Polyphase power distribution and monitoring apparatus

• US 7,414,329 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2003
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA), Sever Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Cleveland, Andrew J., Maskaly, James P., Ewing, Carrel W
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deschere; Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US10/698,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 307/13, 307/14, 307/27, 307/148, 307/24, 307/29, 307/31, 307/32, 361/63, 361/64, 361/622, 324/107, 324/114
• US Class Current: 307/13
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/00 Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles installations of bus-bars H02G5/00; overhead installations H02G7/00; installations in or on the ground H02G9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks

Abstract

A polyphase power distribution and monitoring apparatus having sets of outputs for each phase of power and monitors for each phase of power disposed in the housing. Each monitor provides a visible display of current for an associated phase of power and an audible alarm for each phase of power if the current exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In three-phase wye power systems, the apparatus preferaby includes a neutral line monitor, including a neutral line current display and audio alarm, for the neutral line of the wye power circuit. The apparatus preferably is lightweight, elongated, portable, and mountable to the side of an electronic equipment rack. It may also include additional power monitoring systems such as network power monitoring tools for remotely monitoring the apparatus.

Claims

1. A polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

A. a power distribution housing;

B. a polyphase power input disposed in the power distribution housing;

C. a plurality of power outputs disposed in the power distribution housing, with at least one power output being in power supply communication with one power phase provided by the polyphase power input and at least a second power output being in power supply communication with a second power phase provided by the polyphase power input;

D. a plurality of separate power information visual display sections disposed in the power distribution housing with at least one power information visual display section being associated with at least said one power output and at least a second power information visual display section being associated with at least said second power output;

whereby at the power distribution housing (i) said one power information visual display section can report visible first phase information regarding said one power phase provided through said one power output, while (ii) said second power information visual display section reports visible second phase information regarding said second power phase provided through said second power output.

2. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one power information visual display section comprises a first phase current visual display section and said second power information visual display section comprises a second phase current visual display section and wherein the apparatus also includes a plurality of current determination circuits disposed in the power distribution housing with:

(i) one current determination circuit intermediate said first phase current visual display section and said one power output; and

(ii) a second current determination circuit intermediate said second phase current visual display section and said second power output.

3. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 2 wherein the power distribution housing is elongated and includes at least one vertical rack mounting element whereby the elongated housing may be mounted to extend vertically adjacent an equipment rack.

4. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein (i) said plurality of power outputs includes at least a third power output being in power supply communication with a third power phase provided by the polyphase power input;

and (ii) said plurality of power information visual display sections includes a third power information visual display section associated with said third power output.

5. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 3 wherein (i) said plurality of power outputs includes at least a third power output being in power supply communication with a third power phase provided by the polyphase power input;

(ii) said plurality of power information visual display sections includes a third power information visual display section, comprising a third current visual display section, associated with said third power output; and

(iii) said plurality of current determination circuits includes a third current determination circuit intermediate said third phase current visual display section and said third power output.

6. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polyphase power input includes a neutral line and the plurality of power information visual display sections includes a neutral information visual display section associated with the neutral line.

7. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 5 wherein the polyphase power input includes a neutral line and the plurality of power information visual display sections includes a neutral information visual display section, comprising a neutral current visual display section, associated with the neutral line.

8. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 1 wherein each among the plurality of power information visual display sections includes a sensory alarm, whereby a human in the vicinity of the power distribution housing may automatically receive sensory stimulation from said sensory alarm.

9. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 7 wherein each among the plurality of power information visual display sections includes a sensory alarm, whereby a human in the vicinity of the power distribution housing may automatically receive sensory stimulation from said sensory alarm.

27. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of separate power information visual display sections disposed in the power distribution housing are physically located separately from each other.

