阅读说明：本技术 提供对壳体内电信号的直通访问的电气面板适配器 (Electrical panel adapter providing through access to electrical signals within a housing ) 是由 F.Y.劳里诺 C.N.麦卡琴 H.G.哈蒙德 A.索默 S.海德 P.克拉尔 于 2019-06-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明题为“提供对壳体内电信号的直通访问的电气面板适配器”。本发明公开了一种用于由至少一个面板形成的壳体的电气面板适配器,其包括具有前部和后部的主单元。后部定位在壳体内并且包括适于连接到位于壳体内的电线和/或设备的第一多个电气连接。前部延伸穿过至少一个面板中的孔并包括第二多个电气连接,该第二多个电气连接适于连接到位于壳体外部的一个或多个电气装置以用于测量壳体内的电压和电流两者。第二多个电气连接电耦接到第一多个电气连接。电气面板适配器使得壳体外部的电气装置能够电耦接到壳体内的电线和/或设备,而无需打开壳体。(The invention provides an electrical panel adapter providing through access to electrical signals within a housing. An electrical panel adapter for a housing formed from at least one panel includes a main unit having a front and a rear. The rear portion is positioned within the housing and includes a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing. The front portion extends through an aperture in at least one of the panels and includes a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing for measuring both voltage and current within the housing. The second plurality of electrical connections is electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections. The electrical panel adapter enables electrical devices external to the housing to be electrically coupled to wires and/or equipment within the housing without opening the housing.)

1. An electrical panel adapter for a housing formed from at least one panel, the electrical panel adapter comprising:

a main unit having a front and a rear, wherein the rear comprises a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing, and the front comprises a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing for measuring both voltage and current within the housing, the second plurality of electrical connections being electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections;

wherein the electrical panel adapter is mountable on the housing such that the rear of the main unit is positioned within the housing and the front of the main unit extends through a hole in the at least one panel such that the second plurality of connections are accessible from outside the housing to connect to electrical devices located outside the housing, and when mounted, the electrical panel adapter electrically couples electrical devices located outside the housing to the wires and/or equipment located within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

2. The electrical panel adapter of claim 1, further comprising a base frame securable to the main unit, wherein the base frame and the main unit are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one panel when the electrical panel adapter is mounted on the housing, and wherein the base frame is secured to the main unit via fasteners extending through the at least one panel and coupled to the main unit, thereby securing the electrical panel adapter to the at least one panel of the housing.

3. The electrical panel adapter of claim 2, wherein the base frame and the main unit are sized and configured such that the fastener extends through the hole in the at least one panel, and the base frame and the main unit have edge portions that abut the opposing sides of the at least one panel.

4. An electrical panel adapter according to claim 3, wherein the base frame and the edge portions of the main unit adjoining the opposite sides of the at least one panel form a seal around the aperture in the at least one panel to protect the interior of the housing from the environment outside the housing.

5. The electrical panel adapter of claim 2, further comprising a protective cover coupled to the base frame, wherein the protective cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position, and when the protective cover is in the closed position, the protective cover seals against the base frame and protects the second plurality of electrical connections from an environment external to the housing.

6. The electrical panel adapter of claim 5, wherein the protective cover includes a transparent surface such that the second electrical connection is visible to an environment external to the housing through the transparent surface when the protective cover is positioned in the closed position.

7. The electrical panel adapter of claim 2, wherein the base frame is annular and provides a contact port sized to provide external contact to the front of the main unit, the front of the main unit extending through the aperture in the at least one panel.

8. The electrical panel adapter of claim 7, further comprising an annular securing ring sized and configured to fit within the base frame and receive the fastener extending through the at least one panel, wherein the securing ring has an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame, the securing ring abutting the base frame when the fastener secures the base frame to the main unit.

9. The electrical panel adapter of claim 7, further comprising a securing plate sized and configured to fit within the base frame and to receive the fastener extending through the at least one panel, wherein the securing plate includes an aperture corresponding to and providing external contact to the second plurality of electrical connections, the securing plate further having a diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame, and the securing plate abuts the base frame when the fastener secures the base frame to the main unit.

10. An electrical panel adapter according to claim 1, wherein the main unit is rotatable relative to the at least one panel to a mounting position having a desired orientation that facilitates connection of the second plurality of electrical connections to wires and/or equipment located within the housing.

11. The electrical panel adapter of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of electrical connections are terminals connectable through a cable to test points within the housing for measuring electrical parameters including both voltage and current within the housing.

12. The electrical panel adapter of claim 11, further comprising a notch structure extending from a surface of said main unit adjacent to said first plurality of electrical connections, wherein said notch structure is configured to provide strain relief for said cables connecting said first plurality of electrical connections to said wires and/or devices.

