Power pedestal with breakaway pedestal base

Abstract

A power pedestal for electrical outlets is mountable to a mounting surface by means of a pedestal base. The pedestal base incorporates at least one stress relief feature that will allow the power pedestal to break away from the pedestal base in response to an external force acting on the power pedestal so as to induce stresses in the pedestal base exceeding a predetermined breaking point. The power pedestal may then be remounted to the mounting surface using a new pedestal base replacing the broken pedestal base. Optionally, the power pedestal may be provided with protective apparatus for protecting electrical outlets installed in the power pedestal from exposure to weather. The protective apparatus may comprise an angled hood having an angled top surface, at least two side panels, and an angled bottom surface having an aperture.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to outdoor electrical outlets or receptacles and more particularly to protective apparatus for protecting the outlets from a wide range of weather conditions. In particular, electrical outlets provided on power pedestals are considered.BACKGROUND[0002]Conventional outdoor receptacles are typically protected by flip covers that are positioned over individual receptacles or outlets, or by outlet covers with hinged doors that lift to provide access to the outlets. Such flip covers may include gaskets for weather sealing, typically either on the covers themselves, or around the perimeter of the base frame against which the flip cover will rest.[0003]While generally functional during fair weather, prior art protective devices for outdoor electrical outlets or receptacles suffer from a number of limitations. For example, in temperatures at or below freezing, the flip covers are often sealed by ice against the frame such that the f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In an embodiment, when a plurality of protective hoods are mounted vertically, each of the protective hoods may optionally be installed in an overlapping configuration such that the top edge of a protective hood is covered by a bottom edge of a protective hood installed above. The uppermost protective hood may have its top edge covered by a pedestal lid, which at least partially overhangs the top of the pedestal on each side. Advantageously, moisture is directed away from all of the outlets, and each pedestal above may also protect the pedestal below.

[0016]In another embodiment, each protective hood is configured such that the aperture provided on the angled bottom surface includes a flange or lip extending outwardly to direct moisture around the aperture rather than dripping from its edge. Correspondingly, a flange or lip extending inwardly along the bottom edge of the aperture may also help direct moisture away from the edges of the aperture.

[0017]In another embodiment, each pedestal may be mounted to a pedestal base that is configured to provide sufficient strength to support the pedestal structure including all mounted hardware, but which pedestal base also includes one or more built-in stress relief features such that the pedestal will break away from the base if the pedestal is accidentally struck, for example by a motor vehicle or trailer that is backing up in a driveway, parking lot, or RV camp site at which the power pedestal is installed. In this embodiment, the protective hoods may also be configured to be deformable, such that the protective hoods can at least partially absorb the impact of the motor vehicle or trailer, and can be readily replaced with another if damaged.

[0018]In another embodiment, the aperture in the protective hood is suitably large to provide sufficient ventilation for the one or more outlets covered by the protective hood. This allows the pedestal to dry after heavy precipitation, without trapping moisture in any part of the protective hood.

[0019]In another embodiment, a slight gap is provided between the power pedestal and an interchangeable pedestal base to improve ventilation to the cabinet, and prevents the elongate body from collecting moisture at its base around the bottom of the power pedestal.

[0020]In another embodiment, the pedestal itself may include a ventilation grill which prevents moisture from entering the pedestal but at the same time allows air to circulate within the pedestal cabinet. The ventilation grill may be provided on two or more sides of the pedestal in order to promote airflow through the pedestal cabinet in order control moisture.

Problems solved by technology

While generally functional during fair weather, prior art protective devices for outdoor electrical outlets or receptacles suffer from a number of limitations.

For example, in temperatures at or below freezing, the flip covers are often sealed by ice against the frame such that the flip covers cannot be lifted to access the outlet.

Even if the flip covers can be lifted to plug into an outlet, ice and snow may accumulate while the flip cover is lifted, exposing a significant area of the electrical outlet to accumulation of ice and snow.

Furthermore, the flip cover itself may be frozen in the open position, making it difficult or impossible to close.

In addition, over time, the weather sealing gasket on or around the flip cover may deteriorate, and no longer keep out moisture from the electrical outlet, possibly allowing moisture to seep into the electrical outlet and potentially causing an electrical safety problem.

While use of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles, may help avoid serious electrical shocks, the electrical outlet may nevertheless become damaged from the moisture, and have to be replaced at significant cost.

Even a minor collision may result in major damage to power pedestals, resulting in sufficient damage requiring replacement of the housing, or the entire unit.

As well, power pedestals are often subjected to adverse weather, and moisture trapped within or around the pedestals may damage them and cause them to fail or become unsightly prematurely.

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