Programmable termination strip for electric motor

Abstract

A programmable terminal strip for connecting the internal electrical conductors of an electrical device, such as the phase windings of an electric motor, with a plurality of external electrical conductors includes a plurality of pockets formed thereon. Each of the pockets is provided to form a terminal for the programmable terminal strip. To accomplish this, one end of one of the internal electrical conductors is connected to a wire terminal member installed within the pocket so as to provide an electrical connection therebetween. A plurality of external electrical conductor and terminal assemblies are provided for use with the programmable terminal strip. A first embodiment of the external conductor assembly includes an insulated external electrical conductor wire having a metallic wire terminal member secured thereto. The wire terminal member is adapted to be inserted into the pocket to provide an electrical connection therebetween. A second embodiment of the external electrical conductor and terminal assembly includes an insulated external electrical conductor wire having a first metallic wire terminal member secured thereto. However, a jumper wire is also connected to the first wire terminal member, and a second wire terminal member is connected to the end of the jumper wire. The wire terminal members are adapted to be inserted into the pockets to provide electrical connections therebetween. The external electrical conductor and terminal assemblies can be connected in a number of different ways to the programmable terminal assembly to permit the electric motor to be operated in a number of different operating modes.