AU2013204810B2 - Electrical Device Enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to n electrical device enclosure for placement on a support surface. The electrical device is connectable to one or more cables when in use. The enclosure includes a mounting frame and a cover for the mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a receiving space for an electrical device, the receiving space including an electrical device holding means, a cable management system for the one or more cables of the electrical device and a rear ventilation space. The mounting frame is configured such that, in use, the electrical device is held between the cable management system and the rear ventilation space such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface. <filename> Figure la 23 Figure 1b Figure 1c Figure 1d -Oct

Description

1 Title of Invention Electrical Device Enclosure Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates generally to an enclosure for the holding and mounting of an electrical device in such a manner as to allow sufficient ventilation of the electrical device when in operation, whilst at the same time preventing or restricting viewing of the electrical device, all in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The enclosure of the present invention is envisaged to be particularly useful for the holding and mounting of electrical devices used in telecommunications, such as network terminating devices, modems, routers and associated or similar devices. Background of Invention [0002] The ability to organise electrical devices and their associated cables in a manner that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing is an important consideration for telecommunications applications in both domestic and commercial uses, especially when the electrical devices are located in highly visible areas. This may be particularly difficult for electrical devices that have many input and output cables, and that generate significant amounts of heat when in operation, irrespective of whether the design and appearance of the electrical device itself is regarded as aesthetically acceptable for use in, for example, a domestic dwelling. [0003] There are many known ways in which such electrical devices and their associated cables can be organised, however many of these fail to provide an outcome that is both aesthetically appealing and functionally suitable. One means by which electrical devices are often organised is by placing, or housing, the electrical device in an enclosure. While traditional enclosures allow for the electrical device to be hidden from view, often, and especially in relation to electrical devices that generate heat, these enclosures cause the retention of heat within the enclosure which can lead to suboptimal performance or complete failure of the enclosed electrical device. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 2 [0004] Consequently, such enclosures are fitted with means for ventilation. These means may take the form of active ventilation such as fans, or in extreme cases water cooling systems, or passive ventilation such as holes, grills or slots in the enclosure itself. However, these common means of providing ventilation present additional problems. Active forms of ventilation, such as fans, require a source of power and take up significant space inside the enclosure, often resulting in a larger enclosure than necessary. Passive forms of ventilation, such as the presence of holes, grills or slots in the enclosures, often negatively impact the aesthetic appeal of the enclosure as they tend to disrupt the surface of the enclosure, often allowing for enclosed electrical devices to be seen through the enclosure. This is significantly more problematic if the enclosed electrical devices include sources of light such as indicator lights, which at night can be annoying when used in, for example, living areas in domestic dwellings. [0005] It will be therefore appreciated that there is a need for an enclosure for electrical devices that provides a means for holding and mounting the electrical devices and their associated cables in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing, whilst still providing sufficient ventilation for the electrical devices. It is thus an aim of the present invention to provide an electrical device enclosure that permits adequate ventilation, allowing dissipation of heat generated by an electrical device housed within the enclosure, whilst enclosing the device in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and sufficiently prevents the visibility of the electrical device from outside the enclosure. [0006] Before turning to a summary of the present invention, it must be appreciated that the above description of the prior art has been provided merely as background to explain the context of the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published or known, or was a part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. [0007] It is also useful to provide an explanation of some of the terms that will be used to define the spatial relationship of the enclosure of the present invention and various parts thereof. In this respect, spatial references throughout this specification will generally be based upon the enclosure being placed, in use, upon a support surface whereby the side of the enclosure in closest proximity to the support surface C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729. docx 3 is regarded as the "rear" of the enclosure. In this respect, while it is envisaged that most uses for the enclosure will result in the enclosure being secured to a vertical wall surface, the enclosure may also merely sit upon a horizontal surface (such as a bench top) with or without being secured thereto. [0008] Finally, some aspects of the present invention that may ultimately be claimed in isolation (and not in an in-use environment), may nonetheless be difficult to describe and understand in isolation. Thus, some of the following description does describe the invention and its embodiments in such an in-use environment (for example, when the enclosure is upon a support surface, or when the enclosure is holding an electrical device). Of course, it must be appreciated that the use of such description, and the use of the abovementioned spatial relationships, to describe the present invention, is not to be seen as a limitation and certainly is not to be seen as a limitation only to the in-use environment, unless that intention is clearly stated. Summary of Invention [0009] The present invention provides an electrical device enclosure for placement on a support surface, the electrical