Electrical enclosures with removable end plate

Electrical enclosure assemblies, electrical service enclosures, and methods of assembling an electrical enclosure assembly are presented herein. An electrical enclosure assembly for housing electrical components of an electrical distribution system is disclosed. The enclosure assembly includes a plurality of sidewalls interconnected to define therebetween a mounting space within which are mounted the electrical components, and define at one end thereof an open endface. An endwall guide extends from one or more of the sidewalls into the mounting space. The endwall guide includes a plurality of elongated slots, a plurality of projections, or both. The enclosure assembly also includes an endwall configured to at least partially close off the open endface. The endwall includes a plurality of elongated slots, a plurality of projections, or both. Each of the projections is configured to fit into and secure with a respective elongated slot to thereby removably mount the endwall to the sidewalls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical distribution systems, and more particularly to electrical enclosures and other protective housings for electrical components in an electrical distribution system.

BACKGROUND

Conventional utility networks supply utilities for commercial, residential and industrial purposes. In a typical electrical distribution system, for example, electrical energy is generated by an electrical supplier or utility company and distributed to consumers via a power distribution network. The power distribution network is often a network of electrical distribution wires (more commonly known as “electrical transmission lines”) which link the electrical supplier to its consumers. Additional devices, such as bus bars, switches (e.g., breakers or disconnectors), power transformers, and instrument transformers, which are typically arranged in switch yards and/or bays, are automated for controlling, protecting, measuring, and monitoring of substations.

Typically, electricity from a utility is fed from a primary station over a distribution cable to several local substations. At the local substations, the supply is transformed by distribution transformers from a relatively high voltage on the distributor cable to a lower voltage at which it is supplied to the end consumer. From the local substations, the power is provided to industrial users over a distributed power network that supplies power to various loads. Such loads may include, for example, various power machines, lighting, HVAC systems, etc.

Electrical distribution panels (or “load centers”) are used widely in residential and commercial applications to house and protect electrical components. In centrally located electrical power distribution centers, for example, several electrical distribution panels are mounted together to house the main disconnect switches, multimeter centers, circuit breaker units, and bus bar ducting systems. These power distribution centers include a main bus bar arrangement that functions to connect the main electrical service entrance with a number of branch circuits. Other distribution panel assemblies are also known, including breaker panels which operate to divide electrical power into subsidiary circuits, while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit.

Indoor electrical enclosures, such as low-voltage, circuit protection load centers, often have a protective box with an open side for access to the interior of the enclosure. Prior art distribution panel enclosures typically comprise a container made of folded sheet metal or joined metal panels. The enclosure, in turn, is covered by a trim panel that is attached to the box with screws or bolts. The trim panel generally has a hinged access door which can be opened and closed for access to the circuit breaker actuation handles or other components located inside the distribution panel. The individual electrical components are mounted on a back-plate or back-panel that is secured to the interior of the enclosure case. The enclosure can be either surface mounted on a wall with the sides of the load center exposed, or flush mounted between studs or finished wall support members such that the finished wall surface, when installed, will be approximately flush with the outside edge of the load center enclosure.

Electrical enclosures are often required to accommodate a variety of component layouts, including acclimatizing to layouts with different sizes, numbers and arrangements of electrical conduits that pass through the enclosure. Some endwalls are provided with preformed “knock-out” openings through which the cables pass. However, knockout openings cannot be provided to accommodate every conceivable component layout. In other designs, holes must be cut in the endwall(s) to install conduits or other raceways intended to enter the enclosed panelboard. Aligning the cutouts in the endwall with the conduit, however, is often a very difficult and time-consuming task as the installer is typically required to take the entire enclosure off the wall, align and cut the holes, and remount the enclosure on the wall. There is therefore a need for an electrical enclosure design that allows for modification of the enclosure endwalls without dismounting the entire enclosure and without undermining the structural integrity and weather-resistant nature of the enclosure.

