MXPA05013317A - Alignment arrangement for a circuit breaker cradle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an alignment arrangement for a circuit breaker cradle configured to mount in a switchgear enclosure. The switchgear enclosure includes a mounting base. The alignment arrangement includes a first cradle alignment notch defined in one end of the mounting base. A second cradle alignment notch is defined in another end of the mounting base. A first alignment tab is defined on one edge of the cradle and positioned on the cradle to align with the first cradle alignment notch. A second alignment tab is defined on another edge of the cradle and positioned on the cradle to align with the second cradle alignment notch. The two alignment tabs will mate and interlock with the two notches in the mounting base to align the cradle horizontally and vertically in the switchgear enclosure.

Description

ALIGNMENT ASSEMBLY FOR A CIRCUIT PROTECTOR SWITCH SUPPORT FIELD The present invention relates generally to the field of switching panels and electrical instrument panels and more particularly to an alignment assembly for a circuit protection switch holder configured to be mounted in a switch box.

BACKGROUND Switch assemblies and switching panels and instrument panels are general terms that cover metal enclosures that house switching and interruption devices such as fuses and circuit protection switches, along with associated control, instrumentation and measurement devices. Such assemblies typically include busbars, interconnections and associated support structures used for the distribution of electrical power. Switches and low voltage switch panels operate at voltages up to 600 volts and with continuous currents up to 5,000 amps or more. Such devices are also designed to withstand short-circuit currents up to 200,000 amperes (symmetrical 3-phase RMS).

The equipment of a typical switch is composed of an alignment of several enclosed metal sections. Each section may have several circuit protective switches stacked one on top of the other vertically at the front of the section and each switch is enclosed in its own metal compartment. Each section has a vertical or section busbar that supplies current to the switches within the section by horizontal and short branch busbars also referred to as run start busbars. The vertical bus bars in each section are supplied with current by a horizontal main bus that runs through the alignment of enclosed metal sections. A normal assembly includes busbars for each electrical phase of a multi-phase system that can include three energy phases and one neutral phase. The circuit protective switches used in switch boxes may be of a stationary construction or a sliding construction. In a stationary construction, the circuit protective switch is bolted to the structure both mechanically and electrically and is not removable without the use of tools. A sliding construction of a circuit protection switch is normally removable without the use of tools. However, the slide switches use electrical plug connections to the commutator busbar, usually referred to as primary disconnects or circuit breakers, and are located on the rear wall of the circuit-breaker compartment. In addition, the circuit protection switch may have pin connections for control and communication wiring, usually called secondary disconnects. To operate properly, the slide circuit protective switch must travel through a rack inside and outside the circuit-breaker compartment without joining and with proper alignment of the primary and secondary disconnects to ensure proper coupling for a good electrical connection. Thus, there is a need for a switch box for electrical equipment having at least one circuit breaker compartment for receiving a circuit protection switch that will properly align the circuit breaker with the primary disconnects and secondary disconnects in the box . There is a further need for an alignment assembly for a circuit protection switch bracket configured to be mounted in a switch box that would align the bracket horizontally and vertically in the switch box and align the bracket appropriately in a directional fashion inside the switch housing. switch. There is an additional need for a circuit breaker support that is self-aligning for installation in a switch box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a box for electrical equipment. The box includes a pair of substantially parallel support members. At least one mounting base is coupled to the members, and the mounting base defines a first notch in the mounting base and a second notch in the mounting base. A bracket is configured to be mounted on the box, and the bracket has a rear end defining a pair of mounting flanges, and each flange has at least one alignment tab corresponding to the respective notch. Where the support is supported on the box and aligned in the box by engaging the tabs with the notches and the support is aligned directionally by the flanges that make contact with the mounting base. Additional mounting bases can be installed with additional alignment tabs defined on the support corresponding to the additional notches of the mounting base. The protective circuit breaker bracket can be electrically grounded to the box by metal brackets that secure the bracket to the mounting base and extend to the frame members of the box. An alignment assembly is additionally provided for a circuit protector switch holder configured to be mounted in a box. The box includes a mounting base. The alignment assembly includes a first notch of support alignment defined at one end of the mounting base. A second notch of support alignment is defined at another end of the mounting base. A first alignment tab is defined on one edge of the support and positioned on the support to align with the first support alignment notch. A second alignment tab is defined on another edge of the support and positioned on the support to align with the second support alignment notch. The two alignment tabs will engage and lock with the two notches in the mounting base to align the stand horizontally and vertically in the box. Additionally, a method for installing a circuit protective switch in a switch box is provided, the switch box has a pair of vertical frame members. The method comprises the steps of providing a mounting base defining a first supporting alignment notch at one end of the mounting base and a second supporting alignment notch defined at another end of the mounting base. Attach the mounting base to each of the vertical frame members. Provide a circuit protector switch support, the holder has a rear end that defines a pair of mounting flanges. Each mounting flange has at least one alignment tab with the tabs corresponding to the alignment notches. Attach the circuit protector switch bracket to the mounting base and each vertical frame member where the bracket is aligned horizontally and vertically by the tabs that engage and lock with the notches and the bracket is aligned directionally by the flanges that they make contact with the mounting base. Install a protective circuit breaker in the bracket. In another embodiment of the method, the protective circuit breaker is a sliding circuit protective switch. Another embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing clamps and installing the clamps on the flanges, through the mounting base, on the vertical frame members, where the support is electrically grounded. A box is additionally provided to protect electrical equipment. The box includes a pair of support members spaced apart. At least one mounting base is coupled to the support members, the base includes first and second alignment devices. A support including third and fourth alignment devices is alignable and can be coupled with the first and second alignment devices respectively. The support is then aligned and supported in the box when the alignment devices are engaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting base that includes notches of an alignment assembly for a circuit breaker support.

