US-12620728-B2 - Isolation switch and terminal rings

Abstract

An isolation switch includes a plurality of posts connectable to trace lines and/or a ground line at one side of a housing of the switch. Inside the switch, a conducting contact plate can be moved between a bonded mode, where each of the terminals are interconnected, and a test mode, where the contact plate moves, within the housing, electrically isolating each post and allowing for discrete locating.

Inventors

• Ewan BURNETT
• Marek MARAK

Assignees

• EDGEWOOD ENTERPRISES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240209

Claims (18)

1. 1 . An isolation switch comprising: a housing; a plurality of posts extending in the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; and a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, within the housing, to electrically disconnect each of the plurality of posts from the contact plate, wherein the switch includes a cam lever attached to a back side of the switch, within the housing.
2. 2 . The isolation switch of claim 1 , wherein: the contact plate includes an L-shaped opening for receiving the cam lever therein; and turning the switch causes the cam lever to rotate between being positioned in a first leg of the L-shaped opening to a second leg of the L-shaped opening.
3. 3 . The isolation switch of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of posts extend from a back side of the housing to beyond a front side of the housing.
4. 4 . The isolation switch of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of posts each include a nut for attachment of a wire to a front side of the isolation switch, external to the housing.
5. 5 . The isolation switch of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of posts and the switch are both disposed, external the housing, at a front side of the isolation switch.
6. 6 . The isolation switch of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of contact extensions extending away from a plane of the contact plate, each of the plurality of contact extensions providing electrical contact from the contact plate to the plurality of posts when the isolation switch is in the bonded position.
7. 7 . The isolation switch of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of contact extensions have a first leg electrically connected to the contact plate, and a second leg, extending at an angle from the contact plate.
8. 8 . The isolation switch of claim 7 , wherein the angle is from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees.
9. 9 . The isolation switch of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of posts is a ground wire post and remaining ones of the plurality of posts are operable to attach to tracer wires for underground utilities.
10. 10 . An isolation switch comprising: a housing; a plurality of posts extending through the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; and a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, entirely within the housing, to electrically disconnect each of the plurality of posts from the contact plate, wherein: the switch includes a cam lever attached to a back side of the switch, within the housing; the contact plate includes an L-shaped opening for receiving the cam lever therein; and turning the switch causes the cam lever to rotate between being positioned in a first leg of the L-shaped opening to a second leg of the L-shaped opening.
11. 11 . The isolation switch of claim 10 , wherein: the plurality of posts extend from a back side of the housing to beyond a front side of the housing; and the plurality of posts each include a nut for attachment of a wire to a front side of the isolation switch, external to the housing.
12. 12 . The isolation switch of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of posts and the switch are both disposed, external the housing, at a front side of the isolation switch.
13. 13 . The isolation switch of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of contact extensions extending away from a plane of the contact plate, wherein: each of the plurality of contact extensions providing electrical contact from the contact plate to the plurality of posts when the isolation switch is in the bonded position; and the plurality of contact extensions have a first leg electrically connected to the contact plate, and a second leg, extending at an angle from the contact plate.
14. 14 . The isolation switch of claim 13 , wherein the angle is from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees.
15. 15 . An isolation switch comprising: a housing; a plurality of posts extending through the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, entirely within the housing, to electrically disconnect each of the plurality of posts from the contact plate; and a plurality of contact extensions extending away from a plane of the contact plate, wherein: each of the plurality of contact extensions providing electrical contact from the contact plate to the plurality of posts when the isolation switch is in the bonded position; and the plurality of contact extensions have a first leg electrically connected to the contact plate, and a second leg, extending at an angle from the contact plate.
16. 16 . The isolation switch of claim 15 , wherein: the switch includes a cam lever attached to a back side of the switch, within the housing; the contact plate includes an L-shaped opening for receiving the cam lever therein; and turning the switch causes the cam lever to rotate between being positioned in a first leg of the L-shaped opening to a second leg of the L-shaped opening.
17. 17 . The isolation switch of claim 15 , wherein: the plurality of posts extend from a back side of the housing to beyond a front side of the housing; the plurality of posts each include a nut for attachment of a wire to a front side of the isolation switch, external to the housing; and the plurality of posts and the switch are both disposed, external the housing, at a front side of the isolation switch.
18. 18 . The isolation switch of claim 15 , wherein the angle is from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an isolation switch and terminal rings for connecting wires thereto. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to an isolation switch that includes a knob that can be turned to move an internal contact plate that can removably interconnect a ground terminal with a plurality of trace terminals. 2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. Locating buried utilities using electromagnetic locating equipment involves applying an alternating current (AC) to the utility and tracing it with a locator. Applying AC to the utility requires the utility to be metal. Dielectric fiber optic cables, water, wastewater and natural gas pipes, however, are often made of plastics. In these cases, a tracer wire may be run alongside the utility. A tracer wire is a type of insulated wire that is specifically used to assist with locating buried utilities. During installation, the tracer wire is buried along the length of the pipe. When the pipe needs to be located, the wire can be traced instead of the utility. The transmitter applies a radio frequency signal to the tracer wire, which can then be located using a receiver set to the same frequency. It is common to bond harnesses for electrically conductive tracer wires at a terminal and to provide a ground connection. Such terminals are located at or in utility marker posts, pedestals, cabinets, manholes, vaults and enclosures. When a specific line is to be tested, it is necessary to unbond the wire to be located to isolate the line. Conventional isolation of the lines typically requires that the connections be removed for the various lines to be tested and for the connections to be reattached after the testing to ensure the proper bonding and grounding. The conventional methods are inefficient and furthermore are often problematic when the bonding is not properly reconnected after the testing is complete. If each of the lines or multiple lines are to be tested, then each of the harnesses must be disconnected and properly reconnected. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved isolation switch for removing the bond between a tracer wire and ground. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide an isolation switch comprising a housing; a plurality of posts extending in the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; and a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, within the housing, to electrically disconnect each of the plurality of posts from the contact plate. Embodiments of the present invention further provide an isolation switch comprising a housing; a plurality of posts extending in the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; and a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, entirely within the housing, to electrically disconnect each of the plurality of posts from the contact plate, wherein the switch includes a cam lever attached to a back side of the switch, within the housing; the contact plate includes an L-shaped opening for receiving the cam lever therein; and turning the switch causes the cam lever to rotate between being positioned in a first leg of the L-shape to a second leg of the L-shape. Embodiments of the present invention also provide an isolation switch comprising a housing; a plurality of posts extending in the housing; a contact plate disposed within the housing; a plurality of openings in the contact plate, the plurality of openings having respective ones of the plurality of posts extending therethrough; a switch accessible from outside of the housing, the switch movable between a bonded position, where each of the plurality of posts are electrically connected via the contact plate, and a test position, where the switch moves the contact plate, entirely within the housing, to electrically dis