Electrical equipment

Abstract

To provide electrical equipment with excellent initial fire suppression capabilities that can prevent the occurrence and spread of fires. [Solution] An electrical installation comprising an electrical device and a housing for housing the electrical device, wherein a fire extinguishing element is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall of the housing so as to face the electrical device, and the fire extinguishing element includes a fire extinguishing material formed from a composition comprising a fire extinguishing agent and a binder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical equipment.

Background Art

[0002] In electrical equipment such as switchboards, distribution boards, and control panels, there is a risk of fire due to short circuits, sparks, insulation deterioration, leakage, etc.

[0003] Regarding the problems of ignition and fire, in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to use fire extinguishing liquid and fire extinguishers. In Patent Document 2, an aerosol fire extinguishing device has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] All of the prior arts propose methods for dealing with fires after a certain period of time has passed. On the other hand, from the perspective of minimizing damage caused by fires, it is desirable to perform some fire extinguishing operation (initial fire extinguishing) on electrical equipment at a stage shortly after ignition.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide electrical equipment with excellent initial fire extinguishing performance that can prevent the occurrence and spread of fires.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an electrical system comprising electrical equipment and a housing for housing the electrical equipment, wherein a fire extinguishing element is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall of the housing so as to face the electrical equipment, and the fire extinguishing element includes a fire extinguishing material formed from a composition comprising a fire extinguishing agent and a binder. With such an electrical system, fire extinguishing work can be carried out with the fire extinguishing element in the early stages after ignition. This can prevent the occurrence and spread of fire.

[0008] In one embodiment, the distance between the electrical equipment and the fire extinguishing device may be 150 mm or less.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent may contain at least one salt of an organic salt and an inorganic salt, and the binder may contain at least one resin of a polyvinyl acetal resin and a polyvinyl alcohol resin.

[0010] In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing material may contain 70 to 97% by mass of salt, based on the total amount of salt and resin.

[0011] In one embodiment, the salt may be a potassium salt.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing body may include an adhesive layer, and the fire extinguishing body may be provided on the inner wall via the adhesive layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide electrical equipment that has excellent initial fire suppression capabilities and can prevent the occurrence and spread of fires.

[0014] The advantages of this invention are briefly summarized below. • Damage caused by the spread of flames can be minimized. • After a person confirms a fire has occurred, there is no need to carry a fire extinguisher to the vicinity of the fire and carry out firefighting activities. • Because it can be installed more easily than equipment such as automatic fire extinguishing systems, there are fewer restrictions on the installation location, and it can be applied wherever needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a fire extinguishing body according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fire extinguishing body according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic external view of an electrical equipment according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0017] <Fire extinguishing body> FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a fire extinguishing body according to an embodiment. The fire extinguishing body 10 includes a packaging bag 11 formed from a base material and a fire extinguishing material enclosed in the packaging bag. The packaging bag 11 has a sealing portion 11a at its periphery, and the base materials are joined to each other at the sealing portion 11a.

[0018] When the fire extinguishing body is viewed from the upper part in the vertical direction, the width of the sealing portion 11a is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of the property stability of the fire extinguishing agent, it can be, for example, 2 to 40 mm.

[0019] The thickness of the central portion of the fire extinguishing body varies depending on its layer structure and the amount of the fire extinguishing material enclosed therein, and thus is not necessarily limited. However, from the viewpoint of thinning it while maintaining the fire extinguishing performance and regardless of the installation space, it can be, for example, 2 to 20 mm. Further, the area of the main surface of the fire extinguishing body (the surface when the fire extinguishing body is viewed from the upper part in the vertical direction) can be, for example, 9 to 620 cm 2 and so on.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fire extinguishing body according to an embodiment. The fire extinguishing body 20 includes a packaging bag 21 formed from a base material, a fire extinguishing material 22 enclosed within the packaging bag, an adhesive layer 24 (or an adhesive layer) and a release film 25 on one surface of the packaging bag. The base material includes a first resin layer 211 having heat fusibility as an inner layer and a second resin layer (for example, a water vapor barrier layer) 212 as an outer layer. The first resin layer 211 and the second resin layer 212 are laminated via an adhesive layer 23. The fire extinguishing material 22 is formed on a support layer 26. In this embodiment, since the adhesive layer 24 is provided on one surface of the packaging bag, the fire extinguishing body can be installed on the inner wall of the housing of the electrical equipment according to the arrangement of the electrical equipment. The release film 25 provided so as to cover the adhesive layer 24 is peeled off when the fire extinguishing body is attached to a desired location, and it may be made of resin or paper.

