Touch Safe Panel Board Dielectric Barrier Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical panels pose a hazard due to direct contact with live conductors during installation or removal of circuit breakers, and shutting off power is inconvenient, especially for businesses that require constant power.
Innovation Solution
A touch-safe electrical panel with dielectric barriers in front of live bus components and touch-safe connection assemblies that prevent direct user contact with stabs, allowing for safe engagement and disengagement of circuit breakers without tools, and can be used with existing bolt-on circuit breakers converted to plug-on using a terminal extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is shut off to the main bus as a precaution when electrical devices are being installed or removed, then safety is improved, but convenience and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the live conductor. This barrier physically blocks direct contact while allowing the electrical connection to be made or broken, enabling safe operation without shutting off power to the main bus.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly is segmented into distinct components: a housing, a dielectric barrier, and a conductor contact mechanism. This segmentation allows the barrier to be positioned between the user and the live conductor, providing safety while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If a dielectric barrier is arranged in the housing to prevent user contact of the stab, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric barrier is merged with the housing structure of the connection assembly. Rather than being a separate, additional component, the barrier is integrated into the housing, thereby providing safety functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the conductor contact mechanism, and incorporates the dielectric barrier for safety. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of operation
If plug-on type circuit breakers are used that plug onto or plug off of an electrical panel in one direction, then ease of operation is improved, but additional mechanical securing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assembly incorporates a self-securing mechanism where the housing itself provides the mechanical securing function. As the circuit breaker is inserted, the housing structure automatically engages and secures the device without requiring separate bolts or screws.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch safe electrical panel (100) includes a bus (110) having a branch connector (130) with a vertical stab (132) and a touch safe connection assembly (150). The assembly includes a dielectric housing (152) for the stab. The housing (152) includes a slot (180) through which to receive the stab, and an opening (190), arranged away from the slot, through which to receive a terminal of a plug-on circuit breaker configured to engage the stab. A dielectric barrier (170A, 170B) is arranged in the housing between the slot and the opening. The barrier partially blocks a passage way between the opening and the slot to prevent direct user contact of the stab while enabling the terminal to pass through the partially blocked passage way and engage the stab.