DESC:AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTING SYSTEM AND A DISTRIBUTION BLOCK USING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to electrical power distribution systems, and more particularly to an improved electrical connecting system and a distribution block using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Power utilities generate electrical power at remote plants and deliver electricity to residential, business or industrial customers via transmission networks and distribution grids. The transmission networks and distribution grids include overhead power transmission lines suspended by towers or poles or underground lines. Distribution substations connect to the transmission network and lower the transmission voltage using transformers. Primary distribution lines carry this voltage power to distribution transformers located near the consumer’s premises. Distribution transformers again lower the voltage to the utilization voltage of household appliances and typically feed several customers through secondary distribution lines at this voltage.

[003] Utility meters are located at the consumer's premises to measure the amount of power being consumed at the premises. Equipment, appliances and other devices plug into power outlets at the premises and draw power.

[004] Power theft (non-technical losses NTL) is a significant problem for power distribution systems. Research shows that the amount of unauthorized consumption of power is as much as half of all power supplied in some localities. According to the annual Emerging Markets Smart Grid: Outlook 2015 study by the Northeast Group, LLC, the world loses US$89.3 billion annually to electricity theft. The highest losses were in India ($16.2 billion), followed by Brazil ($10.5 billion) and Russia ($5.1 billion). President of Northeast Group Ben Gardner stated, "India loses more money to theft than any other country in the world. The state of Maharashtra—which includes Mumbai—alone loses $2.8 billion per year, more than all but eight countries in the world. Nationally, total transmission and distribution losses approach 23% and some states' losses exceed 50%.

[005] Power theft may happen in various ways, including direct hooking from power line, bypassing the energy meter, or tampering the energy meter. According to a study, 80% of worldwide theft occurs in private dwellings and 20% on commercial and industrial premises. Hooking is the most used method. 80% of global power theft is by direct tapping from the line.

[006] Distribution systems typically comprise of distribution boxes (DBs) which acts as an interface to connect conductors of the supplier side and the receiver side. Power theft also occurs by tampering the DB and connecting a conductor to draw power from the DB to a consumer premises bypassing the energy meter, so the illegally consumed power cannot be measured, and billed.

[007] In the electrical industry, distribution boxes (DBs) are commonly used to simplify electrical connections by eliminating multi-branch wiring and consolidating multiple connections at a single location. The DB allows connecting or disconnecting the conductors as per the requirements. A DB typically comprises a housing having integrally formed receptacles for receiving electrical conductors, electrical connecting system, mechanism for connecting conductors to electrical connecting system and other components. The busbar is most commonly used electrical connecting system in DBs.

[008] DBs used in India generally comprises a plurality of rectangular busbar conductors arranged within a metallic housing for providing electric power to the consumers. It is contained within the housing and is connected with main power cable from the supplier side and one or more conductors of receiver side to distribute power. A DB is manufactured as a housing that protects the inside components from external environment and damage from the outside elements. The DB is provided with doors with a lock to avoid opening the DB easily to prevent tampering of the electrical connections. The lock can be opened by authorized persons only to make changes in the connections inside the DB, however, some unauthorized person may break the lock of the door and connect conductors to the busbar and draw power.

[009] Busbars used in the DB are produced in a variety of shapes such as flat strips, solid bars and rods, solid or hollow tubes, and braided wire. The conductor is gripped between busbars or placed over the busbars for making the electrical connections in a DB. The busbars electrically connects an incoming conductor and a plurality of outgoing conductors in a DB. Some designs of the bubars may allow heat to dissipate more efficiently due to their high surface area to cross-sectional area ratio, however rectangular strip busbars, which are mostly used in DBs do not allow a very good electrical contact with the conductors.

