Patent Publication Number: US-2022216727-A1

Title: Electrical docking station

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/080,545, filed Oct. 26, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/698,667, filed Nov. 27, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/773,556, filed Nov. 30, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of electrical technology and, more particularly, to devices, systems, and methods for switching an electrical system between generator power and utility power. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Disconnecting an electrical connector from an electrical docking station while the electrical docking station is energized, either accidentally or purposefully, may create dangerous arcing between the electrical connector and the connector receptacle. Such arcing can short out an electrical system, electrocute an operator, or cause an explosion. Traditionally, electrical docking stations were only required to post signs warning a user to make sure the electrical docking station is not energized when disconnecting generator connectors from the electrical docking station. Further, traditional electrical docking stations place the utility wires behind the generator connectors. This leads to complicated access to utility wires in the electrical docking station and unnecessarily deep electrical docking stations that require extra equipment (e.g., legs) to remain stable when mounted on a wall of a building. Examples of electrical docking stations include generator docking stations, output panels/docking stations, company switches, load bank docking stations, house panels, temporary connection cabinets, dual breaker docking stations, generator connection cabinets, generator roll up boxes (GRUBs), and generator tap boxes. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein for safely switching an electrical system between generator power and utility power. Various embodiments described herein can provide a safe, reliable, and accessible electrical docking station by incorporating access-controlled compartments with convenient access points and the ability to accommodate several different pieces of hardware in a compact space. An illustrative electrical docking station may be a cabinet with a middle/main section, an upper section above the main section, and a lower section beneath the main section. One or more covers can conceal a cabinet interior at respective sections of the cabinet. The utility power and generator power connectors and wires can be positioned side by side along the width of the cabinet at the lower section of the cabinet. 
     The cabinet can house hardware including a circuit breaker for regulating utility power to the electrical docking station, a generator interface to connect permanent and/or portable generators to the electrical docking station, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), and a power supply. The power supply can supply converted DC power to various hardware in the electrical docking station, including an alarm and a locking mechanism, as well as protect various hardware from overcurrent. The locking mechanism can be configured to lock a hinged lower door when in a closed position while the ATS is energized by a generator. In such circumstances, the alarm can shine a confirmation color (e.g., green). The locking mechanism can be configured to not lock the hinged lower door when the hinged lower door is in an open position. In such circumstances, if the ATS is energized by a generator, the alarm can provide an audible alarm and/or shine a warning color (e.g., red). 
     In one aspect, an electrical docking station can include a cabinet, a generator interface, a transfer switch, and an electro-mechanical locking mechanism. The cabinet may include a a generator connection compartment and a utility connection compartment. The generator connection compartment can include a door movable between an open position and a closed position. The utility connection compartment may be configured to house utility wires. The generator interface may be housed in the generator connection compartment and configured to be electrically connected to a generator. The transfer switch can be housed in the cabinet and electrically connected to the generator interface. In many instances, the transfer switch is configured to be electrically connected to the utility wires and to a building electrical system. The transfer switch can be configured to switch between electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface and electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires. The electro-mechanical locking mechanism can be electrically connected to the generator interface. The electro-mechanical locking mechanism can be configured to lock the door to the generator connection compartment if the building electrical system and the generator interface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and the door is in the closed position. 
     In different examples, components of the electrical docking station can have a variety of attributes. The generator connection compartment and the utility connection compartment can be positioned side by side in the cabinet. In some examples, the cabinet may include a main section and a lower section. In such examples, the main section can house the transfer switch. In such examples, the generator connection compartment and the utility connection compartment can be in the lower section. In some examples, the generator interface can include one or more connection receptacles, with each connection receptacle being configured to receive a connector and cable from the generator. In such examples, the generator connection compartment can include a bottom surface with one or more cable slots, with each cable slot having a width that allows the cable to pass through the cable slot but prevents the connector from passing through the cable slot. The generator interface may be positioned at an angle that is non-perpendicular with a back side of the cabinet. In some examples, the cabinet includes a riser connected to an interior surface of the cabinet. In such examples, the riser may be adjustable relative to the interior surface of the cabinet to accommodate hardware of various sizes. 
