AU2016203266A1 - Bracket for an electrical distribution board - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a bracket to support one or more circuit breakers to a gear pan and operationally connected to a chassis for an electrical 5 distribution board, wherein the gear pan and the one or more circuit breakers can be of different types. In the preferred embodiment the bracket is a dual reversible bracket that can be used with two different circuit breaker types wherein the bracket has different flange widths and or different flange heights to accommodate design differences between the circuit breakers. Fig. 1 N cV

Description

- 1 - 2016203266 19 May 2016

BRACKET FOR AN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION BOARD

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to distribution boards and components thereof. 5 The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for use with domestic and industrial electrical distribution boards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A distribution board or breaker panel are part of an electricity supply system 0 which divides electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each in a common enclosure. A distribution board usually comprises a busbar or chassis fixed to a gear pan. The chassis has electrical connector pins extending laterally therefrom and to which a plurality of circuit breakers are operatively connected. A rail is attached to 5 the gear pan and extends longitudinally to support the position of the plurality of connected circuit breakers. A main switch is fitted to the chassis. An escutcheon is positioned over the chassis and mounted circuit breakers and serves as a cover so that only the switch from each circuit breaker protrudes from the escutcheon. The escutcheon is removable to provide access to the board. The distribution board is 0 usually housed in a metal enclosure with a hinged door.

However different manufacturers have different sized circuit breakers. The different sized circuit breakers require different gear pans. Thus a person would need to buy circuit breakers and corresponding gear pans. These are proprietary components from the same manufacturer. Because of this, electricians and 25 retailers/wholesalers need to carry or stock a large number of different types of proprietary components to accommodate different situations. This is not always possible because of the relatively large number of possible manufacturers and types, availability of these proprietary components and costs associated with having and maintaining adequate numbers of the proprietary components. 30 Further it is not desirable to have different makes of circuit breakers in a single installation because of possible cascading and discrimination effects.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION -2- 2016203266 19 May 2016

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket that can allow a single distribution board to be circuit breakers from different manufacturers. It is an object to overcome at least in part one or more of the abovementioned problems.

5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed by taking an alternative approach to the problem of using proprietary components from only a single manufacturer. While it is preferable to use the same type (that is from the same manufacturer) of circuit breakers in a single installation, the inventor considered adapting other 0 components from other manufacturers. The inventor consequently developed a bracket that could be used to fit a set of circuit breakers from a different manufacturer than the manufacturer of the gear pan. The inventor developed the bracket from the realisation that the each of the circuit breakers from the different manufacturers used a standard DIN rail (35mm x 7.5mm) mount and using this 5 realization to develop a bracket that can be vertically and horizontally positioned to support the circuit breaker.

In one aspect the invention broadly resides in a bracket attachable to a gear pan and adapted to substantially abut a circuit breaker located in an operative position to the chassis; wherein the gear pan and circuit breaker are independent 0 of who manufactured the component.

The bracket is preferably attachable to the gear pan so as to provide vertical and or horizontal position to support the circuit breaker. Preferably the bracket supports the circuit breaker to be in a horizontal and vertical position to operatively connect to the chassis while being attached to the gear pan. More preferably the 25 bracket positions the circuit breaker so that a switch section thereof can protrude through an aperture in the escutcheon panel. The aperture in the escutcheon is sized appropriately for the switch section of the circuit breaker and the bracket allows all circuit breakers to be aligned within a single aperture. The switch section of the circuit breaker that protrudes through the escutcheon panel aperture is a DIN 30 standard of 45mm wide.

In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a bracket for an electrical distribution board, wherein the bracket is attachable to a gear pan and extends longitudinally to support one or more circuit breakers, wherein the bracket is shaped -3- 2016203266 19 May 2016 to support the one or more circuit breakers in an operational position irrespective of the make of the gear pan and the one or more circuit breakers.

In one embodiment, the bracket is fixed to the side of the gear pan wherein the side is perpendicular to the chassis mounting on the gear pan. In the 5 embodiment the bracket is preferably in the shape of a C bracket with two end flanges. Preferably the bracket has an offset or asymmetrically-positioned aperture for the placement of a fastener for fixing to the side of the gear pan.

In an alternate embodiment the bracket is fixed to the topside of the gear pan. In the alternate embodiment the bracket is preferably in the shape of a C 0 bracket but with another flange extending outwardly from substantially the middle of the bracket in the opposite direction to the two end flanges.

Preferably in this embodiment the bracket is fixed to a top side of the gear pan and extends outwardly therefrom. More preferably the bracket of this embodiment includes a laterally extending flange. The bracket preferably has three flanges 5 including two opposing end flanges on one side and a third flange extending outwardly from the opposite side of the bracket. Preferably the third flange has an aperture for a fastener that can pass there through and be fixed to the gear pan.

