WO2015008120A1 - Electrical consumer unit - Google Patents

Electrical consumer unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015008120A1
WO2015008120A1 PCT/IB2013/055949 IB2013055949W WO2015008120A1 WO 2015008120 A1 WO2015008120 A1 WO 2015008120A1 IB 2013055949 W IB2013055949 W IB 2013055949W WO 2015008120 A1 WO2015008120 A1 WO 2015008120A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
earth
unit
terminals
consumer
terminal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2013/055949
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kaz Roman SLOWIK
Original Assignee
Slowik Kaz Roman
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Slowik Kaz Roman filed Critical Slowik Kaz Roman
Priority to PCT/IB2013/055949 priority Critical patent/WO2015008120A1/en
Publication of WO2015008120A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015008120A1/en

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02BBOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02B1/00Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
    • H02B1/20Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards
    • H02B1/202Cable lay-outs
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02BBOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02B1/00Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
    • H02B1/16Earthing arrangements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02BBOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02B1/00Frameworks, boards, panels, desks, casings; Details of substations or switching arrangements
    • H02B1/26Casings; Parts thereof or accessories therefor
    • H02B1/46Boxes; Parts thereof or accessories therefor
    • H02B1/48Mounting of devices therein

Definitions

  • the invention relates to electrical consumer units.
  • Such a unit may be used for domestic, commercial and industrial use.
  • Current/existing consumer units have significant flaws and all have similar wiring arrangements.
  • the present inventor considers that the existing wiring arrangements of consumer boards can be significantly improved upon for installation, maintenance and safety. Wires often end up crossing each other and live components and causing a hazard for the installer and compromising the safety of the installation. The reason for this is that the earth, neutral and live connections all terminate in different sections of the fuseboard - see Fig 1 for a typical example of a current fuseboard. All of these fuseboards also provide only one earth terminal for each circuit - you can often have three earth wires on one consumer circuit all connected to that one terminal and if you need to remove one earth wire for testing, you are forced to remove the others which leaves their circuits without a protective earth conductor.
  • an electrical consumer unit in which there are means to indicate (or otherwise make apparent) a correct (or improved, compared with what was done previously) electrical connection arrangement within the unit.
  • an electrical consumer unit having different earths for different purposes.
  • the different purposes may be respectively for consumption and testing.
  • the unit may have a consumer earth and a functional earth (which means for testing) distinct from the consumer earth.
  • the different purposes may be respectively for use for respective consumer circuits.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having earth and neutral bars, and having a functional earth distinct from the earth bar.
  • the presence of a distinct functional earth makes it apparent that, for example, an earth-testing terminal of a consumer circuit RCBO is to be connected to the functional earth and not to the earth bar.
  • a fourth aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having a line terminal (alternatively called phase terminal or live terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and a respective neutral and/or earth terminal associated with each such line terminal, the arrangement being such as to indicate the respective associations.
  • a line terminal alternatively called phase terminal or live terminal
  • a respective neutral and/or earth terminal associated with each such line terminal, the arrangement being such as to indicate the respective associations.
  • any terminals that are related to a single consumer circuit are positioned or marked so that it can be seen quite readily that they relate to the same circuit.
  • it may not be the earth terminal that is part of the grouping, but the group of terminals might, for example, be the line and neutral terminals.
  • this indication is provided by having the respective line and neutral and/or earth terminals relating to a consumer circuit grouped together visually.
  • the line or neutral or earth terminals are arranged in a row and, with respect to each of such terminals in the row, the corresponding other terminal or two terminals of the group (comprising such terminal in the row) are arranged opposite the row terminal.
  • successive said neutral and/or earth terminals correspond to successive said line terminals.
  • said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row.
  • said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row along a busbar or, as the case may be, respective busbars.
  • the aforesaid visual indication may also, or instead, comprise a marking for each consumer circuit (one of which is shown in dashed lines, referenced Y in Figure 3.4) marked on the baseboard s of the consumer unit housing.
  • the marking may comprise a colour marking and/or, for greater safety, a tactile marking, e.g. a channel or ridge cut/formed in the surface of baseboard s, which may help recognition in ambiguous lighting conditions.
  • the unit has earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
  • the unit according to the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7 has earth and neutral bars and a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar.
  • this unit comprises means to form, or (e.g. by having extra terminals for the purpose) facilitate the forming of, a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
  • the unit may be sold without yet having any of the interconnections herein described, including the disconnectable link.
  • a consumer unit having terminal means rationalised for safety by having a feature that makes it (visually) apparent, by the arrangement (e.g. position and/or presence) of the terminal means, that there is an intended connection better than not using that connection. That is, it is better in the sense of giving less likelihood of making a wrong electrical connection, e.g. such as to allow wires to cross or have multiple connection to a single terminal of the terminal means.
  • tactile and/or visual means e.g. shapes of terminals.
  • a busbar is usually to be considered as a conducting member having an input/supply terminal and a plurality of output terminals connected by the bar to the input terminal.
