  36  to the bottom segment  34 . The retention clips  56  also provide sufficient force to compress the o-rings  76 ,  78  to create a sealed, water barrier. 
         [0044]    An adapter ring, such as anchor bolt  60 , is secured in the top surface of the cover plate  46 . One or more trip wires (not shown) are connected to the anchor bolt  60 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4 and 5  provide an exploded view of the bottom segment  34 . The mounting bolts  52  extend from the top of the center plate  42  through the bottom lug plate  40  and the base plate  38  into the anchors  54 . The screws  62  are used to secure the center plate  42  to the bottom lug plate  40 . 
         [0046]    The electrical lugs  64  for the bottom segment  34  are mounted on the bottom side of the lug plate  40 . Female lug extensions  66  extend from the upper surface of the lug plate  40  and into the lug apertures  68  on the center plate  42 . The wire clamping element  70  is accessible from the upper surface of the bottom lug plate  40 . When an electrical conductor is inserted into the lug  64 , the clamping element  70  is screw tightened to secure the conductor in the lug  64 . Lug recesses  72  are formed in the top of the base plate  38  and the bottom of the bottom lug plate  40  for positioning the lugs  64 . Access grooves  74  are also formed in the top of the base plate  38  and the bottom of the bottom lug plate  40  to form the apertures  46 B,  48 B, and  50 B to allow the electrical conductors to access the lugs  64 . 
         [0000]    A bottom o-ring  76  and a top o-ring  78  are positioned in circular grooves  80  formed in the top surface of the bottom lug plate  40 , and in both the top and bottom surface of the center plate  42 . The o-rings  76 ,  78  provide a water tight seal for the electrical conductors and lugs  64  on the inside of the power wiring adapter  24 . Two small and one large positioning pins  82  are secured to the upper surface of the center plate  42 . The positioning pins are used to assure proper electrical conductivity and mechanical alignment when the top segment  36  is secured to the bottom segment  34 . The positioning pins  82  may be formed of varying diameters so that when the top segment  36  is secured to the bottom segment  34 , the electrical polarity of the mated connectors is maintained as originally wired. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6-7  are directed to the top segment  36  of the power wiring adapter  24 . Electrical lugs  84  for the top segment  36  are mounted on the top side of the top lug plate  44 . Male conductor rods  86  extend from the lower surface of the top lug plate  44 . The male conductor rods  86  are secured to the electrical lugs  84 . The male conductor rods  86  may be made from copper, brass, or other electrical conductive material. When the top segment  36  is secured to the bottom segment  34 , the male conductor rods  86  are inserted into female lug extensions  66  to facilitate electrical connection between the bottom segment  34  and the top segment  36 . The wire clamping element  88  is accessible from the bottom surface of the top lug plate  44 . When an electrical conductor is inserted into the lug  84 , the clamping element  88  is screw tightened to secure the conductor in the lug  64 . Lug recesses  72  are formed in the bottom of the cover plate  46  and the top of the top lug plate  44  for positioning the lugs  84 . Access grooves  74  are also formed in the bottom of the cover plate  46  and the top of the top lug plate  44  to form the apertures  46 T,  48 T, and  50 T to allow the electrical conductors to access the lugs  84 . The lower surface of the top lug plate  44  includes three recessed circular areas  90 , which accommodate the heads of the three mounting bolts  52 . The lower surface of the top lug plate also includes a circular groove  80  to accommodate the top o-ring  78 . 
         [0048]    A spring  92  or other potential energy element is mounted on the bottom side of the top lug plate  44 . When the top segment  36  is positioned above the bottom segment  34  to achieve electrical connectivity, the spring  92  is compressed to provide potential energy for a quick release function. The retention clips are secured about the bottom segment  34  to retain this potential energy. Other retention mechanisms may also be used to control the spring  92  or other potential energy source. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 8-9  show cut away views of the assembled power wiring adapter  24 . The spring  92  is compressed and the retention clips  56  are in position to retain the top segment  36  on top of the bottom segment  34 . One of the insulated conductors  14 A of power wire  14  has been inserted into the aperture  48 B and has been secured in the lug  64 . One of the insulated conductors  30 A of power wire segment  30  has been inserted into aperture  48 T and has been secured in the lug  84 . Electrical conductivity is provided through the power wiring adapter  24  from insulated conductor  14 A to lug  64  to female lug extension  66  to male conductor rod  86  to female lug extension  94  to the lug  84  to the insulated conductor  30 A. 
