Patent Description:
A control cabinet can comprise a power distribution system to distribute electrical power among electrical devices mounted in the control cabinet. Control cabinets can be used to accommodate switch gear and switching elements, such as contactors, fuse elements or display units which can for example indicated the operating states of downstream power-consuming entities. A control cabinet can comprise a power distribution busbar system comprising busbars for distribution of electrical power between different busbar components of the control cabinet. These busbar components comprise for instance motor starter, switch disconnectors or circuit breakers. The internal power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet can be connected to external conductors to receive electrical power supply from a power supply network. During assembly of busbar components to the busbars of the power distribution busbar system, safety requirements to provide safety for a user have to be fulfilled.

In a conventional control cabinet the power feed-in of electrical supply power is performed by means of a power supply module placed on a front side of the busbar. This has the disadvantage that the space required for this front side power supply module is lost for other busbar components.

Examples of known power supply modules for busbar systems are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply module which does makes a more efficient use of the available space within a control cabinet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a power supply module which can be easily installed in a control cabinet and which provides safety for a user when handling busbar components of the control cabinet.

These objects are achieved by a power supply module comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

A significant advantage of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention is that by the special power supply feed-in of electrical power from behind the busbars the space on the front side of the busbars can be fully used to place other busbar components on the power distribution busbar system and to make in this way a very efficient use of the available mounting space within the control cabinet.

A further advantage of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention is that it can be mounted onto the power distribution busbar system without a tool.

A still further advantage is that the mechanical fixation of the power supply module to the busbars and an electrical contacting of the busbars takes place simultaneously.

In a possible embodiment the rear side power supply module comprises.

The provision of two clamping blocks at opposite sides of the rear side power supply module has the advantage that a chain of serially connected power supply modules can be formed including a number of power supply modules which are adapted to provide electrical power supply to a corresponding number of power supply busbar sets or busbar boards.

This facilitates also a flexible adaption of the size of the power distribution system for the respective use case.

The power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention provides the advantage that busbar components of the power distribution busbar system can also be mounted on the front side of the power supply module thus making efficient use of the available space within the control cabinet.

Further, an advantage of the power supply module is that it provides touch protection for a user performing maintenance or repair services at the control cabinet.

A still further advantage of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention resides in that the mounting of busbar components on the power distribution busbar system can be easily performed by a user from a front side of the control cabinet without interference with the continuous power supply of the power distribution busbar system through the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In a possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch protected electrical contacts of the power supply module comprise electrical lyre or U shaped contacts each having a base contact portion connecting two opposing leg contact portions of the respective electrical lyre or U shaped contact with each other.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the base contact portion of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact is electrically connected to an associated intermediate bar of said power supply module.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the two leg contact portions of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact are touch protected by electrically isolating cover portions of the housing front side to provide finger-safe (IP20) touch protection of the leg contact portions of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact, wherein the housing front side is further adapted to cover the associated intermediate bar lying beneath the housing front side.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the two leg contact portions of an electrical lyre or U shaped contact can comprise electrical contact surfaces facing each other, wherein the remaining surface of each leg contact portion is coated with an electrically isolating material to provide finger-safe (IP20) touch protection of the leg contact portions of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, a portion of a busbar of the power distribution busbar system is pluggable between the electrical contact surfaces of the two leg contact portions of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact to establish an electrical connection between the busbar of the power distribution busbar system and an intermediate bar of said power supply module through said electrical lyre or U shaped contact.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the two leg contact portions of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact facing each other and encompassing a portion of a busbar of said power distribution busbar system are attracted to each other in response to an electrical overcurrent flowing through the electrical lyre or U shaped contact and are pressed against the encompassed portion of the busbar to prevent a separation of the busbar from the electrical lyre or U shaped contact of the power supply module and/or to prevent an electrical arc.

Accordingly, the electrical lyre or U shaped contact being pressed in reaction to an electrical overcurrent like a short circuit current against the encompassed portion of the busbar prevents a lift-off of the busbar and also prevents an electrical arc during an overcurrent event thus increasing operation safety of the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet.

The lyre shape of the electrical contact leads to a self-amplifying effect during an overcurrent event.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the busbar of the power distribution system has a U-shaped profile with two opposing busbar sidewalls connected by a busbar base portion of the busbar.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, a sidewall of said U-shaped busbar is pluggable between the electrical contact surfaces of the two leg contact portions of the respective electrical lyre or U shaped contact to establish an electrical connection between the U-shaped busbar and the intermediate bar through the electrical lyre or U shaped contact.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the busbar base portion of the U-shaped busbar of said power distribution busbar system does comprise contact slots adapted to receive protruding electrical contacts of busbar components pluggable into the contact slots of the busbar base portion of said U-shaped busbar.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first clamping block and the second clamping block of the power supply module are both touch-protected by associated removable or moveable touch protection cover elements.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the removable touch protection cover element of a clamping block is secured by a sealing element or by a lock element against unintentional removal of the touch protection cover element by a user.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the clamping contacts of a clamping block comprise prism clamps.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the clamping contacts of a clamping block comprise box terminal clamps.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the clamping contacts of the second clamping block of said power supply module provide a loop-through functionality to loop the electrical conductors clamped to the clamping contacts of the first clamping block of said power supply module via intermediate conductors to clamping contacts of a clamping block of an extension power supply module provided for rear-side power supply of further busbars of said power distribution system.

In a possible embodiment the rear side power supply module comprises a single clamping block used for power supply of an associated set of busbars comprising a number, N, of busbars connected to the front-side touch protected contact of the rear side power supply module.

In a further possible embodiment the rear side power supply comprises two clamping blocks provided on opposite sides of the power supply module and electrically connected to each other via the electrically conductive and touch protected intermediated bars.

