Improvements in or relating to Junction Boxes or Fittings for Use with Lead. Covered Cables.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oot., 1895-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Junction Boxes or Fittings for Use
with Lead. Covered Cables.
I, GEORGE HINDE NISBETT of "Ashfield" Huyton near Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster, Electrical Engineca, do hereby declare the nature of this
Invention to be as follows .-
-
My invention relates to improvements in junction boxes or fittings for use with
lead covered cables, whereby a water tight chamber 16 provided in which the <nd
of the lead covered cable is finished off and connected to the working portion of
the fittings. With this object in view, I provide a shallow box or chamber of any
convenient shape (but preferably round) and of such a form that with the use of
a cover at one end or the other it can be made at will into a closed chamber. This
chamber is made of sufficient depth to allow of the end of the cable being easily
passed into it by means of a hole at the sile or at the back, and also to allow of
the conductors being readily brought to the working connections
This box or
chamber I prefer to make of metal, either of biass or some readily fusible alloy,
although a box of insulating, material may also be used as described below. This
box or chamber of metal has a flange and im so that a plate of insulating material
may be fitted into it and the joint of junction between such insulating material and
the metallic base is made water tight by means of a rubber ing or some readily
fusible compound melted on to the parts before they are placed together. This
insulating plate carries on its face the working parts of the fittings and bas smtable
boles in it through which the conductors of the cable are passed and connected
either by clamping screws or soldering to 'the metal parte of the fittings. The
fittings to the working parts of which this chamber is applied may be any of those
commonly used, such as a ceiling rose, fuse, switch or distributing board, and of
any design, the parts being mounted as described on a hollow base. At the point
of entrance to the hollow buse, the lead covered cable may be secured thereto by
soldering the lead to the metal of the base in the ordinary way, but I prefer to use
nbase made of some fusible metal or alloy with a projecting collar surrounding the
hole through which the cable passes, and then, when the cable 16 in place to melt
with a hot iron or spirit lamp a portion of this collar down on to the cable which
bas been previously cleaned and coated with a suitable flux. The two metals will
then unite together and to form a water tight joint. I may make the whole hase
of insulating. material either in one piece with, or sepainte from, the portion
caying the electrical fittinge. In the former case the opening to the chamber
may be from the bark on side remote from the fitting and may be sciewed or
otherwise held in place. When the whole base is of insulating material I insert a
hollon metal collar.in the side of Euch base and secure it to the lead covering of
the cable either by soldering in the ordmary way or by melting it down onto the
cable as before described I may use electrical fittings so described with any form
ol lead or metal covered cables has ing the conductor or conductors arranged either
on the sugle, concentric or twin system.
Doted that and day of Decousbar 1804

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Junction Boxes or Fittings for Use
with Lead Covered Cables.
I, GEORGE HINDE NISBETT of "Ashfield," Huyton near Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same 19 to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to improvements in junction boxes or fittings for use with
lead covered cables whereby a water tight chamber is provided in which the end
of the lead covered cable is finished off and connected to the working portions of
the fittings. With this object in view, I provide a shallow box or chambor of any
convenient shape (but preferably round) and of such a form that with the use of a
cover at one end or the other it can be made at will into a closed chamber. This
chamber is made of sufficient depth to allow of the end of the cable being easily
passed into it by means of a hole at the side or at the back, and also to allow of
the conductors being readily brought to the working connections. This box or
chamber, I prefer to make of metal, either of brass or some readily fusible alloy,
although a box of insulating material may also be used as described below. This
box or chamber of metal has a flange and rim so that a plate of insulating material
may be fitted into it and the joint or junction between such insulating material and
the metallic base is made water tight by means of a rubber ring or some readily
fusible compound melted on to the parts before or after they are placed together.
This insulating plate carries on its face the working parts of the httings and has
suitable holes in it through which the conductors of the cable are passed and
connected either by clamping screws or soldering to the metal parts of the fittings.
Or the metal parts of the fittings themselves may be extended in any suitable
manner through the insulating plate so that the conductors of the cablo may be
soldered or clamped thereto in the hollow chamber itself.
The hollow chamber thus provided may or may not as desired be filled up with
usulating compound, a suitable hole for its insertion being provided.
