AU2013205295B8 - Integrated Electrical Enclosure - Google Patents

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an integrated electrical enclosure and relates 5 particularly, though not exclusively, to an arrangement that integrates a high voltage transformer and low voltage protection device into a single integrated kiosk.

Background to the Invention

In electrical distribution networks, there is often a requirement that the incoming high voltage electrical power needs to be reduced to low voltage electrical power suitable for industrial use, e.g. to operate machinery in a factory unit in an industrial estate. For this purpose a high voltage (HV) transformer is typically installed. The HV transformer, such as the XA2192 15 22Kv HV transformer supplied by ABB, is usually provided in its own enclosure. The enclosure for the HV transformer is typically a metal enclosure divided into two cubicles, a high voltage (HV) cubicle and a low voltage (LV) cubicle. The HV transformer is mounted in the HV cubicle and transforms the incoming HV electrical power into LV electrical power. The LV 20 cubicle typically has a plurality of LV bushings mounted therein, to which a

LV electrical distribution network can be connected.

In the prior art, a LV protection device is typically connected to the LV bushings in the HV transformer enclosure to provide protection for the LV distribution network from power surges on the HV side. The LV protection 25 device is typically installed in its own enclosure separate from, and adjacent to, the HV transformer enclosure. Cables are run from the LV bushings/terminals in the HV transformer enclosure to the separate enclosure for the LV protection device.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing an enclosure 30 that integrates the HV transformer and the LV protection device into a single

2013205295 01 Apr 2016 integrated kiosk. However it will be appreciated that the integrated enclosure may also have application for other types of electrical equipment.

References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is 5 part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an 10 integrated enclosure for electrical equipment, the enclosure comprising:

first and second cubicles, the first cubicle for housing a first electrical installation and the second cubicle for housing a second electrical installation; and, a separate and independent cabinet for housing a third electrical installation, 15 the cabinet comprising a cuboid structure with first and second side walls which is dimensioned to fit inside the second cubicle so that the first and second walls of the cabinet are located immediately adjacent respective side walls of the second cubicle, the cabinet facilitating the integration of the third electrical installation with the first and second electrical installations in a 20 single integrated enclosure.

Preferably the cabinet also has a top wall. Typically the cabinet also includes a front panel through which the third electrical installation is visible when installed. Preferably the cabinet further comprises a shelf positioned in the cabinet at a height to safely accommodate the third installation within the 25 confined space of the second cubicle.

Preferably the front panel is one of two front panels, the second front panel being located adjacent to and below the first front panel so as to cover the whole of a front face of the cabinet.

2013205295 01 Apr 2016

In a preferred embodiment the first electrical installation is a high voltage (HV) transformer and the second electrical installation is an array of low voltage (LV) terminals, connected to the low voltage side of the HV transformer. Typically the third electrical installation is a LV protection device.

Preferably the LV protection device is a LV circuit breaker. Typically the LV circuit breaker is a LV air circuit breaker.

Advantageously the enclosure further comprises a plurality of connecting bars for connecting the LV protection device to the LV terminals.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a 10 separate and independent cabinet for integrating an electrical installation into an existing enclosure for electrical equipment, the existing enclosure having first and second cubicles, the cabinet comprising:

a cuboid structure for housing the electrical installation, the cuboid structure having first and second side walls and being dimensioned so as to fit inside 15 the second cubicle of the existing enclosure so that the first and second walls of the cabinet are located immediately adjacent respective side walls of the second cubicle, the cabinet facilitating the integration of the electrical installation with the electrical equipment in the existing enclosure to form a single integrated enclosure.

Preferably the cabinet also has a top wall. Preferably the cabinet is also provided with a front panel through which the electrical installation is visible when installed. Preferably the front panel is one of two front panels, the second front panel being located adjacent to and below the first front panel so as to cover the whole of a front face of the structure.

Preferably the cabinet further comprises a shelf positioned in the cabinet at a height to safely accommodate the third installation within the confined space of the second cubicle. Preferably the first side wall is in the form of a mounting panel on which additional electrical components can be mounted within the cabinet.

2013205295 09 Apr 2013 not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word “preferably” or variations such as “preferred”, will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of an integrated electrical enclosure, given by way of example only, with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is front elevation of a prior art enclosure for electrical equipment;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of a cabinet designed to be integrated into the enclosure of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section view through the line AA in the cabinet of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is section view through the line CC in the cabinet of Figure 2; and,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the integrated enclosure for electrical equipment according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of a cabinet 10 in accordance with the invention, for integrating a third electrical installation 12 into an existing enclosure 14 for 25 electrical equipment, the existing enclosure 14 having first and second cubicles 16 and 18, (as illustrated in Figurel), is shown in Figures 2 to 4. Typically the cabinet 10 is a cuboid structure for housing the third electrical installation 12, the structure 10 being dimensioned so as to fit neatly inside the second cubicle 18 of the existing enclosure 14. The cabinet 10 thus

2013205295 09 Apr 2013 facilitates the integration of the electrical installation 12 with the electrical equipment in the existing enclosure 14 to form a single integrated enclosure 20 (see Figure 5).