In this embodiment several rear side power supply can be serially connected to each other to form a chain of rear side power supply modules each being provided for the power supply of an associated set of busbars mounted to the respective power supply module.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, a busbar board with integrated busbars of the power distribution system is mounted on the power supply module and on an associated auxiliary support module used to provide mechanical support to the mounted busbar board and to provide mechanical tolerance compensation for manufactured screw holes of the power supply module and of its associated auxiliary support module.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the power supply module, associated extension power supply modules and associated auxiliary support modules are mounted on a mounting platform of a control cabinet.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the mounting platform of the control cabinet comprises a mounting plate to which the power supply module, the associated extension power supply modules and the auxiliary support modules are fixed.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the mounting platform of the control cabinet comprises a frame mounted bar system having supporting bars to which a busbar board is fixed by means of corresponding brackets, wherein the power supply module is pluggable into a rear side of the busbar board. According to the invention, the busbars of the power distribution busbar system are integrated in a housing of a touch-protected busbar board.

In a possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the present invention a locking part of the power supply module, of the associated extension power supply module and of the associated auxiliary modules used for a tool-free assembly of the touch-protected busbar board on the respective module is after removal of a touch protection cover element accessible by a tool, in particular by a screw driver, used for disengaging the engaged locking part integrated within the respective modules or provided on the rear side of the housing of the touch-protected busbar board from the assembly element for removal of the touch-protected busbar board from the respective modules in a Z-direction.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the locking part of the power supply module, of the associated extension power supply module and of the associated auxiliary modules used for a tool-free assembly of the touch-protected busbar board on the respective module is after removal of a touch protection cover element accessible by a tool used for disengaging the engaging elements integrated in the respective module or provided on the rear side of the housing of the touch-protected busbar board from the assembly element for removal of the touch-protected busbar board from the respective modules.

In a possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the present invention the power supply module is turnable along the z-axis by <NUM> degrees on the mounting platform such that its clamping block is facing an external power supply.

This is in particular advantageous if only one extension power supply module is used for power feeding of the busbar board. Depending whether the feeding conductors are coming from above or from below within the control cabinet the extension supply module can be turned accordingly.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, an internal electrical current supply path is provided between a clamping contact of the first clamping block of the power supply module and an associated busbar of the power distribution busbar system through an intermediate bar of said power supply module.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the power supply module comprises for each internal current supply path a current sensor element adapted to measure an electrical current flowing through the respective current supply path and/or comprises for each internal current supply path a voltage sensor element adapted to measure a voltage applied to the respective current supply path.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the internal current supply path of the power supply module comprises a fuse element.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the internal current supply path of the power supply module comprises a manually operated or controllable switching element for interruption of the respective internal current supply path of the power supply module to provide protection, in particular overcurrent protection and/or overload protection, to loads receiving their power supplies through busbar components connected to busbars of the power distribution busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the controllable switching element comprises a semiconductor power switch controlled by an integrated control unit of said power supply module in response to sensor signals generated by sensor elements of the power supply module.

In a still further possible embodiment of the power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention, the power supply module comprises a display unit adapted to display a momentary switching state of the integrated switching elements, adapted to display measurement information measured by integrated sensor elements, and/or adapted to display states of integrated fuse elements and/or of connected busbar components and of their loads.

The invention provides according to a further aspect a control cabinet comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

The invention provides according to a second aspect a control cabinet comprising a mounting platform for mounting at least one power supply module according to the first aspect of the present invention used for a rear-side power supply of electrical power to or from a power distribution busbar system of the respective control cabinet.

In a possible embodiment of the control cabinet according to the second aspect of the present invention, the power distribution system comprises a number of busbars used for distribution of AC power or for distribution of DC power among busbar components connected to the busbars of the power distribution system and/or used for powerline communication between busbar components connected to the busbars of the power distribution system.

In a possible embodiment of the control cabinet according to the second aspect of the present invention, the busbar components comprise a motor starter, a switch disconnector, a circuit breaker, a power supply control apparatus and/or an adapter device.

The busbar components form front side busbar components accessible by a user from a front side of the control cabinet. They can be mounted or assembled directly to busbars or to touch protected busbar boards of the control cabinet without using of tool. The busbar components of the control cabinet can in a possible implementation plugged into slots of busbars or busbar boards having integrated busbars.

In a still further possible embodiment of the control cabinet according to the second aspect of the present invention, a resistive load, a capacitive load or an inductive load is connectable to a busbar component being connected to busbars of the power distribution busbar system of said control cabinet to receive a power supply via the respective busbar component.

<FIG> illustrate a tolerance compensation.

As can be seen from the perspective view illustrated in <FIG>, a power supply module <NUM> according to the first aspect of the present invention can be connected to a mounting platform of a control cabinet. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the mounting platform of the control cabinet comprises a mounting plate <NUM> which is provided to mount one or more power supply modules of a power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet. The power distribution busbar system can comprise a number N of busbars <NUM> used for distribution of electrical power for busbar components connectable to the busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system. The busbars <NUM> are integrated in a busbar board <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the power supply module <NUM> comprises a first clamping block <NUM> having a predetermined number N (in <FIG> N=<NUM>) of clamping contacts <NUM> adapted to clamp electrical conductors <NUM> to the first clamping block <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the first clamping block <NUM> comprises three clamping contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> adapted to receive a corresponding number N of electrical conductors <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the electrical conductors <NUM>-i comprise round contactors consisting of an electrical conductive material such as copper or aluminium. The conductors <NUM>-i can also comprise laminated copper bars or similar conducting elements to receive an electrical power supply current from an external power supply source. The clamping contacts <NUM> of the first clamping block <NUM> can comprise prism clamp contacts or box terminal contacts or a screw system to fix cables with cable lugs.