[0021] The fire extinguishing body may further include a design layer. The design layer can be formed by printing or lettering. Specific examples of the design include a wood grain pattern conscious of the living space, a solid pattern of white or gray tones such as a tile pattern, and patterns, designs, and character patterns. By providing the design layer, effects such as enhancing the design property, making the fire extinguishing body blend into the surrounding environment, and increasing the strength of the fire extinguishing body can be achieved. The design layer can be provided, for example, on the surface opposite to the adhesive layer side (the side where the fire extinguishing body is attached) of the packaging bag in the aspect of FIG. 2. When the layers included in the base material are transparent, the design layer may be provided in the base material. For example, in the aspect of FIG. 2, the design layer may be provided inside the second resin layer 212. The design layer may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0022] (Base material) The substrate includes a resin layer. Examples of resin layer materials include polyolefins (PE, PP, COP, etc.), polyesters (PET, etc.), fluororesins (PTFE, ETFE, EFEP, PFA, FEP, PCTFE, etc.), vinyl resins (PVC, PVA, etc.), acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyamides, polyimides, etc. The substrate may consist of one resin layer made of these materials, or it may consist of multiple resin layers. The multiple resin layers may each be made of different materials. When the substrate consists of multiple layers, the layers may be bonded together with an adhesive (adhesive layer). Examples of adhesives include acrylic adhesives, epoxy adhesives, silicone adhesives, polyolefin adhesives, urethane adhesives or polyvinyl ether adhesives, or composite adhesives thereof. From the viewpoint of being easily melted by heat from a fire and easily heated by the fire extinguishing agent, a resin layer with a not-too-high melting point may be provided on the outermost layer side of the substrate (the side facing electrical equipment). Examples of such layers include polyolefin layers; for instance, PE (melting point: 137°C) and PP (melting point: 163°C) layers have lower melting points than PET (melting point: 265°C) layers. In electrical distribution panels and the like, fires spread gradually after ignition (not explosive fires), so such polyolefin layers can be suitably used.

[0023] The resin layer may have thermal melting properties (thermal fusion properties). A resin layer having thermal melting properties can be called a thermal melting layer. The thermal melting layer can be provided on the innermost layer side of the base material (the side facing the fire extinguishing material). When the base material has a thermal melting layer, the sealing portion at the periphery of the packaging bag can be called a heat seal portion. Examples of resins having thermal melting properties include polyolefin resins. That is, the resin layer may contain a polyolefin resin. Examples of polyolefin resins include polyolefin resins such as low-density polyethylene resin (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene resin (LLDPE), medium-density polyethylene resin (MDPE), and unoriented polypropylene resin (CPP), polyethylene resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, and polypropylene resins such as propylene-ethylene random copolymer, propylene-ethylene block copolymer and propylene-α-olefin copolymer. Of these, polyolefin resins may include low-density polyethylene resin (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene resin (LLDPE), or unstretched polypropylene resin (CPP) from the viewpoint of having excellent heat-sealing properties and low water vapor permeability, which helps to suppress the deterioration of the fire extinguishing agent. These resins are transparent, making it easy to inspect the appearance of the fire extinguishing agent. Therefore, it becomes easier to check when the fire extinguishing body needs to be replaced.

[0024] If a heat-melting layer is not provided, an adhesive can be used to join the substrates together. Examples of adhesives include acrylic adhesives, epoxy adhesives, silicone adhesives, polyolefin adhesives, urethane adhesives, or polyvinyl ether adhesives, or synthetic adhesives thereof. Of these, epoxy-urethane synthetic adhesives are preferably used as the adhesive because they provide both good adhesion to the substrate at high temperature and humidity (85°C-85%RH) and low cost.

