Electrical switching device and electrical protection system

Abstract

An electrical switching device for accommodating a pair of opposing circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b), the electrical switching device comprising: a switchboard (101) having a first longitudinal axis (X1) and configured to support the pair of opposing circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b) to define a gap (401) therebetween, the gap (401) having a second longitudinal axis (X2) extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X1); an insulating barrier (120) that can be arranged to define a clearance area (130) having a third longitudinal axis (X3), wherein the insulating barrier (120) is adapted to be operatively arranged in the gap (401), wherein the third longitudinal axis (X3) extends substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis (X2), and wherein the insulated barrier (120) has at least one wall (121, 122) with a plurality of openings such that the plurality of openings are arranged opposite each of the respective circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe embodiments described herein relate generally to power plant protection devices and, more particularly, to devices employing an insulated clearance for use in removing ionized exhaust gases and pressure from a location of arc generation.Conventional switchboards have an electrical distribution apparatus for mounting a plurality of power switches for controlling the electrical distribution from a main to one or more branch circuits. Such switchboards typically have a wall mounted housing that supports conductive bus bars and electrical switching devices (e.g., without limitation, switching devices and circuit breakers such as power switches, contactors, motor starters, motor controllers, and other load controllers) electrically connected to the bus bars.Circuit breakers are often arranged in adjacent pairs in conventional circuit board assemblies and are connected in an end-opposed "dual-junction" arrangement to current carrying bus bars of the same electrical phase. Circuit breakers typically have an injection molded plastic housing that includes at least one pair of separable contacts. When the separable contacts are opened under overload, short circuit or fault conditions, an arc is generated which is accompanied by the generation of ionized gases. The temperatures of the ionized gas may reach or exceed 2100° C., which may vaporize the conductors and adjacent equipment. Furthermore, arcing can release a significant amount of energy in the form of heat, intense light, pressure waves, and / or sound waves sufficient to damage the conductors and adjacent equipment.Such ionized gases are conventionally discharged through exhaust outlet openings disposed in a circuit breaker housing and, when discharged from one circuit breaker in a dual-split arrangement, could be transferred to the other adjacent circuit breaker or to the bus bars, resulting in a phase-to-phase fault. The ionized gases could also cause a phase-to-earth fault with the metallic panel housing in which the circuit breaker is mounted.Known conventional switchboard assemblies employ barriers between the opposing poles of a pair of dual-split mounted spaced power switches in a polyphase power system to prevent a phase-to-phase electrical fault caused by ionized exhaust gases discharged from a power switch phase from reaching or contacting further phase conductors in the power system.Although some conventional switchboards have included barriers to protect the phase conductors from discharged ionized gases, these barriers typically attempt to prevent the flow of exhaust gases past the barrier or do not discharge the ionized exhaust gases into an isolated chamber or space. In addition, other conventional barriers utilize multiple complex multi-piece barrier assemblies which increase cost. There is therefore a need for an improved simple, robust and inexpensive insulating barrier with minimal parts to be installed in a switchboard and capable of distributing and effectively controlling discharged ionized gases. Such switchboards are known both from EP 1 498 921 A1, and from JP 2009-81 910 A and from U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,312 A.Accordingly, there is room for improvements in circuit protection systems with an insulative clearance for electrical switching device and panel assemblies.Brief Description of the InventionIn one aspect, an electrical switching device for receiving a pair of opposing circuit breakers is described. The apparatus includes a switchboard having a first longitudinal axis and configured to support the pair of opposing circuit breakers to define a space therebetween, the space having a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. An insulating barrier is arranged to define a clearance area having a third longitudinal axis and is operatively disposed in the clearance, the third longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis, and the insulated barrier includes at least one wall having a plurality of openings such that the plurality of openings are disposed opposite each of the respective circuit breakers.The insulating barrier of the device may have a plurality of bends formed thereon.The insulating barrier of any aforementioned device may further comprise holding means adapted to hold the insulating barrier in the space in the operative