The power supply module <NUM> comprises at least one (first) contact block <NUM> to receive electrical power. The power supply module <NUM> comprises in a possible embodiment a second clamping block <NUM> located on the opposite side of the power supply module <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The second clamping block <NUM> also comprises a number N of clamping contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> adapted to clamp electrical conductors <NUM> to the second clamping block <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, three electrical conductors <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can provide an electrical connection of the power supply module <NUM> to an extension power supply module <NUM> used for additional busbars. The provision of a second clamping block <NUM> also allows to form a chain of electrically connected rear side power supply modules <NUM> wherein the first clamping block <NUM>-i of an i-th power supply module (<NUM>-i) is connected to the second clamping block <NUM>-(i-<NUM>) of the previous power supply module (<NUM>-(i-<NUM>))with in the chain. The electrical conductors <NUM>, <NUM> comprise electrically isolating mantles. The electrical conductors <NUM> can be electrically connected to a local power distribution system of a control cabinet. The power distribution system of the control cabinet comprises a DC power distribution system or comprises an AC power distribution system.

The power supply module <NUM> further comprises a number N of touch protected intermediate bars <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> provided between the electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> of the first clamping block <NUM> and the electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> of the second clamping block <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The intermediate bars <NUM>-i are covered on the front side by an isolating housing front side <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and in <FIG> an by lateral touch protection cover elements <NUM>. The front side housing front side <NUM> is removed in <FIG>. The intermediate bars <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> provided between the first clamping block <NUM> and the second clamping block <NUM> provide an electrical connection between the electrical conductors <NUM>-i clamped to the electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> of the first clamping block <NUM> and the electrical conductors <NUM>-i clamped to the electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the second clamping block <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>.

The power supply module <NUM> further comprises a number N of touch-protected electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> provided at a front side of the power supply module <NUM> and adapted to establish an electrical connection between busbars such as busbars <NUM> shown in <FIG> of the power distribution busbar system and the intermediate bars <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> covered by the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment of the power supply module <NUM> according to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch-protected electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> are also touch protected by the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM>. The touch-protected electrical contacts <NUM>-i comprise in a preferred embodiment electrical lyre or U shaped contacts <NUM> having a base contact portion <NUM>-i (visible for the first lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> and visible for the third lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>) connecting two opposing leg contact portions <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of the respective electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i. In the illustrated embodiment, for each intermediate bar <NUM>-i of the power supply module <NUM>, a pair of electrical lyre or U shaped contacts <NUM>-i can be provided. The base contact portion <NUM>-i of the electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i is electrically connected to an associated intermediate bar <NUM>-i of the power supply module <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the housing back side <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> has been removed thus making an internal structure of the power supply module <NUM> visible. The outer surfaces of the two leg contact portions <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of each electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i are touch protected by the cover portions <NUM>,<NUM> of the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM>. The housing front side <NUM> is provided to cover also the associated intermediate bars <NUM> lying beneath the housing front side <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. This provides a touch protection for a user handling the power supply module <NUM>. Further, the protruding leg contact portions <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of each electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i comprise electrical contact surfaces facing each other. The remaining surface of each leg contact portion <NUM>-i,<NUM>-i is covered by the protruding portions <NUM>,<NUM> of the housing front side <NUM> as shown in <FIG> or may alternatively be coated with an electrically isolating and heat resistant material to provide finger-safe touch protection of both leg contact portions <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of each electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i of said power supply module <NUM>. Other kinds of contacts <NUM>-i electrically isolated for a user can be used in alternative embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate also fixing screws <NUM> used for fixing the power supply modules <NUM>,<NUM> and associated auxiliary support modules <NUM>,<NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the electromechanical connection of three busbars <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> of the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet to the protruding electrical lyre or U shaped contacts <NUM>-i of the power supply module <NUM>. A portion of each busbar <NUM>-i of the power distribution busbar system is pluggable between the electrical contact surfaces of the two leg contact portions <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of each electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i to establish an electrical connection between the respective busbar <NUM>-i of the power distribution busbar system and an intermediate bar <NUM>-i of the power supply module <NUM> through the electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the busbar <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> comprise U-shaped busbars having busbar base portions <NUM> with contact slots 16A adapted to receive associated electrical contacts <NUM> of busbar components <NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>,<FIG>.

As can be seen in more detail in the cross section view of <FIG>, a portion of each busbar <NUM>-i can be plugged between electrical contact surfaces of two leg contact portions <NUM>-i,<NUM>-i of an electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM>-i. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, each busbar <NUM>-i comprises a U-shaped busbar having sidewalls <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i connected through a busbar base portion <NUM>-i of the respective busbar <NUM>-i. The busbar base portion <NUM> of the U-shaped busbar <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system comprises a plurality of contact slots 16A adapted to receive protruding electrical contacts <NUM> of busbar components <NUM> pluggable into the contact slots 16A of the busbar base portion <NUM> of the respective U-shaped busbar <NUM>. A sidewall such as the sidewall <NUM> or the sidewall <NUM> of each U-shaped busbar can be plugged between the electrical contact surfaces of two leg contact portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM> to establish an electrical connection between the U-shaped busbar <NUM> and the intermediate bar <NUM> covered by the isolating housing front side <NUM> through the electrical lyre or U shaped contact <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>.

In the cross section view of <FIG> the U-shaped busbar <NUM>-<NUM> comprises two sidewalls <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, wherein the sidewall <NUM>-<NUM> is plugged between the two leg portions <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> of the contact <NUM>-<NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>. <FIG> shows a front view on a busbar board <NUM> mounted on a power supply module <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross section view along the line A-A shown in <FIG> and shows also the fixing screws <NUM>.