         [0050]    In field use, it is preferable that the power wiring adapter  24  be waterproof due to problems caused by exposure to water, such as flood conditions. With the use of the bottom o-ring seal  76  and the top o-ring seal  78 , the power wiring adapter  24  is waterproof except for the access provided through the six apertures  46 B,  48 B,  50 B,  46 T,  48 T  50 T. Once the three insulated conductors from power wire  14  have been inserted into the three lugs  64  and the three insulated conductors from the power wire segment  30  have been inserted into the lugs  84 , the six apertures  46 B,  48 B,  50 B,  46 T,  48 T  50 T can be sealed by inserting a silicon or other quick-drying sealant (not shown) into the apertures. The sealant can be inserted in the field by a technician using a standard tube of the sealant. The hardened sealant will provide a waterproof seal, but will not damage the insulated conductors or otherwise adversely impact the electrical conductivity. 
         [0051]    Once the power wiring adapter  24  is installed in the control box  10 , a triggering action removes the inhibiting force and the potential energy is released to separate the top segment  36  from the bottom segment  34 . One or more trip wires (not shown) may have one end attached to the anchor bolt  60  and the other end secured an appropriate location in the control box  10 . Any type of triggering event, such as an accident which physically moves a trip wire, will pull on the anchor bolt and overcome the retention force of the retention clips  56 . At that time, the release of the spring force is triggered, which then causes the top segment  36  to disengage from the bottom segment  34 . When an accident or other triggering event occurs, this quick release functionality allows the shear point of the power wiring system to be controlled. The shear point is above ground in the control box  10 , where the power wire segment  30  is easier to replace than the power wires  14  which are buried under ground. 
         [0052]    The power wiring adapter  24  of the present invention is designed for assembly and installation in the field. The five plates  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  would be packaged individually and provided in a kit. When a technician is ready to install the power wiring adapter  24 , three holes are drilled into the concrete pedestal  28 . The anchors  54  are inserted into the holes in the concrete and tightened. Once the power wire  14  and the power wire segment  30  are available, the conductors from the power wire  14  are secured in the bottom lug plate  40  and the conductors from the power wire segment  30  are secured in the top lug plate  44 . The outer coating at the end of the power wire  14  is stripped off and the insulation at the ends of the conductors is also stripped off by the technician. The insulated conductors include a hot-power conductor, a common-neutral conductor, and a ground wire. Each of the conductors is color-coded per the applicable electrical wiring standards. Each of the three conductors of power wire  14  is connected to an electrical lug  64  in the bottom lug plate  40 , and the conductors are positioned in the access groove  74  for one of the apertures  46 B,  48 B, and  50 B of the bottom segment  34 . The power wire segment  30  extending from the power system components  20  to the power wiring adapter  24  has the end of the segment  30  prepared in a similar manner. The conductors are secured to an electrical lug  64  in the top lug plate  44  and are positioned in the access groove  74  for one of the apertures  46 T,  48 T, and  50 T of the top segment  36 . For electrical continuity purposes, the conductors of power wire  14  positioned in the apertures  46 B,  48 B and  50 B must match the corresponding conductors of the power wire segment  30  positioned in the apertures  46 T,  48 T and  50 T. For example, if the hot-power conductor is positioned in aperture  46 B, the hot-power conductor would also be positioned in  46 T. 
         [0053]    After the conductors from power wire  14  are secured in the electrical lugs  64  of the bottom lug plate  40 , the technician may proceed with the assembly of the base plate  38 , the bottom lug plate  40 , and the center plate  42 . The screws  62  are used to secure the center plate  42  to the bottom lug plate  40 . The mounting bolts  52  extend through apertures  98  on the bottom lug plate  40  and apertures  96  on the base plate  38 . The mounting bolts  52  are tightened into the adapters  54 , thereby securing the three plates  38 ,  40 ,  42  of the bottom segment  34  to the concrete. Once the bottom segment  34  is assembled, the silicon sealant can be injected into the apertures  46 B,  48 B,  50  B to seal the apertures. 