     In different examples, the electrical docking station may include additional components. In some examples, the electrical docking station may include a power supply electrically connected between the generator interface and the electro-mechanical locking mechanism. In such examples, the power supply may be configured to convert high-voltage AC input power from the generator interface to DC output power and to send converted generator power to the electro-mechanical locking mechanism. In some examples, the electrical docking station may include an alarm connected to the cabinet. In such examples, the alarm may be configured to provide an alert (e.g., an audible signal, a visual signal, both an audible signal and a visible signal, etc.) if the building electrical system and the generator interface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and the door to the generator connection compartment is in the open position. 
     In some examples, a method can include various steps. The method may include providing an electrical docking station (e.g., like those discussed herein). The electrical docking station can have a cabinet that includes a generator connection compartment and a utility connection compartment. The generator connection compartment may include a door movable between an open position and a closed position. The utility connection compartment can house utility wire. The electrical docking station can have a generator interface that is housed in the generator connection compartment and that is electrically connected to a generator. The electrical docking station can have a transfer switch housed in the cabinet and electrically connected to the generator interface. The transfer switch may be electrically connected to the utility wires and to a building electrical system. The electrical docking station can have an electro-mechanical locking mechanism electrically connected to the generator interface. In some examples, the electrical docking station may include a power supply electrically connected between the generator interface and the electro-mechanical locking mechanism. In such examples, the power supply can convert high-voltage AC input power from the generator interface to DC output power and send converted generator power to the electro-mechanical locking mechanism. The method may include switching, with the transfer switch, (i) from electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface. In some examples, the method includes switching, with the transfer switch, from a first state (e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires) to a second state (e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface). The method may include locking, with the electro-mechanical locking mechanism, the door to the generator connection compartment when the building electrical system and the generator interface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and the door is in the closed position. 
     In different examples, the method may include additional steps. The method may include switching, with the transfer switch, (i) from electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires. In some examples, the method includes switching, with the transfer switch, from one state (e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface) to another state (e.g., electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires). The method may include unlocking, with the electro-mechanical locking mechanism, the door to the generator connection compartment when the building electrical system and the utility wires are electrically connected through the transfer switch. In some examples, the method may include switching, with the transfer switch, from the from electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires to electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface automatically upon detection that now power is coming from the utility wires. In some examples, the method may include automatically switching, with the transfer switch, upon detection that power is coming from the utility wires, (i) from electrically connecting the building electrical system to the generator interface (ii) to electrically connecting the building electrical system to the utility wires. The method may include connecting a load bank to the generator interface and applying an ancillary load with the load bank. The method may include providing an alert (e.g., an audible signal, a visual signal, or both) if the building electrical system and the generator interface are electrically connected through the transfer switch and the door to the generator connection compartment is in the open position. 
     An electrical docking station with such features can provide a variety of advantages over conventional electrical docking stations. Current industry standards require access doors to generator connectors to be lockable. Cabinet embodiments discussed in this document will prompt the user with the alarm to close the hinged lower door and automatically lock the access door to the generator connectors when the access door is closed. This eliminates the risk of accidental sparking or arcing, for instance, if the connectors are disconnected while the generator is still energizing the electrical docking station. Having hinged access doors prevents the need to remove and set down or pick up and install access panels. Contrary to front-to-back positioning, side-by-side positioning of the utility power and generator power connectors and wires allows easy access for setup, maintenance, and repair without going through wiring of one to reach the other that is behind it. Several other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following description. Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic front elevational view of an illustrative electrical docking station mounted to the exterior wall of a building and connected to a generator, utility power, and the electrical system of the building. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial, front elevational view of an illustrative electrical docking station mounted to the exterior wall of a building. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial, side elevational view of an illustrative electrical docking station mounted to the exterior wall of a building. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an illustrative electrical docking station that is a cabinet. 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway, front elevational view of an illustrative cabinet without the outer door, the upper section cover, the main section cover, or the lower section cover. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an illustrative adjustable riser. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevational view of an illustrative adjustable riser. 
