Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. An auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply, the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) having a auxiliary terminal (80) comprising:
• a first set of holes (10) configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate assembly thereof with the auxiliary busbar (150) using fasteners (160A), each fastener (160A) having a plate (170) fixed thereto to provide a surface on the auxiliary terminal (80) for holding/mounting the auxiliary busbar (150) of different cross sections in between the plate (170) and an inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80) and thus allowing the auxiliary busbar (150) to run through a gap (5) configured on the inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80);
• a second set of holes (20) configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate mounting of the assembly of the auxiliary terminal (80) and the auxiliary busbar (150) onto the moulded component (200) using a fastener (160B), the moulded component (200) having multiple slots (180) configured thereon to allow mounting of the auxiliary terminal (80) of the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) assembled with the auxiliary busbar (150), wherein the auxiliary busbar (150) is first assembled with the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) and thereafter both the auxiliary busbar (150) and the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) are assembled in the slot (180) of the moulded component (200); and
• a third set of holes (30) configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate mounting of snap-on lugs to take multiple tap offs for cables from the auxiliary busbars (150) for control supply to control circuits in a panel.

2. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from the auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap (5) is configured between the plate (170) and the inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80) to accommodate the auxiliary busbars (150) of different and even bigger cross sections.

3. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from the auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fasteners (160A, 160B) are screws.

4. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from the auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plates (170) are metallic plates.

5. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plates (170) are riveted to the fasteners (160A) from inside the auxiliary terminal (80).

Dated this 31st day of March, 2017

Priya Pandey
(Agent for Applicant)
IN/PA-2018 , Description:Auxiliary terminal assembly to take tap-off from auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to busbars and more particularly, to an auxiliary terminal assembly to provide multiple tap offs from an auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a panel board, there are two types of circuits available: a main (power) circuit and an auxiliary (control) circuit. Auxiliary circuits are intended to control, measure, signal, regulate, process data, protect etc. These circuits get supply form auxiliary busbars located in the same panel. The terminals are provided on the auxiliary busbars from where the tap offs are taken for the connection for these circuits. To achieve the tap off, presently a terminal is used which gets fixed on the auxiliary busbar.

Existing systems include a terminal mounted on the auxiliary busbar from which maximum two tap offs can be taken. If more than two tap offs are required, an additional adaptor needs to be assembled with the terminal which will add to the cost of the system. Also, a combed busbar type system used throughout the width of the panel is not cost effective. Further, both the systems cannot be extended for the different cross sections of the auxiliary busbar.

Hence, there exists a need for an auxiliary terminal assembly to provide multiple tap offs from an auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply that overcomes the above mentioned problem of the prior art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective and optimized solution for taking multiple tap offs from a single terminal mounted on the auxiliary busbar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an auxiliary terminal assembly to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply. The auxiliary terminal assembly comprises an auxiliary terminal. The auxiliary terminal comprises a first set of holes, a second set of holes and a third set of holes.

The first set of holes is configured on the auxiliary terminal to facilitate assembly thereof with the auxiliary busbar using fasteners for example screws. Each fastener includes a plate for example a metallic plate fixed thereto for example by riveting to the fasteners from inside the auxiliary terminal to provide a surface on the auxiliary terminal for holding/mounting the auxiliary busbar of different cross sections in between the plate and an inner surface of the auxiliary terminal and thus allowing the auxiliary busbar to run through a gap configured on the inner surface of the auxiliary terminal. The gap is configured between the plate and the inner surface of the auxiliary terminal to accommodate the auxiliary busbars of different and even bigger cross sections.

The second set of holes is configured on the auxiliary terminal to facilitate mounting of the assembly of the auxiliary terminal and the auxiliary busbar onto the moulded component using a fastener for example a screw. The moulded component includes multiple slots configured thereon to allow mounting of the auxiliary terminal of the auxiliary terminal assembly assembled with the auxiliary busbar. The auxiliary busbar is first assembled with the auxiliary terminal assembly and thereafter both the auxiliary busbar and the auxiliary terminal assembly are assembled in the slot of the moulded component.