         [0054]    After the conductors from the power line segment  30  are secured in the electrical lugs  64  of the top lug plate  44 , the technician may proceed with the final assembly of the power wiring adapter  24 . The top lug plate  44  is positioned on top of the center plate  42  such that the male conductor rods  86  are inserted into female lug extensions  66 . The alignment pins  82  assist in the positioning process. The spring  92  is positioned in the recess of the center plate  42 . The retention clips  56  can be pre-attached to the cover plate  46  or can be attached to the cover plate  46  in the field. The cover plate  46  is positioned on top of the top lug plate  44  such that the grooves  74  form the top apertures  46 T,  48 T,  50 T. Once the top lug plate  44  and the cover plate  46  are properly aligned, the field technician pushes downward on the cover plate  46  until the retention clips  56  are secured around the base plate  38 . The spring  92  is compressed to provide potential energy. Once the retention clips  56  are secured, the one or more trip wires can be attached to the anchor bolt  60 . Silicon sealant can also be injected into the apertures  46 T,  48 T,  50 T. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 10-16  show the various elements of the control wiring adapter  26 . The control wiring adapter  26  may be made of any material, including metal, plastic, or rubber. The preferred material and methodology for making the control wiring adapter  26  is a molded, high density PVC plastic or other similar non-conducting material. The control wiring adapter  26  has two main components, a bottom segment  100  and a top segment  102 . The bottom segment  100  includes two plates, a base plate  104 , and a bottom connector plate  106 . The top segment  102  includes two plates, the top connector plate  108  and the cover plate  110 . The control wiring adapter  26  is furnished to technicians in the field as a kit, with each of the four plates packaged individually within the kit for assembly at the control box  10 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 10  shows the control wiring adapter  26  in assembled form. There are four apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  which extend vertically through the control wiring adapter  26 . When the one or more control wires  18  exit the conduit  16  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ), the outer coating at the end of the control wire  18  is stripped off and the insulation at the ends of the conductors is also stripped off by the technician. The insulated conductors include two or more low voltage conductors. Each of the conductors is color-coded per the applicable electrical wiring standards. Each of the control wires  18  is allocated to one of the apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  for connection to bottom female connectors  120  in the bottom segment  100  of the control wiring adapter  26 . The one or more control wire segments  32  extending from the control system components  22  to the control wiring adapter  26  has the end of the segment  32  prepared in a similar manner. The conductors for control wire segments  32  are allocated to one of the apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  for connection to top male connectors  122  in the top segment  102 . For electrical continuity purposes, the conductors of control wires  18  positioned in the apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  must match the corresponding conductors of the control wire segments  32  positioned in the apertures. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 10-16  show four apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  with four sets of connectors  120 ,  122 . But the number of apertures in an adapter can be increased by increasing the circumference of the control wiring adapter  26  and forming more vertical apertures in the control wiring adapter  26 . The bottom female connectors  120  and the top male connectors  122  are shown as three pin connectors. Alternative connectors with greater or fewer pins may be used in the control wiring adapter  26 . 
         [0058]    Three mounting bolts  130  extend from the bottom surface of base plate  104 , which are used to secure the bottom segment  100  of the control wiring adapter  26  to the concrete pedestal  28  at the bottom of control box  10 . Three holes are drilled into the concrete pedestal  28 . The anchors  132  are inserted into the holes in the concrete. The plates  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  are assembled in the field and silicone sealed at the time of installation. The mounting bolts  30  extend through the bottom connector plate  106  and the base plate  104  to secure the bottom segment  100  to the concrete pedestal  28 . 
         [0059]    The retention clips  124  are used to secure the top segment  102  to the bottom segment  100 . The retention clips  124  are fastened to the top of the cover plate  110  using screws  126  or other similar fasteners. The retention clips  124  are made of aluminum or other flexible metal. The free end of the retention clips  124  includes a hook which is positioned to engage the flanged surface of the base plate  104 . The retention clips  124  are sized so that the clips  124  have sufficient force to secure the top segment  102  to the bottom segment  100 . 
         [0060]    An adapter ring, such as anchor bolt  128 , is secured in the top surface of the cover plate  110 . One or more trip wires (not shown) are connected to the anchor bolt  128 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  provides an exploded view of the bottom segment  100 . The mounting bolts  130  extend from the top of the bottom connector plate  106  through the apertures  130 A in base plate  104  into the anchors  132 . The screws  134  are used to secure the bottom connector plate  106  to the base plate  104 . 