  • One aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having different earths for different purposes.
  • an electrical consumer unit having earth and neutral bars, and having a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar.
  • a unit comprises means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
  • a unit comprises switchgear with an output live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits and, for each of these circuits, respective terminals of the earth, neutral and functional earth bars which are directly or closely in line with that live terminal.
  • the switchgear comprises circuit breaker means.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having a live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
  • a live terminal alternatively called phase terminal
  • earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
  • an electrical consumer unit having a live (alternatively called phase) terminal for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth, neutral and functional earth bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
  • a live terminal for each of a plurality of consumer circuits
  • such a unit comprises means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
  • the consumer unit in order to overcome the problems outlined above, in accordance with the said third aspect, has earth and neutral busbars with respective terminals which all line up with the live outputs of breakers, RCBO's or other forms of switch gear installed, see Fig 2.
  • the consumer unit in accordance with the said second aspect, includes a functional earth busbar distinct from the earth bar to enable safer wiring of high integrity earth circuits and for ease of testing, see Fig 3, which combines both aspects.
  • a baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a plurality of busbars lying alongside one another with respective terminals lying in substantially parallel lines transverse to the busbars.
  • the lines are at substantially 90° to the busbars.
  • each of the said lines of terminals will be able to be substantially in line with the corresponding terminal of a respective circuit-breaker of the unit.
  • a baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a busbar connected, or able, to serve respectively as an earth bar and a distinct functional earth bar.
  • these are separate busbars but they may be provided as a compound bar in which there are two distinct rows of terminals (which rows are preferably readily visually distinguishable from each other), one to serve as earths and the other as functional earths.
  • corresponding terminals form the aforesaid substantially parallel lines transverse to the busbars.
  • a baseboard having as much as required of the relevant busbars, circuit-breakers and other switchgear, to be substituted as a retrofit in the housing or frame of an existing consumer unit, e.g. to update and/or add to its existing components, e.g. to add RCBO's and trip switches where there were previously only fuses and at the same time rationalised busbars with inline respective terminals as described herein.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method of modifying a consumer unit by retrofitting to it, e.g. by substitution and/or addition, e.g. by upgrading it, any aforesaid consumer unit or baseboard embodying the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a simplified schematic drawing of a consumer unit/fuseboard of the prior art
  • FIG. 2 is a corresponding drawing of an embodiment of the invention having in-line terminals, in accordance with the aforementioned third aspect of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a corresponding drawing of a similar embodiment having additionally a separate functional earth, in accordance with the aforementioned second and third aspects of the invention.
  • Figure 3.1 shows a consumer cable
  • Figure 3.2 shows links
  • Figure 3.3 shows an armoured cable supply
  • Figure 3.4 shows a combination of all the features of Figure/s 3.1 to 3.3;
  • Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing alone (most of) the neutral bar, earth bar and functional earth bar respectively, to indicate the individual wire connection terminals more clearly;
  • FIG. 7 is a drawing corresponding to Figure 1 but with a separate functional earth, in accordance with the aforementioned second aspect of the invention.
  • the consumer unit/board (see the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3) is an electrical consumer unit with the easier and safer internal wiring arrangement discussed above. Its internal components comprise the following:
  • the main switch/live bus bar and circuit breakers vary in different makes but are generally similar to each other. It is intended in production to fit standard switch gear for whichever parts this is possible.
  • the neutral, earth and functional earth bars will be designed in accordance with embodiments of the invention and their alignment inside the fuseboard along with the presence of a separate functional earth bar are considered to be the most significant features of the embodiments. These are primarily to be manufactured out of brass. The spacing between them and their exact position in the board will vary but they will always generally line up with the live outputs on top of the circuit breakers /RCBO's. See Figures 2 and 3.
  • the structural body of the fuseboard will be designed individually and the (consumer circuit) cable entry point will be significant to the design, as indicated above. These entry points are preferably to line up with each line of terminals'. This reduces the chance of cables crossing over. See Figure 3.4.
  • the body of the fuseboard will be made preferably in moulded plastic or metal but is not limited to these two materials and will vary in size depending on how many circuits it is designed to feed.
  • Nico Board a trade mark to be adopted by the present inventor, is sometimes used herein to denote a consumer unit embodying the invention.
  • FIG 1 PRIOR ART. Typical consumer unit with typical earth and neutral bar locations
  • FIG 2 Nico Board - earth/neutral busbars in line with breakers
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • FIG 3 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • FIG 3.2 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar and links
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • c - breakers e.g. mcb/rcbo
  • FIG 4 Neutral bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit terminals)
  • FIG 5 Earth Bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit terminals)
  • FIG 6 Functional earth bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit functional earth terminals)
  • FIG 7 Nico Board - as Fig.1 but including separate functional earth bar (this may have separated in-line output terminals as shown, or fewer, or may be a conducting member with only a single terminal, or none being then only a functional earth contact point for testing)