<FIG> are further views to illustrate the touch protected front facing contacts <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>. The touch protection of the contacts <NUM>-i is achieved by the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> as best visible in the cross section view of <FIG>. <FIG> show the protruding electrically isolating contact cover portions <NUM>, <NUM> of housing front side <NUM> shown in <FIG> which provide touch protection to the corresponding covered leg portions <NUM>,<NUM> of the front side contacts <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> visible in <FIG> where the housing front side <NUM> is removed.

<FIG> shows a front view on the power supply module <NUM> covered on its front side by the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM>. <FIG> shows also a key hole <NUM> for a fixing screw <NUM> and a hole <NUM> for a fixing screw <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross section view along the line A-A in <FIG> showing the electrically conductive leg portions <NUM>,<NUM> covered by the corresponding contact cover portions <NUM>,<NUM> of the electrically isolating housing front side <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM>. The touch protected leg portion <NUM>,<NUM> are both attached to a common base portion <NUM> being in electrical contact with the associated intermediate bar <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> the power supply module <NUM> comprises a single clamping block <NUM> whereas in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> the power supply module <NUM> comprises a first clamping block <NUM> and a second clamping block <NUM> located on the opposite side of the first clamping block <NUM>.

In a possible embodiment, the first clamping block <NUM> and the second clamping block <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> are both touch-protected by associated removable or pivotable touch protection cover elements <NUM>, <NUM> to get access to the clamping contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM>. In a possible embodiment, each removable touch protection cover element <NUM>, <NUM> of a clamping block <NUM>, <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> can be secured by a sealing element <NUM> or by a locking element <NUM> against unintentional removal of the touch protection cover element by a user. The clamping contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise prism clamping contacts. In an alternative implementation, the clamping contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM> can also comprise box terminal contacts.

In a preferred embodiment of the power supply module <NUM> according to the first aspect of the present invention, the clamping contacts <NUM> of the second clamping block <NUM> provide a loop-through functionality to loop the electrical conductors <NUM>-i clamped to the clamping contacts <NUM> of the first clamping block <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> via the intermediate bars <NUM>-i and the intermediate conductors <NUM>-i to clamping contacts of a clamping block <NUM> of an extension power supply module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The structure of the extension power supply module <NUM> is similar to the structure of the main power supply module <NUM>, however, the extension power supply module <NUM> only comprises in the illustrated embodiment a single clamping block <NUM> for connection to the main power supply module <NUM> through the intermediate conductors <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. The extension power supply module <NUM> also comprises at its front side electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> touch protected by an electrically isolating housing front side <NUM> for electrical connection of additional busbars of the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet. The extension power supply module <NUM> is also provided for rear-side power supply of a busbars of the power distribution busbar system. The extension power supply module <NUM> comprises electrically isolating sidewalls <NUM> as shown in <FIG>,<FIG>,<FIG>. The contact block <NUM> of the extension power supply module <NUM> comprises also a touch protection element <NUM>.

The control cabinet comprises a mounting platform which can be used to mount the main power supply module <NUM>, an associated extension power supply module <NUM> as well as auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>. The auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> can be mounted on the mounting platform <NUM> of the control cabinet to provide mechanical support to the busbars <NUM>-i connected to the at least one main power supply module <NUM> and to the busbars mounted to the extension power supply module <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the structure of the auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> is similar to the structure of the power supply modules, however, without the provision of contact blocks. The busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system are integrated in housings of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, a first touch-protected busbar board <NUM> is mounted on the main power supply module <NUM> and its associated auxiliary support module <NUM>. A second touch-protected busbar board <NUM> is mounted on the extension power supply module <NUM> and its associated mechanical auxiliary support module <NUM>. Both touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise a predetermined number of busbars <NUM> integrated within the housing of the respective touch-protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the control cabinet comprises a mounting plate <NUM> to which the power supply module <NUM>, the associated extension power supply module <NUM> and the associated auxiliary support modules <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed, for instance by means of screws. The front side of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> comprises several (e.g. three) rows <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> each comprising a plurality of equidistant contact openings <NUM>(e.g. slots) corresponding to the slots 16A of the underlying busbars <NUM>-i of the power distribution busbar system. In this way, it is possible to plug protruding electrical contacts <NUM> of busbar components <NUM> such as motor starters or switch disconnectors or other kinds of power supply control apparatuses through the contact openings <NUM> at the front side of the housing of the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> into the corresponding slots 16A of the busbars <NUM>-i encapsulated by the housing of the respective busbar board <NUM>,<NUM> of the power distribution busbar system.

In a possible embodiment of the power supply module <NUM>, the associated extension power supply module <NUM> as well as the auxiliary support modules <NUM>, <NUM> comprise assembly elements adapted to receive engaging elements provided on a rear side of a housing of a touch-protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM> which can be used for a tool-free assembly of the touch-protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM> on the respective modules mounted on the mounting plate <NUM> of the control cabinet. In this way, a user can clip a busbar board such as the busbar board <NUM>, <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> without using any kind of tool onto the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> and associated mechanical auxiliary support modules <NUM>, <NUM>. In this way, the mounting of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> can be performed easily and in a complete safe manner without requiring the use of a tool.

In a further possible embodiment, the assembly element of the power supply module <NUM>, of the associated extension power supply module <NUM> and of the associated mechanical auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> used for the tool-free assembly of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> is after removal of a corresponding touch protection cover element <NUM>,<NUM> accessible by a tool <NUM> such as a scew driver. This tool <NUM> can be used for disengaging the locking part <NUM> being integrated in the respective modules <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> or being provided on the rear side of the housing of the touch-protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM> from the assembly elements for removal of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> from the respective modules fixed to the mounting plate <NUM> of the control cabinet. For instance, a user can after removal or opening of a touch protection cover element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> make use of a screwdriver <NUM> for disassembly of the touch-protected busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> from the corresponding modules as also shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>.