         [0062]    The bottom female connectors  120  for the bottom segment  100  are mounted in apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  of the bottom connector plate  106 . The bottom female connectors  120  have three openings on their top surface to accept the male contacts  136  of the top male connectors  122 . The lower side of the bottom female connectors  120  includes three pins  138  on each connector  120  to which the conductors of the control wire  18  may be attached. C-rings (not shown) are used to secure bottom female connectors  120  to the bottom connector plate  106 . 
         [0063]    The control wiring adapter  26  includes three o-rings  140  positioned in circular grooves  142  formed on the inner surfaces of the four plates  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . The o-rings  140  provide a water tight seal for the connectors  120 ,  122  on the inside of the control wiring adapter  26 . 
         [0064]    Positioning pins  144  are secured to the upper surface of the bottom connector plate  106 . The positioning pins  144  are used to assure proper electrical conductivity and mechanical alignment when the top segment  102  is secured to the bottom segment  100 . The drawings show that the female connector  120  is in the bottom segment  100  and the male connectors  122  are in the top segment  102 , but the male-female features could be switched, such that the female connectors  120  would be in the top segment  102 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 12  shows a bottom plan view of base plate  104  with the retention clips  124  in place for the control wiring adapter  26 . This view shows the three mounting bolt apertures  130 A (without mounting bolts  130 ) positioned in the extended platform of the base plate  104 . The extended platform also provides the control wires  18  (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) with side access to the bottom female conductors  120  positioned in the four vertical apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 . The control wires  18  are attached to the pins  138  of the bottom female conductor.  FIG. 17  shows an alternative aperture design for a control wiring adapter  26 A. This bottom view of base plate  154  shows the three mounting bolt apertures  156 . In this design, the number of vertical apertures  158  extending through all of the plates of the control wiring adapter  26 A has been increased from four to six. The bottom female conductors  160  also show an alternative pin design. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 13-15  are directed to the top segment  102  of the control wiring adapter  26 . Top male connectors  122  are mounted in apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  of the top connector plate  108 . Male contacts  136  extend from the lower surface of the top connector plate  108 . The male contacts  136  may be made from copper, brass, or other electrical conductive material. When the top segment  102  is secured to the bottom segment  100 , the male contacts  136  are inserted into female connector  120  to facilitate electrical connection between the bottom segment  100  and the top segment  102 . The upper side of the top male connectors  122  includes three pins  146  on each connector  122  to which the conductors of the control wire segments  32  may be attached. C-rings (not shown) are used to secure top male connectors  122  to the top connector plate  108 . 
         [0067]    The screws  150  are used to secure the cover plate  110  to the top connector plate  108 . The lower surface of the top connector plate  108  includes three recessed circular areas  148 , which accommodate the heads of the three mounting bolts  130 . 
         [0068]    A spring  152  or other potential energy element is mounted on the bottom side of the top connector plate  108 . When the top segment  102  is positioned above the bottom segment  100  to achieve electrical connectivity, the spring  152  is compressed to provide potential energy for a quick release function. The retention clips  124  are secured about base plate  104  of the bottom segment  100  to retain this potential energy. Other retention mechanisms may also be used to control the spring  152  or other potential energy source. 
         [0069]      FIG. 16  shows a cut away view of the assembled control wiring adapter  26 . The spring  152  is compressed and the retention clips  124  are in position to retain the top segment  102  on top of the bottom segment  100  with sufficient force to create a sealed mating. In field use, it is preferable that the control wiring adapter  26  be waterproof due to problems caused by exposure to water, such as flood conditions. With the use of the three o-ring seals  140 , the control wiring adapter  26  is waterproof except for the access provided through the four apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 . Once the insulated conductors from control wires  18  have been connected to the pins  138  for the bottom female connectors  120  and the insulated conductors from the control wire segments  32  have been connected to the pins  146  for the top male connectors  122 , the for vertical apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be sealed by injecting a silicon or other quick-drying sealant (not shown) into the top opening and the bottom opening of the apertures. The sealant can be inserted in the field by a technician using a standard tube of the sealant. The hardened sealant will provide a waterproof seal, but will not damage the insulated conductors or otherwise adversely impact the electrical conductivity. 
