Apparatus and method for a modular switchboard provide an adjustable length bus bridge for electrically connecting two adjacent switchboards, where the length of the bus bridge can be adjusted on site if needed. The bus bridge comprises a first set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another, and a second set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another. The first and second sets of busbars are arranged such that the busbars in the first set of busbars and the busbars in the second set of busbars are slidable relative to one another to adjust a length of the bus bridge. A longitudinal slot is formed in each busbar in either the first or the second set of busbars, or both, to accommodate a through bolt in the bus bridge when the first and second set of busbars slide relative to one another.

Apparatus and method for a modular switchboard provide an adjustable length bus bridge for electrically connecting two adjacent switchboards, where the length of the bus bridge can be adjusted on site if needed. The bus bridge comprises a first set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another, and a second set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another. The first and second sets of busbars are arranged such that the busbars in the first set of busbars and the busbars in the second set of busbars are slidable relative to one another to adjust a length of the bus bridge. A longitudinal slot is formed in each busbar in either the first or the second set of busbars, or both, to accommodate a through bolt in the bus bridge when the first and second set of busbars slide relative to one another.

An energized parts guard is disclosed comprising a panel of substantially rigid, electrically insulative material wherein the substantially rigid panel further comprises a first one or more apertures and a second one or more apertures. The first one or more apertures are so dimensioned to accept one or more circuit breakers inserted into the first one or more apertures such that there is less than a 12.5 mm gap between the panel and the circuit breaker on at least two sides of the one or more circuit breakers. The second one or more apertures are positioned to facilitate access to at least one terminal of each of the one or more circuit breakers when the one or more circuit breakers are inserted into the first one or more apertures.

An energized parts guard is disclosed comprising a panel of substantially rigid, electrically insulative material wherein the substantially rigid panel further comprises a first one or more apertures and a second one or more apertures. The first one or more apertures are so dimensioned to accept one or more circuit breakers inserted into the first one or more apertures such that there is less than a 12.5 mm gap between the panel and the circuit breaker on at least two sides of the one or more circuit breakers. The second one or more apertures are positioned to facilitate access to at least one terminal of each of the one or more circuit breakers when the one or more circuit breakers are inserted into the first one or more apertures.

A power distribution system is releasably secured to a power distribution panel, and includes a circuit breaker to detect a fault condition and to automatically move a circuit breaker switch from the ON position to the OFF position. The power distribution system further includes a backplane connector to provide connection to the power distribution panel and an interconnect mechanism to connect the circuit breaker to the backplane connector when the circuit breaker is moved from a disengaged position to an engaged position with respect to the backplane connector. The power distribution system further includes a guard coupled to the interconnect mechanism and configured to cover portions of the enclosure of the circuit breaker. The guard further prevents the circuit breaker switch from moving from the OFF position to the ON position until the interconnect mechanism connects to the circuit breaker to the backplane connector.

A power distribution system is releasably secured to a power distribution panel, and includes a circuit breaker to detect a fault condition and to automatically move a circuit breaker switch from the ON position to the OFF position. The power distribution system further includes a backplane connector to provide connection to the power distribution panel and an interconnect mechanism to connect the circuit breaker to the backplane connector when the circuit breaker is moved from a disengaged position to an engaged position with respect to the backplane connector. The power distribution system further includes a guard coupled to the interconnect mechanism and configured to cover portions of the enclosure of the circuit breaker. The guard further prevents the circuit breaker switch from moving from the OFF position to the ON position until the interconnect mechanism connects to the circuit breaker to the backplane connector.

A substation containing a switch-gear or control-gear system, in particular a switch-gear or control-gear system includes at least one low voltage switch-gear or control-gear, with unmanned operation and maintenance. The inner room, where the switch-gear or control-gear are located in, is hermetically enclosed by an outer housing, the switch-gear or control-gear system is provided for unmanned operation and maintenance with a robotic system or manipulator, and/or the robotic system or manipulator is provided with a camera system, and/or an image recognition system and/or the inner room is locked against the outer housing by an inner, automatically operated door, and/or the robot system is implemented in such, that the robot systems acting area is extended from the inner room, partly in the area outside the inner room, but inside the outer housing, where spare parts are stored in a spare parts hand over area.

A substation containing a switch-gear or control-gear system, in particular a switch-gear or control-gear system includes at least one low voltage switch-gear or control-gear, with unmanned operation and maintenance. The inner room, where the switch-gear or control-gear are located in, is hermetically enclosed by an outer housing, the switch-gear or control-gear system is provided for unmanned operation and maintenance with a robotic system or manipulator, and/or the robotic system or manipulator is provided with a camera system, and/or an image recognition system and/or the inner room is locked against the outer housing by an inner, automatically operated door, and/or the robot system is implemented in such, that the robot systems acting area is extended from the inner room, partly in the area outside the inner room, but inside the outer housing, where spare parts are stored in a spare parts hand over area.

A low and medium voltage electrical enclosure comprising a supporting structure which defines an internal space delimited by walls forming one or more compartments housing one or more electrical apparatuses. At least one of said walls is provided with one or more venting openings that put into communication said internal space with the outside of said low voltage electrical enclosure and/or one of said compartments with a second compartment. The venting openings are provided with a cover closing a corresponding venting opening in a first—closed—operating condition at first predetermined temperatures and the enclosure is provided with an actuating device adapted to open said cover in a second—open—operating condition at second predetermined temperatures. The actuating device comprises an actuating mechanism having a Shape Memory Alloy-based (SMA-based) actuating element having a first dimension at said first predetermined temperatures reversibly changeable into a second dimension at said second predetermined temperatures, the reversible change of dimension of said SMA-based actuating element from said first dimension to said second dimension determining the reversible movement of said cover from said first—closed—operating condition to said second—open—operating condition, and vice-versa.

A low and medium voltage electrical enclosure comprising a supporting structure which defines an internal space delimited by walls forming one or more compartments housing one or more electrical apparatuses. At least one of said walls is provided with one or more venting openings that put into communication said internal space with the outside of said low voltage electrical enclosure and/or one of said compartments with a second compartment. The venting openings are provided with a cover closing a corresponding venting opening in a first—closed—operating condition at first predetermined temperatures and the enclosure is provided with an actuating device adapted to open said cover in a second—open—operating condition at second predetermined temperatures. The actuating device comprises an actuating mechanism having a Shape Memory Alloy-based (SMA-based) actuating element having a first dimension at said first predetermined temperatures reversibly changeable into a second dimension at said second predetermined temperatures, the reversible change of dimension of said SMA-based actuating element from said first dimension to said second dimension determining the reversible movement of said cover from said first—closed—operating condition to said second—open—operating condition, and vice-versa.