Patent Description:
An electrical panel can include live conductors, such as a power line bus and individual connection points on the bus which are connectable to electrical devices, such as circuit breakers and other equipment, for each branch circuit conductor. The branch circuit conductors supply electricity to the various loads such as within a residence. A power line rail assembly according to the preamble of independent claim <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT>. Further power assemblies are disclosed by <CIT> and <CIT>.

A power line rail assembly according to independent claim <NUM> is provided for an electrical distribution system.

In various embodiments, the branching first and second bus bars each have an elongated portion which extends along a direction of a length of the enclosure and upon which to connect an electrical connector of a branch device through a window from the first or second set. The elongated portions of the two branching first bus bars can be separated diagonally from each other along a length of the enclosure, and the elongated portions of the two branching second bus bars can be separated diagonally from each other along a length of the enclosure. The elongated portion of the first bus bar of the first pair of bus bars can be substantially parallel to the second bus bar of the second pair of bus bars, and the elongated portion of the first bus bar of the second pair of bus bars can be substantially parallel to the second bus bar of the first pair of bus bars.

The line bus bar assembly also can have a first end and a second opposite end, the two branching first bus bars can branch out from the first end of the line bus bar assembly, and the two branching second bus bars can branch out from the second end of the line bus bar assembly. Furthermore, the first and second line buses can supply voltage at first and second voltages respectively, the line bus bar assembly being configured to supply voltage substantially equal to the sum of the first and second voltages when a <NUM>-pole branch device has a first pole connected to the first line bus and a second pole connected to the second line bus, from a window from one of the top and bottom rows and a window from the other of the top and bottom rows respectively on the first or second set.

The top and bottom rows of each of the first and second sets on respective sides of the enclosure can have their windows spaced apart according to a pole-spacing of branch devices connectable thereto. The first and second line buses can be electrically isolated from each other by dielectric or insulation walls in the enclosure. The windows of the enclosure can be finger-safe windows.

In a further embodiment, a load center can include two neutral buses, and the power line rail assembly which is arranged between the two neutral buses. The load center can further include a plurality of tracks each having a guide rail for guiding a branch device to connect to the first or second line bus through a window of a corresponding top and bottom window pair from the top and bottom rows of windows along the enclosure, the tracks and respective window pairs being spaced apart along the enclosure according to pole-spacing of branch devices connectable thereto.

The load center can further include at least one branch device having a horizontal line connector (commonly called a jaw) for connecting to one of the first and second bus bars through a window from a top and bottom window pair from the top and bottom rows of windows along the enclosure. The at least one branch device can further include a horizontal neutral connector, the at least one branch device configured to connect or disconnect the neutral and line connectors to or from the neutral bus bar and one of the first and second bus bars, respectively, when racking in or racking out the at least one branch device along a track from the plurality of tracks. The at least one branch device can further include a spring-loaded pawl (or lever) for engaging a tooth or slot on a track from the plurality of tracks to lock the at least one branch device between the power line rail assembly and the track after the at least one branch device is connected to the power line rail assembly in a racked-in position.

In various embodiments, the enclosure of the power line rail assembly can have a substantially rectangular shape with the first and second sets of windows being located along a length of the enclosure on opposite sides thereof. The load center can further include an electronic rail configured to enable communications for one or more branch devices connected to branch circuits powered by the first and/or second bus bars, the electronic rail being connected on top of the enclosure of the power line rail assembly. The at least one branch device can also include a communication connector for connecting to a communication port of the electronic rail in a horizontal direction.

In a further embodiment, the load center can include: an electronic rail configured to enable communications for one or more branch devices connected to branch circuits powered by the first and/or second bus bars, the electronic rail being connected on top of the enclosure of the power line rail assembly, the electronic rail including a row of communication ports arranged along a length of the electronic rail; at least one branch device having a horizontal line connector for connecting to one of the first and second bus bars through a window from a top and bottom window pair from the top and bottom rows of windows along the enclosure of the power line rail assembly, and a communication connector for connecting to a communication port from the row of communication ports on the electronic rail; and a plurality of tracks each having a guide rail for guiding the at least one branch device to connect to the first or second line bus through a window of a corresponding top and bottom window pair from the top and bottom rows of windows along the enclosure of the power line rail assembly and to connect to a communication port from the row of communication ports on the electronic rail. The tracks, respective window pairs and communication ports are spaced apart along the enclosure according to pole-spacing of branch devices connectable thereto.