13. The electrical panel adapter of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of electrical connections are jacks connectable to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing by cables for conveying electrical signals between the first plurality of electrical connections and the one or more electrical devices located outside the housing, wherein at least one of the second plurality of electrical connections is configured to convey electrical signals for measuring voltage within the housing and at least another one of the second plurality of electrical connections is configured to convey electrical signals for measuring current within the housing.

14. The electrical panel adapter of claim 1, further comprising an over-current protection device coupled between the at least one first electrical connection and the at least one second electrical connection when the at least one first electrical connection is configured to receive an electrical signal for measuring a voltage within the housing, and not coupled between the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection when the first electrical connection is configured to receive an electrical signal for measuring a current within the housing.

15. The electrical panel adapter of claim 1, further comprising an output jack and circuitry located within the main unit, the circuitry including one or more wires connected to the output jack to provide power to the output jack, wherein power is drawn from a wire or device within the housing connected to at least one of the first electrical connections.

16. A method of mounting an electrical panel adapter on a housing formed from at least one panel, the method comprising:

defining an aperture in the at least one panel of the housing;

fitting a main unit of the electrical panel adapter in the defined aperture, wherein the main unit has a front and a rear, the rear including a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing, and the front including a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing, the second plurality of electrical connections being electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections,

wherein upon installation, the rear of the main unit is positioned within the housing and the front of the main unit extends through the aperture such that the second plurality of connections are accessible from outside the housing to connect to electrical devices outside the housing, and the electrical panel adapter enables electrical devices outside the housing to be electrically coupled to the wires and/or equipment within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

17. A method of installing an electrical panel adapter as in claim 16, wherein the electrical panel adapter further has a base frame securable to the main unit, the method further comprising:

positioning the base frame and the main unit on opposite sides of the at least one panel of the housing, an

Securing the base frame to the main unit via fasteners extending through the at least one panel, thereby securing the electrical panel adapter to the at least one panel of the housing.

18. A method of installing an electrical panel adapter as in claim 17, wherein the electrical panel adapter further has a protective cover coupled to the base frame and the protective cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position, the method further comprising:

positioning the protective cover in the closed position; and

sealing the protective cover against the base frame to protect the second plurality of electrical connections from an environment external to the housing.

19. The method of installing an electrical panel adapter of claim 17, wherein the electrical panel adapter further has an annular securing ring sized and configured to fit within the base frame and receive the fastener extending through the at least one panel, the securing ring having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame, the method further comprising:

inserting the securing ring into the base frame such that the securing ring abuts the base frame; and

securing the base frame to the main unit by extending the fastener through the securing ring and the at least one panel and coupling the fastener to the main unit.

20. A method of installing an electrical panel adapter according to claim 17, wherein the electrical panel adapter further has a securing plate sized and configured to fit within the base frame and receive a fastener extending through the at least one panel, the securing plate having a diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame, the method further comprising:

inserting the fixation plate into the base frame such that the fixation plate abuts the base frame;

aligning an aperture in the fixing plate with the second plurality of electrical connections on the front of the main unit; and

the base frame is fixed to the main unit by extending the fastener through the fixing plate and the at least one panel and coupling the fastener to the main unit.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to housings containing electrical wires and equipment located behind electrical panel doors, and more particularly, to providing access to electrical signals from such wires and equipment for measuring electrical parameters.

Background

Electricians can be time consuming and unsafe to contact and measure wires and equipment located behind electrical panels, such as current workflows to perform power quality tests. Time efficiency is lost when an electrician plans to shut down electrical equipment to enable safe contact between the wires and equipment in the housing. Current workflow also exposes the electrician to hazardous environments when the electrician opens the fascia door to access live wires and equipment.

Typical workflows for electricians to perform measurements such as measuring power with portable devices or recording power quality require time consuming preparation work to install current sensors and attach voltage test leads in electrical enclosures. To avoid exposure to hazardous environments, electricians may be required to wear a large amount of personal protective equipment. Unreliable or even incorrect connections are often caused by working under such stress conditions. Planning to shut down a facility is a safer option, but is only feasible in a few cases. There is a need for simpler and safer access to live wires and equipment located behind electrical panels.

Disclosure of Invention

An electrical panel adapter for mounting on at least one panel of a housing is disclosed herein, which may be, for example, a panel door of the housing. The electrical panel adapter is configured to feed through electrical signals for measuring electrical parameters of wires and equipment within the enclosure and to enable an electrician to don't need to wear personal protective equipment when connecting live wires and a measurement device located behind the panel door. The panel adapter makes it possible to access a plurality of wires and/or devices located behind the panel and within the housing from outside the housing for measuring electrical parameters, including for example (but not limited to) voltage and current measurements within the housing, without opening the housing. In at least one embodiment, contact is made to up to four voltage channels and five current channels (e.g., three phase, neutral, and ground).