         FIG. 6C  is a top elevational view of an illustrative adjustable riser. 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway, front elevational view of an illustrative cabinet without the outer door. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational cross-section view of an illustrative cabinet. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative cabinet with the outer door open and the bottom access door ajar. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an illustrative generator interface. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevational view of an illustrative generator interface. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an illustrative aperture cover and an upper section cover that is a hinged upper door. 
         FIG. 11B  is a front elevational view of an upper section cover that is a hinged upper door with hardware mounted in the aperture. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) in a SCADA cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and provides some practical illustrations and examples. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives. A number of various exemplary electrical docking stations are disclosed herein using the description provided as follows in addition to the accompanying drawings. Each of the embodiments disclosed herein can be employed independently or in combination with one or more (e.g., all) of the other embodiments disclosed herein. 
     An illustrative electrical docking station  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  can supply power to a building  10  even during a power outage. The electrical docking station  100  can be wired into an electrical system of a building  10 , for example, from the exterior wall  15  of the building  10 . The electrical docking station  100  can be connected to a utility power line  20  and a generator  30 . The generator  30  can be permanent or temporary. During normal operation, the electrical docking station  100  can output utility power to the electrical system of the building  10 . In the event that utility power is shut off (e.g., due to a power outage), the electrical docking station  100  can output power from the generator  30  to the electrical system of the building  10 . 
     The electrical docking station  100  may provide easy access to components of the electrical docking station  100  and hardware  200  in the electrical docking station  100  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The electrical docking station  100  can be mounted at an exterior wall  15  of a building  10 , e.g., using fasteners positioned within the periphery of the electrical docking station  100 , at a readily accessible height, “h,” from the ground. The utility power input  210  can be positioned beside the generator power input  220  in a direction that is generally parallel with the exterior wall  15  of the building  10  to provide easy access to wiring from either input  210 ,  220 . The hardware  200  and inputs  210 ,  220  can be accessible from at least the front of the electrical docking station  100 . 
     The electrical docking station  100  can minimize the depth, “d,” of the electrical docking station  100  and, thus, the distance, “d,” the electrical docking station  100  extends beyond the position of the exterior wall  15  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Less depth of the electrical docking station  100  is required when the utility power input and the generator power are positioned side by side as described above instead of front to back in the direction perpendicular to the outer wall. Other components, including the hardware within the electrical docking station  100 , can be vertically disposed within the electrical docking station  100 . For example, operating hardware that facilitates switching between utility power and generator power can be located above the utility power input and generator power input. Monitoring and safety hardware can be located above the operating hardware. Less depth of the electrical docking station  100  is desirable to eliminate bulkiness of the electrical docking station  100  and, e.g., the use of supportive legs required for electrical docking stations of greater depth. 
     In many embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the electrical docking station can be a cabinet  400 . In some embodiments, the cabinet  400  may be made of a metal material. The cabinet  400  can have a main section  405 , a lower section  407  located beneath the main section  405 , and an upper section  409  located above the main section  405 . The cabinet  400  can have a back side  411  and a front side  413  opposing the back side  411 . The cabinet  400  can have a top  415 , a bottom  417 , and lateral sides  419  extending between the front side  413  and the back side  411 , together defining a cabinet interior  402 . The upper section  409  of the cabinet  400  can include the cabinet top  415 , and the lower section  407  of the cabinet  400  can include the cabinet bottom  417 . 
     The cabinet  400  can include an outer door  420  flanking the upper section  409 , the main section  405 , and the lower section  407  of the cabinet  400 . When closed, the outer door  420  can conceal the upper section  409 , the main section  405 , and the lower section  407  of the cabinet  400 . When opened, the outer door  420  can reveal the upper section  409 , the main section  405 , and the lower section  407  of the cabinet  400 . In many instances, the outer door  420  can include an outer door tray  425  attached to an inner surface  421  of the outer door  420 , e.g., for storing different mediums. 