Figure 2A is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a mounting base that includes notches of an alignment assembly for a circuit breaker support. Figure 2B is a detailed perspective view of the alignment notch defined at one end of the mounting base illustrated in Figure 2A. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a circuit protective circuit breaker holder having a pair of mounting flanges and each flange having at least one alignment tab. Figure 4 is a partial plan view of the circuit protection circuit breaker compartment including a mounting base and an additional mounting base and each mounting base defines notches of an alignment assembly for a circuit breaker support. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a switch box including several compartments of circuit breaker and illustrating exemplary embodiments of circuit breaker support mounted in the circuit protective circuit breaker compartments of the box. Figure 6 is a top view of a circuit protection switch bracket partially installed in a compartment of the circuit protection switch of a box and the bracket flanges still do not touch the mating surfaces of the mounting base and the tabs on the brackets. Flanges still do not couple the alignment notches in the mounting base. Figure 7 is a top view of the circuit protective circuit breaker bracket illustrated in Figure 6 with the circuit protector switch bracket fully installed in the circuit-breaker compartment, and the circuit-breaker support bracket flanges now they touch the coupling surfaces on the mounting base and the alignment tabs couple the alignment notches in the mounting base and with clamps that secure the support to the mounting base. Figure 8 is a top view of the circuit protective circuit breaker holder illustrated in Figure 7 with a circuit protection switch installed in the holder and contacting the primary disconnecting apparatus of the circuit protection switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY MODALITIES Before describing the exemplary embodiments of a mounting for aligning a circuit breaker support in a switch box, several comments are appropriate. Switch assemblies and dashboard assemblies typically include vertical (section) bus bars to distribute electrical energy within the boxes. In a short-circuit condition, extreme magnetic forces are created in the busbars as a result of short-circuit currents up to and including 200,000 symmetrical RMS amperes flowing through each busbar. In a three-phase energy system (usually) when a certain circuit current flows through such busbars, the magnetic forces between adjacent busbars tend to move such busbars laterally (perpendicularly) to the current flow. The circuit protection switches are installed in the switch boxes to react to short-circuit conditions and open circuits to minimize damage to the enclosure and related electrical equipment. A type of protective circuit breaker is referred to as a sliding circuit protective switch. A slide circuit protective circuit breaker normally has electrical plug connections to the busbars in the box and are typically referred to as primary disconnects. The primary disconnects are located on the back wall of the circuit-breaker compartment. Pin connections of the control wiring and communication cabling can also be provided and are referred to as secondary disconnects. A slide circuit protective switch compartment typically includes guide rails for locating and supporting the switch in a rack mechanism to move the switch along the rails between the disconnect positions, test and connection. Circuit-breaker switch compartments can also have additional devices such as shutters and immobilizers. The slide circuit protective switch rails, rack devices and 6 additional devices may be housed in a separate structure referred to as support 40 of the circuit breaker. The holder 40 of the circuit protection switch, when mounted in the switch housing 10, becomes a part of the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch. Referring now to the Figures, Figure 5 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a switch box 10 without several of the outer panels for clarity purposes. Figure 5 also illustrates compartments 15 for electrical equipment for circuit breakers. A mounting base 22 and an additional mounting base 62 form a part of the rear wall of the equipment compartment 15 and are coupled to several