10. A polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

A. a power distribution housing;

B. a polyphase power input disposed in the power distribution housing;

C. a plurality of first phase power outputs disposed in the power distribution housing and connected in power supply communication with one power phase provided by the polyphase power input;

D. a plurality of second phase power outputs disposed in the power distribution housing and connected in power supply communication with a second power phase provided by the polyphase power input;

E. a plurality of separate power information visual display sections disposed in the power distribution housing with at least one power information visual display section being associated with said plurality of first phase power outputs and a second power information visual display section being associated with said plurality of second phase power outputs;

whereby at the power distribution housing (i) said one power information visual display section can display information regarding first phase power provided through said plurality of first power phase power outputs, while (ii) said second power information visual display section displays information regarding second phase power provided through said plurality of second phase power outputs.

11. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10 wherein the power distribution housing (i) is elongated, (ii) has an elongated power output face, with the first phase power outputs, the second phase power outputs, and the power information visual display sections disposed along said elongated power output face, and (iii) includes at least one rack mounting section, whereby the power distribution housing may be mounted adjacent an electronic equipment rack.

12. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10 also including (i) a plurality of third phase power outputs disposed in the power distribution housing in power supply communication with a third power phase provided the polyphase power input;

and (ii) a third power information visual display section among the plurality of power information visual display sections and associated with the third phase power outputs.

13. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 11 also including (i) a plurality of third phase power outputs disposed in the power distribution housing, disposed along the elongated power output face, in power supply communication with a third power phase provided the polyphase power input;

and (ii) a third power information visual display section among the plurality of power information visual display sections and associated with the third phase power outputs.

14. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10 wherein each among each of said one and said second power information visual display sections comprise a current display section connected in collective current determining communication with the associated plurality of power outputs for the power information visual display section.

15. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10 wherein said polyphase power input includes a neutral line and wherein said plurality of power information visual display sections includes a neutral line information display section in communication with the neutral line.

16. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 14 wherein said polyphase power input includes a neutral line and wherein said plurality of power information visual display sections also includes a neutral line information display section in current determining communication with the neutral line.

17. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of the power information visual display sections has an associated sensory alarm.

18. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the power information visual display sections has an associated audible alarm.

28. The polyphase alternating current power distribution apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least two of the plurality of separate power information visual display sections disposed in the power distribution housing are disposed in different physical locations in the power distribution housing.

19. A polyphase power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

A. a power distribution apparatus housing;

B. a polyphase power input disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing;

C. a plurality of phase one output ports disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing in power supply communication with phase one power provided by the polyphase power input;

D. a plurality of phase two output ports disposed in the power distribution housing in power supply communication with phase two power provided by the polyphase power input;

E. means for displaying information regarding phase one power provided by the plurality of phase one output ports, said phase one displaying means being disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing; and

F. means for displaying information regarding phase two power provided by the plurality of phase two output ports while said phase one displaying means displays information regarding phase one power, said phase two displaying means being disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing.

20. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 19 wherein the power distribution apparatus housing is elongated, has an elongated side to which the phase one displaying means and phase two displaying means are secured, and includes a vertical rack mounting section, whereby the power distribution apparatus may be vertically mounted adjacent a vertical side of an electronic equipment rack.

21. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 19 also including (i) a plurality of phase three output ports disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing, and (ii) means for displaying information regarding phase three power provided by the plurality of phase three output ports, said phase three displaying means being disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing.

22. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 19 wherein (i) the polyphase power input includes a neutral line and (ii) the polyphase power distribution apparatus also includes means for displaying information regarding the neutral line, said neutral line displaying means being disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing.

23. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 21 wherein (i) the polyphase power input includes a neutral line and (ii) the polyphase power distribution apparatus also includes means for displaying information regarding the neutral line, said neutral line displaying means being disposed in the power distribution apparatus housing.

24. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 19 wherein the phase one displaying means and phase two displaying means each include means for issuing a sensory alarm to a person proximate to the polyphase power distribution apparatus.

25. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 21 wherein each displaying means includes means for issuing a sensory alarm to a person proximate to the polyphase power distribution apparatus.

26. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 22 wherein each displaying means includes means for issuing an audible alarm to a person proximate to the polyphase power distribution apparatus.

29. The polyphase power distribution apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for displaying information regarding phase one power and the means for separately and at least partially simultaneously displaying information regarding phase two power are located physically separately from each other.