position.The insulating barrier of any of the aforementioned devices may functionally define a cross-sectional area that is greater than 50% of the total cross-sectional area of the gap.In any of the aforementioned apparatus, a first circuit breaker of the pair of opposing circuit breakers may have a first end surface defining a first exhaust outlet opening thereon and the second circuit breaker of the pair of opposing circuit breakers may have a second end surface defining a second exhaust outlet opening thereon, and wherein the insulative barrier may be further configured to be operatively disposed substantially opposite the first and second exhaust outlet openings.The insulating barrier of any aforementioned device may include a first outer wall configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite the end face of the first circuit breaker and a second outer wall configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite the end face of the second circuit breaker.At least one of the first outer wall / walls of each aforementioned device may be disposed at an angle to the end face of the first circuit breaker and the second outer wall is disposed at an angle to the end face of the second circuit breaker.The barrier of any aforementioned device may further include a third inner wall disposed between the first outer wall and the second outer wall.The third inner wall of each aforementioned device may be further configured to divide the clearance into a first clearance portion and a second clearance portion.The first clearance portion of each aforementioned device may define a fourth longitudinal axis and the second clearance portion may define a fifth longitudinal axis, wherein the fourth longitudinal axis and the fifth longitudinal axis may be operatively disposed substantially parallel to the third longitudinal axis.The first outer wall of each aforementioned device may define a plurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture being oriented to be operatively connected in fluid communication with the first exhaust outlet of the first circuit breaker.The second outer wall of each aforementioned device may define a plurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture being oriented to operatively connect to the second exhaust outlet of the first circuit breaker in fluid communication.The insulating barrier of each device mentioned above may be formed of a drain material.In another aspect, an electrical protection system is described. The protection system includes a housing for housing a pair of circuit breakers, the housing having a first end and an opposing second end, and the first and second ends having a first longitudinal axis therebetween. The housing is configured to operatively support the pair of circuit breakers to define a space therebetween, the space having a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. An insulating barrier may be disposed to define a clearance region having a third longitudinal axis, the insulating barrier configured to be operatively disposed in the clearance, the third longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the insulated barrier including at least one wall having a plurality of openings such that the plurality of openings are disposed opposite each of the respective circuit breakers. The housing further includes a plurality of conductors disposed therein, at least one of the plurality of conductors operatively connectable to at least one power switch of the pair of power switches.A first circuit breaker of the pair of circuit breakers of the aforementioned electrical protection system may have a first end surface defining a first exhaust outlet opening thereon and the second circuit breaker of the pair of opposing circuit breakers may have a second end surface defining a second exhaust outlet opening thereon, and wherein the insulative barrier may be further configured to be operatively disposed substantially opposite the first and second exhaust outlet openings.The barrier of any aforementioned electrical protection system may include a first outer wall configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite the end face of the first circuit breaker and a second outer wall configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite the end face of the second circuit breaker.The at least one of the first outer wall / walls of each aforementioned electrical protection system may be disposed at an angle to the end face of the first circuit breaker and the second outer wall is disposed at an angle to the end face of the second circuit breaker.The insulating barrier of each aforementioned electrical protection system may further include a third inner wall disposed between the first outer wall and the second outer wall.The at least one of the first outer wall and the second outer wall of each aforementioned device may define a plurality of apertures disposed to operatively communicate with the first exhaust outlet of the first circuit breaker.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an embodiment, with the cover omitted for clarity. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a circuit protection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a circuit protection system according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an end view of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an end view of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 7 is an end view of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 8 is an end view of an exemplary circuit protection system according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates an insulating plate used to form an insulating barrier according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates an insulating plate used to form an insulating barrier according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates an insulating barrier according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates an insulating barrier according to an alternative embodiment. FIG. 13 is a detailed view of an embodiment of an opening of an insulating barrier that may be used in the embodiment of FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a detailed view of an alternative embodiment of an opening of an insulating barrier that may be used in the embodiment of FIG. 11.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONExemplary embodiments of circuit protection systems and devices are described herein. These embodiments improve the quenching and control of gases, heat, and pressure exiting a circuit breaker after an arc is generated. These embodiments quench and control the flow of exhaust gases, heat and pressure from a circuit breaker included in the circuit protection system. Extinguishing and controlling the exhaust gases protects the circuit protection system and all other equipment positioned in the equipment housing from the flow of exhaust gases, heat and pressure.Although various embodiments are described herein with reference to an electrical switchboard assembly having one or more pairs of opposing three-pole circuit breakers, other contemplated embodiments are not so limited and may include other electrical power elements and systems such as load centers or similar current distribution devices having electrical switching devices such as single or multipolar circuit switching devices such as contactors, motor starters, motor controllers, and other load controllers.As used herein, the term "ionized" means fully or partially converted to ions and electrically conductive, such as ionized gases generated in response to an electrical fault.As used herein, the term "dual-split" refers to a configuration of the electrical switching device having a circuit board, such as a pair of spaced-apart circuit breakers having multiple poles each, each of the poles of one of the spaced-apart circuit breakers having a respective opposite pole on the other of the spaced-apart circuit breaker such that each pair of respective opposite poles is electrically connected to an elongate bus bar carrying current of the same electrical phase.FIG. 1 illustrates an insulating barrier 120 for use with a distribution device, such as an electrical panel assembly 101. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment having two pairs of circuit breakers built into the circuit board 101, with various redundant portions of the circuit board assembly 101 omitted for clarity.In one embodiment, the circuit board assembly 101 includes a support frame 113, main or phase rail conductors 136, 137, 138, and a plurality of corresponding shunt ribbon conductors 436, 437, or 438, and one or more circuit switch mounting bases 144. In various embodiments, the panel assembly 101 also includes a cabinet or housing 111 defining a housing interior portion 112 therein. In one embodiment, the panel assembly 101 includes a first end 101 aand a second opposing end 101 bthat define a first longitudinal axis X 1 extending therebetween.In one embodiment, the support frame 113 includes a pair of elongated spaced side rails 113a and a pair of spaced end rails 113b rigidly connected to the side rails 113a. In one embodiment, the support frame 113 is fixed in engagement with a rear wall 114 of the housing 111.In one embodiment, the housing 111 includes a first end 115 and an opposing second end 116. In various embodiments, the housing 111 includes the rear wall 114 and two opposing end walls 115 a, 116 bdisposed at the first end 115 and second end 116 of the housing 111, respectively, and disposed substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 114. The housing 111 may include two opposing spaced apart side walls 117, 118 extending between the end walls 115a, 116b and disposed substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 114. The housing 111 may further include a panel cover 119 spaced from and substantially parallel to the rear wall 114. In some embodiments, the cover may additionally include an interposer portion 119a configured to functionally prevent inadvertent access to live conductors in the housing 111. In other embodiments, a removable or openable non-intermediate panel portion 119b of the panel cover 119 is provided to allow a user access to other internal parts. Respective openings are formed in the intermediate plate 119a to allow the operating knobs 102 of the circuit breakers to extend therethrough. In some embodiments, an openable door (not shown) is arranged to cover the power switches corresponding to toggles in a first closed position and to provide access thereto in a second open position.In one embodiment, the main or phase bus conductors 136, 137, 138 are arranged as a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel elongated, substantially flat bus bars. For example, the first, second, and third elongated bus bars 136, 137, 138 