Improvements in or relating to Electrical Distribution Boards
The present invention relates to an electrical distribution board.
An electrical distribution board distributes electrical power from one or more
incoming power supply terminals to a number of outgoing power supply terminals.
Typically, the electrical distribution board comprises one or more bus conductors
which run the length of the board. The bus conductors carry the incoming electrical
power to one or more outgoing "stab" conductors which are, in turn, connected to
one or more circuit breakers of the outgoing circuit.
In the case where the bus conductors of the electrical distribution board are
connected directly to the stab conductors, when work is required to be carried out
on one or more of the outgoing circuits the circuit breakers are used to break the
electrical connection between the stab conductors and the outgoing circuit. Then, in
order to prevent the circuit breakers from being accidentally reconnected, a plastic
cover, which may be lockable, or electrical insulation tape is placed over the circuit
breaker switch. Alternatively, and more properly, the circuit breaker is removed
from the distribution board and a blanking module is used to cover the stab
conductor. Once the work is complete the plastic cover or the tape or blanking
module are removed and the outgoing circuit reconnected. The tape technique is
not recommended or officially sanctioned, but often happens in practice.
In addition to an MCB, or the like, being provided between the stab conductor and
the outgoing circuit, the electrical distribution board may additionally include an
isolation switch positioned between the bus conductor and the stab conductor.
Schneider Electric in particular supplies "Isobar" brand of boards with this feature.
The purpose of the isolation switch is to allow unused stab conductors to be
electrically isolated from the bus conductor. The isolation switches are located
within an insulated housing block which at least partially shrouds the stab
conductors, the isolation switches and the bus conductors. The housing block, stab
conductors, isolation switches and bus conductors are mounted upon a mounting
plate to which the circuit breakers are latched. The mounting plate is secured inside
a standard cabinet, or the like. This facility is not designed to prevent electric shock
when work is required to be carried out on the outgoing circuit, but is sometimes
used by workers for that purpose.
With these known precautions, there remains a risk of electrocution by virtue of the
fact that the outgoing circuit could be prematurely re-energised either by someone
accidentally operating the isolation switch, or the circuit breaker switch (for
example by pressing against the switch through the insulating tape, or when the
tape falls off prematurely). Someone may remove the cover or blanking module and
operate the switch on the assumption that the work had been completed. Where
different electricians are working on different circuits, one may accidentally reenergise
the wrong circuit when he has completed his own work.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical
distribution board comprising:
at least one incoming conductor terminal;
at least one outgoing conductor terminal;
at least one longitudinal bus conductor connected to the at least one
incoming conductor terminal;
at least one lateral conductor tab connected to the at least one bus conductor
for distributing electrical power from the at least one bus conductor to the at least
one outgoing conductor terminal; and
at least one isolation mechanism for electrically isolating the at least one
outgoing conductor terminal from the at least one lateral conductor tab, the at least
one isolation mechanism being moveable between a first position in which the at
least one outgoing conductor terminal is electrically isolated from the at least one
lateral conductor tab and a second position in which the at least one outgoing
conductor terminal is electrically connected to the at least one lateral conductor tab,
wherein the at least one isolation mechanism is configured to be engageable
with a housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the first position, such that movement of the at least one isolation
mechanism from the first position to the second position is only possible once the at
least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the
electrical distribution board.
The at least one isolation mechanism may also be configured to be engageable with
a housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the second position such that movement of the at least one
isolation mechanism from the second position to the first position is only permitted
once the at least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of
the electrical distribution board.
The housing of the electrical distribution board may house the at least one lateral
conductor tab, the at least one outgoing conductor terminal and the at least one
isolation mechanism. The housing may be electrically insulating. The at least one
outgoing conductor terminal may at least partially protrude from the housing.
The at least one isolation mechanism may be arranged such that it is moveable
substantially within the housing of the electrical distribution board. The at least one
isolation mechanism may be arranged to slidably move between the first position
and the second position within the housing of the electrical distribution board. That
is the at least one isolation mechanism may be arranged to slide relative to the
housing of the electrical distribution board between the first position and the
second position.
