Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02735489 2013-09-11
WEATHERPROOF ELECTRICAL BOX
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0001] Electrical boxes are often mounted vertically in walls prior to
completion of the
wall structure to provide a housing for electrical devices and wiring that may
be used for
telephone, video, and networking, among other utility and communication uses.
For example,
an electrical box may be mounted on a wall stud prior to drywall installation,
thus providing
an electrical housing within the wall for the termination of electrical cable
and the connection
of the cable wiring to a mounted electrical outlet.
[0002] In outdoor applications, electrical boxes are often mounted
vertically to a wall or
other structure to supply electricity in an outdoor setting. Some traditional
installations may
provide a box that houses an electrical outlet mounted to the vertical surface
of an exterior
wall. A cover may be provided over outdoor electrical outlet receptacles to
help protect the
outlet from rain, snow and other environmental conditions. The cover allows
access to the
outlet receptacles in order to plug in a male electrical fitting of an
electrical cord or device
into a receptacle. In some installations the electrical box may be mounted
within the exterior
wall and a cover provided over the outlet receptacles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
weatherproof electrical box, comprising a housing having a first enclosure
volume and an
opening to the first enclosure volume, a cover connected with the housing to
cover the
opening, a cable configuration element extending from the cover and into the
first enclosure
volume, wherein the cable configuration element retains a cable connected with
a device
mounted in the housing in a downwardly extending surface configuration when
the cover
covers the opening, and a splash guard element projecting from a bottom
surface of the
housing into the first enclosure volume, wherein the splash guard element is
configured to be
spaced from the cable when the cable is connected to the device.
[0003.1] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
weatherproof electrical box, comprising a housing having a first enclosure
volume and an
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opening to the first enclosure volume, wherein a device is mounted within the
housing, a
cover connected with the housing to cover the opening, wherein the housing
further
comprises at least one opening in a bottom surface of the housing to allow
water within the
first enclosure volume to flow out of the housing and away from the device,
and a cable
configuration element integrally formed with and projecting from the bottom
surface of the
housing and into the first enclosure volume, wherein the cable configuration
element is
configured to cause the formation of a loop in a cable connected with the
device mounted in
the housing, wherein the loop overlies the at least one opening in the bottom
surface of the
housing.
[0003.2] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a
weatherproof electrical box, comprising a housing having a first enclosure
volume and an
opening to the first enclosure volume, wherein the housing is configured to
receive a device
mounted therein, a cover connected with the housing to cover the opening, a
cable
configuration element integrated with the electrical box to form a loop in a
cable connected to
the device to direct water flowing along the cable away from the device, and a
splash guard
element extending from a bottom surface of the housing and into the first
enclosure volume,
wherein the splash guard element limits splashing of water toward the device,
and wherein
the splash guard element is configured to be spaced from the cable when the
cable is
connected to the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary electrical box;
[0005] Fig. 2 is a front bottom isometric view of the electrical box of
Fig. 1;
[0006] Fig. 3 is a back bottom isometric view of the electrical box of Fig.
1;
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the electrical box of Fig. 1
with the cover
open;
[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the electrical box of Fig. 1
with the cover
closed;
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[0009] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the electrical box of Fig. -5;
[0010] Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a second exemplary electrical box
with the cover
open;
[0011] Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the electrical box of Fig. 7;
[0012] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a process of weatherproofing electrical
devices; and
[0013] Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of a second process of weatherproofing
electrical
devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying
drawings. The
same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar
elements.
[0015] As described herein, an electrical box of the present invention may
be
conveniently installed in a horizontal orientation, and in some
implementations installed
within a horizontal surface, such as a deck or other outdoor flooring. The
electrical box may
also be installed for indoor applications and in orientations other than
horizontal.
[0016] Implementations described herein provide features directed to
weatherproofing
devices and any wiring or circuitry that may be mounted within an electrical
box, such as
electrical receptacles, communication ports, circuitry, and the like, while
accommodating
electrical connection from the devices to the exterior of the electrical box.
As described
below, exemplary configurations may prevent water from migrating into and
through the
electrical box to the devices and wiring mounted therein, water that may
originate from the
external environment or that might form within the electrical box.
