Power distribution unit with individual GFI modules and a line supervisory circuit

• US 5,894,392 A
• Filed: 08/18/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: McDonald, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Medley, Sally C.
• Application Number:
  US08/912,781
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42-50, 361/78, 361/84, 361/86, 361/88, 361/92, 307/127, 307/11, 307/28
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/00 Emergency protective circuit arrangements for preventing the switching-on in case an undesired electric working condition might result
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/338 also responsive to wiring error, e.g. loss of neutral, break

Abstract

A power distribution unit for supplying temporary branch power has a 240-250 VAC input with input power line conductors L1 and L2, a neutral conductor N, and a ground conductor G. A supervisory circuit checks that the 240-250 VAC input is properly connected to the power distribution unit by requiring that the input voltage exceeds a supervisory circuit threshold voltage substantially greater than 120-125 volts. When that occurs, a contactor is enabled by the supervisory circuit to close first and second contacts therein to pass the 240-250 VAC on lines L1 and L2 therethrough to a 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker outlet. A plurality of 120-125 VAC GFI module outlets are connected across either one of lines L1 and L2 at the output of the supervisory circuit and the neutral conductor N which bypasses the contactor. The supervisory circuit includes a diode bridge circuit connected across power line conductors L1 and L2 to convert a 240-250 VAC input to 240-250 VDC. A voltage threshold zener diode is connected in series with first and second relays across the 240-250 VDC, such that the zener diode ensures that the voltage required to operate the first and second relays is substantially greater than 120-125 VDC. The first relay operates contacts to activate the contactor, and the second relay operates contacts to bypass the neutral conductor N around the contactor.

Claims

1. A power distribution unit for supplying temporary branch power, comprising:

a. a 240-250 VAC input having at least input power line conductors L1 and L2, a neutral conductor N and a ground conductor G;

b. a supervisory circuit for checking that the 240-250 VAC input is properly connected to the power distribution unit by requiring that the input voltage exceeds a supervisory circuit threshold voltage substantially greater than 120-125 volts VAC;

c. a contactor, enabled by the supervisory circuit, for closing first and second contacts therein to pass the 240-250 VAC on lines L1 and L2 therethrough to a 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker outlet;

d. wherein the neutral conductor N bypasses the contactor to provide a bypassed neutral conductor N;

e. at least one 120-125 VAC GFI module outlet connected across one of lines L1 and L2 at the output of the supervisory circuit and the bypassed neutral conductor N.

2. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supervisory circuit includes a diode bridge circuit connected across power line conductors L1 and L2 to convert a 240-250 VAC input to 240-250 VDC, a voltage threshold means is connected in series with a relay means across the 240-250 VDC, such that the voltage threshold means ensures that the voltage required to operate the relay means is substantially greater than 120-125 VDC.

3. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the voltage threshold means comprises a zener diode means.

4. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the zener diode means comprises first and second series connected zener diodes.

5. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the relay means comprises first relay operated contacts to activate the contactor, and second relay operated contacts to bypass the neutral conductor N around the contactor.

6. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the neutral connector N passed through the second relay operated contacts passes directly to the 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker.

7. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the contactor only includes first and second contacts for the power line conductors L1 and L2.

8. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of 120-125 VAC ground fault interrupter modules are connected across L1 and the bypassed neutral conductor N, and a plurality of 120-125 VAC ground fault interrupter modules are connected across power line L2 and the bypassed neutral conductor N.

9. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the relay means comprises first relay operated contacts to activate the contactor, and second relay operated contacts to bypass the neutral conductor N around the contactor.

10. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the neutral connector N passed through the second relay operated contacts passes directly to the 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker.

11. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contactor only includes first and second contacts for the power line conductors L1 and L2.

12. A power distribution unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of 120-125 VAC ground fault interrupter modules are connected across L1 and the bypassed neutral conductor N, and a plurality of 120-125 VAC ground fault interrupter modules are connected across power line L2 and the bypassed neutral conductor N.