Installation shield for a circuit breaker

Abstract

A method and system are provided for safely installing or removing an electrical device on or from a bus system having electrical conductor(s) and a barrier for controlling access to the electrical conductor(s). The system includes a guide cover for the electrical device. The guide cover includes a cover part, an extending finger(s), which extends from the cover part, for aligning the device to the bus system and for operating a lock for the barrier when engaged thereto, and a mechanism for detachably connecting the cover part to the device. When the device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the device on the bus system, the at least one extending finger engages the lock for the barrier to operate the lock into the unlocked position so as to enable connection of connector(s) of the electrical device to the electrical conductor(s) of the bus system.

Description

TITLE: INSTALLATION SHIELD FOR A CIRCUIT BREAKERINVENTOR(S): James Raymond RAMSEY, Gerardo TORRES GUZMAN,Richard TANNER, Ezequiel SALAS ZAMARRIPA and Melissa GALVANRELATED CASE

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 525,877, filed July 10, 2023, entitled INTERLOCKED MANUAL BARRIER FOR REDUCED ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. The disclosure of the above-identified prior U.S. Patent Application, in its entirety, is considered as being part of the present application, and thus, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to the field of electrical panels, and more particularly, to systems and methods for protecting against electrical hazards when installing, removing or handling an electrical device(s), such as a circuit breaker(s), on a live bus system of an electrical panel.BACKGROUND

[0003] An electrical panel can include live conductors, such as an electrical bus and individual connection points on the bus which are connectable to electrical devices, such as circuit breakers and other equipment. The electrical bus can be a busbar stack or busway in a panel such as a switchboard or panelboard. Over the lifetime of the electrical panel, electrical devices may be installed or removed for example to add or remove an electrical device on the bus, to replace an electrical device on the bus, to perform maintenance on an electrical device on the bus, or other tasks. Power can be shut off to the bus of the electrical panel as a precaution when electrical devices are being installed or removed due to the potential electrical hazards (or risks) of handling live electrical equipment. However, shutting off power to the bus can be a major inconvenience in certain environments, such as data centers, hospitals and other facilities, which may rely on a constant source of power to conduct their affairs.SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided for safely installing or removing an electrical device on or from a bus system having one or more electrical conductors and a barrier for controlling access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.The system includes a guide cover for the electrical device. The guide cover includes: a cover part, at least one extending finger, which extends from the cover part, for aligning the electrical device to the bus system and for operating a lock for the barrier when engaged thereto, and a connection mechanism or component thereof for detachably connecting the cover part to the electrical device. When the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system, the at least one extending finger engages the lock for the barrier to operate the lock into the unlocked position so as to enable connection of one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0005] In various embodiments, the at least one extending finger can be configured to operate the lock into the unlocked position when the at least one extending finger engages the lock so as to enable removal of an associated shutter of the barrier and subsequent connection of the one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0006] In various embodiments, the at least one extending finger of the guide cover can comprise a plurality of the extending fingers which are spaced-apart from each other, each of the extending fingers being configured to engage a respective lock from a plurality of spaced- apart locks of the barrier when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system.

[0007] In various embodiments, the guide cover can be configured to act as a shield to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection against access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system during installation or removal of the electrical device on or from the bus system.

[0008] In various embodiments, the electrical device can comprise a circuit breaker or switching device, and the bus system can comprise a busbar stack in an electrical panel comprising a panelboard or switchboard.

[0009] In various embodiments, the connection mechanism or component thereof can comprise a latch mechanism or component thereof.

[0010] In various embodiments, the cover part can include an opening through which to receive a switch or handle of the electrical device, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device.

[0011] In various embodiments, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device, the at least one extending arm can extend in a direction away from a side of the electrical device with the one or more connectors for connecting to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0012] In various embodiments, the cover part can include a first cover part and a second cover part that is pivotably connected to the first cover part, the first cover part being arranged on one side of the electrical device and having extending therefrom the at least one extending finger, the second cover part being arranged on another side of the electrical device and including one or more ribs configured to engage one or more grooves on the another side of the electrical device.

[0013] In various embodiments, the system can further include the electrical device; the bus system; and the barrier such as described above.

[0014] In accordance with an embodiment, a method is provided of safely installing or removing an electrical device on or from a bus system having one or more electrical conductors and a barrier for controlling access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system. The method includes: connecting, via a connection mechanism or component thereof, a guide cover on the electrical device, the guide cover including a cover part and at least one extending finger which extends from the cover part, the at least one extending finger for aligning the electrical device to the bus system and operating a lock for the barrier; aligning the electrical device to the bus system with the at least one extending finger of the guide cover; moving the electrical device towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system so that the lock for the barrier is operated into an unlocked position when the extending finger engages the lock to enable connection of one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more conductors of the bus system; and disconnecting, via the connection mechanism or component thereof, the guide cover from the electrical device when the one or more connectors of the electrical device is connected to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0015] In various embodiments, the at least one finger can be configured to operate the lock into the unlocked position when the at least one finger engages the lock so as to enable removal of an associated shutter of the barrier and subsequent connection of the one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0016] In various embodiments, the method can further include: connecting, via the connection mechanism or component thereof, the guide cover or another guide cover of the same type as the guide cover on the electrical device which is connected to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system, the lock being operated into an unlocked position when the at least one finger of the guide cover of the another guide cover engages the lock; moving the electrical device partially away from the bus system to disconnect the one or more connectors of the electrical device from the one or more conductors of the bus system; placing back the associated shutter or another shutter of the same type as the associated shutter for the barrier; and moving the electrical device fully away from the bus system to remove the electrical device from the bus system.

[0017] In various embodiments, the at least one extending finger of the guide cover can comprise a plurality of the extending fingers which are spaced-apart from each other, each of the extending fingers being configured to engage a respective lock from a plurality of spaced- apart locks of the barrier when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system.

[0018] In various embodiments, the guide cover can be configured to act as a shield to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection against access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system during installation or removal of the electrical device on or from the bus system.

[0019] In various embodiments, the electrical device can comprise a circuit breaker or switching device, and the bus system can comprise a busbar stack in an electrical panel comprising a panelboard or switchboard.

[0020] In various embodiments, the connection mechanism or component thereof can comprise a latch mechanism or component thereof.

[0021] In various embodiments, the cover part can include an opening through which to receive a switch or handle of the electrical device, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device.

[0022] In various embodiments, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device, the at least one extending arm can extend away from a side of the electrical device with the one or more connectors for connecting to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

[0023] In various embodiments, the cover part can include a first cover part and a second cover part that is pivotably connected to the first cover part, the first cover part being arranged on one side of the electrical device and having extending therefrom the at least one extending finger, the second cover part being arranged on another side of the electrical device and including one or more ribs configured to engage one or more grooves on the another side of the electrical device.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment, a protective barrier system is provided for controlling access to conductor(s) of a bus system of an electrical panel. The system includes: an electrically insulated or non-conductive barrier for preventing access to conductor(s) of the bus system, the barrier including a plurality of removable shutters arranged side-by-side across at least one open-side of the bus system to prevent installation of an electrical device on the conductor(s) of the bus system and to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection; and a barrier interlock for the bus system, the barrier interlock including a lock for each of the plurality of shutters, the lock being operable between at least a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock being configured to lock the shutter to prevent removal of the shutter in the locked position or configured to unlock or release the shutter to enable removal of the shutter in the unlocked position and connection of an electrical device to the conductor(s) of the bus system.

[0025] In various embodiments, the electrical device can include a guide cover having at least one finger for aligning the electrical device to the bus system and for engaging a lock of the barrier interlock when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system to engage the conductor(s) of the bus system. The lock can be operated into the unlocked position when the finger engages the lock to enable removal of an associated shutter and subsequent connection of a connector(s) of the electrical device to the conductor(s).

[0026] In various embodiments, the guide cover can include a plurality of the fingers, which are spaced-apart, for engaging respective spaced-apart locks of the barrier interlock when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system to engage the conductor(s) of the bus system. The spaced-apart locks can be operated into the unlocked position when the fingers engage the respective spaced-apart locks to enable removal of associated shutters and subsequent connection of a connector(s) of the electrical device to the conductor(s). In an embodiment, the shutters can be positioned side-by-side and spaced-apart along the open-side of the bus system for an electrical device having a width of one and a half inches.

[0027] In various embodiments, the guide cover can be detachably connected to the electrical device and can provide a shield which covers customer or load-side terminal(s) when connected to the electrical device.