SUMMARY

The ability to remove the enclosure endwalls in the field during the installation of a device or additional circuits is a common requirement in order to locate the openings for wiring the enclosed components by ensuring the proper connection of the enclosure with a corresponding wireway. Electrical enclosure assemblies are disclosed herein that enhance the capability for removing and installing the top and bottom endwall(s), while maintaining build requirements such as weatherproof protection and preventing unauthorized access. Some of the disclosed configurations minimize or otherwise eliminate the need for screws and other threaded fasteners to attach the endwalls. Since fewer/no openings in the endwall surfaces are required to remove and/or reinstall the endwall, the potential ingress of weather elements is minimized. Some of the disclosed configurations eliminate fasteners in locations that are difficult to access and, thus, difficult to manipulate with standard hand tools. Some of the disclosed configurations also prevent vandalism by packing the fasteners such that they cannot be removed from the outside of the enclosure. Additional benefits of some of the disclosed concepts include improving the alignment of electrical wires during installation without undermining the weatherproof nature or the restricted access requirements of the enclosure.

In accord with some of the disclosed concepts, an endwall can be attached to the enclosure in three steps: first, interlocking a set of projections (e.g., shoulder rivets) fastened to the endwall with complementary slots (e.g., keyholes) in brackets attached to the sidewalls of the enclosure; second, with the rivets inserted into the major opening of the keyholes, the endwall is slid in a predefined direction until the rivets touch a narrowed opening of the keyholes and holes located in the back of the endwall align with clearance holes located in the box blank; and, third, fasten the endwall (e.g., with screws) from the inside of the enclosure by using the concentric positions of the endwall and the box blank.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an electrical enclosure assembly is presented for housing one or more electrical components of an electrical distribution system. The electrical enclosure assembly includes a plurality of sidewalls that are interconnected to define therebetween a mounting space within which are mounted the one or more electrical components. The sidewalls also define at a first end thereof an open endface. An endwall guide extends from one or more of the sidewalls into the mounting space. The endwall guide includes a plurality of elongated slots, a plurality of projections, or both. The electrical enclosure assembly also includes an endwall that is configured to at least partially close off the open endface. The endwall includes the other of the plurality of elongated slots, the plurality of projections, or both, Each of the projections is configured to fit into and secure with a respective one of the elongated slots to thereby removably mount the endwall to the one or more of the sidewalls.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an electrical service enclosure, which includes a parallelepiped enclosure box, a bottom endplate and a pan-shaped top hood. The enclosure box includes a right-side and a left-side enclosure sidewall, a backside enclosure wall, and open front, top, and bottom faces. A right-side endwall guide, which includes a first set of keyhole openings, extends from the right-side enclosure sidewall proximate to the open top face into the interior of the enclosure box. In addition, a left-side endwall guide, which includes a second set of keyhole openings, extends from the left-side enclosure sidewall proximate to the top face into the interior of the enclosure box. The enclosure box also includes a reinforcement panel that is attached to both the right-side and left-side enclosure sidewalls and extends into the interior of the enclosure box. The electrical service enclosure also includes an access door and a bottom endplate that is attached to one or more of the enclosure sidewalls of the enclosure box to thereby cover the open bottom face. A pan-shaped top hood covers the top face of the enclosure box. The top hood has an imperforate major-plane face and four hood walls extending therefrom. The hood walls are collectively configured to surround an outer periphery of the enclosure box proximate to the top face. A first pair of the hood walls each has a respective mounting rail extending inwardly therefrom and fitted with rivets for mating with the keyhole openings in a respective one of the endwall guides. A second pair of the hood walls includes a front hood wall that is configured to overlay the reinforcement panel, and a back hood wall that is configured to abut the backside enclosure wall of the enclosure box and be mechanically fastened thereto from inside the enclosure box. The bottom endplate, access door, and top hood are cooperatively configured to close off the open bottom face, front face, and top face, respectively, such that the electrical service enclosure is substantially weatherproof

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of assembling an electrical enclosure assembly for housing one or more electrical components of an electrical distribution system. The method includes: connecting a plurality of sidewalls to define therebetween a mounting space within which is mounted the one or more electrical components and define an open endface at one end thereof; attaching an endwall guide to one or more of the sidewalls such that the endwall guide extends into the mounting space, the endwall guide including a plurality of elongated slots or a plurality of projections, or both; providing a removable endwall that is configured to at least partially close off the open endface, the endwall including the other of the plurality of elongated slots or the plurality of projections, or both; and mounting the removable endwall to the one or more of the sidewalls by fitting each of the projections into a major portion of a respective one of the elongated slots, and sliding the endwall in a locking direction to thereby move each of the projections from the major portion into a narrowed portion of the respective one of the elongated slots.

