US2140376A - Electric panel board - Google Patents

Description

A. E. ANDERSON ELECTRIC PANEL BOARD Filed Jun s, 1936 Dec. 13, 1938.

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EL l L Inventor Ar-vid B. Anderson, y 6:1

Hi Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 ELECTRIC PANEL BOARD Arvid E. Anderson, Drexel Hill, Pa, assignor to I General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 6, 1936, Serial No. 83,910

8 Claims.

My invention relates to electric panelboards, and more particularly to the Wiring thereof.

Electric panelboards, upon which are mounted various electric devices such as indicating and recording instruments and meters, control means,

relays, rheostats, terminal and fuse blocks, terminals, etc., are generally wired on the rear side as contrasted with the instrument side. Where the number of devices and corresponding terminals necessitate a considerable number of circuit wires, the Wiring on the rear face of the board may become complicated, difiicult to trace, and even unsightly, particularly where a large number of vertical and horizontal runs of appreciable length are involved.

Heretofore, efforts to simplify panel wiring have been but partly successful, particularly for large installations. For example, in the case of multiple panelsforming a single board operating as a unit the horizontal wiring from exterior circuits has been carriedin gutters disposed either at the top or bottom of the board. The interconnections between panels were generally made in the field, i. e., after installation, or if made at the factory were in the form of jumpers passing over the flanged edges between panels where steel panels are used, resulting in a generally unsightly appearance. Furthermore, in order to permit breaking up of the panelboard for shipment, the wiring was connected to terminal blocks at freof a multiple unit panelboard illustrating one application of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a portion of a single unit of the multiple panelboard shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the horizontal wiring trough shown inFig. 2 in a slightly modified form; Fig. 4 is, an elevational view of the rear face. of a single panel unit illustrating an application of my invention for vertical runs, and Fig. 5 is a simplified plan view, partly in section, of the panel shown by Fig. 4.

The multiple unit panelboard shown by Fig. 1 comprises in the present instance, a plurality of single panel units A, B and C which are suitably I supported in a vertical position and are alined so as to constitute a substantially continuousboard. The individual panel units have generally flat surfaces for mounting the various electric devices and may be composed of slate or other suitable insulating material or sheet metal. A convenient 20 construction comprises a sheet metal section having rearwardly extending right angle flanges at the sides thereof as shown by Fig. 2. With this quent intervals, thereby producing a large num-' ber of joints in the wiring.

The gutter arrangement above referred to, while simplifying the incoming wiring to some extent is nevertheless awkward since the inter-panel wiring may be confused with single panel wiring, and moreover the vertical runs to the gutters may be of appreciable length.

A principal object of my invention'is the pro- 40 vision of an improved and simplified wiring arrangement for panelboards carrying alarge number of devices and terminals which is readily adaptable either to horizontal or vertical runs, and to both single and multiple panelboards, and which is neat, less expensive than previous installations, and flexible with respect to factory construction, shipment and reassembly.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is an eleva- 55 tional view, partly diagrammatic, of the rear face arrangement, the flanges serve as securing means between panels.

For the purpose of simplifying the disclosure, comparatively few devices and instruments are indicated on the panelboard, it being necessary merely to illustrate the general arrangement of a few of the circuit wires actually connected to the various terminals. As illustrated, the devices indicated on the panel A, such as a1, (12, as and a4, which may be either on the front or rear face of the board, are provided with terminals disposed on the rear side. Circuit wires, indicated diagrammatically, extend laterally from the terminals to the sides of the board. 1'

For the purpose of providing for the vertical runs along the sides of the board, vertical wiring troughs are formed in the manner shown by Fig. 2. In this arrangement the sheet metal panel A, for example, .has suitably secured thereto vertical perforated wiring strips S which form with the panel flanges A1 troughs for the vertical runs. The circuit wires enter and leave the trough by way of perforations in the strip S which is wired before it is mounted on the board. The verticaltroughs so formed are enclosed by detachable cover structures S. The wiring arrangement for the vertical runs so far described, which permits 'the center of the board to be substantially clear of vertical wiring, forms no part of the present invention and is described and claimed in Patent No. 2,006,150 granted June 25, 1935 to Reed and Paxton for "Panelboard and method of wiring the same. It should be understood, however, that the method of wiring by templet as described in the above patent may also be applied to the present invention.

In installations of this character, it is often necessary to interconnect devices on different individual panels, such for example, as wiring between the terminal as on panel A and the resistor indicated at 01 on panel C. Where a large number of such interconnections are necessary, itis clear that the problem of horizontal runs between the various panels becomes increasingly difiicult. If, for example, the vertical troughs alone were employed for solving this problem, it would be necessary to run wires from intermediate points on the panelboard all the way to the bottom or top of the board. This would locate so much wiring in the vertical troughs that some of the advantages thereof, such as ease of tracing, would be nullified.