[0028] In various embodiments, the guide cover can be fixed to the electrical device. In some embodiments, the guide cover can further include a movable interlock plate or bracket including a forked end(s) or plate finger(s) and an extending tab or slide interlock. The interlock plate or bracket can be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the movable interlock plate or bracket can be movable to or in the unlocked position when a toggle switch of the electrical device is in an OFF position. The electrical device can be connectable to the bus system when the interlock plate or bracket is in the unlocked position with the toggle switch in the OFF position. When the electrical device is connected to the bus system, the interlock plate or bracket can be movable to the locked position so that the forked end or plate finger(s) engages a slot(s) on the bus system or component connected thereto thereby locking the electrical device to the bus system; the extending tab or slide interlock does not block the toggle switch on the electrical device from being moved from the OFF position to an ON position when the interlock plate or bracket is in the locked position; and the extending tab or slide interlock and thus the interlock plate or bracket can be blocked by the toggle switch in the ON position from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0029] In various embodiments, the guide cover can further include a retention snap(s), which is configured to prevent removal of the electrical device when an associated shutter is removed. The associated shutter can depress the retention snap when engaged and can release the retention snap when removed.

[0030] In various embodiments, the electrical device can be a circuit breaker or switching device, the bus system can be a busbar stack, and the electrical panel can be a panelboard or switchboard. The electrical panel and components thereof can be rated for a current within a current range of 400 Amp to 5000 Amp. The lock can include a latch or a spring-loaded cam system including one or more cams and one or more springs. The latch can include a portion or end which is received in a slot, groove, recess or cavity of an associated shutter or portion thereof in the locked position.

[0031] In various embodiments, an electrical panel can include a bus system comprising a busbar stack; and the protective barrier system such as described above.

[0032] In various embodiment, an installation guide for an electrical panel can be provided. The installation guide can include a bottom wall connectable to the electrical panel; and a pair of vertical / side walls extending from opposing sides of the bottom wall. The pair of vertical / side walls and bottom wall can facilitate alignment of an adjacent electrical device for installation onto a bus system of the electrical panel.

[0033] In various embodiments, the bottom and vertical walls together have a U-shaped cross-section. The bottom wall can include a tab(s) or a slot(s) for connecting to respective slot(s) or tab(s) on the electrical panel or component thereof. The bottom and vertical walls can be formed of a non-conductive or electrically insulating material. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as disclosed or claimed. The claims should be entitled to their full breadth of scope, including equivalents.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The description of the various example embodiments is explained in conjunction with the appended drawings.

[0035] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate an example electrical panel with a protective barrier system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example guide cover for an electrical device to be installed on a bus system of an electrical panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate example views of an operation of a shutter lock of a protective barrier system, in accordance with a present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an installation guide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate different views of an example guide cover for an electrical device to be installed on a bus system of an electrical panel and an example protective barrier system for the bus system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate different views of an example of a barrier interlock system (or module) with a cam-type shutter lock, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 14 illustrate an example of a barrier interlock system with a latch -type shutter lock, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 15 illustrates an operational example for unlocking a shutter lock with a latch, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 illustrate different views of an example a guide cover connected to an electrical device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a retention snap on a guide cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a guide cover for an electrical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIGS. 21A through 21L illustrate various aspects of an electrical device installation example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIGS. 22 A through 22G illustrate various aspects of an electrical device installation example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIGS. 23A through 22H illustrate various aspects of an electrical device installation example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIGS. 24 A through 24E illustrate various aspects of an electrical device removal example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIGS. 25 A through 25B illustrate various aspects of interlock operations of a guide cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIGS. 26 A through 26C illustrate various aspects of an electrical device installation example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIGS. 27 A through 27B illustrate various aspects of an electrical device removal example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIGS. 28 A through 28D illustrate various aspects of interlock operations of a guide cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 29 illustrates an example of an installation guide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 30 illustrates an example of an installation guide, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 31 illustrates an example of a guide cover for an electrical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 32 illustrates an example of a mounting or locking bracket for a guide cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 33 illustrates an example of a hasp for an electrical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 34 illustrates an example of an electrical panel and components thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIGS. 35 through 45 and FIGS. 46 A through 46B illustrate views of example operations associated with a method or process of installing an electrical device(s) on an electrical panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIGS. 47 through 55 illustrate views of example operations associated with a method or process of removing an installed electrical device(s) from an electrical panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DISCUSSION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Various protection systems (and methods of their operation) are provided for protection from potential electrical hazards when installing, removing or handling an electrical device, such as a circuit breaker or other switching device, a monitoring device or other device or equipment, on the bus system of an electrical panel, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The bus system can be a busbar stack. The electrical panel can be a panelboard or switchboard, and can have a rear mounting pan(s) therein with vertical and horizontal slot(s), groove(s), opening(s), tab(s), rail(s) or other guide components / structures for mounting and guiding electrical device onto the electrical panel and the bus system. In some embodiments, the slot(s) can include a tear drop slot(s) for slidably mounting each pole (or pole width) of an electrical device with corresponding tab(s), leg(s) or extension(s) for installation onto the bus system. The slots and other guide components / structure can be preconfigured on the mounting pan to align (e.g., center-align) each pole or pole width of anelectrical device to a respective region on the bus system when installing / connecting the electrical device (or its connectors) to the bus system (or its conductor(s)).

[0063] The protection systems can include a touch-safe or finger safe protection barrier to prevent among other things inadvertent contact with live or energized conductor(s) or components of the bus system on the electrical panel. The barrier can include a plurality of removable shutters, which can be arranged side-by-side across at least one open-side of the bus system, which is configured to receive one or more of the electrical devices or their connector(s), e.g., jaw(s), etc. The shutters can be supported by a support structure (or system) on the bus system and / or the electrical panel. The support structure can be configured to retain / hold the shutters in the side-by-side arrangement across at least one open-side of the bus system. In various embodiments, the position, spacing and dimension of each shutter on the electrical panel in relation to the bus system can be pre-configured to facilitate alignment with a single-pole (or pole width) of an electrical device, and to provide for touch-safe or fingersafe protection barrier from live conductors, such as the bus bars, on the bus system. Each shutter can be made of a non-conductive or electrically insulated material. For example, the shutter can be made of plastic, which can be molded or formed using other known techniques.

[0064] The support structure for the barrier can include, for each shutter, an upper support with an upper slot and a lower support (or base) with a lower slot. The upper slot can be a through hole or opening, and the lower slot and insertion end of the shutter can be tapered. The shutter can be inserted with its insertion end through the upper slot and into the lower slot until the insertion end sits in the lower slot or lower support. In various embodiments, the support structure can include an upper rail system with a plurality of upper slots and a lower rail system with a plurality of corresponding lower slots, where each pair of upper and lower slots are configured to retain a corresponding shutter of the barrier. The upper slot(s) can be provided on barrier interlock system(s) / module(s) , and the counterpart lower slots can be provided in the mounting pan of the electrical panel or other base structure on or around the bus system.

[0065] Furthermore, the protection system can include a barrier interlock or system thereof, which can provide an interlock module or assembly with a lock (or lock / release mechanism) and lock opening (e.g., a keyhole, opening, slot, channel, passage, groove, etc.) for each shutter. The lock can be operable between a locked position (or state) and an unlocked position (or state). A shutter(s) can be removed from the electrical panel (or the supportstructure) when the corresponding lock(s) is in the unlocked position. In various embodiments, a guide cover with at least one finger (e.g., a key or lock actuator) for operating a lock(s) can be provided on an electrical device to be installed on the bus system. The guide cover can include a finger for each pole (or pole width) of the electrical device or for a pole width of the electrical device, or for multiple pole (or pole widths). The centerline pole width can be one and half (1 ¥2) inches or any other size depending on the application or rating of the electrical panel and the desired size of the electrical device(s) such as a circuit breaker to be employed. In operation, when installing an electrical device with the guide cover, the electrical device is in the OFF position (or state) e.g., the switch / handle is in the OFF position. The electrical device can be mounted onto the mounting pan with the guide components on the pan and moved toward the bus system until the finger(s) of the guide cover engage / actuate respective lock(s) of the barrier interlock to unlock associated shutter(s). The lock opening can be pre-positioned on the bus system or the barrier interlock system(s) / module(s) to facilitate alignment for installation of an electrical device on the bus system. The unlocked shutter(s) can be removed, such as manually by a user, from the barrier / shutter support structure. Even with the removal of the shutter(s), the insulating portions / housing / cover of the bus system and the electrical device together are designed to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection against contact of live conductor(s) of the bus system. Thereafter, the electrical device can finally be moved until its connector(s) engages or connects to the conductor(s) of the bus system.

[0066] In an embodiment, the guide cover can be removably or detachably connectable, or fixed to the electrical device. The guide cover can be removably or detachably connectable using detachable fasteners or fastening assemblies, such as snap-fit joint assemblies (e.g., cantilever snap fit joint with a cantilever beam with a tapered hook configured to engage a corresponding slot, a torsion snap joint with a torsion bar and rocker arm having a hook configured to engage a corresponding groove, etc.) or other suitable detachable fastening assemblies. The guide cover can be fixed, for example, using fixed fasteners or fastening assemblies (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), adhesives or other manufacturing techniques.