In various embodiments, the panel adapter is secured adjacent to or within an aperture defined in a panel of the housing. The panel adapter has terminals on its back adapted to connect to wires, including rigid wires or stranded wires, and/or measurement devices for receiving electrical signals (e.g., current signals and voltage signals) from within the housing. The front face of the panel adapter includes an output in the form of a jack, such as a standard 4mm safety jack, that allows an electrician outside the enclosure to connect a measurement device, such as a power quality recorder or digital multimeter (DMM), to the output of the panel adapter and perform and/or receive measurements on wires and devices located within the enclosure. In addition, the panel adapter supports instruments that may be powered by measurement wires coupled to terminals on the panel adapter, such as 173x and 174x power/electricity recorders provided by Fluke corporation. In various embodiments, a user-contactable fuse in the panel adapter prevents overcurrent in the measurement connection.

The output of the panel adapter provides feed-through of electrical signals from measurement equipment such as Fluke i17XX flexible current clamps mounted on wires within the panel. For example, a circular 4-pin connector may be included to support the built-in EEPROM typically present in such current measurement devices. The sensors in the measuring device can be automatically detected, for example, by Fluke 173x and 174x recorders. Adapter cables can also be used to connect wires and equipment to Fluke 43X accessories and accessories that do not have EEPROM, such as off-the-shelf split core current transformers.

Thus, as will be understood from the description herein, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electrical panel adapter for a housing formed from at least one panel. The electrical panel adapter includes a main unit having a front and a rear. The rear portion of the main unit includes a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or devices located within the housing, while the front portion of the main unit includes a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing, the second plurality of electrical connections being electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections.

The electrical panel adapter may be mounted on the housing such that the rear of the main unit is positioned within the housing and the front of the main unit extends through the aperture in the at least one panel such that the second plurality of connections may be accessed from outside the housing to connect to the electrical device located outside the housing. When installed, the electrical panel adapter enables an electrical device external to the housing to be electrically coupled to wires and/or equipment within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

The installation of the panel adapter is simple. For at least one embodiment of the panel adapter, installation simply requires drilling a 95mm (4 inch) hole in the panel door and installing the panel adapter adjacent to or within the hole in the panel door. For reliable protection of the ground connection, the panel adapter may utilize the AutoGround offered by Fluke corporation^™A feature. The wires and measurement devices within the housing are then coupled to the panel adapter to provide continuous contact to the wires and measurement devices while the panel door remains closed.

A method of mounting an electrical panel adapter on a housing formed from at least one panel may thus include defining an aperture in the at least one panel of the housing and fitting a main unit of the electrical panel adapter in the defined aperture, wherein the main unit has a front and a rear, the rear including a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing, and the front including a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing, and the second plurality of electrical connections being electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections. After installation, the rear of the main unit is positioned within the housing and the front of the main unit extends through the aperture such that the second plurality of connections can be accessed from outside the housing to connect to electrical devices outside the housing. Thus, the electrical panel adapter enables an electrical device external to the housing to be electrically coupled to wires and/or equipment within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

By way of non-limiting example, various embodiments of the panel adapters disclosed herein may thus include some or all of the following concepts and features:

(1) an electrical cabinet feedthrough interface that connects the measurement instrument to electrical test points within the cabinet, such as three-phase voltage and current test points;

(2) electrical contact is made to electrical test points, such as three-phase test points, without opening the electrical cabinet, which can avoid exposing the personnel to a hazardous electrical environment;

(3) convenient conventional electrical measurements can be performed without shutting down the operating equipment and performing a card-up process;

(4) providing convenient electrical connections to the measurement instrument, such as voltage and current connections, using standard jacks;

(5) permanent wire internal voltage connections using standard screw terminals and ODU or BNC industry standard connections for current sensor probes;

(6) during installation, the orientation of the panel adapter may be rotated 360 degrees to allow the panel adapter to be installed in any orientation;

(7) it is possible to simplify installation using a Kwik Stepper drill and electro-hydraulic punch (100mm, 4 inch diameter) to define the hole in the fascia door; and is

(8) A Cat III 1000V/Cat IV 600V safety rating according to IEC 61010 may be achieved with an IP67 rating when the panel adapter is protected by a protective cover in the closed position.

These concepts and features, as well as other concepts and features, are exemplified by the various embodiments of the electrical panel adapter described herein.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an electrical panel adapter according to the present disclosure with a protective cover in an open position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a housing having the panel adapter shown in fig. 1 secured to a panel door of the housing with the protective cover in a closed position.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective side view of elements forming the embodiment of the panel adapter shown in figure 1 with respect to a panel door having an aperture defined therein.