In accordance with my invention, the horizontal wiring between panels is carried in a horizontal wiring trough superposed on the main vertical runs but not interfering in any way with them. More particularly, these horizontal cross troughs are disposed at a suitable intermediate position on the panelboard, the size or number of the horizontal cross troughs being determined by the size and number of the panel units and by the number of devices to be wired.

As illustrated by Fig. l, a horizontal cross trough l is mounted on the panels A, B and C in superposition with respect to the vertical troughs abovedescribed. As shown diagrammatically,the circuit wire from the terminal as on panel A extends to a. terminal block 2 positioned adjacent the trough, from which a conductor is led, in a manner presently described, directly into the cross trough I. The conductor extends through the cross trough to the panel in question, in the present case C, emerging to the terminal block 2", connecting to another wire extending by way of the adjacent vertical trough to the resistor 01.

The terminal blocks 2, 2 and 2" on the respective panels A, B and C are adjustable in a direction parallel to the cross trough I so as to provide greater flexibility and simplicity in making the various connections between panels. According.- ly, a cross trough may be wired as a unit independently of the panelboard and placed in position on the board, after which the conductors carried by the trough canbe suitably connected to the corresponding terminals on the blocks 2, 2' and 2", respectively.

Referring more particularly to the construction above referred to, the horizontal cross trough l is composed of a longitudinal member or strip 3, preferably of metal, having a large number of apertures 4 therein. The strip 3 is preferably of channel section having additional side flanges 3 cooperating with a cover plate 5 for enclosing the channel passage. The cover 5 may be detachably secured to the flanges 3, as by means of screws 6. The term strip as used herein is intended to comprehend a. longitudinal piece of suitable material, either integral or fabricated, and is not limited to a flat ribbon-like member.

For the purpose of securing the strip 3 to the panelboard and for mounting the same in spaced relation thereto so as to clear the vertical wiring troughs; a suitable bracket structure I secured to the panel flanges A, etc., and to the sides of the channel member 3 is provided as best illustrated by Fig. 2. In order to provide for various lengths otpanelboardsasbythenumberand sizes of panels, the cross trough l is preferably sectionalized so that the channel strip 3 is divided into lengths corresponding generally to the width of a few panels. By assembling these sections, it is possible to obtain continuous, horizontal, enclosed runs across the entire panelboard.

The apertured side of the strip 3, that is, the intermediate side of the channel as disclosed, is preferably positioned parallel to the adjacent face of the panel A, although it shall be understood that in certain cases one or both side walls of the channel may be apertured for receiving wiring. Also, it should be understood that trough enclosing structure, instead of the strip 3, may be, if desired, directly secured to the panelboard.

Although I have shown in Fig. 2 a large number of perforations in the strip 3, the channel strip may be constructed as illustrated by Fig. 3 wherein the apertures are formed by knock-out 8 only at the places where the horizontal wiring is required. The aperture so formed is then lined with a grommet 9 for preventing abrasion of the insulation on the circuit wires which are preferably led into the trough as a group. With this arrangement the cross trough is more completely enclosed than in the case where a. large number of smaller perforations are available but.

not used.

The circuit wires [0 which pass through the horizontal cross trough can be mounted in the strip 3 prior to assembly on the board, the terminal block 2 being adjustable for lining up the block terminals with the knock-out aperture through which the wires are led. The wires l0, which extend longitudinally of the trough, extend through a suitable aperture 4 towards the rear face of the panel and are then led directly to the terminal block 2 which is located directly beneath the aforesaid aperture. In the present instance, the terminal block 2 is made adjustable by mounting the same in sliding relation on a pair of parallel rods H which are secured at their opposite ends in brackets 12 secured to the wiring strips S. Circuit wires Ill extend from the terminal block to the adjacent vertical trough and to associated devices. If the size of the board warrants, a second cross trough may be provided in spaced parallel relation to trough I.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another form my invention may assume in the wiring of a single panel unit which does not afford space at the sides for the vertical runs, as for example S in Fig. 2. In Figs. 4 and 5 the wiring space or trough, generally indicated at i3, is vertically positioned approximately midway between the side edges of the panel M. Accordingly, the side edges of the panel are practically free of wiring. By this arrangement, not only does a single trough, as contrasted with a pair of side troughs,

serve completely a single panel unit but the horizontal runs of the circuit wires can in no instance exceed in length half the width of the panel. The wiring, even in the case of a complicated and crowded panel is therefore in a simple, symmetrical and very orderly plan.

Referring more particularly to the construction employed, the panel I4 is of sheet metal with lateral flanges I4 and supports a number of electric devices, such as meters or the like, l5, terminal blocks I6 and other devices generally indicated at H and i8. It will be noted, referring to the wiring diagrammatically indicated for example, that the vertical runs between a terminal block Ii and a device 18 on the same side of the trough and a vertical run between a device I I and a device l8 on opposite sides or the trough are provided for with equal ease and with comparatively little wiring showing on the panel.

For the purpose of mounting the trough, which is composed of a channel-shaped strip having apertures therein for the wiring as in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of lateral strips 19 (Fig. 5) are secured between the lateral flanges W and suitably support the apertured channel section 20. Cover structure .2! cooperates with the section to form a vertically continuous wiring space for the wiring above referred to.

