Patent Publication Number: US-11662105-B2

Title: Electrical housing for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of India Provisional Application Serial No. 202011004416, entitled “ELECTRICAL HOUSING FOR HEATING VENTILATION AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM,” filed Jan. 31, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure and are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be noted that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems are utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial environments to control environmental properties, such as temperature and humidity, for occupants of the respective environments. An HVAC system may control the environmental properties through control of a supply air flow delivered to the environment. For example, the HVAC system may place the supply air flow in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant of a vapor compression circuit to condition the supply air flow. The HVAC system may include various electrical components configured to operate the HVAC system. Some of these electrical components may be high voltage components, and other electrical components may be low voltage components. In conventional approaches, the HVAC system may include separate housing areas for high voltage electrical components and low voltage electrical components. For example, a housing of the HVAC system may include substantial and separate portions that each respectively accommodate high voltage or low voltage electrical components. It is now recognized that there is a need to improve the arrangement and efficiency of such systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be noted that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a housing having a base wall, a first electrical component coupled to the base wall, a panel movably coupled to the housing and configured to transition between a closed configuration that defines an air gap between the panel and the base wall and that blocks access to the first electrical component and an open configuration that enables access to the first electrical component, and a second electrical component coupled to the panel. The second electrical component is disposed on a side of the panel opposite the air gap in the closed configuration of the panel. 
     In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a base wall coupled to a side wall, a high voltage power component coupled to the base wall, and a panel coupled to the side wall. The panel is configured to transition between a closed configuration that occludes the base wall from an exterior of the HVAC unit and an open configuration that exposes the base wall to the exterior of the HVAC unit, and an air gap spans between the panel and the high voltage power component in the closed configuration of the panel. The HVAC system also includes a low voltage control component coupled to the panel and disposed on a side of the panel opposite the air gap in the closed configuration of the panel. 
     In one embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a plurality of walls forming a recess in a housing of the HVAC system, high voltage power components coupled to a first wall of the plurality of walls, a panel rotatably coupled to a second wall of the plurality of walls. The panel is configured to rotate between a closed configuration that blocks access to an interior of the recess and an open configuration that enables access to the interior of the recess, and the panel is offset from the first wall to form an air gap between the panel and the first wall in the closed configuration of the panel. The HVAC system also includes low voltage control components coupled to an exterior surface of the panel that is opposite the air gap in the closed configuration of the panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaged HVAC unit that may be used in the HVAC system of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a residential, split HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic of an embodiment of a vapor compression system that can be used in any of the systems of  FIGS.  1 - 3   , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC unit having an electrical section, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical section of an HVAC unit having a panel in a closed configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical section of an HVAC unit having a panel in an open configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  8    is a side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of an HVAC unit with an electrical section having a panel in a closed configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be noted that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be noted that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be noted that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     The present disclosure is directed to a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system and to electrical housing features of such an HVAC system. The HVAC system may utilize a heat exchanger for transferring heat or thermal energy between a fluid, such as an air flow, and a refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system, thereby conditioning the fluid. For example, the refrigerant may be used to absorb thermal energy from the fluid to cool the fluid. The cooled fluid may then be directed into a structure (e.g., a room) conditioned by the HVAC system so as to cool an interior of the structure. The HVAC system may include an electrical system configured to enable operation of the HVAC system. Portions of the electrical system (e.g., controllers) may be disposed within an electrical section or housing. As used herein, the electrical section refers to any housing section of the HVAC system designated for placement of electrical components that facilitate operation of the HVAC system. The electrical section may include low voltage components and/or high voltage components. 
     The low voltage components and high voltage components of the HVAC system may be separated from one another to avoid interference therebetween and thereby mitigate potential impact on electrical communication and performance of such components. Standards, such as the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) 508 Standard, may designate components as either high voltage or low voltage and may dictate that HVAC systems satisfy certain separation guidelines for such components. Low voltage components, such as a low voltage control board, may be configured to control and/or regulate operation of other components of the HVAC system. For example, the low voltage components may control operation of control valves to manage fluid flow through the heat exchanger. In contrast, high voltage components may be configured to receive, distribute, and/or generate power for the HVAC system to enable other components of the HVAC system to function using high voltage. For example, the high voltage components may include a motor and/or a motor starter that enables a compressor of the HVAC system to pressurize the refrigerant and drive the refrigerant through the HVAC system. As such, the low voltage components and high voltage components operate in conjunction with one another to enable operation of the HVAC system. 