of the frame members 12, also referred to as support members of the switch housing 10, support members are substantially parallel in the box 10. In the figure illustrated, the box is configured for four compartments 15 of the circuit protection switch and illustrates two supports 40 installed in the box 10. A box 10 of the normal switch includes switch assemblies of multiple phases that conventionally have three energy phases, A, B and C. A neutral busbar or grounding busbar can also be provided. The horizontal busbars normally feed the main electrical power to the box 10 and adjacent boxes (not shown) in a normal installation. The vertical busbars are coupled to the horizontal busbars and selectively coupled to the circuit breakers and other electrical equipment in the box 10. Figures 1 and 2A illustrate exemplary embodiments of a mounting base 22. Figure 1 shows a typical base for a small frame slide circuit protective switch, and Figure 2A illustrates a typical base for a large frame slide circuit protective switch. Each of the mounting bases 22 includes one end 24 and another end 26. A first notch 28 of alignment of the support is defined at one end 24 of the mounting base 22 and a second notch 30 of aligning the support is defined in another end 26 of the mounting base 22. Figure 2B illustrates a detailed view of an alignment notch of the support formed in the mounting base 22. The mounting base 22 is usually a molded part composed of electrically insulating material, such as thermoplastic, or glass reinforced polyester, or other suitable electrically insulating material having the characteristic of a strength suitable for the intended use. The alignment notches 28 and 30 in the mounting base 22 are a component of the alignment assembly 20. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch for use with a CB circuit-breaker slide. The bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch includes a rear end 42 defining a pair of mounting flanges 44. Each mounting flange 44 has at least one alignment tab 46, also referred to as an alignment device with the alignment tabs 46 corresponding to the alignment notches 28, 30 also referred to as alignment devices defined in the mounting base 22. . The support 40 of the circuit protection switch can be manufactured from steel plate by punching or cutting and forming. Other suitable materials may be used, such as designed plastic or composite materials that have adequate strength for the intended use. Alignment tabs 46 are normally manufactured when mounting flanges 44 are formed. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the alignment tabs 46 could also be welded or bolted or joined by an adhesive or rivets as a separate operation, however, the preferred method is to create the alignment tab 46 when the mounting flange 44 is formed in support 40 of the circuit protection switch. Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the rear wall of the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch formed with a mounting base 22 and an additional mounting base 64 positioned above the first mounting base 22. In the Figure illustrated, a flat blank member is installed to complete the assembly of the rear wall of the compartment 15 of the circuit breaker. Each of the mounting bases 22 and the additional mounting base 62 define a first notch 28 of aligning the support and a second notch 30 of aligning the support in each of the respective mounting bases. The bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch is installed in the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch with the alignment tabs 46 in alignment with each of the notches 28, 30 of alignment of the support in each of the bases 22, 62 of mounting. The alignment assembly 20 self-aligns the bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch when it is installed in the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch by the alignment tabs 46 which engage and lock with the notch 28, 30 of the support alignment in each of the mounting bases 22, 62. Such assembly aligns the support horizontally and vertically in the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch. The bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch is further aligned directionally within the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch by the mounting flanges 44 which contact the coupling surfaces on the mounting bases 22, 62.