The present disclosure is directed to a power line rail assembly (or "power line rail") for an electrical distribution system, such as a center line load center or panelboard (hereinafter "load center"), which employs two separate line buses each having two branching bus bars. The branching bus bars of the line buses are configured in an X-formation or -structure (hereinafter "X-formation") to supply line power to one or more branch devices connected thereto from either sides (e.g., Left side or Right side) of the electrical distribution system. The branch devices can include circuit breakers, switches or other protective or monitoring branch devices connectable at the origin of a branch circuit(s).

The power line rail assembly includes an enclosure, arranged along a center of the electrical distribution system, for housing the bus bars of the line buses. The enclosure includes a plurality of windows (e.g., windows, openings, slots, etc.) on opposite sides of the enclosure to allow connection of branch devices to the two line buses therein, from either sides of the electrical distribution system. The windows can be spaced apart along the enclosure according to the pole-spacing of the branch devices connectable thereto. The electrical distribution system can further include a track system having a plurality of tracks, on opposite sides of the enclosure, for guiding each pole of a branch device to connect to one of the line buses through a respective window on the enclosure. In this way, the windows and tracks can be arranged on both sides of the electrical distribution system according to the pole-spacing of branch devices connectable thereto, thereby providing a track and associated windows for each pole of a device for connection to a conductor of either of the two line buses. For example, the spacing for the tracks and windows are configured to match the spacing of a pole of a connectable branch device (e.g., a width or approximate width of branch device).

The X-formation of the bus bars of the line buses allows balanced current loading of two line buses (e.g., Line <NUM> and Line <NUM>) even when using single-pole (also referred to as "one-pole") branch device since Right-side branch devices may access one line and Left-side branch devices may access the other line. Such a formation also allows a single-pole branch device to access both lines if desired (e.g., a voltage monitoring device, a surge protective device, etc.). The two-dimensional power bus geometry can significantly simplify manufacturing. For example, no additional cutting or forming of bus material may be required. It can also minimizes "off all" wasted raw stock due to cutting. Furthermore, the power line rail is able to stand alone as a subassembly. It can house all the necessary parts to create the insulation and conductors to deliver power to every branch device.

A ratchet locking system can also be provided to lock the branch device to the load center when the branch device is connected to the power line rail assembly. The branch device can include a spring-loaded pawl for engaging a teeth/slot on the track. For example, the track can include a track T slot and a dovetail rail to prevent device movement in all directions except one direction, and then a ratchet can take away that final direction of movement. The track and pawl together can create the ratchet function. The ratchet will "lock" the branch device in an installed position, when the branch device is connected to the power line rail assembly along a track of the load center and the pawl of the branch device is engaged to a tooth/slot on the track. To remove or uninstall the branch device, a screwdriver tool can be used to release the ratchet using the teeth/slots on the track when the pawl is released from the track. Such a lock configuration can prevent accidental device removal, and can facilitate rack in and rack out of branch devices along the tracks of the load center.

In various embodiments, an electronic rail assembly (also referred to as "electronic rail") can be provided, which is connectable over the enclosure of the power line rail assembly. The electronic rail subassembly can include communication components, such as processor(s), communication line(s), connector(s)/interface(s) for branch devices, wireline/wireless transceiver(s), etc. which are housed in a housing, and can stand alone as a subassembly or unit. For example, the electronic rail assembly can house all the necessary parts to create the insulation, PCBAs, and connectors to centrally connect to branch devices. The electronic rail assembly can connect to the cloud for electronic purposes (e.g., monitoring, load control, firmware upgrades, etc.), can also provide a user interface (UI) to users since it can be configured to protrude or extend through a panel cover of a load center. The electronic rail assembly can sit on top of the power bus rail assembly, and can be removed and replaced easily (e.g., when malfunctioning) without a major teardown of the panel. The electronic rail assembly can provide high-speed communication link between devices, like the branch circuit breakers and a main circuit breaker, which can enable among other things, hybrid switching, main-to-branch circuit breaker interrupting coordination, load shedding, counterfeit protection handshake, and other coordinated operations by or between devices. The electronic rail assembly can also act as a circuit breaker electronic trip unit and do many of the protection calculations and decisions on fault protection. The electronic rail assembly also can deliver low voltage power to the branch device electronics to eliminate unique power supplies located inside each branch device. The various operations enabled by the electronic rail assembly can be controlled or performed by the processor(s) of the electronic rail assembly.