By the term panelboard, as used in the specification and claims, is meant a plane surfaced board or panel generally vertically positioned, on which are mounted a number of electric devices such as switches, meters, instruments, etc., comprising a self-contained wired unit. The devices are generally mounted on one side of the board, and the terminals thereof extend through to the opposite side where they are connected to the circuit wiring.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specific details of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting panel, electric devices mounted on one side of said panel, terminals for said devices on the opposite side of said panel, a wiring trough positioned in spaced relation on said opposite side of said panel composed of a strip having apertures therein, the apertured surface of said strip being substantially parallel to and spaced from the adjacent face of said panel, means securing said strip in said spaced relation, and detachable cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed wiring space, and circuit wires extending from certain of said terminals through said wiring trough to other of said terminals, said wires entering and leaving said trough at the side facing said panel by way of apertures in said strip.

2. A panelboard comprising a fiat surfaced supporting panel, electric devices mounted on one side of said panel, terminals for said devices on the opposite side of said panel, a wiring trough mounted in spaced parallel relation to said opposite side of. said panel composed of a metallic channel-shaped strip, the intermediate wall of the channel section being substantially parallel to and spaced from the adjacent face of said panel and having knock-outs for forming aperof kIlOCkrO'llt apertures in said strip.

3. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of fiat surfaced supporting panels, electric devices mounted on said panels, terminals for said devices on one side of said panels, each of said supporting panels provided with one or more vertically positioned perforated wiring strips on said terminal side, means forming with each of said strips vertical runways at the longitudinal sides of said panel for circuit wires interconnecting terminals on said panel, a horizontal wiring trough superposed with respect to said vertical runways so as to be spaced from said panels and extending across more than one panel of the multi-unit board, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, means securing said strip in spaced relation to said supporting panels and in superposition with respect to said vertical wiring strips, and cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed wiring space extending horizontally along "said panels, and circuit wires extending from terminals on certain of said panels through said wiring trough to terminals on other of said panels, said'wires entering and leaving said trough at the side iaclng said panels by way of apertures in said strip.

4. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of flat surfaced supporting panels, electric devices mounted on said panels, means for facilitating electrical connection between said devices including a horizontal wiring trough extendingacross two or more panels of said multi-unit panelboard at one side thereof, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, means securing said strip in spaced parallel relation to the adjacent faces of said panels, cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed horizontally extending wiring space inter connecting said panels, circuit wires extending from one of said panels through said wiring trough by way of adjacent apertures in said strip to another of said panels, and a terminal block slidably carried by a panel adjacent said trough for the trough wires associated with that member, said terminal block being adjustably mounted in adirection parallel to said trough.

5. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of alined fiat surfaced vertically positioned supporting panels, electric devices mounted on said panels, terminals for said devices on one side of said panels, a horizontal wiring trough positioned along said one side of said panels interconnecting the same and spaced an appreciable distance from the upper and lower extremities of said panels composed of a strip having apertures therein, means securing said strip in spaced parallel relation to said panels, andcover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed wiring space extending horizontally along said plurality of panels, and circuit wires extending from terminals on certain of said panels through said wiring trough to terminals on other of said panels, said wires entering and leaving said trough at the side facing said panels by way of apertures in said strip.

6. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting member, electric devices mounted on said member, terminals for said devices on the rear side of said member, a wiring trough positioned vertically along said rear side and approximately midway between the longitudinal edges thereof, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, the apertured surface oi. said strip being substantially parallel to and spaced with respect to said rear face and cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space, means detachably securing said strip in said spaced relation, and circuit wires extending from trough to other of said terminals through said wiring trough to other of said terminals, said apertures in said strip.

70 certain of said terminals through said wiring wires entering and leaving said trough by way of 1 '7. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting member, electric devices mounted on said member, terminals for said devices on the rear side of said member, a wiring trough positioned vertically along said rear side and approximately midway between the longitudinal edges thereof, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, and cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space, said wiring space receiving the vertical runs of circuit wires between terminals on said member so that the horizontal runs do not exceed in length half the width of said member, the circuit wires entering and leaving said space by way of apertures in said strip.

CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,1]4Da576- ARVID E.

8. A panelboard comprising a fiat surfaced supporting member, electric devicesmounted on said member, terminals for said devices on the rear side of said member, a wiring trough positioned vertically along and spaced with respect to said rear side, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, and cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space, means securing said trough in said spaced relation, and circuit wires extending from certain of said terminals through said wiring trough to other of said terminals, said wires entering and leaving said trough by way of apertures in said strip.

ARVDD E. ANDERSON.

OF conaacrion.

December 15, 1938 ANDERSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page .2, second column, line 29, for lmock out'- read lmock-outs; page 5, second column, lines 72 and T5,'clai m 6, strike out the words: "through said wiring trough to other of said terminals"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. I

Signed and sealed this 31st day of January, A.D. 1939;

, Henry .Yan Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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