[0010] The efficiency of electrical connection in the present DBs depends largely on the skills and experience of the installing personnel. Most of the installing personnel are untrained and many times do not follow the written instructions during making the connections. This leads to loose and improper electrical connections and the contact area of the busbar with the conductors is less, which results in high contact resistance. The high contact resistance leads to heating of the connections and this may result in hot spots formation at the connection during use, thereby hampering the flow of power and leading to heavy power losses. In some cases the hotspots may lead to fire in the DB which is more dangerous and requires immediate shutdown and repair. Such situations needs power shutdown and repair or replacement of busbars or the whole DB, which is heavy loss to the utility companies and discomfort to the consumers as well.

[0011] Another issue with DBs available in the market is their size and weight. The DBs are boxes made of metal sheets and are significantly heavy. Sometimes the installing personnel have to install one or more DBs on an electric pole, where the heavy DB of large size gives inconvenience to the installing personnel and there is also space constraint on the pole to accommodate many DBs.

[0012] In view of the limitations inherent in the available power distributions systems there exists a need for a distribution box with an improved electrical connecting system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and which can be implemented in the field without needing sophisticated equipment in a cost effective, reliable, tamperproof, secure, and environmental friendly manner.

[0013] The present invention fulfils this need and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved combination of convenience and utility, to include the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

[0015] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical connecting system and a distribution block using the same having advantages such as antitheft feature, tamperproof, compact size, low heat generation, low contact resistance which can promote low electrical losses, dust and water proof enclosure which is light in weight and compact.

[0016] In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrical connecting system for interconnecting a plurality of conductors which comprises a busbar, a plurality of conductor holes on the busbar, each of the conductor hole is adapted to receive one of the conductor from the plurality of conductors, a plurality of fastener holes corresponding to each of the plurality of conductor holes, such that axis of each of the fastener hole is perpendicular to the axis of the corresponding conductor hole and a contact plate and a fastener bolt displaced in each of the fastener holes, such that the contact plate and the fastener bolt is adapted to hold the conductor.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the contact plate is held in the fastener hole and adapted to move inside the fastener hole on tightening of the fastener bolt.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the fastener hole further includes a bar groove extending from the top face of the busbar to a predefined depth, such that the bar groove is adapted to retain the contact plate in a predefined position and allow vertical movement of the contact plate in the fastener hole.

[0019] In a further aspect of the present invention, the contact plate is a circular plate with a pair of rectangular flanges, such that the contact plate shape corresponds to the shape of fastener hole and the bar groove.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, the contact plate has a curved shape on its lower face corresponding to the round shape of the conductor.

[0021] In a yet another aspect of the present invention, the busbar further includes a stopper located in the fastener hole to retain position of the contact plate. The stopper is adapted to break on fastening of the fastener bolt, the stopper shape corresponds with the shape of the contact plate. In a further aspect of the present invention, the stopper is a protrusion located in the fastener hole.

[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, the stopper is a tapered edge extending from the top face of the busbar with decreasing width along the depth of the fastener hole.

[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, the busbar is provided with additional material near the conductor hole corresponding to the incoming conductor connection.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention provides an electrical housing, that includes the electrical connecting system of the present invention, a cavity to hold the electrical connecting system, a plurality of conductor ports for allowing the plurality of conductors to be inserted in the housing, such that each of the conductor port is located corresponding to the conductor hole on the busbar, a busbar cover plate for hiding and insulating the busbar by closing the cavity, the busbar cover plate including a plurality of fastener covers corresponding to the location of the fastener holes of the busbar, a locking arrangement to lock two electrical housings with each other and a plurality of sealing gaskets installed around the plurality of conductor ports and the locking arrangement for ingress protection.

[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, the fastener cover on the cover plate includes a thin film, such that the thin film is breakable.

[0026] In another aspect, the present invention provides a distribution block for interconnecting a plurality of conductors, which includes one phase housing according to the present invention including a phase busbar and one neutral housing according to the present invention including a neutral busbar, the neutral housing is engaged with the phase housing by the locking arrangement.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a distribution box, that includes three phase housings, such that each housing is according to the present invention including a phase busbar; and one neutral housing according to the present invention including a neutral busbar.

