CLIAMS:We Claim:

1. A support assembly (100) for conductors (200) in a distribution board, the support assembly (100) comprising:
a base channel (10) having a plurality of holes (4) configured thereon and fixing means (8) attached on either ends thereof;
a bottom support (20) mounted on the base channel (10), the bottom support (20) having a projection (18) configured on a top surface thereof;
a top support (30) mounted on the bottom support (20), the top support (30) having a hexagonal block (28) configured on a top surface thereof, the hexagonal block (28) having,
a cavity (22) configured centrally thereon and adapted to hold the projection (18) of the bottom support (20) therein, and
at least three steps (24) configured along sides thereof, the at least three steps (24) adapted to receive three different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors (200) therein; and
a washer (40) fixed on the top support (30),
wherein each 30 degree angle rotation of the top support (30) causes accommodation of different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors (200) in one of the at least three steps (24).

2. The support assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base channel (10) is made of steel.

3. The support assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes (4) guides the mounting of the bottom support (20) on the base channel (10).

4. The support assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom support (20) and the top support (30) are made up of plastic.

5. The support assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 is tightened to a specific torque using a plurality of bolts (50).

6. The support assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer (40) is a profile washer made up of steel that distributes axial load of the plurality of bolts (50) over the top support (30).
,TagSPECI:Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to a distribution board and more particularly, to a support assembly for conductors in the distribution board.

Background of the invention

A distribution board is a component of an electricity supply system which distributes an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits. Generally in the distribution boards, a main bus is fed through an incoming breaker. The main bus then runs along a top/middle/bottom of the distribution board and vertical droppers are taken out therefrom for further distribution or to supply to outgoing breakers.

There are lots of supporting arrangements available in the prior art for supporting a busbar and dropper conductors/flats. However, these supporting arrangements are used to hold only a particular cross section/thickness of the conductor/flat. To accommodate different cross sections/thicknesses, different arrangements are used by changing one or more parts thereof.

To feed the electrical power to various feeders, the supporting arrangements need to be simple, scalable and efficient for space utilization and also, should be easily accessible for assembly and maintenance.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a support assembly for conductors that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to accommodate and support three different cross sections/thicknesses of conductors.

Another object of the present invention is to protect the conductor from shock and vibration during transport.

Yet another object of the present invention is to withstand an electromagnetic force developed during a short circuit condition.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a support assembly for conductors in a distribution board. The support assembly comprises a base channel, a bottom support, a top support and a washer.

The base channel includes a plurality of holes configured thereon and fixing means attached on either ends thereof. The base channel is made of steel. The bottom support is mounted on the base channel. The plurality of holes guides the mounting of the bottom support on the base channel. The bottom support includes a projection configured on a top surface thereof. The top support is mounted on the bottom support. The bottom support and the top support are made up of plastic. The top support includes a hexagonal block configured on a top surface thereof. The hexagonal block includes a cavity configured centrally thereon and at least three steps configured along sides thereof. The cavity is adapted to hold the projection of the bottom support therein. The at least three steps is adapted to receive three different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors therein. Each 30 degree angle rotation of the top support causes accommodation of different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors in one of the at least three steps. The washer is fixed on the top support. The support assembly is tightened to a specific torque using a plurality of bolts. The washer is a profile washer made up of steel that distributes axial load of the plurality of bolts over the top support.
Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an assembly view of a support assembly for conductors in a distribution board, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a base channel of the support assembly of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a bottom support of the support assembly of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a top support of the support assembly of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a washer of the support assembly of figure 1; and

Figure 6 shows different orientation angles of parts of the support assembly of figure 1 for accommodation of different cross sections/thickness of the conductors, 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 embodiments.

The present invention provides a support assembly for conductors/busbars in a distribution board. The support assembly is designed to support three different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors/busbars and capable of withstanding an electromagnetic force developed during a short circuit condition. The support assembly being compact in design requires less space and helps to protect the conductors/busbars from shock and vibration during transport and other such disturbances.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1-6, a support assembly (100) for conductors (200) in a distribution board (not shown) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The support assembly (100) comprises a base channel (10), a bottom support (20), a top support (30) and a washer (40).