Fig. 4A-4C illustrate one example of a process for installing at least one embodiment of a panel adapter according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 5A-5D show front views of a panel adapter according to the present disclosure having a main unit mounted to a base frame in different mounting orientations.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the main unit of the panel adapter having electrical connection points for coupling wires and devices such as voltage measurement lines and current measurement devices to the main unit.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the main unit shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a panel adapter having an electrical jack on the front of the main unit that can be coupled to an input on the back of an external measurement device via a cable.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a cable that may be used to couple an electrical receptacle of the panel adapter to the external measurement device shown in FIG. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a perspective view of the panel adapter shown in fig. 8A, wherein electrical jacks on the front of the main unit can be coupled to other inputs on the rear of an external measurement device via cables.

FIG. 8D is a perspective view of a cable that may be used to couple the electrical receptacles of the panel adapter to the external measurement device shown in FIG. 8C.

Fig. 9A is a rear perspective cut-away view of a main unit having a panel adapter for coupling a voltage measurement line to a connection point of the main unit.

Fig. 9B is a rear perspective view of the main unit of the panel adapter shown in fig. 9A, further illustrating the coupling of the voltage measurement line to the main unit.

FIG. 9C is a rear perspective view of the main unit of the panel adapter shown in FIG. 9A, further showing connection points for coupling the current measuring device to the main unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating circuitry within at least one embodiment of a master unit of a panel adapter.

Fig. 11 is a rear perspective cross-sectional view of the main unit of the panel adapter shown in fig. 9A.

Fig. 12A is a diagrammatic front view of at least one embodiment of a master unit, showing dimensional aspects of the master unit.

Fig. 12B is a diagrammatic side view of at least one embodiment of a master unit, showing dimensional aspects of the master unit.

Fig. 12C is a diagrammatic front view of at least one embodiment of the master unit, showing dimensional aspects of the master unit.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of elements forming an embodiment of a panel adapter according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical panel adapter may be mounted on at least one panel of an electrical housing to contact wires and devices within the electrical housing from outside the housing without having to open the housing, for example, for measuring electrical parameters such as voltage and current within the housing. Thus, the panel adapter provides greater time efficiency for measuring live electrical parameters within the housing while also ensuring the safety of service electricians outside the housing.

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an electrical panel adapter 10 that may be secured to a panel door of a housing (e.g., as shown in fig. 2). The adapter 10 comprises a main unit 12, a base frame 14 and a protective cover 16, which in this case is coupled to the base frame 14 by means of a hinge 18. In fig. 1, the protective cover 16 is shown in an open position, thereby providing contact to the electrical jack 20 for measuring electrical parameters, such as voltage and current of wires and equipment within the housing. One example of a housing is an electrical box or cabinet 22, as shown in FIG. 2. In fig. 2, the adapter 10 is shown secured to a panel door (or other panel) 24 of an electrical box or cabinet 22 with the protective cover in a closed position.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the elements forming the embodiment of the panel adapter 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2. In fig. 3, the main unit 12 is located behind the panel 24. The front of the main unit 12 is sized to fit into and/or extend through an aperture 26 defined in the faceplate 24. On the opposite side of the panel 24 is the base frame 14 which, when installed, abuts the panel 24 and provides a contact opening 28 which is dimensioned to provide external contact to the front of the main unit 12 projecting into and/or through the aperture 26. In this embodiment of the panel adapter 10, the retainer ring 30 is sized and configured such that it fits within the frame 14 and receives a screw or other fastener 32 that passes through the retainer ring 30 into the main unit 12. The fixing ring 30 has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of at least a portion of an inner sidewall of the base frame 14. Therefore, when the fixing ring 30 is fitted in the frame 14, the screws 32 passing through the fixing ring 30 fix the frame 14 to the main unit 12 with the faceplate 24 interposed therebetween, thereby fixing the frame 14 and the main unit 12 to the faceplate 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 14 also includes a protective cover 16 that is connected to the frame 14 by a hinge 18 and provides environmental protection to the electrical jacks of the main unit 12 when in a closed position, and is accessible through the contact ports 28 of the frame 14 when the protective cover 16 is in an open position, as shown. In the closed position, the protective cover 16 preferably abuts the outer periphery of the frame 14 and seals the contact opening 28 and the front of the main unit 12 from the environment outside the panel adapter 10. To further protect the environment, the rear surface of the frame 14 is preferably sealed against a panel 24 when the frame 14 is mounted and secured to the main unit 12, with the panel 24 being located between the frame and the main unit. In at least one embodiment, the frame 14 and the main unit 12 have edge portions that abut opposite sides of the panel 24 and form a seal around the aperture 26 in the panel 24 to protect the interior of the housing from the environment outside the housing.

In at least some embodiments, the protective cover 16 includes a transparent surface. When the protective cover is positioned in the closed position, the electrical receptacle is visible to an environment external to the housing through the transparent surface.

