EP4393278A1

EP4393278A1 - Ac power distribution panel

Info

Publication number: EP4393278A1
Application number: EP22751884.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas JC PETCH; Steven ZANFT
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Outdoor Wireless Networks LLC
Priority date: 2021-08-23
Filing date: 2022-06-29
Publication date: 2024-07-03
Also published as: WO2023027806A1

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a power distribution panel that complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive. The power distribution panel includes an outer housing having a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior. The interior contains a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a power output terminal, wherein the power output terminal is a socket outlet and each electrical circuit includes one or more circuit protection devices.

Description

AC POWER DISTRIBUTION PANEL

Related Application(s)

[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/235,924, filed August 23, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally toward telecommunications equipment, and more particularly, toward power distribution panels.

Background

[0003] In telecommunications installations, equipment is often mounted in equipment racks. These racks permit greater density and organization of installation for this equipment. To simplify the provision of power to the equipment mounted within a cabinet, power distribution panels may be mounted in the same rack. Within the panels is circuitry for distributing the current from the power input terminals to one or more power output terminals. From the output terminals, electrical cables may be led to the telecommunications equipment mounted within the rack. The racks are conventionally divided into rack units ("U"), where 1U is 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

[0004] To maximize the amount of rack space that can be devoted to telecommunications equipment, it is desirable to make the power distribution panels as compact as possible to meet the conventional size options, while also being able to incorporate all of the electrical elements needed to meet certain electrical regulations.

Summary

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a power distribution panel. The panel includes an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a power output terminal, wherein the power output terminal is a socket outlet and each electrical circuit includes one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior. The panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a power distribution panel. The panel includes an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a socket outlet accessible through the front side of the panel, each electrical circuit including one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior. The plurality of circuit protection devices includes a main isolation switch, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more surge protection devices, each circuit protection device being accessible through the front side of the panel. The panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a power distribution panel. The panel includes an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a socket outlet accessible through the front side of the panel, each electrical circuit including one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior. The plurality of circuit protection devices includes a main isolation switch, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more surge protection devices, each circuit protection device being accessible through the front side of the panel. The panel has a height of 2 rack units (2U) and a width of 19 inches. The panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

[0008] It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim and/or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim or claims although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below. Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power distribution panel according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of the power distribution panel of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the power distribution panel of FIG. 1 with the protective cover removed.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the power distribution panel of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of exemplary cable connections and routing within the power distribution panel of FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0014] The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0015] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. In some cases, two-part reference numerals are used in the drawings. Herein, elements having such two-part reference numerals may be referred to individually by their full reference number (e.g., surge protection device 112-1) and may be referred to collectively by the first part of their reference numerals (e.g., surge protection devices 112).

[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

[0017] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0018] As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as "between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to about Y. "

[0019] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0020] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper", "lateral", "left", "right" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0021] Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, a power distribution panel is provided that may be used to provide increased usable space in a telecommunications cabinet while also incorporating all electrical elements such that the panel complies with the latest requirements of the United Kingdom (UK) electrical regulations, such as the European Union (EU) Low Voltage Directive. Embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0022] Referring now to the figures, a power distribution panel according to embodiments of the present invention, designated broadly at 100, is illustrated in FIG. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 1, the power distribution panel 100 comprises an outer housing 102. The housing 102 of the power distribution panel 100 may include a front side 102f, a rear side 102r, a pair of opposing sides 102s, and a bottom side 102b, which together define an interior 105 (see also, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). In some embodiments, the housing 102 is a unitary member. For example, the housing 102 may be formed from a single piece of galvanized steel which is bent to form the sides (bottom 120b, front 102f, rear 102r, and opposing 102s) of the housing 102.

[0023] The housing 102 of the power distribution panel 100 has a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H) (see, e.g., FIG. 2 and FIG. 4). The panel 100 of the present invention is designed to be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack, occupying 2 rack units (2U) of rack space. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 102 has a height H of 2U for a standard 19-inch rack frame (3.5 inches or 89 mm). In some embodiments, the housing 102 may have a length L (or depth) in the range of about 100 mm (3.9 inches) to about 200 mm (7.9 inches). In some embodiments, the housing 102 may have a width W in the range of about 482.6 mm (19 inches) to about 584.2 mm (23 inches) For example, in some embodiments, the panel 100 may have a width W of 482.6 mm (19 inches), a height H of 89 mm (3.5 inches), and a length L of 150 mm (5.9 inches). In some embodiments, the dimensions of the panel 100 may be adjusted to allow the panel 100 to be mounted in a standard 23 -inch rack.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the power distribution panel 100 of the present invention may further comprise a removable protective cover 104. The protective cover 104 is sized and configured to be mounted on the rear side 102r and opposing sides 102s such that the interior 105 of the housing 102 is completely covered. The cover 104 may be secured to the outer housing 102 by known methods in the art, for example, with threaded bolts/screws 105 and nuts or the like, through apertures 104a in the cover 104.