[0028] These together with other aspects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the description annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0030] FIGs. 1(A) and 1(B) illustrates a perspective view and front view respectively of an electrical connecting system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIGs. 2(A) and 2(B) illustrates a perspective view and front view respectively of the busbar, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIGs. 3(A) and 3(B) illustrates two perspective views of the contact plate, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the electrical housing, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the busbar cover plate, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the distribution block, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0038] As used herein, the term ‘plurality’ refers to the presence of more than one of the referenced item and the terms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘at least’ do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0039] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention.

[0040] Referring to FIGs. 1(A) and 1(B), that illustrates a perspective and front view of the electrical connecting system 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connecting system 10 comprises of a busbar 12, a plurality of conductor holes 14 on the busbar, each of the conductor hole 14 is adapted to receive one of the conductor from the plurality of conductors, a plurality of fastener holes 16 on the busbar corresponding to each of the plurality of conductor holes 14, such that axis of each of the fastener hole 16 is perpendicular to the axis of the corresponding conductor hole 14, a contact plate 18 and a fastener bolt 20 displaced in each of the fastener holes 16, such that the contact plate 18 and the fastener bolt 20 is adapted to hold the conductor.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, that illustrates a perspective view of the busbar 12 of the electrical connecting system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The busbar 12 is a solid and may be made of any conducting material preferably Copper or Aluminium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductor holes 14 are through holes extending from one face of the busbar 12 to another face and the fastener holes 16 are threaded holes extending upto a predefined depth in the busbar 12. The diameter of fastener holes 16 may be made as same or different from the diameter of the conductor holes 14. It may be noted that the present invention discloses the conductor and the fastener holes in circular cross section, however other shape of cross sections such as square, hexagonal, octagonal etc are also possible and may be made to corresponding to the shape of the conductors and fastener bolts 20 used. In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductor holes 14 includes serrations or threads for providing a good grip to the conductor being held inside it. The better grip increases the contact area between the conductor and busbar 12, thereby resulting in lower contact resistance.

[0042] The contact plate 18 is held in the fastener hole 16 and adapted to move inside the fastener hole on tightening of the fastener bolt 20 in downward direction.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fastener hole 16 further includes a bar groove 22 extending from the top face of the busbar to a predefined depth, such that the bar groove 22 is adapted to retain the contact plate 18 in a predefined position and allow vertical movement of the contact plate in the fastener hole. The predefined depth is the depth upto which the fastener bolt 20 can be tightened and the fastener hole 16 has threads. The bar groove 22 as shown in FIG. 2 is preferably of rectangular shape and is cut such that its longer edge is parallel to the axis of the conductor hole 14 and perpendicular to the fastener hole 16.

[0044] Referring to FIGs. 3(A) and 3(B) that illustrates two perspective views of the contact plate 18, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The contact plate 18 has a shape of a circular plate 182 with rectangular flanges 184, such that the contact plate shape corresponds to and is received in the fastener hole 16 and the bar groove 22. It is to be noted that different shapes of the bar groove 22 and the contact plate 18 may be chosen, such that they correspond to each other and the bar groove 22 acts as a guide for moving the contact plate18 inside the fastener hole 16.

[0045] For installation, a conductor is inserted in the conductor hole 14, then the contact plate 18 is inserted from top in the fastener hole 16 such that the flanges 184 of the contact plate are received in the bar groove 22. Now the fastener bolt 20 is inserted from the fastener hole and rotated to tighten. As the bolt 20 is tightened it pushes the contact plate 18 towards the conductor to grip it. Similarly a plurality of conductors may be installed as per the requirements and number of conductor holes available on the busbar 12.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact plate 18 has a curved shape 186 on its lower face corresponding to the round shape of the conductor. The curved shape 186 on the lower face of the contact plate faces the conductor in the fastener hole, such that when a conductor is received in the conductor hole 14 and the contact plate 18 is inserted from the fastener hole 16, the lower face of the contact plate 186 engages with the conductor, thereby giving a very good electrical and mechanical contact with the conductor. In one embodiment the contact plate 18 may have serrations for better grip on conductor.