     The cabinet  400  may house electrically connected hardware within the cabinet interior  402  as shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, hardware may include a circuit breaker  510 , an ATS  520 , and a generator interface  530 , each mountable to the cabinet  400 . The circuit breaker  510  can, as a safety measure, stop the flow of current from the utility power in the electric circuit. An input side  513  of the circuit breaker  510  can receive utility power from wiring fed through a conduit as further discussed below. The output side  515  of the circuit breaker  510  can send utility power to a utility-power input  522  of the ATS  520 . An input side  533  of the generator interface  530  can receive power through wiring from a generator as further discussed below. An output side  535  of the generator interface  530  can send generator power to a generator-power input  524  of the ATS  520 , which may be positioned in front or behind the utility-power input  522 , and to a generator-power input  543  of the power supply  540 . A power-output side  526  of the ATS  520  can send either generator power or utility power to an electrical load such as a building&#39;s electrical system. 
     In many embodiments, the cabinet  400  can efficiently support load banking for testing, servicing, or protecting the permanent or temporary generator. Instead of hardwiring the load bank into a building&#39;s electrical system, an electrical docking station can include quick connecters for connecting to the load bank and other equipment. For instance, a temporary generator can be connected to the input side  533  of the generator interface  530 , e.g., via male cam lock receptacles. A load bank can be connected to the input side  533  of the generator interface  530 , e.g., via female cam locks receptacles, to provide an ancillary load on hardware in the cabinet  400 . In many instances, the portable generator and/or the load bank can be simultaneously connected to the electrical docking station. In these instances, an interlocking system (e.g., a kirk key system) may be used to transfer power between the permanent and temporary generator. Once connected, the load bank can gradually apply an ancillary load (e.g., up to 50%, 70%, or 100% of designed load capacity) on hardware in the cabinet  400 . 
     Load banking can ensure safe and quality performance of each component in the cabinet  400  by testing them under a known load condition. Although normal operation of the temporary generator operates at less than 100% of the designed load capacity, load banking can induce a substantial load condition (e.g., 50%, 70%, or 100% of designed load capacity) on hardware in the cabinet  400  to ensure all components of the cabinet  400  are tested, especially those designed to be used at high-load capacity. Load banking can introduce load conditions not typically seen during normal operation to verify overall generator performance and help detect causes of failure such as coolant issues, radiator issues, and wet stacking. The cabinet  400  can include a load dump  580  for use during load banking to protect a permanent generator from overload while the permanent generator is supplying load to a building&#39;s electrical system during an actual utility power failure. 
     The ATS  520  in the cabinet  400  can send either high-voltage utility power or high-voltage generator power from the electrical docking station out to the building. The ATS  520  can be biased to send utility power to the building and switch either manually to generator power or automatically to generator power in the event that utility power is not received at the ATS  520  while generator power is received at the ATS  520 . The ATS  520  can switch from outputting generator power to outputting utility power once utility power is restored and received at the 
     ATS  520 , in the event that generator power is not received at the ATS  520 , or if the ATS  520  is manually switched from generator power to utility power. 
     In many embodiments, the hardware may include a power supply  540 , a SCADA control system  550 , and/or an alarm  560 . The power supply  540  can convert high-voltage AC input power from the output of the generator interface  530  to DC current output (e.g., 5A, 120W, 480 VAC, 3-phase nominal input to an adjustable 24 VDC output). The converted-power output side  545  of the power supply  540  can send converted generator power to certain hardware in the cabinet  400 , e.g., the alarm  560  and a locking mechanism as further described below. The overcurrent protection for the power supply  540  can protect the power supply  540 , the alarm  560 , a phase rotation meter, a monitor, etc. from overcurrent in some instances. 
