Kenny clamp

Abstract

A grounding electrode conductor bonded to the metallic surface of a panel board by a press sleeve connector mounted on said panel board. A clamp is used to contact and secure the conductor to the connector. Both grounding electrode conductor and connector are in conformance with the 1996 National Electrical Code.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention pertains to a clamp, described as a "Kenny Clamp" whose function it is to bond the grounding electrode conductor to the enclosure of an electric service box, an auxiliary gutter or other related service equipment in accordance with the requirements of the 1996 National Electric Code and is particularly useful in household wiring.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTypically the grounding electrode conductor is fastened to a water pipe or made electrode and extends through an outlet in a service box where it is fastened to a bus bar with a screw.Exemplary pf prior art ground connectors are as follows:U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,381 teaches a device for bonding an electric ground wire to an electric outlet or switch box. This apparatus employs a grounding coupling or wedge wherein the electric wire to be connected to the box is placed in a groove and a stud screwed down upon it. A pin having contact with the ground wire also makes contact with the electric outlet box.U...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is also another object of this invention to facilitate the securement of the grounding electrode conductor to the panel board by use of a simple clamp.

Problems solved by technology

Heretofore the coupling nut was attached to the terminal in such a way that after it was in place, the terminal connector was inaccessible or very difficult to access.

As can be seen there are a number of ways of making ground connections; however, none of the above cited grounded connections would satisfy the 1996 National Electrical Code, (hereinafter referred to as Code) which stipulates that a grounding electrode conductor entering a panel board, must be bonded to a metallic surface and must be connected to a grounding electrode, for example a metal water pipe or a metal rod driven into earth.

None of the devices mentioned in the above cited patents show such an arrangement.

Additionally the conductive wall would not satisfy the code as a ground electrode.

Even if the ground wires of the aforesaid patents were to be considered to be grounding electrode conductors they would not satisfy the Code.

The fact is that none of the grounding wires is designed to handle an excessive amount of fault current, for example in excess of 10,000 amperes in domestic households, for an extended period of time.

This is significant for the reason that if there should be a failure in the circuit and an excessive amount of current is dumped onto this wire, it would be unable to control the situation.

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