The at least one isolation mechanism may include a body portion. The body portion
may house an electrical connector for connecting the at least one outgoing
conductor terminal to the at least one lateral conductor tab. The electrical
connector is arranged to move with the at least one isolation mechanism between
the first and second positions.
When the at least one isolation mechanism is in the first position, the electrical
connector may be in electrical contact with the at least one lateral conductor tab and
out of electrical contact with the at least one outgoing conductor terminal. When
the at least one isolation mechanism is in the second position, the electrical
connector may be in electrical contact with both the at least one outgoing conductor
terminal and the at least one lateral conductor tab.
The at least one isolation mechanism may be a slide operated switch. The at least
one isolation mechanism may be a mechanical switch.
The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may include at least one
engagement portion. The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may
include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion.
The first engagement portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be
configured to engage with an at least partially complimentary shaped engagement
portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board. The first engagement
portions of the at least one isolation mechanism and the housing of the electrical
distribution board being arranged such that the at least one isolation mechanism
and the housing of the electrical distribution board are engageable with one
another, such that movement of the at least one isolation mechanism from the first
position to the second position is only possible once the at least one isolation
mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution
board.
The second engagement portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be
configured to engage with a complimentary shaped engagement portion of the
housing of the electrical distribution board. The second engagement portions of the
at least one isolation mechanism and the housing of the electrical distribution board
being arranged such that the at least one isolation mechanism and the housing of
the electrical distribution board are engageable with one another, such that
movement of the at least one isolation mechanism from the second position to the
first position is only possible once the at least one isolation mechanism has been
disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution board.
The engagement portions of the body portion of the at least one isolation
mechanism may include one or more recessed portions and the engagement portion
of the housing of the electrical distribution board may include one or more
correspondingly shaped protruding portions. The recessed portions being
configured to receive the correspondingly shaped protruding portions therein.
Alternatively, the engagement portions of the body portion of the at least one
isolation mechanism may include one or more protruding portions and the
engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board may include
one or more correspondingly shaped recessed portions.
At least part of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be
resilient. The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be made
from a resilient material.
The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be sufficiently
resilient that, when the at least one isolation mechanism is engaged with the
housing of the electrical distribution board in the first position, or the second
position, the at least one isolation mechanism may be disengaged from the housing
of the electrical distribution board by at least partially deforming the body portion
of the least one isolation mechanism. That is, the at least one isolation mechanism
may be disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution board by at least
partially and temporarily altering the physical shape of the body portion of the least
one isolation mechanism. When the engagement portions of the body portion of the
at least one isolation mechanism includes one or more recessed portions and the
engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board includes one
or more correspondingly shaped protruding portions, the one or more recessed
portions and the one or more protruding portions are separated by the deformation
of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism. When the at least one
isolation mechanism is disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution
board the at least one isolation mechanism may be moved between the first and
second positions.
The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may be disengaged from
the housing of the electrical distribution board by hand.
The engagement portions of the body portion of the at least one isolation
mechanism and the housing of the electrical distribution board may include a
chamfered portion. The chamfered portion assists in the movement of the at least
one isolation mechanism between the first and second positions. The chamfered
portion is positioned adjacent one side of each engagement portion.
The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may include a planar
member which protrudes therefrom. The body portion of the at least one isolation
mechanism and the housing of the electrical distribution board may be arranged
such that the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism is located within
the housing of the electrical distribution board and the planar member protrudes
from the housing of the electrical distribution board.
The planar member may have a top surface with is substantially flush with a top
surface of the housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one
isolation mechanism is in the first position.
The planar member may have a distal end which protrudes from a side of the
housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the first position.
The planar member may be formed integrally with the body portion. The planar
member may be resilient. The planar member may resiliently deform with respect
to the body portion.
The body portion may be formed from polycarbonate. The body portion and planar
member may be formed from polycarbonate.
The planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may
include the at least one engagement portion. The planar member of the body
portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may include the first and second
engagement portions. The first engagement portion may be located towards a distal
end of the planar member. The second engagement portion may be located inwards
of the first engagement portion.
The planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may
include the one or more recessed portions of the first and second engagement
portions.
The housing of the electrical distribution board may include a wall portion. The wall
portion may include the engagement portion. The wall portion of the housing of the
electrical distribution board may include the one or more protruding portions. The
engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board may be
configured to engage with the first and second engagement portions of the planar
member of the at least one isolation mechanism.
Alternatively, the planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation
mechanism may include the one or more protruding portions and the wall portion
of the housing of the electrical distribution board may include the one or more
recessed portions.
The planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may
be sufficiently resilient that, when the at least one isolation mechanism is engaged
with the housing of the electrical distribution board in the first position, or the
second position, the at least one isolation mechanism may be disengaged from the
housing of the electrical distribution board by at least partially deforming the planar
member of the body portion of the least one isolation mechanism. That is, the at
least one isolation mechanism may be disengaged from the housing of the electrical
distribution board by at least partially and temporarily altering the physical shape
of the planar member of the body portion of the least one isolation mechanism.
When the engagement portion of the planar member of the body portion of the at
least one isolation mechanism includes one or more recessed portions and the
engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board includes one
or more correspondingly shaped protruding portions, the one or more recessed
portions and the one or more protruding portions are separated by the deformation
of the planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism.
When the at least one isolation mechanism is disengaged from the housing of the
electrical distribution board the at least one isolation mechanism may be moved
between the first and second positions.
The at least one bus conductor may have a longitudinal axis and the at least one
lateral conductor tab may be arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the at least
one lateral conductor tab is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the at
least one bus conductor.
The electrical distribution board may further comprise an attachment plate. The
housing of the electrical distribution board may be detachably mounted to the
attachment plate.
The attachment plate may comprise one side of an outgoing component mounting
rail. The rail may be a DIN rail. The outgoing component in this case may be a
circuit breaker.
The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may cover at least a part of
an upper surface of a circuit breaker when the at least one isolation mechanism is in
the second position and the circuit breaker is attached to the outgoing component
mounting rail. The body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may cover
a circuit breaker attachment portion when the at least one isolation mechanism is in
the second position and the circuit breaker is attached to the outgoing component
mounting rail.
The planar member of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism may
cover at least a part of an upper surface of a circuit breaker when the at least one
isolation mechanism is in the second position and the circuit breaker is attached to
the outgoing component mounting rail. The planar member of the body portion of
the at least one isolation mechanism may cover a circuit breaker attachment portion
when the at least one isolation mechanism is in the second position and the circuit
breaker is attached to the outgoing component mounting rail.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a plurality of incoming conductor
terminals. The electrical distribution board may comprise three incoming
conductor terminals.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a plurality of outgoing conductor
terminals.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a plurality of longitudinal bus
conductors. The electrical distribution board may comprise three longitudinal bus
conductors. Each bus conductor may be connected to an incoming conductor
terminal.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a plurality of lateral conductor tabs.
Each lateral conductor tab being connected to a bus conductor for distributing
electrical power from the bus conductor to an outgoing conductor terminal.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a plurality of isolation mechanisms.
Each isolation mechanism for electrically isolating an outgoing conductor terminal
from a lateral conductor tab, the isolation mechanism being moveable between a
first position in which the outgoing conductor terminal is electrically isolated from
the lateral conductor tab and a second position in which the outgoing conductor
terminal is electrically connected to the lateral conductor tab.
The outgoing conductor terminals may be located on opposite sides of the housing
of the electrical distribution board.
The at least one isolation mechanism may further include a visual indication device
to indicate if the isolation mechanism is in the first position or the second position.
The at least one isolation mechanism may translate between the first position and
the second position. The at least one isolation mechanism may move laterally with
respect to the at least one bus conductor.
The electrical distribution board may further comprise at least on outgoing circuit
component. The outgoing circuit component may be a circuit breaker.