     The main section  405  of the cabinet  400  can house several pieces of hardware within the cabinet  400 . Many embodiments of the cabinet  400  may have the ATS  520 , the circuit breaker  510 , and the power supply  540  in the main section  405  of the cabinet  400 . These and other components can be optimally positioned within the main section  405  of the cabinet  400  (e.g., using an adjustable riser as further discussed below) to facilitate access to hardware, accommodate cable bending radii, and facilitate optimal performance, among other things. 
     The ATS  520  can be positioned in the main section  405  of the cabinet  400  such that it can be readily accessible from an upper section cover in the upper section  409  of the cabinet  400  and/or a main section cover in the main section  405  of the cabinet  400  as described below. In some embodiments, as noted above, the utility-power input  522  may be positioned coplanar and/or in front of or behind the generator-power input  524  of the ATS  520 . The power-output side  526  of the ATS  520  may be accessible from the upper section cover, and the utility-power input  522  and the generator-power input  524  of the ATS  520  may be accessible from the main section cover. In some embodiments, the ATS  520  may be accessible from the lower section  407  of the cabinet  400 . 
     An adjustable riser  570  shown in  FIG. 5  may be included in the main section  405  of the cabinet  400  to position hardware within the main section  405  of the cabinet  400 . The adjustable riser  570  can be adjustable relative to the interior surface  502  of the back side  411  of the cabinet  400  to accommodate hardware of various sizes. Though listed below in specific combinations, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the circular fastening holes and the elongate fastening holes may be reversed in some embodiments. Likewise, elongate holes can be formed in different directions to accommodate adjustments in any particular direction. 
     The adjustable riser  570  seen in  FIG. 6A  can be connected to an interior surface of the back side of the cabinet. The adjustable riser  570  can include lateral flanges  612  connectible to the back side of the cabinet and an equipment seat  614  connected to the end of the lateral flanges  612  that is distal from the back side of the cabinet. The equipment seat  614  can support various types of hardware. Many embodiments may have the circuit breaker supported by the adjustable riser  570  at the equipment seat  614 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the adjustable riser  570  can be lowered (moved in direction, “L”) to accommodate taller hardware and raised (moved in direction, “R”) to accommodate shorter hardware. The equipment seat  614  can have seat elongated fastening holes  615  aligning with flange circular fastening holes  613  in the lateral flanges  612 . The seat elongated fastening holes  615  may be elongated in the direction perpendicular to the back side of the cabinet. The equipment seat  614  can be adjusted by positioning the seat elongated fastening holes  615  at a desired position over the flange circular fastening holes  613  and fastening the equipment seat  614  to the lateral flanges  612 . 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 6C , the adjustable riser  570  can be adjusted in the direction parallel to the width of the cabinet. In some embodiments, flange elongated fastening holes  617  may be at the end of the lateral flanges  612  that is proximal to the interior surface of the back side of the cabinet and the circular fastening holes may be in the back side of the cabinet. The lateral flanges  612  can be adjusted by positioning the flange elongated fastening holes  617  at a desired position over the circular fastening holes and fastening the lateral flanges  612  to the back side of the cabinet. 
     The position of the hardware on the equipment seat  614  can be adjusted in the direction parallel to the height of the cabinet. In some embodiments, equipment elongated fastening holes  619  may be disposed in the equipment seat  614  and the circular fastening holes may be in the hardware. The hardware can be adjusted by positioning the equipment elongated fastening holes  619  at a desired position over the circular fastening holes and fastening the equipment seat  614  to the hardware. 
     As may be appreciated, the adjustable riser  570  may bring a portion of the hardware to an interface port in the main section cover as further described below. In some such instances, a portion of the hardware, such as a switch, can protrude through the main section cover for ease of access. Thus, a user may readily interface with the hardware at the front of the cabinet. 
     The main section  405  of the cabinet  400  can conceal several pieces of hardware within the cabinet  400  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The main section  405  of the cabinet  400  may include a main section cover  710 . Many instances of the main section cover  710  may be a hinged middle door  712 . The main section cover  710  may, in some embodiments, include hinged middle doors flanking both sides of the main section  405 . The main section cover  710 , in some instances, may include a hinged middle door  712  and a dead front cover  714 . In some embodiments, the dead front cover  714  is hingably connected to the main section  405  of the cabinet  400 . 