The fittings to the working parts to which this chamber is applied may be of
any of those commonly used, such as a ceiling rose, fuse, switch or distributing
board, and of any design, the parts being mounted as described on a hollow base.
At the point of entrance to the hollow base, the lead covered cable may be secured
thereto by soldering the lead to the metal of the base in the ordinary way, but
I prefer to use a base made of some fusible metal or alloy with a projecting collar
surrounding the hole through which the cable passes, and then, when the cable 18
10 place to melt with a hot iron or spirit lamp a portion of this collar down onto
the cable which has been previously cleaned and coated with a suitable flux
two metals will then unite together and so form a water tight joint, or I may
provide a suitable collar surrounding the hole through which the cable passes into
the base and may compress or corrugate this collar down on to the lead of the cable
so making a water tight joint.
"
The
Or may make the whole base of insulating material, either in one piece with,
or separate from, the portion carrying the electrical fittings. In the former case,
the opening to the chamber may be from the back or Bide remoto from the metal
fittings and the cover may be screwed or otherwise held in place. When the
whole base is of insulating material, I may insert a hollow metal collar in the side
of such base and secure it to the lead covering of the cable, either by soldering in
the ordinary way or by melting it down onto the cable or by corrugation as before
described.
'I may also when the base is of insulating material instead of using a cɔver to

page_text: the chamber of metal or insulating material after the cables are in place fill in the
chamber with hot insulating material of such a nature that it will set more or less
solid at ordinary temperatures and so arranged as to cover and protect the exposed
insulation of the cable. It may or may not be necessary to employ a temporary
cover to the chamber of suitable shape during the process of casting the compound
into the chamber, or I may provide one or more tunnels in the body of the
insulating base leading from the point at which the cable enters it to the electrical
fittings on the sui face. The wire may be threaded into these tunnels and they
may then be filled with a solid insulating compound. In all cases in which a fitting
as described is used in such a way that the cable goes through it and passes to a
point or points beyond, such as a cutout or any other fitting when so used, I prefer
to ao arrange the parts as to make the lead covering of the cable metallically and
clectically continuous throughout. When an insulating base is used in this way
I provide two metal collars through which the cable passes to the chamber, such
collais being connected together by a metal bar or strip.
I may use electrical fittings so described with any form of lead or metal covered
cables having the conductor or conductors arranged either on the single, concentric
or twin system.
In order that this invention may be clearly understood I have illustrated in the
accompanying drawing several fittings in which it may be used.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the metal base of a fuse box; Figure 2 18
also a sectional clevation taken across ry;
Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4 a reversed plan of the same;
Figures 5 and 6 are elevation and plan respectively of the porcelain cover to the
chamber;
Figure 7 is a reversed plan of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of Figure 6 on the line vw,
Figures 9 and 10 ale elevation and plan partly in section of the complete
fuse box,
Figures 11, 12 ure elevation and plan partly in section of a ceiling 1ose;
Figme 13 is an elevation partly in section of a wall plug box; Figure 14 is a
plan of the same with the outer porcelain cover removed;
Figures 15 & 16 are elevation and plan of Figure 13;
Figure 17 is a plan of a four way house distribution box ;
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of Figure 17 on the line tu;
Figure 19 is an end elevation of Figure 17.
Figures 20 and 21 are a back plan and elevation in part' section of a complete
fuse box having a base of musulating material and metal collars inserted;
Figure 22 is a plan partly in section of the metal collars with their connecting
stup
1
Figine 23 is an elevation of one terminal showing an arrangement for connecting
the conductors at the back of the insulating base instead of in front as shown in
the other drawings ;
Figures 24 and 25 are plan and sectional elevation having the whole base of
insulating material;
Figure 26 is a sectional elevation of a lamp holder;
Figure 27 is a plan view of porcelain fitting of same.
Referring to Figures 1 to 10 which are views of a fuse box. A is the metal
casing containing the water tight chamber B having inlets b for the lead covered
cables C Dis the porcelain cover making a water tight covering to the
chamber B. This cover D is held in position by screws through holes a in the
recess a' of the metal casing and screwed into a tapped hole d in the porcelain
Cover D.
The drawing 18 shown having the conductors C passing through the holes d' in
the cover D and soldered or otherwise attached to the metal plate E which are
parts of a commonly used cut-out fitting mounted on the porcelain cover D.