     It may be desirable to physically separate the low voltage components from the high voltage components to avoid interference between their respective operations. In certain approaches, the low voltage components and the high voltage components may be offset from one another along a longitudinal axis (e.g., a length) of the HVAC system, and a structural barrier may be positioned between the components. For example, the low voltage components may be positioned within a recess of a housing of the HVAC system at a first location within the HVAC system, and the high voltage components may be positioned within another recess of the housing at a different, second location within the HVAC system. As such, the housing of the HVAC system may be manufactured to accommodate the positioning of both the low voltage components and the high voltage components in separate recesses or compartments, such as by increasing a size or length of the housing of the HVAC system. Further, separate panels or doors may be installed to separately control access to these compartments. For instance, respective panels may be used to enable or block access to the separate components. In this manner, a cost associated with manufacturing the HVAC system may be increased to accommodate the separate low voltage components and high voltage components. 
     It is presently recognized that implementing the low voltage components and the high voltage components in an HVAC system without substantially increasing the length or size of the HVAC system may reduce the cost associated with manufacture of the HVAC system. Accordingly, present embodiments reduce a physical footprint of the HVAC system and increase a space efficiency (e.g., improve space utilization) by housing both low voltage components and high voltage components within a space having a reduced size, while maintaining a desired separation by using an arrangement of support surfaces for the components. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the low voltage components coupled to a panel and the high voltage components coupled to a wall, in which the panel is offset from the wall along a lateral axis of the HVAC system instead of along the longitudinal axis of the HVAC system, thereby avoiding an increase in the length of the HVAC system. In this manner, the low voltage components and the high voltage components may be positioned at a substantially common point along the length of the HVAC system, but the components may be offset from one another along the width of the HVAC system. Additionally, in accordance with present techniques, the width of the HVAC system may not be increased to accommodate such positioning of the low voltage components and the high voltage components. For example, a recess may be formed into the housing of the HVAC system to accommodate both the low voltage components and the high voltage components coupled to the panel and the wall, respectively, and the recess may extend to be adjacent to a plenum of the HVAC system. Thus, an overall size of the HVAC system may be reduced or more efficiently utilized, thereby reducing a cost associated with manufacture of the HVAC system. Further, the panel may be movable relative to the housing of the HVAC system to enable or block access to the wall. As such, the arrangement of the panel and the wall may enable efficient and separate access to both the low voltage components and the high voltage components without utilizing separate doors, further reducing a cost associated with the manufacture of the HVAC system. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. As used herein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured to enable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth. For example, an “HVAC system” as used herein is defined as conventionally understood and as further described herein. Components or parts of an “HVAC system” may include, but are not limited to, all, some of, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flow control device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climate characteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control device configured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, a component configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, or a combination thereof. An “HVAC system” is a system configured to provide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or any combination thereof. The embodiments described herein may be utilized in a variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or other applications where climate control is desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a building  10  is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit  12 . The building  10  may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit  12  is disposed on the roof of the building  10 ; however, the HVAC unit  12  may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building  10 . The HVAC unit  12  may be a single package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be part of a split HVAC system, such as the system shown in  FIG.  3   , which includes an outdoor HVAC unit  58  and an indoor HVAC unit  56 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  is an air cooled device that implements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to the building  10 . Specifically, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is supplied to the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow from the building  10 . After the HVAC unit  12  conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building  10  via ductwork  14  extending throughout the building  10  from the HVAC unit  12 . For example, the ductwork  14  may extend to various individual floors or other sections of the building  10 . In certain embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnace for heating the air stream. 