Implementations described
herein may also provide a weatherproof electrical box that accommodates an
electrical fitting,
such as a male two or three-pronged plug, as well as cable or cord extending
from the
electrical fitting to areas external of the electrical box. This may allow for
electrical
connection from the device to the exterior of the electrical box, while
protecting the enclosed
device and the electrical connection extending from the device. Additionally,
embodiments
described herein are directed to processes of weatherproofing electrical
devices.
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary electrical box 100 having a housing
102 and a
cover 104. Electrical box 100 may be associated with one or more electrical
functions (e.g. a
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switch box, a gang box, an outlet box, etc.) and may provide an enclosure for
one or more
devices such as implementations described herein. The device may be an
electrical device
and have associated wiring, wireless connections or circuitry. The device may
also have one
or more applications for electrical power supply, telephone, video, or
networking, among
other utility and communication uses.
[0018] In one embodiment, electrical box 100 may serve as an outlet box and
enclose one
or more devices, such as female electrical outlets or other electrical
receptacles, and any
associated electrical wiring or circuitry. Depending on the implementation,
electrical box
100 may include fewer, additional, or different devices or components than
those illustrated
in the figures (for example, a networking port, telephone jack, television
cable connection,
fiber optic connections, and wiring or circuitry, etc). In addition, although
electrical box 100
can be associated with various electrical functions (e.g., a switch box, a
gang box, etc.), for
the purpose of simplicity and ease in understanding, as well as to illustrate
one embodiment
of the invention, electrical box 100 is described in terms of an electrical
outlet box.
[0019] Housing 102 of electrical box 100 encloses the one or more mounted
devices
within electrical box 100 and any wiring or circuitry, providing a
weatherproofing function
for the device and the wiring and circuitry. In reference to Figure 6, two
enclosure volumes
110, 112 are defined by the walls and interior surfaces of housing 102 and
cover 104. Walls
of housing 102 between the two enclosure volumes may also serve to aid in
mounting a
device 114 within electrical box 100. The walls may be configured for a
particular device
114 to be installed within housing 102 and an electrical fitting 116.
Electrical fitting 116
illustrated in this exemplary embodiment includes a male plug of a power cord
or other
electrical connection element.
[0020] Device 114 may be mounted within the enclosure volume 112 of housing
102.
Embodiments described herein may include additional wiring and circuitry to
device 114. In
the exemplary electrical box illustrated in the figures, device 114 includes a
female electrical
outlet comprising two receptacles, which would be connected to a common
electrical cable
and cable wiring to provide electrical connection with an external power
source. Access
elements (also referred to as "punch out holes") 113 of housing 102 may be
used to run
electrical cable or wiring to device 114 through housing 102 and into
enclosure volume 112,
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allowing the cable and wiring to be connected to device 114. Access into the
interior of
housing 102 and enclosure volume 112 in some implementations may be afforded
by punch
out portions of the housing or other access elements. Access elements 113 may
include
punch out holes provided in housing 102 of electrical box 100 and may, based
on the
implementation, be formed in the bottom surface, side walls, or back wall of
housing 102.
Cable, such as NM (nonmetallic) or other cable and wiring may be connected to
device 114
through the punch out hole(s) 113. The cable may be installed in a traditional
manner
relative to the punch out hole 113 so as to insulate the cable, close/seal the
punch out hole
113 and maintain isolation of volume 112 from the environment external to
electrical box
100. Accordingly, enclosure volume 112 may be environmentally isolated from
the external
environment of electrical box 100.
100211 Housing 102 and cover 104 of electrical box 100 enclose the one or
more
mounted devices and any wiring or circuitry within enclosure volume 112,
providing a
weatherproofing function for the device and the wiring and circuitry. The
isolation of
volume 112 from the environment external to electrical box 100 is maintained
even when
cover 104 is open and enclosure volume 110 is accessible external of
electrical box 100, as
exemplified in Figure 4. In reference to Figures 4 and 6, enclosure volume 112
is defined by
the walls and interior surfaces of housing 102 and cover 104, including upper
enclosure wall
115. Upper enclosure wall 115 encloses the one or more mounted devices and any
wiring or
circuitry within enclosure volume 112 and does not open enclosure volume 112
to the
external environment or to enclosure volume 110 upon the opening of cover 104.
