Integrated direct mount branch protection for variable frequency drive

An integrated power protection and conditioning system comprising:

• a variable frequency drive (VFD) operable to provide a controlled output power to a load;
• a branch protection device operable to selectively interrupt current flow from a power source to the VFD during a fault condition, the branch protection device comprising a branch protection box;
• and
• a mounting bracket positioned between a bottom surface of a housing of the VFD and the branch protection box to couple the branch protection box to the housing of the VFD, wherein the branch protection box is mounted directly to the housing of the VFD with the mounting bracket to integrate the branch protection device with the VFD.

A method for providing an integrated power protection and conditioning system, the method comprising:

• providing a branch protection device comprising a branch protection box enclosing branch protection circuitry operable to selectively interrupt current flow;
• and
• mounting the branch protection device to a variable frequency drive (VFD) comprising a housing enclosing power conversion circuitry operable to provide a controlled output power to a load;
• wherein mounting the branch protection device to the VFD comprises coupling the branch protection box to the housing, such that the branch protection device is integrated with the VFD, and, wherein coupling the branch protection box to the housing comprises:
• securing a mounting bracket to a bottom surface of the housing via a plurality of fasteners;
• and
• securing side surfaces of the branch protection box to the mounting bracket via a plurality of additional fasteners;
• wherein the branch protection device is mounted to the VFD upon securing of the mounting bracket to the bottom surface of the housing and upon securing of the side surfaces of the branch protection box to the mounting bracket.

A system comprising:

• an industrial control device comprising:
• a device housing;
• and
• a power conversion circuit in the device housing;
• a branch protection device comprising:
• a branch protection housing;
• and
• a power protection circuit in the branch protection housing, the power protection circuit configured to interrupt current flow between a power source and the industrial control device during a fault condition;
• and
• a mounting bracket positioned between a bottom surface of the device housing and a top surface of the branch protection housing, the mounting bracket coupling the branch protection housing to the device housing such that the branch protection device is integrated with the industrial control device, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket comprising:
• side legs each including a plurality of fastener holes;
• and
• a connecting leg coupling the pair of side legs together, the connecting leg including a plurality of fastener holes and a plurality of electrical conduit holes.