Power management and distribution system and method

An enclosure for a power management and distribution system, wherein the power management and distribution system includes an electrical power input for receiving three-phase power from an external power source, a plurality of electrical power outlets, a current measuring means for measuring the current on all phases of electrical power being drawn by electrical loads connected to the plurality of electrical power outlets, a processing means for analyzing the measured current for all phases of electrical power being drawn by the electrical loads and a phase balancing means for modifying the phase arrangement of the phases of the electrical power being drawn by the electrical loads connected to the plurality of electrical power outlets such that the current for each phase is substantially balanced, wherein at least one of the current measuring means, processing means and phase balancing means are at least partially implementing using an electrical component on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board includes a thermally conducting via/trace associated with the electrical component such that the thermally conducting via/trace absorbs heat generated by the electrical component, the enclosure comprising:

• a support structure having a plurality of columns connected to a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall and second wall are configured to associate with the thermally conducting via/trace such that heat generated by the electrical component flows through the thermally conducting via/trace into at least one of the first wall and second wall and into at least one of the plurality of columns,
• wherein the at least one of the plurality of columns includes a column wall that defines a column cavity communicated with a column first opening and a column second opening such that air can flow through the column first opening into the column cavity and out of the column second opening, wherein the column wall is thermally conductive to receive heat flowing into the at least one of the plurality of columns.

A method for dispersing heat generated by an electrical component within an enclosure, the method comprising:

• associating the electrical component with a conductive via/trace such that the conductive via/trace absorbs the heat generated by the electrical component, wherein the conductive via/trace is constructed from a heat conducting material;
• directing heat generated by the electrical component away from the electrical component by associating the conductive via/trace with a column having a column wall that defines a column cavity communicated with a column first opening and a column second opening, wherein the column wall is thermally conductive to receive heat flowing into the at least one of the plurality of columns;
• and
• allowing an airflow to flow through the column first opening into the column cavity and out of the column second opening, such that the airflow contacts the column wall within the column cavity.