Patent Publication Number: US-2023155361-A1

Title: Electrical Cable with Mounting Webbing

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to electrical cables and, more specially, to electrical cables with a mounting webbing placed either in between conductors or on one or more sides of the cable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Common solar panels produce less than 50 volts per panel and less than 25 amps per panel. The solar panels all produce direct current (DC), and every panel must be connected to the power collection circuits. The solar panels are normally held in place with a metal frame structure and the power collection circuit cables are normally attached to the frame with clips, cable ties, or other fastening means. Installers are always looking for a low cost and simple method of attaching the power collection circuit cables to the metal frame structures. 
     Flexible non-metallic multi-conductor cables have been used for decades. One common type of non-metallic multi-conductor cables has the trade name of Romex and only rated for indoor use (see  FIG.  1   ). Another common type of non-metallic multi-conductor cable is UF-B that is rated for outdoor use and direct burial (see  FIG.  2   ). The Romex and UF cable are normally installed using a staple or clip (see  FIG.  3   ). The staples can only be used with wooden structures. A cable with the flexibility of Romex or UF cable and multiple attachment options would benefit installers. 
     Currently non-metallic cables are installed using various types of hammer installed staples or manual staple guns with special staples (see  FIGS.  4  and  5   ). Most non-metallic cables are installed with the hammer type staples. The manual staple guns are not common, and they require the proper size and type of staples to function properly. The manual staple guns are hard to operate in confined spaces and can cause fatigue with continuous use. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an electrical cable has a webbing separating a first insulated conductor from a second insulated conductor wherein the webbing is configured to accommodate mounting hardware. In a second embodiment, the webbing may be placed on one or more sides of an electrical cable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    shows a prior art electrical cable. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of another prior art electrical cable. 
         FIG.  3    shows a prior art mounting clip for the electrical cable of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
         FIG.  4    shows a specialized prior art stable gun. 
         FIG.  5    shows a prior art specialized stable used for mounting the electrical cable of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
         FIG.  6    shows a first embodiment of an electrical cable with a mounting webbing. 
         FIG.  7    shows a second embodiment of an electrical cable with a mounting webbing that is similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  1    but with an additional conductor. 
         FIG.  8    shows a third embodiment of an electrical cable with a mounting webbing that is similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  1    but with the holes removed. 
         FIG.  9    shows a nail gun that can be used with the embodiment of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    shows the necessity of the nail gun tip fitting in between the conductors of the embodiment of  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  11    shows a fourth embodiment of an electrical cable with a mounting webbing in which the webbing is placed to the side of the cable instead of between two conductors. 
         FIG.  12    shows a fifth embodiment of an electrical cable with mounting webbing that is similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  11    but with added mounting holes. 
         FIG.  13    shows a sixth embodiment of an electrical cable with mounting webbing in which the webbing is placed on both sides of the cable. 
         FIG.  14    shows a seventh embodiment of an electrical cable with mounting webbing that is similar to the one of  FIG.  13    but with added mounting holes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG.  6    shows a first embodiment of an electrical cable  100  with a mounting a mounting webbing  110 . In this embodiment the webbing  110  is placed between two conductors  120  of the electrical cable. In one embodiment the webbing  110  can be made of the same material as the insulation jacket  130 .  FIG.  6    shows an embodiment with mounting holes  140  in the webbing which can be attached to a structure by multiple means. Customary staples, screws, push mounts, fir tree mounts, nails, clips, are some of the options. 
       FIG.  7    shows a second embodiment  200  similar to that of  FIG.  6    but with an additional conductor  120 . 
       FIG.  8    shows a third embodiment  300  that is similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  6    but has the mounting holes in the webbing removed. 
       FIG.  9    shows a pneumatic nail gun that can be used to install the electrical cable of  FIG.  8   . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the tip of the nail gun should fit in between the conductors  120 . In one embodiment, the webbing is recessed in order to help guide the tip of the nail gun. 
     NEC Article 334.30 covers the requirements for securing and supporting non-metallic cables. Article 334.30 states that the securing and supporting must be designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. Relocation of the mounting web could reduce the possibility of cable damage during installation. 
       FIG.  11    shows a fourth embodiment  400  in which the webbing  110  is placed on the side of the cable as opposed to in between conductors. A fifth embodiment  500  shown in  FIG.  12    is similar to  FIG.  11    but with added mounting holes  140 . 
       FIG.  13    shows a sixth embodiment  600  in which the webbing  110  is placed on both sides of the electrical cable. A seventh embodiment  700  shown in  FIG.  14    is similar to the one of  FIG.  13    but with added mounting holes  140 . 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.