The bracket preferably abuts an inside wall of the DIN standard rail mounting of the circuit breaker. 0 The bracket is preferably mountable to the gear pan so that it can extend outwardly from the gear pan to a position that can abut the circuit breaker. In one form, the mounting position on the bracket can vary depending on the distance from the gear pan required to abut the circuit breaker type.

The bracket in one or more embodiments has an outwardly extending flange 25 to abut the circuit breaker. The width of the flange preferably depends on the position of the circuit breaker relative to the gear pan.

The bracket is preferably designed with at least one longitudinal side adapted to abut a particular circuit breaker type. More preferably both longitudinal sides are adapted to abut different circuit breaker types. Preferably the one bracket can be 30 used for two different types of circuit breakers. Consequently with this embodiment the bracket can be reversed to be adapted to use with a different circuit breaker.

Preferably there can be a plurality of brackets adapted to be used with a variety of different circuit breakers. -4- 2016203266 19 May 2016

Preferably the opposing end flanges are spaced apart relative to the attachment site to accommodate and support two different makes or types of circuit breakers. Preferably the bracket can be reversed for use in supporting a different circuit breaker. 5 Preferably the brackets can have a vertical height measured between the fastening mounting and longitudinal side edge to accommodate different circuit breakers.

Preferably the brackets can have a different flange widths to accommodate horizontal location of different circuit breakers. 0 The present invention in another aspect broadly resides in a bracket to support one or more circuit breakers to a gear pan and operationally connected to a chassis for an electrical distribution board, wherein the gear pan and the one or more circuit breakers can be of different types.

Preferably the bracket supports the one or more circuit breakers to be in a 5 horizontal and vertical position to operatively connect to the chassis while being attached to the gear pan. More preferably the bracket positions the one or more circuit breakers so that a switch section thereof can protrude through an aperture in the escutcheon panel.

In a preferred embodiment the bracket is a dual reversible bracket that can 0 be used with two different circuit breaker types wherein the bracket has different flange widths and or different flange heights to accommodate design differences between the circuit breakers.

In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a distribution board using one or more brackets as described above. Preferably the distribution board 25 includes (but limited to) a gear pan, a chassis, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more brackets as described above.

In a further aspect the invention broadly resides in a method of using one or more brackets as described above in a distribution board.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable 30 to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -5- 2016203266 19 May 2016 ln order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the distribution board with the bracket of 5 the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a gear pan;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the gear pan with the bracket of the invention;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the chassis and the bracket attached to the 0 gear pan;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the chassis and the bracket attached to the gear pan with circuit breakers connected to the chassis and the bracket;

Figure 6 is another diagrammatic view of the chassis, brackets, gear pan and connected circuit breakers; 5 Figure 7 is the distribution board shown in Figure 6 with an escutcheon;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic top view of the distribution board shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the distribution board shown in Figure 6 mounted in an enclosure with a hinged door; 0 Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the distribution board shown in Figure 7 mounted in an enclosure without the hinged door;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the distribution board shown in Figure 10 with the hinged door;

Figure 12 is the diagrammatic view of the distribution board shown in Figure 25 11 with the hinged door closed; and

Figure 13 is an alternative embodiment of the bracket of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures, there is shown an electrical distribution board 30 10 which includes a gear pan 11 fastened to a metal enclosure 12. A chassis 13 is fastened to the top side 14 of the gear pan 11. Brackets 16 are fastened to the vertical sides 17 of the gear pan 11. Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) 20 are operatively connected to the chassis 13 and supported in position by brackets 16. There is an escutcheon 21 mounted to the top of the enclosure 12 with apertures -6- 2016203266 19 May 2016 that allow the switches 22 of each of the MCBs 20 to protrude there through. The switches 22 of the MCBs 20 are of a DIN standard of 18MMmm wide. The DIN standard is 18mm centres whereas the circuit breakers are manufactured to be 17.5mm wide so to provide sufficient clearance during fitting. 5 The MCBs 20 are connected to the chassis 13 by a series of electrical pins 15. The MCB 20 has a mounting spacing 23 to accommodate the standard DIN rail. The spacing 23 is located at the bottom of the MCB 20 and remote from the switch 22 of the MCB 20.

Each of the brackets 16 are substantially C shaped brackets with outwardly 0 extending flanges 24 from both ends. The width of the each flange in a bracket 16 can be different. The bracket 16 has an aperture for fastening with a fastener to the gear pan 11. The position of the aperture is asymmetrical in the bracket 16 and there is a shorter distance between the aperture and the flange 24 at one end than between the aperture and the other flange 24. The choice of which flange 24 is to be 5 uppermost depends on the particular type of MCB20 and orientating the bracket 16 accordingly.