Fig. 4A-4C illustrate one example of a process for installing at least one embodiment of the panel adapter 10. In a first step 40, an aperture is defined in the fascia door. For example, a Kwik Stepper drill or electro-hydraulic punch may be used to cut or otherwise define a hole in a fascia door.

In step 42, the base frame and hinged protective cover as shown in fig. 3 are fitted to the exterior of the panel door about the defined aperture. At the same time, the main unit as described in fig. 3 is positioned on the opposite side of the panel door such that a portion of the main unit extends into and/or through the aperture. The base frame and the main unit are then secured to each other such that the base frame and the main unit are secured to opposite sides of the panel door. For example, a securing ring 30 as shown in fig. 3 or a securing plate 90 as shown in fig. 13 may be used to secure the base frame to the main unit with the fascia door between the base frame and the main unit.

With the main unit and the base frame thus fixed to each other on opposite sides of the panel door, in a third step 44 the protective cover can be rotated relative to the base frame about the hinge connection to close the protective cover on the base frame. In the closed position, the protective cover protects the electrical jacks on the front of the main unit from the environment outside the panel door and the panel adapter.

Referring now to fig. 5A-5D, in various embodiments, the main unit 12 can be secured to the base frame 14 in different mounting positions. For example, in fig. 5A, the main unit 12 is positioned such that the electrical receptacle 20 of the main unit 12 is mounted within the contact port 28 of the frame 14 to provide a current measurement connection on the left half of the frame and a voltage measurement connection on the right half of the frame. For example, in fig. 5B, the main unit 12 is rotated and mounted within the contact port 28 of the frame 14 such that the current measurement connection is located in the upper half of the frame and the voltage measurement connection is located in the lower half of the frame. For example, in fig. 5C, the main unit 12 is further rotated and mounted within the contact port 28 of the frame 14 such that the current measurement connection is located in the lower half of the frame and the voltage measurement connection is located in the upper half of the frame. For example, in fig. 5D, the main unit 12 is rotated and mounted within the contact port 28 of the frame 14 such that the voltage measurement connection is located in the left half of the frame and the current measurement connection is located in the right half of the frame.

In this way, allowing the main unit 12 to rotate, for example up to 360 degrees, relative to the panel 24 provides greater flexibility when connecting the main unit 12 to electrical wires and equipment within an electrical enclosure. As seen in fig. 3 and described in further detail in fig. 9A-9C, the main unit 12 includes electrical connection points for connecting, for example, voltage measurement lines and current measurement devices within the electrical housing to the main unit 12. Once the voltage and current measuring devices are connected to the main unit 12, an electrical jack 20 on the front of the main unit 12 provides external pass-through access to electrical signals from the voltage and current measuring devices within the electrical housing. Depending on the relative positions of the voltage measurement line and the current measurement device within the electrical housing, the electrician may selectively rotate and mount the main unit 12 within the contact port 28 of the frame 14, as shown in fig. 5A-5D, to facilitate coupling the main unit 12 to the voltage measurement line and the current measurement device. For example, when installing the panel adapter, the electrician can selectively install the main unit 12 in different areas of the panel door and install the main unit 12 within the frame 14 so that the connection point of the main unit 12 is more easily coupled to the voltage measurement lines and current measurement devices behind the panel door. The main unit 12 may likewise be rotated in a different orientation and mounted within the frame 14 if the installation electrician finds other components within the electrical enclosure blocking access to the connection points of the main unit 12.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of main unit 12 having electrical connection points 50 for coupling measurement lines, such as voltage measurement lines, within the housing to main unit 12 and electrical connection points 52 for coupling measurement devices, such as current measurement devices, within the housing to main unit 12. Electrical connection points 50 and 52 are further illustrated in fig. 9A-9C and 11. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the master unit 12 preferably includes appropriate markings for the voltage connection points 50, in this case including three-wire or three-phase, neutral and ground or earth connections marked A/L1, B/L2, C/L3, N and PE, respectively. Fig. 7 is a side view of the main unit 12, with appropriate labels for the galvanic connection points 52, in this case including five current channels similarly for three phases, neutral and ground, labeled a/L1, B/L2, C/L3, N and PE, respectively.

As shown in fig. 1, the electrical jack 20 on the front of the main unit 12 is further shown and discussed with reference to fig. 8A-8D. As previously indicated, test points within the electrical housing where electrical measurements such as voltage measurements are desired may be coupled to the connection point 50 of the main unit 12. Circuitry within the main unit 12 (discussed below with reference to fig. 10 and 11) electrically couples the connection point 50 with a corresponding electrical jack 60 on the front of the main unit 12. The electrical jacks 60 accessible through the contact ports 28 of the frame 14 may be respectively coupled by cables to inputs on one or more measurement devices, such as a power quality recorder 62, as shown in fig. 8A. Fig. 8B shows a cable 64 with a suitable connector for electrically coupling a measurement input, such as a voltage measurement input, of the measurement device 62 to the electrical jack 60. For example, in at least one embodiment, electrical jack 60 is comprised of five 4mm safety jacks that are connected to a measurement device, such as power quality recorder 62, using standard 4mm leads as shown in fig. 8B.