     The main section cover  710  can include ports to access portions of the hardware housed in the main section  405  of the cabinet. For example, the main section cover  710  can include an interface port  715  for a user interface  720 . The interface  720  in some embodiments can be connected to the ATS and either analog or digital. The interface  720  may display information about the ATS and/or electrical docking station and control manual switching between generator power and utility power among other functions of the ATS. In some instances, the main section cover  710  can include a circuit breaker port  717  to access a circuit breaker switch  730  which, for example, can toggle between on, off, and tripped positions. 
     The lower section  407  of the cabinet  400  can be beneath the middle  405  section of the cabinet  400 . The lower section  407  of the cabinet  400  may include a generator connection compartment  740  and a utility connection compartment  750 . As discussed above, the generator connection compartment  740  can be laterally positioned (e.g., side by side) with respect to the utility connection compartment  750 . In some embodiments, the generator connection compartment  740  and the utility connection compartment  750  may share a common side. 
     The generator connection compartment  740  can house the generator interface  530  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The generator connection compartment  740  can include a front side  801 , a back side  803 , a bottom side  805 , and lateral sides  807  extending between the front and back sides  801 ,  803 . The bottom side  805  of the generator connection compartment  740  can be coincident with the bottom surface  417  of the cabinet  400 . 
     A user can connect the generator to the electrical docking station through the generator connection compartment  740 . The generator interface  530  can be positioned near the top of the generator connection compartment  740 . The generator interface  530  can be positioned to facilitate connecting cables to the generator interface  530  and to promote connector safety. 
     Many embodiments may have the generator interface  530  positioned at an angle that is non-perpendicular with the back side  411  of the cabinet  400 . The generator interface  530  can include an upper surface  812  and a lower surface  814  opposing the upper surface  812 . In some instances, the upper surface  812  of the generator interface  530  can extend upward at an acute angle with the back side  411  of the cabinet  400 . A generator interface  530  at such a position is easier to connect cable to from the front side  413  of the cabinet  400  and can prevent accidental pullouts of the connectors if they are pulled straight down (e.g., during setup or by accident). 
     A bottom access door  910  as shown in  FIG. 9  may be provided at the bottom surface  805  of the generator connection compartment  740  to connect cables to the generator interface. The bottom access door  910  can be hingably connected to the bottom surface  805  of the generator connection compartment  740 . The bottom access door  910  may be hinged near the back side  411  of the cabinet  400  in some instances. As a safety and theft prevention measure, the bottom access door  910  can be configured to open only after the outer door  420 , hinged lower door  930 , or both are opened. 
     The bottom surface  805  of the generator connection compartment  740  can include one or more cable slots  920  to accommodate cables in the generator connection compartment  740 . The cable slots  920  can extend in the direction perpendicular to the back side  411  of the cabinet  400 . The cable slots  920  can have a width sufficient to accommodate a wiring shroud surrounding a wiring bundle of generator connectors. In many embodiments, the cable slots  920  can extend to the front of the bottom surface  805  and not extend through the back of the bottom surface  805 . Cables may pass through the cable slots  920  and connect to generator interface in the generator connection compartment  740 . The cable slots  920  may be narrow enough to prevent cable connectors from passing through. 
     The front side of the generator connection compartment  740  can include a hinged lower door  930 . The hinged lower door  930  can be movable between an open position and closed position. When opened, the hinged lower door  930  can reveal the generator interface. When closed, the hinged lower door  930  can conceal the generator interface. 
     In operation, the cabinet  400  can include access control to the generator connectors when the generator is connected to the cabinet  400  and energized. Some components of the cabinet  400  can control access through an interlocking mechanism (e.g., a kirk key system). In some embodiments, a locking mechanism can be configured to latch shut the hinged lower door  930  when the hinged lower door  930  is in the closed position. The locking mechanism can be configured to not latch shut the hinged lower door  930  when the hinged lower door  930  is in the open position. 