[0067] In a further embodiment, the guide cover can be a re-usable installation shield, which can cover sides of the electrical device including its customer or load-side terminal(s) / connector(s) when connected thereto. The installation shield can be removed after the electrical device is connected / installed on the bus system, and used with another electrical device to be installed on the bus system. In an embodiment, the installation shield can have two parts which are pivotable (or pivotably connected) relative to one another. A first coverpart of the installation shield can include ribs(s) which can slidingly engage respective groove(s) / channel(s) on a side of the electrical device with customer or load-side terminal(s) (or vice-a-versa) so that the first part covers the terminal(s). A second cover part of the installation shield thereafter can be pivoted over a front-side of the electrical device with a toggle switch (e.g., a handle or lever), and removably connected to the electrical device via a fastener assembly. The second part can include an opening to allow the switch / handle to extend therethrough and also include one or more fingers for engaging respective lock(s) of the barrier interlock. The one or more fingers can extend from an end of the second part of the installation shield. The opening for the switch / handle can be configured to only allow the switch / handle to be in the OFF position when the guide cover is connected to the electrical device.

[0068] In another embodiment, the guide cover can include an interlock system for locking the electrical device and the bus system or a component associated therewith such as a barrier interlock system(s) / module(s). The interlock system can include an interlock plate (or bracket), which can include a forked end(s) (or plate finger(s)) for locking the electrical device to the bus system when the electrical device is connected to the bus system. The interlock plate also can include an extending tab or slide interlock (or stop) to block / interfere or allow movement of the toggle switch to the ON or OFF position under certain circumstances. The interlock system or its interlock plate can be operated, such as manually by a user, to move between an unlocked position (or state) and a locked position (or state). In operation, the electrical device initially has its switch / handle in the OFF position with the interlock system and its interlock plate in the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the extending tab or slide interlock is positioned to block or prevent the toggle switch / handle from being moved to the ON position, and the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) can be properly aligned with counterpart components (e.g., lock openings, such as slot, channel, passage, etc., for the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) of the interlock plate) on the bus system, when installing the electrical device on the bus system. If the interlock system is in the locked position, the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) would not be aligned with counterpart components on the bus system, and thus, would prevent installation of the electrical device on the bus system. When the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) of the guide cover are aligned for installation in the unlocked position, the electrical device can be installed on the bus system with its connector(s) engaged with the conductor(s) of the bus system. Once installed, the interlock system can be operated (e.g., manually using a lever, tab or other actuator by a user, etc.) to the locked position in which the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) are engaged with counterpart components (e.g., groove, slot, wall, etc.) and the extending tabor slide interlock is moved to allow the toggle switch of the electrical device to be operated to the ON position. In one aspect, the forked end(s) / plate finger(s) are engaged in an interlock base of the barrier interlock system when the interlock system and its interlock plate are in the locked position. While the electrical device is connected to the bus system in the ON position, the switch / handle prevents the extending tab or slide interlock and thus the interlock system from being operated to the unlocked position, thereby preventing the electrical device from being removed from the bus system.

[0069] In yet another embodiment, an installation guide (or shelf) can be provided to facilitate alignment of electrical device(s) for connection on the bus system of the electrical panel. The installation guide can include a bottom (or base) wall with two vertical walls extending from opposing sides of the bottom wall, and can be a universal guide having a desired width (e.g., one pole width, two pole width, . . . n-pole width). The installation guide also can include tabs / grooves, such as on the bottom wall, for mounting onto counterpart components on the mounting pan of the electrical panel. The installation guide can be mounted in locations (in relation to the bus system), at which electrical devices are not connected to the bus system, but can facilitate alignment via the vertical walls of adjacent electrical device(s) to be installed on the bus system.

[0070] In a further embodiment, the guide cover can include a retention snap(s) for retaining the electrical device on the bus system when an associated shutter is unlocked and removed. The retention snap of the guide cover is configured to be depressed or deflected by the shutter when the shutter is engaged in the barrier / shutter support structure and to be released when the shutter is removed. In this way, the retention snap can prevent removal of an electrical device on the bus system when a corresponding shutter has been removed to provide additional protection against electrical hazards. In various embodiment, the retention snap can be engaged in the interlock base of the barrier interlock system(s).module(s), when the shutter is removed.

[0071] These and other example protection systems or other features and benefits of the present disclosure are shown and / or described below and in the attached figures.

[0072] FIG. 1 illustrates an example electrical panel 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical panel 10 can include a main switch (or circuit breaker), which can be connected to conductors (e.g., power cables) which supply electrical power from an upstream power source. The electrical panel 10 also can include anelectrical bus system 30 for distributing the electrical power to downstream components or loads. The bus system 30 (also referred sometimes as bus) can be a busbar stack. The electrical panel 10 also can include one or more mounting pans 14 for mounting components, including electrical devices to be connected to the bus system, in the electrical panel 10. The various components of the electrical panel 10 can be housed in an enclosure (or housing) 12.

[0073] The mounting pan(s) 14 can include guide components (e.g., slot(s), opening(s), groove(s), tab(s), rail(s), etc.), which can be preconfigured to facilitate alignment of an electrical device 50 for connection to the bus system, such as shown in the examples of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In this example, the guide components can include teardrop slot(s) for slidingly mounting an electrical device 50, via a corresponding component thereon (e.g., tab, leg, etc.) on the pan 14 in alignment with the bus system 30 for installation. For example, the guide components can be configured to provide centerline alignment for each pole or a pole width of an electrical device. The electrical device 50 can be a circuit breaker or other switching device, a monitoring device or other equipment known to be connected to the conductors, e.g., bus bar(s), of the bus system 30 of the electrical panel 10.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 1, the bus system 30 can include one or more open-sides to allow connector(s) of an electrical device to be connected to the conductor(s) of the bus system. In this example, the bus system 30 has a Left open-side and a Right open-side. In accordance with an embodiment, a touch-safe or finger-safe protective barrier system 100 and a barrier interlock system 150 can be provided for protection against contact with live conductor(s) of the bus system 30. The barrier system 100 can include a plurality of removable shutters 110 which can be arranged side-by-side and spaced-apart across each open-side of the bus system 100 to prevent contact with live conductor(s) of the bus system. The spacing between adjacent shutters 110 can be configured to be touch-safe or finger-safe. Each shutter 110 can be retained or supported by a shutter support structure having an upper support structure with an upper slot and a lower support structure with a corresponding lower slot. A shutter can be received and retained in the support structure by insertion of the shutter through the upper slot and into the lower slot. In an embodiment, the lower slot and the insertion end of the shutter can be tapered. The insertion end of the shutter 110 can be inserted through the upper slot and into the lower slot. The lower slot can be provided in a lower structure such as the mounting pan 14, a base connected to the mounting pan or the bus system 30, a lower rail or some other structure running along a bottom of the bus system 30. The upper slot can be provided in an upper structure such as an upper rail or bracket on the front of the bus system 30, an upper / frontportion of the bus system, a portion of the barrier interlock system 150 (e.g., an interlock base of the system 150), and so forth.

[0075] The barrier interlock system 150 can include an interlock for each shutter to allow removal of a shutter(s) 110 under certain conditions to reduce the hazards of electrical shock. In this example, the barrier interlock system 150 can be located on a front of the bus system 30 and can include a shutter lock assembly for each shutter 110 to lock / unlock the shutter 110. As will be described in various examples herein, the shutter lock assembly, which can include a lock and lock opening, can be operated or engaged by a finger (e.g., key or actuator) on an electrical device when the electrical device is being installed on the bus system. The lock opening can be a slot, channel, passage, groove, cavity or other opening, which is configured to receive a finger or other lock actuator.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, once the shutters 110 are removed, the electrical device 50 can be further moved towards the bus system 30 to connect the connector(s), e.g., jaw(s), of the electrical device onto conductor(s), e.g., bus bar(s) (also referred to as busbar(s)), of the bus system 30.