[0047] The curved surface 186 of the contact plate 18 gives a good surface contact with the conductor. The contact plate is 18 used to apply uniform force over the surface of the conductor with the help of fastener bolt 20 and assure electricity conduction from both sides of the conductor with contact plate 18 on upper side and busbar 12 on lower side. Contact plate 18 is made to slide up and down guided by the bar groove 22 located in the fastener hole 16.

[0048] The good surface contact area results in a low contact resistance for electrical connection and thereby reduces electrical loses. It also reduces the heat generated as the contact resistance is less. In a comparison study, it was observed that the contact resistance offered by the electrical connection with busbars in existing distribution boxes available in the market is 0.4 micro Ohms, however the electrical connection system 10 of the present invention has achieved contact resistance value of 0.06 Ohms for similar test conditions.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the busbar 12 further includes a stopper 24 located in the fastener hole 16 to retain position of the contact plate 18. The stopper 24 is located in each of the fastener holes 16 to hold the contact plate 18 in a predefined position such that it does not obstruct the path for receiving the conductor wire in the corresponding conductor hole while staying in the fastener hole without falling. The shape of the stopper 24 corresponds with the shape of the contact plate 18.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stopper 24 includes protrusions located in the fastener hole 16 (as shown in FIG. 2B), such that it retain position of the contact plate and prevents the contact plate 18 from going inside the fastener hole 16 after a certain predefined depth. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stopper 24 is adapted to break on fastening of the fastener bolt 20. The dimensions and thickness of the protrusions is intentionally kept at minimum to just hold the contact plate in position and also to break when force is applied by tightening the fastener bolt 20. In order to connect a conductor with the busbar 12, after inserting the conductor in the conductor hole, the fastener bolt is tightened and it pushes the contact plate 18 against the stopper 24, thereby breaking the protrusions and allowing the contact plate 18 to contact the conductor surface making a tight electrical connection.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the stopper 24 includes tapered edge located on the top face of the busbar along the fastener hole 16 such that it is tapered decreasing the groove width along the depth of the fastener hole 16. The contact plate 18 also has the shape to correspond with the shape of the stopper 24, its width decreases towards the depth of the fastener hole. The dimensions and angle of taper slope of the stopper 24 is such that it holds the contact plate in position and also allows it to move inside the fastener hole when force is exerted on it by tightening of the fastener bolt 20.

[0052] In order to connect a conductor with the busbar 12, after inserting the conductor in the conductor hole 14, the fastener bolt 20 is tightened in the fastener hole 16 which slides the contact plate 18 edge along the tapered edge of the stopper 24, thereby allowing the contact plate 18 to touch the conductor surface thereby making an electrical connection with required contact pressure.

[0053] The plurality of conductors connected to the busbar 12 may include at least one incoming conductor and at least one outgoing conductor connected in different conductor holes 14. The incoming and outgoing conductors may also be interchangeably connected to allotted holes of each other on the busbar 12. The diameter of the conductor holes 14 is such that it accommodates a range of diameters of the conductors to be connected as per the requirements. As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connecting system 10 includes connector holes 14 for one incoming conductor and ten outgoing conductors; however the number of incoming and outgoing conductors can be customized as per the requirement of the connection needed.

[0054] The busbar 12 design in the present invention is such that all the conductor wires are connected to each other electrically by the busbar. The shape and design of the busbar is optimized to allow best electrical conduction and proper dissipation of heat generated at the electrical connections to its surrounding material.

[0055] Since the incoming conductor carries maximum amount of current, the amount of heat generated at the interface of the incoming conductor and the busbar is very high. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the busbar is provided with additional material 26 near the incoming conductor connection, so that the heat generated is conducted to the additional material as shown in FIG.3. The additional material near the incoming conductor wire connection, acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat and cool the busbar 12. The shape and size of the additional material 26 may be made as per the requirements of heat dissipation and size of the electrical connecting system 10.

