Electricity: conductors and insulators – Overhead – Distributing and/or plural point support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-12
2001-05-08
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Overhead
Distributing and/or plural point support
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229086
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to apparatus for mounting electrical conductors to utility poles, and more particularly to adapters permitting multiple circuits to be mounted to a single utility pole.
A common overhead electrical distribution system generally operates in one of two ways: either in an arrangement known as a “grounded wye system” or in a “delta system.” In both systems, three primary conductors, normally copper or aluminum cables, operate at voltages 120 degrees out of phase with one another (commonly referred to as a “3-phase system”). The voltage travels out from a source (typically a “sub-station”) through the primary conductors and then returns to the source. In the grounded wye system, the voltage returns to the source through a neutral (grounded) conductor, while in the delta system, it returns through one of the three primary conductors.
The three conductors are typically mounted to utility poles by either candlestick or cross-arm type construction. In cross-arm type construction, a pair of arms are mounted in transversely extending relation to a utility pole, adjacent the upper end thereof, and in spaced, parallel relation to one another. Three insulating devices are mounted to the pole and cross-arm; one insulator mounted adjacent each end of the cross-arm, and one mounted to the pole, in vertically spaced relation to the cross-arm. Each of the three conductors are mounted to separate insulators, thereby creating a 3-phase system.
Although use of a three phase system is common, and has been for a long period of time, utility companies are beginning to experience increased usage of electricity, thereby creating circuit overload problems in the systems. To accommodate the increased loads on the electrical conductors, the simple solution is to run additional lines from the sub-station. While effective at handling increased loads, this solution is difficult, time consuming and expensive due to the minimum space available on utility poles having cross-arm or candlestick type constructions. In order to maintain the legally required spacing between electrical cables and tele-communication cables, and prevent electrical interference with the multiple circuit mounted on the poles, the original circuit layout on the poles has to be entirely redone, or additional poles need to be run to support the additional circuits.
It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide an adapter that facilitates mounting a plurality of 3-phase circuits to a single utility pole using a combination of candlestick and cross-arm construction.
It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide an adapter that may be used on cross-arm constructions of mounted to poles of various diameters.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide an adapter that is easily and inexpensively manufactured.
It is yet an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide an adapter that is easy to install on existing utility poles.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention is an adapter for mounting multiple circuits to a utility pole generally comprising a base unit having three legs extending radially outwardly from a centrally positioned socket. The centrally positioned socket securely receives a candlestick holder having three angularly spaced, bored openings formed therein, each of which threadingly receives a candlestick therein. Alternatively, the candlestick can be fixedly secured within the openings with the use of epoxy, or an equivalent thereof. Thus, the present invention will support up to three candlesticks per base unit.
The three legs extending outwardly from the socket are spaced at predetermined angles from one another. Each includes a planar bottom surface, all of which extend in common plane, thereby permitting the unit to sit flush on a cross-arm assembly. All the legs include holes formed therethrough, with the holes formed through at least two of the legs being elongated so as to permit a bolt to be slidably adjustable therein.
The angular displacement of the three legs is such to permit the adapter to be mounted to a cross-arm assembly having a pair of arms spaced a variable distance apart (e.g., the preferred, standard adapter can be effectively mounted to a pair of cross-arms spaced from between 7 inches to about 11 inches apart, although other size ranges could be manufactured as well). To mount the adapter to a cross-arm assembly, the adapter is rotated until two of the legs sit flush on one of the arms, while the third arm sits flush on the other arm. Bolts are then passed through the holes to securely fasten the adapter to the cross-arms. The candlestick holder may then be secured within the socket, and candlesticks threaded into the bored openings of the holder. By mounting one adapter on each end of the cross-arms and using conventional candlestick construction at the top of the pole, three, 3-phase circuits can be mounted to the utility pole, without impairing the other conductors that may be mounted to the pole.
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Hancock & Estabrook, LLP
McGuire George R.
Nino Adolfo
Reichard Dean A.
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