ARC FLASH ENCLOSURE

• US 20080093932A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoffman Enclosures Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Hoffman Enclosures Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Kalstabakken, Robert M., Whitt, John G., Messing, Kent G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,724,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/112
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/28 dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/323 Swinging catch

Abstract

An enclosure assembly includes a first enclosure unit including a first door, a second enclosure unit, and a handle coupled to the second enclosure unit, the handle being operative so as to turn on or turn off power to the first enclosure unit, and wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are configured such that the first door cannot be opened if the handle has not been turned to a power-off position.

Claims

1. An enclosure assembly comprising:

a first enclosure unit including a first door;

a second enclosure unit; and

a handle coupled to the second enclosure unit, the handle being operative so as to turn on or turn off power to the first enclosure unit, and wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are configured such that the first door cannot be opened if the handle has not been turned to a power-off position.

2. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is coupled to a switch mechanism, the switch mechanism is located entirely within the second enclosure unit.

3. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, including a latch mechanism coupled to the handle, the latch mechanism including a movable bar to latch the first door closed.

4. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are adjacent each other.

5. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure unit includes a metal box defining a back wall, four side walls and the first door.

6. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the second enclosure unit includes a metal box defining a back wall, four side walls, and a second door.

7. The enclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are configured such that the second door cannot be opened unless the first door is opened.

8. An enclosure system comprising:

a first enclosure unit including a door;

a second enclosure unit;

a switch located within the second enclosure unit, the switch configured to control a power supply which enters the second enclosure unit and continues from the second enclosure unit into the first enclosure unit;

wherein the switch is connectable to the power supply and operable to switch off and on the power running into the first enclosure unit, the switch including switch contacts located entirely within the second enclosure unit, the switch including a switch handle configured such that the door of the first enclosure unit cannot be opened unless the switch handle is turned to an off position.

9. The enclosure assembly of claim 8, wherein the second enclosure unit includes a second door, wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are configured such that the second door cannot be opened unless the first door is opened.

10. The enclosure assembly of claim 8, the second enclosure unit including a door, wherein the switch handle being configured such that the door of the second enclosure unit cannot be opened unless the switch handle is turned to an off position.

11. The enclosure assembly of claim 8, wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are mounted adjacent each other.

12. The enclosure assembly of claim 8, wherein the switch handle is coupled to a first bar which latches the first enclosure door shut.

13. A method comprising:

providing an enclosure assembly including a first enclosure unit including a first door and a second enclosure unit including a second door;

operating a switch located in the second enclosure unit, wherein the switch includes a handle operative so as to turn on or turn off power to the first enclosure unit, wherein the first enclosure unit and the second enclosure unit are configured such that the first door cannot be opened if the switch has not been turned off.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein operating the switch includes operating a handle located on the second enclosure unit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein operating the handle includes moving a bar to unlatch the door of the first enclosure unit.