     A control device  16 , one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device  16  also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork  14 . For example, the control device  16  may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit  12  or other components, such as dampers and fans, within the building  10  that may control flow of air through and/or from the ductwork  14 . In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of the supply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device  16  may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that are remote from the building  10 . 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a single package unit that may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits and components that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready for installation. The HVAC unit  12  may provide a variety of heating and/or cooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling with electric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, or cooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit  12  may directly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building  10  to condition a space in the building  10 . 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG.  2   , a cabinet  24  encloses the HVAC unit  12  and provides structural support and protection to the internal components from environmental and other contaminants. In some embodiments, the cabinet  24  may be constructed of galvanized steel and insulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails  26  may be joined to the bottom perimeter of the cabinet  24  and provide a foundation for the HVAC unit  12 . In certain embodiments, the rails  26  may provide access for a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/or removal of the HVAC unit  12 . In some embodiments, the rails  26  may fit onto “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit  12  to provide air to the ductwork  14  from the bottom of the HVAC unit  12  while blocking elements such as rain from leaking into the building  10 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  includes heat exchangers  28  and  30  in fluid communication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may circulate refrigerant, such as R- 410 A, through the heat exchangers  28  and  30 . The tubes may be of various types, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminum tubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may implement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phase changes and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heat exchangers  28  and  30  to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example, the heat exchanger  28  may function as a condenser where heat is released from the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger  30  may function as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool an air stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may operate in a heat pump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may be reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  28  may function as an evaporator and the heat exchanger  30  may function as a condenser. In further embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include a furnace for heating the air stream that is supplied to the building  10 . While the illustrated embodiment of  FIG.  2    shows the HVAC unit  12  having two of the heat exchangers  28  and  30 , in other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers. 
     The heat exchanger  30  is located within a compartment  31  that separates the heat exchanger  30  from the heat exchanger  28 . Fans  32  draw air from the environment through the heat exchanger  28 . Air may be heated and/or cooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger  28  before being released back to the environment surrounding the HVAC unit  12 . A blower assembly  34 , powered by a motor  36 , draws air through the heat exchanger  30  to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may be directed to the building  10  by the ductwork  14 , which may be connected to the HVAC unit  12 . Before flowing through the heat exchanger  30 , the conditioned air flows through one or more filters  38  that may remove particulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, the filters  38  may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger  30  to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger  30 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  also may include other equipment for implementing the thermal cycle. Compressors  42  increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger  28 . The compressors  42  may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scroll compressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocating compressors. In some embodiments, the compressors  42  may include a pair of hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stage configuration  44 . However, in other embodiments, any number of the compressors  42  may be provided to achieve various stages of heating and/or cooling. Additional equipment and devices may be included in the HVAC unit  12 , such as a solid-core filter drier, a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches, phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things. 
     The HVAC unit  12  may receive power through a terminal block  46 . For example, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminal block  46  to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit  12  may be governed or regulated by a control board  48 . The control board  48  may include control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, and alarms. One or more of these components may be referred to herein separately or collectively as the control device  16 . The control circuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment, provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring  49  may connect the control board  48  and the terminal block  46  to the equipment of the HVAC unit  12 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a residential heating and cooling system  50 , also in accordance with present techniques. The residential heating and cooling system  50  may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure, as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improved indoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights and air filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating and cooling system  50  is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence  52  conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits  54  that operatively couple the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58 . The indoor unit  56  may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, a basement, and so forth. The outdoor unit  58  is typically situated adjacent to a side of residence  52  and is covered by a shroud to protect the system components and to prevent leaves and other debris or contaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits  54  transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit  56  and the outdoor unit  58 , typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction and primarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction. 
     When the system shown in  FIG.  3    is operating as an air conditioner, a heat exchanger  60  in the outdoor unit  58  serves as a condenser for re-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58  via one of the refrigerant conduits  54 . In these applications, a heat exchanger  62  of the indoor unit functions as an evaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger  62  receives liquid refrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, and evaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit  58 . 
     The outdoor unit  58  draws environmental air through the heat exchanger  60  using a fan  64  and expels the air above the outdoor unit  58 . When operating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger  60  within the outdoor unit  58  and exits the unit at a temperature higher than it entered. The indoor unit  56  includes a blower or fan  66  that directs air through or across the indoor heat exchanger  62 , where the air is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode. Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork  68  that directs the air to the residence  52 . The overall system operates to maintain a desired temperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensed inside the residence  52  is higher than the set point on the thermostat, or the set point plus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may become operative to refrigerate additional air for circulation through the residence  52 . When the temperature reaches the set point, or the set point minus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may stop the refrigeration cycle temporarily. 
     The residential heating and cooling system  50  may also operate as a heat pump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers  60  and  62  are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  60  of the outdoor unit  58  will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby cool air entering the outdoor unit  58  as the air passes over the outdoor heat exchanger  60 . The indoor heat exchanger  62  will receive a stream of air blown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant. 