Further, as previously mentioned, within the electrical housing, a measuring device such as a current measuring device may be arranged to measure the current flowing in the electrical line or equipment requiring current measurement. The current measuring means in the housing is coupled to a connection point 52 of the main unit 12. Circuitry within the main unit 12 electrically couples the connection point 52 with a corresponding electrical jack 66 on the front of the main unit 12, as shown in fig. 8C. The electrical jacks 66 accessible through the contact ports 28 of the frame 14 may be respectively coupled to one or more measurement devices, such as the power quality recorder 62 shown in fig. 8C, by cables. FIG. 8D shows a cable 68 having a suitable connector for electrically coupling a measurement input, such as a current measurement input, of the measurement device 62 of FIG. 8C to the electrical jack 66. For example, in at least one embodiment, electrical jack 66 is comprised of five ODU jacks that can be connected to a measurement device, such as power quality recorder 62, using a connection cable 68 as shown in fig. 8D.

Fig. 9A and 9B also show connection points 50 for connecting measurement lines 70 (which may be voltage measurement lines) to the main cells 12. For at least one embodiment of the panel adapter 10, during installation of the panel adapter 10, the measurement line 70 is connected to the connection point 50 via a screw terminal on the main unit 12. The exposed end of the measurement line 70 may be wrapped around or otherwise secured to the connection point 50, thereby providing a wired electrical connection of the connection point 50 to a corresponding test point of a wire or device within the housing in which the main unit 12 is located. As shown, the main unit 12 further comprises a notch structure 72 extending from the surface of the main unit 12 adjacent to the connection point 50. When the measurement line 70 is installed and connected to the connection point 50, the measurement line 70 may fit within the notch of the notch structure 72. The notched configuration thereby eliminates strain on the measurement line 70 that may be caused by movement of the measurement line, such as when a panel door to which the measurement unit 12 is mounted is subsequently opened.

Fig. 9C shows a connection point 52 for connecting a measuring device, such as a current measuring device, an example of which is a Rogowski coil 74, to the main unit 12. For at least one embodiment of the panel adapter 10, during installation of the panel adapter 10, the current measuring device 74 is electrically connected to the connection point 52 via a cable 76 having a suitable connector that mates with the receptacle of the connection point 52. For example, current measuring devices 74 such as standard Fluke current sensors may be coupled by respective cables 76 using known ODU connectors. Connected in this manner, the current measuring device 74 measures the current flowing through the wire of interest within the electrical housing and provides the current measurement to the main unit 12. Circuitry in main unit 12 electrically couples connection point 52 to an electrical jack 66 (see fig. 8C) that provides external contact for current measurement by a measurement device such as power quality recorder 62.

It should be noted that the panel adapter 10 may be adapted to support an instrument that may be powered by one or more of the measurement lines coupled to the panel adapter. The circuitry within the main unit 12 may include one or more wires connected to an output jack that draws a small amount of power from the measured wire or device and delivers the power to the measurement device coupled to the panel adapter 10.

Fig. 10 provides a schematic diagram showing circuitry within at least one embodiment of the main unit 12, while fig. 11 is a rear perspective cut-away view of the main unit 12 including the circuitry. The voltage connection points 50 labeled A/L1, B/L2, C/L3, and N are coupled to respective electrical jacks 60 through respective overcurrent protection devices 80. The overcurrent protection device 80, which may comprise any standard type of fuse or circuit breaker, provides overcurrent protection to a measurement device coupled to the electrical receptacle 60, such as the power quality recorder 62 shown in fig. 8A and 8C. The current measurement connection points 52 are directly electrically coupled to the respective electrical jacks 66. Since current measuring devices such as the rogowski coil 74 shown in fig. 9C are not electrically connected to wires or equipment, but sense current through an electromagnetic field using current transformer technology, no overcurrent protection between the connection point 52 and the electrical jack 66 is required.

Fig. 12A is a diagrammatic front view of at least one embodiment of the master unit 12, showing dimensional aspects of the master unit. Fig. 12B is a diagrammatic side view of at least one embodiment of the master unit 12 showing dimensional aspects of the master unit, while fig. 12C is a diagrammatic front view of at least one embodiment of the master unit 12 showing additional dimensional aspects of the master unit. In these particular embodiments, particular dimensions may be useful when constructing and installing a master unit 12 according to the present disclosure.