[0025] When the edges of a base material are joined using an adhesive, the sealed portion of the packaging bag's edge can be considered the adhesive portion.

[0026] The base material may include a water vapor barrier layer. The water vapor barrier layer may be provided on the outermost layer side of the base material, or it may be provided as an intermediate layer of the base material. When the base material is equipped with a water vapor barrier layer, it becomes easier to maintain a level of water vapor barrier properties that does not significantly change the properties of the extinguishing agent, regardless of the installation location or usage environment of the fire extinguishing device. The water vapor permeability of the water vapor barrier layer (according to JIS K 7129, under 40°C / 90%RH conditions) is not particularly limited as it can be designed according to the type of extinguishing agent, but is generally 10 g / m³. 2 It can be less than / day, and 1g / m³ 2 It may be less than or equal to / day. From the viewpoint of adjusting the water vapor permeability, examples of water vapor barrier layers include polyester resin layers (e.g., PET layers) equipped with metal oxide vapor deposition layers such as alumina vapor deposition layers and silica vapor deposition layers, and metal foils such as aluminum foil. When the water vapor barrier layer is equipped with a metal oxide vapor deposition layer, the metal oxide vapor deposition layer may face the fire extinguishing agent side.

[0027] The thickness of the base material can be appropriately selected depending on the operating environment of the fire extinguishing body and the available space. For example, a thicker base material makes it easier to suppress water vapor permeation, obtain strength and rigidity, obtain a highly flat shape, and facilitates handling. Conversely, a thinner base material allows the fire extinguishing body to be installed in a narrow space. The thickness of the base material can be, for example, 4.5 to 1000 μm, may be 12 to 100 μm, or may be 12 to 50 μm. The thickness of the resin layer and the water vapor barrier layer can be appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the base material. The thickness of the resin layer (total thickness if the base material includes multiple resin layers) can be, for example, 25 to 150 μm, or may be 30 to 100 μm. The thickness of the water vapor barrier layer can be, for example, 4.5 to 25 μm, or may be 7 to 12 μm.

[0028] <Fire extinguishing agent> The fire extinguishing material is obtained by molding a composition (fire extinguishing material forming composition) that includes a fire extinguishing agent and a binder. By molding the fire extinguishing agent using a binder, the properties of the fire extinguishing agent are easily maintained, and the frequency of replacing the fire extinguishing body can be reduced. In addition to the above-mentioned resin and binder, the fire extinguishing material forming composition may further contain a liquid medium.

[0029] (Fire extinguishing agent) Fire extinguishing agents can extinguish fires by generating aerosols through combustion. Fire extinguishing agents may contain at least one of an organic salt and an inorganic salt. The organic salt and inorganic salt may be hygroscopic salts.

[0030] Examples of organic salts that function as fire extinguishing agents include potassium salts, sodium salts, and ammonium salts. Potassium salts can be used as organic salts. Examples of organic potassium salts include potassium carboxylates such as potassium acetate, potassium citrate (tripotassium citrate), potassium tartrate, potassium lactate, potassium oxalate, and potassium maleate. Of these, potassium acetate or potassium citrate can be used from the viewpoint of usefulness in negative catalytic effect during combustion.

[0031] Examples of inorganic salts that function as fire extinguishing agents include potassium salts and sodium salts. Potassium salts can be used as inorganic salts. Examples of inorganic potassium salts include potassium chlorate, potassium tetraborate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate. Of these, potassium bicarbonate can be used from the viewpoint of its usefulness as a negative catalytic effect on combustion.

[0032] Organic salts and inorganic salts may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0033] Organic and inorganic salts may be granular. The average particle size D50 of organic and inorganic salts may be 1 to 100 μm, or 3 to 40 μm. When the average particle size D50 is above the lower limit, it disperses easily in the system, and when the average particle size D50 is below the upper limit, the stability of the coating solution is improved, and the smoothness of the coated surface tends to improve. The average particle size D50 can be calculated by wet measurement using a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer.