     In some embodiments, the indoor unit  56  may include a furnace system  70 . For example, the indoor unit  56  may include the furnace system  70  when the residential heating and cooling system  50  is not configured to operate as a heat pump. The furnace system  70  may include a burner assembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoor unit  56 . Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace  70  where it is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. The combustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heat exchanger, separate from heat exchanger  62 , such that air directed by the blower  66  passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from the combustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnace system  70  to the ductwork  68  for heating the residence  52 . 
       FIG.  4    is an embodiment of a vapor compression system  72  that can be used in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system  72  may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with a compressor  74 . The circuit may also include a condenser  76 , an expansion valve(s) or device(s)  78 , and an evaporator  80 . The vapor compression system  72  may further include a control panel  82  that has an analog to digital (A/D) converter  84 , a microprocessor  86 , a non-volatile memory  88 , and/or an interface board  90 . The control panel  82  and its components may function to regulate operation of the vapor compression system  72  based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vapor compression system  72  that detect operating conditions, and so forth. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSDs)  92 , a motor  94 , the compressor  74 , the condenser  76 , the expansion valve or device  78 , and/or the evaporator  80 . The motor  94  may drive the compressor  74  and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD)  92 . The VSD  92  receives alternating current (AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor  94 . In other embodiments, the motor  94  may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor  94  may include any type of electric motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor. 
     The compressor  74  compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser  76  through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor  74  may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapor delivered by the compressor  74  to the condenser  76  may transfer heat to a fluid passing across the condenser  76 , such as ambient or environmental air  96 . The refrigerant vapor may condense to a refrigerant liquid in the condenser  76  as a result of thermal heat transfer with the environmental air  96 . The liquid refrigerant from the condenser  76  may flow through the expansion device  78  to the evaporator  80 . 
     The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator  80  may absorb heat from another air stream, such as a supply air stream  98  provided to the building  10  or the residence  52 . For example, the supply air stream  98  may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, or a combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator  80  may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerant vapor. In this manner, the evaporator  80  may reduce the temperature of the supply air stream  98  via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant. Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator  80  and returns to the compressor  74  by a suction line to complete the cycle. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may further include a reheat coil in addition to the evaporator  80 . For example, the reheat coil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to the supply air stream  98  and may reheat the supply air stream  98  when the supply air stream  98  is overcooled to remove humidity from the supply air stream  98  before the supply air stream  98  is directed to the building  10  or the residence  52 . 
     Any of the features described herein may be incorporated with the HVAC unit  12 , the residential heating and cooling system  50 , or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while the features disclosed herein are described in the context of embodiments that directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a building or other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features described herein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free cooling systems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigeration applications. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electrical section of an HVAC system in which high voltage components (e.g., high voltage power components) of the HVAC system are positioned offset relative to low voltage components (e.g., low voltage control components) of the HVAC system, thereby defining or forming an air gap (e.g., at least an 8 inch air gap) between the high voltage components and the low voltage components. For instance, the HVAC system may include a housing that has a recess, and the high voltage components may be coupled to a wall positioned within the recess. In addition, the low voltage components may be coupled to a panel that is located more exterior relative to the wall. The panel may be movable relative to the housing. That is, the panel may support the low voltage components and may also operate as a doorway to the high voltage components. For example, the panel may be translatable (e.g., linearly translatable or rotatable about a hinge) between a first configuration or position, which substantially covers or occludes the high voltage components, and a second configuration or position, which substantially exposes the high voltage components to an exterior of the housing. As an example, in the first configuration of the panel, the low voltage components may be accessible at the exterior of the housing while the high voltage components are inaccessible. In the second configuration of the panel, the high voltage components may be accessible at the exterior of the housing. As a result, present embodiments of the HVAC system enable improved accessibility of the electrical section. It should be noted that a barrier may also be coupled to the housing, such that the panel supporting the low voltage components is positioned between the barrier and the high voltage components. The barrier may enable control of access to both sets of components. 
     With this in mind,  FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an embodiment of an HVAC unit  150  having an electrical section  152 . The illustrated HVAC unit  150  includes an RTU, but features described herein may be implemented in any suitable HVAC unit  150 , such as a split system or other packaged unit. The electrical section  152  includes various electrical components  154  configured to enable operation of the HVAC unit  150 , such as control of the vapor compression system  72 . Such electrical components  154  may include a low voltage component (e.g., a low voltage control component) and/or a high voltage component (e.g., a high voltage control component) to enable operation of the HVAC unit  150 . 