[0025] In some embodiments, the power distribution panel 100 may further comprise two or more mounting flanges 106 adapted to mount the housing 102 to a telecommunications cabinet. The panel 100 may be secured within the cabinet by known methods in the art, for example, with threaded bolts/screws and nuts or the like, through apertures 106a in the mounting flanges 106.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the front side 102f of the panel 100 includes an opening 110a configured to receive and hold a socket outlet 110. In some embodiments, the socket outlet 110 has three sockets 110s and is protected by a residual current device (RCD) (or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as known in the United States) which is capable of quickly breaking an electrical circuit to protect the electrical equipment of the panel 100, thereby helping reduce the risk of serious harm to a technician from an ongoing electric shock. In some embodiments, the socket outlet 110 may be a replaceable module design that fits within the opening 110a. The replaceable module design of the socket outlet 110 allows the socket outlet 110 to be changed to accommodate different specifications in other countries or regions. For example, the socket outlet 110 shown in the figures is for a UK design for socket outlets, but could be changed to accommodate European or United States specifications, thereby allowing the panel 100 of the present invention to be applicable in different markets.

[0027] According to embodiments of the present invention, the interior 105 of the panel 100 may comprise a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals 111 to the socket outlet 110. The telecommunications or other electronic equipment connected to the power distribution panel 100 may be sensitive to fluctuations in the electrical power being supplied, and damaged by over-current or over-voltage conditions. For protection, the panel 100 further includes at least one surge protection device (SPD) 112. As shown in the figures, the surge protection device(s) 112 extend (are accessible) through the front side 102f of the power distribution panel 100. In some embodiments, the panel 100 may include two surge protection device (SPD) modules 112-1, 112-2, which extend (are accessible) through the front side 102f of the panel 100.

[0028] The panel 100 further comprises addition safety protection devices including a main isolation switch 113 and a plurality of circuit protection devices 114 (i.e., 114-1 through 114-4). Similar to the surge protection device 112, the main isolation switch 113 and circuit protection devices 114 extend (are accessible) through the front side 102f of the panel 100. In some embodiments, the circuit protection devices 114 are miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).

[0029] Internal to the housing 102 are the aforementioned power input terminals 111. In addition, the rear side 102r of the housing 102 may comprise one or more openings 103 that allows incoming and outgoing cables 170 to enter and exit the power distribution panel 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the rear side 102r of the panel 100 may comprise compression glands or grommets (not shown) in the one or more openings 130 that are adapted to secure in place the incoming and outgoing cables 170 that are connected to the power input terminals 111. [0030] In some embodiments, the panel 100 of the present invention may be adapted to be mounted to an external weatherproofed equipment cabinet (e.g., Viper Cabinet, Product No. A-100643, CommScope, Inc.). For example, the panel 100 of the present invention may be mounted inside an Ingress Protection (IP) rated cabinet, such as those that house mobile phone base station equipment or fiber optic equipment. The IP ratings are used to define levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies (e.g., dirt) and moisture. The weatherproof nature of the cabinets in which the panel 100 of the present invention may be mounted typically have a rating of IP55, which means that the panel 100 itself can have a lower IP rating. For example, in some embodiments, the panel 100 of the present invention may have an IP rating of IP42, with the concern primarily being on preventing contact with other live parts within the cabinet that the panel 100 is mounted.