are connected to and electrically isolated from the support frame 113 in the housing interior portion 112. Each phase conductor 136, 137, 138 is connected to a corresponding terminal 139 or other suitable connector for receiving incoming current, such as from an electrical cable.At least one respective branch ribbon conductor 436, 437 or 438 is operatively connected to a respective main bus or phase conductor 136, 137, 138. In one embodiment, the bus bars 136, 137, 138 and the branch ribbon conductors 436, 437, 438 may be rigidly connected by a fastener 439, such as a screw or rivet. For example, each main bus bar(s) or phase conductor 136, 137, 138 may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 434 defined therethrough and dimensioned to receive the fastener 439. Likewise, the shunt ribbon conductors 436, 437, and 438 may also have an opening defined therethrough and defined to receive the fastener 439.A neutral arrangement 140 may also be included as part of the circuit board arrangement 101. In one embodiment, the neutral assembly 140 includes spaced parallel conductive rails 144 having a plurality of suitable terminals and screws. The neutral assembly 141 is fixed to a support frame 113. In one embodiment, the neutral assembly is disposed on the support frame 113 along its opposite longitudinal edges and a conductive element 142 extends between and electrically connects portions of the neutral assembly 140.In various embodiments, the switchboard assembly 101 also includes one or more insulative struts 118, such as an upper strut 18 aand a lower strut 18 bto prevent movement of the phase bus bars 136, 137, 138 during a fault condition. In one embodiment, the insulative struts (18) are formed of an insulative thermoplastic material such as Noryl and are rigidly attached to and bridge the phase bus bars 138, 137, 18. The struts 18 may also be rigidly attached to the side rails 113a, 113b.In one embodiment, one or more power switch mounting bases 144 are configured to align, support, and position a first power switch 310 a310 aand a second power switch 310 b310 bas a corresponding pair of power switches 310 a310 a, 310 bto be operatively connected to the phase bus bars 136, 137. The mounting base 114 may be formed of an insulating thermoplastic material, such as Noryl, and may be rigidly attached to and bridge the side rails 113a.In one embodiment, the circuit breaker mounting base 144 includes a plurality of upstanding elongated parallel divider walls 149 formed integrally therewith. The divider walls 149 define branch belt compartments 147 spaced along the longitudinal axis X1 of the panel assembly 101. In one embodiment, a respective one of the shunt band conductors 436, 437, or 438 is disposed in each shunt band compartment 147 and is configured to be electrically connected to a respective pole of at least one power switch of the respective pair of power switches 310 a, 310 b. In one embodiment, to enable electrical connection of the shunt ribbon conductors 436, 437, or 438 to both the corresponding main bus conductor 136, 137, 138 and the pole of the corresponding circuit breakers 310 a, 310 b, each shunt ribbon compartment 147 includes a corresponding mounting base shunt ribbon opening 148 defined, dimensioned, and arranged therethrough to enable functional placement of a corresponding one of the corresponding shunt ribbon connectors 436, 437, or 438 therethrough. The divider walls 149 also separate the poles of adjacent circuit breakers 310a, 310b and thereby prevent inadvertent bridging between different electrical potential shunt band conductors 436, 437 or 438.In some embodiments, to isolate the portions of the shunt ribbon conductors 436, 437, 438 disposed in the shunt ribbon compartments 147 that are not to be operatively connected to a pole of a power switch 310 a, 310 b, a shunt ribbon cover 161 is operatively disposed between the shunt ribbon conductors and at least one of the power switches 310 a, 310 b. A respective shunt band cover aperture 150 is defined therethrough and is sized and arranged to allow for functional placement of a portion of a respective one of the respective shunt band conductors 436, 437 or 438 and thereby make it easily connectable to a respective pole of a circuit breaker 310a, 310b. In an embodiment, the branch tape cover 161 is formed from a plate of an insulating material such as Noryl.In one embodiment, the circuit breaker mounting base 144 is arranged and configured to operably support at least one pair of conventional circuit breakers 310 a, 310 bin a spaced apart orientation in the housing interior portion 112. When operatively supported on the insulating base 144, the power switches 310 a, 310 bare arranged to define a space 401 therebetween, the space 401 having a second longitudinal axis X 2 extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis X 1.In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the circuit breakers 310 a, 310 bare conventional three-pole circuit breakers, each having multiple poles, for example, a first, second and third pole 310 a, 322 a, 323 aof a three-pole circuit breaker 310 aand a first, second and third pole 310 b, 322 b, 323 bof a three-pole circuit breaker 310 b. As shown, each one of the poles 310 a, 322 a, 323 aof the circuit breaker 310 has a corresponding opposite one of the poles 310 b, 322 b, 323 bon the opposite circuit breaker 310 b. The first circuit breaker 310a of the pair of circuit breakers 310a, 310b includes a housing 330a having a first end surface 331a defining at least one outlet opening, such as an outlet opening 341a, thereon. The second circuit breaker 310 bof the pair of circuit breakers 310 a, 310 bincludes a housing 330 bhaving a second end surface 331 bdefining at least one second outlet opening, such as an outlet opening 341 b, thereon.The outlet openings 341 a, 341 bare arranged and configured to emit ionized gases, shown as arrow 65, from the interior of the circuit breakers 310 a, 310 b,for example in the event of an electrical fault. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the first end surface 331 adefines a plurality of outlet openings, such as outlet openings 341 a, 342 a, 343 athereof for their respective poles 310 a, 322 a, 323 a; and the second end surface 331 bdefines a plurality of outlet openings, such as outlet openings 341 b, 342 b, 343 bthereof for their respective poles 310 b, 322 b, 323 b. The discharge openings 341 a, 342 a, 343 a, 341 b, 342 b, 343 bare arranged and configured to discharge ionized gases 65 from the interior of the circuit breakers.The insulating barrier 120 is sized and configured to be operatively disposed within the space 401 and define a clearance region 130 therein having a third longitudinal axis X 3. In one embodiment, the third longitudinal axis X 3 extends substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis X 1. For example, in one embodiment, the longitudinal axis X 3 of the clearance region 130 is arranged to extend between the first end 101 aand the opposing second end 101 bof the panel assembly 101.The insulating barrier 120 is arranged to be connected in flow communication with the outlet openings 341 a, 342 a, 343 a, 341 a, 342 b, 343 bof the power switches 310 a, 310 b. For example, the insulating barrier 120 may be disposed directly at the first and second end surfaces 331 a, 331 bof the first and second power switches 310 a, 310 b.In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, the insulating barrier 120 may be formed with a substantially triangular cross-section, wherein the first, second and third outer wall portions 121, 122, 123 are each formed as a respective leg of the triangle and define a clearance area 130 therebetween. In still further embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the insulating barrier 120 may be formed to define the clearance region 130 having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth outer wall portions 121, 122, 123, 124 are each disposed as a corresponding leg of the rectangle.In other embodiments, the insulating barrier 120 may be formed with any number of cross-sectional arrangements and with any number of outer wall portions defining the clearance region 130 therebetween that enable the insulating barrier 120 to function as described herein.In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 11, the insulating barrier 120 is manufactured using a suitable electrically insulating material configured to form the first outer wall portion 121 with a first edge 121 aand an opposing second edge 121 b; and the second outer wall portion 122 has a first edge 122 aand a second opposing edge 122 b. The first outer wall portion 121 is configured to be operatively disposed proximate to and substantially opposite the first circuit breaker end surface 331 aand to be fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet ports 341 a, 342 a, 343 a. The second outer wall portion 122 is configured to be operatively disposed proximate to and substantially opposite the second circuit breaker end surface 331 band to be in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet ports 341 b, 342 b, 343 b.In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first edge 121 aof the first wall portion 121 is connected to the first edge 122 aof the second outer wall portion 122. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the fourth outer wall portion 124 is arranged to extend between the first outer wall portion 121 and the second outer wall portion 122, and has a first edge 124 aand a second opposing edge 124 b. In such an embodiment, the first edge 124 aof the fourth outer wall portion may be connected to the first edge 121 aof the first outer wall portion, and the second edge 124 bof the fourth outer wall portion may be connected to the first edge 121 aof the second outer wall portion.Additionally, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insulating barrier 120 is manufactured to form the third outer wall portion 123 with a first edge 123 aand an opposing second edge 123 b. The third outer wall portion 123 is disposed to extend between the first outer wall portion 121 and the second outer wall portion 122. In an embodiment, the third outer wall portion 123 is further disposed between the clearance portion 130 and the branch ribbon connectors 436, 437, or 438. In an embodiment, the third outer wall portion first edge 123 ais connected to the first outer wall portion second edge 121 b; and the third outer wall portion second edge 123 bis connected to the second outer wall portion second edge 122 b;In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, an inner wall portion 125 having a first edge 125 aand an opposing second edge 125 bis fixedly connected to and extending between the third outer wall portion 123 and the first edges 121 a, 122 aof the first and second outer wall portions, thereby dividing the clearance region 130 into a first clearance region 130 aand a second clearance region 130 b(FIG. 7 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the second edge 125 bof the inner wall portion is fixedly connected to the third outer wall portion 123 in such a way that the first inner wall portion is arranged substantially at right angles to the third outer wall portion 123. In another exemplary embodiment, the first edge 125 aof the inner wall portion is fixedly connected to at least one of the first edge 121 a, 122 aof the first and second outer walls; and the second edge 125 bof the inner wall portion is connected to the third outer wall portion 123. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the inner wall portion 125 is fixedly connected to and extending between the third outer wall portion 123 and the fourth outer wall portion 124.In an embodiment, the inner wall portion 125 includes a first inner wall portion 125 having a first edge 125 aand an opposing second edge 125 b; and a second inner wall portion 126 having a first edge 126 aand an opposing edge 126 b. In such an embodiment, the first inner wall portion 125 may be disposed substantially parallel to the second inner wall portion 126.In an embodiment, the first and second inner wall portions 125, 126 are fixedly connected to and extend between the third outer wall portion 123 and the first edge 121 a, 122 aof the first and second outer wall portions, thereby dividing the clearance area 130 into the first clearance area 130 aand a second clearance area 130 b. In an exemplary embodiment, the second edges 125 b, 126 bof the first and second inner wall portions are fixedly connected to the third outer wall portion 123 in such a way that the first and second inner wall portions 125, 126 are arranged substantially at right angles to the third outer wall portion 123. In another exemplary embodiment, the first edges 125 a, 126 bof the first and second inner wall portions are fixedly connected to at least one first edge 121 a, 122 aof the first and second outer walls. In an embodiment, the second edges 125 b, 126 bof the first and second inner wall portions are connected to the third outer wall portion 123. In yet another embodiment, the first and second inner wall portions 125, 126 are fixedly connected to and extend between the third outer wall portion 123 and the fourth outer wall portion 124.Referring to FIGS. 11-14 and various embodiments, to allow the ionized gases 65 to enter the clearance area 130, the first and second outer walls 121, 122 of the barrier 120 are further configured to be permeable with respect to ionized gases 65 when outputted from the power switches 310a, 310b. For example, in one embodiment, the first and second outer walls 121, 122 of the barrier 120 may include a plurality of clearance openings 151 defined therethrough and in flow communication with the clearance portion 130. In some embodiments, additionally, at least one of the clearance openings 151 may cooperate additionally with a movable flap 155 disposed on the corresponding first or second outer wall 121, 122 proximate the corresponding clearance opening 155. In one embodiment, the movable flaps 155 are hingedly attached and configured to deflect inward toward the clearance area 130 in response to heat and pressure from the ionized gases 65 as they exit the circuit breakers 310 a, 310 band allow the ionized gases to enter the clearance area 130.The insulating barrier 120 functionally deflects the ionized exhaust gases 65 from both live and grounded conductive portions in the circuit board 101 while simultaneously permitting ionized exhaust gases 65 to enter the clearance area 130. Once in the clearance area 130, the exhaust gases circulate in the clearance area 130 and are guided along the third longitudinal axis X 3 while moving from the high pressure and low pressure portions of the clearance area 130. Contact by the ionized exhaust gases 65 with a live or grounded conductor is thereby prevented.Additionally, and as can be seen in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the area available for one of the pair of power switches 310 a, 310 bto deliver ionized gases 65 into the gap 401, for example, in the event of an electrical fault, is bounded by the insulative clearance area 130, as shown by dashed lines 133 defining an area A, and is greater than 50% of the total cross-sectional area of the gap 401.In some embodiments, the insulating barrier 120 may be manufactured using a suitable electrical insulating material, such as a flame resistant flexible polypropylene plate. In further embodiments, the insulating barrier may be formed using any conductive insulating material.In one embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the insulating barrier 120 may be advantageously formed from a one-piece plate 220 of a suitable material. For example, such a one-piece panel 220 may be folded or otherwise bent to place the insulating barrier 120. To enable the formation of the barrier 120 from a one-piece panel 220, the panel 220 may have creases or perforations formed thereon to guide folding of the panel 220 to create the barrier 120. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the dotted lines indicate crease or fold lines.For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a barrier 120 having a substantially triangular cross-section and first and second inner wall portions 225, 226 may be formed from a one-piece plate 220 having a first edge 525 acorresponding to the first edge 225 aof the first inner wall portion and a second opposing edge 525 acorresponding to the second inner wall portion 226 a. A first crease 525b or crease is formed thereon to define the second edge 225b of the first inner wall portion; a second crease 521b is formed thereon to define at least one of the second edge 121b of the first wall portion and the first edge 123a of the third wall portion; a third crease 521a is formed thereon to define at least one of the first edge 121a of the first wall portion and the first edge 122a of the second wall portion; a fourth crease 252 is formed thereon to define at least one of the second edge 122b of the second wall portion and the second edge 123b of the third wall portion; and a fifth crease 526b is formed thereon to define the second edge 226b of the second inner wall portion. The one-piece panel 220 may be functionally folded and disposed using the folds formed thereon to guide each fold.In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a barrier 120 having a substantially rectangular cross-section and first and second inner wall portions 225, 226 may be formed from a one-piece plate 220 having a first edge 625 acorresponding to the first edge 225 aof the first inner wall portion; and a second opposing edge 626 acorresponding to the first edge 226 aof the second inner wall portion. A first crease 625b or pleat is formed thereon to define the second edge 225b of the first inner wall portion. A second crease 621 bis formed thereon to define at least one of the second edge 121 band the first wall portion and the first edge 123 aof the third wall portion; a third crease 621 ais formed thereon to define at least one of the first edge 121 aof the first wall portion and a first edge 124 aof the fourth wall portion; a fourth crease 624 is formed thereon to define at least one of the second edge 124 bof the fourth wall portion and the first edge 122 aof the second wall portion; a fifth crease 622 bis formed thereon to define at least one of the second edge 122 bof the second outer wall portion and the second edge 123 bof the third outer wall portion; and a sixth crease 626 bis formed thereon to define the second edge 226 bof the second inner wall portion. The one-piece panel 220 may be functionally folded and disposed using the folds formed thereon to guide each fold.In still other embodiments, multiple insulating plates 220 may be used to form the insulating barrier 120, which has a number of configurations that enable the insulating barrier 120 to function as described herein.In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 9-12, support means 129, such as slots, may be provided on the insulating barrier 120. For example, the support means 129 may be configured to cooperate with the divider walls 149 to prevent undesired movement of the insulating barrier 120. In other embodiments, other support means 129 may be used to similarly maintain the insulating barrier 120 stationary. In still further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate plate may be operatively configured to provide a retaining force for the insulating barrier 120 to maintain the insulating barrier 120 in the space 410 in the operational position.Although various embodiments of the clearance openings 155 have been described herein as having substantially round (FIG. 11 ) or rectangular (FIG. 11 ) openings, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the openings 155 are not so limited and may have irregular shapes (FIGS. 13 and 14 ) or any number of shapes, sizes, and patterns that enable the insulating barrier 120 to function as described herein.The order of execution or execution of the operations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not important unless otherwise indicated. That is, the operations may be performed in any order unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that execution or performance of a particular operation, before, simultaneously, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.When introducing elements from aspects of the invention of the present invention or its embodiments, the articles "a, an", "the", and "said, said" are intended to mean that one or more of the elements may be present. The terms "comprising", "containing" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and have the meaning that additional elements other than the listed elements may be present.This specification uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode thereof, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such further examples are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, provided they have structural elements that do not differ from the wording of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial changes from the wording of the claims.An electrical switching device for receiving a pair of opposing circuit breakers includes a switchboard having a first longitudinal axis and configured to support the pair of opposing circuit breakers to define a space therebetween, the space having a second longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. An insulating barrier is arranged to define a clearance region having a third longitudinal axis and is operatively disposed in the clearance, the third longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis.