The electrical distribution board may comprise a base assembly comprising a
mounting plate that supports the bus conductors and the lateral tabs. The mounting
plate may provide mounting points for one or more circuit breakers of the outgoing
circuit. The mounting plate may comprise one side of an outgoing component
mounting rail. The rail may be a DIN rail. The outgoing component in this case may
be a circuit breaker.
The electrical distribution board may further comprise an incoming supply base
module. The incoming supply base module provides support for the associated
wiring of the electrical distribution board.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -
Figure 1 is a side view of an electrical distribution board according to the present
invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the electrical distribution board of figure 1;
Figures 4 and 5 are partial cut out views of figure 3;
Figure 6 is a partial side view of an isolation mechanism of the electrical distribution
board in the first position;
Figure 7 is a partial side view of an isolation mechanism of the electrical distribution
board in the second position;
Figure 8 is a side view of the isolation mechanism of the electrical distribution
board;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the isolation mechanism of figure 8;
Figure 10 is an in-use side view of the electrical distribution board with a circuit
breaker being attached;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of figure 10;
Figure 12 is a side view of the electrical distribution board after the circuit breaker
has been attached and the isolation mechanism has been moved to the second
position; and
Figure 13 is a perspective view of figure 12.
Figure 1 illustrates an electrical distribution board 10. The electrical distribution
board 10 comprises a plurality of incoming conductor terminals (not shown), a
plurality of outgoing conductor terminals 12, a set of longitudinal bus conductors
14, a plurality of lateral conductor tabs 15 (see figure 5) and a plurality of isolation
mechanisms 16.
The bus conductors 14 are connected to the incoming conductor terminals. The
incoming terminals are, in the embodiment illustrated here, connected to a threephase
incoming power supply. The bus conductors 14 have longitudinal axes.
As illustrated in figure 5, the lateral conductor tabs 15 are connected to the bus
conductors 14 and are for distributing electrical power from the bus conductors 14
to the outgoing conductor terminals 12. The lateral conductor tabs 15 are
selectively connected to only one bus conductor 14 for the transfer of electrical
power to only one outgoing conductor terminal 12. The lateral conductor tabs 1
are arranged such that the longitudinal axes of the bus conductors 14 are
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the lateral bus conductors 15.
The electrical distribution board 10 includes a housing 18. With reference to figures
1 and 4 in particular, the housing 18 houses the lateral conductor tabs 15, the
outgoing conductor terminals 12 (at least partially) and the isolation mechanisms
16. The outgoing conductor terminals 12 protrude from the housing 18. The
housing 18 is electrically insulated.
The electrical distribution board 10 further comprises an attachment plate 20. The
housing 18 of the electrical distribution board is detachably mounted to the
attachment plate 20 via resilient connection members 18a. The housing 18 is
removably attachable to the attachment plate 20 by engaging and disengaging the
connection members 18a with the attachment plate 20. The attachment plate 20
includes an outgoing component mounting rail 22. The rail may be a DIN rail. The
outgoing component in this case may be a circuit breaker 24, as illustrated in figures
9 to 12 and described further below. The attachment plate 20 (and housing 18) is
typically fitted inside a wall unit, or the like.
The isolation mechanisms 16 are for electrically isolating the outgoing conductor
terminals 12 from the lateral conductor tabs 15 (and bus conductors 14). As
illustrated in figures 4, 5, 8 and 9, each isolation mechanism 16 includes a body
portion 26. The body portion 26 is made from polycarbonate, although it should be
appreciated that the body portion 26 could be made from any other suitable
material. The body portion 26 includes a planar member 28 which protrudes
therefrom. The planar member 28 functions as a hand operated switch and
provides a hand contact point for operation of the isolation mechanism 16. The
planar member 28 is integrally formed with the body portion 26. The planar
member 28 is resilient. That is, the planar member 28 may resiliently deform with
respect to the body portion 26 of the isolation mechanism. With reference to figure
8, the planar member 28 is configured to move in the directions of the arrows, as
indicated. That is, the planar member 28 may bend around a general point 32. The
bending action of the planar member 28 is a result of the material of construction of
the body portion 26 (and planar member 28) and the configuration (size, thickness
and width, physical properties) of the planar member 28 and body portion 26.