[0034] The amount of salt (organic and inorganic salts) may be 70-97% by mass or 85-92% by mass or less, based on the total amount of salt and resin (polyvinyl acetal resin and polyvinyl alcohol resin described later). A salt amount below the upper limit makes it easier to form a uniform fire extinguishing material, while a salt amount above the lower limit makes it easier to suppress moisture absorption by the salt and maintain sufficient fire extinguishing properties. The total amount of salt and resin can also refer to the total amount of the fire extinguishing agent and binder, depending on their respective components.

[0035] The amount of organic and inorganic salts contained in the fire extinguishing agent can be 60% by mass or more, 90% by mass or more, or 100% by mass, based on the total amount of the fire extinguishing agent, from the viewpoint of exhibiting fire extinguishing function.

[0036] The fire extinguishing agent may contain other components besides the salts mentioned above. Examples of other components include colorants, oxidizing agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, inorganic fillers, fluidity enhancers, moisture-proofing agents, dispersants, and UV absorbers. These other components can be appropriately selected depending on the type of salt and binder. The content of these other components in the fire extinguishing agent is, for example, 40% by mass or less.

[0037] (Binder) The binder may contain at least one of the following resins: a polyvinyl acetal resin and a polyvinyl alcohol resin. Both polyvinyl acetal resins and polyvinyl alcohol resins are hydroxyl group-containing resins. The greater the degree of acetalization of the polyvinyl acetal resin, the more hydrophobic the resin becomes, making it easier to suppress moisture absorption by salt. Since the polyvinyl alcohol resin is not acetalized, it has more hydroxyl groups than the polyvinyl acetal resin, but it is also thought to have more reaction sites with other resin components besides the resin mentioned above. Therefore, from the perspective of binder design, polyvinyl alcohol resin offers greater design flexibility and is easier to handle.

[0038] Polyvinyl alcohol-based resins are obtained by saponification of polyvinyl acetate-based resins. Examples of polyvinyl acetate-based resins include polyvinyl acetate, which is a homopolymer of vinyl acetate, and copolymers of vinyl acetate with other monomers. Examples of other monomers include unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated sulfonic acids, olefins, vinyl ethers, and acrylamides having ammonium groups.

[0039] The degree of saponification of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin is not particularly limited, but it may be 80 mol% or more, or 95 mol% or more. When the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin has an appropriate degree of saponification, adhesion with salt is easily improved, and moisture absorption by salt is easily suppressed.

[0040] Polyvinyl alcohol-based resins may be modified. Examples of modification include acetoacetyl group modification, carboxylic acid modification, carbonyl group modification, sulfonic acid modification, hydrazide group modification, thiol group modification, alkyl group modification, silyl group modification, polyethylene glycol group modification, ethylene oxide group modification, modification with groups having urethane bonds, and phosphate ester group modification. Modifying polyvinyl alcohol-based resins makes it easier to improve adhesion with salts and suppress moisture absorption by salts.

[0041] Polyvinyl acetal resins are obtained by acetalizing polyvinyl alcohol-based resins.

[0042] The degree of saponification of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin used to obtain the polyvinyl acetal-based resin is not particularly limited, but may be 80 mol% or more, or 95 mol% or more.

[0043] The aldehyde used for acetalization is not particularly limited, but examples include aldehydes having an aliphatic group or an aromatic group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of aldehydes include aliphatic aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, n-butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, n-valeraldehyde, n-hexylaldehyde, 2-ethylbutyraldehyde, 2-ethylhexylaldehyde, n-heptylaldehyde, n-octelaldehyde, n-nonylaldehyde, n-decylaldehyde, and amylaldehyde; and aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, 2-methylbenzaldehyde, 3-methylbenzaldehyde, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, m-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and β-phenylpropionaldehyde. These aldehydes may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Of these, from the viewpoint of excellent acetalization reactivity, the aldehyde may be butyraldehyde, 2-ethylhexylaldehyde, or n-nonylaldehyde, and may also be butyraldehyde.

