Recessed Jumper Plug for Safe Live Circuit Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting two electrical circuits with active voltage poses a risk of electrical shock when using a plug and socket approach, especially when both circuits are energized, as it is often impractical to shut down the power distribution grid or generation equipment, requiring additional time and caution.
Innovation Solution
A socket, plug, and jumper system that allows safe connection of multiple circuits to live voltage, featuring a receptacle socket with separate prongs for ground, neutral, and active voltage circuits, and a plug and jumper with recessed contacts for active voltage, ensuring no exposed live contacts during connection or disconnection, and incorporating overcurrent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional plug and socket approach is used to connect two electrical circuits, then the connection process is simple and quick, but one of the live circuits must be exposed to contact, creating a risk of electrical shock
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into three separate components: a receptacle socket, a plug adapter, and a jumper component. This segmentation allows the active voltage circuit connection to be isolated within the recessed jumper component, while the receptacle socket remains exposed for safe operation. The plug adapter connects to the receptacle socket first, establishing ground and neutral connections before the jumper component is inserted to complete the active voltage circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The jumper component is completely recessed within the plug adapter housing, creating a nested structure where the active voltage contacts are hidden inside the plug adapter. This nesting ensures that the live contacts are not exposed during insertion or removal operations, as the jumper component must be fully inserted into the plug adapter to establish electrical connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the power distribution grid or generation equipment is shut down to ensure safety during connection, then electrical shock risk is eliminated, but additional time and work are required
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle socket acts as an intermediary device that allows safe connection of ground and neutral circuits while the active voltage circuit remains isolated. The recessed jumper component serves as a mediator for the active voltage connection, enabling it to be made or broken without exposing workers to live contacts. This intermediary structure permits work on energized systems without shutdown.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plug adapter exposes a live circuit to enable connection, then the connection can be made, but worker safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of exposing the live circuit for connection (traditional approach), the invention inverts the design by recessing the live circuit contacts within the jumper component. The connection capability is maintained through the recessed structure, which requires full insertion to establish contact, thereby protecting workers from exposure to live circuits while preserving adaptability for connecting energized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are generally described for a socket, plug, and jumper system. In an example, a receptacle socket includes a first prong receptacle for a ground circuit, a second prong receptacle for a neutral circuit, and a third prong receptacle for an active voltage circuit. A plug housing includes a first prong contact corresponding to the first prong receptacle for the ground circuit, a second prong contact corresponding to the second prong receptacle for the neutral circuit, and a fourth prong receptacle for the active voltage circuit. A jumper component includes a third prong contact corresponding to the third prong receptacle for the active voltage circuit, and a fourth prong contact corresponding to the fourth prong receptacle for the active voltage circuit, wherein the fourth prong contact is completely recessed within the jumper component.