100221 Referring back to Figure 1, cover 104 may include latch 106 for use
in opening
cover 104 relative to housing 102. Latch 106 may secure cover 104 to housing
102 in a
closed configuration of cover 104 and may allow cover 104 to be opened for
access to
enclosure volume 110, the receptacle of device 112, and a connected electrical
fitting 116.
Cover 104 assists to retain the environmental isolation of the enclosure
volume 110 from
environmental conditions exterior of electrical box 100, and may provide
additional
environmental isolation of enclosure volume 112. In the exemplary embodiment,
a user may
lift latch 106, releasing internal locking mechanisms of the cover 104 (not
shown) in some
implementations, and open cover 104 by rotating the cover about hinge elements
109.
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[0023] As shown in Figure 1, cover 104 may include a cable door 108 to
allow cable or
other wiring, conduit or the like of electrical fitting 116 to be run through
cover 104. Cable
door 108 may be opened, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, so that a cable 118
connected with
fitting 116 may be accommodated by electrical box 100 when cover 104 is
closed. Cable
door 108, when closed, as illustrated in Figure 1, serves to further retain
the environmental
isolation of the enclosure volume 110 from environmental conditions exterior
of electrical
box 100, such as when an electrical fitting 116 is not connected to device
114. However,
even when the cable door 108 is opened, insulative elements may be used in
some
implementations, such as material restricting the opening of cable door 108,
that further
assists retaining the environmental isolation of the enclosure volume 110 from
environmental
conditions exterior of electrical box 100. Exemplary insulative elements may
include a
gasket that allows cable 118 to run through the opening of cable door 108
while restricting
the opening of the cable door surrounding the cable. The gaskets might be
connected with
cover 104 or housing 102. The gasket or other insulative element may
accommodate cable
118 of electrical fitting 116 when installed to electrical box 100 and assist
in retaining the
environmental isolation of enclosure volume 110 when cover 104 is closed.
[0024] Furthermore, gaskets or other insulative elements may be provided to
further
assist retaining the environmental isolation of enclosure volume 110 from
environmental
conditions exterior of electrical box 100. In some embodiments, as shown in
Figure 4, a
gasket 111 may be provided on the interior surface 105 of cover 104, and
preferably
corresponding to interlocking elements 107 of cover 104 and housing 102, so as
to retain the
environmental isolation of enclosure volume 110 when cover 104 is in a closed
configuration. Gasket 111 may also be used to restrict or insulate the opening
of cable door
108. Gasket 111 may be formed of a resilient material configured to provide a
seal between
cover 104 and housing 102, when compressed. Other gaskets or insulative
elements may be
used corresponding to cover 104 and housing 102 in order to achieve
weatherproofing and
prevent water migration into electrical box 100.
[0025] In outdoor applications, water may nonetheless migrate into the
enclosure volume
110, or moisture and condensation can form within enclosed volume 110,
depending upon
environmental conditions and given that a cable may extend through cover 104.
For
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example, electrical box 100 may be installed in decking that is exposed to
rain or snow, and
despite the use of cover 104 and insulative elements such as gaskets, water
may migrate
along cable 118 due to gravity, water surface tension and other factors that
allow migration
into enclosure volume 110. Water that is present within enclosed volume 110 on
cable 118
could continue to migrate along cable 118 to electrical fitting 116 and device
114. Water and
other moisture that reach the fitting 116 and device 114 may create conditions
that could
result in damage to device 114 and fitting 116, and even damage or disruption
of the
electrical circuit.
[0026] However, an orientation and configuration of cable 118, and one
providing a
downwardly extending surface of at least a portion of cable 118 within
enclosure volume
110, will direct migrating water along cable 118 to the bottom surface of
enclosure volume
110. Accordingly, shown in Figure 6, cable 118 may be formed into a loop 122
and retained
in that configuration by electrical box 100 to facilitate water migrating
along downwardly
extending surface 121 of cable 118 to respond to gravitational forces and drip
to the bottom
surface 124 of housing 102. Water that collects at the bottom surface 124 may
then migrate
out of the enclosure volume 110 by way of openings 126 in housing 102.
[0027] Consistent with implementations described herein, a cable
configuration element
120 may be provided to facilitate the dripping, collection, and flow of water
out of enclosure
volume 110 due, at least in part, to water migration along cable 118. As shown
in Figures 4
and 6, cable configuration element 120 may aid in creating loop 122 in cable
118 and to
further retain the cable in the loop configuration when cover 104 is closed.