[0077] FIG. 4 illustrates an example guide cover 400 for an electrical device 50 to be installed on a bus system of an electrical panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the guide cover 400 can include a plurality of extending fingers 410 for actuating or operating shutter lock(s) 450 of a barrier interlock system. The guide cover 400 also can include a latch opening 420 for receiving a latch 52 of the electrical device 50 to connect the guide cover 400 to the electrical device 50. The guide cover 400 also can include a switch opening 430 through which a toggle switch 54 (e.g., switch or handle) can be received when in the OFF position. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide cover 400 can be removably or detachably connected to the electrical device 50 using the latch 52, which can be a cantilever snap joint with a hook. The electrical device 50 can include, on one end, a connector(s) 60 (e.g., jaw(s)) to connect with bus bar(s) of a bus system, and on another end connector(s) 62 such as terminal connector(s) to connect with customer or load-side cable(s). The guide cover 400 can include a shelf or ledge 440 on which a counterpart component of the electrical device 50 (e.g., extending portion, tab, etc.) may sit on, when the guide cover 400 is installed and connected onto the electrical device 50. When connected, the guide cover 400 can cover a side (e.g., a front side) of the electrical device 50 with the toggle switch 54 and a side with the customer or load-side terminal / connector 62 to provide a shield over a significantportion of the electrical device 50 during installation or in other words an installation shield. To remove the guide cover 400, the latch 52 can be pulled back or deflected to release the latch 52 from the latch opening 420 of the guide cover 400, and thereafter the guide cover 400 can be removed with a clockwise motion. The connection operation can be implemented using the reverse operation, which can entail a counterclockwise motion to snap the latch 52 into the latch opening 420 of the guide cover 400. The guide cover 400 can ensure that the electrical device 50 is in the OFF position, and can provide a barrier or shield to the cable connection(s) of the electrical device 50.

[0078] In various embodiments, the latch 52 can be part of a pre-existing padlock system, which can be connected onto the electrical device 50. A padlock system can be connected onto the latch 52 to enable the position of the switch 54 to be locked (e.g., in the OFF position) for implementing Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures when performing maintenance or repair of electrical equipment.

[0079] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate example views of an operation of a shutter lock 450 of a protective barrier system, in accordance with a present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide cover 400 is connected on the electrical device 50, which has the toggle switch in the OFF position. The electrical device 50 can be mounted in / on guide component(s) of a mounting pan to provide an initial alignment for installation of the electrical device 50 to the bus system 30, and thereafter moved toward the bus system 30. The electrical device 50 can be moved toward the bus system 30 until the finger(s) 410 of the guide cover 400 engage / actuate respective shutter lock(s) 450 to operate the shutter lock(s) 450 from the locked position to the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 7. In this example, the shutter lock 450 can be a cam-type lock assembly which includes a spring-loaded cam which is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position when the finger 410 engages a cam surface 452. In the locked position, the spring-loaded cam has a portion 454 (e.g., a finger, extension, follower, etc.) which is configured to contact a portion 114 of the shutter 110, such as a stop, tab or ledge or the like, in the locked position to prevent removal of the shutter 110. In the unlocked position, the spring-loaded cam is moved by the finger 410 so that the portion 454 of the cam is no longer in contact with the portion 114 of the shutter 114 and no longer prevents removal of the shutter 110 from the shuttle support structure.

[0080] Once the shutter(s) 110 are unlocked, they can be removed manually. Thereafter, the electrical device 50 can be moved further towards the bus system to connect itsconnector(s) to the conductor(s), such as bus bar(s), of the bus system 30. After the electrical device 50 is connected to the bus system 30, the guide cover 400 can be removed or disconnected from the electrical device 50 by unlatching the latch 52 from the latch opening 420 of the guide cover 400, as previously discussed above. The electrical device 50 also can have a foot fastened to the mounting pan using fastener(s) (e.g., screw or bolt) which engages opening(s) in the pan to secure the electrical device 50 in the electrical panel. After the guide cover 400 is removed, customer or load-side cable(s) can be connected to the terminal(s) / connector(s) of the electrical device 50 depending on the functionality of the electrical device (e.g., circuit breaker, switching device, etc.). The electrical device 50 can then be turned to the ON position using the toggle switch 54 to enable power to flow to (or through) the electrical device.

[0081] When uninstalling the electrical device 50, the operations described above can be performed in reverse order. For example, the toggle switch 54 on the electrical device 50 can be turned to the OFF position, and any customer or load-side cable(s) can be removed from the terminal(s) of the electrical device 50. The guide cover 400 can be connected (or reconnected) to the electrical device 50, with the finger(s) 410 engaged with respective shutter lock(s) 450 to cause the shutter lock(s) 450 to be in the unlocked position. The fastener on the foot of the electrical device 50 also can be unfastened from the mounting pan. The electrical device 50 can be moved to disconnect the connector(s) from the bus system 30, and the shutter(s) 110 can then be re-engaged with (or placed back onto) the shutter support structure. Once all of the shutter(s) 110 associated with the installation of the electrical device 110 have been re-engaged, the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 400 can be moved further away from the bus system 30 such that the finger(s) 410 of the guide cover disengage from the shutter lock(s) 450 and allow the shutter lock(s) 450 to return to the locked position to prevent removal of the shutter(s) 110. The guide cover 400 can be removed from the electrical device 50, and the electrical device 50 can be removed from the electrical panel, or vice-a-versa. The guide cover 400 can then be re-used for installation or uninstallation / removal of an electrical device on the bus system 30.

[0082] The above describes example method or process of installing or removing the electrical device 50 on or from the bus system 30 through the use of the guide cover 400. Additional aspects of the installation and / or removal operations are shown in FIGS. 21A through 2 IL, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0083] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an installation guide 800, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The installation guide 800 can be mounted or connected on the mounting pan 14 of the electrical panel to facilitate alignment of electrical device(s) 50 to be installed on the bus system 30. In this example, the installation guide can include a bottom wall 810 and two opposing vertical / side walls 820, 830 extending from opposing sides of the bottom wall 810. The installation guide 800 also can include tab(s), feet(s), leg(s), or other structure for connecting or mounting the installation guide 800 onto the mounting pan 14. The end of the vertical walls 820, 830 adjacent to the bus system 30 can extend higher or extend to a height of an electrical device 50 when connected to the bus system 30. The installation guide 800 can be used to align electrical device(s) 50, such as those adjacent to the vertical / side walls 829, 830, for installation onto the bus system 30. For example, an electrical device 50 (to be installed adjacent to the guide 800) can use the vertical / side wall 820, 830 of a mounted installation guide 800 as a guide for installation. The installation guide 800 can be a universal guide for installation of electrical device(s) on the bus system 30 of an electrical panel.

[0084] FIG. 9 illustrates an example guide cover 900 for an electrical device 50 to be installed on a bus system 30 of an electrical panel and an example protective barrier system 950 for the bus system 30, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide cover 900 includes similar components and features of the guide cover 400 in FIG. 4 (previously discussed above). For example, the guide cover 900 can also be an installation shield, which can prevent operation of the electrical device 50 from being operated from the OFF position to the ON position, can prevent access to connector(s) (e.g., terminal(s)) of the electrical device 50 for customer or load-side cable(s), and can be removably or detachably connected to the electrical device 50. As shown, the guide cover 900 can include a plurality of fingers 910 for engaging / actuating shutter locks of a barrier interlock system 950 for a plurality of shutters 110 in the barrier system of the bus system 30. The guide cover 900 also can include a latch opening 920 for receiving a latch of the electrical device 50 and a switch opening 930 for receiving a toggle switch 54 of the electrical device 50 when in the OFF position. The guide cover 900 can be made of a non-conductive or electrically insulating material, such as for example plastic.

[0085] The protective barrier system 950 can be a tamper-proof system, which includes a cover (or housing assembly) 952 to prevent general access to the shutter locks 960 for the shutters 110. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in this example, each shutter lock 960 can include a rotatable cam 962, which may be spring-loaded to stay in a default position, such asthe locked position, when the shutter lock 960 is not being engaged / actuated. The installation and removal operations of the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 900 on the bus system 30 with shutter locks 960 are similar to the operational examples previously described above with reference to the example in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0086] For example, the guide cover 900 is connected on the electrical device 50, which has the toggle switch in the OFF position. The electrical device 50 can be mounted in / on guide component(s) of a mounting pan to provide an initial alignment for installation of the electrical device 50 to the bus system 30, and thereafter moved toward the bus system 30. The electrical device 50 can be moved toward the bus system 30 as shown in FIG. 10 until the finger(s) 910 of the guide cover 900 engage / actuate respective shutter lock(s) 960 to operate the shutter lock(s) 960 from the locked position to the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 11. In this example, the shutter lock 960 can be a cam-type lock assembly which includes a spring-loaded cam 962 which is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position when the finger 910 engages a cam surface thereon. In the locked position, the spring-loaded cam can have a portion (e.g., a finger, extension, follower, etc.) which is configured to contact a portion of the shutter 110, such as a stop, tab or ledge or the like, in the locked position to prevent removal of the shutter 110. In the unlocked position, the spring-loaded cam 962 is moved by the finger 910 so that the portion of the cam 962 is no longer in contact with the portion of the shutter and no longer prevents removal of the shutter 110 from the shuttle support structure.