The base channel (10) includes a plurality of holes (4) and fixing means (8). The plurality of holes (4) is configured on the base channel (10). The plurality of holes (4) guides the placement of the bottom support (20) on the base channel (10). The fixing means (8) is attached on either ends of the base channel (10). The fixing means (8) is adapted to fix the base channel (10). In an embodiment, the base channel (10) is made of steel.

The bottom support (20) is a rectangular housing having one open side (not numbered). The open side on an inner surface (not numbered) includes a panel (14) slidably attached thereto. The bottom support (20) includes a projection (18) configured on a top surface (not numbered) thereof.

The top support (30) is a rectangular hollow housing having an open bottom surface (not numbered). The top support (30) includes a hexagonal block (28) configured on a top surface (not numbered) thereof. The hexagonal block (28) includes a cavity (22) configured centrally thereon and at least three steps (24) configured along sides (not numbered) thereof. In an embodiment, the bottom support (20) and the top support (30) are made up of plastic. The at least three steps (24) are of different size and adapted to accommodate three different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors (200). However, it is understood that the bottom support (20) and the top support (30) may be made from any other suitable material known in the art and the at least three steps (24) may be of same size in other alternative embodiments of the support assembly (100). The top support (30) is fixed on the bottom support (20) such that the projection (18) of the bottom support (20) is held inside the cavity (22) of the hexagonal block (28) and the open bottom surface of the top support (30) faces an upward direction.

Each 30 degree angle rotation of the top support (30) causes accommodation of different cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors (200) in one of the at least three steps (24). The washer (40) is fixed on the open bottom surface of the top support (30) for reinforcement thereof. The washer (40) is made of steel. In an embodiment, the washer (40) is a profile washer.

Now again referring to figures 1-6, construction of the support assembly (100) in accordance with the present invention is described. The plurality of holes (4) guides the mounting of the bottom support (20) on the base channel (10). The bottom support (20) is mounted on the base channel (10) such that the projection (18) of the bottom support (20) faces an upward direction and the panel (14) and the open side of the bottom support (20) gets fitted on the base channel (10). Then, appropriate conductors (200) are selected as per required rating and placed on the bottom support (20). The bottom support (20) helps to isolate the conductors (200) from the base channel (10). Thereafter, as per thickness of the conductors (200), the top support (30) is placed and oriented in an angle such that the conductors (200) gets accommodated in one of the at least three steps (24). The projection (18) of the bottom support (20) is held inside the cavity (22) of the hexagonal block (28). The washer (40) is then mounted on the open bottom surface of the top support (30) to form the support assembly (100). The support assembly (100) is then tightened to a specific torque using a plurality of bolts (50). In an embodiment, the profile washer made up of steel distributes axial load of the plurality of bolts (50) over the top support (30). The washer (40) is adapted to transfer pressure of the plurality of bolts (50) directly to the conductors (200) thereby allowing the support assembly (100) to withstand the stress induced due to electrodynamics forces during vulnerable fault condition.
Advantages of the invention

1. The support assembly (100) helps to isolate the conductors (200) from other structural members thus protecting the conductors (200) from faults.
2. The support assembly (100) being compact in design requires less space.
3. The support assembly (100) is made up of two plastic components reinforced with steel component to withstand the stress induced due to electrodynamics forces during vulnerable fault condition.
4. The support assembly (100) helps to protect the conductors (200) from shock and vibration during transport and other such disturbances.
5. The support assembly (100) is capable of accommodating three cross sections/thicknesses of the conductors (200) by only changing mounting direction of the top support (30).
6. The bottom support (20) being made of steel reinforcement helps to withstand high electrodynamic forces during fault conditions and also, eliminates the significant amount of plastic material meant to withstand the force.
7. The support assembly (100) provides an efficient and support to various thickness conductors (200) during normal condition as well during abnormal conditions like short circuit fault.
8. The support assembly (100) is also supports hole less conductors/flats.

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.