GB2214007A

GB2214007A - Electrical connector with neon indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2214007A
Application number: GB8828740A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Ralph Groves; Frank Poore; Brian Charles Bond
Original assignee: AF Bulgin and Co PLC
Current assignee: Checkit PLC
Priority date: 1987-12-18
Filing date: 1988-12-08
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-08
Also published as: GB2214007B; GB8729594D0; GB8828740D0

Abstract

An insertible assembly, for use across the terminals of a non-rewirable connector comprises a neon indicator 1 connected in series with a resistor 2 between a pair of contact blades 3 and 4. <IMAGE>

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR In order to indicate the presence of voltage between the "live" and "neutral" conductors of an electrical connector, a neon indicator may be fitted. The neon indicator is connected in series with a resistor between these two conductors and forms an integral part of the overall construction. The purpose of the indicator is to indicate the source of a fault if equipment to which the connector is fitted ceases to function. If, under these circumstances, the indicator remains alight, the indication is of some fault in the equipment itself, e.g.

the rupture of a fuse. However, if the indicator is not alight, there must be some interruption in the supply, e.g. the rupture of a fuse in the connector itself.

As just mentioned, such an indicator normally forms part of the overall assembly, but this leads to difficulty with non-rewireable connectors, since the presence of the neon indicator makes it difficult if not impossible to carry out the normal production safety tests. These tests incorporate a high voltage test between the "live" and "neutral" conductors which would damage the neon indicator if it were fitted in position.

According to the present invention, the neon indicator together with a resistor and contact blades constitute an independent assembly for insertion into an opening in the casing of a non-rewireable connector and subsequent fixing in position with the contact blades engaging respectively with the "live" and "neutral" conductors. This enables any necessary high voltage tests to be carried out in the absence of the neon indicator which is then fitted after the tests are complete and then becomes a part of the overall assembly in the usual way. Most conveniently, the assembly constitutes a snap-fit with the body moulding of the connector, but it may alternatively be fixed permanently in position by the use of adhesives or sonic welding.

The contact blades are preferably substantially L-shaped, to facilitate their insertion through the opening in the casing. The assembly preferably also includes a moulded lens housing which constitutes the closure for the opening in the casing.

An example of a construction in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an indicator assembly; and Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the fitting of the assembly shown in Figure 1 into the body of a non-rewireable connector.

The assembly comprises a neon indicator tube shown in dotted lines as 1 which is connected in series with a resistor 2 between a pair of substantially L-shaped contact blades 3 and 4. The assembly has a moulded body portion 5 which holds the components described so far and which is topped by a moulded lens housing 6 of transparent plastics material. The body portion 5 includes four latching projections 8 which engage with the wall of a connector when the assembly is fitted in position.

Figure 2 shows the assembly in the process of being fitted to a non-rewireable connector 10 of which the upper surface of the casing is formed with a rectangular opening 11 to fit the assembly. The internal conductors are not illustrated, but the "live" and "neutral" conductors are so located that, when the assembly is fitted in position, the lower limbs of the L-shaped contact blades 3 and 4 form firm electrical connections with these two conductors so as to connect the indicator tube 1 and the resistor 2 in series between the two conductors in the normal way.

In fitting the assembly in position as illustrated in Figure 2, the assembly is tilted at an angle as shown to allow the lower limbs of the blades to pass through the opening 11. As the assembly is moved into position, it is gradually brought upright until, as it passes through the opening 11 it is vertical and the latches 8 pass through the wall of the casing with a snap action, engaging against the underside of the wall to latch the assembly firmly in position. As previously described, all high voltage tests may be carried out before fitting the indicator assembly and, when these are complete, the assembly is fitted as just described, giving all the advantages of a normal neon indicator.

Claims

1. An assembly of a neon indicator, a resistor and contact blades, the neon indicator and the resistor being connected in series between the blades.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the contact blades are substantially L-shaped.

3. An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

4. A combination of an assembly according to any preceding claim and a non-rewirable connector having an opening into which the assembly can be inserted and fixed with the contact blades respectively engaging with the live and neutral conductors of the connector.

5. A combination according to claim 4, in which the assembly snap-fits in position in the connector.

6. A combination according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the assembly includes a moulded lens housing which constitutes the closure for the opening in the connector.