[0087] Once the shutter(s) 110 are unlocked, they can be removed manually. Thereafter, the electrical device 50 can be moved further towards the bus system to connect its connector(s) to the conductor(s), such as bus bar(s), of the bus system 30. After the electrical device 50 is connected to the bus system 30, the guide cover 900 can be removed or disconnected from the electrical device 50 by unlatching the latch 52 from the latch opening 920 of the guide cover 900, as previously discussed above. The electrical device 50 also can have a foot (or mounting bracket) 56 fastened to the mounting pan using fastener(s) (e.g., screw or bolt) which engage opening(s) in the pan. After the guide cover 900 is removed, customer or load-side cable(s) can be connected to the electrical device 50 depending on the functionality of the electrical device (e.g., circuit breaker, switching device, etc.). The electrical device 50 can then be turned to the ON position using the toggle switch 54.

[0088] When uninstalling the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 900, the operations described above can be performed in reverse order. An example of a similarremoval / uninstall operation has been described above with reference to the example of the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 400.

[0089] The above describes example method or process of installing or removing the electrical device 50 on or from the bus system 30 through the use of the guide cover 900. Additional aspects of the installation and / or removal operations are shown in FIGS. 22A through 22G, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0090] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate different views of an example of a barrier interlock system (or module) 1200 with a cam -type shutter lock, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The interlock system 1200 includes an interlock base 1250 and an interlock cover 1260. The interlock cover 1260 can be connected to cover the base 1250 and the lock components housed therein using fasteners (e.g., screws) that be connected to screw holes or openings in the base 1250 and cover 1260.

[0091] In this example, the interlock base 1250 includes for each shutter (e.g., 110) a shutter lock which can include a cam, a follower and springs (e.g., compression, torsion, leaf). As in the other cam-type embodiments, the shutter lock (or its cam) can be engaged / actuated by a finger or other actuator on an electrical device 50 to be installed to cause the cam to rotate and the follower to move from a locked position (e.g., the follower is engaged to the shutter) to an unlocked position (e.g., the follower is disengaged from the shutter). In the locked position, the shutter cannot be removed from the shutter support structure. In the unlocked position, the shutter can be removed from the shutter support structure.

[0092] The barrier interlock system 1200 can be a module, which in this example is designed to provide for the support of three shutters and three respective shutter locks. The module can be designed to provide the support of any number of shutters and shutter locks. In various embodiments, a plurality of such modules can be connected across the bus system to provide for the desired number of shutters and shutter locks to cover an open-side of the bus system 30. The module and some of its components can be formed using plastic or other non- conductive or electrically-insulating materials.

[0093] FIG. 14 illustrate an example of a barrier interlock system 1400 with a latchtype shutter lock, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The interlock system 1400 includes an interlock base 1450 and an interlock cover 1460. The interlock cover 1460 can be connected to the base 1450 and the lock components housed thereinusing fasteners (e.g., screws) that be connected to screw holes or openings in the base 1450 and cover 1460.

[0094] In this example, the interlock base 1450 includes for each shutter (e.g., 110) a shutter lock which can include a deflectable latch 1452 with a release 1454 configured to engage a counterpart component (e.g., a groove, slot, cavity, etc.) of an associated shutter in the locked position. The shutter lock (or its latch) can be engaged / actuated by a finger or other actuator on an electrical device 50 to be installed to cause the latch to deflect such that the release is moved from a locked position (in which it is latched to the shutter) to an unlocked position (in which it is unlatched from the shutter). In the locked position, the shutter cannot be removed from the shutter support structure. In the unlocked position, the shutter can be removed from the shutter support structure. An operational example for unlocking the shutter lock with the latch 1452 is shown in FIG. 15.

[0095] The barrier interlock system 1400 is a module, which in this example is designed to provide for the support of three shutters and three respective shutter locks. The module can be designed to provide the support of any number of shutters and shutter locks. In various embodiments, a plurality of such modules can be connected across the bus system to provide for the desired number of shutters and shutter locks to cover an open-side of the bus system 30. The module and its components can be formed using plastic or other non- conductive or electrically-insulating materials.

[0096] FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 illustrate different views of an example a guide cover 1600 connected to an electrical device 50, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide cover 1600 and its components are fixedly connected or fixed to the electrical device 50, such as for example, using a fastener assembly (e.g., screws, etc.) or connection techniques or its functionality can be integrated to other components of the electrical device 50 (auxiliary cover, shroud, etc.). The guide cover 1600 can include a plurality of fingers 1610 for engaging / actuating shutter locks (of a barrier interlock system) to operate them from the locked position to the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the unlocked shutter(s) can be removed from the shutter support structure, such as in the other examples as previously discussed herein.

[0097] The guide cover 1600 also can include an interlock system for locking the electrical device 50 to the bus system when the electrical device 50 is on (or connected to) the bus system of an electrical panel while in ON or closed position. The interlock system can alsoprevent the connection of the electrical device 50 to the electrical panel when the electrical device is in ON or closed position.. The interlock system can include an interlock plate (or bracket) 1620 including a forked end (or plate finger(s)) 1630. In this example, the forked end 1630 includes two prongs with a hook on each end. The interlock system also can include an extending tab or slide interlock for controlling the operation of the toggle switch of the electrical device 50. The interlock plate 1620 and its components, such as the forked end 1630 and the slide interlock 1640, can be operated between an unlocked position and a locked position using a lever (or tab) 1622. For example, the lever 1622 can be slid in one direction to slide the interlock plate 1620 from the unlocked to locked position and in the opposite direction to slide the interlock plate 1620 from the locked to unlocked position. As shown in FIG. 16, the interlock plate 1620 is in the unlocked position in which the slide interlock 1640 is positioned to block the toggle switch 54 of the electrical device from being moved from the OFF position to the ON position. In the unlocked position, the forked end 1630 also is positioned for proper alignment with counterpart components on or around the bus system 30 (e.g., an interlock base of the barrier interlock system / module) to allow installation of the electrical device on the bus system 30.

[0098] The guide cover 1600 also can include a retention snap(s) 1650. In this example, there is a retention snap 1650 with each finger 1610. When the finger(s) 1610 of the guide cover 1600 of the electrical device 50 is moved and unlocks respective shutter(s), the retention snap(s) 1610 is initially deflected or depressed by a respective shutter(s) engaged in the shutter support structure. When the shutter(s) is removed, the retention snap(s) 1650 snaps or returns back and is locked into or around a counterpart structure on the bus system, such as for example a wall of an interlock base of the barrier interlock system such as shown in FIG. 19.

[0099] In an example installation operation, the electrical device 50 with the fixed guide cover 1600 can initially be mounted on the mounting pan for alignment for installation onto the bus system. At this stage, the interlock system of the guide cover 1600 is in the unlocked position in which the forked end 1630 is aligned for installation and the slide interlock 1640 is closed to prevent the electrical device 50 from being switched from the current OFF position to the ON position. The electrical device 50 can be moved toward the bus system 30 until the finger(s) 1610 of the guide cover 1600 engage / actuate respective shutter lock(s) to operate the shutter lock(s) from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0100] Once the shutter(s) are unlocked, they can be removed manually. As explained above, when the shutter(s) is removed, the retention snap(s) 1650 snaps back and is locked into or around a counterpart structure on the bus system, such as for example a wall of an interlock base of the barrier interlock system. Accordingly, the retention snap(s) 1650 can provide an additional layer of protection from electrical hazards by preventing removal of the electrical device 50 with the fixed guide cover 1600, for example, the base of the barrier interlock system or support structure for the shutter(s), once a shutter(s) has been removed.

[0101] Thereafter, the electrical device 50 can be moved further towards the bus system to connect its connector(s) to the conductor(s), such as bus bar(s), of the bus system 30. After the electrical device 50 is connected to the bus system 30, the electrical device 50 can have a foot 56 fastened to the mounting pan using fastener(s) (e.g., screw or bolt) which engage opening(s) in the pan. Thereafter, the lever 1622 can be moved to operate the interlock system or its interlock plate 1620 to a locked position in which the forked end (e.g., hook(s)) can engage counterpart components on the bus system. For example, the counterpart components can be provided on the barrier interlock modules or the upper support structure for the shutter(s). In the locked position, the slide interlock 1640 is moved to an open state away from the switch toggling region of the electrical device 50 to enable operation of the toggle switch from the OFF position to the ON position. Once the cable(s) is connected to the customer or load-side terminal(s) / connector(s) of the electrical device 50, the switch 54 can be moved to the ON position. When the toggle switch 54 of the electrical device 50 is moved to the ON position, it is not possible to operate the interlock system or its plate from the locked position to the unlocked position (e.g., the switch 54 blocks the slide interlock 1640 from moving to the unlocked position or closed state). Accordingly, the interlock system of the guide cover 1600 can provide an additional level of protection by retaining the interlock system in the locked position in order to prevent removal of the electrical device 50 from the bus system 30, when the electrical device 50 is in the ON position.