Any type of cut-out fitting other than that shown may be mounted and used on

page_text: the porcelain cover D. The outer cover F is screwed to the metal casing at F¹.
The fuse box thay be secured to the wall by screw's through the holes a in the
casing A.
Figures 20 and 23 are also views of a fuse box and parts of saine, having the
water tight chamber B formed wholly of porcelain or other suitable insulating
mateual. L is a metal collar shown forced into position in the base A and
corrugated down on to the cable. It may as before described be soldered to the
cable. The chamber B may be either filled up solid with compoun 1, a suitable
mould being temporarily placed in position for that purpose, or the bick may be
covered with a plate of metal or insulating material secured in position by means
of screws in the holes shown at d. is the metal bai to render the lead sheathing
of the cable metallically and electrically continuous throughout. Figure 23 shows
the conductors soldered to the fittings at the back instead of being taken through
a hole in the porcelain to them on the front.
Figures 11, 12 are views of a ceiling rose. A is the metal casing, B the water
tight chamber having the inlet b in the centre or bottom for the lead covered
cible (which is soldered or other wise made water tight at C. Dis the porcelai
cover secured to the metal casing in a similar inanner to the fuse box, upon which
ate placed three metal plates E held m position by screws. The conductors Cate
attached to two of the plates E, one of these being fused across to the third
plate E and from the binding screws E' the connections are made with the Hexible
cords which nie gripped between the apex of the conical porcelain and the outer
cover F which is screwed to the metal casing at F. Other ceiling rose fittings and
cord gips than that shown may be adapted and used on a base so arranged as to
secure the water tight compartment B. Figures 25.and 24 show a common type
of ceiling rose fitting (cover removed) having the base wholly of porcelain. Tho
space B is preferably filled with compound; the conductors C are shown soldered
ou to the metal plates of the fittings E at e².
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16 are views of a wall plug fitting. A is the metal casing;
B the water tight chamber, the inlet for the cable C. D is the porcelain cover
upon which are placed as shown fittings as commonly used for plug connections;
any other form of wall plug fittings may be adapted and used on the porcelain
cover D. The conductors C are shown attached in a similar way as before
described to two of the brass fittings as can be clearly seen from the drawing.
The knob or plug G is of similar design as those in general use, but the bridge of
porcelain is specially arranged so as to form a grip for the flexible cord in a
similar way as described in the ceiling rose fitting.
Figures 17, 18, 19 are views of a four way house distribution box. Il and Hare
the lead covered cables brought into the box through water-tight joints and h',
the conductors from the cable H are connected respectively to the copper bars [
and through the metal bolts 2. The conductors from the cable H' are connected
in a similar inanner to the bars I and I¹; thus the cables H and H have their
conductors connected through the box iespectively. J is a porcelain plate having
a bridge or raised portion K down the centre, to prevent any chance of arcing.
On the plate J are mounted small metal plites L and L' which are held in
position by screws I and I'. M are the distributing cables brought into the box
beneath the porcelain plate J, through a water tight joint M. The conductors m m
from these cables M are passed through holes in the porcelain plate J aud
connected to the small metal plates Land L'at and . On the plate Land L'are
connecting screws L2 and L, also on the bar I and I there are connecting
screws
1and1. Contact is made between the screws Land I and L³ and 1* in
this way the distributing cable M is connected with the main cable by a fuse.
Similar boxes may be made having any number of branch circuits and having in
addition to the fuses, switches either controlling the branch circuits or the mam
Figures 26 and 27 show a lamp holder the arrangement of the electrical littings
of which are of common type but aitanged to have the watertight compartment
The metal casing A 18 soldered or otherwise attached to the lead sheathing at

page_text: The conductors C' are attached to the lock nuts D. The chamber B may or may
not be filled with compound. His the metal socket to fit the lamp collar; the
bolta D' convey the current to the spring contacts G in the usual mauuer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim 18-
1. The provision of a hollow chamber within the base of any of the electrical
fittings commonly in use, within which chamber a cable having a more or less
hygroscopic insulation and waterproof sheathing may be finished off in a watertight
manuer.
2. The general arrangement and construction of water tight chamber and also
of fittings for use with cables having a more or less hygroscopic insulation and
waterproof sheathing substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1895
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.