     As can be appreciated, the access control of the generator connection compartment  740  may be suitable for a variety of applications. An access-controlled compartment can be similar to those generator connection compartments  740  described elsewhere herein. The access-controlled compartment can house a connector interface and can include a front side  801 , a back side, a top side, a bottom side, and lateral sides extending between the front side  801  and back side. The access-controlled compartment can include a bottom access door and a hinged front door similar to the bottom access door  910  and hinged lower door  930  of the generator connection compartment  740  respectively. An alarm similar to the alarm  560  of the generator connection compartment  740  may be included with the access-controlled compartment and configured to correspond to and alert a user of safe and/or unsafe conditions (e.g., if the hinged front door is improperly opened or closed). 
     Such an access-controlled compartment may be used in applications where restriction to components housed in the access-controlled compartment is desirable. For instance, the access-controlled compartment can restrict access to one or more common connection points for one or more electrical devices to prevent undesired tampering or disconnection. Similarly, for the same reasons, the access-controlled compartment may restrict access to controls, meters, or other monitoring equipment. In some instances, the access-controlled compartment can restrict access to only certain authorized individuals. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8 , in many embodiments, the locking mechanism  850  may be an electro-mechanical locking mechanism  850 . The electro-mechanical locking mechanism  850  can be a solenoid connected to the power supply. The solenoid may be designed to lock when the hinged lower door is in the closed position and the generator is energized. To increase usability, the locking mechanism  850  may be configured to latch even when mating components of the locking mechanism  850  are not perfectly aligned with each other when the hinged lower door is in the closed position. An alarm may indicate whether the hinged lower door is locked or not as further described below. 
     The generator interface  530  can include a base  1010  and one or more connection receptacles  1020  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The receptacles  1020  can be received in receptacle openings  1030  provided in the base  1010  and attached to the base  1010  using receptacle fastener holes  1032  positioned about the receptacle openings  1030  as shown in  FIG. 10A . The receptacle openings  1030  can be large enough to accommodate the receptacle without the receptacle passing through the receptacle opening. The receptacles  1020  can receive connectors from the generator. In many instances, the receptacles  1020  may be cam lock receptacles (e.g., either male or female cam lock receptacles). The front-side mount  1022  of the receptacles  1020  can be at the bottom surface  1012  of base  1010  of the generator interface  530  and include a protective cover  1026 . The back-side mount  1024  of the receptacles  1020  can be at the top surface  1014  of base  1010  the generator interface  530  (e.g., such that the connections to the bus bar are facing towards the main section of the cabinet). 
     The generator interface  530  can include a retainer plate  1040  as shown in  FIG. 10B . The retainer plate  1040  can fit over the receptacles  1020  in the base  1010  of the generator interface  530 . The retainer plate  1040  can include retainer openings  1043  and retainer plate fastening holes  1045 . The retainer plate fastening holes  1045  may align with the receptacle fastener holes  1032 . The retainer plate fastening holes  1045  can, in some embodiments, be threaded. In some such embodiments, a threaded fastener can enter a bottom-surface side of the receptacle fastener hole  1032  and protrude through the threaded retainer plate fastening holes  1045  to sandwich the receptacles  1020  between the base  1010  and the retainer plate  1040 . 
     An insulating plate  1050  can protect the back-side mount  1024  of the receptacles  1020  from creepage. For instance, the insulating plate  1050  can be positioned between an exposed end of the fastener and the back-side mount  1024  of the receptacles  1020 . The insulating plate  1050  can have insulating plate holes  1053  corresponding to the position of the retainer openings  1043 . The insulating plate holes  1053  can have an integral attachment feature (e.g., the insulating plate  1050  having a snap-fit to the back-side mount  1024  of the receptacles  1020 ). In other embodiments, the insulating plate  1050  may be otherwise separately attachable to components of the generator interface  530  or the generator interface  530  itself. In some embodiments, the insulating plate  1050  may be made of a composite material such as an electrical grade, fiberglass-reinforced thermoset polyester resin. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 9 , utility power can enter the electrical docking station through the utility connection compartment  750 . Many embodiments of the utility connection compartment  750  can include a front side  952 , a back side  954 , a bottom side  956 , and lateral sides  958  extending between the front and back sides  952 ,  954 . Wires can enter the utility connection compartment  750  through one or more access doors or panels. 