[0102] When uninstalling the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 1600, the operations described above can be performed in reverse order. An example of a similar removal operation has been described above with reference to the example of the electrical device 50 with the guide cover 400, except in this example the guide cover 1600 is fixed to the electrical device 50.

[0103] The above describes example method or process of installing or removing the electrical device 50 on or from the bus system 30 through the use of the guide cover 1600. Additional aspects of the installation and / or removal operations are shown in FIGS. 23A through 23H and 24A through 24E, in accordance with various embodiments. Additional aspects of the interlock of the guide cover 1600 also are shown in FIGS. 25 A and 25B and FIGS. 28A through 28D.

[0104] FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a guide cover 2000 for an electrical device 50, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the guide cover 2000 is similar to the removable guide cover 400 and 900, and includes finger(s) for engaging / actuating shutter lock(s), a switch opening for a toggle switch / handle in the OFF position, and a latch opening for receiving a latch on the electrical device 50 to removably or detachable connect the guide cover 2000 to the electrical device 50. The guide cover 2000 also can include a first cover part 2002 and a second cover part 2004, which may be pivotally connected. The first cover part 2002 can include one or more ribs 2006 for engaging counterpart grooves on a side of the electrical device which carries the connector(s) / terminal(s) for the customer or load-side cable(s). The second cover part 2004 can include the finger(s), latch opening, and switch opening. To connect the guide cover 2000 to the electrical device, the first cover part 2002 is slidingly engaged to the side with the customer / load-side connector(s) / terminal(s) via the rib(s), and thereafter the second cover part 2004 is pivotally moved over the side of the electrical device 50 with the toggle switch until the latch on the electrical device engages the latch opening of the guide cover 200. Although a latch mechanism is used in this example, other removable fastening assemblies can be employed to enable the guide cover 2000 to be removably or detachably connected to the electrical device 50. When the guide cover 2000 is connected to the electrical device, the guide cover 2000 forms an installation shield around the electrical device, and prevents access to the customer or load-side terminal(s) / connector(s). The guide cover 2000 can be removed using the reverse operation after the latch is released from the latch opening of the guide cover.

[0105] The above describes example method or process of installing or removing the electrical device 50 on or from the bus system 30 through the use of the guide cover 2000. Additional aspects of the installation and / or removal operations are shown in FIGS. 26A-26C and 27A-27B, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0106] FIG. 29 illustrates an example of an installation guide 2900, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The installation guide 2900 can be mounted or connected on a mounting pan of an electrical panel to facilitate alignment of electrical device(s), e.g., circuit breaker(s), etc., to be installed on a bus system. The installation guide 2900, which also can be referred to as a blank filler, can be used to fill unused (or empty) spaces on the mounting pan of the electrical panel. The installation guide 2900 also can provide support for adjacent electrical device(s), which are connected to the bus system (e.g., a bus stack) on the electrical panel.

[0107] The installation guide 2900 can have a body formed of a non-conductive or electrically insulating material, such as for example plastic using a molding process or molded- plastic. The installation guide 2900 and components thereof can be formed as a single- or unitary- piece, or as a plurality of components which are connected to each other.

[0108] The body of the installation guide 2900 can include a top wall 2910, two opposing sides with respective side walls 2920, 2930, and a back wall 2950. The side walls 2920, 2930 can be connected to or extend from respective opposing sides of the top wall 2910 and / or back wall 2950. The back wall 2950 can be connected to extend from a back of the top wall 2910. The top and back walls 2910, 2950 together can have a L-shaped cross-section along a length thereof, or be connected perpendicular to each other.

[0109] The body also can include a bottom wall 2960, which is connected to or extends from an end of the back wall 2950 and has a portion thereof which can be connected to the electrical panel or a component thereof (e.g., the mounting pan). In this example, the bottom wall 2960 can include an opening 2962 through which to receive a connector or fastener 2964 (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.) for connecting the bottom wall 2960 to the electrical panel or component thereof. The opening 2962 can be a channel, such as for example a U-shaped channel, which is configured to retain the connector or fastener when connecting or fastening the bottom wall 2960 of the body, and thus, the installation guide 2900, to the electrical panel or a component thereof. The U-shaped channel is further configured, with a suitable size, shape and flexibility, to retain the connector or fastener even when disconnecting or unfastening the connector or fastener 2964, and thus the installation guide 2900, from the electrical panel or a component thereof. In this way, the possibility of the connector or fastener 2964 falling into the electrical panel during installation or removal of the installation guide 2900 on or from the electrical panel, respectively, is reduced or minimized. It is understood that the channel of the opening2982 can be configured with different sizes and shapes to retain a connector or fastener during installation or removal of the installation guide 2900 on or from the electrical panel.

[0110] Other connection mechanisms can be used to connect the bottom wall 2960 or other portion of the installation guide 2900 to the electrical panel or a component thereof. For example, the installation guide 2900 also can include tab(s), feet(s), leg(s), or other structure for connecting or mounting the installation guide 800 onto the electrical panel or a component thereof. In various embodiments, the back wall 2950 and the bottom wall 2960 can be perpendicular to each other, or together have a L-shaped cross-section. In various embodiments, the body also may include at least one structural support(s) 2970 (e.g., beam(s), etc.) connected between the back wall 2950 and the bottom wall 2960.

[0111] As further shown in FIG. 29, the body of the installation guide 2900 also can include a front wall 2940, which connects to or extends from a front of the top wall 2910. In this example, the front wall 2940 can extend upward from a front (or front end) of the top wall 2910. The frontal wall 2940 can include one or more hooks 2942 (e.g., hooks, tabs, etc.), which are configured to engage first counterpart component(s) of the bus system or a component thereof of the electrical panel, when installed on the panel. In an embodiment, the first counterpart component(s) can include a groove, slot or opening on a barrier interlock system or other component(s) of the bus system. The front wall 2940 also can include one or more grooves 2944 (e.g., grooves, slots, etc.), which are configured to engage second counterpart component(s) of the bus system or a component thereof of the electrical panel, when installed on the panel. In an embodiment, the second counterpart component(s) can include a rib or tab on a barrier interlock system or other component(s) of the bus system. The hook(s) 2942 and / or groove(s) 2944 of the installation guide 2900, along with the opening(s) 2962, provide a suitable mechanism(s) by which to securely connect the installation guide 900 on the electrical panel or a component thereof, and thus, to support an adjacent electrical device(s) (e.g., 50) installed (or to be installed) on the electrical panel. In various embodiments, the top wall 2910 and the front wall 2940 can be perpendicular to each other, or together have a L-shaped cross-section.

[0112] The installation guide 2900 of FIG. 29 is an example of a blank filler having a size to fill (or cover) an unused space on the electrical panel for a 3-pole electrical device or an electrical device with a 4.5 inch width. However, it is understood that the size and dimension of the guide 2900 can be configured as desired according to the desired application or space tobe filled on the electrical panel. For example, FIG. 30 shows an example of an installation guide 3000, similar to the installation guide 2900, except that the installation guide 3000 is configured to fill a smaller space on the electrical panel than the guide 2900 of FIG. 29. For example, the installation guide 3000 can be configured to fill an unused space for a 1-pole electrical device or an electrical device with a 1.5 inch width on the electrical panel. Another example of an installation guide, similar to guides 2900, 3000 is shown as installation guide 2600 in FIG. 26C. Similar to the guide 2900, the installation guide 2600 also includes a top wall 2610, a back wall 2650, a front wall 2640 and bottom wall 2660. The front wall 2640 of the guide 2600 can be engaged on the bus system (e.g., via a hook-portion, etc.) or a component thereof (e.g., a barrier interlock), and the bottom wall 2660 can include opening(s) through which to fasten the bottom wall 2660 to the electrical panel or a component thereof (e.g., a mounting pan). For example, the hook-portion extending from the front wall 2640 of the guide 2600 can be engaged to a groove (on the barrier interlock system), such as shown in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13, in front of the shutters.

[0113] In various embodiments, a set of installation guides having different predefined fill sizes (e.g., 2900, 3000, etc.) can be provided, such as for example, for different predefined sizes of electrical devices to ensure that unused spaces are adequately or sufficiently filled on the electrical panel in various scenarios. These scenarios can include when no electrical devices are installed on the electrical panel, when one electrical device is installed on the electrical panel, or when a plurality of electrical devices, having the same or different widths or sizes, are installed on the electrical panel. The installation guides can be configured with size, shape and / or dimension according to a multiple (N) of 1-pole or 1 and ’A inch width of an electrical device to be installed, where N is a positive integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.).