In a possible embodiment each power supply module <NUM>,<NUM> and each auxiliary support module <NUM>,<NUM> can comprise two locking parts <NUM>. To remove the busbar boards <NUM>,<NUM> from the power supply module <NUM>,<NUM> and from the associated auxiliary support module <NUM>,<NUM> the upper engaging element <NUM> is drawn by the screw driver <NUM> in a positive Y-direction and the lower engaging element <NUM> in a negative Y-direction. In the disengaged position the respective locking part <NUM> then releases the busbar board <NUM>,<NUM>, i.e. moving the busbar board <NUM>,<NUM> in Z-direction is now possible. To avoid that a user has to handle all four element simultaneously there is a fixed state in disengaged position (parking position) for each locking part <NUM>. In its engaged locking position the locking part <NUM> does restrict the degree of moving freedom of the busbar boards in Z-direction.

<FIG> shows the mechanical support auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> used for receiving the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system in a coordinate system having a X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction. The auxiliary support modules <NUM>, <NUM> also comprise electrically isolating contact cover portions <NUM>, <NUM> of for receiving portions of busbars <NUM>, however, these cover portions <NUM>,<NUM> are only provided for mechanical purposes without transporting an electrical current.

In the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply distribution busbar system is mounted on a mounting plate <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the busbar boards <NUM>,<NUM> of the power distribution busbar system can also be mounted on a frame mounted busbar system <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> having at least two supporting bars <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, brackets <NUM>, <NUM> are used for fixing busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> to a first supporting bar <NUM> of the frame mounted busbar system <NUM>. Further, brackets <NUM>, <NUM> can be used to fix the other distal end of the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> with the integrated busbars <NUM> to the other opposing supporting bar <NUM> of the frame mounted busbar system <NUM>. Initially the brackets <NUM> to <NUM> are fixed to the supporting bars <NUM>, <NUM>. Then the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed to the brackets <NUM> to <NUM>. Finally the power supply module <NUM> is plugged from behind into the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> and is attached in this way to the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM>.

The power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. the main power supply module <NUM> as well as the extension power supply module <NUM>, can each comprise an internal electrical current supply path CSP provided between a clamping contact <NUM> of the first clamping block <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective power supply module <NUM>, <NUM> and an associated busbar <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system through an intermediate bar <NUM> of the respective power supply module <NUM>, <NUM> as also shown in <FIG>. In a possible implementation, the power supply module <NUM> can comprise for each internal current supply path CSP a current sensor element <NUM> adapted to measure an electrical current I flowing through the respective current supply path CSP and/or comprise a voltage sensor element adapted to measure a voltage V applied to the respective current supply path CSP. The internal current supply path CSP can comprise further elements such as a switch <NUM> or a fuse element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The internal current supply paths CSPs of the power supply module <NUM> can comprise in a possible embodiment each a manually operated or controllable switching element <NUM> for interruption of the respective internal current supply path CSP of the power supply module <NUM> as illustrated schematically in <FIG> to provide protection, in particular overcurrent protection and/or overload protection, to electrical load devices <NUM> receiving their power supply through busbar components <NUM> connected to busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system. The controllable switching element <NUM> can comprise in a possible implementation a semiconductor power switch controlled by an integrated control unit <NUM> of the power supply module <NUM> in response to sensor signals generated by sensor elements <NUM> of the respective power supply module <NUM>. Further, the power supply module <NUM> can comprise in a possible implementation a display unit adapted to display a momentary switching state of integrated switching elements <NUM> or to display measurement information provided by integrated sensor elements <NUM> and/or adapted to display states of integrated fuse elements <NUM> of the respective power supply module <NUM>. Further the display unit of the power supply module <NUM> can display momentary operation states of the busbar components <NUM> and/or of their load devices <NUM>. The busbar components <NUM> are accessible to a user from a front side of the control cabinet as also shown in <FIG>. Some of the busbar components <NUM> can comprise a user interface at a front side of a housing of the busbar component.

The internal current supply path CSP can be a bidirectional current supply path, i.e. the device <NUM> connected to the busbar component <NUM> can be a power consuming load device but also a power generating device providing electrical power fed back in a reverse power supply direction from the power generating device through the busbar component <NUM> and through the power supply module <NUM> into the power distribution system of the control cabinet where the electrical power is distributed to load devices of the control cabinet.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate schematically a power supply module <NUM> according to the first aspect of the present invention. As can be seen in the diagram of <FIG>, the clamping contact <NUM>-i provided at the first clamping block <NUM> of the main power supply module <NUM> is internally electrically connected through an intermediate bar <NUM>-i to an associated clamping contact <NUM>-i provided at the opposing contact block <NUM> of the main power supply module <NUM>. The outgoing clamping contact <NUM>-i of the main power supply module <NUM> is connected via an extension conductor <NUM>-i to a corresponding input clamping contact <NUM>-i of the contact block <NUM> of the extension power supply module <NUM>. The extension power supply module <NUM> comprises internal intermediate bars <NUM>-i as shown in <FIG>. The main power supply module <NUM> comprises front side touch protected electrical contacts <NUM>-i connected internally to the intermediate bars <NUM>-i of the main power supply module <NUM>. In the same way, the extension power supply module <NUM> comprises front side touch protected electrical contacts <NUM>-i connected to the internal intermediate busbars <NUM>-i of the extension power supply module <NUM>. A portion of each busbar <NUM> is plugged between the surfaces of the electrical contacts such as electrical lyre or U shaped contacts <NUM>-i, <NUM>-i of the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The busbars <NUM> can in turn comprise contact slots 16A or other contact means to receive electrical contacts <NUM> of busbar components <NUM> connectable to the busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet as illustrated schematically in <FIG>. The busbars <NUM> are integrated in a touch protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM>.