The third set of holes is configured on the auxiliary terminal to facilitate mounting of snap-on lugs to take multiple tap offs for cables from the auxiliary busbars for control supply to control circuits in a panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawings:
Figure 1 shows views of an auxiliary terminal assembly to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows views of an auxiliary terminal of the auxiliary terminal assembly of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an assembly of the auxiliary terminal of the auxiliary terminal assembly with the auxiliary busbar, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 show the assembly of the auxiliary terminal and the auxiliary busbar mounted on a moulded component, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows the moulded component with multiple auxiliary terminals and multiple auxiliary busbars mounted thereon, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows mounting of the assembly of the auxiliary terminal and the auxiliary busbars of different cross sections on the moulded component, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides an auxiliary terminal assembly to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar for auxiliary supply. The auxiliary terminal assembly provides a cost effective and optimized solution for taking multiple tap offs from a single terminal mounted on an auxiliary busbar.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to figures 1-6, an auxiliary terminal assembly (100) to take tap-off from an auxiliary busbar (150) for auxiliary supply is described in accordance with the present invention. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) is mounted onto a moulded component (200).

The moulded component (200) is mounted on a panelboard (not shown). The moulded component (200) includes multiple slots (180) configured thereon. The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) is mounted onto the multiple slots (180) of the moulded component (200) in the panelboard such that the auxiliary busbar (150) runs through the moulded component (200) to provide supply to control circuits (not shown) in a panel (not shown), wherein the voltage level of the auxiliary busbar (150) is stepped down using a potential transformer (not shown). Specifically, the auxiliary busbar (150) is first assembled with the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) and thereafter both the auxiliary busbar (150) and the auxiliary terminal assembly (100) are assembled in the slot (180) of the moulded component (200).
The auxiliary terminal assembly (100) comprises an auxiliary terminal (80). The auxiliary terminal (80) comprises a first set of holes (10), a second set of holes (20) and a third set of holes (30) configured thereon. In an embodiment, the auxiliary terminal (80) comprises two numbers of first set of holes (10), two numbers of second set of holes (20) and six numbers of third set of holes (30).

The first set of holes (10) is configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate assembly thereof with the auxiliary busbar (150) using fasteners (160A). In an embodiment, the fasteners (160A) for example screws are inserted in the first set of holes (10) on the auxiliary terminal (80) to hold the auxiliary busbar (150) thereon. Each fastener (160A) includes a plate (170) for example a metallic plate fixed thereto for example by riveting from inside the auxiliary terminal (80) to provide a necessary surface on the auxiliary terminal (80) for holding/mounting the auxiliary busbar (150) in between the plate (170) and an inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80). The assembly of the auxiliary terminal (80) with the auxiliary busbar (150) is shown in figure 3. The auxiliary bar (150) of different cross sections can also be assembled in the same way as shown in figure 6. This allows the auxiliary busbar (150) to run in between the plate (170) and a gap (5) on the inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80). The gap (5) (refer figure 2) is a contact area configured between the plate (170) and the inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80) to accommodate the auxiliary busbars (150) of different and even bigger cross sections. Once the auxiliary busbar (150) runs in between the plate (170) and the inner surface (6) of the auxiliary terminal (80), the fasteners (160A) such as screws are tightened to clamp the auxiliary busbar (150) to the auxiliary terminal (80) with the pressure from the plate (170) to hold the auxiliary busbar (150) at its place. This will establish an electrical contact between the auxiliary busbar (150) and the auxiliary terminal (80).

The second set of holes (20) is configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate mounting of the assembly of the auxiliary terminal (80) and the auxiliary bar (150) onto the moulded component (200) using a fastener (160B). In an embodiment, the auxiliary terminal assembly (100), particularly the auxiliary terminal (80) is mounted in the slots (180) of the moulded component (200) with the help of one screw (160B). Thus, the second set of holes (20) enables mounting of the assembly of figure 3 onto the moulded component (200) as shown in figure 4 with the help of the screw (160B). Thus, multiple auxiliary busbars (150) can be assembled with the auxiliary terminal (80) for mounting in the same way in the slots (180) in the moulded component (200) as shown in figure 5.

The third set of holes (30) is configured on the auxiliary terminal (80) to facilitate mounting of snap-on lugs (not shown) to take multiple tap-off for cables (not shown) from the auxiliary busbar (150) for control supply to control circuits in the panel. Specifically, the tap offs can be taken from any point with the help of the snap-on lugs thereby providing multiple tap-offs.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

1. Single auxiliary terminal (80) provides multiple number of tap offs thereby increasing the tap off capacity of the auxiliary busbar (150).
2. Same arrangement of the auxiliary terminal (80) is capable of holding and accommodating the auxiliary busbars (150) of different cross sections. Hence, different arrangements for holding the auxiliary busbars (150) of different cross sections are no longer required.
3. Since the snap on lugs can be terminated with the auxiliary terminal (80), the assembly is fast and easy.
4. The resting surface for the bigger busbar cross section is provided. Thus, sufficient contact surface area is available even for bigger busbar cross section.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.