device being connectable to one or more cables when in use, the enclosure including a mounting frame and a cover for the mounting frame, the mounting frame including: a receiving space for an electrical device, the receiving space including an electrical device holding means; a cable management system for the one or more cables of the electrical device; and a rear ventilation space, wherein the mounting frame is configured such that, in use, the electrical device is held between the cable management system and the rear ventilation space such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface. [0010] The receiving space and the holding means may take any form appropriate to receive, and retain or hold, an electrical device in a fixed position within the enclosure. In a preferred form, the holding means will hold the electrical device in a C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729. doc 4 releasable manner such that the electrical device can be removed from the enclosure as necessary for such things as maintenance, repairs or replacement. The holding means may include, but is not limited to, mouldings, tracks, grooves, clamps, attachment members, or clips conformed to attach to or support the electrical device. [0011] In one form, the holding means may be integrated with the electrical device receiving space. In a preferred form, the receiving space may include a holding means in the form of a series of supports that are configured and positioned to support and hold the electrical device in the receiving space. The supports may also be configured and positioned to allow the electrical device to be inserted into the receiving space and also removed from the receiving space. [0012] In one form, the holding means may include one or more retaining projections that positively retain the electrical device when in the receiving space. One or more of the retaining projections may be resiliently flexible, allowing the electrical device to be inserted into the receiving space past the projections. The projections may thereafter secure the electrical device in the receiving space with a snap-fit. Alternatively, the retaining projections may be configured and positioned so as to allow the electrical device to be inserted into the receiving space in a first position where the electrical device does not yet interact with the projections, before being moved to a second position where the electrical device abuts the supports and is urged against the retaining projections to be retained thereby. [0013] Turning now to a description of cable management systems, it will be understood that most electrical devices require at least one input cable and/or at least one output cable. These may include cables such as electrically conductive cables to supply power, or communication cables to facilitate information transfer to or from the electrical device, such as data cables, voice cables, fibre-optic cables, or the like. [0014] The electrical device enclosure of the present invention includes at least one cable management system that provides a means for retaining and organising such cables. In a preferred form, the cable management system may include a spool like hub for cables to be wound around. In this form, the cable management system may include parallel planar surfaces spaced by a hub such that the cable can be wound around the hub whilst being confined between the two parallel planar surfaces. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 5 In another form, the cable management system may include a track that defines a path for the cable to follow or be embedded into. In a further form, the cable management system may include a series, or row, of spaced apart abutments that a cable can be diverted around. [0015] The cable management system may also allow for the organisation of multiple separate cables. In this form, the cable management system may include two or more means for organising cables, such as multiple spool-like hubs, multiple tracks, or multiple rows of spaced apart abutments, or a combination of any of these. In a preferred form, the cable management system may include a spool-like hub for organising electrically conductive cable and a separate track for organising fibre-optic cable. [0016] In a preferred form, the cable management system is integral with the mounting frame, noting that, in use, the electrical device is held by the mounting frame between the cable management system and the rear ventilation space, such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface. [0017] Indeed, the mounting frame will itself preferably be an integral one-piece unit that incorporates the cable management system, the receiving space and the holding means, that is able to receive and retain the cover, and that includes an enclosure support means for placing the electrical device enclosure on the support surface. In this respect, the "placement" of the enclosure on the support surface will most often be accomplished by securing the enclosure to a vertical support surface, such as a wall, meaning that the enclosure support means will most often provide the principle function of securing the mounting frame, and thus the enclosure, to a wall when in use. [0018] In a preferred form of the present invention, the rear ventilation space is provided by the mounting frame, in some forms in association with the cover. In one form, the enclosure support means of the mounting frame may be configured such that an unoccupied volume is defined between the support surface and the electrical device when the electrical device is retained in the mounting frame. It will be appreciated that in this form it will be the enclosure support means that allows for air C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 6 to flow through the unoccupied volume, between the electrical device and the support surface. In this manner, the unoccupied volume provides ventilation for the electrical device. [0019] In one form, the unoccupied volume will be defined by the perimeter of the mounting frame and the space between the electrical device (when retained in the mounting frame) and the support surface. In this form, the distance provided between the electrical device and the support surface will vary depending on the requirements of the electrical device, which will mainly be determined by the heat generated by the device. However, in one form, the distance between the electrical device and the support surface will be at least 5mm. In another form, the distance between the electrical device and the support surface will be at least 10mm. [0020] It will be understood that many different mechanisms could be adopted to provide the enclosure support means. Without desiring to be limited to any of the following, these means may include support structures such as legs or protrusions conformed to abut against the support surface, or protrusions that include apertures that allow for the fastening of the enclosure to the support surface. It will be appreciated that, in this form of the present invention, to allow the required air flow into and out of the rear ventilation space, the enclosure support means is ideally such that it does not itself completely enclose the unoccupied volume of the rear ventilation space. The support means, when in use, ideally provides one or more openings through which air may gain access to the unoccupied volume. In a preferred form, the openings may be provided between parts of the support means, such as between two legs. In one form, two opposed openings may be provided, one on either side of the mounting frame. In this respect, these openings may be larger than required to provide adequate air access to the unoccupied volume, but may be configured such that they are partially covered in use by the cover when attached to the mounting frame [0021] The cover of the enclosure of the present invention will preferably be configured so as to conform to and enclose, when attached, the mounting frame of the enclosure without covering all of these openings. The cover itself may be maintained at a minimum distance from the support surface when attached to the mounting frame, such that air is allowed to flow into and out of the rear ventilation C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729. docx 7 space. The cover when attached to the mounting frame thereby ideally defines a gap between the cover and the support surface, the gap extending around the perimeter of the enclosure. Preferably this gap is small such that it is not visible when the enclosure is viewed from the front. In one embodiment, and as foreshadowed above, the minimum distance between the cover and the support surface will be 5 mm, while in a further embodiment the minimum distance will be 10mm. [0022] In a preferred form, the enclosure support means will include four legs that extend from the mounting frame, each leg having a substantially planar free end configured to abut against the support surface, with apertures provided in the planar free ends to allow for a fixing means, such as a screw, to secure the enclosure to the support surface. In this form, the enclosure support means will preferably be integrated into the mounting frame of the enclosure. [0023] The configuration of the mounting frame, and in particular the relative positioning of the electrical device and the cable management system that comes about from that configuration, giving rise to the presence of the rear ventilation space, is ideally such that the cover therefore does not need to provide additional ventilation for the electrical device. The absence of a need for the cover to provide additional ventilation provides design freedom for the cover and allows for the cover to be designed in a manner deemed to be aesthetically pleasing. In a preferred form, the cover can thus be a continuous opaque surface devoid of holes, slots or grills which therefore does not contribute to the ventilation of the electrical device. In this form, the cover also provides a means for substantially preventing the enclosed electrical device and cables from being seen from outside the enclosure. [0024] The cover may be attached to the frame by any means. Such attachment means may include, but is not limited to, a pivotal attachment means, or the cover may be conformed to merely rest upon the frame, being secured by latches, pins or simply by a friction fit. [0025] Additionally, the electrical device enclosure of the present invention may include an intermediate ventilation space provided between the cable management system and the electrical device (when the electrical device is retained in the receiving space). This intermediate ventilation space may be provided by an C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 8 unoccupied volume between the electrical device and the cable management system. In one form, the unoccupied volume may be provided by a prop structure that holds the cable management system at a distance from the electrical device. This distance may vary depending on the requirements of the electrical device. However, in one form, the minimum distance between the electrical device and the cable management system will be 5mm. In another form, the minimum distance between the electrical device and the cable management system will be 10mm. [0026] It will be appreciated that, in this form, the prop structure will not completely enclose the unoccupied volume of the intermediate ventilation space, thereby providing one or more openings that allow air to move into and out of the unoccupied volume of the intermediate ventilation space, allowing air to flow between the electrical device when held in the receiving space of the mounting frame and the cable management system. In a preferred form, the prop structure of the intermediate ventilation space is integral with the mounting frame. [0027] The present invention also provides an electrical device enclosure for placement on a support surface, the electrical device being connectable to one or more cables when in use, the enclosure including a mounting frame and a cover for the mounting frame, the mounting frame including: a receiving space for an electrical device, the receiving space including an electrical device holding means; a cable management system for the one or more cables of the electrical device; a rear ventilation space; and a maintenance positioning means for temporarily retaining the electrical device in a maintenance position; wherein the mounting frame is configured such that, in use, the electrical device is held between the cable management system and the rear ventilation space such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 9 [0028] In a preferred form, the maintenance positioning means permits the retention of the electrical device in an orientation suitable for maintenance or for configuration of the electrical device, albeit only for a relatively short period of time. In a preferred form, the orientation suitable for maintenance and configuration of the electrical device in the maintenance positioning means is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the electrical device when held in the receiving space of the mounting frame. It will be understood that the ability to retain the electrical device in such a maintenance position will allow for access to portions