GB2337639A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector (10) comprises a first connector (11) electrically connected to an electricity supply, and via flex (13) to a second connector (12), which is connectable to an electrical device (30), such that with the connector (10) being locatable on, or within, a floor, wall or ceiling, a person connecting the electrical device (30) to an electricity supply, only has to effect an electrical connection to the second connector (12).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A CONNECTOR 2337639 The present invention

relates to improvements in or relating to a connector. [o:,7e particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to an electrical connector for use in connecting an electrical device to an electricity supply.

Generally, wall mouTited or ceiling suspended electrical devices, for example, light fittings, are either provided with a terminal box on their base plate designed for direct connection to the lighting circuit cable located within, or on, a floor, wall or ceiling, of an electricity supply. Alternatively, the light fitting may be provided with a short flex or cable, the cable cores of which are to be connected to said lighting circuit cable, usually via a connector block.

on removing an existing light fitting to be replaced by a new light fitting, one generally unscrews the cover of the light fitting to eztablish how many cables are attached to the light fitting, as this will supply the person with an indication as to the necessary connection which needs to be effected between the new light fitting and the lighting circuit cable. In this connection, the presence of one cable generally suggests that the light fitting is wired from a four-terminal junction box located within, or on, the floor, wall or ceiling. Alternatively, if there are a plurality of cables connected to the existing light fitting, then t'iis suggests that a loop-in wiring circut has been used. Such loop- in wiring circuits being predominantly utilised ir modern properties, as same are quicker, easier and cheaper to install.

If there is a sir-jle cable connected to the original light fitting, an,. i the light fitting has an integral terminal block on its base, then all that is required in order to replace same, that is, once the original light fitting has been disconnected, is to connect the cable cores of the single cable located within, or on, the floor, wall or roof ceiling to the correspond-7-ng terminals on the integral terminal block, usually marked live, neutral or earth. The cover of the light fitting is then connected to the ceiling.

For all other wiring arrangements, in particular, where there is a plurality of cables and/or where the light fitting is not provided with a terminal box on its base plate, the flex of the light fitting needs to be directly connected to the lighting circuit cable of an electricity supply.

It is not uncommon that this replacement process is carried out by persons with minimal electrical skills 2nd consequently, if done incorrectly, there is always a significant risk of fire or electrical failure and injury. In particx,lar, those with limited electrical skills are often confused over the identity of the individual wires, especially, the switch wire, which will be present when the person fitting the new light fitting has to reconnect se.me to a plurality of cables located within, or on, the floor, wall or ceiling. Additionally, such persons have a tendency t-o reconnect earth wires incorrectly thereby leaving parts of the electrical installation or device unearthed. Moreover, and in the event that the light fitting needs to be connected to a plurality of cablE'S, thereby c=pleting the light circuit, there is a tenderic-.to forc---- the cables, usually connected via a connect-or block, back into the limited space provided within t.-Le floor, wall or ceiling void or space. This may result in mechanical stress on the cables and their respective connectors which is undesirable and dangerous.

1 According to the present invention there is provided an electrical connector for connecting an electrical device to an electricity supply, the electrical connector located between the electrical device and threlectricity supply comprising:

a first connector connectable to an electricity supply, the first connector is locatable on, or within, a floor, ceiling or wall; and a second connector electrically connected to the f irst connector, and in use, the second connector being connectable to an electrical device.

It is believed that the present application provides an improved electrical connector which at least addresses the problems outlined above. In particular, by utilising the electrical connector of the present application there is no longer the need for the person changing an electrical device, for example, a 1 i g h',-fitting, to have to connect the light fitting directly to the lightinG circuit cable of the electricity supply. That is, once the electrical connector is installed, all that is required in order to change a light fitting is to reconnect the cable cores of the light fitting flex or cable in an appropriate manner to the second connector. Alternatively, if the light fitting is provided with a terminal box on its base plate, then all that is required is to connect said terminal box and said second connector via an appropriate length of cable or f lex. Consequently, as the likelihood of confusion of a person with limited electrical skill is substantially reduced, so is the likelihood of error, and hence, the likelihood of damage to the property, as well as possible resultant injury of its inhabitants.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second connector-, are angled connector blocks. Such angled connector blocks are more easily accessible which is particularly advantageous when connecting an electricity supply or electrical device thereto.

Further preferably, the first connector is located within a housing within, or on, the floor, wall or ceiling. The housing insulating the first connector from the surrounding elements within, or on, Che f loor, wall or cling, for example, dampness.

el A non-limiting embodiment of the present application will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is an underneath plan view of an electrical connector of the present invention when located within a ceiling space; Fig. 2 is a side view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a front view of the electrical connector of Fig. 1.

AS illustrated, an electrical connector 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a first connector block 11 which can be elect:ically connected to an electric circuit of an electricity supnly located in the ceiling space (not illustrated). The first connector block 11 is electrically connected via flex 13 to a second Each flex 13 corresponding to a different type of electrical connectien, for example, earth, live, neutral etc. The second cDnnector block 12 is preferably an angled connector block which makes same easier to access when trying to connectL.ny cable cores of the flex 31 of the light fitting 30 thereto.

connector block 12 Both the f irst connector block 11 and the second connector block 12 are mounted on a L-shaped mounting plate 14. In the embodiments illustrated, the L-shaped mounting plate is fixable to a joist 18 by fixing means 19, for example, screws.

The f irst connector block 11 may be located within a housing 15. The housing 15 is also f ixable to the joist 18. The housing 15 includes an aperture 16 through which the lighting circuit cable/s (not illustrated), located in the ceiling space, may enter, so that same may be suitably connected to the first connector block 11.

To assist with the connection of the lighting circuit cable/s to the first connector block 11, the first connector block 11 may too be an angled connector block.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the mounting plate 14 is fixed to the ceiling joist 18, the second connector block 12 is accessible via an aperture 21 provided in the surface of a ceiling 20. In this connection! the second connector block 12 is preferably flush with the ceiling surface such that same can be easily covered by the cover 32 of the light fitting 30. In another unillustrated embodiment, the second connector block 12 may be mounted on separate base which is fixable to the surface of the ceiling. In this embodiment, the aperture 21 provided in the ceiling need only be large enough to allow the f lex 13 to pass therethrough.

In order to electrically connect a light fitting 30 to the second connector block 12, the cor-responding cable cores of the light fitting flex 31 are: connected to the corresponding connections of the second cornector block 12. In this connection, the terminals of the second connector block 12 will be suitably marked, fo-r- example, live, neutral, earth etc. The cover 32 of thp light fitting 30 will conceal the second connector block 12 and the aperture 21 in the ceiling 20.

Although the present invention ha,: been described by way of example to an electrical connector located in a ceiling space used to electrically connect a ceiling light suspended therefrom, it is to be understood that the electrical connector of the present invention may be locatable within, or on, a f loor, wall or ceiling, and may be utilised to Ell,:tctrically connect any device to an electricity supply.

Claims (4)

1. An electrical connector for connecting an electrical device to an electricity supply, the electrical connector located between the electrical device and the electricity comprising: a first connector connectable to an electricity supply, the first connector is locatable on, or within, a floor, ceiling or wall; and a second connector electrically connected to the first connector, and in use, the second connector being connectable to an electrical device.

2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the f irst connector and the second connector are angled connector blocks.

3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first connector is located within a housing

4. An electrical connector substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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