     The utility connection compartment  750  can have a removable bottom access panel  960 . The bottom access panel  960  can be coincident with the bottom  417  of the cabinet  400 . The bottom access panel  960  can be removed to connect the circuit breaker to utility power, e.g., through a conduit extending at least to the bottom of the cabinet  400  with wires extending upwards from the bottom  417  of the cabinet  400  to the circuit breaker. 
     The utility connection compartment  750  can have a removable front access panel  970 . The front access panel  970  can be removed, to reveal the utility connection compartment  750 . For example, removing the front access panel  970  can facilitate inspecting wires or other system components such as the locking mechanism in some embodiments. In the same way, removing the front access panel  970  can facilitate making a connection to the circuit breaker. 
     At least a portion of some hardware in the main section can be accessible from the upper section of the cabinet through an upper section cover  990 . The upper section of the cabinet may be above the main section of the cabinet and include the upper section cover  990 . The upper section can be recessed in a front plane of the cabinet relative to the main section of the cabinet  400 . 
     In many instances, the upper section cover  990  may be a hinged upper door  1110  as shown in  FIG. 11A . The hinged upper door  1110  may have a front surface  1112  and a back surface  1114 . Wiring to components attached to the hinged upper door  1110  can be secured to the back surface  1114  of the hinged upper door  1110  such that they do not interfere with access when the hinged upper door  1110  is opened. 
     The upper section cover  990  may include one or more apertures  1120  disposed in the upper section cover  990 . In many instances, one or more pieces of hardware can be mounted to the upper section cover  990  in the apertures  1120  in the upper section cover  990 . When no pieces of hardware are mounted in the apertures  1120 , in some instances, an aperture cover  1130  may connect to the upper section cover  990  to conceal the aperture  1120 . The apertures  1120  may receive hardware such as electrical sockets, connectors, computer components and systems, alarming devices (e.g., the alarm  560 ), electrical receptacles (e.g., the SCADA  550 ), switches, and accompanying covers, etc. 
     The alarm  560  shown in  FIG. 11B  can be configured to indicate whether the lower hinged door is locked or not. In some instances, a user may connect generator cables to the generator interface and energize the generator before closing the lower hinged door. In such instances, the generator may provide power to the electrical docking station. When generator power is being provided to the electrical docking station, but the lower hinged door is not locked, the alarm  560  can provide an audible signal or visual signal. In some examples, the alarm  560  can provide both an audible signal and visual signal. The audible signal in some embodiments can be a high-pitched noise. The visual signal in some embodiments can be a particular color. In operation, if generator power is being provided to the electrical docking station, but the hinged lower door is not locked, the alarm  560  can provide an audible signal and shine red. If, on the other hand, generator power is being provided to the electrical docking station, but the lower hinged door is locked, the alarm  560  may instead not provide an audible signal and shine green. 
     The generator can be connected to the SCADA  550  shown in  FIG. 12  to provide generator information to the user. For instance, the SCADA  550  can be mounted to the hinged upper door enclosed in a SCADA cover  1210  and wired to the electrical docking station through a wiring grommet  1230 . The SCADA cover  1210  can be a removed using a handling grommet  1220  in a bottom of the SCADA cover  1210 . A generator can be electrically connected to the SCADA  550  by connecting a corresponding terminal of the generator to the SCADA  550 . Generator information can include various parameters of the generator (e.g., fuel, oil pressure, run rate, etc.) monitored by the SCADA. The generator information can be outputted to the user. The SCADA  550  may receive power from the above-referenced power supply. 
     Various examples have been described with reference to certain disclosed embodiments. The embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, adaptations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.