Compact bus bar assembly, switching device and power distribution system

• US 8,711,547 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Switzerland GmbH (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation AG (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feller, Willy, Marzano, Thomas Strebel
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovskiy, Michail V
• Application Number:
  US13/449,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20120268865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 361/601, 361/605, 361/608, 361/611, 361/612, 361/614, 361/620, 361/623, 361/624, 361637-640, 361/648, 361/656, 361/658, 361/644, 174/68.2, 174/70.B, 174/71.B, 174/72.B, 174/88.B, 174/99.B, 174/117.F, 174/117.R, 174/149.R, 174/149.B, 174/137.R, 174/133.B, 439/212, 439/372, 439/527, 439/530, 200/48.R, 200/50.A, 200/48.V, 200/166.R, 218/22, 218/34, 218/118, 218/149, 218/155, 218/134, 218/143, 218/140, 218 2- 14, 218/16, 218/43, 218/153, 218/154, 218/70, 218/74, 218/78, 218/84, 218/92, 218/119, 312/223.1
• US Class Current: 361/624
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/06 Insulating body insertable between contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/08 Terminals; Connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/082 Connections between juxtaposed circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/205 for connecting electrical apparatus mounted side by side on a rail
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A contact bus bar assembly for supplying power to a load, and further pertains to a switching device which can be connected to such a compact bus bar assembly, and to a power distribution system. The bus bar assembly includes at least two electrically conductive tracks which are at least partly covered by an electrically insulating cover. An outer surface of said insulating cover is provided with a plurality of ribs arranged in a region connecting pin terminals. The switching device may additionally comprise a separating element provided with a plurality of second ribs.

Claims

1. Compact bus bar assembly for supplying power to a load, said bus bar assembly comprising:

at least two electrically conductive tracks which are at least partly covered by an electrically insulating cover;

said electrically conductive tracks each comprising at least one output terminal to be connected to said load, wherein said output terminals are formed as pin terminals having an electrically insulating sleeve formed from the electrically insulating cover and partly covering said terminals; and

wherein an outer surface of said insulating cover is provided with a plurality of ribs arranged in a region connecting said pin terminals.

2. Compact bus bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive tracks are arranged in one plane, said pin terminals extending in a direction across to a longitudinal axis defined by said conductive tracks.

3. Compact bus bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating cover, said insulating sleeve and said plurality of ribs are formed as a single-piece overmold.

4. Compact bus bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating ribs are each U-shaped.

5. Power distribution system comprising:

at least one compact bus bar assembly for supplying power to a load, said bus bar assembly comprising at least two electrically conductive tracks which are at least partly covered by an electrically insulating cover;

said electrically conductive tracks each comprising at least one output terminal to be connected to said load, wherein said output terminals are formed as pin terminals having an electrically insulating sleeve formed at the electrically insulating cover and partly covering said pin terminals;

at least one switching device comprising at least at least one contact device for opening and closing an electrical connection between an input line and an output line, an electrically insulating housing, and at least one input connector for connecting said input line to said pin terminal;

wherein an outer surface of said insulating cover is provided with a plurality of first ribs arranged in a region connecting said pin terminals; and

wherein said housing comprises at least one separating element for electrically separating said input connector from another connector, and wherein said separating element is provided with a plurality of second ribs extending across a creepage current path between said input connector and the other connector.

6. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said bus bar assembly comprises three electrically conductive tracks for being connected to a three phase power supply, and wherein said switching device comprises three input connectors which are connected to said output terminals of the bus bar assembly.

7. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said output terminals are fixed at the respective input connector by means of a screw fitting.

8. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the switching device is formed by a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB).

9. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said insulating sleeve and said plurality of first ribs are dimensioned to define a creepage distance of more than or equal to 2.0 inches (50.8 mm).

10. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said insulating sleeve and said plurality of first ribs are dimensioned to define an air gap of more than or equal to 1.0 inch (25.4 mm).

11. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said separating element and said plurality of second ribs are dimensioned to define a creepage distance of more than or equal to 2.0 inches (50.8 mm).

12. Power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said separating element and said plurality of second ribs are dimensioned to define an air gap of more than or equal to 1.0 inch (25.4 mm).