The busbar components <NUM> are accessible by a used and provided at the front side of the control cabinet. Busbar componets <NUM> can comprise for instance motor starters, switch disconnectors, circuit breakers or other kinds of power supply control apparatuses. Further, the busbar components <NUM> can also comprise adapter devices such as the adapter device 39B shown in <FIG>. In a possible embodiment, to each busbar component <NUM>, at least one electrical load device <NUM> or electrical power generation or power storage device can be connected through an interface at a front side of the busbar component <NUM>.

The electrical load device <NUM> can comprise a resistive load, a capacitive load or an inductive load such as a motor connectable to a corresponding busbar component <NUM> such as a motor starter being connected to busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet to receive a power supply via the busbar component <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments of <FIG>, the different busbar components <NUM> can be plugged into slots 16A of the U-shaped busbars <NUM>-i which can be integrated in a housing of a touch-protected busbar board such as the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further a load device <NUM> or a power generation device <NUM> can be connected to an interface at the front side of the housing of the busbar component <NUM> which is connected by its contacts <NUM> to busbars <NUM> integrated in a busbar board <NUM> of the power distribution system of said control cabinet as also shown in <FIG> forming a cross section view of <FIG> along line B-B.

In this way it is also possible to feed electrical power into the power distribution busbar system of the control cabinet from local power generation devices. The power generation or storage device can be for instance comprise a battery providing DC power or comprise a generator providing AC power.

Accordingly an electrical current can flow in two directions, i.e. in a forward supply direction from the power distribution system to a load device <NUM> or in a reverse supply direction from a power generation device <NUM> back into local the power distribution system of the control cabinet. In a possible implementation the power supply direction, i.e. the direction of the flow of electrical current I flowing along the current supply path CSP is detected by sensor elements provided at the current supply path CSP and notified to the controller <NUM> shown in <FIG>. This information can used for performing a local power balancing and/or for protection of connected entities <NUM> by controllers <NUM> communicating with each other through a wireless or wired communication interface.

<FIG> illustrates the mounting of exemplary busbar components 39A, 39B, 39C on the front side of the busbar board <NUM> mounted in X-direction on a mounting plate <NUM> of the control cabinet. The busbar board <NUM> with its integrated busbars <NUM> is mounted in a preferred embodiment in a horizontal direction onto the mounting platform, i.e. in this embodiment the X-direction is horizontal. The busbar component 39A comprises a fuse switch disconnector. The busbar component 39B is an adapter onto which a motor starter <NUM> is assembled.

<FIG> shows a further exemplary embodiment of power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> with additional protection circuitry for protection of electrical loads <NUM> connected to the busbar components <NUM> of the system. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the main power supply module <NUM> and the extension power supply module <NUM> both comprise a sensor element <NUM> provided in the internal current supply path CSP of the respective power supply module <NUM>, <NUM>. The sensor element <NUM> can comprise for instance a current sensor element adapted to measure an electrical current I flowing through the respective current supply path CSP via the busbar component <NUM> to an electrical load <NUM> mounted in the control cabinet. The sensor signal of the current sensor element <NUM> can be supplied to an integrated controller <NUM> provided within the main power supply module <NUM> and/or within the extension power supply module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In a further possible embodiment, the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> can also comprise a voltage sensor element adapted to measure a voltage applied to the respective current supply path. The sensor elements can provide sensor signals sampled by ADCs of the power supply module and stored as sensor data in a memory of the controller <NUM>. The sensor data comprises a current profile and/or a voltage profile which can be processed by a processor of the controller <NUM> for overcurrent and/or overvoltage and/or overload detection or other fault events. In case of a detected fault event the controller <NUM> triggers the interruption of the affected current supply path CSP. The controller <NUM> can communicate in a possible embodiment with a control cabinet controller of the control cabinet via a wired or wireless communication link. In this way the control cabinet controller can be notified about a momentary operation state of the respective power supply module <NUM>. The control cabinet controller can control the electrical connection of the local power distribution system integrated in the control cabinet to an external power supply system such as a power supply grid and/or can control the electrical connection of the local power distribution system to the power supply modules <NUM> of the control cabinet depending on the notified operation states of the power supply modules <NUM> of the control cabinet. For instance if an auxiliary light sensitive sensor indicates that a protection cover <NUM>, <NUM> of a contact clamping block <NUM>,<NUM> has been opened by a user the affected power supply module <NUM> can be separated automatically by a switch controlled by the control cabinet controller from the local power distribution system of the control cabinet to protect the user.

The current supply path CSP of the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise in a possible implementation a manually operated and/or a controllable switching element <NUM> used for interruption of the respective internal current supply path CSP of the power supply module <NUM> to provide protection to electrical loads <NUM> receiving the power supply through the busbar components <NUM> connected to the busbars <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system. In a possible embodiment, the switching element <NUM> can comprise a controllable semiconductor power switch (e.g. MOSFET) controlled by the integrated control unit <NUM> of the respective power supply module <NUM>, <NUM> in response to sensor signals generated by sensor elements such as the current sensor element <NUM> of the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM>. Each power supply module <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise in a further implementation a display unit with a graphical user interface GUI adapted to display a momentary switching state of the integrated switching elements <NUM> and/or to display measurement information measured by integrated sensor elements <NUM> and/or to display states of integrated fuse elements <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Auxiliary sensor elements, in particular light sensitive sensor elements, may be used to detect whether cover elements <NUM>, <NUM> have been opened by a user or not.

The power supply module <NUM> and the associated extension power supply module <NUM> provide in a preferred embodiment IP20 touch protection for a user. In a possible embodiment, the busbars <NUM>-i integrated in the busbar boards <NUM>, <NUM> can be mounted on a mechanical platform of the control cabinet in horizontal direction. In a possible embodiment, the associated auxiliary modules <NUM>, <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> comprise recesses adapted to receive engaging elements. The auxiliary support modules <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided for tolerance compensation of manufactured assembly holes of the power supply module and of the auxiliary support module. For instance, the recesses of the mechanical support modules <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a wiggle room of three millimeters to provide tolerance compensation to provide mechanical tolerance compensation in X-direction for manufactured screw holes of the power supply module <NUM> and of its associated auxiliary support module <NUM> as also visible in <FIG> and in <FIG>.