     The electrical section  152  is formed or positioned within a housing  156  of the HVAC unit  150  adjacent to an exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  (e.g., an ambient environment) to facilitate access to the electrical components  154 , such as by an operator, technician, or other user of the HVAC unit  150 . The housing  156  may include a base wall  160  disposed adjacent to an interior of the housing  156 . Certain electrical components  154 , such as high voltage components, may be coupled to the base wall  160 . The housing  156  may further include side walls  162  coupled to the base wall  160  to form a recess  164  within the housing  156 . The electrical section  152  may include a panel  166  to which a remainder of the electrical components  154 , such as low voltage components, may be coupled. In some implementations, the panel  166  may be movably coupled to the housing  156 . For example, the panel  166  may be adjustably coupled to one of the side walls  162  to enable the panel  166  to be moved to various configurations or positions to expose the base wall  160  to the exterior  158  or to cover or occlude the base wall  160  from the exterior  158 . In this way, the panel  166  may transition between a closed configuration, which may block access to the recess  164  of the housing  156  and to the base wall  160 , and an open configuration, which may enable access to the recess  164  of the housing  156  and to the base wall  160 . In some embodiments, the panel  166  may rotate relative to the housing  156 , such as by pivoting about one of the side walls  162 . In additional or alternative embodiments, the panel  166  may linearly translate relative to the housing  156 , such as by sliding along one of the side walls  162 . In further embodiments, the panel  166  may be easily decoupled from the housing  156 . By way of example, the panel  166  may be configured to couple to the housing  156  via fasteners to move the panel  166  into the closed configuration, and the fasteners may be removed to decouple and remove the panel  166  from the housing  156 , thereby moving the panel  166  into the open configuration. 
     In order to facilitate movement of the panel  166  relative to the housing  156 , such as between the open configuration and the closed configuration, a handle  168  may be coupled to the panel  166 . The handle  168  may extend away from the panel  166  and toward the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  so that the handle  168  is more easily accessible. Moreover, the handle  168  has a geometric shape that enables a user to easily grasp the handle  168  and manually move the panel  166  with the handle  168 . Additionally or alternatively, the panel  166  may be configured to automatically move relative to the housing  156 . For instance, the panel  166  may include an actuator  169  communicatively coupled to a controller, such as the control panel  82 . The controller may be configured to control the actuator  169  to cause the panel  166  to move relative to the housing  156  without manual actuation by the user. 
     Furthermore, a locking component  170  may be used to retain the panel  166  in the closed configuration. The locking component  170  may include a magnet configured to magnetically engage with the panel  166  (e.g., a corresponding magnet of the panel  166 ) to retain the panel  166  in the closed configuration. However, the magnet may disengage the panel  166  when enough force is imparted onto the panel  166  to move the panel  166  relative to the housing  156 . Additionally or alternatively, the locking component  170  may include a latch that may physically engage with the panel  166  to retain the panel  166  in the closed configuration. The latch may be adjustable, such as manually by the user, to enable the panel  166  to move relative to the housing  156  into the open configuration. Indeed, the locking component  170  may include any suitable component or mechanism that releasably retains the position of the panel  166  in the closed configuration. That is, the locking component  170  maintains the position of the panel  166  in the closed configuration, but the locking component  170  may be released to enable adjustment of the panel  166  from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
     The illustrated electrical section  152  is positioned adjacent to the condenser  76  of the HVAC unit  150 . However, the electrical section  152  may be placed at any suitable location of the HVAC unit  150 , such as within or external to the housing  156 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the panel  166  may be at least partially disposed within the recess  164 . For example, the panel  166  may be positioned within the recess  164  of the housing  156  such that the electrical components  154  coupled to the panel  166  do not extend beyond the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  in the closed configuration of the panel  166 . Thus, a cover panel  172 , shown in phantom lines in  FIG.  5   , may be coupled to the housing  156  to cover the electrical section  152  while the panel  166  is in the closed configuration in order to block exposure of the electrical section  152  to the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  and the surrounding environment. The cover panel  172  may be removably coupled to the housing  156 . For example, if access to the panel  166  is not desirable, the cover panel  172  may be coupled to the housing  156  to shield the electrical section  152  from the exterior  158 , such as from dust and/or debris in the surrounding environment. However, if access to the panel  166  is desirable, the cover panel  172  may be decoupled from the housing  156  such that the panel  166  is exposed to the exterior  158  and is accessible to the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the cover panel  172  may also be adjustably (e.g., rotationally, translatably) coupled to the housing  156  to enable the cover panel  172  to be moved without decoupling the cover panel  172  from the housing  156 . For instance, the cover panel  172  may rotate and/or slide relative to the housing  156 . Therefore, the cover panel  172  may provide adjustable coverage of the electrical section  152 . 
