Configurable Dead Front Plates for Panel Board Retrofit Kits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing panel board retrofitting process is cumbersome and costly due to size disparities between old and new interiors, requiring extensive measurements and custom supports to ensure proper fit and compliance with UL Standards, often necessitating in-field inspections.
Innovation Solution
A panel board retrofit kit comprising configurable dead front plates and cover assemblies, along with adjustable interior support structures, allows for easy selection and installation of new components that meet UL 50 and UL 67 requirements, ensuring safe and compliant retrofitting without the need for additional inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom supports and extensive measurements are used to ensure proper fit, then compliance with UL Standards is achieved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the retrofit kit with adjustable support structures and configurable dead front plates that are designed to fit standard enclosure dimensions. The components are prepared in advance with adjustment mechanisms that allow installation without extensive custom measurements or field modifications, thereby maintaining UL compliance while reducing installation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by providing adjustable support structures with variable positioning capabilities and configurable dead front plates with adjustable aperture positions. These parameter adjustments allow the retrofit kit to adapt to different enclosure sizes and configurations while maintaining proper alignment and spacing requirements, eliminating the need for extensive custom measurements and field inspections
2Reliability
If custom supports and extensive measurements are used to ensure proper fit, then compliance with UL Standards is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a retrofit kit with universal components that can be adapted to multiple enclosure types and sizes. The adjustable support structures and configurable dead front plates serve multiple functions across different installation scenarios, eliminating the need for custom-manufactured parts and reducing installation costs while maintaining UL compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to provide adjustable components that can be configured for different enclosure dimensions and requirements. This adaptability eliminates the need for costly custom manufacturing and field inspections, as the same universal kit can be installed across various configurations by simply adjusting parameters like support position and plate aperture location
3Manufacturing precision
If configurable dead front plates with overlapping apertures are used, then proper alignment and spacing are ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dead front plate into multiple configurable sections with separate aperture configurations. This segmentation allows each section to be independently adjusted and positioned to achieve proper alignment with circuit breakers, maintaining manufacturing precision while keeping the overall design manageable through modular construction
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable interior support structures are used, then adaptability to different enclosures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable and reconfigurable support structures that can be dynamically positioned to accommodate different enclosure sizes and configurations. The adjustable components allow the retrofit kit to adapt to various installations through simple repositioning rather than requiring complex custom-designed supports for each enclosure type
Data Source
AI summary
A panel board retrofit kit, and method of selecting a panelboard retrofit kit, for replacing a panel board having a switching device in an enclosure is disclosed. The panel board retrofit kit has a first dead front plate having a first aperture, and a second dead front plate having a second aperture. The second aperture of the second panel board dead front plate is configurable to overlap at least a portion of said first aperture of said first dead front plate. The disclosed panelboard retrofit kit and method enable replacement of an installed panel board without removing or replacing the panel board enclosure.