ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR TERMINAL AND A METHOD OF CONNECTING AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR TO A TERMINAL

摘要

A terminal for connecting electrical conductors which cleaves the electrical conductor as it is connected to the terminal without the use of an additional tool. The terminal (50) includes at least one support post (54) having a slot (62) for receiving an electtrical conductor (80), wherein the electrical conductor is lodged in the slot to create an electrical connection between the conductor and the support post. As the electrical conductor is lodged in the slot, the conductor is cleaved on one side of the slot during the same motion by the installer of lodging in the conductor slot. The terminal also includes a pivotal tab (106) connected to the slot which may be moved by the hands of an installer to release the connection between the conductor and the slot to allow easy removal and replacement of the conductor. The terminal allows the electrical conductors to be installed, cleaved, and removed by the hands of an installer without the use of any tools.