Patent Abstract:
A device is easily connected to a utility panel of a building and includes signals to indicate improper operation in the electrical system of the building. The device further includes a system for dispersing an extinguishing agent into the utility panel box in the event a power surge is of sufficient magnitude.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of electrical accessories, and to the particular field of surge protection equipment. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   Building safety is a major concern to any property owner or renter. One concern of anyone who owns or occupies a building is associated with a power surge in the electrical system. The power surge can result from lightning, fires, failures in the electrical system servicing the property, or the like. 
   A power surge can damage or destroy electrical equipment in the building, and can even start a fire in some cases. Furthermore, a power surge that is of sufficient magnitude may damage other equipment in the building. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system. 
   The art contains several examples of UPS equipment, power surge protection equipment, and the like. However, there does not appear to be any easily installed equipment that can protect an entire building. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an easily installed means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system. 
   Still further, if the power surge is significant enough, there may be a fire in the utility connection box at which the building wiring is connected to the wiring associated with a utility. This could be a catastrophic event. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system as well as protecting against any fire that might be associated with the power surge. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an easily installed means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for protecting a building against a power surge in the electrical system as well as protecting against any fire that might be associated with the power surge. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a power surge protection unit that is installed in a building utility connection panel. The unit embodying the present invention includes elements that will alert someone if a breaker has been tripped. The unit further includes a system for dispersing a extinguishing agent in the utility box if a power surge is of sufficient magnitude. 
   Using the power surge protection unit embodying the present invention is easily installed and will generate an alert if a breaker is tripped and can protect the utility panel against fire. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a power surge protection device embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a utility panel to which the power surge protection device of the present invention is connected. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a power surge protection unit  10 . Unit  10  comprises a utility connection panel unit  12 , which connects a utility to a building via feed lines L. Utility connection panel unit  12  includes a housing  14  having an interior volume  16 . A panel  20  contains a plurality of circuit breaker elements, such as element  22 , which are located inside housing  14  and serve the functions usual to such elements. Utility connection panel unit  12  further includes a neutral connection element  24  and a ground connection element  26 . 
   Unit  10  further includes a power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . Unit  40  is mounted adjacent to utility connection panel unit  12  and includes a housing  42 , which has an interior volume  44  and a door  46  which covers and uncovers the interior volume  44 . 
   A neutral connection element  48  is located in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40  and an electrical connection  50  electrically connects the neutral connection element  48  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40  to the neutral connection element  24  of the utility connection panel unit  12 . 
   A ground connection element  60  is located in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40  and an electrical connection  62  electrically connects the ground connection element  60  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40  to the ground connection element  26  of the utility connection panel unit  12 . 
   A neutral circuit fuse element  70  is also located in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . The neutral circuit fuse element  70  is connected to the neutral connection element  48 . A ground circuit fuse element  74  is located in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . The ground circuit fuse element  74  is connected to the ground connection element  60 . 
   A neutral fault indicator element  80  is located on the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 , and an electrical connection  82  is located between the neutral fault indicator element  80  and the neutral connection element  48  in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . A ground fault indicator element  86  is located on the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 , and an electrical connection  88  is located between the ground fault indicator element  86  and the ground connection element  60  in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . 
   An extinguishing agent dispensing system  90  is located in housing  42  and includes a container  92  of extinguishing agent located in the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . Container  92  is electrically uncharged in a normal state. The extinguishing agent is similar to the extinguishing agents used in ABC fire extinguishers, compressed dry air or SF6 gas, which extinguishes arcs in high-voltage circuit breakers. 
   An electrical connection  94  is located in housing  42  and electrically connects the container  92  of the extinguishing agent to the neutral connection element  48  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . The container  92  of extinguishing agent becomes negatively charged during a power surge. 
   A fluid connection conduit  100  is located between the container  92  of extinguishing agent and the interior of the housing  14  of the utility connection panel unit  12  and the interior of the housing  42  of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . The container  92  includes a valve  104  which permits extinguishing agent to flow out of the container  92  when the container  92  becomes negatively charged. Valve  104  is fluidically connected to fluid connection conduit  100  between the container  92  of extinguishing agent and the interior of the housing  14  of the utility connection panel unit and the interior of the housing of the power surge protection and indicating unit  40 . 
   During a power surge, extinguishing agent  110  is dispensed into housing  14  of utility connection panel unit  12  and the indicators  80  and/or  86  are activated. 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7