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical section  152  positioned within the housing  156  of the HVAC unit  150 . In particular,  FIG.  6    illustrates the panel  166  of the electrical section  152  in the closed configuration with at least one low voltage component  200  (e.g., low voltage control component) coupled to the panel  166 . For example, the low voltage component(s)  200  may be coupled to the panel  166  via a fastener, a weld, an adhesive, a tab, another suitable feature, or any combination thereof. In the closed configuration, an entirety of the low voltage component(s)  200  coupled to the panel  166  may be contained within the recess  164  to enable coupling of the cover panel  172  to the housing  156 . For example, the cover panel  172  may be coupled to a first side wall  202  and/or to a second side wall  204  positioned opposite the first side wall  202 , thereby covering the panel  166 . Further, in the closed configuration, the panel  166  may engage the locking component  170  to retain the panel  166  in the closed configuration. By way of example, the panel  166  may be movably coupled to the first side wall  202 , such as via hinges  206  configured to enable rotation of the panel  166  about the first side wall  202 . Moreover, at least a portion of the locking component  170  may be coupled to the second side wall  204 . The panel  166  may engage the second side wall  204  and the locking component  170  of the second side wall  204  to releasably secure the panel  166  to the second side wall  204  and retain the panel  166  in the closed configuration. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a gap  208  (e.g., a space) is formed between a first edge  210  (e.g., a bottom edge) of the panel  166  and a first surface  212  (e.g., a bottom surface) of the housing  156  coupled to the side walls  202 ,  204 . Accordingly, the panel  166  may be offset from the first surface  212  and therefore may not engage or abut with the first surface  212  to facilitate movement of the panel  166  relative to the housing  156 . In some embodiments, certain components, such as wiring, cables, and the like, may extend through the gap  208  so as to extend from the panel  166  to the base wall  160 . Similarly, a gap may be formed between a second edge  214  (e.g., a top edge) of the panel  166  and a second surface  216  (e.g., a top surface) of the housing  156  to facilitate movement of the panel  166  relative to the housing  156  and/or to enable components to extend from the panel  166  to the base wall  160 . In additional or alternative embodiments, the first edge  210  of the panel  166  may engage or abut the first surface  212  of the housing  156  and/or the second edge  214  may engage or abut the second surface  216  such that no gaps are formed between the panel  166  and surfaces  212 ,  216 . 
     It should be noted that the closed configuration of the panel  166  substantially blocks exposure of the base wall  160  to the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  while also providing an air gap between the panel  166  and the high voltage component(s) in compliance with industry standards. In this way, the low voltage component(s)  200  coupled to the panel  166  may be accessible to the user, but access to at least one of the high voltage component(s) coupled to the base wall  160  may be substantially blocked. Thus, while the user is accessing the low voltage component(s)  200 , such as for performing maintenance on the low voltage component(s)  200 , the high voltage component(s) may remain operational and secured without interfering with the user access to the low voltage component(s)  200 . To this end, the panel  166  may include a solid material to block any of the low voltage component(s)  200  from extending through the panel  166  toward the base wall  160  and the high voltage component(s) (e.g., into the air gap formed between the panel  166  and the high voltage component(s)). Such material of the panel  166  may also block any equipment of the user from extending through the panel  166  while the user is accessing the low voltage component(s)  200 . By way of example, the panel  166  may be made of an acrylic material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, a composite material, another suitable material, or any combination thereof. For this reason, the closed configuration of the panel  166  may enable at least partial operation of the HVAC unit  150  during user access of the low voltage component(s)  200 . 
       FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical section  152  of  FIG.  6   , illustrating the panel  166  is in the open configuration. In the illustrated open configuration, the panel  166  is not engaged with the second side wall  204 . By way of example, the panel  166  is rotated from the closed configuration in a first direction  230  about the first side wall  202  and away from the recess  164  of the housing  156 . As a result, the panel  166  may at least partially extend out of the recess  164  and beyond the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  in the open configuration, and at least a portion of the low voltage component(s)  200  of the panel  166  may be positioned at the exterior  158  of (e.g., external to) the HVAC unit  150 . Furthermore, in the illustrated open configuration, the panel  166  may abut the first side wall  202 , which may block further rotation of the panel  166  in the first direction  230 . The panel  166  may also be moved from the open configuration to the closed configuration via rotation toward the recess  164  of the housing  156  in a second direction  232 , opposite the first direction  230 . 