The body portion 26 of the isolation mechanism 16 houses an electrical connector
30 for connecting the outgoing conductor terminal 12 to the lateral conductor tab
1 (see below).
As best illustrated in figure 4, the housing 18 houses the isolation mechanism 16
therein, with the planar member 28 protruding from a top/side wall 18b, 18c
thereof. The planar member 28 has a top surface 28a which is substantially flush
with the top surface 18b of the housing 18.
The isolation mechanism 16 (body portion 26, planar member 28 and electrical
connector 30) are arranged such they are slidably moveable within the housing 18.
With particular reference to figure 5, the isolation mechanisms 16 are moveable
between a first position ("Off", "0") in which the outgoing conductor terminal 12 is
electrically isolated from the lateral conductor tab 1 and a second position ("On",
"I") in which the outgoing conductor terminal 12 is electrically connected to the
lateral conductor tab 15. When the isolation mechanism 16 is in the first position
("Off", "0"), the electrical connector 30 is in electrical contact with the lateral
conductor tab 1 and out of contact with the outgoing conductor terminal 12. When
the isolation mechanism 16 is in the second position ("On", "I"), the electrical
connector 30 is in electrical contact with both the lateral conductor tab 1 and the
outgoing conductor terminal 12. As illustrated in figures 3 to 5, the isolation
mechanisms 16 are arranged to slidably move between the first position ("Off", "0")
and the second position ("On", "I") within the housing 18.
As best illustrated in figures 3 to 9, the body portion 26 of the isolation mechanism
16 includes an engagement portion 34 and the housing 18 includes a complimentary
shaped engagement portion 36. More specifically, the planar member 28 of the
body portion 26 of the isolation mechanism 16 includes an engagement portion 34
and the side wall 18c of the housing includes the shaped engagement portion 36.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the engagement portion 34 of the
isolation mechanism 16 is in the form of a recessed portion and the engagement
portion 36 of the housing is in the form of a protruding portion. The recessed
portion being configured to receive at least a part of the protruding portion therein,
as illustrated in figure 6 .
As illustrated in figure 6, the isolation mechanism 16 is configured to be engageable
with the housing 18 when the isolation mechanism 16 is in the first position ("Off",
"0"), such that movement of the isolation mechanism 16 to the second position
("On", "I") is only possible by disengaging the isolation mechanism 16 from the
housing 18. As illustrated in figure 6, due to the engagement between the
engagement portions 34 and 36 of the planar member 34 and the housing 18, it is
not possible to slide the planar member 28 from the first position ("Off", "0") to the
second position ("On", "I").
As describe above, the planar member 28 of the body portion 26 of the isolation
mechanism 16 is sufficiently resilient that, when the isolation mechanism 16 is
engaged with the housing 18 of the electrical distribution board 10 in the first
position ("Off", "0"), the isolation mechanism 16 may be disengaged from the
housing 18 by at least partially deforming the planar member 28. That is, the
isolation mechanism 16 may be disengaged from the housing 18 by at least partially
and temporarily altering the physical shape of the planar member 28. When the
engagement portion 34 of the planar member 28 includes one or more recessed
portions and the engagement portion 36 of the housing 18 includes one or more
protruding portions, the one or more recessed portions and the one or more
protruding portions are separated by the deformation of the planar member 28.
When the one or more recessed portions and the one or more protruding portions
are separated by the deformation of the planar member 28 the isolation mechanism
16 may be moved (slid) from the first position ("Off", "0") to the second position
("On", "I"). The operation of the isolation mechanism 16 may be performed by hand.
The planar member 28 includes a further recessed portion 28b on its top surface
28a to facilitate operation thereof with, for example, a finger. When the isolation
mechanism 16 is disengaged from the housing 18, the isolation mechanism 16 may
be moved between the first and second positions ("Off", "0"), ("On", "I").
