Separable electrical connector component for sending and receiving communication signals through underground power distribution lines

1. An electrical connector component comprising:

an internal conductor;

an insulative housing surrounding said conductor;

a signal filtering device having a medium-voltage end in electrical contact with said internal conductor and an opposite low-voltage terminal, said signal filtering device being adapted to substantially block passage of power signals yet substantially permit passage of communication signals having a frequency in the range of about 1,000 Hz to about 1 MHz between said medium-voltage end and said low-voltage terminal; and

a communication signal generating/receiving device connected to said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device for inputting a low-voltage communication signal into said signal filtering device.

2. An electrical connector component as defined in claim 1 , wherein said signal filtering device is a capacitive element for presenting a greater impedance to lower frequency power signals and a lower impedance to higher frequency communication signals.

3. An electrical connector component as defined in claim 2 , wherein said capacitive element is a high-voltage ceramic capacitor having a capacitance of about 1900 pico farads, an impedance of about 2.8 mega ohms and a resistance of about 370 ohms.

4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein said signal filtering device is encapsulated within said insulative housing and wherein said insulative housing includes an access bore formed therein for permitting access to said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device.

5. An electrical connector as defined in claim 4 , wherein said access bore is formed in a protruding boss portion of said insulative housing.

6. An electrical connector as defined in claim 4 , wherein said insulative housing includes a radially enlarged mid-section and a conically tapered insertion end extending from said mid-section, said insertion end being adapted for interference fit insertion in a mating connector and said signal filtering device being molded within said radially enlarged mid-section.

7. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein said insulative housing includes a conically tapered cavity formed therein for receiving a mating insert.

8. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 , wherein the connector has an electrical rating of between 200 A and 600 A and between 15 kV and 35 kV.

9. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:

an internal load resistor in electrical communication with said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device for reducing the voltage output at said low-voltage terminal; and

a connection block connected between said internal load resistor and said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device for providing said electrical communication therebetween, said connection block permitting dual connection of said internal load resistor and said communication signal generating/receiving device to said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device.

10. An electrical connector component as defined in claim 1 , wherein said internal conductor comprises a first end, adapted to be electrically connected to a power line of a distribution system, and a second end terminating within said insulative housing, said termination of said second end of said conductor creating a dead-end for the power line of the distribution system.

11. An electrical connector component as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a rod connected between said internal conductor and said signal filtering device for permitting direct electrical contact between said internal conductor and said medium-voltage end of said signal filtering device.

12. A method for sending and receiving communication signals through a power distribution line comprising the steps of:

providing an access point on a power distribution line without de-energizing said power distribution line;

generating a communication signal having a frequency in the range of about 1,000 Hz to about 1 MHz;

inputting said signal into the power distribution line through said access point;

filtering power signals from passing through said access point; and

detecting the communication signals permitted to pass through said access point.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 , wherein substantially all communication signals having a frequency greater than about 60 Hz are permitted to pass through said access point.

14. A method as defined in claim 12 , wherein said access point is provided by an electrical connector component connected to said power distribution line, and said step of filtering comprises a signal filtering device in the electrical connector component having a medium-voltage end in electrical communication with said power distribution line and an opposite low-voltage terminal, said signal filtering device filtering power signals yet permitting passage of communication signals between said medium-voltage end and said low-voltage terminal.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 , wherein said signal filtering device is a capacitive element for presenting a greater impedance to lower frequency power signals and a lower impedance to higher frequency communication signals.

16. A method as defined in claim 14 , wherein said signal filtering device is encapsulated within an insulative housing of the electrical connector component, the housing having an access bore formed therein for permitting access to said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device.

17. A method as defined in claim 16 , wherein said access bore is formed in a protruding boss portion of said insulative housing.

18. A method as defined in claim 16 , wherein said insulative housing includes a radially enlarged mid-section and a conically tapered insertion end extending from said mid-section, said insertion end being adapted for interference fit insertion in a mating connector and said signal filtering device being molded within said radially enlarged mid-section.

19. A method as defined in claim 16 , wherein said insulative housing includes a conically tapered cavity formed therein for receiving a mating insert.

20. A method as defined in claim 14 , further comprising the step of reducing a voltage output at said access point with an internal load resistor in electrical communication with said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device, said electrical connector component further comprising a connection block connected between said internal load resistor and said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device for providing said electrical communication therebetween, said connection block permitting dual connection of said internal load resistor and a communication signal generating/receiving device to said low-voltage terminal of said signal filtering device.

21. A method as defined in claim 14 , wherein said step of providing an access point comprises the step of connecting said electrical connector component to a multiple connecting point connector of the power distribution line, said electrical connector creating a dead-end for the power line of the distribution system.

22. A method as defined in claim 21 , wherein said multiple connecting point connector of the power distribution line is one of a Y-connector, a T-connector or an H-connector.

23. A method as defined in claim 12 , further comprising the step of connecting a signal generating/receiving device to said access point, said signal generating/receiving device generating and inputting said communication signal into the power distribution line through said access point.

24. A separable electrical connector for use in a voltage distribution system comprising:

an insulative housing having a first end adapted for connection to the distribution system and a second end opposite said first end adapted for inputting/receiving communication signals;

a conductor embedded in said housing, said conductor having a first end adapted to be electrically connected to a power line of the distribution system, and a second end terminating within said second end of said housing, said termination of said second end of said conductor creating a dead-end for the power line of the distribution system;

a capacitive element embedded in said housing and having a first end in electrical communication with said second end of said conductor and a second end adapted for inputting/receiving the communication signals from said second end of said housing without de-energizing the cable; and

a communication signal generating/receiving device attached to said second end of said housing and in electrical communication with said second end of said capacitive element for inputting a low-voltage communication signal into said conductor.

25. An electrical connector component as defined in claim 24 , wherein said capacitive element is a high-voltage ceramic capacitor having a capacitance of about 1900 pico farads, an impedance of about 2.8 mega ohms and a resistance of about 370 ohms.