The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an exemplification of some of the novel features included herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and best modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the several views,FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary electrical enclosure assembly, designated generally as10, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The electrical enclosure assemblies disclosed herein may take on various forms, some in the nature of an electrical service enclosure, panelboard, or load center, functioning to house one or more electrical components of an electrical distribution system. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, for example, the electrical enclosure assembly10is a 1000-1200 A Meter Center Main (Circuit Breaker) panelboard that houses, among other things, a circuit breaker11, represented herein by a PGP36120U31A 1200 Amp, 3-Pole, 240 Volt, Bolt-On Circuit Breaker available from Schneider Electric (Square D Co.) of Saanichton, B.C. Canada. In some embodiments, the enclosures disclosed herein can be a rainproof NEMA Type 3R meter center for use on alternating current (AC) systems. The enclosures can also be suitable for use as service equipment, and can be suitable for use on the line side of service equipment. The enclosures can be provided with mounting brackets or other means for mounting the enclosure assembly to a mounting surface. In addition, the drawings presented herein are not to scale and are provided purely for instructional purposes. Thus, the specific and relative dimensions shown in the drawings are not to be considered limiting.

The electrical enclosure assembly10includes an enclosure box, indicated generally at12, with a plurality of sidewalls that are interconnected to define therebetween a mounting space within which are mounted the electrical components (e.g., the circuit breaker11) of the electrical distribution system. Although alternative shapes are certainly envisioned as being within the scope of the present disclosure, the enclosure box10ofFIG. 1is portrayed with a parallelepiped shape having six rectangular, generally flat outer faces. These faces are respectively defined by a first (or “right-side”) enclosure sidewall14, a second (or “left-side”) enclosure sidewall16, a backside enclosure wall (or “backpanel”)18, which is configured to attach with and support electrical components, a first endwall (or “bottom endplate”)20, a second endwall (or “top hood”)22, and a front-side wall which is collectively defined by a two-part access door (i.e., top and bottom covers24and26, respectively). It is envisioned that the electrical enclosure assembly10include greater or fewer than six faces, each of which may take on a different size and/or shape than that which is shown in the drawings. In this regard, two or more of the enclosure walls may be formed as a single-piece structure, such as a piece of sheet metal that is bent or stamped into the desired form, for example.

The first and second enclosure sidewalls14,16are interconnected, e.g., via the backside enclosure wall18, to define a number of open faces. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, each of the sidewalls14,16is a quadrilateral panel with one of more bent edges15and17, respectively, extending generally orthogonally therefrom (see, e.g., inset view ofFIG. 2with enlarged illustration of sidewall14and bent edge15). Each of the bent edges15,17is attached to the backpanel18via Taptite® screws32or other attachment means, e.g., via rivets, bolts, crimping, or welding. In addition, a generally rectangular reinforcement panel34spans across the mounting space along a lower, forward portion of the electrical enclosure assembly10proximate an open bottom face30thereof. Closed-end rivets36or other attachment means attach each of the enclosure sidewalls14,16to a respective lateral endwall (not visible in the views provided) of the reinforcement panel34. Optionally, silicone caulking can be provided along the various joining regions, fastener holes, etc., of the electrical enclosure assembly10to ensure a proper weatherproof seal. In contrast to the removable bottom endplate20, it may be desirable that the enclosure sidewalls14,16and backside enclosure wall18be permanently attached together.