The isolation mechanism 16 may be reengaged with the housing 18 by moving
(sliding) the planar member 28 from the second position ("On", "I") to the first
position ("Off", "0"). This is performed by pushing the planar member 28 back
towards the housing 18. As best illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the planar member 28
and the housing 18 include chamfered portions 28c, 18d which facilitate
reengagement of the engagement portions 34, 36.
The housing 18 and the isolation mechanisms 16 include visual indicators ("0", "I")
to indicate the position of the isolation mechanism 16.
The operation of the electrical distribution board 10 will now be described with
reference to figures 10 to 13. Figure 10 illustrates the circuit breaker 24 being
attached to the electrical distribution board 10. In this position the isolation
mechanism 16 is in the first position ("Off", "0") and the engagement portions 34, 36
are in engagement with one another. In order to fit the circuit breaker 24 to the
electrical distribution board 10 it must be attached to the outgoing component
mounting rail 22 and the outgoing conductor terminal 12 being connected to a
circuit breaker connection point 24a, in the usual manner. As illustrated, the circuit
breaker 24 is initially positioned just under the lower surface 28d of the planar
member 28 of the isolation mechanism 16 and, as the circuit breaker 24 connects
and pivots with respect to the rail 22 as it is pushed downwards, the planar member
28 deforms with respect to the body portion 26. That is, the planar member 28 is
pushed upwards slightly as the circuit breaker 24 is connected to the rail 22. As the
planar member 28 is pushed upwards the engagement portions 34, 36 of the planar
member 28 and housing 18 partially disengage from one another. As described
above, this disengagement of the isolation mechanism 16 from the housing 18 is as a
result of the resilience of the planar member 28. The attached circuit breaker 24 is
illustrated in figure 11. It should be appreciated that in this state the isolation
mechanism 16 is fully engaged with the housing 18. That is, operation of the
isolation mechanism 16 is prohibited, as the engagement portions 34, 36 of the
planar member 28 and housing 18 are engaged with one another.
Figures 12 and 13, illustrate the isolation mechanism 16 in the second position
("On", "I"). Here it can be seen that the planar member 28 has been pulled upwards,
such that the engagement portions 34, 36 of the planar member 28 and housing 18
are disengaged from one another, and pulled to the right, such that the isolation
mechanism 16 is moved from the first position ("Off", "0") to the second position
("On", "I"), thus energising the outgoing conductor terminals 12. As described
above, in order to disengage the planar member 28 from the housing 18, it is
necessary to physically bend (i.e. lift) the planar member 28 upwards and away
from the housing. This action brings the engagement portions 34, 36 out of
engagement with one another and allows movement of the isolation mechanism 16
from the first position ("Off, "0") to the second position ("On", "I").
With reference to figures 11 and 13, it should be noticed that the planar member 28
is of a sufficient length that, when in the second position ("On", "I"), the planar
member 28 covers the circuit breaker connection point 24a. This prevents
accidental disconnection of the circuit breaker 24 while the isolation mechanism 16
is in the second position ("On", "I").
In order to return the isolation mechanism 16 to the first position ("Off", "0"), the
process described above is reversed. That is, the planar member 28 is lifted and
pushed back into the housing 18. The chamfered portions 18d, 28c of the housing
18 and the planar member 28 facilitate the return of the isolation mechanism 16 to
the first position ("Off, "0"). Note that, due to the chamfered portions 18d, 28c, it is
not always necessary to lift the planar member 28 before pushing inwards.
The circuit breaker 24 can then be safely removed from the electrical distribution
board 10 on the known manner.
The electrical distribution board 10 of the present invention reduces the risk of
accidental electrocution by energising the outgoing conductor terminals. Providing
an electrical distribution board 10 where the isolation mechanism 16 must firstly be
disengaged from the housing 18 before operation reduces the chance of someone
accidentally energising. The electrical distribution board 10 of the present
invention also mitigates the use of additional locking components to prevent
operation of the isolation mechanism.