As illustrated in
Figure 4, cable configuration element 120 may depend from, and in some
implementations be
integral with, cover 104 and extend into enclosure volume 110 when cover 104
is in a closed
configuration. For example, cable configuration element 120 may depend from
cover 104
and extend into enclosure volume 110 a distance Yd sufficient to move a
portion of cable 118
downward relative to an inside surface of cover 104 to form or retain loop 122
in cable 118.
Loop 122 and downwardly extending surface 121 may be retained in the preferred
shape and
configuration illustrated in Figure 6 by cable configuration element 120 upon
closing cover
104. Other configurations of cable 118 may also be formed if desired; however,
having the
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surface 121 of cable 118 extended downwardly facilitates drip formation of
water migrating
along cable 118.
[0028] As shown, cable configuration element 120 depends from cover 104 and
extends
into enclosure volume 110 a distance Yd with the cover 104 retained in a
closed position. The
distance Yd may be considered the distance that cable configuration element
120 extends so
as to form and retain the desired shape and downward extension of loop 122 and
downwardly
extending surface 121 of at least a portion of cable 118 within enclosure
volume 110 when
cover 104 is closed.
[0029] Furthermore, Figure 6 illustrates other exemplary features of the
present invention
that assist in preventing water from migrating along cable 118 to electrical
fitting 116 and
device 114. For example, a splash guard element 128 may extend upwardly from
bottom
surface 124 of housing 102 and prevent or reduce the likelihood of water
splashing toward
electrical fitting 116 and/or device 114. In some implementations, splash
guard element 128
may also support cable 118 when the cable and electrical fitting 116 are
installed within
enclosure volume 110 and connected with device 114. For example, splash guard
element
128 extends upwardly from bottom surface 124 a distance Yj. The distance Y2
defines the
amount of deflection of cable 118 below the bottom surface of cable
configuration element
120. The length and amount of this deflection may be configured by modifying
the length Yd
of cable configuration element 120.
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention may provide particular
dimensions for Yd,
Yi and Y2 to achieve an acceptable downward extending surface 121 and loop 122
in cable,
although other suitable configurations are also supported in a manner
consistent with
implementations described herein.
[0031] Cable configuration element 120, and/or splash guard element 128 in
some
implementations, need not retain contact with cable 118 when cover 104 is
closed provided
that cable 118 retains surface 121 in a downwardly extending configuration and
loop 122.
Figure 6 illustrates one implementation wherein cable configuration element
120 and splash
guard element 128 are not in contact with cable 118; however downwardly
directed surface
121 and loop 122 of cable 118 are present and may be retained should cable 118
adjust within
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electrical box 100, such as if cable 118 were pulled upon or if temperature
changes caused
the cable to move.
[0032] It should be further noted that in the exemplary electrical box 100
illustrated in
Figure 6 an upwardly extending surface 130 is formed in cable 118 that helps
prevent water
migration beyond the lowest point P of cable 118, allowing gravitational
forces to act upon
any water migration in the direction of device 114 and electrical fitting 116
past point P.
Cable configuration element 120, and as exemplified in Figure 6, splash guard
element 128
may similarly create and retain the upwardly extending surface 130 formed in
cable 118 as
created and retained in regard to downwardly extending surface 121 and loop
122. In some
embodiments cable 118 may form a loop extending upwardly corresponding to
upwardly
extending surface 130.
[0033] Another exemplary feature that further assists in preventing water
from migrating
to electrical fitting 116 and device 114 includes inclined bottom surface 132
of housing 102.
As shown in Figure 6, inclined bottom surface 132 may incline in a direction
within the
enclosure volume 110 toward the device 114 and connected electrical fitting
116. Inclined
bottom surface 132 prevents water migration toward device 114 and electrical
fitting 116,
similar in functionality to the upward directed surface 130, by directing
water flow away
from device 114 and electrical fitting 116 and in the direction of bottom
surface 124 and
openings 126. Inclined bottom surface 132 allows gravitational forces to work
against water
migration in the direction of device 114 and electrical fitting 116 along the
inclined bottom
surface 132. Accordingly, openings 126 and inclined bottom surface 132 may
further aid in
draining water from enclosure volume 110.