[0044] The ketones used for acetalization are not particularly limited, but examples include acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, t-butyl ketone, dipropyl ketone, allyl ethyl ketone, acetophenone, p-methylacetophenone, 4'-aminoacetophenone, p-chloroacetophenone, 4'-methoxyacetophenone, 2'-hydroxyacetophenone, 3'-nitroacetophenone, p-(1-piperidino)acetophenone, benzalacetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, 4-nitrobenzophenone, 2-methylbenzophenone, p-bromobenzophenone, cyclohexyl(phenyl)methanone, 2-butyronaphthone, 1-acetonaphthone, 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone, and 8'-hydroxy-1'-benzonaphthone.

[0045] The amounts of aldehydes and ketones used can be appropriately set according to the degree of acetalization. For example, the total amount of aldehydes and ketones relative to the hydroxyl groups of the polyvinyl alcohol resin before the reaction can be 0.30 to 0.45 hydroxyl group equivalents.

[0046] The amount of hydroxyl groups (residual hydroxyl value) in polyvinyl acetal resins may be 10 to 40 mol%, or 15 to 25 mol%. When the amount of hydroxyl groups is within the above range, hydrophobicity is obtained due to the aliphatic and aromatic groups of aldehydes and ketones, and the rate of moisture absorption tends to slow down. The amount of hydroxyl groups is the ratio (mol%) of the amount of ethylene groups to which hydroxyl groups are attached relative to the total amount of ethylene groups in the main chain. The amount of ethylene groups to which hydroxyl groups are attached can be calculated, for example, by a method conforming to JIS K6728 "Test Method for Polyvinyl Butyral".

[0047] Polyvinyl acetal resins and polyvinyl alcohol resins may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0048] The weight-average molecular weight Mw of polyvinyl acetal resins and polyvinyl alcohol resins may be 10,000 or more, 20,000 or more, 150,000 or less, or 100,000 or less. A weight-average molecular weight Mw above the lower limit makes it easier to ensure the hydrophobicity of the resin, while a weight-average molecular weight Mw below the upper limit makes it easier to ensure appropriate resin flexibility, improving flexural resistance and coating suitability. The weight-average molecular weight Mw can be calculated by the GPC method.

[0049] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyvinyl acetal resins and polyvinyl alcohol resins may be 55°C or higher, 80°C or higher, 110°C or lower, or 100°C or lower. A glass transition temperature (Tg) above the lower limit of the above range makes it easier to ensure hydrophobicity of the resin due to increased crystallinity, while a glass transition temperature (Tg) below the upper limit of the above range improves coating suitability. The glass transition temperature (Tg) can be measured by thermal analysis using a differential scanning calorimeter.

[0050] The content of polyvinyl acetal resin and polyvinyl alcohol resin in the binder can be 40% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, or 100% by mass, based on the total amount of the binder, from the viewpoint of fully expressing the properties of the resins.

[0051] The binder may contain components other than the resin mentioned above, from the viewpoint of suppressing moisture absorption by salts due to improved hydrophobicity. Examples of other components include silane coupling agents. The content of other components in the binder is, for example, 60% by mass or less.

[0052] (Liquid medium) Examples of liquid media include organic solvents. Examples of organic solvents include water-soluble solvents such as alcohols like methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and n-propyl alcohol; ketones like acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; glycols like ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol; and glycol ethers like N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), tetrahydrofuran, and butyl cellosolve. From the viewpoint that the extinguishing agent may be hygroscopic, the liquid media may also be an alcohol-based solvent, specifically a mixed solvent of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol.

[0053] The amount of liquid medium can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the method of use of the fire extinguishing material forming composition, but it can be 40 to 95% by mass based on the total amount of the fire extinguishing material forming composition. The fire extinguishing material forming composition containing the liquid medium can be called a fire extinguishing material forming coating liquid.

[0054] <Method for forming fire extinguishing materials> The fire extinguishing material can be formed by applying a fire extinguishing material forming coating liquid to a support layer and drying it. Examples of support layers include polyester resin layers (e.g., PET layers).