Abstract

An electrical consumer unit, in which there are means to indicate (or otherwise make apparent) a correct electrical connection arrangement within the unit, which may readily improve the safety of such a unit. To this end, the unit may have different earths for different purposes, preferably a consumer earth and a functional earth distinct from the consumer earth, e.g. separate respective busbars. And/or the unit may have a line terminal for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and a respective neutral and/or earth terminal associated with each such line terminal, and an indication of the respective associations, preferably each such set of line, neutral and earth terminals corresponding to a consumer circuit being arranged substantially in line.

Description

TITLE
Electrical Consumer Unit
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to electrical consumer units.
BACKROUND
Such a unit may be used for domestic, commercial and industrial use. Current/existing consumer units have significant flaws and all have similar wiring arrangements.
Existing consumer boards leave it to the knowledge and skill of the electrician/installer which connections to make. However, a number of electricians are careless or do not have the necessary skill and/or knowledge, or are not able to concentrate on the job.
THE INVENTION
The present inventor considers that the existing wiring arrangements of consumer boards can be significantly improved upon for installation, maintenance and safety. Wires often end up crossing each other and live components and causing a hazard for the installer and compromising the safety of the installation. The reason for this is that the earth, neutral and live connections all terminate in different sections of the fuseboard - see Fig 1 for a typical example of a current fuseboard. All of these fuseboards also provide only one earth terminal for each circuit - you can often have three earth wires on one consumer circuit all connected to that one terminal and if you need to remove one earth wire for testing, you are forced to remove the others which leaves their circuits without a protective earth conductor.
The present inventor has realised that the problems outlined above can be overcome by providing, according to a first aspect of the invention, an electrical consumer unit, in which there are means to indicate (or otherwise make apparent) a correct (or improved, compared with what was done previously) electrical connection arrangement within the unit.
This can be realised by providing, according to a second aspect of the invention, an electrical consumer unit having different earths for different purposes. The different purposes may be respectively for consumption and testing. For example, the unit may have a consumer earth and a functional earth (which means for testing) distinct from the consumer earth. Again, the different purposes may be respectively for use for respective consumer circuits.
Correspondingly, a third aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having earth and neutral bars, and having a functional earth distinct from the earth bar. The presence of a distinct functional earth makes it apparent that, for example, an earth-testing terminal of a consumer circuit RCBO is to be connected to the functional earth and not to the earth bar.
Correspondingly again, a fourth aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having a line terminal (alternatively called phase terminal or live terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and a respective neutral and/or earth terminal associated with each such line terminal, the arrangement being such as to indicate the respective associations.
However, any terminals that are related to a single consumer circuit are positioned or marked so that it can be seen quite readily that they relate to the same circuit. Thus, it may not be the earth terminal that is part of the grouping, but the group of terminals might, for example, be the line and neutral terminals.
In an embodiment, this indication is provided by having the respective line and neutral and/or earth terminals relating to a consumer circuit grouped together visually. Preferably, the line or neutral or earth terminals are arranged in a row and, with respect to each of such terminals in the row, the corresponding other terminal or two terminals of the group (comprising such terminal in the row) are arranged opposite the row terminal. Preferably, successive said neutral and/or earth terminals correspond to successive said line terminals. Preferably, said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row. Preferably, said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row along a busbar or, as the case may be, respective busbars. Preferably, there are a neutral terminal and an earth terminal associated with each line terminal, and these three terminals are arranged substantially in line. Preferably, the said lines of each said three terminals are substantially parallel. Preferably, the line terminals are arranged substantially in a row and the said lines of three terminals are within 30° of being substantially at 90° to the row. Preferably, the said lines of three terminals are substantially at 90° to the row. All of these preferences are exhibited by the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 3.4. The aforesaid visual indication may also, or instead, comprise a marking for each consumer circuit (one of which is shown in dashed lines, referenced Y in Figure 3.4) marked on the baseboard s of the consumer unit housing. The marking may comprise a colour marking and/or, for greater safety, a tactile marking, e.g. a channel or ridge cut/formed in the surface of baseboard s, which may help recognition in ambiguous lighting conditions.
So, by way of example of said fourth aspect, in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 3.4, the unit has earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal. Referring to the aforesaid third aspect, the unit according to the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7 has earth and neutral bars and a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar. Preferably, this unit comprises means to form, or (e.g. by having extra terminals for the purpose) facilitate the forming of, a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar. The unit may be sold without yet having any of the interconnections herein described, including the disconnectable link.