[0056] Most of the utility companies in India allow for a maximum temperature for any connection in the distribution box as 100 degree Celsius; however the electrical connecting system 10 of the present invention has achieved the maximum temperature as 55 degree Celsius. The lower value of maximum temperature decreases the chances of hotspot formation on the connections and thereby increasing the stability, performance and life of the distribution box.

[0057] In one preferred embodiment, the busbar 12, contact plate 18 and the fastener bolts 20 are made of same conducting material such as Copper or Aluminum. It may be noted that other materials such as copper alloys and aluminum alloys or any other material or alloy or a combination of these materials/alloys known in art which offers the properties of high electrical and thermal conductivity may also be used. The contact plate, busbar and fastener bolts may be all made of same material or different material as per the requirements.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, that illustrates a perspective view of the electrical housing 100, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical housing 100 incudes the electrical connecting system 10 according to the present invention, a cavity 102 to hold the electrical connecting system 10, a plurality of conductor ports 104 for allowing the plurality of conductors to be inserted in the housing 100, a busbar cover plate 106 (shown in FIG. 5) for hiding and insulating the busbar 12 by closing the cavity 102, a locking arrangement 108 to lock two electrical housings with each other and a plurality of sealing gaskets installed around the plurality of conductor ports and the locking arrangement for ingress protection.

[0059] The cavity 102 is lke a box closed from all sides and open from only one side to insert the busbar 12 in the housing 100. The shape and dimensions of the cavity 102 corresponds with the busbar 12 shape and dimensions to be used, such that it allows the busbar to be inserted and rest in the cavity.

[0060] The pluralities of conductor ports 104 are located on one selected side of the cavity 102 such that, each of the conductor port 104 is located corresponding to a conductor hole 14 on the busbar. The conductors when inserted through the conductor ports 104 reach the conductor holes 14 in the busbar 12.

[0061] The busbar cover plate 106 is positioned perpendicular to the conductor axis. The cover plate 106 rests in a groove on inner side of the cavity 102. A plurality of fastener covers 110 having axis perpendicular to the conductor ports 104 are provided on the busbar cover plate, such that for each fastener hole 16 on the busbar there is a corresponding fastener cover 110 on the cover plate 106.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fastener covers 110 include a thin film which is breakable. The fastener covers 110 are initially closed with a thin layer of selected material, such that when the conductors are to be installed in the housing 100, the thin layer is broken to access the fastener holes 16 using a fastening tool. In another embodiment the cover plate 106 may be made as a solid plate which insulates the housing. The cover plate 106 may be made as a removable or non-removable after installing in the housing.

[0063] For making the electrical housing 100, the busbar 12 along with the contact plate 18 and fastener bolt 20 in each of its fastener holes 16 is inserted in the cavity 102 and then covered with the cover plate 106. The cover plate 106 is used for additional insulation. The cover plate 106 hides and insulates the busbar 12 and prevents it from falling out of the housing 102 in case of change in orientation of placement of the housing.

[0064] The locking arrangement 108 is provided to lock two electrical housings 100 with each other. The locking arrangement 108 is such that, the two housings 100 to be connected have corresponding male and female parts of the locking arrangement. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking arrangement 108 includes a snap fit mechanism with male and female components of the lock provided on the two housings to be connected. In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking arrangement 108 may be made as permanent lock if needed.

[0065] The housing 100 may be made of a material which offers good electric insulation, good heat conduction and dissipation capacity along with required strength to hold the busbar 12 and conductor weight without deforming by heat or pressure. Any one of the Rubbery/ Thermoset- Silicone (Liquid/Solid), EPDM Rubber, TPR (X-linked EVA), Composites/ Plastic/ Thermoplastic- DMC, SMC, PP, PVC, Engineering Plastics, Liquid coating materials/ Insulated Paints/Potable resins may be used to make the housing. In one embodiment of present invention Nylon 66 may be used to make the housing. The housing may be made of material following the IP 54 or 55 standards for Ingress Protections.