[0034] An alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 as
electrical box 200
having housing 202 and another implementation of the cable configuration
element of
Figures 1 through 6. Many of the features previously described in relation to
the embodiment
of Figures 1 through 6 are also applicable to the embodiment of Figures 7 and
8.
[0035] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a cable configuration element 220 may
be provided
to facilitate the dripping, collection, and flow of water out of enclosure
volume 110 due, at
least in part, to water migration along cable 118. Cable configuration element
220 aids in
preferably creating and maintaining downwardly extending surface 221 and loop
222 in cable
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218 and helps to further retain the cable in the loop configuration. For
example, cable
configuration element 220 may create and maintain loop 222 and downwardly
extending
surface 221 of cable 218, independent of cover 104. In some implementations
cable
configuration element 220 may have one or more retaining elements 220A that
may comprise
a hook or other retaining shape or function for retaining loop 222 in cable
218. As shown, in
some embodiments, cable configuration element 220 may comprise a substantially
T-shaped
configuration, including retaining elements 220A.
[0036] As illustrated in Figure 8, cable configuration element 220 extends
from, and in
some implementations is integral with, housing 202 and extends into enclosure
volume 210
upwardly from bottom surface 224 of housing 202. In one implementation, cable
configuration element 220 may extend upwardly from bottom surface 224 of
housing 202 and
into enclosure volume 210 a distance Y3 sufficient to retain a portion of
cable 218 to form
loop 222. Loop 222 and downwardly extending surface 221 may be retained in the
preferred
shape and configuration illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 by cable configuration
element 220 so
that a portion of cable 218 extends below a retaining element 220A of cable
configuration
element 220. A portion of the cable length of cable 218 may be made to extend
below
retaining element 220A either prior to connecting electrical fitting 216 with
device 214 or
after connection by adjusting a portion of cable 218 to extend below a
retaining element.
Other configurations of cable 118 may also be formed if desired; however,
having the surface
221 of cable 218 extended downwardly facilitates drip formation of water
migrating along
cable 218.
[0037] Exemplary distance Y3 may be considered the distance that cable
configuration
element 220 extends so as to form and retain the desired shape and downward
extension of
loop 222 and downwardly extending surface 221. The distance Y3 in this
implementation is
not defined by a closed configuration of cover 204.
[0038] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a splash guard element 228 may extend
upwardly
from bottom surface 224 of housing 202 and may prevent or limit splashing of
water toward
fitting 216 and/or device 214. In some implementations, splash guard element
228 may
support cable 218 when cable 218 and electrical fitting 216 are installed
within enclosure
volume 210 and connected with device 214. For example, splash guard element
228 in Figs.
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7 and 8 extends upwardly from bottom surface 224 a distance /7/ such that the
downwardly
extending surface 221 of at least a portion of cable 218 will depend below the
top of the
splash guard element 228 a distance Y2. The distance Y2 that downwardly
extending surface
221 of at least a portion of cable 218 will depend can be controlled by the
distance Y3 that
cable configuration element 220 extends upwardly from bottom surface 224 and
into
enclosure volume 210. Embodiments of the present invention may provide
particular
dimensions for Y3, Y1 and V2 to achieve an acceptable downwardly extending
surface 221
and loop 222 in cable.
[0039] Cable configuration element 220 and/or retaining elements 220A need
not retain
contact with cable 218 provided that cable 218 retain downwardly extending
surface 221 and
loop 222. Figure 8 illustrates one implementation wherein the cable
configuration element
220 and splash guard element 228 are not in contact with the cable; however
downwardly
directed surface 221 and loop 222 of cable 118 are present and may be retained
should the
cable 218 adjust within electrical box 200, such as if cable 218 were pulled
upon or if
temperature changes caused the cable to move.
[0040] It should be further noted that in exemplary electrical box 200
illustrated in Figure
8, an upwardly extending surface 230 may be formed in cable 218, similar to
upwardly
extending surface 130 of Figure 6, that helps to prevent water migration
beyond the lowest
point P of cable 218. This implementation again allows gravitational forces to
act upon any
water migration in the direction of device 214 and electrical fitting 216 past
point P. Cable
configuration element 220, and as exemplified in Figure 8, splash guard
element 228 may
similarly create and retain the upward extending surface 230 formed in cable
218 as created
and retained in regard to downwardly extending surface 221 and loop 222. In
some
embodiments the cable 218 may form a loop extending upwardly corresponding to
upwardly
extending surface 230.
