ISO: 120vac Sliding linear contacts 3

[salukikev]

Hi there!
Today I've been trying to hunt down some sliding linear contacts. I'd like to find a retail example of some pretty straightforward designs capable of operating on standard US line voltage. So far I've been surprised with my lack of options and I wonder if it might be due to a fundamental inadequacy of contacts used in this way. I have seen some similar barbed "taps" used for landscaping which pierce the insulation, but I wonder if a sliding arrangement exists.

Thanks for any info!
-kevin

 

[mcgyvr]

are you talking about contact/bus bar arrangements like used in some track lighting?

 

[salukikev]

Yes- although I'm really talking about whatever I can get. Ideally, it WOULD be a sliding contact on a flexible cord, but given that would probably never pass UL or support a 120vac rating, we're willing to make a lot of compromise.

The track lighting examples I've seen have been for DC powered lights except for the half-turn socket type installations. Also, those have been 2 conductor rails, and I would guess we would want to have a grounded solution.

 

[mcgyvr]

must it be sliding or do you simply want something you can install anywhere along a cord (one time installation).. the later being simple..

 

[salukikev]

Well, that's one of those compromises. I'd love to find sliding if it existed, but in lieu of that, I would probably settle for a re-positionable something (I don't think we could compromise all the way to a "one time" only install).

 

[mcgyvr]

120V track systems are readily available..
As you said I HIGHLY doubt an insulation piercing "re-positionable" connector exists as I'd expect UL to poo poo it in a second (and they should)

Good luck.. Time for compromise.
Sounds like you are dead set on a cord solution versus a track.. If so I'd be looking at having multiple/various length pluggable wire links. Like rope lighting I guess where the customer could cut/install the plugs themselves. Or build the insulation piercing into the actual fixture.. Cut a length of lamp cord and snap it into the fixture and you are done.. Ever need to move it simply rip it out of the fixture and cut a new lamp cord section.

 

[salukikev]

Well, I'm not dead set, but I'm doing my best to keep to end up with a satisfied client. If it was easy I wouldn't have ended up here! Anyway, thanks for the replies! If any other ideas pop up, I'm all ears!
Thanks!

 

[gattie]

I have used what is commonly known in South Africa as Figure 8
220V Power Cable for temporary lighting & Xmas tree light strings, & has a system of lampholders with pointed contacts that pierce thru the insulation & into the 2.5mm stranded conductors.
It meets the South African Codes of Practice.

 

[salukikev]

thanks gattie- can you either link me to an example or give me a good buzzword to google? the term "figure 8" is primarily coming up with those specific 8-shaped connectors. I don't see any examples of the piercing of insulation associated.

 

[Chiprme]

What if you redefine your need (a little)?

Could you use a flexible channel cable tray/trough similar to what's used in elevators and computer printer heads (sort of)?

I'm picturing a fixed-length cable in a segmented, flexible carrier that moves along a linear range of positions.

 

[MikeHalloran]

http://www.conductix.us/products/conductor-bar-systems/insul-8-8-bar-conductor-bar/

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[salukikev]

Chiprme: I like that idea a LOT, and I have a cad model concept that sort of illustrates it. The biggest hurdle I have with that one is that I will actually need multiple sliding conductors, and therefore multiple flexible (overlapping?) bands, so it does get a little tricky there, but its a great suggestion.

Mike: That is the 1st time I've encountered something like that, and its also a great suggestion. I'm going to read up on that in more detail and include the example in my presentation, thanks!

 

[gattie]

Salukikev
Google Winkle Industries - Crane Downshop leads.

Regarding my other suggestion I will attempt to get the trade name of 'figure 8' system

 

[salukikev]

Gattie: Thanks! I appreciate it! The winkle suggestion is essentially the same idea as Mike's link. It's probably about 500x out of scale for what I had in mind, but conceptually I like it.

 

[PHovnanian]

How about a fixed length flexible cord with a spring loaded take-up reel to keep the cord from piling up?

The fixture could slide along a track for purely mechanical purposes. The cord could pay out from the reel inside the fixture into the track (for protection and concealment).

 

[salukikev]

That's an interesting one. Probably mechanically expensive, but I really like it because although I was originally imagining it as a rigid track, I guess it could also be traditional cord reels, more or less, and in that way remain flexible. I have a feeling this will definitely be cost prohibitive (& probably bulky), but I'm going to render it anyway- thanks!
-k

 

[MikeHalloran]

Conductix also sells festooning systems.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA