CA2341988A1 - Surge protected electrical power distribution system - Google Patents
Surge protected electrical power distribution system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2341988A1 CA2341988A1 CA002341988A CA2341988A CA2341988A1 CA 2341988 A1 CA2341988 A1 CA 2341988A1 CA 002341988 A CA002341988 A CA 002341988A CA 2341988 A CA2341988 A CA 2341988A CA 2341988 A1 CA2341988 A1 CA 2341988A1
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- Prior art keywords
- electrical power
- distribution system
- surge protector
- bus
- unit
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/14—Adaptation for built-in safety spark gaps
Abstract
An electrical power distribution system includes a main disconnect unit and a surge protector unit. The main disconnect unit includes an electrical power bus having a three-phase power bus and a neutral bus. The separable contacts of a circuit breaker are employed for interrupting current flowing in the three-phase power bus. The surge protector unit includes an electrical power bus having a corresponding three-phase power bus and a neutral bus. Three phase-to-neutral surge protectors are employed for protecting downstream loads from surges or transients on the power buses. The electrical power bus of the surge protector unit electrically engages the electrical power bus of the disconnect unit to form a series electrical connection of the electrical power buses for the loads.
Description
SURGE PROTECTED ELEC'.TRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Field of the Invention BACK(JRO UND OF THE INVENTION
~Chis invention relates to electrical power distribution systems and, more particularly, to electrical power distribution systems employing a disconnect and a surge protector. The invention also relates to electrical power distribution systems employing a main disconnect, a surge protector, and a plurality of meters.
Background Information Main disconnect units include load centers, motor control centers, busways, panelboards, switchboards, switchgear, circuit breakers, fuses, and switches for interrupting electrical power between a power source and one or more loads.
Meter centers are often used in combination with main disconnect units in order to provide metering of electrical power delivered to multiple tenants from a common feeder system. Typically, the meter center includes an upright cabinet forming an enclosure divided into side-try-side meter and disconnect switch compartments.
Feeder buses, typically three phase buses and a neutral bus connected to the electric utility lines, extend horizontally through the rear of the cabinet. The meter compartment has pairs of vertical supply busc;s. Each pair of the vertical supply buses is connected to a selected pair of the feeder phase buses. In turn, a pair of tenant buses for each metered circuit extends horizontally from the disconnect switch compartment into the meter compartment. See, for example, U"S. Patent No. 6.012,937.
If surge protection is desired, then customers (e.g., owners of buildings having multiple tenants, such as offices or apartments) would have to purchase separate surge protection devices and wire those surge protection devices into the electrical power distribution system themselves.
Field of the Invention BACK(JRO UND OF THE INVENTION
~Chis invention relates to electrical power distribution systems and, more particularly, to electrical power distribution systems employing a disconnect and a surge protector. The invention also relates to electrical power distribution systems employing a main disconnect, a surge protector, and a plurality of meters.
Background Information Main disconnect units include load centers, motor control centers, busways, panelboards, switchboards, switchgear, circuit breakers, fuses, and switches for interrupting electrical power between a power source and one or more loads.
Meter centers are often used in combination with main disconnect units in order to provide metering of electrical power delivered to multiple tenants from a common feeder system. Typically, the meter center includes an upright cabinet forming an enclosure divided into side-try-side meter and disconnect switch compartments.
Feeder buses, typically three phase buses and a neutral bus connected to the electric utility lines, extend horizontally through the rear of the cabinet. The meter compartment has pairs of vertical supply busc;s. Each pair of the vertical supply buses is connected to a selected pair of the feeder phase buses. In turn, a pair of tenant buses for each metered circuit extends horizontally from the disconnect switch compartment into the meter compartment. See, for example, U"S. Patent No. 6.012,937.
If surge protection is desired, then customers (e.g., owners of buildings having multiple tenants, such as offices or apartments) would have to purchase separate surge protection devices and wire those surge protection devices into the electrical power distribution system themselves.
Alternatively, the individual tenants may employ surge protection strips at selected power outlets.
'there is a need, therefore, for an improved electrical power distribution system which is capable of withstanding surges.
'there is also a need for such an improved electrical power distribution system, which reduces the labor required to install and remove a surge protection device in the electrical power distribution system.
Accordingly, there is room for improvement.
SL~M1VIARY OF THE INVENTION
'these needs and others are satisfied by the invention which is directed to an electrical power distribution system comprising a disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in the power lines; a~ld a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting at least one load from surges or transients on the power lines. The electrical power bus of the surge protector unit electrically engages the electrical power bus of the disconnect unit to form a series electrical connection of the electrical power buses for the at least one load.
Preferably, thc: electrical power bus of the surge protector unit has a first end and an opposite second end., the electrical power bus of the disconnect unit has a first end and an opposite second end, and one of the first and second ends of the electrical power bus of the surge protector unit is secured to one of the second and first ends, respectively, of the elec;tri cal power bus of the disconnect unit.
As another refinement, each of the units includes an enclosure, and each of the electrical power buses includes a first rigid bus bar and a second rigid bus bar.
The first rigid bus bar is offset <~t a first end and projects beyond the enclosure at a second end. The second end extends into a gap between the offset of the first rigid bus bar of an adjacent one of the units and is clamped by a fastener to electrically connect the electrical power buses of side by side ones of the units.
As another aspect of the invention, an electrical power distribution system comprises a main disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in the power lines; a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting a plurality of loads from surges or transients on the power lines; and a multiple meter u~ut including a meter for each of the loads and an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines. The electrical power buses of the main disconnect unit, the surge protector unit and the multiple meter unit are electrically connected in series, and the electrical power bus of one of the units electrically engages the electrical power buses of the other two units.
BRIEF D>=;SCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a main disconnect unit and a surge protector unit in accordance with the invention;
F figure 2 is a front elevation view of the surge protector unit of Figure 1 with the front panel of the enclosure removed and with the sealing panel, the switch and the surge protector device shown in phantom line drawing;
1 figure 3 is a simplified horizontal sectional view through the surge protector unit taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the surge protector unit of Figure 1 with the front cover removed;
Figure 5 is a simplified vertical sectional view through the surge protector unit taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the front panel of the surge protector unit of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a sidf; view of the cover of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 9 is a block diagram of a surge protector device;
Figure 10 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a surge protector unit in accordance with the invE;ntion;
Figure 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a surge protector unit in accordance with the invention; and Figure 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with the invention.
~ESCRIPTIGN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.As employed herein, the term "surge" shall expressly include, but not be limited to, a sub-cycle disturbance in an alternating current waveform that includes a high frequency event or a sharp discontinuity of the waveform.
.As employed herein, the term "transient" shall expressly include, but not be limited to, surges.
Referring to Figure 1, a surge protected electrical power distribution system 2 for one or more loads (not shown) is illustrated. The system 2 includes a disconnect unit 4 and a surge protector unit 6. 'The exemplary disconnect unit 4 includes a three-phase electrical power bus 8 (shown in hidden line drawing) having a plurality of power lines A,B,C and a neutral line N, and a three-pole circuit breaker (CB) 9 (shown in hidden line drawing) for interrupting current flow in the three-phase power lines. The exemplary surge protector unit 6 includes a three-phase electrical power bus 10 having the power lines A,B,C and the neutral line N, and three line-to-neutral surge protectors (S) 12,14,16 for protecting the loads from surges and/or transients on the power lines.
The electrical power bus 10 of the surge protector unit 6 electrically engages the electrical power bus 8 of the disconnect unit 4 to form a series electrical connection of the electrical power buses 8,10 for the loads.
Preferably, the buses 8,10 are suitably electrically secured by fasteners 18,20,22,24. In the exemplary .embodiment, the upstream end of three-phase electrical power bus 8 of the disconnect unit 4 is suitably electrically connected to an electrical power source (not shown) (e.g., a utility's electrical power distribution system), and the downstream end of the three-phase electrical power bus 10 of the surge protector unit 6 is suitably electrically connected to one or more loads (not shown). For example, three-phase power and neutral conductors may be suitably terminated and then bolted to the respective power and neutral lines of the units 4,6. The disconnect unit 4 employs an operating handle 26 to open and close circuit breaker separable contacts 28,30,32, which are in series with the three-phase power lines A,B,C, respectively.
Also referring to 1~ figures 2-4, the surge protector unit 6 includes a six-sided cabinet 34 forming an enclosure. In Figure 2, for convenience of reference, the front panel 96 of Figure 6 is removed, and the sealing panel 56, the switch 58 and the surge protector device 60 of :f1 il;ure 4 are shown in phantom line drawing.
Electrical power is provided to the surge protector unit 6 by feeder buses 36 connected in the exemplary embodiment to corrfaponding buses of the disconnect unit 4 of Figure 1.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the positions of the surge protector unit 210 and the main disconnect unit 212 may be reversed. In the exemplary surge protector unit 6, the feeder buses 36 include three phase buses 36A,36B,36C and a neutral bus 36N.
These feeder buses 36 extend horizontally through the cabinet 34 and are mounted on a rear wall 38 by spaced apart, vertically extending, insulative supports 40.
The supports 40, in turn, are mounted to the rear wall 38 by fasteners 41, as shown in Figure 3.
As shown in Figure 3, each of the feeder buses 36 of Figure 2 includes two rigid copper bus bars 42 and 44. The bus bar 42 is offset at one end 46 and projects beyond the cabinet 34 at the other end 48. The end 48 extends into the gap 49 between the offset end 46 of an adjacent unit (e.g., such as the main disconnect unit 212 of Figure 12) and is clamped by a bolt 50 for each bus to secure and electrically connect the feeder buses 36 with the corresponding feeder buses 52 (shown in phantom line drawing) of the adjacent unit (not shown) (e.g., the disconnect unit 4 of Figure 1). It will be appreciated that a wide variety of different c:ontigurations are possible (e.g., a main disconnect unit, a surge protector unit, and a tnu.ltiple meter unit) as the end 48 of the feeder buses 36 is structured for electrical connection to an electrical power bus of another unit (e.g., main disconnect unit, multiple meter unit). For example, as shown in Figure l, the disconnect unit 4 includes an enclosure S4, which is adjacent the enclosure 34 of the surge protector unit 6. The electrical power busses 8,10 of the adjacent units 4,6, respectively, are clamped by the fasteners 18,20,22,24 to electrically connect those buses in series.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the surge protector unit 6 of Figure 1 with the front cover 96 of Figure 6 removed. Also referring to Figure 5, a sealing panel 56, a 3-pole switch 58, a 3-phase surge protector device 60, and a suitable insulator 62 (Figure 5) are shown. As best shown in Figure 5, the sealing panel 56 includes a pair of legs 64 each of which has a foot 66 which is secured to the rear wall 38 of the enclosure 34 by a pair of fasteners 68 (shown in Figure 4). The insulator 62 is disposed on the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 in order to insulate the switch 58 and surge protector device 60 therefrom. The switch 58 is fastened to the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 by fasteners 71. The surge protector device 60 is secured to the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 by fasteners 71 and two h-shaped mounting brackets 72 suitably attached to the sides of the device 60 (shown in Figure 4;). One or more additional insulators (not shown) may be disposed on the phase buses :36A,36B,36C, between those buses and the fasteners (e.g., 71 ) for the switch 58 and surge protector device 60, in order to preclude any arcing therebetween. In the exemplary embodiment, the switch 58 is a circuit breaker, although any suitable electrical disconnect may be employed. A three-conductor wiring harness 73 is employed to electrically connect the inputs 74A,74B,74C of the three-pole switch 58 to the three phase buses 36A.,36:B,36C. Each of the three conductors of the wiring harness 73 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 76 to the corresponding one of the three ;phase buses 36A,36B,36C.
Another three-conductor wiring harness 78 is employed to electrically connect the outputs 80A,80B,81)C of the three-pole switch 58 to the corresponding input terminals 82A,82B,82C, respectively, of the surge protector device 60. Each of the three conductors of the wiring harness 78 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 84 to the corresponding; one of the input terminals 82A,82B,82C.
An insulated conductor 86 having a suitable gauge wire (e.g., #10 AWG
in the exemplary embodiment) is employed to electrically connect the neutral terminal 82N of the surge protector device 60 to the neutral bus bar 36N. The conductor 86 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 88 to the neutral bus bar 36N.
Preferably, one or more openings 90 are employed in the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 along with corresponding grommet insulators (not shown) for routing the wiring harness 73 and insulated conductor 86 therethrough. A ground terminal 91, suitably electrically connected to the rear wall 38, may be employed for suitably grounding the enclosure 34.
lChe exemplary switch 58 includes an operating handle 92 which is advantageously employed by a user to remove power from the surge protector device 60, in order to allow safe repair or maintenance to that device.
rChe exemplary surge protector device 60 removes power disturbances from the electrical power distribution system 2 of Figure 1 by providing a low impedance shunt path to ground, although a wide range of other surge and/or transient protection devices may be employed. The exemplary surge protector device 60 is a Clipper Power System (CPS) m~,arketed by Cutler-Hammer. For example, the CPS
'there is a need, therefore, for an improved electrical power distribution system which is capable of withstanding surges.
'there is also a need for such an improved electrical power distribution system, which reduces the labor required to install and remove a surge protection device in the electrical power distribution system.
Accordingly, there is room for improvement.
SL~M1VIARY OF THE INVENTION
'these needs and others are satisfied by the invention which is directed to an electrical power distribution system comprising a disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in the power lines; a~ld a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting at least one load from surges or transients on the power lines. The electrical power bus of the surge protector unit electrically engages the electrical power bus of the disconnect unit to form a series electrical connection of the electrical power buses for the at least one load.
Preferably, thc: electrical power bus of the surge protector unit has a first end and an opposite second end., the electrical power bus of the disconnect unit has a first end and an opposite second end, and one of the first and second ends of the electrical power bus of the surge protector unit is secured to one of the second and first ends, respectively, of the elec;tri cal power bus of the disconnect unit.
As another refinement, each of the units includes an enclosure, and each of the electrical power buses includes a first rigid bus bar and a second rigid bus bar.
The first rigid bus bar is offset <~t a first end and projects beyond the enclosure at a second end. The second end extends into a gap between the offset of the first rigid bus bar of an adjacent one of the units and is clamped by a fastener to electrically connect the electrical power buses of side by side ones of the units.
As another aspect of the invention, an electrical power distribution system comprises a main disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in the power lines; a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting a plurality of loads from surges or transients on the power lines; and a multiple meter u~ut including a meter for each of the loads and an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines. The electrical power buses of the main disconnect unit, the surge protector unit and the multiple meter unit are electrically connected in series, and the electrical power bus of one of the units electrically engages the electrical power buses of the other two units.
BRIEF D>=;SCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a main disconnect unit and a surge protector unit in accordance with the invention;
F figure 2 is a front elevation view of the surge protector unit of Figure 1 with the front panel of the enclosure removed and with the sealing panel, the switch and the surge protector device shown in phantom line drawing;
1 figure 3 is a simplified horizontal sectional view through the surge protector unit taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the surge protector unit of Figure 1 with the front cover removed;
Figure 5 is a simplified vertical sectional view through the surge protector unit taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the front panel of the surge protector unit of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a sidf; view of the cover of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with the invention;
Figure 9 is a block diagram of a surge protector device;
Figure 10 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a surge protector unit in accordance with the invE;ntion;
Figure 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a surge protector unit in accordance with the invention; and Figure 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of an electrical power distribution system in accordance with the invention.
~ESCRIPTIGN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.As employed herein, the term "surge" shall expressly include, but not be limited to, a sub-cycle disturbance in an alternating current waveform that includes a high frequency event or a sharp discontinuity of the waveform.
.As employed herein, the term "transient" shall expressly include, but not be limited to, surges.
Referring to Figure 1, a surge protected electrical power distribution system 2 for one or more loads (not shown) is illustrated. The system 2 includes a disconnect unit 4 and a surge protector unit 6. 'The exemplary disconnect unit 4 includes a three-phase electrical power bus 8 (shown in hidden line drawing) having a plurality of power lines A,B,C and a neutral line N, and a three-pole circuit breaker (CB) 9 (shown in hidden line drawing) for interrupting current flow in the three-phase power lines. The exemplary surge protector unit 6 includes a three-phase electrical power bus 10 having the power lines A,B,C and the neutral line N, and three line-to-neutral surge protectors (S) 12,14,16 for protecting the loads from surges and/or transients on the power lines.
The electrical power bus 10 of the surge protector unit 6 electrically engages the electrical power bus 8 of the disconnect unit 4 to form a series electrical connection of the electrical power buses 8,10 for the loads.
Preferably, the buses 8,10 are suitably electrically secured by fasteners 18,20,22,24. In the exemplary .embodiment, the upstream end of three-phase electrical power bus 8 of the disconnect unit 4 is suitably electrically connected to an electrical power source (not shown) (e.g., a utility's electrical power distribution system), and the downstream end of the three-phase electrical power bus 10 of the surge protector unit 6 is suitably electrically connected to one or more loads (not shown). For example, three-phase power and neutral conductors may be suitably terminated and then bolted to the respective power and neutral lines of the units 4,6. The disconnect unit 4 employs an operating handle 26 to open and close circuit breaker separable contacts 28,30,32, which are in series with the three-phase power lines A,B,C, respectively.
Also referring to 1~ figures 2-4, the surge protector unit 6 includes a six-sided cabinet 34 forming an enclosure. In Figure 2, for convenience of reference, the front panel 96 of Figure 6 is removed, and the sealing panel 56, the switch 58 and the surge protector device 60 of :f1 il;ure 4 are shown in phantom line drawing.
Electrical power is provided to the surge protector unit 6 by feeder buses 36 connected in the exemplary embodiment to corrfaponding buses of the disconnect unit 4 of Figure 1.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the positions of the surge protector unit 210 and the main disconnect unit 212 may be reversed. In the exemplary surge protector unit 6, the feeder buses 36 include three phase buses 36A,36B,36C and a neutral bus 36N.
These feeder buses 36 extend horizontally through the cabinet 34 and are mounted on a rear wall 38 by spaced apart, vertically extending, insulative supports 40.
The supports 40, in turn, are mounted to the rear wall 38 by fasteners 41, as shown in Figure 3.
As shown in Figure 3, each of the feeder buses 36 of Figure 2 includes two rigid copper bus bars 42 and 44. The bus bar 42 is offset at one end 46 and projects beyond the cabinet 34 at the other end 48. The end 48 extends into the gap 49 between the offset end 46 of an adjacent unit (e.g., such as the main disconnect unit 212 of Figure 12) and is clamped by a bolt 50 for each bus to secure and electrically connect the feeder buses 36 with the corresponding feeder buses 52 (shown in phantom line drawing) of the adjacent unit (not shown) (e.g., the disconnect unit 4 of Figure 1). It will be appreciated that a wide variety of different c:ontigurations are possible (e.g., a main disconnect unit, a surge protector unit, and a tnu.ltiple meter unit) as the end 48 of the feeder buses 36 is structured for electrical connection to an electrical power bus of another unit (e.g., main disconnect unit, multiple meter unit). For example, as shown in Figure l, the disconnect unit 4 includes an enclosure S4, which is adjacent the enclosure 34 of the surge protector unit 6. The electrical power busses 8,10 of the adjacent units 4,6, respectively, are clamped by the fasteners 18,20,22,24 to electrically connect those buses in series.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the surge protector unit 6 of Figure 1 with the front cover 96 of Figure 6 removed. Also referring to Figure 5, a sealing panel 56, a 3-pole switch 58, a 3-phase surge protector device 60, and a suitable insulator 62 (Figure 5) are shown. As best shown in Figure 5, the sealing panel 56 includes a pair of legs 64 each of which has a foot 66 which is secured to the rear wall 38 of the enclosure 34 by a pair of fasteners 68 (shown in Figure 4). The insulator 62 is disposed on the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 in order to insulate the switch 58 and surge protector device 60 therefrom. The switch 58 is fastened to the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 by fasteners 71. The surge protector device 60 is secured to the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 by fasteners 71 and two h-shaped mounting brackets 72 suitably attached to the sides of the device 60 (shown in Figure 4;). One or more additional insulators (not shown) may be disposed on the phase buses :36A,36B,36C, between those buses and the fasteners (e.g., 71 ) for the switch 58 and surge protector device 60, in order to preclude any arcing therebetween. In the exemplary embodiment, the switch 58 is a circuit breaker, although any suitable electrical disconnect may be employed. A three-conductor wiring harness 73 is employed to electrically connect the inputs 74A,74B,74C of the three-pole switch 58 to the three phase buses 36A.,36:B,36C. Each of the three conductors of the wiring harness 73 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 76 to the corresponding one of the three ;phase buses 36A,36B,36C.
Another three-conductor wiring harness 78 is employed to electrically connect the outputs 80A,80B,81)C of the three-pole switch 58 to the corresponding input terminals 82A,82B,82C, respectively, of the surge protector device 60. Each of the three conductors of the wiring harness 78 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 84 to the corresponding; one of the input terminals 82A,82B,82C.
An insulated conductor 86 having a suitable gauge wire (e.g., #10 AWG
in the exemplary embodiment) is employed to electrically connect the neutral terminal 82N of the surge protector device 60 to the neutral bus bar 36N. The conductor 86 is directly electrically terminated by a suitable fastener 88 to the neutral bus bar 36N.
Preferably, one or more openings 90 are employed in the top 70 of the sealing panel 56 along with corresponding grommet insulators (not shown) for routing the wiring harness 73 and insulated conductor 86 therethrough. A ground terminal 91, suitably electrically connected to the rear wall 38, may be employed for suitably grounding the enclosure 34.
lChe exemplary switch 58 includes an operating handle 92 which is advantageously employed by a user to remove power from the surge protector device 60, in order to allow safe repair or maintenance to that device.
rChe exemplary surge protector device 60 removes power disturbances from the electrical power distribution system 2 of Figure 1 by providing a low impedance shunt path to ground, although a wide range of other surge and/or transient protection devices may be employed. The exemplary surge protector device 60 is a Clipper Power System (CPS) m~,arketed by Cutler-Hammer. For example, the CPS
employed in Figure 4 is catalog; number CPS-BX208YBBTCX, which is suitable for a 100 kA surge rating, three-phase Wye (four wires plus ground), basic diagnostics (e.g., a status indicator on each phase), panelboard application, and a form C contact output. It is understood, however, that a wide range of surge protection devices employing a wide range of surge, voltage and cun-ent ratings and/or with or without diagnostics and/or with or without outputs may be employed for a wide variety of power line configurations. For example, without limitation, various power line configurations include: (1) single phase (split phase), three wire (i.e., L1/L2/N/G); (2) single phase, two wire (i. e., L 1 /L2/G); (3) three-phase Wye, four wire (A/B/C/N/G); (4) three-phase Delta, three wire (A/B/C/G); (5) three-phase resistive/ungrounded Wye, four wire (A/B/C!N/G); and (6) three-phase Delta high leg, four wire (A/B/C/N/G).
Furthermore, there are a wide range of known devices and arrangements to protect loads from surges and/or transients in power supply voltage. For example, as an alternative to the exemplary shunt or parallel protection, series protection may be employed.
In the preferred embodiment, the three exemplary individual phase-to-neutral surge protection devices (e.,~., devices 12,14,16 of Figure 1 ) employ corresponding status indicators 94A,94B,94C (e.g., a light emitting diode, which indicates that power is applied to the corresponding power line and that the surge protection device is non-functional).
Referring to Figure 6, the front panel 96 is secured to the surge protector unit 6 by fasteners 98 which engage the enclosure 34 at corresponding openings 100 of Figure 4. The front panel 96 of the enclosure 34 has a cover 101 for accessing the individual indicators 94A,94B,94C and surge protection devices (not shown) of the surge protector device 60 of Figure 4. Also referring to Figure 7, the cover 1 O 1 of the enclosure 34 further includes a window 102 (e.g., made of clear plastic) for viewing the indicators 94 therethrough. Preferably, the cover 101 also has a gasket 103 in order to provide a suitably waterprooi~ or raintight cover for application in outdoor environments.
In order to provide safe operation, the cover 101 preferably includes a padlock 104 to limit internal access to only authorized personnel. When the padlock 104 is unlocked, the cover 101 may be opened by pivoting the same about hinges 105. As shown in phantom line drawing in Figure 7, the cover 101 has a lower portion 106, which is suitably secured to the front panel 96 of Figure 6 by fasteners 107, and an upper portion 108. When the padlock: 104 is removed, the upper portion 108 pivots about the hinges 105 to provide access to the surge protector device 60 through an opening 109 (shown in hidden line drawing in Figure 6) in the lower portion 106. The lower portion 106 includes a tab 110 which has an opening 1 l 1 to accept the padlock 104.
The upper portion 108 has an opening 112 to accept the tab 110 of the lower portion 106 when the upper portion is moved to its closed position.
A suitable padlock or interlock (not shown) may also be employed to discourage unauthorized removal of the i-'ront panel 96 from the enclosure 34.
Still referring to Figure 6, the surge protector unit 6 preferably includes mounting brackets 113 suitably attached to the rear wall 38 (Figure 4) of the enclosure 34 for mounting the unit 6 on a wall (not shown). Also, hangers 114 suitably attached to the rear wall 38 of the enclosure 34 may be employed to initially hang the unit 6 to the wall before securing the three phase buses 36A,36B,36C and neutral bus 36N to an adjacent unit (as shown with the units 4,6 of Figure 1). Preferably, a gasket 116 is employed on the left side (with respect to Figures 3 and 6) of the unit 6 in order to engage the adjacent unit (e.g., unit 4 of Figure 1 ) to seal the opening 117 at the end 46 (Figure 3) of the buses 36A-36C and 36N.
Ffigure 8 shows another electrical power distribution system 120 including a main disconnect unit 122 and a surge protector unit 124. The units 122,124 are situated in the system 120 between an upstream power source (not shown) and other downstream units (e.g., the rrmltiple meter unit 215 of Figure 12) and/or loads (not shown). The exemplary unit 12 2 interrupts current flowing in power lines 126,128 and includes fuses 130,132 and swi~.ches 134,136 for disconnecting power from the downstream loads on lines L 1,I,2, respectively. Although exemplary fuses and switches are shown, any suitable current interrupting device, such as a circuit breaker, may be employed. The exemplary electrical power buses 138,140 of the surge protector unit 124 are single-phase, two-line (L 1,L2) electrical power buses. The upstream power source (not shown) also providc;s a neutral line 142 which corresponds to the neutral bus 144 and neutral line N.
line-to-neutral surge suppressors (S) 146 and 148 (e.g., MOVs) are electrically interconnected between the line L 1 and neutral N, and line L2 and neutral N, respectively, of the surge protector unit 124 in order to protect downstream units and/or loads (not shown) from surges .and/or transients on such power lines. The ends of the buses 138,140,144 are structured for electrical connection to an electrical power bus of a multiple meter unit (not shown;) (e.g., the unit 215 of Figure 12).
In accordance with the invention, the electrical power buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 are secured to the corresponding buses 150,152,154, respectively, of the main discorwect unit 122. In a similar manner as the feeder buses 36 of Figure 3, the electrical power buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 have a first end 156 and an opposite second end 158. Similarly, as shown with the neutral line 142, the neutral bus 154 of the main disconnect unit 122 has a first end 160 and an opposite second end 162, with l:he first ends 156,160 preferably being the same, and with the opposite (or mating) second. ends 158,162 preferably being the same. In turn, the first ends 156 of the buses 13 8,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 are secured to second ends 162 of the buses 1:>0,152,154, respectively, of the main disconnect unit 122.
The second ends 158 of the buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 and the first ends 160 of the buses 150,152,154 of the main disconnect unit 122 are structured for electrical connection to buses (not shown) of a multiple meter unit (e.g., the unit 215 of Figure 12), as well as buses i:rom power sources or buses to loads.
Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the exemplary surge protector device 60 of Figure 4. The device 60 includes three surge protectors 166,168,170 for the three-phase power lines A,B,C, and indicators (e.g., light emitting diodes) 172,174,176, respectively, for those surge protectors in order to indicate that power is applied to the corresponding power line and that the corresponding surge protector is non-functional.
1~ figure 10 shows a block diagram of another surge protector unit 178 which includes a surge protector device 180 and three-phase plus neutral power buses 182,184,186,188. The exemplary surge protector device 180 includes line-to-neutral surge protectors 190,192,194, which are respectively electrically interconnected between the three-phase power buses 182,184,186 (A,B,C) and the neutral bus 188 (N).
Unlike the embodiment of Figure 4, the exemplary surge protector device 180 does not employ indicators and the electrical connections 196,198,200 are directly between the power buses 182,184,186 and the surge protectors 190,192,194, respectively.
Referring to Figure 11, a block diagram of another surge protector unit 202 is shown. The unit 202 is similar to the unit 178 of Figure 10, except that a three-phase switch 204 is electrically interconnected between the three-phase power buses 182,184,186 and the surge protectors 190,192, l 94, respectively. Since the switch 204 is electrically disposed between the electrical power bus bars and the surge protector device 180, the switch operating handle 206 may be employed to remove power from the surge protector device 180, in order to allow repair or maintenance to that device, without removing power from the entire electrical power distribution system.
This is advantageous, for example, because the corresponding main disconnect unit (e.g., the main disconnect unit 4 of Figure t) typically feeds a plurality of different users (e.g., the tenants of various apartments).
Figure 12 is a block diagram of an electrical power distribution system 208 which includes a surge protector unit 210, a main disconnect unit 212, and a multiple meter unit 214. The surge protector unit 210 and main disconnect unit 212 are similar to the surge protector unit 6 and disconnect unit 4, respectively, of Figure 1. The meter unit 214 includes an enclosure 215, a meter 216 for each of the three exemplary loads or users LJ1,U2,U3, and separate disconnect switches 218 (e.g., a switch, a circuit breaker) for those users. The rr~eters 216 show the power being consumed by the corresponding one of the loads. Each of the units 210,212,214 includes a three-phase (A,B,C) plus neutral (N) power bus 220, with the electrical power buses 222,224,226 of the surge protector unit 210, main disconnect unit 212, and multiple meter unit 214, respectively, being electrically .connected in series. In a similar manner as discussed above in connection with Figures 3 and 8, the electrical power bus 222 electrically engages the adjacent bus 224 which, in turn, electrically engages the adjacent bus 226.
While three exemplary tenant circuits are shown, the invention is applicable to a wide range of user counts. Preferably, the main disconnect unit 212 is employed in combination with the multiple meter unit 214 which, in turn, feeds individual downstream power users (e.g-., plural apartments, offices).
'Che exemplary surge protector units 6,124,178,202,210 may be mounted in combination with new or existing disconnect units or other group metering applications. These surge protector units are mounted outside the enclosure of the disconnect unit and are secured onto the power busing of that unit. In this manner, the surge protector units protect all of the downstream users (e.g., apartments, offices) which are fed by the disconnect: unit. Furthermore, the surge protector unit, which readily engages the disconnect unit, provides the added convenience and reliability of pre-wired internal electrical connections between the surge protection devices and the power buses thereof. Accordingly, an efficient and reliable connection to the power bus of the power distribution system is provided.
,As shown in Figure 12, the surge protector unit 210 is suitably mechanically mounted to the upstream side (e.g., the left side of Figure 12) and is directly electrically connected to the electrical power bus 224 of the main disconnect unit 212 (e.g., a fuse and switch, a circuit breaker). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the surge protector unit 124 is mounted on the downstream side (e.g., the right side of Figure 8) of the main disconnect unit 122. Although an exemplary configuration of the surge protector unit 210 (left:) , main disconnect unit 212 (center), and multiple meter unit 214 (right) is shown in figure 12, a wide range of equivalent configurations of these and other units may be provided in which the electrical power buses thereof are electrically connected in series.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
RF:FERI~NCE NUMERICAL LIST
2 surge protected electrical power distribution system 4 disconnect unit 6 surge protector unit 8 three-phase electrical power bus (having power lines A,B,C and neutral line N) 9 circuit breaker three-phase electrical power bus (having power lines A,B,C and neutral line N) 12 surge protector (S) 14 surge protector (S) 16 surge protector (S) 18 fastener fastener 22 fastener 24 fastener 26 operating handle 28 separable contact separable contact 32 separable contact 34 cabinet 36 feeder buses (three phase buses 36A,36B,36C, neutral bus 36N) 38 rear wall spaced apart, vertically .extending, insulative supports 41 fasteners 42 copper bus bar 44 copper bus bar 46 one end of copper bus bar 48 other end of copper bus bar 49 gap bolt 52 feeder buses of adjacent unit 54 enclosure 56 sealing panel 58 3-pole switch 3-phase surge protector device 62 suitable insulator 64 pair of legs 66 foot 68 fasteners top of the sealing panel 71 fasteners 72 L-shaped mounting bra<:kets 73 three-conductor wiring harness 74 inputs (74A,74B,74C) a~f three-pole switch 76 suitable fastener 78 three-conductor wiring lharness outputs (80A,80B,80C) 82 input terminals (82A,82B,82C) 84 suitable fastener 86 insulated conductor 88 suitable fastener 90 openings 91 ground terminal 92 operating handle 94 status indicators (94A,94B,94C) 96 front panel of the surge protector unit 98 fasteners 100 openings 101 cover 102 window 103 gasket 104 padlock 105 hinges 106 lower portion 107 fasteners 108 upper portion 109 opening 110 tap 111 opening 112 opening 113 mounting brackets 114 hangers 116 gasket 117 opening 120 electrical power distribution system 122 main disconnect unit 124 surge protector unit 126 power line 128 power line 130 fuse 132 fuse 134 switch 136 switch 138 electrical power bus 140 electrical power bus 142 neutral line 144 neutral bus 146 line-to-neutral surge suppressor (S) 148 line-to-neutral surge sup pressor (S) 150 electrical power bus (L 1 ) 152 electrical power bus (L2 ) 154 electrical power bus (NJ~
156 first end 158 opposite second end 160 first end 162 opposite second end 166 surge protector 168 surge protector 170 surge protector 172 indicator 174 indicator 176 indicator 178 surge protector unit 180 surge protector device 182 phase A power bus 184 phase B power bus 186 phase C power bus 188 neutral N bus 190 line-to-neutral surge protector 192 line-to-neutral surge protector 194 line-to-neutral surge protector 196 direct electrical connection 198 direct electrical connection 200 direct electrical connection 202 surge protector unit 204 three-phase switch 206 switch operating handle 208 electrical power distribution system 210 surge protector unit 212 main disconnect unit 214 multiple meter unit 215 enclosure 216 meters 218 disconnect switches 220 three-phase plus neutral electrical power bus 222 electrical power bus 224 electrical power bus 226 electrical power bus
Furthermore, there are a wide range of known devices and arrangements to protect loads from surges and/or transients in power supply voltage. For example, as an alternative to the exemplary shunt or parallel protection, series protection may be employed.
In the preferred embodiment, the three exemplary individual phase-to-neutral surge protection devices (e.,~., devices 12,14,16 of Figure 1 ) employ corresponding status indicators 94A,94B,94C (e.g., a light emitting diode, which indicates that power is applied to the corresponding power line and that the surge protection device is non-functional).
Referring to Figure 6, the front panel 96 is secured to the surge protector unit 6 by fasteners 98 which engage the enclosure 34 at corresponding openings 100 of Figure 4. The front panel 96 of the enclosure 34 has a cover 101 for accessing the individual indicators 94A,94B,94C and surge protection devices (not shown) of the surge protector device 60 of Figure 4. Also referring to Figure 7, the cover 1 O 1 of the enclosure 34 further includes a window 102 (e.g., made of clear plastic) for viewing the indicators 94 therethrough. Preferably, the cover 101 also has a gasket 103 in order to provide a suitably waterprooi~ or raintight cover for application in outdoor environments.
In order to provide safe operation, the cover 101 preferably includes a padlock 104 to limit internal access to only authorized personnel. When the padlock 104 is unlocked, the cover 101 may be opened by pivoting the same about hinges 105. As shown in phantom line drawing in Figure 7, the cover 101 has a lower portion 106, which is suitably secured to the front panel 96 of Figure 6 by fasteners 107, and an upper portion 108. When the padlock: 104 is removed, the upper portion 108 pivots about the hinges 105 to provide access to the surge protector device 60 through an opening 109 (shown in hidden line drawing in Figure 6) in the lower portion 106. The lower portion 106 includes a tab 110 which has an opening 1 l 1 to accept the padlock 104.
The upper portion 108 has an opening 112 to accept the tab 110 of the lower portion 106 when the upper portion is moved to its closed position.
A suitable padlock or interlock (not shown) may also be employed to discourage unauthorized removal of the i-'ront panel 96 from the enclosure 34.
Still referring to Figure 6, the surge protector unit 6 preferably includes mounting brackets 113 suitably attached to the rear wall 38 (Figure 4) of the enclosure 34 for mounting the unit 6 on a wall (not shown). Also, hangers 114 suitably attached to the rear wall 38 of the enclosure 34 may be employed to initially hang the unit 6 to the wall before securing the three phase buses 36A,36B,36C and neutral bus 36N to an adjacent unit (as shown with the units 4,6 of Figure 1). Preferably, a gasket 116 is employed on the left side (with respect to Figures 3 and 6) of the unit 6 in order to engage the adjacent unit (e.g., unit 4 of Figure 1 ) to seal the opening 117 at the end 46 (Figure 3) of the buses 36A-36C and 36N.
Ffigure 8 shows another electrical power distribution system 120 including a main disconnect unit 122 and a surge protector unit 124. The units 122,124 are situated in the system 120 between an upstream power source (not shown) and other downstream units (e.g., the rrmltiple meter unit 215 of Figure 12) and/or loads (not shown). The exemplary unit 12 2 interrupts current flowing in power lines 126,128 and includes fuses 130,132 and swi~.ches 134,136 for disconnecting power from the downstream loads on lines L 1,I,2, respectively. Although exemplary fuses and switches are shown, any suitable current interrupting device, such as a circuit breaker, may be employed. The exemplary electrical power buses 138,140 of the surge protector unit 124 are single-phase, two-line (L 1,L2) electrical power buses. The upstream power source (not shown) also providc;s a neutral line 142 which corresponds to the neutral bus 144 and neutral line N.
line-to-neutral surge suppressors (S) 146 and 148 (e.g., MOVs) are electrically interconnected between the line L 1 and neutral N, and line L2 and neutral N, respectively, of the surge protector unit 124 in order to protect downstream units and/or loads (not shown) from surges .and/or transients on such power lines. The ends of the buses 138,140,144 are structured for electrical connection to an electrical power bus of a multiple meter unit (not shown;) (e.g., the unit 215 of Figure 12).
In accordance with the invention, the electrical power buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 are secured to the corresponding buses 150,152,154, respectively, of the main discorwect unit 122. In a similar manner as the feeder buses 36 of Figure 3, the electrical power buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 have a first end 156 and an opposite second end 158. Similarly, as shown with the neutral line 142, the neutral bus 154 of the main disconnect unit 122 has a first end 160 and an opposite second end 162, with l:he first ends 156,160 preferably being the same, and with the opposite (or mating) second. ends 158,162 preferably being the same. In turn, the first ends 156 of the buses 13 8,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 are secured to second ends 162 of the buses 1:>0,152,154, respectively, of the main disconnect unit 122.