Finally, fig. 13 provides an exploded perspective view of the elements forming an embodiment of the panel adapter 10. In fig. 13, the main unit 12 is comprised of a housing having a circuit board with circuitry coupled to the electrical jacks and connections, as previously described. The base frame 14 is sized to provide external contact to an electrical jack located on the front of the main unit 12. The protective cover 16 is hinged to the frame 14. However, in contrast to fig. 3, the fixing plate 90 is used to fix the frame 14 to the main unit 12. Fixing plate 90 is sized to fit within frame 14 and receive screws or other fasteners 92 that pass through fixing plate 90 into main unit 12. The fixing plate 90 has an outer diameter wider than a portion of the inner sidewall of the base frame 14. Thus, when fixing plate 90 is fitted within frame 14 and screw 92 is driven through fixing plate 90 into the front of main unit 12, fixing plate 90 fixes frame 14 to main unit 12. The frame 14 and the main unit 12 are secured to the panel door when the panel door is sandwiched therebetween (e.g., as shown in fig. 3).

As can be seen in the foregoing description, in various embodiments, the panel adapter 10, including the main unit 12, may be constructed to provide some or all of the following features:

(1) the voltage measurement connection of the measuring instrument is provided by a standard 4mm safety jack;

(2) the measuring instrument current measurement connection is provided through a 4-pin ODU jack or a BNC adapter;

(3) the internal cabinet voltage connection is connected to the main unit through standard screw terminals;

(4) the voltage connection uses an inline fuse for safety protection to prevent an overcurrent condition;

(5) the internal cabinet current test point is connected to a standard current sensor through a 4-pin ODU connector or a BNC adapter;

(6) the current connection jacks facilitate the use of standard finished current sensors inside the cabinet;

(7) the mounting orientation of the main unit can be rotated 360 degrees to allow the panel adapters to be mounted in different areas of the cabinet, such as any of the four corners of the cabinet panel door, to facilitate connection of the main unit to wires or measurement instrumentation within the cabinet;

(8) defining a hole in the fascia door for mounting the fascia adapter using a Kwik Stepper drill bit or electro-hydraulic punch to achieve simplified installation; and

(9) according to IEC 61010 a Cat III 1000V/Cat IV 600V safety rating is provided, with an IP67 rating when the protective cover is installed and placed in a closed position.

In view of the above description of the present invention, it is readily understood that various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrical panel adapter for a housing formed from at least one panel, where the electrical panel adapter includes a main unit having a front and a rear. The rear portion includes a first plurality of electrical connections, which may be electrical terminals, adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing. The front portion includes a second plurality of electrical connections, which may be electrical jacks, adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing for measuring voltage and current in the wires and/or equipment. As described above, the second plurality of electrical connections is electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections.

The electrical panel adapter may be mounted on the housing such that the rear of the main unit is positioned within the housing and the front of the main unit extends through the aperture in the at least one panel. Thus, the second plurality of connections may be contacted from outside the housing to connect to an electrical device located outside the housing. Upon installation of the electrical panel adapter, the panel adapter enables an electrical device external to the housing to be electrically coupled to wires and/or equipment within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

In various embodiments, when the at least one first electrical connection is configured to receive an electrical signal for measuring a voltage within the housing, the electrical panel adapter may further include an overcurrent protection device coupled between the at least one first electrical connection and the at least one second electrical connection. Conversely, when the first electrical connection is configured to receive an electrical signal for measuring current within the housing, the over-current protection device is not coupled between the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection.

In various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter can further include a base frame secured to the main unit. The base frame and the main unit are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one panel when the electrical panel adapter is mounted on the housing. The base frame is secured to the main unit via fasteners extending through the at least one panel and coupled to the main unit, thereby securing the electrical panel adapter to the at least one panel of the housing. The base frame may be annular and provide an access opening sized to provide external access to a front portion of the main unit extending through the aperture in the at least one panel.

In various embodiments, the base frame and the main unit may be sized and configured such that the fasteners extend through holes in at least one panel of the housing. Further, the base frame and the main unit may have edge portions adjoining opposite sides of the at least one panel. The base frame and the edge portion of the main unit abut opposite sides of the at least one panel and form a seal around the aperture in the at least one panel to protect the interior of the housing from the environment outside the housing.

In various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter further comprises a protective cover coupled to the panel adapter (e.g., to a base frame of the panel adapter). The protective cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position. When the protective cover is in the closed position, the protective cover preferably seals against the base frame and protects the second plurality of electrical connections from the environment outside the housing. The protective cover may include a transparent surface such that the second electrical connection of the main unit is visible to the environment outside the housing through the transparent surface when the protective cover is positioned in the closed position.

In various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter may further include an annular securing ring sized and configured to fit within the base frame and receive a fastener extending through the at least one panel. The securing ring may have an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame. With such a configuration, when the fastener fixes the base frame to the main unit, the fixing ring may abut the base frame.