The enclosure sidewalls14,16ofFIGS. 1 and 2cooperatively define an open front face28, which provides access to the components housed inside the electrical enclosure assembly10, and a first open endface (also referred to herein as “open bottom face”)30, which provides access, for example, for an underground line feed. By way of contrast, and not limitation,FIG. 3is a partially exploded perspective-view illustration of another exemplary electrical enclosure assembly100, which includes a first enclosure sidewall114and a second enclosure sidewall116that are interconnected via a backside enclosure wall118to define an open front face128, which provides access to the inside the electrical enclosure assembly100, and a second open endface (also referred to herein as “open top face”)130, which provides access, for example, for an overhead line feed. In optional configurations, an electrical enclosure assembly could be designed with both an open top face and an open bottom face.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the top hood22closes off and provides a generally weatherproof seal to the top face of the electrical enclosure assembly10. The top hood22ofFIGS. 1 and 2includes a generally flat crown portion21with four edges that extend generally orthogonally from the crown portion21and are joined together (e.g., via welding) to form a flanged edge23that extends substantially continuously around an outer periphery thereof. The enclosure sidewalls14,16are each attached to a respective lateral side-portion of the flanged edge23, e.g., via closed-end rivets36or other attachment means. In contrast, the backpanel18is attached to a rear portion of the flanged edge23, which may also be by way of closed-end rivets36or other attachment means. When properly seated on top of the enclosure assembly10and attached to the enclosure sidewalls14,16, as seen inFIG. 1, the flanged edge23of the top hood22fits around the outer periphery of the top endface. In so doing, the top hood22configuration operates to minimize or otherwise prevent the ingress of weather elements (e.g., rain, dust, snow, etc.) into the enclosure assembly10. It may be desirable that the top hood22be permanently attached to the enclosure sidewalls14,16and/or the backside enclosure wall18. Alternatively, the top hood22can be configured, e.g., similarly to the top hood122ofFIG. 3, to removably mount to the enclosure box12.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, an access door operates to at least partially close off the front face of the electrical enclosure assembly10. The access door is portrayed inFIG. 1as a two-part assembly with a top cover24and a bottom cover26which cooperatively close off the front of the enclosure assembly10. To accommodate the access door, the electrical enclosure assembly is provided with a pair of tracks38and40, each of which projects from a forward edge of the first and second enclosure sidewalls14,16, respectively, on the opposite side of the bent edges15,17. The door covers24,26are mounted to the tracks38,40of the enclosure sidewalls14,16such that the door covers24,26can be selectively transitioned (e.g., using door handles42and44) from a closed position, whereat the door-covers24,26generally seal the front of the enclosure assembly10, to an open position, whereat the door-covers24,26provide access to the mounting space within the enclosure assembly10. In alternate arrangements, the access door can consist generally of a single door-panel, which can be slidably mounted to guide tracks or, alternatively, can be hinged to one or more of the sidewalls to provide a more traditional swinging door arrangement.

At least one, and in some embodiments both of the enclosure sidewalls14,16includes a respective aperture46(or “cross bus opening”) through which the enclosure assembly10can receive, for example, an electrical bus bar. Each aperture46is initially closed off by a respective side-cap assembly shown generally comprising a side cap48that spans and covers the aperture46, as well as a gasket50that provides a mechanical seal between the side cap48and enclosure sidewall16. As seen inFIG. 2, the side cap48and gasket50are removably attached to the left-side enclosure sidewall16via bolts52or other fastening means to facilitate installation of the electrical bus bar after the electrical enclosure assembly is already mounted.

The bottom endplate20ofFIGS. 1 and 2, in collaboration with the reinforcement panel34, closes off and/or generally seals the open bottom face30of the electrical enclosure assembly10. The bottom endplate20is shown inFIG. 5as a generally rectangular, blank plate that is preferably fabricated, in at least some embodiments, from a material through which holes can be readily cut. The bottom endplate20includes a generally flat base portion25with a pair of opposing lateral edges27, and a front lip29in opposing spaced relation to a rear edge31, all of which extend generally orthogonally from the base portion25. A number of through holes35are provided in the rear edge31to receive Taptite® screws32or other attachment means for rigidly securing the bottom endplate20to the enclosure box12, e.g., via the backpanel18. Optionally, the base portion25of the bottom endplate20can be fabricated with one or more pre-sized and positioned knockout openings.

