Breaker panels and retrofitting breaker panels
AssigneeSchneider Electric USA, Inc.
InventorChad R. Mittelstadt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of retrofitting includes removing a main breaker from a main receptacle of a breaker panel interior, and installing a main switching device that includes a relay into the main receptacle of the breaker panel interior. The interior includes a first line bus and a second line bus and a plurality of connectors configured to receive branch devices for controlling individual circuits. In an ON state of the relay, the relay can electrically connect first and second relay lines in to the first and second line main busses. In an OFF state of the relay, the relay can electrically isolate the first and second relay lines in from the first and second line main busses. The original main breaker can be connected outside the breaker panel, e.g. for use as a firefighter disconnect.
Claims20
A switching device comprising:a relay;a first lug electrically connected to the relay by a first relay line in;a second lug electrically connected to the relay by a second relay line in;a first bus connector electrically connected to the relay;
- anda second bus connector electrically connected to the relay, wherein in an ON state of the relay, the relay is configured to electrically connect the first relay line in to the first bus connector and to electrically connect the second relay line in to the second bus connector, and wherein in an OFF state of the relay, the relay is configured to electrically isolate the first relay line in from the first bus connector and to electrically isolate the second relay line in from the second bus connector.
A system comprising:a breaker panel;an interior mounted in the breaker panel, the interior including a first line bus and a second line bus and a plurality of connectors configured to receive branch devices for controlling individual circuits;
- anda main switching device including:a relay;a first lug electrically connected to the relay by a first relay line in;a second lug electrically connected to the relay by a second relay line in;
- a first bus connector electrically connected to the relay and to the first line bus;
- and a second bus connector electrically connected to the relay and to the second line bus, wherein in an ON state of the relay, the relay is configured to electrically connect the first
- relay line in to the first bus connector and to electrically connect the second relay line in to the second bus connector, and wherein in an OFF state of the relay, the relay is configured to electrically isolate the first relay line in from the first bus connector and to electrically isolate the second relay line in from the second bus connector.
Method of retrofitting comprising:
- removing a main breaker from a main receptacle of a breaker panel interior;
- and
- installing a main switching device that includes a relay into the main receptacle of the breaker panel interior.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.