Thus there can be provided, according to a further aspect of the invention a consumer unit having terminal means rationalised for safety by having a feature that makes it (visually) apparent, by the arrangement (e.g. position and/or presence) of the terminal means, that there is an intended connection better than not using that connection. That is, it is better in the sense of giving less likelihood of making a wrong electrical connection, e.g. such as to allow wires to cross or have multiple connection to a single terminal of the terminal means.
In further consideration of means to indicate a correct electrical connection arrangement, there can be provided tactile and/or visual means, e.g. shapes of terminals.
A busbar is usually to be considered as a conducting member having an input/supply terminal and a plurality of output terminals connected by the bar to the input terminal.
One aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having different earths for different purposes.
Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having earth and neutral bars, and having a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar. Preferably, such a unit comprises means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar. Preferably, such a unit comprises switchgear with an output live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits and, for each of these circuits, respective terminals of the earth, neutral and functional earth bars which are directly or closely in line with that live terminal. Preferably, the switchgear comprises circuit breaker means.
Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having a live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical consumer unit having a live (alternatively called phase) terminal for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth, neutral and functional earth bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal. Preferably, such a unit comprises means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
In embodiments of the invention, in order to overcome the problems outlined above, in accordance with the said third aspect, the consumer unit has earth and neutral busbars with respective terminals which all line up with the live outputs of breakers, RCBO's or other forms of switch gear installed, see Fig 2. In accordance with the said second aspect, the consumer unit includes a functional earth busbar distinct from the earth bar to enable safer wiring of high integrity earth circuits and for ease of testing, see Fig 3, which combines both aspects.
To adapt the invention for retrofitting, there is provided, according to another aspect of the invention, a baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a plurality of busbars lying alongside one another with respective terminals lying in substantially parallel lines transverse to the busbars. Preferably, the lines are at substantially 90° to the busbars. For a particular unit (or standard of unit) for which the baseboard is designed, each of the said lines of terminals will be able to be substantially in line with the corresponding terminal of a respective circuit-breaker of the unit.
There is also provided, according to another aspect of the invention, a baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a busbar connected, or able, to serve respectively as an earth bar and a distinct functional earth bar. Preferably, these are separate busbars but they may be provided as a compound bar in which there are two distinct rows of terminals (which rows are preferably readily visually distinguishable from each other), one to serve as earths and the other as functional earths. Preferably, corresponding terminals form the aforesaid substantially parallel lines transverse to the busbars.
There may also be provided a baseboard having as much as required of the relevant busbars, circuit-breakers and other switchgear, to be substituted as a retrofit in the housing or frame of an existing consumer unit, e.g. to update and/or add to its existing components, e.g. to add RCBO's and trip switches where there were previously only fuses and at the same time rationalised busbars with inline respective terminals as described herein.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of modifying a consumer unit by retrofitting to it, e.g. by substitution and/or addition, e.g. by upgrading it, any aforesaid consumer unit or baseboard embodying the invention.
ADVANTAGES
The advantages of these embodiments are numerous. The main one would be that it significantly improves on safety and in even the worst case where it is being installed by a 'cowboy' electrician or under-qualified persons it would be difficult to wire wrongly and in an unsafe manner, as follows. 1. The fact that all the live/neutral/earth terminals line up with each other, for each consumer circuit, makes it obvious where to wire them into and clear to see where they go and come from. This is hugely beneficial when trying to trace where wires come from for testing purposes or wiring in additional circuits.
2. The fact that all the live/neutral/earth terminals line up with each other, for each consumer circuit, makes the labelling of such a fuseboard (consumer unit) far easier at any stage. It would be very easy to identify circuits even if no labelling were present.
3. The line up of all the busbars means that the cable entry is from the top - this means that there would be no reason to run wires anywhere near the live busbar (usually at the bottom of the board). See Fig 3.4, "top" and "bottom" being as seen in this Figure.
4. It is not always possible to isolate an entire fuseboard for maintenance - especially in places such as hospitals where they power life support equipment. This layout and design of a consumer unit board embodiment makes it far easier and safer to access components and add additional circuits without isolating the panel (unit). The state of many existing fuseboards is so bad that even to open them up without isolating their supply is very hazardous. While, strictly speaking, all fuseboards and switch gear ought properly to be isolated before their covers are taken off and maintenance undertaken on them, in reality/practice, little attention is paid to this. The design of this consumer unit/board avoids many hazards should it be opened up and worked upon in this unsafe way. The present embodiments are not intended to promote or encourage contractors to work on fuseboards while they are live; however, they offer a safer environment to do so should the contractors decide to work in this way (which many contractors inevitably do).
