System and method for automatically securing a motor control center

• US 20080081516A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Brandt, David D., Jensen, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/36 with withdrawable units
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/025 Safety arrangements, e.g. in case of excessive pressure or fire due to electrical defect
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/065 Means for detecting or reacting to mechanical or electrical defects

Abstract

A system, in one embodiment, includes a power distribution center having an enclosure with an access door configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The system also includes a monitoring system configured to monitor operational parameters inside the enclosure. Also, the system includes an entry control system coupled to the monitoring system, wherein the entry control system is configured to lock the access door if the operation parameters are indicative of a potentially hazardous condition inside the enclosure.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a power distribution center, comprising;

an enclosure comprising an access door configured to move between a closed position and an open position;

a monitoring system configured to monitor operational parameters inside the enclosure; and

an entry control system coupled to the monitoring system, wherein the entry control system is configured to lock the access door if the operation parameters are indicative of a potentially hazardous condition inside the enclosure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the entry control system comprises an auto lock/unlock mechanism coupled to the access door.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the entry control system comprises a lock override.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the entry control system comprises an audio alarm, a video alarm, or a combination thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of voltage sensors coupled to the monitoring system.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising a touchless voltage sensor coupled to the monitoring system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the touchless voltage sensor comprises an electric-field sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising a thermal radiation sensor coupled to the monitoring system.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising an external display coupled to the monitoring system.

10. The system of claim 1, comprising a wireless communication link coupled to the monitoring system.

11. The system of claim 1, comprising a circuit breaker, a disconnect switch, a fuse, a connector block, a contactor, a starter coil, a power bus, or a combination thereof disposed in the enclosure with one or more sensors monitoring voltage, temperature, or a combination thereof.

12. A system, comprising:

a monitoring system configured to mount to a power distribution center, wherein the monitoring system comprises a non-contact sensor configured to measure an operational parameter inside the power distribution center;

an auto lock mechanism configured to lock or unlock a door of the power distribution center in response to a control signal; and

an entry control system coupled to the monitoring system and the auto lock mechanism, wherein the entry control system is configured to transmit the control signal to the auto lock mechanism in response to the operational parameter measured inside the power distribution center.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the auto lock mechanism comprises a solenoid operated door latch, or a motor driven lock, or a combination thereof.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the entry control system comprises a lock override configured to override the auto lock mechanism.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the entry control system comprises an audio alarm, a video alarm, or a combination thereof.

16. The system of claim 12, comprising a wireless communication link coupled to the monitoring system, or the entry control system, or a combination thereof.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the non-contact sensor comprises a thermal radiation sensor, or an electric-field sensor, or a combination thereof.

18. The system of claim 12, comprising a portable service unit configured to communicate with the monitoring system, or the auto lock mechanism, or the entry control system, or a combination thereof from outside of the power distribution center.

19. A method, comprising:

sensing voltage of one or more components within a power distribution center;

identifying a power state of the one or more components based on the voltage sensed within the power distribution center; and

controlling an auto lock mechanism between a secured position and an unsecured position relative to the power distribution center based on the power state.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein sensing voltage comprises detecting an electric field from the one or more components.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein controlling comprises maintaining the secured position or moving the auto lock mechanism to the secured position if the power state is energized within the power distribution center.

22. The method of claim 19, comprising displaying the power state at a destination external to the power distribution center.