     In the open configuration of the panel  166 , the base wall  160  is exposed to the exterior  158 . At least one high voltage component  234  (e.g., high voltage power component) may be coupled to the base wall  160  and may therefore be exposed to the exterior  158  in the open configuration of the panel  166 . For instance, the panel  166  may be moved to the open configuration to substantially expose the recess  164  to the exterior  158 . As such, the user may access the high voltage component(s)  234 , such as for maintenance, when the high voltage component(s)  234  are not in operation. 
     In certain embodiments, the base wall  160  may be fixedly coupled to the side walls  202 ,  204 . That is, the base wall  160  may not substantially move relative to the housing  156  of the HVAC unit  150 . Moreover, the base wall  160  may extend substantially perpendicular to the side walls  202 ,  204 . Accordingly, the recess  164  formed by the base wall  160  and the side walls  202 ,  204  may have a rectangular prismatic geometry. In additional or alternative embodiments, the base wall  160  may be oriented relative to the side walls  202 ,  204  in any suitable manner to form a recess having any suitable geometry. 
     It should be noted that the panel  166  may also be moved to a configuration between the open configuration and the closed configuration described herein. As an example, the panel  166  may be moved to a partially open configuration that exposes most of the recess  164  of the housing  156  to the exterior  158  while covering a remainder of the recess  164  of the housing  156  from the exterior  158 . The panel  166  may alternatively be moved to a partially closed configuration that blocks most of the recess  164  of the housing  156  from the exterior  158  while exposing a remainder of the recess  164  of the housing  156  to the exterior  158 . In further embodiments, the panel  166  may include various sections that may be moved relative to one another. By way of example, a first section of the panel  166  may be moved (e.g., rotated relative to the first side wall  202 ) into the open configuration to expose a portion of the base wall  160 , while a second section of the panel  166  may remain in the closed configuration to cover a remainder of the base wall  160 . Thus, different sections of the panel  166  may be moved independently of one another. Indeed, the panel  166  may be moved to any suitable configuration to expose or cover different parts of the base wall  160 . 
       FIG.  8    is a side view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the HVAC unit  150 , illustrating the panel  166  of the electrical section  152  is in the closed configuration. As shown in  FIG.  8   , the base wall  160  and the panel  166  may be substantially parallel with one another in the closed configuration. In addition, the base wall  160  and the panel  166  are offset from one another along a lateral axis  248  of the HVAC unit  150 . Accordingly, the electrical section  152  may generally extend along the lateral axis  248  toward an interior  250  of the HVAC unit  150  rather than along a longitudinal axis  251  of the HVAC unit  150 . For this reason, a length of the HVAC unit  150  may not be substantially increased to accommodate the positioning of the low voltage component(s)  200  and the high voltage component(s)  234  in the disclosed arrangement. Instead, the electrical section  152  may extend toward the interior  250  to a plenum or chamber  252  of the HVAC unit  150 . For instance, the plenum  252  may be modified to accommodate the electrical section  152  without substantially increasing a width of the HVAC unit  150 . Accordingly, the electrical section  152  may be installed into the housing  156  without substantially increasing a size or a physical footprint of the HVAC unit  150 . 
     During operation of the HVAC unit  150 , air (e.g., supply air) may flow through the plenum  252 , such as in an air flow direction  254 . A first surface  255  of the base wall  160  may be exposed to or in contact with the flow of air. However, the base wall  160  and the electrical section  152  may be insulated from the plenum  252 . That is, heat transfer, such as convection caused by the flow of air through the plenum  252 , may be substantially blocked between the electrical section  152  and the plenum  252 . For instance, the base wall  160  may include an insulation material, such as an acrylic material, a polymer material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), a fibrous (e.g., carbon fibrous) material, another suitable material, or any combination thereof, to block heat transfer between the base wall  160  and the plenum  252 . Additionally or alternatively, an additional component, such as additional insulation material or layer  256 , may separate the base wall  160  from the plenum  252 . Similarly, the cover panel  172  may block heat transfer between the electrical section  152  and the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150 . In this way, while the panel  166  is in the closed configuration and the cover panel  172  is coupled to the housing  156 , the electrical section  152  may be thermally isolated (e.g., substantially thermally isolated) from both the plenum  252  and the exterior  158 . 