[0055] The coating can be applied using a wet coating method. Examples of wet coating methods include gravure coating, comma coating, spray coating, dip coating, curtain coating, spin coating, sponge roll coating, die coating, and brush painting.

[0056] The viscosity of the coating liquid for forming the fire extinguishing material is preferably 1 to 2000 mPa·s for the gravure coating method, preferably 500 to 100000 mPa·s for the comma coating method, and preferably 0.1 to 4000 mPa·s for the spray coating method. The amount of the above liquid medium can be appropriately adjusted so that the viscosity of the coating liquid falls within the desired range. The viscosity can be measured using a coaxial double-cylinder rotational viscometer.

[0057] Fire extinguishing materials can also be obtained by molding a fire extinguishing material composition.

[0058] Fire extinguishing materials react to the heat generated by ignition and automatically extinguish the fire. Therefore, fire extinguishing materials can also be called self-extinguishing materials (or, in particular, self-extinguishing molded products if obtained by molding).

[0059] <Electrical Equipment> Electrical equipment comprises electrical devices and enclosures that house the electrical devices. At least a portion of the inner wall of the enclosure is provided with the fire extinguishing body so as to face the electrical devices. The inner wall of the enclosure includes the back, front, sides, top, or wiring cover of the enclosure. Examples of electrical equipment include power receiving and transforming equipment such as distribution boards and switchboards, and equipment such as operation panels and control panels for production equipment. Examples of electrical devices include terminal blocks, transformers, circuit breakers, capacitors, earth leakage circuit breakers, and electrical wiring provided on these panels. These electrical devices can be considered parts of electrical equipment that pose a risk of ignition. Electrical equipment usually contains multiple electrical devices, and the fire extinguishing body may be provided for at least one of the electrical devices, or for each of the electrical devices. A single fire extinguishing body may be provided so as to face multiple electrical devices. By pre-installing the above-mentioned fire extinguishing body, which has excellent initial fire suppression capabilities, within these electrical equipment, the occurrence and spread of fire can be prevented.

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic external view of an electrical installation according to one embodiment. In Figure 3, a switchboard is shown as an example of an electrical installation. The electrical installation 100 mainly comprises a housing 101 having a housing section 101a for housing electrical equipment and an opening / closing door 101b, and a circuit breaker 103 and wiring 104 as electrical equipment. Part of the wiring 104 is housed together in a wiring cover 102. Such electrical installation 100 may be equipped with, for example, a fire extinguishing body 30a on the side of the opening / closing door 101b facing the electrical equipment, a fire extinguishing body 30b on the top surface of the housing section 101a facing the electrical equipment, a fire extinguishing body 30c on the bottom surface of the wiring cover 102 facing the electrical equipment (approximate installation position shown in the figure for simplicity), and a fire extinguishing body 30d on the side of the back of the housing section 101a facing the electrical equipment, i.e., on the back of the electrical equipment. The electrical installation 100 may be equipped with all of these fire extinguishing bodies, or it may be equipped with at least one.

[0061] The placement of the fire extinguishing element is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3, and its position can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the arrangement of electrical equipment and other parts that pose a fire hazard. Furthermore, if the distance between the fire extinguishing element and the electrical equipment is large, a member for adjusting the distance may be provided, and the fire extinguishing element may be placed on that member.

[0062] The distance between electrical equipment and the fire extinguishing body can be adjusted as appropriate, but it is preferably 150 mm or less, and more preferably 120 mm or less or 100 mm or less. This allows for more effective initial fire suppression. The distance between electrical equipment and the fire extinguishing body refers to the shortest distance between the electrical equipment and the fire extinguishing body installed opposite it. For example, for electrical equipment directly below the top surface of the housing section 101a and at a distance of 150 mm or less from the top surface, the fire extinguishing body can be installed on the top surface. Also, for example, for electrical equipment located opposite the opening / closing door 101b and at a distance of 150 mm or less from the opening / closing door 101b, the fire extinguishing body can be installed on the opening / closing door 101b. It is desirable to install the fire extinguishing body close to the electrical equipment, but if it is too close there is a risk of contact between the two, so it is preferable to leave a distance of at least 1 mm between them. [Examples]