Modifications and improvements may be made to the above without departing from
the scope of the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated that the at
least one isolation mechanism may also be configured to be engageable with a
housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the second position such that movement of the at least one
isolation mechanism from the second position to the first position is only permitted
once the at least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of
the electrical distribution board. In this arrangement the body portion 26 of the
isolation mechanism 16 may include first and second engagement portions. The
first and second engagement portions being substantially identical and the first
engagement portion for maintaining the isolation mechanism in the first position
and the second engagement portion for maintaining the isolation mechanism in the
second position. The physical arrangement and operation of the second
engagement portion may be substantially the same as that describe above with
reference to the first engagement portion.
It should also be appreciated that the recessed portions and protruding portions of
the engagement portions of the isolation mechanism and the housing may be
reversed.
Furthermore, although the body portion of the isolation mechanism has been
illustrated and described above as being resilient and the isolation mechanism may
be disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution board by at least
partially deforming the body portion of the least one isolation mechanism, it should
be appreciated that alternatively, or additionally, the body portion may be biased
towards the engaged position with the housing. That is, the body portion may be
held in engagement with the housing via a biasing mechanism when the isolation
mechanism is in the first position. The body portion may be spring biased.
In the arrangement where the isolation mechanism is held in engagement with the
housing in the first position solely via a biasing mechanism, the isolation mechanism
is disengaged from the housing by applying a force in the opposite direction to the
force applied by the biasing mechanism (e.g. against the biasing force of a biasing
spring) to disengage the engagement portions of the body portion and the housing.
Once the engagement portions of the body portion and the housing have been
disengaged, the isolation mechanism can be moved to the second position in the
manner described above. In this arrangement it should be appreciated that the
body portion, in addition to being laterally moveable with respect to the housing,
may be vertically translatable with respect to the housing. The vertical translation
of the body portion allows the body portion to engage and disengage with the
housing, depending on the specific arrangement of the engagement portions thereof.
It should be appreciated that either the entire body portion (including the planar
member), in addition to be laterally translatable, may be vertically translatable, or
the planar member on its own may be vertically translatable and laterally
translatable. In the arrangement where the planar member is both vertically
translatable and laterally translatable, the body portion, to which the planar
member is attached, may only be laterally translatable and the planar member may
translate vertically, while still being attached, thereto. Alternatively, the planar
member may be pivotably connected to the body portion and the planar member is
biased into engagement with the housing. In this arrangement the planar member
is brought out of engagement with the housing by applying a force against the
direction of the biasing force (e.g. pushed downwards into the housing, or pulled
upwards out of the housing). The planar member (and body portion) is then slid to
the second position, as described above. Where the planar member is pivotably
connected to the body portion, the pivot point may include a coil spring which
biases the planar member into the engaged position with the housing. It should be
appreciated that the isolation mechanism may be engaged with the housing in the
first position by virtue of the arrangement of the body portion (and planar member)
and engagement portions described above (i.e. disengaged by deformation of the
body portion), or may be engaged with the housing in the first position by virtue of
the biasing mechanism (i.e. disengaged by applying an opposite force to the biasing
mechanism). It should also be appreciated that the isolation mechanism may
include both engagement devices.
Where the isolation mechanism arrangement is in engagement with the housing in
the first position by virtue of the arrangement of the body portion (and planar
member) and engagement portions, the disengagement may be performed by hand
or a toll (e.g. a screwdriver).
The above-described arrangements are also applicable when the isolation
mechanism is in an engaged position with the housing in the second position.
Where the isolation mechanism includes, or comprises, is in engagement with the
housing in the first position by virtue of the biasing mechanism, the disengagement
may be performed by hand or a tool (e.g. a screwdriver). The isolation mechanism
may include a tool receiving aperture to receive the tool and allow the opposing
biasing force to be applied.