Furthermore, the connector configurations on the branch devices, such as circuit breakers, switches and so forth, can also be improved when using a two-line bus assembly with the X-formation described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the branch device can employ a connector, such as a jaw-type connector, with an jaw orientation that allows an easier and more secure installation direction having increased mechanical advantage for both installing and removing devices with the use of a tool (e.g., a screwdriver or the like). It can allow the power connection to be made in the same direction of movement as the electronic/communication connections of the electronic rail assembly.

In various embodiments, the power line rail assembly can be finger-safe, by combining the simple bus bars and the insulation enclosure (e.g., enclosure, case, housing, etc.). The enclosure can include small windows in the insulation enclosure, which are configured with a size or shape to allow a branch device connector (e.g., jaws or jaw connector or other electrical connector) to pass through, but nothing larger such as an average adult-sized finger.

Accordingly, the center line load center with the power line rail assembly and electronic rail of the present disclosure can provide communications connections to each or every pole space, as well as better branch device alignment, better branch device retention, easier installation and removal, fewer shock hazards, and can utilize lower cost and simpler bus bar designs.

These and other example features of the present disclosure will be described below in further detail below with reference to the figures.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a portion of an example electrical distribution system, such as an example load center <NUM> with a housing <NUM> without and with a front cover <NUM>, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> houses components of the load center <NUM> therein. The load center <NUM> includes two neutral buses <NUM> and a power line rail assembly <NUM>, which extends along a center-line of the load center <NUM> between the two neutral buses <NUM>. The power line rail assembly <NUM> includes two separate line buses, namely a first line bus <NUM> and a second line bus <NUM>, which have conductors to supply power at the same or different voltages (e.g., 120V, 240V, etc.). The conductors of the power line rail assembly <NUM> include two branching bus bars for each line bus <NUM>, <NUM> and can be connected to receive power from a mains supply or other upstream power source. As will be described in greater detail below with respect to other figures, the power line rail assembly <NUM> has the bus bars of the line buses <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in an X-formation or -structure ("X-formation") to allow a branch device to be connected to the first line bus <NUM> or the second line bus <NUM> from either sides of a finger-safe enclosure of the power line rail assembly <NUM>, such as from a Left side or Right side of the load center <NUM>.

The load center <NUM> can include a track system having a plurality of tracks <NUM>, on opposite sides of the power line rail assembly <NUM>, for each pole of a branch device connectable thereto. Each track <NUM> can include a guide rail <NUM> for a pole of a branch device, and a plurality of teeth/slots of a ratchet lock system for locking the branch device when connected to a conductor of the power line rail assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of branch devices, such as for example, circuit breakers (e.g., miniature circuit breakers (MCB), etc.), can be connected along the power line rail assembly <NUM>. The branch devices can include for example a single-pole branch device <NUM>, a two-pole branch device <NUM> and other branch devices, which are connected to the conductors of the power line rail assembly <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, an electronic rail <NUM> is arranged on the power line rail assembly <NUM>, and includes a housing <NUM> for housing the components of the electronic rail <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured to fit or sit on top of the enclosure of the power line rail assembly <NUM>. The electronic rail can be connected to the power line rail assembly <NUM> using one or more fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws). The electronic rail <NUM> can include communication equipment through which communications may be conducted by or with devices connected thereto. The communication equipment of the electronic rail <NUM> can include transceiver(s) for conducting line or wireless communication, communication lines, device connectors/interfaces, a processor(s) for controlling the components and operations of the electronic rail <NUM> as well as other connected devices in the load center <NUM>, which are housed in a housing <NUM> (e.g., housing, case, enclosure, etc.). The housing <NUM> can also include windows through which branch devices can be connected to the connectors/interfaces of the electronic rail <NUM> in order to conduct communications with other devices.

