The present invention relates generally to a
switchgear apparatus. More particularly, the invention encompasses a
circuit breaker compartment
arc flash venting
system for a
switchgear apparatus. The present invention also relates to enclosures for
switchgear, panel boards, circuit breakers, and more particularly to an
enclosure for
low voltage switchgear and switchboard assemblies. The
enclosure can be a walk-in type
enclosure or a non-walk-in type enclosure. This invention further provides a method and apparatus for channeling
plasma (hot arc gasses) that are generated from an arc. The
circuit breaker compartment
arc flash venting
system is an integral part of an arc resistant switchgear
assembly. The
arc flash venting
system works in conjunction with the
bus insulation and ventilation systems in the switchgear apparatus to channel hot arc gasses (
plasma) from a breaker compartment in the event of an internal arcing fault in the breaker compartment. The gasses are channeled to exit the upper rear of the breaker compartment and into the insulated section
bus compartment. The hot arc gasses and other
particulates then travel upward through the section
bus compartment where they are routed to and safely discharged from the vent structure on the roof of the switchgear apparatus.