The power supply module <NUM> and the auxiliary support module <NUM> are both formed such that they can mechanically compensate manufacturing tolerances of their assembly holes in X-direction as shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>. The power supply module <NUM> forms a fixed bearing for the busbar board <NUM> and the auxiliary support module <NUM> forms a loose bearing for the busbar board <NUM>. This can be achieved in that a width A of receiving pockets of the auxiliary support module <NUM> is larger than a width B of the receiving pockets of the power supply module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The number N of busbars <NUM>-i of the power distribution busbar system can vary depending on the use case. In the illustrated embodiment, the power distribution busbar system comprises N=<NUM> busbars <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> for three different current phases L1, L2, L3 of an AC power supply system. In other use cases, the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise N = <NUM> busbars or N=<NUM> busbars to a power distribution system with an N busbar and/or a PE busbar. The power distribution system can also be used for DC power supply of electrical loads <NUM> though busbar components <NUM> plugged into contact slots 16A of busbars <NUM> of the power distribution system.

The main power supply module <NUM> may or may not comprise a connected extension power supply module <NUM>. Accordingly, the provision of the extension power supply module <NUM> is optional. The main power supply module <NUM> without the extension power supply module <NUM> can be turned around along its longitudinal axis by <NUM>° to provide either power supply through the electrical conductors <NUM>-i from above or from the bottom of the control cabinet. For insulation of components of the busbar system, all parts are electrically isolated to provide safety for a user performing maintenance or repair services. The busbar components <NUM> can be plugged in a possible embodiment without use of any mechanical tools into the busbars <NUM> of the touch-protected busbar board <NUM>, <NUM>. The busbars <NUM> are adapted to collect electrical power from the power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM>. The power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM> of the power distribution busbar system can also be used as outgoing feeders receiving electrical power from busbars <NUM>-i and to supply the electrical power to external components.

The busbars <NUM>-i of the electrical power supply system can comprise different shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the busbars <NUM>-i are formed by U-shaped busbars. The electrical busbars <NUM>-i can also comprise other cross sections or shapes, for instance, they can comprise conventional electrical busbars having a rectangular cross sections. Other shapes are possible as well. For instance, the electrical busbars <NUM> may also comprise a round cross section.

The power distribution busbar system can comprise a couple of busbar holders for assembly. The electrical busbar system can be differentiated by the distance between the center of each busbar <NUM>-i and may vary according to a maximum current carrying capacity of the power distribution busbar system. In a possible embodiment, the power distribution busbar system may comprise a <NUM> busbar system having a current carrying capacity of up to <NUM> to <NUM> Amps, a <NUM> busbar system having a current carrying capacity of up to <NUM> to <NUM> Amps, a <NUM> busbar system having a current carrying capacity of up to <NUM> Amps and/or a <NUM> busbar system comprising a current carrying capacity of up to <NUM> Amps.

<FIG> shows a perspective view on a power supply module <NUM> and its associated auxiliary support module <NUM> to illustrate disassembly of a busbar board <NUM> by means of a tool <NUM>. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the tool <NUM> used for disengaging the busbar board <NUM> from the rear side power supply module <NUM> and its associated auxiliary support module <NUM> comprises a screwdriver. As can be seen in <FIG>, the main power supply module <NUM> comprises two contacting blocks <NUM>, <NUM> each having a touch protection cover element <NUM>, <NUM>. After moving or opening the touch protection cover element <NUM>, <NUM>, the screwdriver <NUM> gets access to a locking part <NUM> as illustrated in the cross section view of <FIG>. Similarly, the screwdriver <NUM> can be used for disengaging the busbar board <NUM> from the auxiliary support module <NUM> as also illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>. Accordingly, whereas the mounting of the busbar board <NUM> onto the power supply module <NUM> and its associated auxiliary support module <NUM> can be performed without use of a tool <NUM>, the disassembling of the busbar board <NUM> can only be performed by a user using a tool such as the screwdriver <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As also illustrated in <FIG>, the touch protection cover elements <NUM>, <NUM> can further be secured by using a seal <NUM> or locking elements <NUM>. After removing the seal <NUM> and/or the locking elements <NUM>, a user can open the corresponding touch protection element <NUM>, <NUM> to get access to the underlying conductor contacts and to the locking part <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. The seal <NUM> and the lock <NUM> as well as the touch protection cover element <NUM>, <NUM> secured by the seal <NUM> and lock <NUM> guarantee that a user cannot unintentionally come into physical contact with a current carrying contacts <NUM>,<NUM> of the contact clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> show a cross section view and a front view on the main power supply module <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As can be seen in <FIG>, both touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> are closed. Further, both touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> are secured by means of a seal <NUM> and by locking elements <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross section view along the second contact block <NUM> with the closed touch protection element <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, a user cannot unintentionally come into contact with the contact elements <NUM> of the contact clamping block <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a further exemplary embodiment where two main power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM>' are used to carry a busbar board <NUM>. Accordingly, whereas the busbar board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is supported by a main power supply module <NUM> and its associated auxiliary support module <NUM>, the busbar board <NUM> shown in <FIG> is mounted on two main rear side power supply modules <NUM>, <NUM>', having contact clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>' on both sides. <FIG> further illustrates an Allen key <NUM> which can be used to fix the electrical conductors <NUM>, <NUM> to the corresponding electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the contact clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM>. In a possible implementation, the touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> comprise corresponding holes or openings <NUM> through which the Allen key <NUM> can be passed for fixing the electrical conductors <NUM>, <NUM> to the corresponding electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>. The number of the openings <NUM> in the housing front side <NUM>,<NUM> corresponds to the number of conductor contacts <NUM>,<NUM>. It is also possible to pivot the touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> to get access to the electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>. Also, other kinds of tools such as the tool <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be used for fixing the electrical conductors <NUM>, <NUM> to the corresponding electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of the contact clamping blocks <NUM>, <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, whereas the touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the first power supply module <NUM> are in the illustrated situation closed and sealed or blocked by a seal <NUM> and/or by locking elements <NUM>, the touch protection elements <NUM>', <NUM>' of the second power supply module <NUM>' have been opened to perform an assembly of the electrical conductors <NUM>, <NUM> to the corresponding electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>'. A user may take a screwdriver <NUM> to open up the touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the other power supply module <NUM> as well after removal of the seal <NUM> and locking elements <NUM> as also shown in <FIG>. The conductors <NUM>,<NUM> comprise an electrically insulating mantle.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate a power supply module <NUM> with opened-up touch protection elements <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross section view along the line A-A and <FIG> shows a cross section view along the line B-B. After having opened up the touch protection cover element <NUM>, a screwdriver <NUM> can be used for disengaging the busbar board <NUM> from the main power supply module <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and illustrated in more detail in <FIG>.