As shown in <FIG>, when the front cover <NUM> of the load center housing <NUM> is closed, a part of the electronic rail <NUM> can extend through an opening on the cover <NUM>. Such a configuration may be useful when employing wireless communication, since the wireless transceiver or its antennas may be arranged in a portion of the electronic rail that extends through the cover <NUM>. A user interface may also be provided on the extended portion for the user to input commands or setting which can be used to control the operations of the load center and devices connected therein, including branch devices, main circuit breaker and so forth. Furthermore, a top portion of the circuit breakers <NUM> and <NUM> with their handles also extend through the housing <NUM> to enable user operation thereof, and filler plates <NUM> can be used to cover openings without branch devices.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show an example of the power line rail assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, without and with an enclosure <NUM>, which is arranged along a center line (or axis) of the load center <NUM> between two neutral bus lines (or bars) <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the power line rail assembly <NUM> includes a line bus assembly with conductors, such as the first line bus <NUM> and the second line bus <NUM>, which can supply power at the same or different voltages to branch devices connected thereto. The first line bus <NUM> includes two branching first bus bars 352A and 352B, and the second line bus includes two branching second bus bars 354A and 354B. The bus bars 352A, 352B, 354A, and 354B each have elongated portion, which extends in a lengthwise direction and upon which to connect an electrical connector of a branch device. The elongated portions of the branching first bus bars 352A and 352B are diagonally separated from each other and branch out from one end of the power line rail assembly <NUM>; and the elongated portions of the second bus bars 354A and 354B are also diagonally separated from each other and branch out from the other end of the power line rail assembly <NUM>. In this example, the first bus bar 352A branches out at a height, which is less than the height at which the first bus bar 352B branches out; the second bus bar 354A branches out at a height, which is less than the height at which the second bus bar 354B branches out.

The first bus bars 352A and 352B (or their elongated portions) and the second bus bars 354A and 354B (or their elongated portions) are separated from each other in an X-formation to provide first and second pairs of separated bus bars for each side, e.g., a Left side and a Right side, of the load center <NUM>. In this example, the first pair of separated bus bars 352B and 354A has one of the first bus bars 352B positioned over one of the second bus bars 354A, the second pair of separated bus bars 352A and 354B has the other of the first bus bars 352A positioned under the other of the second bus bars 354B. The first and second bus bars 352A, 352B, 354A and 354B (or their elongated portions) are at least substantially parallel/parallel to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the power line rail assembly <NUM> includes the enclosure <NUM> (e.g., housing, case, enclosure, etc.) for housing the conductors of the line bus bar assembly of the power line rail assembly <NUM>. The enclosure <NUM> can be an insulation (or electrically insulated) enclosure, which can be formed of a dielectric or insulation material. The enclosure <NUM> includes first and second sets of windows on opposite sides of the enclosure <NUM> through which to connect or engage a connector from a device to the first and second pairs of bus bars 352B, 354A and 352A, 354B respectively in the enclosure <NUM>. In this example, the first set of windows includes a top row of windows <NUM> ("top windows") for connecting to the first bus bar 352B and a bottom row of windows <NUM> ("bottom windows") for connecting to the second bus bar 354A of the first pair of bus bars. Although not shown in <FIG>, the second set of windows on the opposite side of the enclosure <NUM> can have a similar or same/identical layout as the first set of windows. For example, the second set of windows also can include a top row of windows <NUM> for connecting to the second bus bar 354B and a bottom row of windows <NUM> for connecting to the first bus bar 352A of the second pair of bus bars.

The windows <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second sets are arranged along a length of the enclosure <NUM>. The windows <NUM> and <NUM> also can be finger-safe windows, which can have a size, shape and/or dimension to prevent an average adult sized finger from touching conductors of the assembly <NUM> through the window, but can allow a connector (e.g., a jaw connector or other electrical connector) of a device to connect to the conductors through the window.

In this example, the windows <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second sets can have a spacing/pitch along a length of the enclosure <NUM>, which can correspond to a spacing/pitch of the tracks <NUM> for each pole of a branch device connectable to the power line rail assembly <NUM>. Each pair of windows <NUM> and <NUM> can thus be aligned and associated with a respective track <NUM> for receiving a pole of a branch device. Accordingly, the spacing/pitch of pairs of windows <NUM> and <NUM> and the tracks <NUM> along a lengthwise direction can be matched to the pole spacing of branch devices connectable to the power line rail assembly. In this way, branch devices (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) can be connected to or disconnected from the power line rail assembly <NUM> in a safe and orderly fashion from both sides of the load center <NUM>. The pitch/spacing of components can correspond to a distance from a center of one component to a center of the next or adjacent component.