Claims

An electrical switching device for receiving a pair of opposing circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b), the electrical switching device comprising: a switchboard (101) having a first longitudinal axis (X1) and configured to support the pair of opposing circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b) to define a space (401) therebetween, the space (401) having a second longitudinal axis (X2) extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X1); an insulating barrier (120) positionable to define a clearance area (130) having a third longitudinal axis (X3), the insulating barrier (120) configured to be operatively disposed in the clearance (401), the third longitudinal axis (X3) extending substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis (X2), and the insulated barrier (120) including at least one wall (121, 122) having a plurality of openings such that the plurality of openings are disposed opposite each of the respective power switches (310, 310a, 310b).The electrical switching device of claim 1, wherein the insulating barrier (120) has a plurality of bends (525, 525a, 525b, 621, 621a, 621b) formed thereon.Electrical switching device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating barrier (12) further comprises holding means (129) configured to hold the insulating barrier (120) in the space (401) in the operating position (410).The electrical switching device of claim 1, wherein the insulating barrier (120) functionally limits a cross-sectional area that is greater than 50% of the total cross-sectional area of the gap (401).The electrical switching device of claim 4, wherein the insulating barrier (120) comprises a first outer wall (121) configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite a first end face (331a) of the first circuit breaker (310a), and a second outer wall (122) configured to be operatively disposed proximate and substantially opposite a second end face (331b) of the second circuit breaker (310b), and / or wherein the first outer wall (121) defines a plurality of openings therethrough, each opening being oriented to be operatively connected in flow communication with the first exhaust outlet opening (341a, 342a, 343a) of the first circuit breaker (310a), and / or wherein the second outer wall (122) defines a plurality of openings therethrough, each opening being oriented, operatively connected in fluid communication with the second exhaust outlet (341b, 342b, 434b) of the second circuit breaker (310b).The electrical switching device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first outer wall (121) is arranged at an angle to the first end face (331a) of the first circuit breaker (310a), and the second outer wall (122) is arranged at an angle to the second end face (331b) of the second circuit breaker (310b), and / or wherein the insulated barrier (120) further comprises a third inner wall (123) arranged between the first outer wall (121) and the second outer wall (122), and / or wherein the third inner wall (123) is configured to divide the clearance area (130) into a first clearance area (130a) and a second clearance area (130b).The electrical switching device of claim 6, provided that the barrier (120) has a third inner wall (123) configured to divide the clearance area (130) into a first clearance area (130a) and a second clearance area (130b), the first clearance portion (130a) defining a fourth longitudinal axis and the second clearance portion (130b) defining a fifth longitudinal axis, the fourth longitudinal axis and the fifth longitudinal axis being operatively arranged substantially parallel to the third longitudinal axis (X3).The electrical switching device of claim 1, wherein the insulating barrier (120) of each aforementioned device is formed of a conductive material.An electrical protection system having a pair of circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b) comprising: a housing (330a, 330b) for housing the pair of circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b), the housing (330a, 330b) having a first end and an opposing second end, and the first and second ends having a first longitudinal axis (X1) therebetween; the housing (330a, 330b) being configured to operatively support the pair of circuit breakers (310, 310a, 310b) to define a space (401) therebetween, the space (401) having a second longitudinal axis (X2) extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X1); an insulating barrier (120) positionable to define a clearance area (130) having a third longitudinal axis (X3), the insulating barrier (120) configured to be operatively disposed in the clearance (401), the third longitudinal axis (X3) extending substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis (X1), the insulated barrier (120) including at least one wall (121, 122, 123) having a plurality of openings such that the plurality of openings are disposed opposite each of the respective power switches (130, 130a, 130b), and wherein the housing (330a, 330b) further has a plurality of conductors disposed therein, at least one of the plurality of conductors being operatively connectable to at least one power switch (310, 310a, 310b) of the pair of power switches (310, 310a, 310b).

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