The bottom endplate20ofFIG. 2is removably attached to the enclosure assembly10such that the bottom endplate20can be removed before and/or after installing the electrical enclosure assembly10. At least one, and in the illustrated embodiment two endwall guides—a first (or “right-side”) endwall guide54and a second (or “left-side”) endwall guide56, are attached to and extend inwardly from the first and second enclosure sidewalls14,16, respectively, into the mounting space of the enclosure box12. As best seen inFIGS. 6A and 6B, each of the endwall guides54,56is an elongated L-shaped bracket with a stem portion55extending generally orthogonally from an arm portion57. The arm portion57includes one or more rivet holes59through which rivets or other fastening means can be passed to thereby mount the endwall guide54,56to the sidewalls of the enclosure box12. In contrast, the stem portion55of the endwall guide54,56includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots60(also referred to herein as “first set of keyhole openings” for the first endwall guide54and “second set of keyhole openings” for the second endwall guide54, or generally as “keyhole” or “keyholes”).

The bottom endplate20removably mounts to the enclosure sidewalls14,16of the enclosure box12by mating with and securing to the endwall guides54,56. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the bottom endplate20includes a plurality of projections62which protrude from an outside surface thereof. In particular, a first set of flat-head projections62A (e.g., shoulder rivets) is aligned along a right-hand side of the bottom endplate20, and a second set of flat-head projections62B is aligned along a left-hand side of the bottom endplate20. As best seen in the inset view ofFIG. 2, each projection62is configured to fit into and secure with a respective one of the elongated slots60of the endwall guide54,56to thereby removably mount the bottom endplate20to the enclosure sidewalls14,16.

With reference again toFIGS. 6A and 6B, each of the elongated slots60, commonly called a ‘key hole’ slot, includes a major portion61integrally formed with and connected to a narrowed portion63. The major portion61is sized to receive therethrough the head of a respective projection62. Contrastingly, the narrowed portion63is sized to receive therethrough the neck, but not the head of a respective projection62. As such, sliding each of the projections from the major portion61to the narrowed portion63operates to secure the projection62in the elongated slot60. In some embodiments a “two channel” key hole slot with a single, central large-diameter opening and two opposed, narrower channels extending therefrom can be used. The endwall guides54,56are positioned, as seen inFIG. 2, such that the endwall20is disposed inside the mounting space between the enclosure sidewalls14,16when the projections62secure with the elongated slots60. In some embodiments, each of the projections is a pan-head rivet or a flat-head rivet. In alternative configurations, the bottom endplate20is fabricated with the elongated slots60, and the endwall guides54,56are fabricated with the projections62. As another optional configuration, the bottom endplate20can be fabricated with both elongated slots60and projections62, each of which mates with a complementary elongated slot60or projection62on one of the endwall guides54,56.

Referring next toFIG. 3, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components fromFIGS. 1 and 2, another exemplary electrical enclosure assembly100is portrayed in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Unless indicated otherwise, the electrical enclosure assembly100can be similarly configured to the electrical enclosure assembly10and, thus, can include any of the options and alternatives described above with respect to the enclosure assembly10ofFIGS. 1 and 2. By way of non-limiting example, the electrical enclosure assembly100also includes an enclosure box112with interconnected sidewalls that define therebetween a mounting space within which is mounted one or more electrical components of an electrical distribution system. The enclosure assembly100includes a first (or “right-side”) enclosure sidewall114, a second (or “left-side”) enclosure sidewall116, a backside enclosure wall (or “backpanel”)118, a first endwall (or “bottom endplate”)120, and a second endwall (or “pan-shaped top hood”)122. The electrical enclosure assembly100can also include an access door, such as the two-part cover assembly24,26shown inFIG. 1. Each sidewall114,116includes a bent edge115and117, respectively, that is attached to the backpanel118via Taptite® screws132or other attachment means. In addition, a reinforcement panel134spans across the mounting space along an upper, forward portion of the electrical enclosure assembly100proximate the open top face130thereof. Closed-end rivets136or other attachment means attach each of the enclosure sidewalls114,116to a respective lateral endwall135of the reinforcement panel134(only one of which is visible inFIG. 3, but a second, identical endwall is positioned at the opposite end of the reinforcement panel134).