Claims
1 . An electrical distribution board comprising:
at least one incoming conductor terminal;
at least one outgoing conductor terminal;
at least one longitudinal bus conductor connected to the at least one
incoming conductor terminal;
at least one lateral conductor tab connected to the at least one bus conductor
for distributing electrical power from the at least one bus conductor to the at least
one outgoing conductor terminal; and
at least one isolation mechanism for electrically isolating the at least one
outgoing conductor terminal from the at least one lateral conductor tab, the at least
one isolation mechanism being moveable between a first position in which the at
least one outgoing conductor terminal is electrically isolated from the at least one
lateral conductor tab and a second position in which the at least one outgoing
conductor terminal is electrically connected to the at least one lateral conductor tab,
wherein the at least one isolation mechanism is configured to be engageable
with a housing of the electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the first position, such that movement of the at least one isolation
mechanism from the first position to the second position is only possible once the at
least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the
electrical distribution board.
2 . An electrical distribution board according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
isolation mechanism is also configured to be engageable with a housing of the
electrical distribution board when the at least one isolation mechanism is in the
second position such that movement of the at least one isolation mechanism from
the second position to the first position is only permitted once the at least one
isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the electrical
distribution board.
3 . An electrical distribution board according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the
at least one isolation mechanism includes a body portion which houses an electrical
connector for connecting the at least one outgoing conductor terminal to the at least
one lateral conductor tab.
4 . An electrical distribution board according to claim 3, wherein the electrical
connector is arranged to move with the at least one isolation mechanism between
the first and second positions.
5 . An electrical distribution board according to claim 4, wherein, when the at
least one isolation mechanism is in the first position, the electrical connector is in
electrical contact with the at least one lateral conductor tab and out of electrical
contact with the at least one outgoing conductor terminal, and when the at least one
isolation mechanism is in the second position, the electrical connector is in electrical
contact with both the at least one outgoing conductor terminal and the at least one
lateral conductor tab.
6 . An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein
the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism includes a first engagement
portion configured to engage with an at least partially complimentary shaped
engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board, the first
engagement portion of the at least one isolation mechanism and the housing of the
electrical distribution board being arranged such that the at least one isolation
mechanism and the housing of the electrical distribution board are engageable with
one another, such that movement of the at least one isolation mechanism from the
first position to the second position is only possible once the at least one isolation
mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution
board.
7 . An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein
the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism includes a second
engagement portion configured to engage with an at least partially complimentary
shaped engagement portion of the housing of the electrical distribution board, the
second engagement portion of the at least one isolation mechanism and the housing
of the electrical distribution board being arranged such that the at least one
isolation mechanism and the housing of the electrical distribution board are
engageable with one another, such that movement of the at least one isolation
mechanism from the second position to the first position is only possible once the at
least one isolation mechanism has been disengaged from the housing of the
electrical distribution board.
8 . An electrical distribution board according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein one
of the engagement portions of the body portion of the at least one isolation
mechanism or the engagement portions of the housing of the electrical distribution
board include one or more recessed portions and the other of the engagement
portions of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism or the
engagement portions of the housing of the electrical distribution board include one
or more correspondingly shaped protruding portions.
9 . An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein at
least part of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism is resilient.
10. An electrical distribution board according to claim 9, wherein the body
portion of the at least one isolation mechanism is sufficiently resilient that, when the
at least one isolation mechanism is engaged with the housing of the electrical
distribution board in the first position, or the second position, the at least one
isolation mechanism is disengaged from the housing of the electrical distribution
board by at least partially deforming the body portion of the least one isolation
mechanism.
11. An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein
the engagement portions of the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism
and the housing of the electrical distribution board include at least one chamfered
portion positioned adjacent at least one side of each engagement portion.
12. An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein
the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism includes a planar member,
the planar member being formed integrally with the body portion and being
configured to resiliently deform with respect to the body portion.
13. An electrical distribution board according to claim 12, when dependent on
any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the planar member of the body portion includes the
first and second engagement portions.
14. An electrical distribution board according to any of claims 3 to 13, wherein
the body portion of the at least one isolation mechanism is arranged to cover at least
a part of an upper surface of a circuit breaker when the at least one isolation
mechanism is in the second position and the circuit breaker is attached to the
outgoing component mounting rail.
15 . An electrical distribution board as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying figures.