As further shown in <FIG>, the enclosure <NUM> of the power line rail assembly <NUM> can include one or more fastener holes <NUM>, e.g., at either ends of the enclosure, for securing the electronic rail <NUM> or its housing <NUM> to a top of the enclosure <NUM> using fastener(s) <NUM> such as screws as shown in <FIG>. Other types of fasteners or fastening systems can be used to secure the electronic rail <NUM> to the power line rail assembly <NUM>. In this example, the top of the enclosure <NUM> can have a beveled edge (or border) so that the bottom of the housing <NUM> can sit on top of the enclosure <NUM>. In some embodiments, as with windows (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) of the enclosure <NUM>, the housing <NUM> of the electronic rail <NUM> can also include spaced-apart windows <NUM>, each with a communication port <NUM> (e.g., RJ-type port, USB port, etc.) as shown in <FIG> for enabling a branch device to connect its communication components to the electronic rail <NUM>, via a communication connector (e.g., RJ-type connector, USB connector, etc.). The communication ports <NUM> may be spaced apart along the housing <NUM> to align with associated tracks <NUM> and associated pairs of windows <NUM> and <NUM>, and thus, can also have a pitch spacing corresponding to pole-spacing of branch devices connectable to the load center <NUM>. The pole-spacing (or pitch spacing) of a branch device can be a width or approximate width of the branch device, such as a width of circuit breakers (e.g., one-inch wide, <NUM> wide, or less). Pitch or spacing can be taken from a center line/axis of one device or component to a centerline of an adjacent device or component.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, each of the plurality of tracks <NUM> on opposite sides of the power line rail assembly <NUM> can include a guide rail <NUM> and teeth/slots <NUM>. Each guide rail <NUM> can have a dove tail cross-section for engaging and guiding each pole of a branch device thereon along a horizontal direction. In this way, a branch device can be inserted onto the guide rail <NUM> to slide towards or away from the power line rail assembly <NUM> and the electronic rail <NUM>.

<FIG> show an example one-pole branch device <NUM> with a horizontal line connector <NUM> for horizontally connecting to a conductor of a line bus and a horizontal neutral connector <NUM> for horizontally connecting to the neutral bus <NUM>, and a communication connector <NUM> to connect to the electronics rail <NUM>. The horizontal line connector <NUM> can be configured with a desired height to connect to a conductor of a line bus through a top window <NUM> or bottom window <NUM> of the power line rail assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The branch device <NUM> can include a grooved bottom portion <NUM>, which has a size and shape to engage and slide along the guide rail <NUM> of one of the tracks <NUM> in a horizontal direction. In this example, the portion <NUM> can have a groove with a dove-tail cross-sectional shape, and the line and neutral connectors <NUM>, <NUM> can be jaw-type connectors. In some embodiments, the one-pole branch device <NUM> can have a width of about <NUM>.

<FIG> show an example two-pole branch device <NUM> with two sets of horizontal line and neutral connectors for each pole, and a communication connector <NUM> to connect to the electronics rail <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, the branch device <NUM> has a first set of horizontal line and neutral connectors 792A and 794A respectively for a first pole, and a second set of horizontal line and neutral connectors 792B and 794B respectively for a second pole. The horizontal line connector 792A has a height or position to connect to a bottom window <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> (e.g., in <FIG>), and the horizontal line connector 792B has a height or position to connect to a top window <NUM> of the enclosure. The branch device <NUM> also includes grooved bottom portions 796A and 796B for the first and second poles respectively. Each of the grooved bottom portions 796A, 796B has a size and shape to engage and slide along a guide rail <NUM> of one of the tracks <NUM> in a horizontal direction. In this example, the portion 796A, 796B can have a groove with a dove-tail cross-sectional shape, and the line and neutral connectors 792A/B, 794A/B can be jaw-type connectors. In some embodiments, each pole of the branch device <NUM> can have a width of about <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of the load center <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, including the power rail bus assembly <NUM> and branch devices (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) connected thereto in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the branching first bus bars 352A and 352B and branching second bus bars 354A and 354B of the first and second line buses <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, are arranged in an X-formation to provide first and second pairs of separated bus bars for each side, e.g., a Left side and a Right side, of the load center <NUM>. As previously discussed, the first pair of separated bus bars 352B and 354A has one of the first bus bars 352B positioned above one of the second bus bars 354A, the second pair of separated bus bars 352A and 354B has the other of the first bus bars 352A positioned below the other of the second bus bars 354B.