and features of the electrical device that are not readily accessible when held in the receiving space. [0029] Therefore, in a preferred form, the mounting frame further includes a retention means for holding the electrical device in a maintenance position that is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the electrical device when held in the receiving space. [0030] In one form, the retention means may be provided at least in part by the abovementioned retaining projections of the holding means. In this form, the mounting frame adjacent the cable management system may include a shoulder upon which the electrical device may rest when in the maintenance position. The shoulder and the retaining projections of the holding means thus together form the retention means, with the retaining projections engaging with an end of the electrical device at least partially within the receiving space when the electrical device is placed in the maintenance position. [0031] It will be appreciated that electrical devices such as those intended to be enclosed by the present invention may also have additional accessory devices, such as power adaptors or power supply units. Therefore, the enclosure of the present invention can be configured to also enclose these additional accessory devices. The inclusion of such additional accessory devices may require further means of ventilation between the accessory devices and the electronic device, and may also require further means of cable management. Therefore, it is envisaged that the enclosure of the present invention can be adapted to also meet these additional requirements. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 10 Brief Description of Drawings [0032] Having briefly described the general concepts involved with the present invention, a preferred embodiment will now be described that is in accordance with the present invention. However, it is to be understood that the following description is not to limit the generality of the above description. [0033] In the drawings: [0034] Figure 1 a is an isometric view of a cover of an electrical device enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0035] Figure 1b is an isometric view of a mounting frame of an electrical device enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0036] Figures 1c and 1d are profile views of a cover in association with the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment and a support surface, with Figure 1d being a cross-sectional view illustrating the cover of the preferred embodiment conformed to the shape of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment; [0037] Figure 2a is an illustration of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment in association with an electrical device; [0038] Figure 2b is a cross-section profile of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment in association with an electrical device and a support surface; [0039] Figure 3a is a cross-section profile of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment in association with an electrical device and a cable in a cable management system; [0040] Figure 3b is a front aspect of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment in association with an electrical device and a cable in a cable management system; [0041] Figures 4a and 4b are respectively an isometric view of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment holding an electrical device in a maintenance position and a cross-sectional profile view; and C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 11 [0042] Figure 5 is a front aspect of the mounting frame of the preferred embodiment in association with an electrical device, a cable in a cable management system, accessory devices and cables. Detailed Description [0043] Illustrated in the Figures is an electrical device enclosure that is suitable for placement of an electrical device on a support surface such as a wall. The enclosure includes a cover 10 and a mounting frame 11. The mounting frame 11 is arranged to be secured to a support surface 12. [0044] The cover 10 includes a continuous opaque surface devoid of holes, slots or grills, thereby substantially preventing the enclosed mounting frame 11, and any associated electrical device 14 (Figure 1d) and cables (not shown), from being seen externally of the enclosure when the cover 10 is attached to the mounting frame 11. [0045] The cover 10 is arranged to be located on the mounting frame 11 and to be retained thereon until access to the mounting frame is required. Preferably the cover 11 is simply pressed over the mounting frame 11 and retaining members located on the cover 10 engage with the mounting frame 11 to hold the cover 10 in position. The retaining members are arranged to release the cover 11 as required. [0046] The mounting frame 11 of the enclosure may be assembled from different parts or may be a unitary component. In use the mounting frame 11 includes a cable management component or system 13, a receiving space 20 for receiving the electrical device 14 and a rear ventilation space 15 established generally between the rear side 14a of the electrical device 14 and the support surface 12. [0047] The cover 10 of the enclosure is configured such that, when attached to the mounting frame 11, the cover 10 does not extend to the support surface 12. Instead, the rear edge 1 Oa of the cover 10 is maintained at a minimum distance from the support surface 12. In this way, the cover 10 establishes a ventilation gap that allows for air to flow into and out of the rear ventilation space 15, wherein the ventilation gap is not visible when the enclosure is viewed from the front. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 12 [0048] Turning now to Figures 2a and 2b, the mounting frame 11 is configured such that, in use, the electrical device 14 is located between the cable management system 13 of the mounting frame 11 and the rear ventilation space 15. [0049] The mounting frame 11 is arranged to be mounted to the support surface 12 using fasteners, such as screw fasteners. The mounting frame 11 has two upper and two lower legs 16. These legs 16 have a planar surface 16a arranged in use to abut against the planar support surface 12 and included fastener receiving apertures 16b. [0050] As can be seen in Figure 3b, each leg 16 extends from the mounting frame 11 and contains a keyhole-shaped aperture 16b defined by a circular portion 16c with an elongate slot 16d radiating therefrom. The keyhole shaped aperture 16b allows for the location of the circular portion 16c over a fixing means such as a screw, before the mounting frame 11 is moved such that the elongate slot 16d engages the fixing means. [0051] The receiving space 20 is defined, at least in part, by different support members that form part of the mounting frame 11. The supports are positioned to allow the electrical device 14 to be inserted and removed from the receiving space 20. This insertion and removal is achievable because of an amount of resilient flexure in some or all of the supports. [0052] The illustrated electrical device 14 is of a rectangular prism shape. In this form, the electrical device 14 can be regarded as having opposed rear and front sides 14a, 14b, lower and upper sides 14c, 14d and opposed outer sides 14e, 14f. In the context of the enclosure being mounted on a vertical wall, the lower side of the electrical device 14c is supported by two portions of the mounting frame 11 that protrude generally into the receiving space 20 to form supports 21a. Each support 21a includes a right-angled notch shaped to abut against a lower corner edge (Figure 2b) of the electrical device 14. In this way, each support 21a provides support to the lower side 14c and the rear side 14a of the electrical device 14. [0053] In addition, a further or third support in the form of support 21 b is provided by a tab that extends from the rear of the cable management system 13 into the C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 13 receiving space 20. The support 21b includes an elongate upright edge that is arranged to abut against the front side 14b of the electrical device 14. [0054] The receiving space 20 is further defined by opposed supports 21c that are arranged in use to abut against the outer sides 14e, 14f of the electrical device 14. [0055] It will thus be seen that the supports 21a, 21b, 21c abut against and support, five of the six sides of the electrical device 14 when it is in the receiving space 20. [0056] Retaining projections 23 extend from a rear plate 11 a of the mounting frame 11. Projections 23 are arranged to abut against the rear side 14a and the upper side 14d of the electrical device 14 so as to further support and secure the electrical device 14 in the receiving space 20. As shown, the projections 23 are generally L-shaped, with one leg of the projection 23 arranged to abut the rear side 14a of the electrical device 14 and the other leg arranged to abut the upper side 14d of the electrical device 14. [0057] The supports 21a, 21b and 21c and the upper projections 23 establish the holding means by which the mounting frame 11 of the enclosure contacts with all of the sides of the electrical device 14 when it is in the receiving space 20. This six sided contact ensures that the electrical device 14 is held securely in place within the receiving space 20. [0058] A preferred form of cable management system 13 is illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b in association with an exemplary cable 17. The cable management system 13 includes a spool-like hub defined by a central hub 13a interspaced between two cable retaining portions 13b and 13c. Additionally, Figure 3a illustrates an intermediate ventilation space 18 provided by an unoccupied volume between the cable management system 13 and the front face 14b of the electrical device 14 when the electrical device is retained in the receiving space 20. The unoccupied volume is provided by prop structures 19 that support the cable management system 13 at a distance from the front face 14b of the electrical device 14 when held in the receiving space 20, thereby allowing air to pass between the electrical device 14 and the cable management system 13. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 14 [0059] Figures 4a and 4b, respectively, show an isometric and a cross-sectional profile view of the mounting frame 11 with the electrical device 14 located in a maintenance position. As can be seen, the orientation of the electrical device 14 in the maintenance position is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the electrical device 14 when located in the receiving space 20 (as shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b). The retention means for holding the electrical device 14 in the maintenance position is provided by the combination of the projections 23 and a bridge 23b (see Figure 1 b) formed at an upper part of the mounting frame 11 adjacent the cable management system 13. The bridge 23b extends generally transversely between the opposed supports 21c. [0060] When the electrical device 14 is located in the maintenance position, the projections 23 abut against the electrical device 14 contacting the front side 14b and the upper side 14d of the electrical device. The electrical device 14 is then retained in the maintenance position by its "underside' resting against the upper surface of the bridge 23b. A further support surface may be provided to support the underside of the electrical device 14. In the maintenance position, the "underside" is the rear side 14a of the electrical device. As is apparent in Figure 4a, retention of the electrical device 14 in the maintenance position provides access to portions of the electrical device 14 that are not accessible when the electrical device 14 is held in the receiving space 20. [0061] Finally, electrical enclosures of the type relevant to this invention will typically require a series of accessory devices and/or input and output cables. Accordingly, a mounting frame according to an embodiment of the invention may be arranged to mount and/or hold additional components. [0062] As illustrated in Figure 5, the mounting frame 11 of the described embodiment is configured to hold and enclose both accessory devices and cable. Specifically illustrated as being housed in the mounting frame are; a DC supply unit 24 and an associated cable 17 which is wound around the cable management system 13. Furthermore, a series of input and output cables 25a to 25f are shown supported to the electrical device 14. Each of these cables has an associated retention means 26 provided in the form of a clip conformed to the cross-sectional shape of the cables. In the preferred embodiment, this clip is also integrally incorporated into the mounting frame 11. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 15 [0063] A second cable management system 27 is also provided by a track for a cable, such as fibre-optic cable, to follow. The track is provided with a series of clips 28 for retaining the fibre-optic cable. [0064] In conclusion, it must be appreciated that there may be other variations and modifications to the configurations described herein which are also within the scope of the present invention. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx

Claims (23)

1. An electrical device enclosure for placement on a support surface, the electrical device being connectable to one or more cables when in use, the enclosure including a mounting frame and a cover for the mounting frame, the mounting frame including: a receiving space for an electrical device, the receiving space including an electrical device holding means; a cable management system for the one or more cables of the electrical device; and a rear ventilation space, wherein the mounting frame is configured such that, in use, the electrical device is held between the cable management system and the rear ventilation space such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface.

2. An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the cover when attached to the mounting frame is maintained at a minimum distance from the support surface such that it allows air to flow into and out of the rear ventilation space.

3. An enclosure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cover when attached to the mounting frame defines a gap between the cover and the support surface that extends around the perimeter of the enclosure.

4. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including retention means for temporarily retaining the electrical device in a maintenance position.

5. An enclosure according to claim 4, wherein the maintenance position of the electrical device is perpendicular to the orientation of the electrical device when held in the receiving space.

6. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further including an intermediate ventilation space. C:\pof\ord\SPCN-960729.docx 17

7. An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate ventilation space is positioned between the cable management system and the electrical device when the electrical device is retained in the receiving space.

8. An enclosure according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the intermediate ventilation space defines a minimal distance of 5mm between the cable management system and the electrical device when the electrical device is retained in the receiving space.

9. An enclosure according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the intermediate ventilation space defines a minimal distance of 10mm between the cable management system and the electrical device when the electrical device is retained in the receiving space.

10. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, in use, the rear ventilation space is an unoccupied volume between the electrical device, when retained in the receiving space, and the support surface.

11. An enclosure according to claim 10, wherein the unoccupied volume is defined by an outer edge of the mounting frame and a distance between the electrical device when retained in the receiving space and the support surface.

12. An enclosure according to claim 11, wherein the minimal distance between the electrical device when retained in the receiving space and the support surface is 5mm.

13. An enclosure according to claim 11, wherein the minimal distance between the electrical device when retained in the receiving space and the support surface is 10mm.

14. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 13 further including a support means for placing the frame on the support surface.

15. An enclosure according to any one claims 11 to 13 further including a support means that defines the distance between the electrical device when retained in the receiving means and the support surface. <filename> 18

16. An enclosure according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the support means is integrally incorporated into the mounting frame.

17. An enclosure according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the enclosure can be secured to the support surface via the support means.

18. An enclosure according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the support means allows air flow into and out of the rear ventilation space.

19. An enclosure according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the support means provides one or more openings through which air can gain access to the unoccupied volume of the rear ventilation space.

20. An enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the cover, when attached to the mounting frame, does not completely cover the one or more openings.

21. An enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the cover does not contain any form of ventilation.

22. An enclosure according to any one of 1 to 21 including two or more cable management systems

23. A mounting frame for an electrical device enclosure, the mounting frame arranged to be secured to a support surface, the mounting frame including: a receiving space for an electrical device, the receiving space including an electrical device holding means; a cable management system for one or more cables of the electrical device; and wherein the mounting frame is configured such that, in use, the electrical device is arranged to be held between the cable management system and a rear ventilation space such that the rear ventilation space permits airflow between the electrical device and the support surface. <filename>