         [0070]    Once the fully assembled control wiring adapter  26  is installed in the control box  10 , a triggering action removes the inhibiting force and the potential energy is released to separate the top segment  102  from the bottom segment  34 . One or more trip wires (not shown) may have one end attached to the anchor bolt  128  and the other end secured an appropriate location in the control box  10 . Any type of triggering event, such as an accident which physically moves a trip wire, will pull on the trip ring anchor bolt  128  and overcome the retention force of the retention clips  124 . At that time, the release of the spring force is triggered, which then causes the top segment  102  to disengage from the bottom segment  100  in a straight vertical lift motion. The alignment pins also assist in the vertical lift motion. When an accident or other triggering event occurs, this quick release functionality allows the shear point of the control wiring system to be controlled. The shear point is above ground in the control box  10 , where the control wire segment  32  is easier to replace than the control wires  18  which are buried under ground. Control wire segments  32  and other wires within the control box  10 , and any devices that are connected to the wires will typically incur less damage because of the shear point control. 
         [0071]    The control wiring adapter  26  of the present invention is designed for assembly and installation in the field. The four plates  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  would be packaged individually and provided in a kit. When a technician is ready to install the control wiring adapter  26 , three holes are drilled into the concrete pedestal  28 . The anchors  132  are inserted into the holes in the concrete. Once the control wires  18  and the control wire segments  32  are available, the conductors from the control wires  18  are available for connection to the pins  138  of the bottom connector plate  106  and the conductors from the power wire segments  32  are available for connection to the pins  146  of the top connector plate  108 . 
         [0072]    The conductors from control wires  18  are fed through apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  of the base plate  104  and are secured to the pins  138  of the female connectors  120  positioned in the bottom connector plate  106 . Then the technician may proceed with the assembly of the base plate  104  and the bottom connector plate  106 . The screws  134  are used to secure the bottom connector plate  106  to the base plate  104  to form the bottom segment  100 . Silicon sealant may be injected into the aperture  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  before the bottom segment  100  is secured to the concrete. The mounting bolts  130  extend through apertures  130 A on the base plate  104 . The mounting bolts  134  are screwed into the anchors  132 , thereby securing the two plates  104 ,  106  of the bottom segment  100  to the concrete pedestal  28 . 
         [0073]    In the field assembly process, the conductors from the control line segments  30  are fed through apertures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  of the cover plate  110  and are secured to the pins  146  of the top male connectors  122  positioned in the top connector plate  108 . After the conductors are secured, the technician may proceed with the final assembly of the control wiring adapter  26 . The cover plate  110  is secured to the top connector plate  108  by the screws  150 , which now forms the top segment  102 . Silicon sealant may be injected into the aperture  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  before the top segment  102  is secured to the bottom segment  100 . The top segment  102  is positioned on top of the bottom connector plate  106  of the bottom segment  100  such that the male contacts 136  are inserted into bottom female connectors  120 . The alignment pins  144  assist in the positioning process during assembly and in the vertical lift motion when a triggering event occurs. The spring  152  is positioned in the recess of the bottom connector plate  120 . The retention clips  124  can be pre-attached to the cover plate  110  or can be attached to the cover plate  110  in the field. Once the top segment  102  is properly aligned, the field technician pushes downward on the cover plate  110  until the retention clips  124  are secured around the base plate  104 . The spring  152  is compressed to provide potential energy. Once the retention clips  124  are secured, the one or more trip wires can be attached to the anchor bolt  128 . 
         [0074]    When new control boxes  10  are to be installed in the field, the top segment  102  can be pre-wired prior to installation. When an accident occurs and a totally new control box  10  is required to replace a damaged control box, the pre-wiring of the top segment  102  helps to reduce the installation time of the new control box  10 . 
         [0075]    Any type of triggering event, such as an accident which physically moves a trip wire, will pull on the trip ring, such as anchor bolt  128 , and overcome the retention force of the retention clips  124 . At that time, the release of the spring force is triggered, which then causes the top segment  102  to disengage from the bottom segment  100 . This quick release functionality allows the shear point of the control wiring system to be controlled. 
         [0076]    The power wiring adapter  24  includes the lugs  64  which are designed to carry the 120 volt or 240 volt AC power to the power system elements  20  in the control box  10 . The control wiring adapter  26  is provided with connectors suitable for the low voltage power used for control purposes by the control system elements  22 . The multi-plate design used in both the power wiring adapter  24  and the control wiring adapter  26  could be used with other connectors and other aperture arrangements for other applications which would benefit from shear point control in a wiring system. Such applications could include, for example, coaxial cables for cameras and cable television circuit protection. 
         [0077]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.