Alternatively, in various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter may further include a securing plate sized and configured to fit within the base frame and receive a fastener extending through the at least one panel. The mounting plate includes apertures corresponding to the second plurality of electrical connections and providing external contact to the second plurality of electrical connections. The fixing plate may have a diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame. With such a configuration, as with the fixing ring, when the fastener fixes the base frame to the main unit, the fixing plate can abut the base frame.

In various embodiments, the main unit may be rotatable relative to at least one of the panels. Thus, the main unit may be rotated to a mounting position having a desired orientation that facilitates connecting the second plurality of electrical connections to wires and/or devices located within the housing.

As previously mentioned, the first plurality of electrical connections may be terminals located on the rear of the main unit. In such embodiments, the terminal may be connected via a cable to a test point on a wire and/or device located within the housing for measuring an electrical parameter of the wire and/or device.

In various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter can further include a notch structure extending from a surface of the main unit. The recess structure may extend from a surface adjacent the first plurality of electrical connections. Preferably, the notch structure is configured to provide strain relief for cables connecting the first plurality of electrical connections to wires and/or devices.

Additionally, as previously described, the second plurality of electrical connections may be jacks located on the front of the main unit. In such embodiments, the jack may be connected to one or more electrical devices located outside the housing via a cable for conveying electrical signals between the first plurality of electrical connections and the one or more electrical devices outside the housing. At least one of the second plurality of electrical connections is configured to carry electrical signals for measuring a voltage within the housing, and at least another one of the second plurality of electrical connections is configured to carry electrical signals for measuring a current within the housing.

In various embodiments, the electrical panel adapter may further include an output jack that provides electrical power to a device located outside the housing. In such embodiments, the circuitry within the main unit may include one or more wires connected to the output jack to provide power to the output jack. Preferably, the electrical circuit draws power from an electrical wire or device within the housing connected to at least one of the first electrical connections.

In view of the above description, it is also readily understood that various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods of mounting an electrical panel adapter on a housing formed from at least one panel. In various embodiments, one or more methods may include defining an aperture in at least one panel of a housing, and fitting a main unit of an electrical panel adapter in the defined aperture, wherein the main unit has a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion including a first plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to wires and/or equipment located within the housing, and the front portion including a second plurality of electrical connections adapted to connect to one or more electrical devices located outside of the housing, the second plurality of electrical connections being electrically coupled to the first plurality of electrical connections.

The mounting of the electrical panel adapter includes positioning a rear of the main unit within the housing and positioning a front of the main unit within an aperture defined in at least one panel of the housing such that the front of the main unit extends through the aperture. Thus, the second plurality of connections on the front of the main unit may be contacted from outside the housing to connect to the electrical device located outside the housing. In this manner, the electrical panel adapter enables electrical devices external to the housing to be electrically coupled to wires and/or equipment within the housing via the first and second electrical connections without opening the housing.

In various embodiments, the method of installing an electrical panel adapter may be used with an electrical panel adapter that also has a base frame that is securable to the main unit. In such embodiments, the method may further include positioning the base frame and the main unit on opposite sides of the at least one panel of the housing, and securing the base frame to the main unit via fasteners extending through the at least one panel, thereby securing the electrical panel adapter to the at least one panel of the housing.

In various embodiments, the method of installing an electrical panel adapter can be used with an electrical panel adapter that also has a protective cover coupled to the base frame, where the protective cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position. In such embodiments, the method further includes positioning the protective cover in the closed position and sealing the protective cover against the base frame to protect the second plurality of electrical connections from an environment external to the housing.

In various embodiments, the method of installing an electrical panel adapter can be used with an electrical panel adapter that also has an annular securing ring sized and configured to fit in the base frame. The securing ring has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame and receives a fastener extending through at least one panel of the housing. In such embodiments, the method further includes inserting the securing ring into the base frame such that the securing ring abuts the base frame, and securing the base frame to the main unit by extending the fastener through the securing ring and the at least one panel and coupling the fastener to the main unit.

Alternatively, in various embodiments, the method of installing an electrical panel adapter may be used with an electrical panel adapter that also has a securing plate sized and configured to fit in the base frame. The fixation plate has a diameter greater than an inner diameter of at least a portion of the base frame and receives a fastener extending through at least one of the panels. In such embodiments, the method further includes inserting the fixing plate into the base frame such that the fixing plate abuts the base frame, aligning the holes in the fixing plate with the second plurality of electrical connections on the front of the main unit, and fixing the base frame to the main unit by extending fasteners through the fixing plate and the at least one faceplate and coupling the fasteners to the main unit.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide another embodiment of the electrical panel adapter 10 and method of installing the same. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified and other changes can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.