In contrast to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom endplate120ofFIG. 3is rigidly attached to the enclosure box112, closing off and providing a generally weatherproof seal to the bottom face of the electrical enclosure assembly100. The bottom endplate120includes a generally flat base portion125with opposing lateral edges (not visible in the view provided), a front lip129, and a rear edge (not visible in the view provided), all of which extend generally orthogonally from the base portion125. Taptite® screws32or other attachment means rigidly secure the bottom endplate120to the enclosure box112, e.g., via the enclosure sidewalls114,116and backpanel118. Optional alternative arrangements may include the bottom endplate120being configured, e.g., similarly to the bottom endplate20ofFIG. 2, to removably mount to the enclosure box112.

Also similar to the enclosure assembly10ofFIGS. 1 and 2, each of the enclosure sidewalls114,116ofFIG. 3includes a respective aperture146(or “cross bus opening”) through which the enclosure assembly100can receive, for example, an electrical bus bar. Each aperture146is initially closed off by a respective side-cap assembly shown generally comprising a side cap148that spans and covers the aperture146, as well as a gasket150that provides a mechanical seal between the side cap148and enclosure sidewall114,116.

The top hood122ofFIG. 3closes off, covers, and/or generally seals the open top face130of the electrical enclosure assembly100. The top hood122is shown inFIG. 4with a generally flat and generally rectangular, imperforate crown portion121(also referred to herein as “major-plane face”) that is preferably fabricated, in at least some embodiments, from a material through which holes can be readily cut. Four edges123-126(also referred to herein as “hood walls”) extend generally orthogonally from the crown portion121. The hood walls123-126are joined together (e.g., via welding) to form a flanged edge that extends substantially continuously around an outer periphery of the crown portion121. When properly seated on top of the enclosure assembly100and secured to the enclosure sidewalls114,116, as developed in further detail below, the joined hood walls123-126fit around the outer periphery of the open top endface130. For instance, a first pair of generally parallel, opposing hood walls123,124are designed to abut or oppose the outside surfaces of the first and second enclosure sidewalls114,116, respectively. By way of contrast, a second pair of generally parallel, opposing hood walls includes a front hood wall125that is configured to overlay a front lip of the reinforcement panel134, and a back hood wall135that is configured to abut the backside enclosure wall118of the enclosure box112and be mechanically fastened thereto from inside the enclosure box112. To this end, a number of through holes135are provided in the rear wall126, for example, to receive Taptite® screws32or other attachment means for rigidly securing the top hood122to the enclosure box112, e.g., via the backpanel118. In so doing, the top hood122configuration operates to minimize or otherwise prevent the ingress of weather elements (e.g., rain, dust, snow, etc.) into the enclosure assembly100.

The top hood122ofFIGS. 3 and 4is removably attached to the enclosure assembly100such that the top hood122can be removed before and/or after installing the electrical enclosure assembly100. At least one, and in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 3two endwall guides—a first (or “right-side”) endwall guide with a first set of keyhole openings (e.g., right-side endwall guide54ofFIG. 2) and a second (or “left-side”) endwall guide156with a second set of keyhole openings, are attached to the first and second enclosure sidewalls114,116, respectively, proximate to the open top face130, and extend inwardly into the mounting space of the enclosure box112. Similar to the endwall guides54,56ofFIG. 2, the endwall guides ofFIG. 3can be structurally identical to the endwall guides illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6Band, thus, can include any of the options and alternatives described above with respect to the endwall guides54,56ofFIG. 2.

The top hood122removably mounts to the enclosure sidewalls114,116by mating with and securing to the one or more endwall guides of the enclosure box112. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the top hood122includes a pair of mounting rails—i.e., a first (or “right-side”) mounting rail170and a second (or “left-side”) mounting rail172, each of which is attached to and projects inwardly from a respective hood wall123,124. As best seen inFIG. 4, each of the mounting rails170,172is an elongated L-shaped bracket with a respective stem portion171and173that extends generally orthogonally from a respective arm portion175and177. The arm portions175,177each includes one or more rivet holes179through which rivets or other fastening means can be passed to thereby fasten the mounting rail170,172to a respective hood wall123,124. In contrast, the stem portion171of the first mounting rail170includes a first set of flat-head projections162A that are aligned along the right-hand side of the top hood122, whereas the stem portion173of the second mounting rail172includes a second set of flat-head projections162B that are aligned along the left-hand side of the top hood122. Analogous to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, each projection162is configured to fit into and secure with a respective one of the elongated slots160of an endwall guide156, as best seen in the inset view ofFIG. 3, to thereby removably mount the top hood122to the enclosure sidewalls114,116. The mounting rails170,172are shown projecting from inside surfaces of the top hood122such that the mounting rails170,172attach to the endwall guides of the enclosure box122via securing the projections162with the elongated slots160inside the mounting space between the enclosure sidewalls114,116. The bottom endplate120, access door (access door24,26ofFIG. 1), and top hood122are cooperatively configured to close off the bottom face, front face, and top face of the enclosure box112, respectively, such that the electrical service enclosure100is substantially weatherproof.

