Medium voltage motor control center arc resistant enclosure

• US 20030117045A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Square D Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Byron, Eldridge R., Motley, Gregory O., Groff, Mary B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/199
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0292 Transparent window or opening, e.g. for allowing visual inspection of contact position or contact condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 31/12 Adaptation for built-in fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/16 Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/28 dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/025 Safety arrangements, e.g. in case of excessive pressure or fire due to electrical defect

Abstract

A medium voltage controller for electrical equipment, such as motors, transformers, reactors, and capacitors, having an arc resistant cabinet, swaged internal electrical connections, a one-piece self-aligning withdrawable finger cluster, a pull-out instrument compartment, a load discharge device, cast fuse holders, disconnect switch, a switch illuminator, low power current transformers, and an optical temperature measuring system. The arc resistant cabinet relies on the pressure generated by an arc fault to provide the sealing action to contain the fault forces. The cabinet'"'"'s rear panels are inside the cabinet and the panel lips mate to edges of the cabinet opening. The front doors each have a series of latching tabs along one side and a hinge along the opposing side. A dimple-in-a-dimple joint provides shear strength for panel joints. At the top of the cabinet is an exhaust vent.

Claims

1. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a plurality of walls enclosing said controller;

a roof panel connected to said plurality of walls;

an exhaust vent for discharging built up gasses generated during an arc fault event;

a floor panel connected to said plurality of walls; and

a door for accessing said controller and maintaining integrity of said cabinet during said arc fault event.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising:

a first dimple in a first surface selected from one of said roof panel, said floor panel, one of said plurality of walls, and a structural member; and

a second dimple in a second surface selected from one of said roof panel, said floor panel, one of said plurality of walls, and said structural member, said second dimple adapted to mate with said first dimple, said first dimple secured to said second dimple.

3. The cabinet of claim 2 further comprising

a first opening in said first surface and disposed adjacent to said first dimple;

a second opening in said second surface and in register with said first opening when said first dimple is mated with said second dimple; and

a fastener disposed in said first opening and said second opening, said fastener securely mating said first and second dimples.

4. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a baffle for isolating a first volume of said cabinet from a second volume of said cabinet, said baffle connected to at least two of said plurality of walls.

5. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a flap covering said exhaust vent, said flap adapted to open and allow said arc gasses to escape.

6. The cabinet of claim 5 further comprising a hinge connecting said flap to said cabinet.

7. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising:

a first member disposed parallel to one of said plurality of walls;

a second member connecting said first member to said one of said plurality of walls;

a hinge connecting said door to one of said first member, said second member, and said one of said plurality of walls;

a channel attached to said door and extending over said hinge, said channel adapted for receiving an edge of said first member, said edge opposite said second member; and

a resilient seal disposed between said edge and said channel.

8. The cabinet of claim 7 further comprising a latching mechanism for releasably securing said door in a closed position, said latch mechanism including a plurality of latch hooks and a strike assembly receiving said plurality of latch hooks such that said door remains sealed during said arcing.

9. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising:

an opening bounded by a wall edge of one of said plurality of walls;

an access panel having a first surface and a first panel edge with a protruding member extending toward said wall edge; and

a resilient seal disposed between said first surface of said access panel and said wall edge.

10. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising:

an opening bounded by a first edge of one of said plurality of walls and by a second edge of another one of said plurality of walls;

an access panel having a first surface, a first panel edge with a first protruding member extending toward said first edge, and a second panel edge with a second protruding member extending toward said second edge,

a first resilient seal disposed between said first surface of said access panel and said first edge; and

a second resilient seal disposed between said second surface of said access panel and said second edge.

11. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a plurality of walls enclosing said controller;

a roof panel connected to said plurality of walls;

a floor panel connected to said plurality of walls;

an exhaust vent for discharging said arc gasses;

a flap covering said exhaust vent, said flap adapted to open and allow said arc gasses to escape;

a hinge connecting said flap to said cabinet;

a door for accessing said controller;

a latching mechanism for releasably securing said door in a closed position, said latch mechanism including a plurality of latch hooks and a strike assembly receiving said plurality of latch hooks such that said door remains sealed during said arcing;

a first member disposed parallel to one of said plurality of walls;

a second member connecting said first member to said one of said plurality of walls;

a hinge connecting said door to one of said first member, said second member, and said one of said plurality of walls;

a channel attached to said door and extending over said hinge, said channel adapted for receiving an edge of said first member; and

a resilient door seal disposed between said edge and said channel.

