Low-Profile Watertight Meter Box Connector for Easy Re-Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ensuring a watertight connection for electrical power lines entering an electric meter box is challenging, particularly when re-wiring is required, as conventional connectors protrude significantly and often necessitate enlarging the entry hole, causing damage to the building siding.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile watertight connector comprising a cylindrical member with a flange and a cylindrical grommet, designed to be inserted into the meter box through an access hole, providing a secure and watertight passage for the power line while minimizing protrusion from the meter box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional connectors are used to secure the load side wire, then the connection is secure, but the connector protrudes significantly from the meter box, requiring enlargement of the entry hole and causing damage to the building siding
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a protruding design to a flush-mounted design by changing the dimensional orientation of the connection interface. The load side wire enters through the side wall of the connector body rather than from the rear, allowing the connector to sit flush against the meter box rear surface without protruding beyond the meter box exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is nested within the meter box assembly by positioning it between the meter box rear wall and the building siding. The flange of the connector rests against the meter box exterior surface, while the connector body extends into the space between the meter box and the building, effectively nesting the connector within the existing assembly without requiring external protrusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entry hole is enlarged to accommodate conventional connectors, then re-wiring becomes possible, but the building siding is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The connector accepts the load side wire through a side entrance rather than requiring rear access, changing the dimensional approach for wire insertion. This side-entry configuration allows the connector to be installed through the existing knockout hole without enlargement, while still providing full re-wiring capability through the side wall opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the meter box and the building wiring system. By positioning the load side wire entry on the side wall rather than requiring rear access, the connector mediates the connection in a way that preserves the integrity of the building siding while enabling full wiring adaptability.
3Reliability
If conventional connectors are used, then the power line can be secured, but water may enter the meter box through the knockout hole
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber grommet is used as a flexible sealing element within the connector body. The grommet is positioned at the load side wire entry opening and deforms to create a watertight seal around the power line as it passes through, preventing water ingress while maintaining the electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber grommet serves as an intermediary sealing element between the connector body and the power line. It mediates the interface by deforming around the wire to create a watertight barrier, allowing the power line to pass through while blocking water entry paths.
4Length of stationary object
If a low-profile connector is used, then the connector sits flush against the meter box, but ensuring watertight sealing becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber grommet provides flexible sealing capability within the compact low-profile connector structure. Despite the reduced protrusion distance, the grommet's elasticity allows it to deform and create an effective watertight seal around the power line at the side-entry opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Watertight sealing is concentrated at the critical location where the power line enters the connector body through the side wall. The rubber grommet is positioned specifically at this local interface, providing targeted sealing quality where water ingress would occur, rather than requiring sealing along the entire connector length.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector adapted to secure an electrical power line entering an electrical meter box comprises (a) a cylindrical member adapted to be at least partially inserted into the meter box through an access hole, (b) a flange affixed to or integral with a first end of the cylindrical member and (c) a cylindrical grommet selectively insertable at least partially into a second end of the cylindrical member and securable therein. The flange remains outside of the meter box and abuts an outer surface of the wall of the meter box or abuts a gasket sandwiched between the flange and the outer surface of the wall of the meter box. The cylindrical member, the flange, and the grommet all have aligned through-holes through which the power line passes as the power line enters the meter box.