Enclosed electrical switchgear and method of manufacture

Abstract

A company switch-type of electrical switchgear is disclosed having improved safety characteristics and having a reduced profile. The electrical connections are typically all enclosed in one area facing one direction such that access to the connections can be controlled and interlocked with one or more main breakers. By enclosing the connections in one area and directing the leads out of the enclosure in one direction, the size of the enclosure can be reduced while the safety of its use is increased.

1 . A power device comprising: 
 a connection chamber comprising, 
 a plurality of first terminations of a first termination type configured to be electrically connected to a switch; and  
 a plurality of second terminations of a second termination type, at least one of the second terminations being electrically connected in parallel electrical configuration to at least one of the first electrical terminations such that the power distribution device is adapted to accept output leads of the first and second termination types.  
   
   
   
       2 . The distribution device of  claim 1  further comprising a switch electrically connected to the first and second terminations.  
   
   
       3 . The distribution device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection chamber comprises two rows of openings for the passage of leads into and out of the connection chamber.  
   
   
       4 . The distribution device of  claim 3 , wherein the first row of openings includes an opening for each first termination and the second row of openings includes an opening for each second termination.  
   
   
       5 . The distribution device of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the openings is sized smaller than a human hand so that the hand can not pass through the opening into the connection chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The distribution device of  claim 1  further comprising weatherstripping disposed as to limit liquid infiltration into the power distribution device.  
   
   
       7 . The distribution device of  claim 6 , wherein the weatherstripping comprises neoprene.  
   
   
       8 . The distribution device of  claim 3  further comprising a lead capture plate, the lead capture plate being movable between an open position and a closed position, the two rows of openings being substantially covered when the lead capture plate is in the closed position and substantially uncovered when the lead capture plate is in the open position.  
   
   
       9 . The distribution device of  claim 8 , wherein the lead capture plate is biased to return to the closed position.  
   
   
       10 . The distribution device of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanism configured to bias the lead capture plate is selected from the group consisting of gravity, springs, counterweights, electric motors, magnets, mechanical linkages, hydraulic cylinders, or any combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A distribution device comprising: 
 a connection chamber having a plurality of first terminations of a first termination type and a plurality of second terminations of a second termination type; and    a bus bar electrically connecting at least one of the plurality of first terminations in parallel electrical configuration to one of the plurality of second terminations in an orientation such that connection to the first and second terminations are made from generally the same direction.    
   
   
       12 . The distribution device of  claim 11 , wherein the bus bar is a rectangular piece of conductive material having a general “L” shape.  
   
   
       13 . A housing comprising: 
 at least one first termination of a first connector type disposed within the housing and being configured to accept a first lead passing through the housing in a first direction; and    at least one second termination of a second connector type disposed within the housing and being configured to accept a second lead passing through the housing in a second direction, the first direction being generally parallel to the second direction.    
   
   
       14 . The housing of  claim 13  further comprising a switch electrically connected to the first and second terminations.  
   
   
       15 . The housing of  claim 13  further comprising an access door to at least one of the first terminations or one of the second terminations.  
   
   
       16 . The housing of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second terminations are disposed within the housing so that the first lead and the second lead are generally parallel to each other at least at a location inside the housing.  
   
   
       17 . The housing of  claim 13  further comprising at least one opening for receiving at least one of the first and second leads.  
   
   
       18 . A housing comprising: 
 a plurality of first terminations of a first connector type disposed within the housing; and    a plurality of second terminations of a second connector type disposed within the housing, each of the plurality of second terminations being electrically connected in parallel to one of the first terminations such that the housing is adapted to accept leads of the first and second connector types, at least one of the first plurality of terminations is oriented with respect to at least one of the second plurality of terminations such that the leads connected to the at least one of the first plurality of terminations and to the at least one of the second plurality of terminations enter the housing from generally the same direction.    
   
   
       19 . The housing of  claim 18  further comprising a switch, the switch being electrically connected to the plurality of first terminations.  
   
   
       20 . The housing of  claim 18  further comprising an access door to at least one of the plurality of first terminations or the plurality of second terminations.  
   
   
       21 . The housing of  claim 18  further comprising an internal chamber, the plurality of first electrical terminations and the plurality of second electrical terminations being disposed in the chamber.  
   
   
       22 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the first connector type is a bare wire connector.  
   
   
       23 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the first connector type is a lug type connector.  
   
   
       24 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the first connector type forms a compression connection.  
   
   
       25 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the second connector type is a prefabricated termination.  
   
   
       26 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the second connector type is a cam-type termination.  
   
   
       27 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein an end of at least one of the output leads comprises a connector, the housing being sized to receive the entire connector.  
   
   
       28 . The housing of  claim 18 , wherein the housing comprises at least one opening for receiving at least one of the leads.