Stacked Bus Bar Assembly with Universal Connector Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical distribution systems face challenges due to different ampacities, bus lengths, and mounting orientations, which require distinct bus form factors and connector interfaces, limiting the versatility and compatibility of electrical devices across various panelboards.
Innovation Solution
A stacked bus bar assembly with modular bus bars and insulators, allowing for adjustable ampacity and mounting orientations while maintaining a standardized connector interface, enabling flexible integration of electrical devices with different sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If panelboards are designed with different bus form factors and connector interfaces for different ampacities and mounting orientations, then each panelboard type can be optimized for its specific configuration, but electrical devices become incompatible across different panelboard types
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar assembly is designed with a universal bus form factor and standardized connector interface that can accommodate different ampacities and mounting orientations. The assembly includes a bus bar, insulator, and connector configured to interface with electrical devices in a standardized manner regardless of the panelboard's specific ampacity or mounting orientation, allowing the same electrical device to be used across different panelboard types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized bus form factor and connector interface are used across all panelboards, then electrical device compatibility is improved, but the ability to optimize for different ampacities and mounting orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bar assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a bus bar for electrical conduction, an insulator for electrical isolation, and a connector for mechanical and electrical interfacing. This segmentation allows each component to be standardized while still permitting configuration variations to meet different ampacity and mounting orientation requirements through component selection and arrangement rather than complete redesign.
3Reliability
If different bus form factors are used for different ampacities, then each bus bar can be optimized for its current carrying capacity, but the number of unique components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating different bus form factors for different ampacities, the invention maintains a consistent bus form factor and instead varies parameters such as the cross-sectional dimensions of the bus bar, the material properties, and the configuration of the connector to achieve different ampacities. This approach allows optimization for current carrying capacity while maintaining component compatibility across different panelboard types.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical distribution apparatus (102) is provided. The electrical distribution apparatus includes a stacked bus bar assembly (108) including a plurality of bus bars (202). Each bus bar includes a first plate (210), a second plate (212) spaced from the first plate in a first direction, and an intermediate member (214) disposed between and interconnecting the first plate and the second plate. At least one of the first plate and said second plate is constructed of an electrically conductive material.