Temporary Electrical Panel
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary electrical supply, which comprises a portable electrical panel with an array of circuit breakers, an array of electrical plugs for supplying a temporary source of electricity, and an array of amp and voltage meters that detect information needed for each corresponding phase. The Temporary Electrical Panel is supplied by a 50-amp cord and has a 40-amp main breaker. Each electrical plug is rated at 20 amps, tamper resistant, and GFCI protected, with a dedicated 20-amp breaker. The electrical plugs may also be color coded to differentiate which phase they are on. Additionally, the Temporary Electrical Panel comprises a plastic backing board with handle cut outs or a handle, which allow the Temporary Electrical Panel to be carried.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention is in the technical field of electrical devices. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electrical panels. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electrical panels with monitoring capabilities. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electrical panels, which monitor voltage and/or current. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to portable temporary electrical panels, which monitor voltage and/or current.
2. Description of the Related ArtThe broad concept of electrical panels is known. However, most of these devices are permanently installed and do not have integrated monitoring capability.
Devices that monitor voltage and/or current are also known. However, these inventions are not usually integrated into temporary electrical panels.
Monitoring electrical panels is also known. However, these devices are usually used for permanently installed electrical panels and are not used with temporary electrical panels.
It is also known to use electrical panels that monitor voltage and/or current. However, these inventions are usually intended for permanently installed electrical panels and are not used with temporary electrical panels.
Temporary electrical panels are known, as well. However, these inventions do not have integrated monitoring capability for current and voltage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOn occasions, it is desirable to provide temporary power to a location. For example, during new construction, remodeling, or repair of a structure, primary power may not be readily available during the early stages, and a temporary power source must be used to power equipment and utilities during this period. Frequently, temporary electrical power may be provided in a haphazard manner, which creates risks of failures from an excessive load being placed on the temporary electrical power system if too many electrical devices are being used simultaneously. Problems often arise when temporary electrical power is supplied without proper distribution and monitoring of the temporary power source, which can result in insufficient power, fires, electrical shock, damaged equipment, or other detrimental outcomes. Thus, there is a need to provide a temporary electrical panel, which can provide distributed power that is monitored for voltage and current. The Temporary Electrical Panel invention was developed in part to provide an apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary supply electrical power. In broad embodiment, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention relates to an apparatus, which provides a portable electrical supply with an array of circuit breakers, and an array of electrical plugs with built-in voltage and amp meters for monitoring the corresponding phase. More particularly, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention related to an apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary electrical supply, which comprises a portable electrical panel with an array of circuit breakers, an array of electrical plugs for supplying a temporary source of electricity, and an array of amp and voltage meters that detect information needed for each corresponding phase. The Temporary Electrical Panel is supplied by a 50-amp cord and has a 40-amp main breaker. Each electrical plug is rated at 20 amps, tamper resistant, and GFCI protected, with a dedicated 20-amp breaker. The electrical plugs may also be color coded to differentiate between phases. Additionally, the Temporary Electrical Panel comprises a plastic backing board with handle cut outs or handles, which allow the Temporary Electrical Panel to be carried.
In the more preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary electrical supply, said apparatus comprising: an outer cover, said outer cover comprising a top panel, said top panel comprising: one or more handles, said handles being capable of supporting said apparatus; a front panel, said front panel comprising: a front panel hinge, and an electrical plug panel, said electrical plug panel depending from said front panel hinge and being capable of opening, said electrical plug panel comprising: a front latch, a meter array, said meter array comprising: one or more amp meters, said amp meters being capable of detecting current information, and one or more voltage meters, said voltage meters being capable of detecting voltage information; and an electrical plug array, said electrical plug array comprising: one or more electrical plugs, each said electrical plug being capable of being monitored by said amp meters and said voltage meters; a rear panel, said rear panel comprising: a rear panel hinge, and a rear panel door, said rear panel door depending from said rear panel hinge and being capable of opening, said rear panel door comprising: a rear latch; a right-side panel, said right-side panel comprising: a power supply receiver, and a power switch panel, said power switch panel comprising: a power switch; a left-side panel; and a bottom panel; support skids, said support skids depending from said bottom panel of said outer cover; and a breaker compartment, said breaker box being disposed behind said rear panel door, said breaker compartment comprising: a circuit breaker array, said circuit breaker array comprising: a main breaker, and one or more dedicated breakers, each said one or more dedicated breakers being for one said electrical plug; wherein temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said main breaker, through said one or more dedicated breakers, and out of said one or more electrical plugs; and wherein said temporary electrical power for each said one or more electrical plugs is monitored by said one or more amp meters and said one or more voltage meters.
