Improvements in Safety Devices for use in connection with High Tension Electric Conductors.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1898-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1899
Improvements in Safety Devices for use in connection with High
Tension Electric Conductors.
CHARLES HENRY WORDINGHAM, Hazelhurst, Urmston Lane, Stretford, near
Manchester, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
"
In order to prevent the possibility of people handling high tension electric con-
ductors or connections thereon while the same are "charged or alive" I provide
at such points where it may be desired to handle such conductors or connections a
metal box into which the conductors or connections are placed. The box is
closed by a metal lid and both box and lid are efficiently connected to earth.
In combination with the box is a device which through the operation of opening
the lid automatically short circuits the conductors or connections and also con-
nects them to earth thus rendering them safe for handling.
Improvements in Safety Devices for use in connection with High
Tension Electric Conductors.
I, CHARLES HENRY WORDINGHAM, of Hazelhurst, Urmston Lane, Stretford,
Manchester, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
--
In order to prevent the possibility of people handling high tension electric con-
ductors or connections thereon while the same are charged or alive, I provide at
such points where it may be desired to handle such conductors or connections a
metal box into which the conductors or connections are placed. The box is
closed by a metallic lid and both box and lid are efficiently connected to earth.
In combination with the box is a device which through the operation of opening
the lid automatically short circuits the conductors or connections and also con-
nects them to earth."
Figures 1, 2, & 3, shew the application of my invention to a double concentric
cable which is arranged with means for connecting and disconnecting two
lengths A. A', of such cable. The outer conductor B of the cable A is soldered
to a brass ferrule C through the interior of which the inner conductor E and its

page_text: insulation 1) are passed. The ferrule C is insulated from the box H by an insula-
ting sleeve G attached to the ferrule by cement K. A connecting piece Lis
screwed on to the ferrule C and carries a bolt X by which connection is made
through a link and a similar bolt X to the other length of cable A¹.
An insulating sleeve M is fixed by cement N or otherwise to the insulation D
of the inner conductor E, and to the sleeve M is attached by cement P a metal
contact piece O. The inner conductor E is soldered to a conical lug F which is
drawn into contact with the piece by a nut J. The contact piece () carries a
bolt W by which connection is made through a link and a similar bolt W₁ to the
corresponding conductors of the cable A A metal piece Q is attached to the
metal of the box H so as to make good electrical contact therewith and each of
the three contact pieces L, 0, Q, respectively carries a contact piece R, R1, R2, of
carbon or other suitable material. A plate S of metal or other suitable material
is suspended above the contact pieces R, R1, R2, from one end of a lever T
pivotted at U. The cover H¹ of the box is preferably of metal and is metallically
connected to the box H by bolts Y and carries a knob V which when the lid is
in position depresses the lever T so as to keep the plate S raised. On lifting the
cover the lever T is freed and the plate S falls on the three contact pieces R R¹ R²
and in so doing short circuits the conductors 13 and E through the contact
pieces R R and at the same time connects each through the contact piece R²
There being
and Q to the box H which is in turn efficiently connected to earth.
only three points of support for the plate S when in this position it follows that
it must make contact with each and all of them.
The cable A¹ may be connected in a similar manner and also provided with a
similar short circuiting and earthing device. The joint between the box H and
lid H may be made watertight by means of a packing Z of rubber or other suit-
able material.
Figs. 4, 5, &, 6, shew the application of my invention to a triple concentric
cable arranged for the purpose of readily connecting and disconnecting two
lengths A A¹ of such cable. The outer conductor B is connected to a metal
sleeve C insulated from the box H by an insulator G fixed to the sleeve by
cement K. The inner conductor E and middle conductor B1 with their insulation
pass through the sleeve C. A connecting piece L is screwed to the sleeve C.
The middle conductor B' is sweated to a sleeve (1 on which is screwed a con-
necting piece L' which serves also to hold in position an insulator G¹. The
spaces K are filled with cement or compound. The inner conductor E with its
insulation D pass through the sleeve and the conductor E is soldered to a
conical lug F which is drawn by a nut J into close contact with a connecting
piece (). The insulator M is clamped between the connecting pieces ( and L and
the space N between the insulator M and the inner conductor is filled with
cement or compound. Each of the connecting pieces L L and respectively
are fitted with contact pieces R R1 R2 preferably of carbon, and also with
bolts X, W, and W by means of which the conductors L, L¹ and () may be
connected through links to the conductors of cable A A lever T pivotted at
carries above the contacts R, R¹ R2 a plate S connected by a flexible conductor Q
to the box H which is efficiently connected to earth. The cover H¹ of the box H
is metallically connected to the box H by bolts Y and carries a knob V which
when the cover is in place depresses one end of the lever T and holds the plate S
suspended.
On lifting the cover it is evident that the plate S will descend and short cir-
cuit the three conductors and at the same time connect them to earth through
the conductor Q¹ and the box H.
The box may be filled with oil or compound up to the bottom of the contact
pieces R R R2 and the outer conductors B may if desired be insulated by tape
or other material wrapped round the insulator ( the conductor B and the outer
insulation of the cable. The conductors of the cables A are preferably fitted
with a similar short circuiting and earthing device. Although I have described

page_text: and illustrated my invention as applied to concentric cables I do not confine
myself to such use as it is clear the apparatus can be readily adapted for use
with single conductors.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. A metallic box containing high tension conductors the box being connected
to earth and fitted with a metallic or other cover arranged in combination with a
device for automatically short circuiting and earthing the said conductors when
the cover is removed substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
illustrated.
2. The combination of two contact pieces connected to two high tension cables
in combination with a third contact piece connected to earth and a metal or other
plate arranged substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illus-
trated.
3. The combination of three contact pieces connected to high tension cables in
combination with a metal or other plate connected to earth arranged substantially
as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of December Toyo.
E. TALBOT.
26, Victoria Street, S.W.,
Agent for Applicant.
E. TALBOT.
26, Victoria Street, S.W.,
Agent for Applicant.