[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the power distribution panel 100 may be certified in accordance with BS EN 61439, which is a standardized set of safety requirements for power switch gear and control gear assemblies. When certified in accordance with the BS EN 61439 standard, the panel 100 complies with the latest requirements of the United Kingdom (UK) electrical regulations, such as the European Union (EU) Low Voltage Directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU). The LVD ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits provides a high level of protection for citizens. In some embodiments, power output terminals (e.g., socket outlet 110) of the power distribution panel 100 may be sized and configured to accommodate up to 40A (amps) of alternating current (AC) power. In some embodiments, the power output terminals of the panel 100 may be sized and configured to accommodate up to 60A (amps) of AC power. [0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic that illustrates an exemplary configuration for the connections and routings of cables 150 within the panel 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, two of the three sockets 110s for the socket outlet 110 are connected to the input terminals 111. The main isolation switch 113 and surge protection devices 112 are also connected to the input terminals 111. The other socket 110s of socket 110 is connected to one of the miniature circuit breakers 114 (e.g., 114-4). The other miniature circuit breakers 114 (e.g., 114-1 through 114-3) are connected to the main isolation switch 113 and one of the surge protection devices 112 (e.g., SPD module 112-2). The panel 100 of the present invention is designed to and tested against BS EN 61439. Thus, compliance of the panel 100 with BS EN 61439 ensures compliance of the panel 100 with the European Union Low Voltage Directive (LVD).

[0033] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. A power distribution panel, the panel comprising: an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a power output terminal, wherein the power output terminal is a socket outlet and each electrical circuit includes one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior of the housing, wherein the panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

2. The power distribution panel of Claim 1, wherein the panel comprises at least two mounting flanges adapted to mount the housing to a rack frame.

3. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket outlet and each of the circuit protection devices are accessible through the front side of the panel.

4. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket outlet is sized and configured to accommodate up to 40A of AC power.

5. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the socket outlet is sized and configured to accommodate up to 60 A of AC power.

6. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel has a height of 2 rack units (2U).

7. The power distribution panel of Claim 6, wherein the panel has a width of about 19 inches.

9

8. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of circuit protection devices includes a main isolation switch, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more surge protection devices.

9. The power distribution panel of Claim 8, wherein the one or more circuit breakers are miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).

10. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is certified in accordance with BS EN 61439.

11. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is adapted to be mounted to an external weatherproof equipment cabinet.

12. The power distribution panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket outlet is a replaceable modular design that fits within an opening in the front side of the panel.

13. A power distribution panel, the panel comprising: an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a socket outlet accessible through the front side of the panel, each electrical circuit including one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior, wherein the plurality of circuit protection devices includes a main isolation switch, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more surge protection devices, each circuit protection device being accessible through the front side of the panel, wherein the panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

14. The power distribution panel of Claim 13, wherein the panel comprises at least two mounting flanges adapted to mount the housing to a rack frame.

15. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13 or 14, wherein the socket outlet is each sized and configured to accommodate up to 40A of AC power.

16. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13 or 14, wherein the socket outlet is each sized and configured to accommodate up to 60A of AC power.

17. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13-16, wherein the panel has a height of 2 rack units (2U).

18. The power distribution panel of Claim 17, wherein the panel has a width of about 19 inches.

19. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13-18, wherein the one or more circuit breakers are miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).

20. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13-19, wherein the panel is certified in accordance with BS EN 61439.

21. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13-20, wherein the panel is adapted to be mounted to an external weatherproof equipment cabinet.

22. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 13-21, wherein the socket outlet is a replaceable modular design that fits within an opening in the front side of the panel.

23. A power distribution panel, the panel comprising: an outer housing including a front side, a rear side, a pair of opposing sides, and a bottom side defining an interior, the interior containing a plurality of electrical circuits connecting a plurality of power input terminals to a socket outlet accessible through the front side of the panel, each electrical circuit including one or more circuit protection devices; and a removable protective cover mounted over the interior,

11 wherein the plurality of circuit protection devices includes a main isolation switch, one or more circuit breakers, and one or more surge protection devices, each circuit protection device being accessible through the front side of the panel, wherein the panel has a height of 2 rack units (2U) and a width of about 19 inches, and wherein the panel complies with the European Union Low Voltage Directive.

24. The power distribution panel of Claim 23, wherein the panel is certified in accordance with BS EN 61439.

25. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 23 or 24, wherein the socket outlet is each sized and configured to accommodate up to 40A of AC power.

26. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 23 or 24, wherein the socket outlet is each sized and configured to accommodate up to 60A of AC power.

27. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 23-26, wherein the panel is adapted to be mounted to an external weatherproof equipment cabinet.

28. The power distribution panel of any one of Claims 23-27, wherein the socket outlet is a replaceable module design that fits within an opening in the front side of the panel.

12