     In the illustrated electrical section  152 , the low voltage component(s)  200  may be coupled to an exterior surface  257  (e.g., externally-facing surface) of the panel  166 . In this manner, the low voltage component(s)  200  may be outwardly facing relative to the interior  250  of the housing  156  in the closed configuration of the panel  166 . Additionally, in the closed configuration of the panel  166 , an interior surface  258  of the panel  166  may be offset from a second surface  260  of the base wall  160  to define or form an air gap  262  therebetween. The air gap  262  may physically, thermally, and/or electrically separate the low voltage component(s)  200  from the high voltage component(s)  234 . For instance, the low voltage component(s)  200  may be positioned on a side of the panel  166  opposite the air gap  262  and may be isolated from (e.g., does not extend into) the air gap  262 . As a result, the operation of the low voltage component(s)  200  may not substantially affect the operation of the high voltage component(s)  234 . For example, the air gap  262  may measure to be approximately eight inches (21 centimeters), 10 inches (25 centimeters), or one foot (30 centimeters) or more, to separate the low voltage component(s)  200  from the high voltage component(s)  234 . 
     The panel  166  may include latching components  264  that may engage the corresponding latching components (e.g., the locking component  170  of  FIG.  5   ) of the second side wall  204  in the closed configuration of the panel  166 . Although the illustrated panel  166  includes three latching components  264 , additional or alternative panels  166  may include any suitable number of latching components  264 , such as one latching component  264 , two latching components  264 , or more than three latching components  264 , to releasably secure the panel  166  to the second side wall  204 . 
     Additionally, the base wall  160  may be coupled to the surfaces  212 ,  216  of the housing  156 . In this way, the surfaces  212 ,  216  may further secure the base wall  160  to the housing  156 . As such, the gap  208  separating the panel  166  from the first surface  212  may facilitate movement of the panel  166  relative to the housing  156 , and the coupling between the base wall  160  and the surfaces  212 ,  216  may substantially block movement of the base wall  160  relative to the housing  156 . 
     Although the low voltage component(s)  200  are coupled to the panel  166  and the high voltage component(s)  234  are coupled to the base wall  160  in the illustrated HVAC unit  150 , in additional or alternative embodiments, the low voltage component(s)  200  may be coupled to the base wall  160  and/or the high voltage component(s)  234  may be coupled to the panel  166 . That is, at least some of the high voltage component(s)  234  may be positioned more adjacent (e.g., closer) to the exterior  158  of the HVAC unit  150  and the low voltage component(s)  200  may be positioned more adjacent (e.g., closer) to the interior  250  of the HVAC unit  150 . Indeed, the base wall  160 , the panel  166 , or both, may have a mixture of low voltage component(s)  200 , high voltage component(s)  234 , and/or any suitable components coupled thereto. 
     The present disclosure may provide one or more technical effects useful in the operation of an HVAC system. For example, the HVAC system may include an electrical section having low voltage components (e.g., control components) and high voltage components (e.g., power components) that work in conjunction with one another to operate the HVAC system. The HVAC system may have a housing that includes a wall and a panel. The panel may be positioned closer to an exterior of the HVAC unit compared to the wall, such as relative to a lateral axis (e.g., a width) of the HVAC system, but the wall may be substantially aligned with the panel along a longitudinal axis (e.g., a length) of the HVAC system. The high voltage components may be coupled to the wall, and the low voltage components may be coupled to the panel. In this way, the low voltage components may be substantially aligned with the high voltage components along the longitudinal axis, such that the length of the HVAC system may not be substantially increased to accommodate the electrical section. As a result, a cost associated with a manufacture of the HVAC system may be reduced. Moreover, the panel may be adjustable relative to the wall to selectively access various components of the electrical section. For instance, in a closed configuration of the panel, the panel may block access to and exposure of the high voltage components, but the low voltage components may be accessible to a user. In an open configuration of the panel, the panel may provide access to and exposure of the high voltage components, and the high voltage components may be accessible to the user. Therefore, the electrical section is adjustable to selectively and individually access the low voltage components and the high voltage components. The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are examples and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems. 
     While only certain features and embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, including temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed disclosure. It should be noted that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).