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Drummond G-Clamp - A Simple Device To Ensure Bus Bar Safety

September 29, 2015 Latest News 0 Comments
Drummond G-Clamp - A Simple Device To Ensure Bus Bar Safety

The DRUMMOND G Clamp is a moulded insulated clamp-on connector designed to provide a direct connection to a rigid rectangular bus bar.Drummond G-Clamp


The clamp-on facility eliminates the need to drill the bus bar. The insulated materials reduce the risk to the installer. To counter the effects of vibration, a spring-loaded contact pin ensures consistent electrical contact force that is independent of the clamp screw installed torque and a locking ring nut secures the clamp screw against loosening. A Fluted grip features enable the clamping screw and locking ring nut to be tightened by hand while wearing PPE insulated gloves. This eliminates the need to use tools within the bus bar chamber. A 4mm shrouded socket is provided in the fl uted head of the moulded screw.

The connection is suitable for up to 10A continuous use at 600V AC, subject to appropriate rating of the 4mm plug and lead. The fluted screw head incorporates a finger guard to signify the limit of the ACCESSIBLE area at the head of the screw.

Drummond g clamp diagram 1


RISK ASSESSMENT

It must be noted that this G Clamp provides a direct electrical connection to a bus bar. The G Clamp does not contain any attenuation or impedance. Therefore, a full risk assessment must be undertaken by the installer or responsible body before any decision is made to install or manipulate the G Clamp or the plug connection while the bus bar is HAZARDOUS LIVE.

Appropriate PPE must be worn unless the bus bar is known to be isolated from all risk of hazardous voltages including the effects of capacitance, inductance, switching transients or lightning strike. The installer must adhere to the working practices issued by the responsible body.

INSTALLATION

The DRUMMOND G Clamp should be mounted on the top edge of the bus bar. A location should be selected that allows easy access to hold the G Clamp securely while the screw is being
tightened. A suitable physical clearance is required to allow for the 4mm plug connection. This will depend on the choice of plug. A clearance of 35mm is required for a standard DRUMMOND 4mm fi xed-shroud plug. Note that other designs of 4mm plug might require considerably more clearance. Moving elements of doors, hinges, door locking systems and other covers must also be taken into account.

Drummond G Clamp diagram 2


The bus bar surface should be clean at the area of intended contact. If necessary, clean the bus bar surface according to the instructions issued by the responsible body.
The G Clamp should be opened as far as necessary to engage fully over the edge of the bus bar. Hold the G Clamp stable and tighten the M16 moulded screw against the face of the bus bar to compress the springloaded brass contact. The brass contact will be compressed into the screw until the end face of the moulded screw touches the surface of the bus bar. Tighten the fluted head of the moulded screw BY HAND a further 30 - 45 degrees. (Equivalent to ONE flute MAXIMUM). DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.

Martindale Drummond G-Clamp


After tightening the screw, tighten the fluted ring nut against the G Clamp body to lock the screw. Tighten the fluted ring nut BY HAND a further 30 - 45 degrees after first touches the G Clamp body, (ONE flute MAXIMUM). DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN

drummond bus bar g clamp




Equipment leads must use 4mm plugs of appropriate rating for the installation. It is recommended that equipment leads include a fuse link of appropriate rating, located as close as is practical to the G Clamp.

Attach the equipment lead to the 4mm socket in the head of the screw. Leads should be dressed and supported so that no forces act on the G Clamp or the 4mm plug.

The G Clamp is intended to be a fixed connection. In NORMAL use, after correct installation, the G Clamp is not intended to be hand-held or hand-manipulated by the OPERATOR during measurements or tests.

After a suitably rated 4mm fixed-shroud plug has been connected to the 4mm socket in the screw head, the area on the head side of the finger guard is rated CATEGORY IV 600V and provides REINFORCED INSULATION against 8kV transient impulse. The area on the threaded side of the fi nger guard should be treated as HAZARDOUS LIVE at all times.

busbar g-clamp by drummond



G-Clamp Specifications


ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Applied electrical contact force: 40N +/- 5N.
Maximum working voltage: 600V AC.
Maximum working current: 10A.


GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Temperature & Humidity:
Operating: -15°C to 60°C ≤ 80% R.H.
Storage: -15°C to 60°C ≤ 80% R.H.
Altitude: up to 2000m.
Dimensions.
Length behind bus bar: 12mm.
Length in front of bus bar: 61mm (+ 35mm as minimum allowance for 4mm plug).
Height above top of bus bar: 14mm.
Width: 50mm for locking ring nut.

BUS BAR

Suitable for rectangular bus bar ONLY. Not suitable for round conductor.
Minimum Bar width: 20mm.
Minimum bar thickness: 4mm.
Maximum bar thickness: 26mm.

MATERIALS

Nylon 66, reinforced with 13% glass fibre.
Flammability: V2.
Brass contact pin.

SAFETY

Conforms to BS EN61010.
Installation Overvoltage Rating CAT IV 600V.
Pollution Degree: 2.
IP rating: IP40.


RISK ASSESSMENT IS REQUIRED BEFORE INSTALLATION.

Link: Buy the Drummond G-Clamp on our website

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