There will thus be provided:
1. An electrical consumer unit in which the terminals of the earth, neutral and functional earth bars line up directly or closely in line with the live output of the circuit breaker for each circuit.
2. The presence of a functional earth bar within the consumer unit with a detachable link to the standard earth bar with all corresponding terminals lining up between them, the neutral bar and the live outputs from the circuit breakers.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a simplified schematic drawing of a consumer unit/fuseboard of the prior art;
Figure 2 is a corresponding drawing of an embodiment of the invention having in-line terminals, in accordance with the aforementioned third aspect of the invention;
Figure 3 is a corresponding drawing of a similar embodiment having additionally a separate functional earth, in accordance with the aforementioned second and third aspects of the invention. For this embodiment: Figure 3.1 shows a consumer cable; Figure 3.2 shows links; Figure 3.3 shows an armoured cable supply; and Figure 3.4 shows a combination of all the features of Figure/s 3.1 to 3.3; and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing alone (most of) the neutral bar, earth bar and functional earth bar respectively, to indicate the individual wire connection terminals more clearly; and
Figure 7 is a drawing corresponding to Figure 1 but with a separate functional earth, in accordance with the aforementioned second aspect of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, the same reference in the different drawings indicates the same functional part.
The consumer unit/board (see the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3) is an electrical consumer unit with the easier and safer internal wiring arrangement discussed above. Its internal components comprise the following:
Main switch
Circuit breakers/RCBO's/RCD
Live bus bar
Neutral bus bar - Fig 4
Earth bus bar - Fig 5
Functional earth bus bar - Fig 6
The main switch/live bus bar and circuit breakers (already standard units) vary in different makes but are generally similar to each other. It is intended in production to fit standard switch gear for whichever parts this is possible. The neutral, earth and functional earth bars will be designed in accordance with embodiments of the invention and their alignment inside the fuseboard along with the presence of a separate functional earth bar are considered to be the most significant features of the embodiments. These are primarily to be manufactured out of brass. The spacing between them and their exact position in the board will vary but they will always generally line up with the live outputs on top of the circuit breakers /RCBO's. See Figures 2 and 3.
The structural body of the fuseboard will be designed individually and the (consumer circuit) cable entry point will be significant to the design, as indicated above. These entry points are preferably to line up with each line of terminals'. This reduces the chance of cables crossing over. See Figure 3.4.
The body of the fuseboard will be made preferably in moulded plastic or metal but is not limited to these two materials and will vary in size depending on how many circuits it is designed to feed.
(The term Nico Board, a trade mark to be adopted by the present inventor, is sometimes used herein to denote a consumer unit embodying the invention.)
The precise details of the embodiments will be apparent from the following explanatory key to the references in the drawings. KEY
FIG 1 PRIOR ART. Typical consumer unit with typical earth and neutral bar locations
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (mcb/rcbo/rewirable fuse)
FIG 2 Nico Board - earth/neutral busbars in line with breakers
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
FIG 3 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
s - housing baseboard
FIG 3.1 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
e - typical consumer circuit twin and earth cable - internal conductors - neutral, earth, live
FIG 3.2 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar and links
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
f - main switch
g - neutral link from main switch to neutral bar
h - main earth conductors
i - 3 x bonding terminals
j - link between earth bars
FIG 3.3 Nico Board - as Fig.2 but including functional earth bar with armoured cable
entry
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
f - main switch
k - armoured cable (supply/input to consumer unit)
I - earth conductor
FIG 3.4 Nico Board - including all items
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (e.g. mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
e - typical twin and earth cable - internal conductors - neutral, earth, live
f - main switch g - neutral link
j - link between earth bars
k - armoured cable
I - earth conductor
m - live input terminal
n - neutral input terminal
o - live busbar
r - visual indication of corresponding terminals
FIG 4 Neutral bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit terminals)
b - neutral bar
p - terminal
q - cable
FIG 5 Earth Bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit terminals)
a - earth bar
p - terminal
q - cable
FIG 6 Functional earth bar (that part of the bar comprising the consumer circuit functional earth terminals)
d - functional earth bar
p - terminal
q - cable (connecting to test point on respective breaker)
FIG 7 Nico Board - as Fig.1 but including separate functional earth bar (this may have separated in-line output terminals as shown, or fewer, or may be a conducting member with only a single terminal, or none being then only a functional earth contact point for testing)
a - earth bar
b - neutral bar
c - breakers (mcb/rcbo)
d - functional earth bar
Many variations of the invention and embodiments herein described will be apparent to people skilled in the art. For example, features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged in order to form further embodiments. Again, where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implicit the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent. The invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive embodiments formed by said variations, further embodiments and cases.

