US 5,393,942 AGranted

Panelboard having panel-mounted interlock for two main circuit breakers

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsRichard A. Reiner, Loy A. Hicks, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An interlock between two main circuit breakers comprises a bracket mounted to the interior panel transversely of the panel and a sliding interlock member mounted on a forward portion of the bracket, which portion fits within the unmodified opening of a panelboard cover and fills the space within the opening between the two main circuit breakers. Padlock hasps may be provided on the interlock member to additionally lock either or both main circuit breakers in an OFF condition. Tabs on the bracket overlie forward facing surfaces of the main circuit breakers to block removal of the main circuit breakers while the bracket is installed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An electrical panelboard adapted to be supplied from primary and alternative electrical supply sources, said panelboard comprising:

a panel;
a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending mounting rails on said panel;
insulators mounted on said panel;
a plurality of bus bars supported on said insulators;
first plug-in connector means on said bus bars being sequentially disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals along said panel intermediate said mounting rails, said insulators and said first plug-in connector means together defining a plurality of pole spaces on said panel;
first and second multi-pole main circuit breakers mounted to said panel, said main circuit breakers each comprising second plug-in connector means and a wire-receiving terminal for each pole thereof, one end of respective said main circuit breakers being attached to one of said mounting rails and respective said second plug-in connector means being engaged with respective said first plug-in connector means, said main circuit breakers each comprising an operator handle movable to operate the respective main circuit breaker between ON and OFF conditions, said wire-receiving terminals of one of said first and second main circuit breakers being connectable to a primary electrical supply source and said wire-receiving terminals of another of said first and second main circuit breakers being connectable to an alternative electrical supply source, said first and second main circuit breakers being operable in ON conditions thereof for connecting said bus bars with a respective said primary or alternative electrical supply source;
and
interlock means between said first and second main circuit breakers preventing both main circuit breakers from being contemporaneously operated to the ON condition, said interlock means comprising:
a bracket mounted transversely of said panel between said first and second main breakers, said bracket being attached to said mounting rails and comprising a forward portion disposed in substantial coincidental alignment with forward portions of said first and second main circuit breakers;
and
an interlock member movably mounted on said bracket forward portion, said interlock member being engagable with said operator handles of said first and second main circuit breakers, blocking movement of one of said operator handles from an OFF position when the other of said operator handles is in an ON condition.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

An electrical panelboard adapted to be supplied from primary and alternative electrical supply sources, said panelboard comprising:

a panel;
a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending mounting rails on said panel;
insulators mounted on said panel;
a plurality of bus bars supported on said insulators;
first plug-in connector means on said bus bars being sequentially disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals along said panel intermediate said mounting rails, said insulators and said first plug-in connector means together defining a plurality of pole spaces on said panel;
first and second multi-pole main circuit breakers mounted to said panel, said main circuit breakers each comprising second plug-in connector means and a wire-receiving terminal for each pole thereof, one end of respective said main circuit breakers being attached to one of said mounting rails and respective said second plug-in connector means being engaged with respective said first plug-in connector means, said main circuit breakers each comprising an operator handle movable to operate the respective main circuit breaker between ON and OFF conditions, said wire-receiving terminals of one of said first and second main circuit breakers being connectable to a primary electrical supply source and said wire-receiving terminals of another of said first and second main circuit breakers being connectable to an alternative electrical supply source, said first and second main circuit breakers being operable in ON conditions thereof for connecting said bus bars with a respective said primary or alternative electrical supply source;
and
interlock means between said first and second main circuit breakers preventing both main circuit breakers from being contemporaneously operated to the ON condition, said interlock means comprising:
a bracket mounted transversely of said panel between said first and second main breakers, said bracket being attached to said mounting rails and comprising a forward portion disposed in substantial coincidental alignment with forward portions of said first and second main circuit breakers;
and
an interlock member movably mounted on said bracket forward portion, said interlock member being engagable with said operator handles of said first and second main circuit breakers, blocking movement of one of said operator handles from an OFF position when the other of said operator handles is in an ON condition.

8 more elements