The second ends 158 of the buses 138,140,144 of the surge protector unit 124 and the first ends 160 of the buses 150,152,154 of the main disconnect unit 122 are structured for electrical connection to buses (not shown) of a multiple meter unit (e.g., the unit 215 of Figure 12), as well as buses i:rom power sources or buses to loads.
Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the exemplary surge protector device 60 of Figure 4. The device 60 includes three surge protectors 166,168,170 for the three-phase power lines A,B,C, and indicators (e.g., light emitting diodes) 172,174,176, respectively, for those surge protectors in order to indicate that power is applied to the corresponding power line and that the corresponding surge protector is non-functional.
1~ figure 10 shows a block diagram of another surge protector unit 178 which includes a surge protector device 180 and three-phase plus neutral power buses 182,184,186,188. The exemplary surge protector device 180 includes line-to-neutral surge protectors 190,192,194, which are respectively electrically interconnected between the three-phase power buses 182,184,186 (A,B,C) and the neutral bus 188 (N).
Unlike the embodiment of Figure 4, the exemplary surge protector device 180 does not employ indicators and the electrical connections 196,198,200 are directly between the power buses 182,184,186 and the surge protectors 190,192,194, respectively.
Referring to Figure 11, a block diagram of another surge protector unit 202 is shown. The unit 202 is similar to the unit 178 of Figure 10, except that a three-phase switch 204 is electrically interconnected between the three-phase power buses 182,184,186 and the surge protectors 190,192, l 94, respectively. Since the switch 204 is electrically disposed between the electrical power bus bars and the surge protector device 180, the switch operating handle 206 may be employed to remove power from the surge protector device 180, in order to allow repair or maintenance to that device, without removing power from the entire electrical power distribution system.
This is advantageous, for example, because the corresponding main disconnect unit (e.g., the main disconnect unit 4 of Figure t) typically feeds a plurality of different users (e.g., the tenants of various apartments).
Figure 12 is a block diagram of an electrical power distribution system 208 which includes a surge protector unit 210, a main disconnect unit 212, and a multiple meter unit 214. The surge protector unit 210 and main disconnect unit 212 are similar to the surge protector unit 6 and disconnect unit 4, respectively, of Figure 1. The meter unit 214 includes an enclosure 215, a meter 216 for each of the three exemplary loads or users LJ1,U2,U3, and separate disconnect switches 218 (e.g., a switch, a circuit breaker) for those users. The rr~eters 216 show the power being consumed by the corresponding one of the loads. Each of the units 210,212,214 includes a three-phase (A,B,C) plus neutral (N) power bus 220, with the electrical power buses 222,224,226 of the surge protector unit 210, main disconnect unit 212, and multiple meter unit 214, respectively, being electrically .connected in series. In a similar manner as discussed above in connection with Figures 3 and 8, the electrical power bus 222 electrically engages the adjacent bus 224 which, in turn, electrically engages the adjacent bus 226.
While three exemplary tenant circuits are shown, the invention is applicable to a wide range of user counts. Preferably, the main disconnect unit 212 is employed in combination with the multiple meter unit 214 which, in turn, feeds individual downstream power users (e.g-., plural apartments, offices).
'Che exemplary surge protector units 6,124,178,202,210 may be mounted in combination with new or existing disconnect units or other group metering applications. These surge protector units are mounted outside the enclosure of the disconnect unit and are secured onto the power busing of that unit. In this manner, the surge protector units protect all of the downstream users (e.g., apartments, offices) which are fed by the disconnect: unit. Furthermore, the surge protector unit, which readily engages the disconnect unit, provides the added convenience and reliability of pre-wired internal electrical connections between the surge protection devices and the power buses thereof. Accordingly, an efficient and reliable connection to the power bus of the power distribution system is provided.
,As shown in Figure 12, the surge protector unit 210 is suitably mechanically mounted to the upstream side (e.g., the left side of Figure 12) and is directly electrically connected to the electrical power bus 224 of the main disconnect unit 212 (e.g., a fuse and switch, a circuit breaker). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the surge protector unit 124 is mounted on the downstream side (e.g., the right side of Figure 8) of the main disconnect unit 122. Although an exemplary configuration of the surge protector unit 210 (left:) , main disconnect unit 212 (center), and multiple meter unit 214 (right) is shown in figure 12, a wide range of equivalent configurations of these and other units may be provided in which the electrical power buses thereof are electrically connected in series.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
RF:FERI~NCE NUMERICAL LIST
2 surge protected electrical power distribution system 4 disconnect unit 6 surge protector unit 8 three-phase electrical power bus (having power lines A,B,C and neutral line N) 9 circuit breaker three-phase electrical power bus (having power lines A,B,C and neutral line N) 12 surge protector (S) 14 surge protector (S) 16 surge protector (S) 18 fastener fastener 22 fastener 24 fastener 26 operating handle 28 separable contact separable contact 32 separable contact 34 cabinet 36 feeder buses (three phase buses 36A,36B,36C, neutral bus 36N) 38 rear wall spaced apart, vertically .extending, insulative supports 41 fasteners 42 copper bus bar 44 copper bus bar 46 one end of copper bus bar 48 other end of copper bus bar 49 gap bolt 52 feeder buses of adjacent unit 54 enclosure 56 sealing panel 58 3-pole switch 3-phase surge protector device 62 suitable insulator 64 pair of legs 66 foot 68 fasteners top of the sealing panel 71 fasteners 72 L-shaped mounting bra<:kets 73 three-conductor wiring harness 74 inputs (74A,74B,74C) a~f three-pole switch 76 suitable fastener 78 three-conductor wiring lharness outputs (80A,80B,80C) 82 input terminals (82A,82B,82C) 84 suitable fastener 86 insulated conductor 88 suitable fastener 90 openings 91 ground terminal 92 operating handle 94 status indicators (94A,94B,94C) 96 front panel of the surge protector unit 98 fasteners 100 openings 101 cover 102 window 103 gasket 104 padlock 105 hinges 106 lower portion 107 fasteners 108 upper portion 109 opening 110 tap 111 opening 112 opening 113 mounting brackets 114 hangers 116 gasket 117 opening 120 electrical power distribution system 122 main disconnect unit 124 surge protector unit 126 power line 128 power line 130 fuse 132 fuse 134 switch 136 switch 138 electrical power bus 140 electrical power bus 142 neutral line 144 neutral bus 146 line-to-neutral surge suppressor (S) 148 line-to-neutral surge sup pressor (S) 150 electrical power bus (L 1 ) 152 electrical power bus (L2 ) 154 electrical power bus (NJ~
156 first end 158 opposite second end 160 first end 162 opposite second end 166 surge protector 168 surge protector 170 surge protector 172 indicator 174 indicator 176 indicator 178 surge protector unit 180 surge protector device 182 phase A power bus 184 phase B power bus 186 phase C power bus 188 neutral N bus 190 line-to-neutral surge protector 192 line-to-neutral surge protector 194 line-to-neutral surge protector 196 direct electrical connection 198 direct electrical connection 200 direct electrical connection 202 surge protector unit 204 three-phase switch 206 switch operating handle 208 electrical power distribution system 210 surge protector unit 212 main disconnect unit 214 multiple meter unit 215 enclosure 216 meters 218 disconnect switches 220 three-phase plus neutral electrical power bus 222 electrical power bus 224 electrical power bus 226 electrical power bus
Claims (20)
1. An electrical power distribution system for at least one load, said electrical power distribution system comprising:
a disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in said power lines;
and a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting said at least one load from surges or transients on said power lines, with the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit electrically engaging the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit to form a series electrical connection of said electrical power buses for said at least one load.
a disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in said power lines;
and a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting said at least one load from surges or transients on said power lines, with the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit electrically engaging the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit to form a series electrical connection of said electrical power buses for said at least one load.
2. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said means for interrupting includes separable contacts for disconnecting power from said at least one load.
3. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said means for interrupting includes a fuse and a switch for disconnecting power from said at least one load.
4. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said electrical power buses are three-phase electrical power buses.
5. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 4, wherein said three-phase electrical power buses include a neutral bus.
6. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said electrical power buses are single-phase, two-line electrical power buses.
7. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit is secured to the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit.
8. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 7, wherein the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit has a first end and an opposite second end; wherein the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit has a first end and an opposite second end; and wherein one of the first and second ends of the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit is secured to one of the second and first ends, respectively, of the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit.
9. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 8, wherein the other of the first and second ends of the electrical power bus of said surge protector unit and the other of the second and first ends, respectively, of the electrical power bus of said disconnect unit are structured for electrical connection to an electrical power bus of a multiple meter unit.
10. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein each of said units includes an enclosure; wherein each of said electrical power buses includes a first rigid bus bar and a second rigid bus bar, with the first rigid bus bar being offset at a first end and projecting beyond said enclosure at a second end, and with the second end extending into a gap between the offset of the first rigid bus bar of an adjacent one of said units and being clamped by a fastener to electrically connect the electrical power buses of side by side ones of said units.
11. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said means or protecting includes a plurality of surge protectors for the power lines of said surge protector unit, and a plurality of indicators for said surge protectors.
12. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 11, wherein said surge protector unit further includes an enclosure having a cover for accessing said surge protectors and said indicators.
13. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 12, wherein said surge protector unit further includes means for locking said cover.
14. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 12, wherein the cover of the enclosure of said surge protector unit further includes a window for viewing said indicators therethrough.
15. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said surge protector unit further includes a plurality of surge protectors for the power lines thereof, and an enclosure having a waterproof cover for accessing said surge protectors.
16. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 1, wherein said surge protector unit further includes a surge protector for each of the power lines thereof, and an electrical connection between each of said power lines and the surge protector thereof.
17. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 16, wherein said surge protector unit further includes a plural-phase switch electrically interconnected between said power lines and said surge protectors.
18. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 16, wherein each of said electrical connections are directly connected between one of said power lines and one of said surge protectors.
19. An electrical power distribution system for a plurality of loads, said electrical power distribution system comprising:
a main disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in said power lines;
a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting said loads from surges or transients on said power lines; and a multiple meter unit including a meter for each of said loads and an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, with the electrical power buses of said main disconnect unit, said surge protector unit and said multiple meter unit being electrically connected in series, and with the electrical power bus of one of said units electrically engaging the electrical power buses of the other two of said units.
a main disconnect unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for interrupting current flowing in said power lines;
a surge protector unit including an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, and means for protecting said loads from surges or transients on said power lines; and a multiple meter unit including a meter for each of said loads and an electrical power bus having a plurality of power lines, with the electrical power buses of said main disconnect unit, said surge protector unit and said multiple meter unit being electrically connected in series, and with the electrical power bus of one of said units electrically engaging the electrical power buses of the other two of said units.
20. The electrical power distribution system of Claim 19, wherein each of said units includes an enclosure; wherein each of said electrical power buses includes a first rigid bus bar and a second rigid bus bar, with the first rigid bus bar being offset at a first end and projecting beyond said enclosure at a second end, and with the second end extending into a gap between the offset of the first rigid bus bar of an adjacent one of said units and being clamped by a fastener to electrically connect the electrical power buses of side by side ones of said units.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US09/536,330 US6411486B1 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-03-24 | Surge protected electrical power distribution system |
| US09/536,330 | 2000-03-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2341988A1 true CA2341988A1 (en) | 2001-09-24 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002341988A Abandoned CA2341988A1 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2001-03-23 | Surge protected electrical power distribution system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
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| US (1) | US6411486B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1139533A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001298812A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3130801A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2341988A1 (en) |
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| US5581801A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1996-12-03 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Apparatus for distributing RF signals and AC power to taps |
| US6067483A (en) * | 1995-10-06 | 2000-05-23 | Power Integrity Corporation | Electrical distribution computer |
| US5606299A (en) | 1995-11-14 | 1997-02-25 | Eaton Corporation | Modular surge suppressor |
| US6012937A (en) | 1997-12-09 | 2000-01-11 | Eaton Corporation | Supply bus bars for meter center |
| US5914845A (en) * | 1998-05-01 | 1999-06-22 | Chase; Ronald Cole | Surge protector system |
| US6055147A (en) * | 1998-06-24 | 2000-04-25 | Current Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for providing independent over-current protection to a plurality of electrical devices and transient-voltage suppression system employing the apparatus |
| US6052951A (en) * | 1998-09-03 | 2000-04-25 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Weather hood |
-
2000
- 2000-03-24 US US09/536,330 patent/US6411486B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-03-23 AU AU31308/01A patent/AU3130801A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-23 JP JP2001084622A patent/JP2001298812A/en active Pending
- 2001-03-23 CA CA002341988A patent/CA2341988A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-26 EP EP01107506A patent/EP1139533A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015123478A1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2015-08-20 | Burant Richard J | Electrical power distribution unit |
| US11373786B2 (en) * | 2019-02-06 | 2022-06-28 | Eaton Intelligent Power Limited | Bus bar assembly with integrated surge arrestor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6411486B1 (en) | 2002-06-25 |
| EP1139533A2 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
| JP2001298812A (en) | 2001-10-26 |
| EP1139533A3 (en) | 2002-12-18 |
| AU3130801A (en) | 2001-10-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |