AMPACT Wedge Pressure Tap Connectors

Our AMPACT Wedge Tap Connectors are designed around an engineering principle called “Wedge Pressure Technology”. Field-proven for more than 50 years, Wedge Pressure Technology has formed the basis for a wide range of connectors that out-performs other connector types, resulting in the “lowest life cycle cost” for our customers.

They use the action of a metal wedge to secure the two conductors to be connected at opposing ends of the C-clamp. The wedge is inserted at a speed of about 40 m/s using our AMPACT connector tool. The method of high-speed insertion is very effective in abrading all sliding surfaces and in disrupting surface oxide film to generate large numbers of contact spots in the electrical interfaces. The connectors are designed to manage the peak power transmission up to 250 degrees and withstand severe electrical and mechanical stresses. They can be easily installed and removed without damaging the conductors. 

After installation of the tap connector, the C–member remains attached through the residual elastic force developed in the clamp. This force is sufficiently large to maintain a low electrical contact resistance without causing conductor plastic flow and ensuring stress relaxation in the connector. The elastic force also helps prevent creepage by compensating for expansion and contraction of the assembly during thermal cycling. The presence of an inhibitor in the electrical interfaces protects electrical contact spots from corrosive attack during use.

The wedge pressure connectors can be used for: Wave Trap Connections, Insulator Connections, Breaker Connections, Current Transformer Connections, Potential Transformer Connections, Lightning Arrester Connections, Bus-to-Bus Jumper Connections or Earthing Connections.