12. The cabinet of claim 11 further comprising:

an opening bounded by a first edge of one of said plurality of walls and by a second edge of another one of said plurality of walls;

an access panel having a first surface, a first panel edge with a first protruding member extending toward said first edge, and a second panel edge with a second protruding member extending toward said second edge,

a first resilient seal disposed between said first surface of said access panel and said first edge; and

a second resilient seal disposed between said second surface of said access panel and said second edge.

13. The cabinet of claim 11 further comprising:

a first dimple in a first surface selected from one of said roof panel, said floor panel, one of said plurality of walls, and a structural member; and

a second dimple in a second surface selected from one of said roof panel, said floor panel, one of said plurality of walls, and said structural member, said second dimple adapted to mate with said first dimple.

14. The cabinet of claim 13 further comprising:

a first opening in said first surface and disposed adjacent to said first dimple;

a second opening in said second surface and in register with said first opening when said first dimple is mated with said second dimple; and

a fastener disposed in said first opening and said second opening, said fastener securely mating said first and second dimples.

15. The cabinet of claim 11 further comprising a baffle for isolating a first volume of said cabinet from a second volume of said cabinet, said baffle connected to at least two of said plurality of walls.

16. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a plurality of walls enclosing said controller;

an opening bounded by a first edge of one of said plurality of walls and by a second edge of another one of said plurality of walls;

an access panel having a first surface, a first panel edge with a first protruding member extending toward said first edge, and a second panel edge with a second protruding member extending toward said second edge,

a first resilient seal disposed between said first surface of said access panel and said first edge; and

a second resilient seal disposed between said second surface of said access panel and said second edge.

17. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a door for accessing said controller, said door including

a latching mechanism for releasably securing said door in a closed position, said latch mechanism including a plurality of latch hooks and a strike assembly receiving said plurality of latch hooks such that said door remains sealed during said arcing;

a first member disposed parallel to one of said plurality of walls;

a second member connecting said first member to said one of said plurality of walls;

a hinge connecting said door to one of said first member, said second member, and said one of said plurality of walls;

a channel attached to said door and extending over said hinge, said channel adapted for receiving an edge of said first member; and

a resilient door seal disposed in said channel for sealing a gap between said edge and said channel.

18. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, said cabinet comprising:

a plurality of members supporting a plurality of components in said controller and including a first member and a second member;

a first dimple formed in said first member; and

a second dimple formed in said second member and cooperating with said first dimple.

19. The cabinet of claim 18 further comprising

a first opening in said first member and disposed adjacent to said first dimple;

a second opening in said second member and in register with said first opening when said first dimple is mated with said second dimple; and

a fastener disposed in said first opening and said second opening, said fastener securing said first dimple to said second dimple.

20. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a plurality of walls enclosing said controller;

a baffle for isolating a first volume of said cabinet from a second volume of said cabinet, said baffle connected to at least two of said plurality of walls, said first volume containing said arc gasses.

21. The cabinet of claim 20 further comprising:

a first dimple in one of said plurality of walls; and

a second dimple in said baffle, said second dimple adapted to mate with said first dimple.

22. The cabinet of claim 21 further comprising

a first opening in said one of said plurality of walls and disposed adjacent to said first dimple;

a second opening in said baffle and in register with said first opening when said first dimple is mated with said second dimple; and

a fastener disposed in said first opening and said second opening, said fastener securing said first dimple to said second dimple.

23. A cabinet for enclosing a controller, said controller being subject to arcing, which produces arc gasses, said cabinet comprising:

a means for enclosing said controller;

a means for accessing said controller through a door;

a means for sealing said door to prevent the release of said arc gasses from inside said cabinet;

a means for securing said door.

24. The cabinet of claim 23 further comprising a means for venting said arc gasses from inside said cabinet.

25. The cabinet of claim 23 further comprising a means for accessing said cabinet through a removable panel.

26. The cabinet of claim 23 further comprising a means for connecting a pair of surfaces of said cabinet.

27. The cabinet of claim 23 further comprising a means for isolating a first volume of said cabinet from a second volume of said cabinet.