[0066] The housing 102 further includes a hanging groove 112 allow a metallic strip to pass through it to wrap and hang the housing 102 on a pole. The hanging groove may be slit cut on two edges from which a metallic strip may pass to hold the distribution block on a pole.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6 that illustrates a distribution block 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The distribution block 200 includes one phase housing 210 and at least one neutral housing 220, each including the electrical connecting system 10 of the present invention. The phase housing 210 is the housing 100 that contains the busbar 12 which is used as phase and the neutral housing 220 is the housing 100 that contains the busbar 12 which is used as neutral.

[0068] The phase housing 210 and the neutral housing 220 are connected to each other by the locking arrangement 108 which complement each other. In one preferred embodiment, the phase housing 210 and the neutral housing 220 are connected by a snap fit arrangement to form the distribution block 200.

[0069] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gasket groove may be provided on either one of the phase housing 210 or the neutral housing 220 to place a gasket. The gasket sits in the gasket groove in between the phase and neutral housing, thereby sealing the connection and preventing any leakage of water inside the DB. The gasket may be made of any suitable material used in art to make it leak proof. In one embodiment Neoprene may be used as gasket material.

[0070] The distribution block 200 is provided with the phase and neutral housings as separate. For making electrical connections, the conductors to be used as phase conductors are inserted from the conductor ports 102 of the phase housing 210 to reach the conductor hole 14 of the busbar inside it. Now the fastener bolts 20 are accessed by breaking the fastener cover 110 on the busbar cover plate 106 using a tightening tool available in art and tightened. In another embodiment, the cover plate 106 may be removed to tighten the bolt 20 and then replaced to its position. The tightening of the fastener bolt 20 pushes the contact plate 18 in the corresponding fastener hole 16 towards the conductor and grips the conductor in place. The phase conductors may include an incoming and several outgoing conductors. All the phase conductors are connected in other conductor holes of the phase housing in a similar manner. Similarly the conductors including input and output conductors to be used as neutral conductors are connected in the neutral housing 220.

[0071] Now the phase housing 210 and the neutral housing 220 are assembled with each other using the snap fit arrangement. One of the housing may be provided with male portions of the snap fit and the other with female portions of the snap fit. The male and female portions of the snap fit on both housing are brought in position and assembled, such that phase and neutral housing get attached to form the distribution block 200 of the present invention.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the snap fit arrangement will not allow the phase housing 210 and the neutral housing 220 to be separated once they are assembled to form the distribution block 200. The enclosed housing and snap fit arrangement makes the distribution block 200 as antitheft, preventing any tampering since both the busbars are enclosed inside their respective housings and are not accessible from outside for making any unauthorized electrical connection.

[0073] In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking arrangement 108 provided on the phase and neutral housing to make the distribution block 200, may allow the phase 210 and neutral housing 220 to be separated after attaching with other and then reconnected as per the requirements. This makes the distribution block 200 reusable and conductors may be connected or disconnected by separating the phase and neutral housing when required.

[0074] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a number of phase housings 210 with respective phase busbars along with neutral housing 220 with respective neutral busbar is placed in a closed box to make a distribution box. The distribution block 200 may be used for single phase or three phase connections as per the requirements. The distribution may be extended to multiple phase housing and single neutral housing or same number of phase and neutral housings to make the distribution block 200.

[0075] In another embodiment the present invention provides a distribution box which includes three phase housings 210, such that each housing is according to the present invention including a phase busbar; and one neutral housing 220 including a neutral busbar. The housings 210 and 220 are enclosed in a closed box as per the requirements. The distribution block may be used with or without the box when needed.