Claims

1. An electrical consumer unit, in which there are means to indicate (or otherwise make apparent) a correct electrical connection arrangement within the unit.
2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 , having different earths for different purposes.
3. A unit as claimed in claim 2, having different earths for consumption and for testing respectively.
4. A unit as claimed in claim 3, having a consumer earth and a functional earth distinct from the consumer earth.
5. A unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, having different earths for respective consumer circuits.
6. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, having a line terminal (alternatively called a phase terminal or live terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and a respective neutral and/or earth terminal associated with each such line terminal, the arrangement being such as to indicate the respective associations.
7. A unit as claimed in claim 6, in which the respective line and neutral and/or earth terminals relating to a consumer circuit are grouped together visually.
8. A unit as claimed in claim 7, in which the line or neutral or earth terminals are arranged in a row and, with respect to each of such terminals in the row, the corresponding other terminal or two terminals of the group are arranged opposite the row terminal.
9. A unit as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, in which successive said neutral and/or earth terminals correspond to successive said line terminals.
10. A unit as claimed in claim 9, in which said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row.
11. A unit as claimed in claim 10, in which said successive neutral and/or earth terminals are arranged in a row along a busbar or, as the case may be, respective busbars.
12. A unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 , in which there are a neutral terminal and an earth terminal associated with each line terminal, and these three terminals are arranged substantially in line.
13. A unit as claimed in claim 12, in which the said lines of each said three terminals are substantially parallel.
14. A unit as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in which the line terminals are arranged substantially in a row and the said lines of three terminals are within 30° of being substantially at 90° to the row.
15. A unit as claimed in claim 14, in which the said lines of three terminals are substantially at 90° to the row.
16. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, having earth and neutral bars and having a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar.
17. A unit as claimed in claim 16, comprising means to form, or facilitate the forming of, a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
18. An electrical consumer unit having different earths for different purposes.
19. An electrical consumer unit having earth and neutral bars, and having a functional earth bar distinct from the earth bar.
20. A unit as claimed in claim 19, comprising means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
21. A unit as claimed in claim 20, comprising switchgear with an output live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits and, for each of these circuits, respective terminals of the earth, neutral and functional earth bars which are directly or closely in line with that live terminal.
22. A unit as claimed in claim 21 , in which the switchgear comprises circuit breaker means.
23. An electrical consumer unit having a live terminal (alternatively called phase terminal) for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth and neutral bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
24. An electrical consumer unit having a live (alternatively called phase) terminal for each of a plurality of consumer circuits, and having earth, neutral and functional earth bars with respective terminals that line up directly or closely in line with each such live terminal.
25. A unit as claimed in claim 24, comprising means to form a disconnectable link between the functional earth bar and the earth bar.
26. An electrical consumer unit substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described.
27. An electrical consumer unit substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a plurality of busbars lying alongside one another with respective terminals lying in substantially parallel lines transverse to the busbars.
29. A baseboard suitable for retrofit in a consumer unit and having mounted on it a busbar connected, or able, to serve respectively as an earth bar and a distinct functional earth bar.
30. A method of modifying a consumer unit by retrofitting to it a consumer unit or baseboard as claimed in any preceding claim.
PCT/IB2013/055949 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Electrical consumer unit WO2015008120A1 (en)

