Compartmentalized power distribution equipment enclosure

Abstract

A compartmentalized electrical power distribution enclosure comprising: a outer enclosure defining an interior; a compartment enclosure disposed within the interior, the compartment enclosure including a plurality of interconnected panels, a panel of the plurality of interconnected panels being removable from the compartment enclosure and replaceable to the compartment enclosure by relative movement of the panel with respect to an adjacent panel without the use of tools, the removal of fasteners or damage to the panel or adjacent panel.

1 . A compartmentalized electrical power distribution enclosure comprising: 
 a outer enclosure defining an interior;    a compartment enclosure disposed within the interior, the compartment enclosure including a plurality of interconnected panels, a panel of the plurality of interconnected panels being removable from the compartment enclosure and replaceable to the compartment enclosure by relative movement of the panel with respect to an adjacent panel without the use of tools, the removal of fasteners or damage to the panel or adjacent panel.    
   
   
       2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is slidably moveable with respect to the adjacent panel.  
   
   
       3 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , the panel being formed with a flange defining a first rail and the adjacent panel being formed with a flange defining a second rail, the first rail being engageable with the second rail for securing the first panel to the adjacent panel and the first rail being disengageble from the second rail by the relative movement of the panel with respect to the adjacent panel.  
   
   
       4 . The enclosure of  claim 3 , the panel having panel edges defining a periphery of the panel, the first rail extending the length of one of the panel edges and the adjacent panel having adjacent panel edges defining a periphery of the adjacent panel, the second rail extending the length of one of the adjacent panel edges.  
   
   
       5 . The enclosure of  claim 3 , the first rail comprising a first rail surface and the second rail comprising a second rail surface, the first rail surface and the second rail surface being in contact when the first rail is engaged with the second rail.  
   
   
       6 . The enclosure of  claim 6 , the first rail surface and the second rail surface providing a seal along a length of engagement of the first rail with the second rail.  
   
   
       7 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , a blocking feature disposed on the panel or the adjacent panel, the blocking feature preventing assembly of an incorrect panel to the compartment enclosure.  
   
   
       8 . The enclosure of  claim 7 , the blocking feature comprising a post secured to the panel and a notch formed in the adjacent panel, the post and notch being alignable during assembly of the panel to the compartment enclosure.  
   
   
       9 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , a blocking feature disposed on the panel or the adjacent panel, the blocking feature preventing removal of the panel from the compartment enclosure except in a predetermined sequence.  
   
   
       10 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , the blocking feature comprising a flange formed on one of the plurality of panels, the flange engaging the panel to prevent the relative movement of the panel with respect to the adjacent panel.  
   
   
       11 . For use in connection with a power distribution enclosure, the power distribution enclosure comprising a plurality of panels defining the enclosure, the enclosure having an interior and electrical power distribution equipment being disposed within the interior; a compartment enclosure for enclosing within the interior a portion of the electrical power distribution equipment, the compartment enclosure comprising: 
 a first side panel and a second side panel;    a back panel joining the first side panel and the second side panel;    edges of the side panels being formed with side panel flanges; and    a removable panel, the removable panel having panel edges, the panel edges being formed with panel flanges, the removable panel being removable secured to the compartment enclosure by interlocking engagement of the side panel flanges with the panel flanges.    
   
   
       11 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , the removable panel being securable to the compartment enclosure by sliding movement of the removable panel relative to the side panels, the sliding movement engaging the panel flanges with the side panel flanges.  
   
   
       12 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , second edges of the side panels being formed with second side panel flanges; and 
 a second removable panel, the second removable panel having second panel edges, the second panel edges being formed with second panel flanges, the second removable panel being removable secured to the compartment enclosure by interlocking engagement of the second side panel flanges with the second panel flanges.    
   
   
       13 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , the side panel flanges comprising a side panel flange surfaces and the panel flanges comprising a panel flange surfaces, the side panel flange surfaces and the panel flange surfaces being in contact when the panel side panel flanges and the panel flanges are interlocked.  
   
   
       14 . The enclosure of  claim 13 , the side panel flange surfaces and the panel flange surfaces providing a seal.  
   
   
       15 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , the compartment enclosure comprising a blocking feature disposed on the panel, the blocking feature preventing assembly of an incorrect panel to the compartment enclosure.  
   
   
       16 . The enclosure of  claim 15 , the blocking feature comprising a post secured to the panel and a notch formed in an adjacent panel, the post and notch being alignable during assembly of the panel to the compartment enclosure.  
   
   
       17 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , the compartment housing comprising a blocking feature disposed on the panel, the blocking feature preventing removal of the panel from the compartment enclosure except in accordance with a predetermined removal sequence.  
   
   
       18 . The enclosure of  claim 18 , the blocking feature comprising a flange formed on a panel adjacent to the panel, the flange engaging the panel to prevent the relative movement of the panel with respect to the panel adjacent to the panel.