Arc extinguishing stab housing and method

A power management system, comprising:

• an enclosure having at least one unit containing a component for managing a load;
• at least one electrical connector electrically coupling an external power supply to at least one power lead wire which routes power to the component;
• and
• a connector housing substantially enclosing the at least one electrical connector, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of barriers configured to direct an arc flash on a preferred path.

A motor control center, comprising:

• an enclosure having a vertical section including a bucket unit, wherein the bucket unit contains a component for managing a power supply to a load disposed outside of the enclosure;
• a metal power stab electrically coupling an external power supply to a power lead wire which delivers power to the component within the bucket unit;
• and
• a stab housing substantially enclosing the metal power stab, wherein the stab housing comprises a plurality of barriers configured to direct an arcing flash on a preferred path.

A method of managing an arc fault within an electrical power supply system, comprising:

• supplying main power to the electrical power supply system;
• allowing an arc fault current to propagate through a stab wire;
• isolating a stab and at least a portion of the stab wire within a stab housing assembly;
• and
• causing arc fault current interruption within the stab assembly housing.

An electrical power supply system, comprising:

• means for supplying main power to the electrical power supply system;
• means for directing propagation of an arcing fault within the electrical power supply system into an enclosure disposed in the electrical power supply system;
• and
• means for interrupting a current of the arcing fault within the enclosure.

A system, comprising

• means for substantially enclosing electrical connectors which receive power from a multi-phase power bus;
• and
• means for directing an arc flash to a location within a substantially enclosed region of the electrical connectors;
• and
• means for interrupting the arc flash at the location.