[0063] The present invention will be described in more detail by the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0064] <Preparation of fire extinguishing devices> The following main ingredients were prepared. Tripotassium citrate, with an average particle size of D50, was ground in an agate mortar and then filtered through an 800-gauge mesh. Tripotassium citrate: Manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Corporation, product name: Tripotassium citrate monohydrate, D50 = 3~18 μm Polyvinyl butyral: Weight-average molecular weight (calculated value) Mw 20,000-100,000, hydroxyl group content 15-25 mol%, glass transition temperature Tg 80-100°C

[0065] A coating solution (for forming fire extinguishing material) was prepared containing 25% by mass of a potassium salt including tripotassium citrate, 8% by mass of polyvinyl butyral, and 67% by mass of ethanol solvent. Using an applicator (gap 750 μm), the prepared coating solution was applied onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and dried in a 100°C oven for 4 minutes. This resulted in a fire extinguishing material with a thickness of 200 μm formed on the PET film. The obtained fire extinguishing material was cut to a size of 100 mm × 150 mm and subjected to the following fire extinguishing performance test.

[0066] <Fire extinguishing test> (Example 1) A steel enclosure measuring 400mm wide, 600mm high, and 200mm deep was prepared. The enclosure was fitted with a glass door, allowing the interior to be seen. Twenty air intake holes were provided on each side of the enclosure to prevent the ignited solid fuel from being extinguished by suffocation. The diameter of the holes was Φ10mm. Next, a support member was placed in the center of the back of the enclosure, and a terminal block was mounted on top of it. On the back of the enclosure, opposite the terminal block, the fire extinguishing material side of the fire extinguishing material was attached with double-sided tape, facing the terminal block. The distance between the terminal block and the fire extinguishing material was 4mm. Then, 5g of solid fuel was placed on the terminal block and ignited with a lighter, and the enclosure door was closed. Approximately 7 seconds after closing the door, the fire was extinguished by the fire extinguishing material.

[0067] (Example 2) A terminal block was installed inside the enclosure in the same manner as in Example 1. The fire extinguishing material side of the fire extinguishing material was attached to the top surface of the enclosure, opposite the terminal block, using double-sided tape. The distance between the terminal block and the fire extinguishing material was 150 mm. A 5 g solid fuel was placed on the terminal block and ignited with a lighter, and the enclosure door was closed. Approximately 28 seconds after closing the door, the fire was extinguished by the fire extinguishing material. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10, 20, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d... Fire extinguishing body, 11, 21... Packaging bag, 11a... Sealing part, 211... First resin layer, 212... Second resin layer, 22... Fire extinguishing material, 23... Adhesive layer, 24... Adhesive layer, 25... Release film, 26... Support layer, 100... Electrical equipment (distribution board), 101... Enclosure, 101a... Housing, 101b... Opening / closing door, 102... Wiring cover, 103... Circuit breaker, 104... Wiring.

Claims

1. The device comprises electrical equipment and a housing for housing the electrical equipment, and a fire extinguishing element is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall of the housing so as to face the electrical equipment. Electrical equipment comprising a fire extinguishing material formed by molding a composition containing a fire extinguishing agent and a binder.

2. The electrical equipment according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the electrical equipment and the fire extinguishing body is 150 mm or less.

3. The electrical equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fire extinguishing agent comprises at least one salt of an organic salt and an inorganic salt, and the binder comprises at least one resin of a polyvinyl acetal resin and a polyvinyl alcohol resin.

4. The electrical equipment according to claim 3, wherein the fire extinguishing material contains 70 to 97% by mass of the salt, based on the total amount of the salt and the resin.

5. The electrical equipment according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the salt is a potassium salt.

6. The electrical equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fire extinguishing body includes an adhesive layer, and the fire extinguishing body is provided on the inner wall via the adhesive layer.

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