As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the cabinet 10 preferably comprises a cuboid structure. Preferably the cabinet 10 has first and second side walls 22 and 24 and a top wall 26. The first side wall 22 is preferably in the form of a mounting panel on which additional electrical components can be mounted within the cabinet and is typically about 20mm thick. Typically the cabinet 10 also includes a front panel 28 through which the third electrical installation 12 is visible when installed. Preferably the cabinet 10 further comprises a shelf positioned in the cabinet (see Figure 3) at a height to safely accommodate the third electrical installation 12 within the confined space of the second cubicle 18 of the existing enclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment the electrical equipment housed in the existing enclosure 12 comprises a first electrical installation 32 housed in the first cubicle 16, and a second electrical installation 34 housed in the second cubicle 18. In the illustrated embodiment the first electrical installation is a high voltage (HV) transformer 32 and the second electrical installation is an array of low voltage (LV) terminals 34, connected to the low voltage side of the HV transformer 32. Typically the third electrical installation is a LV protection device 12. Preferably the LV protection device is a LV circuit breaker 12. Typically the LV circuit breaker is a LV air circuit breaker, for example, an ABB 2000 / 1600A LV Air Circuit Breaker.

The LV air circuit breaker 12 is mounted on the shelf 30 within the cabinet 10 at a height selected so that is does not interfere with the LV terminals 34 when the cabinet is installed in the second cubicle 18 of the HV transformer enclosure 14. A fuse holder 36 is also mounted on the shelf 30, as shown in Figure 2. Advantageously a plurality of flexible connecting bus bars 40 is provided for connecting the LV air circuit breaker 12 to the LV terminals 34, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. The connecting bars 40 bridge the gap between the LV terminals 34 and the terminals on the rear of the LV air

2013205295 09 Apr 2013 circuit breaker 12 within the confined space of the cabinet 10. The rear of the cabinet 10 is open to accommodate the LV terminals 34, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. The connecting bars 40 can be readily modified and dimensioned to suit the particular electrical installation housed in the cabinet

10. Four busbars are also shown in broken outline in Figure 2, representing from left to right respectively the neutral bar 38a, red busbar 38b, white busbar 38c and blue busbar 38d. These are for cable connections. Cables (not shown) come up from the bottom of the second cubicle 18 in the existing enclosure 14 and connect onto these bus bars. In Figure 4 the neutral bar

38a is visible in plan view. The LV air circuit breaker 12 sits between the low voltage transformer bushings 34 and the cable terminations 38. The LV air circuit breaker 12 will operate when there is a fault, disconnecting the supplies.

Preferably the front panel 28 is one of two front panels 28a and 28b, the 15 second front panel 28b being located adjacent to and below the first front panel 28a so as to cover the whole of a front face of the cabinet 10 (see Figures 2 and 5).

Now that a preferred embodiment of the integrated electrical enclosure has been described in detail, it will be apparent that the described embodiment provides a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) It enables a third electrical installation to be integrated into a single integrated enclosure which is much more convenient for installers and maintenance personnel alike.

(ii) It is saves space.

(iii) It improves safety for maintenance engineers and improves installation times.

(iv) It shortens cabling requirements and is commercially advantageous compared to current standalone solutions.

2013205295 09 Apr 2013

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, in the described embodiment the cabinet for the third electrical installation is manufactured separately and subsequently installed in the original enclosure for the first and second electrical installations. However it will be appreciated 10 that the cabinet for the third installation may also be integrated into the original enclosure at the time of manufacturing the original enclosure. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and is to be determined from the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. The Claims defining the Invention are as follows:

   1. An integrated enclosure for electrical equipment, the enclosure comprising:

   first and second cubicles, the first cubicle for housing a first electrical

   5 installation and the second cubicle for housing a second electrical installation; and, a separate and independent cabinet for housing a third electrical installation, the cabinet comprising a cuboid structure with first and second side walls which is dimensioned to fit inside the second cubicle so that the first and 10 second walls of the cabinet are located immediately adjacent respective side walls of the second cubicle, the cabinet facilitating the integration of the third electrical installation with the first and second electrical installations in a single integrated enclosure.
2. 2. An integrated enclosure as defined in claim 1, wherein the cuboid structure 15 also has a top wall.
3. 3. An integrated enclosure as defined in claim 2, wherein the cabinet also includes a front panel through which the third electrical installation is visible when installed.
4. 4. An integrated enclosure as defined in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the 20 cabinet further comprises a shelf positioned in the cabinet at a height to safely accommodate the third installation within the confined space of the second cubicle.
5. 5. A separate and independent cabinet for integrating an electrical installation into an existing enclosure for electrical equipment, the existing enclosure

   25 having first and second cubicles, the cabinet comprising:

   a cuboid structure for housing the electrical installation, the cuboid structure having first and second side walls and being dimensioned so as to fit inside the second cubicle of the existing enclosure so that the first and second walls of the cabinet are located immediately adjacent respective side walls of the

   2013205295 01 Apr 2016 second cubicle, the cabinet facilitating the integration of the electrical installation with the electrical equipment in the existing enclosure to form a single integrated enclosure.
6. 6. A cabinet for integrating an electrical installation as defined in claim 5, 5 wherein the cabinet also has a top wall.
7. 7. A cabinet for integrating an electrical installation as defined in claim 6, wherein the cabinet is also provided with a front panel through which the electrical installation is visible when installed.
8. 8. A cabinet for integrating an electrical installation as defined in claim 5, 10 wherein the first side wall is in the form of a mounting panel on which additional electrical components can be mounted within the cabinet.