The brackets 40 of the circuit protection switch are secured to the respective mounting bases 22, 62 with clamps 50, such as screws or the like. The clamps 50 are configured to extend through the mounting flanges 44 and into the mounting bases 22, 62. The clamps are also configured to pass through through holes formed in the mounting base and coupled to the members. 12 of the box frame for electrically grounding the bracket 40 with the box 10, With the bracket 40 of the circuit protective switch installed on the 15, a CB circuit breaker can be installed on the support 40 of the protective switch of circuit in compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch (See Figure 8). The circuit protective circuit breaker CB illustrated in FIG. 8 is located with the primary disconnect 16 coupling the primary switch disconnector blades of the electric busbars in the box 10. The coupling amount of the primary disconnect, illustrated in FIG. 8, it is referred to as "swept". The sweep is determined by the coupling of the mounting brackets 44 of the bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch to the front surface of the mounting bases 22, 62 and aligned laterally and vertically by the alignment tabs 46 and the notches 28, 30 of alignment of the respective support.

It is to be understood that the size of the bracket 40 of the circuit protection switch and the respective mounting bases 22, 62 is dependent on the type of circuit protection switch CB to be installed in the bracket 40 within the compartment 15 of the circuit protection switch . However, the alignment assembly 20 described above will work with any sized components suitably described herein. For the purposes of this description, the term "coupled" means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to each other. Such a union may be of a stationary nature or of a mobile nature. Such bonding can be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members that are formed integrally as a single unit body with each other or with the two components, or the two components and any additional members that are joined together. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be of a removable or separable nature. Thus, an alignment assembly is provided for a circuit protective switch for self-aligning and mounting in a switch box. The foregoing description of the modalities has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise forms described and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and can be acquired by the practice of the invention. The modalities were selected and described to explain the principles and practical application to enable one skilled in the art to use the alignment assembly in various modalities and various modifications that are suitable for the particular use contemplated. It is proposed that the scope of the alignment assembly be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. Box for electrical equipment, comprising: a pair of substantially parallel support members; at least one mounting base coupled to the members, and the mounting base defines a first notch in the mounting base and a second notch in the mounting base; a bracket configured to be mounted in the box, and the bracket has a rear end defining a pair of mounting brackets, and each bracket has at least one alignment tab corresponding to the respective notch; wherein the support is supported on the box and aligned in the box by engaging the tabs with the notches and the support is aligned directionally by the flanges that make contact with the mounting base.
2. 2. The box according to claim 1, wherein the support is coupled to the support members by metal brackets, wherein the support is electrically grounded to the box.
3. 3. The box according to claim 1, wherein it includes at least one additional mounting base and at least two additional tabs defined on the support corresponding to the additional notches of the mounting base.
4. 4. Box according to claim 1, wherein the tabs are integral with the mounting flanges as a piece.
5. 5. Box according to claim 1, wherein the circuit protective switch is a sliding circuit protective switch.
6. 6. Alignment assembly for a bracket configured to be mounted in a box, and the box includes a mounting base, the alignment assembly comprises: a first notch of support alignment defined at one end of the mounting base; a second notch of support alignment defined at another end of the mounting base: a first alignment tab defined on one edge of the support and positioned on the support to align with the first support alignment notch; and a second alignment tab defined on another edge of the support and positioned on the support to align with the second support alignment notch, wherein the two alignment tabs will engage and be immobilized with the two notches in the mounting base for align the support horizontally and vertically in the box.
7. 7. Alignment assembly according to claim 6, including at least one additional mounting base defining at least two additional notches and at least two additional tabs on the support aligned with the two additional notches.
8. 8. Alignment assembly according to claim 6, including a pair of flanges on the support and configured to be coupled with a coupling surface on each end of the mounting base, wherein the support is aligned directionally within the box.
9. 9. Alignment assembly according to claim 8, wherein the tabs are integral with the mounting flanges as a piece.
10. 10. Alignment assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support is electrically connected to ground by metal clamps coupled to the flanges and the box. eleven .
11. Method for installing a circuit protective switch in a box having a pair of vertical frame members, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mounting base defining a first notch of supporting alignment at one end of the mounting base and a second notch of support alignment defined at another end of the mounting base; coupling the mounting base to each of the vertical frame members; providing a circuit protector switch support, the holder having a rear end defining a pair of mounting flanges, and each mounting flange having at least one alignment tab, with the tabs corresponding to the alignment notches; coupling the circuit protective circuit breaker support to the mounting base and each vertical frame member, wherein the support is aligned horizontally and vertically by the tabs that engage and are immobilized with the notches and the support is directionally aligned by the flanges that make contact with the mounting base; and install a protective circuit breaker in the bracket.
12. 12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit protective switch is a sliding circuit protective switch.
13. 13. Method according to claim 11, wherein it includes the steps of providing clamps and installing the clamps on the flanges, through the mounting base, on the vertical frame members, wherein the support is electrically grounded.
14. 14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the tabs are integral with the mounting flanges as a piece.
15. 15. Method according to claim 1, wherein it includes the steps of providing at least one additional mounting base defining at least two additional notches and providing at least two additional tabs on the support aligned with the two additional notches.
16. 16. Method according to claim 1, wherein the circuit protective switch is a sliding circuit protective switch.
17. 17. Box for protecting electrical equipment, comprising: a pair of support members spaced apart; at least one mounting base is coupled to the support members, the base includes first and second alignment devices; and a support including third and fourth alignment devices, is alignable and can be coupled with the first and second alignment devices respectively, wherein the support is aligned and supported in the box when the alignment devices are engaged.
18. 18. Box according to claim 17, wherein the support is configured to receive and align a sliding circuit protective switch.
19. 19. Box according to claim 1 7, wherein the base is composed of an insulating material.
20. 20. Box according to claim 17, wherein the support is electrically connected to ground to the support members.