Rack mountable power distribution apparatus

• US 6,608,406 B2
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: S+S Power Engineering
• Original Assignee: S+S Power Engineering
• Inventors: Bersiek, Shamel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/469,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 307/17, 307/125, 307/11, 361/601, 361/602, 361/603, 361/627, 361/634
• US Class Current: 307/125
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/24 Circuit arrangements for boards or switchyards
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/42 Mounting of devices therein
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks

Abstract

Power distribution apparatus include a rack mountable housing, an electrical power input assembly and an electrical power output assembly including a plurality of external circuits adapted for hardwired to remote equipment and a plurality of internal circuits each adapted to receive a plug of electrical equipment and to provide power thereto. The plurality of internal circuits may include differently configured receptacles adapted to receive differently configured plugs.

Claims

1. An electrical power distribution unit comprising:

a housing structured to be mounted in a fixed position on a rack;

an electrical power input assembly, which comprises a circuit panel and no transformer, the power input assembly being located substantially in the housing of the power distribution unit and the circuit panel is structured to be directly hard-wired connected to a commercial electrical power supply provided by a commercial power supply source; and

a plurality of electrical power output assemblies located substantially in the housing, electrically connected to the input assembly, and structured to receive electrical power from the input assembly, the plurality of electrical power output assemblies including a plurality of first output connections each of which is structured to be hard-wired to a piece of equipment to provide electrical power, wherein at least one of the first output connections is structured to be connected to a second electrical power distribution unit, and a plurality of second output connections each of which comprises a receptacle structured to receive an equipment plug to provide electrical power.

2. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a front access door and a back access door.

3. The power distribution unit of claim 1 which further comprises a meter located within the housing and structured to monitor at least one property of electrical power passing through the input assembly.

4. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the input assembly is structured to be electrically connected to a three phase electrical power supply.

5. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the input assembly is structured to be electrically connected to a single phase electrical power supply.

6. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein each of the output assemblies includes a different circuit breaker.

7. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical power output assemblies includes a plurality of differently configured receptacles for accommodating differently configured equipment plugs.

8. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical output assemblies are mounted in the circuit panel.

9. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of receptacles comprises differently configured receptacles for accommodating differently configured equipment plugs.

10. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of first output connections comprise at least about 8 output connections.

11. The power distribution unit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of receptacles comprises at least about 8 receptacles.

12. An electrical power distribution unit for directly passing electrical power from a commercial power supply source to a structure, comprising:

a rack mounted housing;

an electrical power input assembly located substantially in the housing of the power distribution unit and structured to be directly hard-wired connected to a commercial electrical power supply provided by a commercial power supply source; and

a plurality of electrical power output assemblies located substantially in the housing, electrically connected to the input assembly, and structured to receive electrical power from the input assembly, the plurality of electrical power output assemblies including a plurality of first output connections structured to be hard-wired to a piece of equipment to provide electrical power, wherein at least one of the first output connections is structured to be connected to a second electrical power distribution unit, and a plurality of second output connections structured to receive an electrical plug.

13. The power distribution unit of claim 12 wherein the housing is structured to be mounted on a 19 inch or 23 inch rack.

14. The power distribution unit of claim 12 which further comprises a meter located within the housing and structured to monitor at least one property of electrical power passing through the input assembly.

15. The power distribution unit of claim 12 wherein each of the output assemblies includes a different circuit breaker.

16. An electrical power distribution system for a building, comprising:

a plurality of electrical power distribution units, at least one electrical power distribution unit directly hard-wired connected to a commercial power supply provided by a commercial power source, and each electrical power distribution unit electrically hard-wired connected with at least one other electrical power distribution unit, each electrical power distribution unit comprising;

a housing;

an electrical power input assembly located substantially in the housing of the power distribution unit and structured to be electrically hard-wired connected to an electrical power supply; and

a plurality of electrical power output assemblies located substantially in the housing, electrically connected to the input assembly, and structured to receive electrical power from the input assembly the plurality of electrical power output assemblies including a plurality of first output connections structured to be hard-wired to a piece of equipment to provide electrical power and at least one receptacle structured to receive an equipment plug and to provide electrical power.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein each of the housings is rack mountable.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein each of the electrical power distribution units further comprises a meter disposed within the housing and structured to monitor at least one property of electrical power passing through the input assembly.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein each electrical power input assembly comprises a circuit panel without a transformer.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one electrical power distribution unit directly hard-wired connected to a commercial power supply is structured to be directly connected to a 480 volt alternating current power supply.