When the bracket 16 is fastened to the gear pan 11, the outwardly extending flange 24 of one end is positioned within the spacing 23 and abuts the MCB 20. The abutting of the bracket 16 with the MCB 20 supports the MCB 20 to maintain its 0 position relative to the chassis 13. The height of the bracket 16 extending vertically from the gear pan 11 can be designed to correspond to the manufacturer’s MCB 20 type. As well, the width of the outwardly extending flange 24 can be designed to correspond to the manufacturer’s MCB 20 type.

In the preferred embodiment a single bracket 16 can have a different vertical 25 height and or flange width for each longitudinal side of the bracket 16, thereby having the ability to accommodate two different types of MCBs 20.

In another embodiment the bracket 16 can have only one longitudinal side with a flange designed to accommodate a particular type of MCB 20.

There can be a large number of brackets 16 adapted to be used with MCBs 30 20 from the different manufacturers.

With particular reference to Figures 2 to 12 there is shown in diagrammatic form the various components of the distribution board 10 and how they are fitted with respect to each other. With reference to Figure 4 the chassis 13 has a main switch 2016203266 19 May 2016 -7- 30 which controls the supply of power to the MCBs 20. Figures 4 and 5 show the pins 15 and how the MCB 20 operatively connects to the chassis 13.

With reference to Figure 13, there is shown an alternative bracket 35 having two outwardly extending flanges 36,37 and an inwardly extending flange 38. The 5 inwardly extending flange 38 is fastened to the gear pan 11. The position of the flanges 36,37 will depend on the particular orientation of the bracket 35. Flange 36 will abut the MCB 20 in one orientation and when the bracket 35 is reversed flange 37 will abut the MCB 20. The difference between the flanges 36 and 37 is that flange 37 has a greater spacing between itself and flange 38 compared with the 0 spacing between flange 36 and flange 38.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket that provides flexible circuit protection device selection while providing 5 correct alignment with the chassis, gear pan and escutcheon. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a dual reversible bracket to be used with two different MCB types that can have different flange widths and or different flange heights to accommodate design differences between MCBs.

0 VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. 25 Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (23)

1. A bracket attachable to a gear pan and adapted to substantially abut a circuit breaker located in an operative position to the chassis; wherein the gear pan and circuit breaker are independent of who manufactured the components.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket is attachable to the gear pan so as to provide vertical and or horizontal position to support the circuit breaker.

3. A bracket for an electrical distribution board, wherein the bracket is attachable to a gear pan and extends longitudinally to support one or more circuit breakers, wherein the bracket is shaped to support the one or more circuit breakers in an operational position irrespective of the make of the gear pan and the one or more circuit breakers.

4. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bracket is fixable to the side of the gear pan that is perpendicular to the chassis mounting on the gear pan.

5. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket is in the shape of a C bracket with two laterally extending end flanges.

6. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 5, wherein there is an offset or asymmetrically-positioned aperture for the placement of a fastener for fixing to the side of the gear pan.

7. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bracket is fixed to a top side of the gear pan and extends outwardly therefrom.

8. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bracket includes a laterally extending flange.

9. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bracket has three flanges including two opposing end flanges on one side and a third flange extending outwardly from the opposite side of the bracket.

10. A bracket for an electrical distribution board as claimed in claim 9 wherein the third flange has an aperture for a fastener that can pass there through and be fixed to the gear pan.

11. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims, wherein the bracket can abut an inside wall of the DIN standard rail mounting of the circuit breaker.

12. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims, wherein the bracket is mountable to the gear pan so that it can extend outwardly from the gear pan to a position that can abut the circuit breaker.

13. A bracket as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mounting position on the bracket can vary depending on the distance between the gear pan and the circuit breaker type.

14. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims, wherein the bracket has an outwardly extending flange to abut the circuit breaker.

15. A bracket as claimed in claim 14 wherein the width of the flange depends on the position of the circuit breaker relative to the gear pan.

16. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims, wherein opposing end flanges are spaced apart relative to the attachment site to accommodate and support two different makes of circuit breakers.

17. A bracket as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bracket can be reversed for use in supporting a different circuit breaker.

18. A bracket to support one or more circuit breakers to a gear pan and operationally connected to a chassis for an electrical distribution board, wherein the gear pan and the one or more circuit breakers can be of different types.

19. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims wherein the bracket is a dual reversible bracket that can be used with two different circuit breaker types, said bracket can have different flange widths and or different flange heights to accommodate design differences between the circuit breakers.

20. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims wherein the bracket supports the one or more circuit breakers to be in a horizontal and vertical position to operatively connect to the chassis while being attached to the gear pan.

21. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims wherein the bracket positions the one or more circuit breakers so that a switch section thereof can protrude through an aperture in the escutcheon panel.

22. A bracket as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims, wherein the brackets can have different flange widths to accommodate horizontal location of different circuit breakers.

23. A distribution board including a gear pan, a chassis, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more brackets as claimed in any one of the above mentioned claims.