Roof support system for an electrical distribution system enclosure

A roof support system for an enclosure of an electrical distribution system, the roof support system comprising:

• a support member configured to be mounted between a roof panel of the enclosure and a frame of the enclosure, the support member being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the extended position of the support member being configured to support the roof panel in an open position of the roof panel, the support member being configured to be in the retracted position when the roof panel is in a closed position of the roof panel, the support member comprising a pin;
• a cam lock mechanism operatively connected to the support member for releasably locking the support member in the extended position, the cam lock mechanism comprising a rail having a slot, the pin of the support member being received within the slot when the support member is in the extended position such that engagement of the pin with a closed end of the slot prevents the support member from moving from the extended position toward the retracted position, the cam lock mechanism comprising a cam configured to rotate between a locking position and a release position, wherein the locking position of the cam at least partially blocks an open end of the slot such that the pin of the support member is prevented from backing out of the slot;
• and
• a hot stick having an electrically insulative body that extends a length from a handle to a tip, the tip being configured to engage the roof panel such that a user holding the hot stick can lift the roof panel from the closed position to the open position using the hot stick.

An enclosure for an electrical distribution system, the enclosure comprising:

• a frame having an interior compartment configured to hold at least one electrical component;
• a roof panel mounted to the frame at a hinge, the roof panel being movable about the hinge between a closed position that closes an upper opening of the frame and an open position that exposes the interior compartment through the upper opening;
• and
• a roof support system comprising:
• a support member configured to be mounted between the roof panel and the frame of the enclosure, the support member being movable between an extended position wherein the support member supports the roof panel in the open position and a retracted position when the roof panel is in the closed position, the support member comprising a pin;
• and
• a cam lock mechanism operatively connected to the support member for releasably locking the support member in the extended position, the cam lock mechanism comprising a rail having a slot, the pin of the support member being received within the slot when the support member is in the extended position such that engagement of the pin with a closed end of the slot prevents the support member from moving from the extended position toward the retracted position, the cam lock mechanism comprising a cam configured to rotate between a locking position and a release position, wherein the locking position of the cam locks the support member in the extended position by preventing the pin of the support member from backing out of the slot.