[0114] FIG. 31 illustrates an example guide cover 3100 for an electrical device (e.g., 50) to be installed on a bus system (e.g., 30) of an electrical panel (e.g., 10), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The guide cover 3100 includes similar components and features of the guide cover 400 and 900 in FIGS. 4 and 9 (previously discussed above). For example, the guide cover 3100 can also be an installation shield, which can prevent the electrical device from being operated from the OFF position to the ON position, can prevent access to connector(s) (e.g., terminal(s)) of the electrical device for customer or load-side cable(s), and can be removably or detachably connected to the electrical device. As shown, the guide cover 3100 can include one or more fingers 3110 for engaging / actuating one or more shutter locks of a barrier interlock system for one or more shutters (e.g., 110) in an interlockbarrier system of the bus system, such as shown and described herein. The guide cover 3100 can also include a switch opening 3130 for receiving a toggle switch of the electrical device when in the OFF position and preventing operation of the toggle switch to the ON position when the cover 3100 is installed on the electrical device. The guide cover 3100 can be made of a non-conductive or electrically insulating material, such as for example plastic.

[0115] As further shown in FIG. 31, in this example, instead of a latch opening, the guide cover 3100 can include a bracket 3200 (also referred to as a locking bracket) as shown in FIG. 3200, which is movably mounted on a body of the guide cover 3100. The bracket 3200 (or a component thereof) is operable, via a switch (or switch handle) 3120, between a plurality of positions, which can include an unlocked position and a locked position for connecting or locking the guide cover 3100 to an electrical device having a hasp (or a component with a slot) when the cover 3200 is installed on the electrical device. In this example, the switch 3120 can be a thumbscrew which can be screwed (e.g., in clockwise direction) or tightened to a locked position to prevent operation thereof or screwed (e.g., in a counter-clockwise direction) or loosened to an unlocked position to allow operation thereof.

[0116] An example of a hasp, such as hasp 3300 with a slot 3310, is shown in FIG. 33, and can be mounted on (or incorporated in) the electrical device. The slot 3310 is configured to receive a portion 3210 of the bracket 3200 when the bracket 3200 is operated to the locked position on the guide cover 3100. The portion 3210 of the bracket 3200 can be a tab, free-end, bolt or other bracket portion which is configured with a size, shape and / or dimension to engage the slot 3310 of the hasp 3300 in the locked position. In this example, the hasp 3300 can be a padlock hasp, which also may be used, for example, for implementing Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures when performing maintenance or repair of electrical equipment.

[0117] Various operational examples in relation to an electrical panel (with a bus system having electrical conductor(s) / busbar(s), a barrier(s) with shutter(s), an interlock system(s) for the shutter(s), and with a mounting pan), installation guide(s), and electrical device(s) will be described below, with reference to FIGS. 34 through 55, in accordance with various embodiments. In accordance with an embodiment, an example of an electrical panel 10 is shown in FIG. 34, which can include a bus system 30 having a bus stack with electrical conductor(s) / busbar(s), a barrier with shutter(s) for controlling access to electrical conductor(s) / busbar(s) of the bus system, an interlock system 3450 with lock(s) for the shutter(s), a mounting pan(s) 14, a deadfront assembly and other components, which can behoused in an enclosure / housing, in accordance with an embodiment. For the purposes of explanation, the various operational examples will be described with reference to the installation guide(s) 2900, 3000 of FIGS. 29 and 30, the guide cover 3100 of FIG. 31, and the electrical panel 10 of FIG. 34.

[0118] For example, to install or remove electrical device(s) 50 or installation guide(s) 2900 on or from the electrical panel 10 or to work on or inside the electrical panel 10, turn OFF all power supplying the electrical panel 10 or equipment / component(s) associated therewith. Thereafter, the trim front of the enclosure of the electrical panel can be opened (e.g., by turning a turn latch(es) on a door of the panel). The deadfront assembly of the electrical panel 10 can be removed (e.g., unscrewing screws which can be retained for reuse).

[0119] Once the deadfront assembly is removed from the electrical panel 10, the electrical device(s) 50 can be installed on the bus system of the electrical panel 10. The installation method or process can involve the following exemplary operations. For example, an electrical device 50 (e.g., circuit breaker, etc.) is turned to the OFF position as shown in FIG. 35, such as by operating a toggle switch 54 of the device 50 to the OFF position. Next, as shown in FIG. 36, the guide cover 3100 is installed on the electrical device 50, such as for example by snapping the cover 3100 into place on the electrical device 50 at the lugs side. Once the guide cover 3100 is installed on the electrical device 50, the guide cover 3100 can be locked onto the electrical device 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the switch 3120 (e.g., a thumbscrew) of the guide cover 3100 can be loosened / screwed-out to an unlocked position to allow operation of the switch 3120, and then, operated to slide the bracket 3200 into the slot 3310 of the hasp 3300 in order to lock the guide cover 3100 on or to the electrical device 50 in the locked position. Thereafter, the switch 3120 can then be tightened / screwed-in to a locked position for proper fixation of the guide cover 3100 to electrical device 50.

[0120] Prior to installation of an electrical device(s) on the electrical panel 10, all unused (or empty) spaces for installing device(s) on the bus system 30 of the electrical panel 10, e.g., such as on the mounting pan(s) 14, can be filled with installation guides (e.g., 2900, 3000 and / or other guides described herein). As shown in FIG. 38, the installation guide(s) can be removed from the interior of the electrical panel 10, where an electrical device 50 will be installed, to provide sufficient space on the electrical panel 10 or component thereof (e.g., the mounting pan 14) for installing the electrical device 50. The installation guide(s) 2900, 3000 can be rearranged, if necessary, on the electrical panel 10, depending on the size or shape ofthe electrical device(s) 50 to be installed on the bus system of the electrical panel 10, as shown in FIG. 39. Such re-arrangement may involve the use of installation guides (or blank fillers / components) of different sizes, shapes and / or dimensions.

[0121] Once space has been made available for the electrical device 50 as generally shown by reference 3900 of FIG. 39, the electrical device 50 (with the guide cover 3100 installed thereon) can be position in the available space on the electrical panel 10 as shown in FIG. 40. The finger(s) 3110 of the guide cover can be aligned with interlock openings of the interlock system for the shutter barrier as shown in FIG. 40, and the electrical device 50 and its breaker mounting bracket 56 (on the electrical device 50) can be guided into slots on the mounting pan 14 of the electrical panel 10 as shown in FIG. 41. The adjacent installation guide(s) (e.g., 2900), which are adjacent to the available space or positioned electrical device 50 therein, also can facilitate alignment of the electrical device 50 for installation onto the bus system of the electrical panel 10. Thereafter, the electrical device 50, along with the guide cover 3100, can be moved toward the bus system so that the finger(s) 3110 extend into associated opening(s) to move or operate associated shutter interlock(s) / locks(s) to an unlocked position, thereby unlocking corresponding shutter(s) 110 in front of the electrical device 50. As described herein, the interlock(s) / lock(s) can be latch-type, cam-type or other type of lock(s), which can be actuated by finger(s) one the electrical device 50 or a component thereof.

[0122] Once the shutter(s) 110 in front of the electrical device 50 is unlocked, the shutter(s) can be removed as shown in FIG. 42, and stored away for future use. Thereafter, the electrical device 50 can be moved further toward the bus system until electrical connector(s) (e.g., jaws(s), etc.) of the electrical device 50 engages and connects to electrical conductor(s) on the bus system. For example, as shown in FIG. 43, a screwdriver can be placed through a rectangular hole in the electrical device mounting bracket 56 and into a screwdriver slot in the mounting pan 14. The electrical device 50 can then be ratcheted firmly into the busbar stack of the bus system 30 so the electrical connector(s) of the electrical device 50 connect to the conductor(s) of the busbar stack of the bus system 30. Once the electrical device 50 is installed on the bus system 30, a retaining screw (arranged in an opening at the back of the electrical device 50 on the mounting bracket 56) can be aligned to a mounting hole in the mounting pan 14 as shown in FIG. 44. The retaining screw can be securely tightened to help prevent the electrical device 50 from moving.

[0123] Afterwards, the guide cover 3100, which is installed on the electrical device 50, can be removed from the electrical device 50 and stored away for future use. For example, as shown in FIG. 45, the switch (or switch handle) 3120 (e.g., a thumbscrew) can be loosened / screwed-outward on the guide cover 3100 to the unlocked position, which allows the switch 3120 to be operated to slide the portion 3210 of the locking bracket 3200 out of the slot 3310 of the hasp 3300 into an unlocked position. Thereafter, in FIG. 46 A, the guide cover 3100 can be removed from the electrical device 50, e.g., by unsnapping the guide cover 3100 from the lugs-side of the electrical device 50 in step 1, and pulling the guide cover 3100 off in step 2 so the installed electrical device 50 no longer has a guide cover 3100 in step 3 (see FIG. 46B). Thereafter, load side wiring can be finalized on the electrical device 50. All connections can be properly tightened. The markings on the electrical device can be followed for wire size and torque value. The user also can ensure that a lug shield of the electrical device 50 is in place. Once installation of the electrical device(s) 50 and wiring is complete on the electrical panel 10, the deadfront assembly of the electrical panel 10 can be reinstalled, and the enclosure / housing of the electrical panel 10 can be closed. The power supply can be turned back ON to supply power to the equipment in the electrical panel 10.

