Threaded Plumbing Connector with Wire Terminal Block for Electrical Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for grounding plumbing systems, particularly those using Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST), are prone to electrical failures during lightning storms, leading to high fire risks due to the non-conductive materials like Teflon tape and plumbers putty, and traditional clamps provide a loose connection, reducing the surface area for current shunting.
Innovation Solution
A threaded plumbing connector with a wire terminal block allows for a direct bonding to the grounding system without the need for traditional clamps, providing a low resistance, high conductivity interface between pipes to shunt electrical currents away from the plumbing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bonding clamps are used to connect grounding wire to pipe, then the connection can be established, but the surface area for current shunting is minimal and the connection can be lost when the clamp loosens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grounding wire connection and the pipe connection into a single integrated threaded plumbing connector. The connector simultaneously threads onto the pipe and secures the bonding wire through a terminal block, eliminating the need for separate clamps and creating a unified connection that maintains both electrical contact and mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded plumbing connector serves multiple functions: it acts as a pipe connector, a grounding connection point, and a wire terminal block all in one component. This multi-functional design provides both the mechanical connection to the pipe and the electrical connection for grounding without requiring additional separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The threaded plumbing connector effectively reduces the risk of fires by ensuring efficient current shunting from gas lines to the building ground, protecting appliances and reducing the risk of electrical arcs and sparks during lightning strikes or power system failures.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded plumbing connector provides a low resistance, high conductivity interface between pipes to shunt electrical currents away from the plumbing system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for a threaded plumbing connector to electrically ground pipes. The apparatus includes wire terminal block(s), connecting the threaded plumbing connector body to a wire or other conductive material. In the event that a pipe becomes electrically energized, the grounding connection of the threaded plumbing connector would be able to shunt the electrical current away from the pipes and reduce the risk of fire.