Electrical Splice Box With Cable Locks For Fire Hazard Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open electrical splices in buildings pose a fire hazard and violate electrical industry codes, yet are common due to their cost-effectiveness, especially in older structures, necessitating a safer alternative to traditional splicing methods.
Innovation Solution
An electrical splice box is designed to enclose open splices, featuring sidewalls and a baseplate with slots and cable locks to securely hold cables, along with removable side panels and a cover to fully contain the splice, made from materials like steel or plastic, providing a safe and cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If open splices are used to extend or re-direct electrical wiring, then cost is reduced, but safety and compliance with electrical codes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an enclosure as an intermediary component that contains the open splice. The enclosure acts as a mediator between the hazardous open splice and the surrounding environment, preventing direct exposure of conductors while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of the splice method. The enclosure includes cable locks to secure cables and side panels with knockouts to allow cable insertion, thereby protecting the splice without requiring replacement of the wiring.
2Device complexity
If open splices are left exposed within walls, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful effects increase due to fire hazards and exposed conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hazardous open splice from its exposed position within the wall by placing it inside an enclosure. This separation removes the harmful elements (exposed conductors and potential fire sources) from the surrounding environment while keeping the splice functional. The enclosure effectively isolates the hazard without adding significant structural complexity to the overall wiring system.
3Reliability
If wiring is replaced to eliminate open splices, then safety is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a relatively simple and inexpensive enclosure as a temporary or permanent solution to protect open splices. Rather than investing in the expensive task of replacing entire wiring systems, the solution uses a cost-effective enclosure that provides adequate protection for the existing splices. This approach accepts the splice as a fixed condition and protects it economically rather than attempting to eliminate it through costly wiring replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical splice box comprising an enclosure formed by a plurality of sidewalls surrounding a baseplate and extending substantially perpendicularly from the baseplate. The enclosure has an open side opposite the baseplate and is configured to enclose electrical splices. A cover may be removably attached to the open side of the enclosure. A plurality of slots are formed in at least some of the sidewalls, where at least some of the sidewalls have at least one slot. A plurality of cable locks are removably attached to the baseplate. Each cable lock is positioned at a corresponding slot to receive and to hold a cable inserted into the slot.