[0124] The above describes an installation process or method example of installing an electrical device on a bus system of an electrical panel. The removal of an installed electrical device can, for example, be implemented using the reverse process or method or operations thereof. A removal example will be described below with reference to the examples of FIGS. 47 through 55.

[0125] For example, to remove an electrical device 50 from the electrical panel 10, the power supply to equipment in the electrical panel 10 is turned OFF, and the electrical device 50 to be removed is turned OFF (e.g., the toggle switch 54 is operated to an OFF condition or position). The deadfront assembly is removed from the electrical panel 10, and the wiring (e.g., load-side wiring) of the electrical device 50 is removed.

[0126] Next, a guide cover 3100 is installed onto the electrical device 50 to be removed. For example, as shown in FIG. 47, the guide cover 3100 is positioned over the electrical device 50, with the finger(s) 3110 being inserted through corresponding interlock opening(s) of the interlock system for the shutter barrier of the bus system in a step 1. In a step 2, the guide cover 3100 is then snapped into place on the electrical device 50 at the lugs-side. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 48, the switch 3120 (e.g., a thumbscrew) of the guide cover 3100 can beloosened / screwed-out to the unlocked position to allow operation of the switch 3120, and then, operated to slide the bracket 3200 into the slot 3310 of the hasp 3300 in order to lock the guide cover 3100 on or to the electrical device 50 in the locked position. The switch 3120 can then be tightened / screwed-in to a locked position for proper fixation of the guide cover 3100 to electrical device 50 in the locked position. As shown in FIG. 49, the retaining screw(s) in the mounting bracket 56 of the electrical device 50 can be loosened until the screw(s) is completely removed from the mounting hole of the mounting pan 14.

[0127] Once the retaining screw(s) is removed from the mounting pan 14, the user can align and place a screwdriver through the rectangular hole in the mounting bracket 56 of the electrical device 50 and into the screwdriver slot in the mounting pan 14, as shown in FIG. 50. The user can then ratchet the electrical device 50 away from the busbar stack of the bus system until the electrical device 50 stops at the back of the slot. The electrical device 50 is moved partially and sufficiently away from the bus system to enable shutter(s) 110 to be installed (or re-installed) in the barrier interlock of the bus system in front of the electrical device 50. As shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the user can install (or re-install) corresponding shutter(s) 100 or a quantity thereof in front of the electrical device 50, and then lift the electrical device 50 away from the bus bars of the bus stack of the bus system. When the finger(s) 3110 of the guide cover 3100 (on the electrical device 50) is completely removed from engagement with corresponding interlock(s) of the interlock system as the electrical device 50 is moved away from the bus system and removed from the electrical panel 10, the corresponding shutter(s) 110 is locked in place by the interlock system.

[0128] After the electrical device 50 is removed from the electrical panel 10, the guide cover 3100 can be removed from the electrical device 50, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54. For example, as previously described, the switch 3120 can be loosened / screwed-outward to the unlocked position, and then operated to slide the portion 3210 of the locking bracket 3200 out of the slot 3310 of the hasp 3300 into the unlocked position. The guide cover 3100 can then be removed from the electrical device 50. For example, the guide cover 3100 can be unsnapped from the electrical device 50 at the lugs-side, as shown in FIG. 54.

[0129] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 55, the user can install installation guide(s), if needed, to fill unused or empty space(s) on the mounting pan 14 of the electrical panel 10, where the electrical device 50 was removed. Next, the deadfront assembly can be re-installed on the electrical panel 10, and the enclosure / housing of the electrical panel 10 can be closedand subsequently secured via operation of the latch(es). Thereafter, the power supply can be turned ON to supply power to the equipment.in the electrical panel 10.

[0130] The various components described herein including the components of the barrier system, the barrier interlock system and the guide covers can be formed of a non- conductive or electrically insulated materials. Such material can include plastic or other suitable known material which can protect against electrical shock.

[0131] It should also be understood that the example embodiments disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Thus, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a” and the like, is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Furthermore, the naming conventions for the various components, functions, characteristics, thresholds, and other elements used herein are provided as examples, and can be given a different name or label. The use of the term “or” is not limited to exclusive “or”, but can also mean “and / or”.

[0132] It will be appreciated that the development of an actual, real commercial application incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments will require many implementation specific decisions to achieve the developer’s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system related, business related, government related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer’s efforts might be complex and time consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0133] While particular embodiments and applications of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for safely installing or removing an electrical device on or from a bus system having one or more electrical conductors and a barrier for controlling access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system, the system comprising: a guide cover for the electrical device, the guide cover including: a cover part, at least one extending finger, which extends from the cover part, for aligning the electrical device to the bus system and for operating a lock for the barrier when engaged thereto, and a connection mechanism or component thereof for detachably connecting the cover part to the electrical device, wherein when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system, the at least one extending finger engages the lock for the barrier to operate the lock into the unlocked position so as to enable connection of one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one extending finger is configured to operate the lock into the unlocked position when the at least one extending finger engages the lock so as to enable removal of an associated shutter of the barrier and subsequent connection of the one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one extending finger of the guide cover comprises a plurality of the extending fingers which are spaced-apart from each other, each of the extending fingers being configured to engage a respective lock from a plurality of spaced-apart locks of the barrier when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the guide cover is configured to act as a shield to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection against access to the one or moreelectrical conductors of the bus system during installation or removal of the electrical device on or from the bus system.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical device comprises a circuit breaker or switching device, and the bus system comprises a busbar stack in an electrical panel comprising a panelboard or switchboard.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism or component thereof comprises a latch mechanism or component thereof.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cover part includes an opening through which to receive a switch or handle of the electrical device, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device, the at least one extending arm extends in a direction away from a side of the electrical device with the one or more connectors for connecting to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cover part includes a first cover part and a second cover part that is pivotably connected to the first cover part, the first cover part being arranged on one side of the electrical device and having extending therefrom the at least one extending finger, the second cover part being arranged on another side of the electrical device and including one or more ribs configured to engage one or more grooves on the another side of the electrical device.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: the electrical device; the bus system; and the barrier.

11. A method of safely installing or removing an electrical device on or from a bus system having one or more electrical conductors and a barrier for controlling access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system, comprising:connecting, via a connection mechanism or component thereof, a guide cover on the electrical device, the guide cover including a cover part and at least one extending finger which extends from the cover part, the at least one extending finger for aligning the electrical device to the bus system and operating a lock for the barrier; aligning the electrical device to the bus system with the at least one extending finger of the guide cover; moving the electrical device towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system so that the lock for the barrier is operated into an unlocked position when the extending finger engages the lock to enable connection of one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more conductors of the bus system; and disconnecting, via the connection mechanism or component thereof, the guide cover from the electrical device when the one or more connectors of the electrical device is connected to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one finger is configured to operate the lock into the unlocked position when the at least one finger engages the lock so as to enable removal of an associated shutter of the barrier and subsequent connection of the one or more connectors of the electrical device to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: connecting, via the connection mechanism or component thereof, the guide cover or another guide cover of the same type as the guide cover on the electrical device which is connected to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system, the lock being operated into an unlocked position when the at least one finger of the guide cover of the another guide cover engages the lock; moving the electrical device partially away from the bus system to disconnect the one or more connectors of the electrical device from the one or more conductors of the bus system; placing back the associated shutter or another shutter of the same type as the associated shutter for the barrier; andmoving the electrical device fully away from the bus system to remove the electrical device from the bus system.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one extending finger of the guide cover comprises a plurality of the extending fingers which are spaced-apart from each other, each of the extending fingers being configured to engage a respective lock from a plurality of spaced-apart locks of the barrier when the electrical device is aligned and moved towards the bus system during installation of the electrical device on the bus system.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the guide cover is configured to act as a shield to provide touch-safe or finger-safe protection against access to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system during installation or removal of the electrical device on or from the bus system.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrical device comprises a circuit breaker or switching device, and the bus system comprises a busbar stack in an electrical panel comprising a panelboard or switchboard.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the connection mechanism or component thereof comprises a latch mechanism or component thereof.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cover part includes an opening through which to receive a switch or handle of the electrical device, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein, when the cover part is connected to the electrical device, the at least one extending arm extends away from a side of the electrical device with the one or more connectors for connecting to the one or more electrical conductors of the bus system.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cover part includes a first cover part and a second cover part that is pivotably connected to the first cover part, the first cover part being arranged on one side of the electrical device and having extending therefrom the at least one extending finger, the second cover part being arranged on another side of the electrical device and including one or more ribs configured to engage one or more grooves on the another side of the electrical device.

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