Electrical Connector Removable Spacer EMT Rigid Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in outer diameter (OD) between electrical metallic tubing (EMT) and rigid conduit of the same trade size pose a challenge in finding a single electrical fitting that can accommodate both, leading to increased inventory needs for electricians during installations.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring a removable spacer with a cylindrical shape that matches the OD of either EMT or rigid conduit, allowing secure contact and accommodating variations in OD through a threaded system and a post/aperture mechanism for easy installation and removal, ensuring compatibility across different conduit sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrical connector design is used for both EMT and rigid conduit, then the number of fittings needed is reduced, but the fit quality deteriorates due to OD variations between EMT and rigid conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is divided into two main segments: a body portion and a removable spacer portion. The spacer can be selectively installed or removed depending on whether EMT or rigid conduit is being connected, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The removable spacer is designed to be nested within or attached to the body of the electrical connector. When not in use, the spacer can be stored within the connector housing, creating a compact system that contains both EMT-specific and rigid conduit-specific components in a single unit
2Manufacturing precision
If different electrical fittings are used for EMT and rigid conduit, then the fit quality is maintained, but the inventory complexity and number of fittings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector body is designed with universal features that can accommodate both EMT and rigid conduit connections. The threaded hole, central bore, and locknut interface remain consistent regardless of conduit type, while only the spacer portion needs to be changed to adapt to different conduit outer diameters
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable spacer is added to accommodate OD variations, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable spacer acts as an intermediary component between the electrical connector body and the conduit. It mediates the interface by providing the appropriate outer diameter match for either EMT or rigid conduit, allowing the main connector body to remain simple and unchanged while achieving adaptability through this intermediate element
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for receipt of EMT or rigid conduit has a body with first and second body portions, the first portion having a hollow interior with an inner smooth cylindrical surface having a radius of curvature dimensioned for receipt of a rigid electrical conduit, a removable spacer having an inner smooth surface with a radius of curvature substantially corresponding to a radius of curvature of an outer surface of an EMT, the removable spacer also having an outer surface corresponding to the inner smooth cylindrical surface of the first body portion, and wherein the second body portion forms a stop adjacent the second end of the first body portion so as to contact a terminating end of a rigid conduit or EMT. The second body portion has a central bore for the passage of electrical conductors.