In some of the disclosed embodiments, the removable endwalls eliminate the need to align conduits with pre-fabricated knockouts openings. The removable endwalls, according to some of the disclosed concepts, provide an expedient means for passing wire conduits through the top and/or bottom of the electrical enclosure. In so doing, the electrical panel enclosure can be installed before cutting the openings. The removable endwalls allow the user to easily remove and replace the endwall, and directly transpose conduit profiles after the electrical enclosure has been mounted.

Methods of assembling an electrical enclosure assembly are also disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method is applicable to both the electrical enclosure assembly10ofFIGS. 1 and 2and the electrical enclosure assembly100ofFIGS. 3 and 4. The method comprises, inter alia, connecting together a plurality of sidewalls (e.g., first and second enclosure sidewalls14,16) to define therebetween a mounting space within which can be mounted one or more electrical components of an electrical distribution system, and to define an open endface at one end thereof. This step may include fastening (e.g., via Taptite® screws32) a portion of each enclosure sidewall to a backside enclosure wall (e.g., backpanel18ofFIG. 2). The method also includes attaching one or more endwall guides (e.g., first and second endwall guides54,56) each to one or more of the enclosure sidewalls such that each endwall guide extends into the mounting space. Each endwall guide includes a plurality of elongated slots (e.g., keyholes60ofFIGS. 6A and 6B), a plurality of projections (e.g., flat-head rivets62ofFIG. 2), or both.

The method further comprises providing a removable endwall (e.g., bottom endplate20ofFIG. 2and/or top hood122ofFIG. 3) that is configured to at least partially close off the open endface. The endwall includes the other of the plurality of elongated slots or the plurality of projections (or both). The method then includes mounting the endwall to the enclosure sidewalls by fitting each of the projections into a major portion (e.g.,61ofFIG. 6B) of a respective one of the elongated slots, and sliding the endwall in a locking direction (e.g., from the front to the rear of the enclosure box12ofFIG. 2, or from the rear to the front of the enclosure box112ofFIG. 3) to thereby move each of the projections from the major portion into a narrowed portion (e.g.,63ofFIG. 6B) of the respective one of the elongated slots. In so doing, the endwall is secured to the endwall guide(s) and, thus, the enclosure sidewall(s). The removable endwall may then be rigidly secured to the enclosure box, for example, by riveting the removable endwall to the backside enclosure wall.

In some embodiments, mounting the endwall to the enclosure box includes aligning one or more mounting rails projecting from the endwall (e.g., mounting rails170,172ofFIG. 4) with the endwall guide(s) such that the projections align with and fit into the elongated slots. In some embodiments, the mounting rail(s) projects from an inside surface of the endwall such that the mounting rail attaches to the endwall guide via securing the projections with the elongated slots inside the mounting space between the enclosure sidewalls. In other embodiments, the endwall guide(s) is positioned such that the endwall is disposed inside the mounting space between the enclosure sidewalls when the projections secure with the elongated slots. In some embodiments, the method includes at least those steps enumerated above. It is also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure to omit steps, include additional steps, and/or modify the order presented above.

Words of approximation, such as “about,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, are used herein in the sense of “at, or nearly at,” for example, when given the manufacturing, design, and material tolerances inherent in the stated circumstances and are used to prevent the unscrupulous infringer from unfairly taking advantage of this disclosure where exact or absolute figures and operational or structural relationships are stated as an aid to understanding the invention.

While exemplary embodiments and applications of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. To that extent, elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly or collectively, by implication, inference or otherwise.