At the contact clamping block <NUM>, the Allen key <NUM> can be used to mount the electrical conductor <NUM> to the corresponding electrical contact <NUM>-<NUM> of the contact block <NUM> after having opened the touch protection cover element <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the separation of the locking part <NUM> by the tip of a screwdriver <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the touch protection cover element <NUM> can be swiveled or pivoted around an element <NUM> to open up a passage for entering a tip portion of the screwdriver <NUM> along the sidewall of the housing of the busbar board <NUM> wherein the inserted tip portion of the screwdriver <NUM> is used to move a hook-shaped portion of the locking part <NUM>. In this way, the housing of the busbar board <NUM> becomes disengaged and can be removed from the underlying power supply module <NUM>. In contrast to the disassembly, the mounting of the busbar board <NUM> onto the power supply module <NUM> can be performed without requiring a tool. For mounting the busbar board <NUM>, the housing of the busbar board <NUM> can simply be clipped onto the locking part <NUM>. The locking part <NUM> can comprise a spring to move the locking part <NUM> into a parking position.

For each module there are two locking parts <NUM> which may be operated independently. Each of the two locking parts <NUM> is pressed by two associated mechanical springs <NUM> in a locking position of the respective locking part <NUM>. These (four) mechanical springs <NUM> can be seen in <FIG> and in <FIG>.

When handling by a screw driver <NUM> an engaging element of the locking part <NUM> which can be formed by an engaging hook <NUM> the locking part <NUM> is moved against the direction of the mechanical force F exerted by the mechanical spring <NUM> on the locking part <NUM> until the engaging hook <NUM> provided at the locking part <NUM> does fixate the locking part <NUM> in the parking position. In the parking position the locking part <NUM> does release the busbar board <NUM> so that it can be lifted from the power supply module <NUM> and from the associated auxiliary support module <NUM>.

For performing a new mechanical engagement the engaging hook <NUM> of the locking part <NUM> is pressed back by the screw driver <NUM> and the associated mechanical springs <NUM> do press the locking part <NUM> back into its locking position.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate the disassembly of the busbar board <NUM> from an auxiliary support module <NUM> by means of a screwdriver <NUM>. The screwdriver <NUM> can be placed on a hook-shaped tip portion of the locking part <NUM> forming an engaging hook <NUM> to receive the tip of the screwdriver <NUM>. The housing of the busbar board <NUM> can be used in this way as a lever for pushing the hook shaped tip portion of the locking part <NUM> in lateral direction as illustrated schematically in <FIG> thus disengaging the housing of the busbar board <NUM> from the underlying auxiliary support module <NUM>. This is also illustrated in the perspective view of <FIG>.

As can be seen in <FIG> the modules comprise two key shaped holes <NUM> and two round holes <NUM>. In a preferred orientation, i.e. when the conductors <NUM> are coming from below within the control cabinet, two screws are pre-screwed into the mounting plate <NUM> and subsequently the respective module is suspended by means of the two key shaped holes <NUM> onto these screws. Then the module is fixed with two additional screws through the round holes <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A power supply module (<NUM>) for rear-side power supply of a power distribution busbar system comprising a number, N, of busbars (<NUM>) integrated in a housing of a touch-protected busbar board (<NUM>, <NUM>) for distribution of electrical power for busbar components (<NUM>) connectable to said busbars (<NUM>),
said power supply module (<NUM>) comprising:
an electrically isolating housing comprising a front side (<NUM>) and a back side (<NUM>) comprising lateral touch protection cover elements, wherein the isolating housing is configured to be mounted with said back side (<NUM>) to a mounting plate (<NUM>);
at least one clamping block (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a number, N, of clamping contacts (<NUM>; <NUM>) adapted to clamp electrical conductors (<NUM>; <NUM>) to said clamping block (<NUM>; <NUM>);
a number, N, of electrically conductive and touch protected intermediate bars (<NUM>) provided between the at least one clamping block (<NUM>;<NUM>) and a number, N, of touch-protected electrical contacts (<NUM>) provided at the front side (<NUM>) of said power supply module (<NUM>) and adapted to establish an electrical connection between the busbars (<NUM>) of said power distribution busbar system and the intermediate bars (<NUM>) of said power supply module (<NUM>),
wherein the intermediate bars (<NUM>) are covered on the front side by the electrically isolating housing front side (<NUM>) and by the lateral touch protection cover elements.