Inventors:
Robert G. Didier - Santa Rosa CA
Assignee:
BIW Cable Systems, Inc. - Boston MA
International Classification:
H02H 700
Abstract:
An electrical connector system, particularly one that connects armored electrical cables for oil wells through an upper surface connector that is mated to a feed-through mandrel, automatically operates a circuit breaker in the main power circuit as the upper connector is unmated from the mandrel. A pair of relay (R) wires are carried with the main power conductors through the upper connector. A set of relay (R) contacts, preferably pins and sockets, electrically connect the R wires between the connector and the mandrel. The contacts in the mandrel are wired together. Unmating the connector withdraws the R pins from their sockets which trips a relay or otherwise operates the main circuit breaker. Power (P) contacts, preferably pins and sockets, for the main power conductors are longer than the R pins so that power in the main conductors is shut off before arcing can occur. Preferably this "quick disconnect" relay circuit is used in conjunction with an improved lip seal formed on the mating end of a resilient insulating body filling the connector.