In the most preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary electrical supply, said apparatus comprising: a back board, said backboard comprising one or more handles, said handles being capable of supporting said apparatus; a breaker box, said breaker box being mounted on said back board, said breaker box comprising: a breaker box door, a circuit breaker array, said circuit breaker array comprising: a main breaker, and one or more dedicated breakers; a power supply receiver, said power supply receiver being connected to said breaker box through a power supply conduit; an outlet box, said outlet box being mounted to said back board and connected to said breaker box, said outlet box comprising: a meter array, said meter array comprising: one or more amp meters, said amp meters being capable of detecting current information, and one or more voltage meters, said voltage meters being capable of detecting voltage information; and an electrical plug array, said electrical plug array comprising: one or more electrical plugs, each said electrical plug having one said dedicated breaker and being capable of being monitored by said amp meters and said voltage meters; wherein temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said main breaker, through said one or more dedicated breakers, and out of said one or more electrical plugs; and wherein said temporary electrical power for each said one or more electrical plugs is monitored by said one or more amp meters and said one or more voltage meters. In sum, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention provides a safe and convenient means of supplying a portable monitored temporary electrical power source.
Illustrative and preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
For the purpose of illustration, the present invention is shown in the most preferred embodiment of a temporary electrical panel apparatus, which provides an array of monitored electric plugs and is portable. Additionally, present invention is shown in the more preferred embodiment of a temporary electrical panel apparatus with support skids and access doors, which provides an array of monitored electric plugs and is portable. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The Temporary Electrical Panel invention was developed in part to provide an apparatus for providing and monitoring a temporary supply electrical power. Referring now to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, in
Referring still to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, in
The construction details of the invention as shown in
Referring now to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in
Referring still to the preferred embodiment of the invention in
The construction details of the invention as shown in
The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it provides a portable means of supplying temporary electrical power, which is monitored. Further, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention provides a strong and lightweight apparatus with a means for lifting into order to provide superior portability to a temporary location. Additionally, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention provides temporary power to a remote location without a primary power source. The Temporary Electrical Panel invention also provides temporary power at different phases. Moreover, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention monitors current and voltage of supplied temporary power in order to prevent insufficient power, fires, electrical shock, damaged equipment, or other detrimental outcomes. In sum, the Temporary Electrical Panel invention provides a safe and convenient means of supplying a portable monitored temporary electrical power source.
In broad embodiment, the present invention relates generally to an apparatus, which provides a portable temporary electrical supply with an array of circuit breakers, and an array of electrical plugs with built-in voltage and amp meters for monitoring the corresponding phase.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. A portable apparatus for providing and monitoring temporary electrical power, said portable apparatus comprising:
- a first power leg, said first power leg being capable of receiving a first power portion of said temporary electrical power, said first power leg comprising: a plurality of first branches, said first branches being arranged electrically in parallel with of each other;
- a second power leg, said second power leg being capable of receiving a second power portion of said temporary electrical power, said second power leg comprising: a plurality of second branches, said second branches being arranged electrically in parallel with each other;
- a back board, said back board comprising one or more handles, said one or more handles being capable of supporting said portable apparatus;
- a breaker box, said breaker box being mounted on said back board, said breaker box comprising: a circuit breaker array, said circuit breaker array comprising: a main breaker, said main breaker comprising: a first interruptible path, said first interruptible path being capable of receiving and interrupting said first power portion of said temporary electrical power, and a second interruptible path, said second interruptible path being capable of receiving and interrupting said second power portion of said temporary electrical power, a plurality of first leg dedicated branch breakers, said first leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of receiving said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker and arranged electrically in parallel with each other, each of said first leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of independently interrupting said first power portion of said temporary electrical power flowing through a corresponding one of said first branches of said first power leg, and a plurality of second leg dedicated branch breakers, said second leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of receiving said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker and arranged electrically in parallel with each other, each of said second leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of independently interrupting said second power portion of said temporary electrical power flowing through a corresponding one of said second branches of said second power leg, and; a breaker box door, said breaker box door being capable of covering said circuit breaker array when closed;
- a power supply receiver, said power supply receiver being connected to said breaker box through a power supply conduit;
- an outlet box, said outlet box being mounted to said back board and electrically connected to said breaker box, said outlet box comprising: an electrical plug array, said electrical plug array comprising: a plurality of first leg electrical plugs, each of said first leg electrical plugs being electrically connected to a respective one of said first leg dedicated branch breakers forming first leg breaker-plug pairs, and a plurality of second leg electrical plugs, each of said second leg electrical plugs being electrically connected to a respective one of said second leg dedicated branch breakers forming second leg breaker-plug pairs; and a meter array, said meter array comprising: a first leg amp meter, said first leg amp meter being capable of detecting current information flowing through said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker, a second leg amp meter, said second leg amp meter being capable of detecting current information flowing through said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker, a first leg voltage meter, said first leg voltage meter being capable of detecting voltage information of said first power leg, and a said second leg voltage meter, said second leg voltage meter being capable of detecting voltage information of said second power leg;
- wherein said first power portion of said temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said first interruptible path of said main breaker, and to each of said first leg breaker-plug pairs;
- wherein said second power portion of said temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said second interruptible path of said main breaker, and to each of said second leg breaker-plug pairs;
- wherein said temporary electrical power flowing through said first power leg is monitored by said first leg amp meter and said first leg voltage meter, said first leg amp meter being capable of outputting said current information flowing through said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker, and said first leg voltage meter being capable of outputting said voltage information across said first power leg; and
- wherein said temporary electrical power flowing through said second power leg is monitored by said second leg amp meter and said second leg voltage meter, said second leg amp meter being capable of outputting current information flowing through said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker, and said second leg voltage meter being capable of outputting said voltage information across said second power leg.
2. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first leg amp meter, said second leg amp meter, said first leg voltage meter, and said second leg voltage meter are combined into a single computerized unit with a display.
3. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first leg electrical plugs are color coded differently than said second leg electrical plugs.
4. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first leg electrical plugs and said second leg electrical plugs are tamper resistant.
5. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first leg electrical plugs and said second leg electrical plugs are ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected.
6. A portable apparatus for providing and monitoring temporary electrical power, said portable apparatus comprising:
- a first power leg, said first power leg being capable of receiving a first power portion of said temporary electrical power, said first power leg comprising: a plurality of first branches, said first branches being arranged electrically in parallel with of each other;
- a second power leg, said second power leg being capable of receiving a second power portion of said temporary electrical power, said second power leg comprising: a plurality of second branches, said second branches being arranged electrically in parallel with each other;
- a breaker compartment, said breaker compartment comprising: a circuit breaker array, said circuit breaker array comprising: a main breaker, said main breaker comprising: a first interruptible path, said first interruptible path being capable of receiving and interrupting said first power portion of said temporary electrical power, and a second interruptible path, said second interruptible path being capable of receiving and interrupting said second power portion of said temporary electrical power, a plurality of first leg dedicated branch breakers, said first leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of receiving said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker and arranged electrically in parallel with each other, each of said first leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of independently interrupting said first power portion of said temporary electrical power flowing through a corresponding one of said first branches of said first power leg, and a plurality of second leg dedicated branch breakers, said second leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of receiving said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker and arranged electrically in parallel with each other, each of said second leg dedicated branch breakers being capable of independently interrupting said second power portion of said temporary electrical power flowing through a corresponding one of said second branches of said second power leg;
- an outer cover, said outer cover comprising a top panel, said top panel comprising: one or more handles, said one or more handles being capable of supporting said portable apparatus; a front panel, said front panel comprising: a front panel hinge, and an electrical plug panel, said electrical plug panel depending from said front panel hinge and being capable of opening, said electrical plug panel comprising: a front latch, an electrical plug array, said electrical plug array comprising: a plurality of first leg electrical plugs, each of said first leg electrical plugs being electrically connected to a respective one of said first leg dedicated branch breakers forming first leg breaker-plug pairs, and a plurality of second leg electrical plugs, each of said second leg electrical plugs being electrically connected to a respective one of said second leg dedicated branch breakers forming second leg breaker-plug pairs, and a meter array, said meter array comprising: a first leg amp meter, said first leg amp meter being capable of detecting current information flowing through said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker, a second leg amp meter, said second leg amp meter being capable of detecting current information flowing through said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker, a first leg voltage meter, said first leg voltage meter being capable of detecting voltage information of said first power leg, and said second leg voltage meter, said second leg voltage meter being capable of detecting voltage information of said second power leg; and a rear panel, said rear panel comprising: a rear panel hinge, and a rear panel door, said rear panel door depending from said rear panel hinge and being capable of covering said breaker compartment when closed, said rear panel door comprising: a rear latch; a right-side panel, said right-side panel comprising: a power supply receiver, and a power switch panel, said power switch panel comprising: a power switch; a left-side panel; and a bottom panel; and
- support skids, said support skids depending from said bottom panel of said outer cover; wherein said first portion of said temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker, and to each of said first leg breaker-plug pairs; wherein said second power portion of said temporary electrical power is supplied through said power supply receiver, through said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker, and to each of said second leg breaker-plug pairs; wherein said temporary electrical power flowing through said first power leg is monitored by said first leg amp meter and said first leg voltage meter, said first leg amp meter being capable of outputting current information flowing through said first power portion from said first interruptible path of said main breaker, and said first leg voltage meter being capable of outputting said voltage information across said first power leg; and wherein said temporary electrical power flowing through said second power leg is monitored by said second leg amp meter and said second leg voltage meter, said second leg amp meter being capable of outputting current information flowing through said second power portion from said second interruptible path of said main breaker, and said second leg voltage meter being capable of outputting said voltage information across said second power leg.
7. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first leg amp meter, said second leg amp meter, said first leg voltage meter, and said second leg voltage meter are combined into a single computerized unit with a display.
8. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first leg electrical plugs and said second leg electrical plugs are color coded.
9. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first leg electrical plugs and said second leg electrical plugs are tamper resistant.
10. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first leg electrical plugs and said second leg electrical plugs are ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected.
11. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first leg amp meter and said first leg voltage meter are a combined first leg amp-voltage meter, and wherein said second leg amp meter and said second leg voltage meter are a combined second leg amp-voltage meter.
12. The portable apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first leg amp meter and said first leg voltage meter are a combined first leg amp-voltage meter, and wherein said second leg amp meter and said second leg voltage meter are a combined second leg amp-voltage meter.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 10, 2020
Publication Date: Dec 16, 2021
Inventor: Richard Lee (Leander, TX)
Application Number: 16/897,840