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Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2013/055949 WO2015008120A1 (en) 2013-07-19 2013-07-19 Electrical consumer unit

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3297108A1 (en) * 2016-09-15 2018-03-21 Walter Varlemann Fuse assembly for protecting outer conductors of an electrical fuse unit for forming a building connection

Citations (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2593961A (en) * 1950-06-24 1952-04-22 Fed Electric Prod Co Current distribution and control unit
FR2437715A1 (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-04-25 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Main switch for electrical power distribution point - has terminals suitably spaced to fit on to connection bars which support it
EP0063970A1 (en) * 1981-04-22 1982-11-03 Merlin Gerin Power bus set for a modular apparatus of an electrical box
US5745337A (en) * 1996-06-10 1998-04-28 Eaton Corporation Wire barrier for electrical panel board
DE19734709C1 (en) * 1997-08-11 1998-11-12 Siemens Ag Switching device system with modular power bus e.g. for switch cabinet/box
DE19918212A1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-09 Cad Cabel Inh Peter Hanzel Cables for wiring electrical devices of a complex, individual system and process for their manufacture
US20080124963A1 (en) * 2006-11-27 2008-05-29 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda Busbar assembly
GB2446841A (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-27 Prem Singh Split load distribution board/consumer unit
US20090107693A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 The West End Design Group, Llc Electrical apparatus having quick connect components

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2593961A (en) * 1950-06-24 1952-04-22 Fed Electric Prod Co Current distribution and control unit
FR2437715A1 (en) * 1978-09-29 1980-04-25 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Main switch for electrical power distribution point - has terminals suitably spaced to fit on to connection bars which support it
EP0063970A1 (en) * 1981-04-22 1982-11-03 Merlin Gerin Power bus set for a modular apparatus of an electrical box
US5745337A (en) * 1996-06-10 1998-04-28 Eaton Corporation Wire barrier for electrical panel board
DE19734709C1 (en) * 1997-08-11 1998-11-12 Siemens Ag Switching device system with modular power bus e.g. for switch cabinet/box
DE19918212A1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-09 Cad Cabel Inh Peter Hanzel Cables for wiring electrical devices of a complex, individual system and process for their manufacture
US20080124963A1 (en) * 2006-11-27 2008-05-29 Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda Busbar assembly
GB2446841A (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-27 Prem Singh Split load distribution board/consumer unit
US20090107693A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 The West End Design Group, Llc Electrical apparatus having quick connect components

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3297108A1 (en) * 2016-09-15 2018-03-21 Walter Varlemann Fuse assembly for protecting outer conductors of an electrical fuse unit for forming a building connection

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