[0076] The electrical connecting system 10 and the distribution block 100 of the present invention may provide advantages as below:

- Antitheft feature: Since the busbar 12 and electrical connections are not accessible, it is nearly impossible for an unauthorized person to connect a conductor and draw power illegally
- Minimize losses: The improved electrical connecting system 10 with busbar 12 and contact plate 18 allows to apply uniform force to obtain maximum contact areas over the surface of the conductor with the help of fastener bolts 20 and assures better electrical conduction with minimum contact resistance
- Good Thermal conduction: Better contact of the conductor with busbar 12 allows better conduction of heat generated in the contact
- Cooling: The busbar 12 shape along with housing material allows better and steady dissipation of generated heat to the environment
- Compact size: Better contact area, good cooling and no need of external housing allows the distribution block 200 to be made in small size and is compact as compared to presently used distribution boxes in India

[0077] Although a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configurations of the parts, changes in steps and their sequences may be possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0078] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An electrical connecting system for interconnecting a plurality of conductors, comprising:
- at least one busbar;
- a plurality of conductor holes on the busbar, each of the conductor hole is adapted to receive one of the conductor from the plurality of conductors;
- a plurality of fastener holes on the busbar corresponding to each of the plurality of conductor holes, such that axis of each of the fastener hole is perpendicular to the axis of the corresponding conductor hole; and
- a contact plate and a fastener bolt displaced in each of the fastener holes, such that the contact plate and the fastener bolt is adapted to hold the conductor.

2. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of conductor holes is through hole extending from one face of the busbar to another face for accommodating the conductor.

3. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein each of the fastener holes including threads extending from a top face of the busbar to a predefined depth in the busbar.

4. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein each of the conductor hole further includes at least one of serrations, threads for providing better grip to the conductor.

5. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the contact plate is held in the fastener hole and adapted to move inside the fastener hole on tightening of the fastener bolt.

6. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the fastener hole further includes a bar groove extending from the top face of the busbar to a predefined depth, such that the bar groove is adapted to retain the contact plate in a predefined position and allow vertical movement of the contact plate in the fastener hole.

7. The electrical connecting system according to claim 6, wherein the contact plate comprises a circular plate with a pair of rectangular flanges, such that the contact plate shape corresponds to the shape of fastener hole and the bar groove.

8. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the contact plate comprises a curved shape on its lower face corresponding to the round shape of the conductor.

9. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the busbar further includes a stopper located in the fastener hole to retain position of the contact plate.

10. The electrical connecting system according to claim 9, wherein the stopper is adapted to break on fastening of the fastener bolt.

11. The electrical connecting system according to claim 9, wherein the stopper is a protrusion located in the fastener hole.

12. The electrical connecting system according to claim 9, wherein the stopper is a tapered edge extending from the top face of the busbar with decreasing width along the depth of the fastener hole.

13. The electrical connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the busbar is provided with additional material near the conductor hole corresponding to the incoming conductor wire connection.

14. An electrical housing, comprising:
- the electrical connecting system according to any of the preceding claims,
- a cavity to hold the electrical connecting system;
- a plurality of conductor ports for allowing the plurality of conductors to be inserted in the housing, such that each of the conductor port is located corresponding to the conductor hole on the busbar;
- a busbar cover plate for hiding and insulating the busbar by closing the cavity, the busbar cover plate including a plurality of fastener covers corresponding to the location of the fastener holes of the busbar;
- a locking arrangement to lock two electrical housings with each other; and
- a plurality of sealing gaskets installed around the plurality of conductor ports and the locking arrangement for ingress protection.

15. The electrical housing, according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of conductor ports are located on a side perpendicular to an opening of the cavity.

16. The electrical housing, according to claim 14, wherein the fastener cover includes a thin film, such that the thin film is breakable.

17. The electrical housing, according to claim 14, wherein the locking arrangement is made as permanent lock if needed.

18. A distribution block for interconnecting a plurality of conductors, comprising;
- at least one phase housing according to the claim 14 including a phase busbar; and
- at least one neutral housing according to the claim 14 including a neutral busbar, the neutral housing is engaged with the phase housing by the locking arrangement.

19. A distribution box, comprising:
- at least three phase housings, such that each housing is according to the claim 14 including a phase busbar; and
- at least one neutral housing according to the claim 14 including a neutral busbar.