System for Isolating Power Conductors Using Molded Assemblies

• US 20170098929A1
• Filed: 12/16/2015
• Published: 04/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Serdynski, David P., Meyer, Dean T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,917,432 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/14 Shutters or guards for preventing access to contacts shielding of isolating-contacts in withdrawable switchgear H02B11/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/21 Bus-bar arrangements for rack-mounted devices with withdrawable units
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 5/025 Supporting structures

Abstract

An improved electrical system may be provided by electrically isolating horizontal power distribution bus bars of differing phases, disposed along a preconfigured isolated bus support molding, from one another by covering each bus bar with an electrically insulating molded assembly. The electrically insulating molded assembly has contours configured to cover a particular bus bar (with respect to another bus bar or live fastener), arranged within the constraints of the preconfigured isolated bus support molding in the electrical system (such as along the back of the isolated bus support, between the isolated bus support and a wall of the electrical system).

Claims

1. A system for isolating power conductors comprising:

a bus support;

first and second power conductors disposed proximal to one another along the bus support; and

an electrically insulating molded assembly having at least one contour configured to cover at least one of the first and second power conductors,

wherein the electrically insulating molded assembly electrically isolates the first power conductor from the second power conductor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the contour provides a substantially flat area disposed directly over the at least one of the first and second power conductors.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the contour is followed by a curved area disposed over an edge of the at least one of the first and second power conductors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating molded assembly includes an opening in the at least one contour configured to allow passage to the at least one of the first and second power conductors.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the opening is located in at least one of a left side and a right side of the electrically insulating molded assembly.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising an electrically insulating molded boot attached to the electrically insulating molded assembly over the opening.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating molded assembly is a single injection molded part.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating molded assembly is a first electrically insulating molded assembly configured to cover the first power conductor, and further comprising a second electrically insulating molded assembly configured to cover the second power conductor, wherein the first and second electrically insulating molded assemblies are in contact with one another.

9. An electrical system comprising:

a plurality of compartments, each compartment being configured to receive a unit having an electrical component;

a plurality of vertical bus conductors;

a plurality of horizontal bus conductors;

an electrically insulating bus support having a plurality of vertical channels configured to receive the vertical bus conductors, wherein the vertical bus conductors and the horizontal bus conductors are disposed on opposing sides of the electrically insulating bus support; and

a plurality of electrically insulating molded assemblies, each having at least one contour configured to cover a horizontal bus conductor, wherein the electrically insulating molded assemblies isolate the horizontal bus conductors from one another.

10. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein each of the at least one contours provides a substantially flat area disposed directly over a respective horizontal bus conductor.

11. The electrical system of claim 10, wherein each of the at least one contours is followed by a curved area disposed over an edge of the respective horizontal bus conductor.

12. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulating molded assemblies each include an opening in the at least one contour configured to allow passage to a respective horizontal bus conductor.

13. The electrical system of claim 12, wherein the opening of a first electrically insulating molded assembly is located in a left side of the first electrically insulating molded assembly, the opening of a second electrically insulating molded assembly is located in a middle of the second electrically insulating molded assembly, and the opening of a third electrically insulating molded assembly is located in a right side of the third electrically insulating molded assembly.

14. The electrical system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of conductive bars, each conductive bar fastened to a horizontal bus conductor via a respective opening.

15. The electrical system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of electrically insulating molded boots attached to the electrically insulating molded assemblies over the respective openings, wherein each electrically insulating molded boot is contoured to fit around a conductive bar.

16. The electrical system of claim 14, wherein the electrically insulating molded boots each interlock with a retention mechanism on a respective electrically insulating molded assembly.

17. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulating molded assemblies are each single injection molded parts.

18. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulating molded assemblies are in contact with one another.

19. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein each horizontal bus conductor is attached to a different vertical bus conductor.

20. The electrical system of claim 9, wherein the electrical system is a Motor Control Center (MCC).