Cross Bus Main Device for Selective Power Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular metering systems in buildings often require shutting off power to all units when maintenance is needed in specific areas, which is inefficient and can violate electrical safety codes by using too many switches or breakers.
Innovation Solution
A cross bus main device with a three-pole circuit breaker and split bus conductors allows for power disconnection from one bank of meter modules while maintaining power to another, using an incoming and outgoing bus system with a neutral bus conductor that bypasses the circuit breaker, ensuring power continuity to other areas during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional modular metering arrangement with a single main circuit breaker is used, then power distribution to multiple building units is simplified, but power must be shut off to all units when maintenance is needed in specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The single main circuit breaker is segmented into multiple circuit breakers (first circuit breaker for first bank, second circuit breaker for second bank). Each circuit breaker controls power to a specific bank of meter modules, allowing selective disconnection of power to one bank while maintaining power to the other bank during maintenance operations.
2Ease of operation
If multiple circuit breakers are installed to allow selective power disconnection, then maintenance can be performed on specific areas, but the number of switches or circuit breakers exceeds electrical safety code limits
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate circuit breaker devices are merged into a single integrated device housing. The first and second circuit breakers are mounted within the same device, sharing common structural elements and mounting infrastructure. This integration allows selective power control to different banks while presenting a unified device solution that may comply with electrical safety code interpretations regarding the number of switching devices.
3Device complexity
If a single main circuit breaker controls all power distribution, then device complexity is minimized, but power continuity to specific areas cannot be maintained during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution control is segmented by dividing the circuit breakers into separate groups (first circuit breaker for first bank, second circuit breaker for second bank). Each circuit breaker independently controls power to its associated bank of meter modules, enabling selective disconnection of specific areas while maintaining power continuity to other areas during maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for disconnecting electrical power from a first stack of meter modules, wherein the power is supplied by a main box that also supplies power to a second stack of meter modules. The device includes an incoming bus section for receiving power from the main box and an outgoing bus section for feeding power to the first stack of modules. In addition, the device includes a cross bus device connected to the incoming and outgoing bus sections and a circuit breaker connected to the cross bus device. When the circuit breaker is closed, power is supplied to the first and second stacks of modules. When the circuit breaker is opened, power to the first stack of modules is disconnected while power to the second stack of modules is maintained.