[0041] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process 900 of
weatherproofing an
electrical device. Reference is also made to Figures 1 through 6 in describing
this
implementation of weatherproofing of an electrical device. Accordingly,
process 900 begins
when cover 104 of electrical box 100 is opened (block 902). Electrical fitting
116 may be
connected to device 114 mounted within the enclosure volume 112 of housing 102
(block
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904). Cover 104 may be closed (block 906), and a portion of cable 118 within
housing 102
may be formed in a downwardly extending surface configuration by cable
configuration
element 120 (block 908). As described above, cable configuration element 120
may project
downwardly from cover 104 and may force at least a portion of cable 118 to
form loop 122.
More specifically, closing of cover 104 may cause a portion of cable 118 to be
deflected by at
least a distance Yd into volume 110. Water traveling along cable 118 may be
directed away
from device 114 and out of housing 112 of electrical box 100 (block 910).
[0042] Process 900 may include additional features consistent with
implementations
described above. For example, a downwardly extending surface configuration of
a portion of
cable 118 may be provided. The downwardly extending surface configuration may
be
provided by the closing of cover 104 and the corresponding extension downward
of cable
configuration element 120 into volume 110 a distance Yd, thereby adjusting a
portion of cable
118 below the cable configuration element 120 to create downwardly extending
surface 121
and loop 122 of cable 118. In still further implementations, a user may
manually form
downwardly extending surface 121 and loop 122 of cable 118 prior to closing
cover 104.
[0043] Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process 1000 of
weatherproofing an
electrical device. Reference is also made to Figures 7 and 8 in describing
this
implementation of weatherproofing of an electrical device. Accordingly,
process 1000 begins
when cover 204 of electrical box 200 is opened (block 1001). Next, an
electrical fitting 216
may be connected to device 214 mounted within the enclosure volume 212 of
housing 202
(block 1004). A portion of cable 218 may be retained within housing 202 in a
downwardly
extending surface configuration (block 1006). As shown in Figure 8, the
downwardly
extending surface configuration may include the retention of downwardly
extending surface
221 and maintenance of a loop 222 of cable 218 by cable configuration element
220, and in
some implementations by retaining element 220A.
[0044] Block 1006 of process 1000 may be facilitated by a portion of the
cable length of
cable 218 being made to extend below retaining element 220A either prior to
connecting
electrical fitting 216 with device 214 or after connection by adjusting a
portion of cable 218
to extend below a retaining element 220A and the extension upward of cable
configuration
element 220 into volume 210. Therefore the distance Y3 is maintained so that
the position of
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the portion of cable 218 retained by the cable configuration element 220 is
maintained. Water
traveling along cable 218 may be directed along cable 218 away from device 214
and out of
housing 212 of the electrical box 200 (block 1008).
[0045] Process 1000 may include additional features consistent with
implementations
described above. For example, a downwardly extending surface configuration of
a portion of
cable 218 may be created prior to retaining cable 218 within housing 202. This
step may be
facilitated by a portion of the cable length of cable 218 being made to extend
below retaining
element 220A either prior to connecting electrical fitting 216 with device 214
or after
connection by adjusting a portion of cable 218 to extend below retaining
element 220A and
the extension upward of cable configuration element 220 into volume 210.
Therefore the
distance Y3 may be maintained so that adjusting the portion of cable 218 below
the cable
configuration element 220 creates downwardly extending surface 221 and loop
222 of cable
218. In still further implementations, a user may manually form downwardly
extending
surface 221 and loop 222 of cable 218 as part of the step of retaining a
portion of cable 218
within housing 202 in a downwardly extending surface configuration.
[0046] The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration,
but is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form
disclosed.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or
may be acquired
from practice of the teachings. For example, dimensions of the elements are
provided for
ease of understanding, but different implementations for different
applications may have
different dimensions.
[0047] In addition, while series of steps have been described with regard
to exemplary
processes illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the order of the steps may be
modified in other
implementations. In addition, non-dependent steps may represent features that
can be
performed at other points in the process, such as in parallel to other steps.
[0048] No element, act, or instruction used in the present application
should be construed
as critical or essential to the implementations described herein unless
explicitly described as
such. Also, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more
items. Further,
the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on" unless
explicitly stated
otherwise.
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