In this example of <FIG>, a one-pole branch device <NUM> is arranged on a track <NUM> on a Left side of the load center <NUM>, and has its line connector <NUM> connected to the second bus bar 354A of the second line bus <NUM> through a bottom window <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> and its neutral connector <NUM> connected to the neutral bus <NUM>. On the opposite side, another one-pole branch device <NUM> is arranged on a track <NUM> on a Right side of the load center <NUM>, and has its line connector <NUM> connected to the first bus bar 352A of the first line bus <NUM> through a bottom window <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> and its neutral connector <NUM> connected to the neutral bus <NUM>. The above describes an example in which a one-pole branch device can be connected to either the first line bus <NUM> or second line bus <NUM> of the power line rail assembly <NUM> from either sides of the load center <NUM>. In some embodiments, a two-pole branch device <NUM> (e.g., in <FIG>) can be arranged on adjacent two tracks <NUM>, with the line connector of one-pole connected to the bus bar 352B through a top window <NUM> and the line connector of the second pole connected to the bus bar 354A through a bottom window <NUM>. In this way, the branch device <NUM> and its branch circuit can be supplied with the combined voltage from the first and second line buses <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> show different views of a one-pole branch device <NUM> (e.g., in <FIG> and <FIG>) with a circuit breaker ratchet lock assembly, in accordance with an embodiment. In this example, the branch device <NUM> incorporates components of a ratchet lock for locking the branch device <NUM> into a track <NUM> when the line and neutral connectors <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to a conductor on the power line rail assembly <NUM> and the neutral bus <NUM>, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the branch device <NUM> can include a bracket <NUM> for retaining a spring-loaded pawl (or lever), which can pivot along an axis and can be spring-loaded so a tip (or open-end) of the pawl <NUM> is pointing downwards in a resting position. The bracket <NUM> also includes a space (or opening) <NUM> between the pawl <NUM> and a back wall of the branch device <NUM> or bracket <NUM>. After the branch device <NUM> is arranged on one of the tracks <NUM> with its line connector <NUM> connected to a conductor on the power line rail assembly <NUM> (through a window) and its neutral connector <NUM> connected to the neutral bus <NUM>, the pawl <NUM> can be engaged to one of the teeth/slots <NUM> on the track <NUM> as shown in <FIG> in order to lock the branch device <NUM> between the track <NUM> and the power line rail assembly <NUM>. The ratchet lock assembly, as described herein, may also be employed with multi-pole branch devices which can include one pawl or a pawl for each pole.

<FIG>, <FIG> show an example of how to rack-in and rack-out a branch device (e.g., device <NUM> of <FIG>) on a track <NUM> from the power line rail assembly <NUM> of the load center <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, each pole of the branch device <NUM>, which in this example is a single-pole device, can be inserted onto a track <NUM> to move along the guide rail <NUM> of the track <NUM>. As previously discussed, the bottom groove <NUM> of the branch device <NUM> can be movably engaged to the guide rail <NUM> of the track <NUM>.

A flat screwdriver or similar tool <NUM> can be extended through the space <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> of the branch device <NUM> to engage one of teeth/slots <NUM> of the track <NUM>. The tool <NUM> can be manipulated in one direction as shown in <FIG> to rack-in the branch device <NUM> to connect the line connector <NUM> to a conductor of the power line rail assembly <NUM> (via a window <NUM> or <NUM>) and the neutral connector <NUM> to the neutral bus <NUM>. When the branch device <NUM> is racked-in, a communication connector (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG> or <NUM> n <FIG>) of the branch device <NUM> can also be connected to a corresponding communication port <NUM> on the electronic rail <NUM> for facilitating communication between branch device(s) and other devices/systems.

The tool <NUM> can be manipulated in the other direction as shown in <FIG> to rack-out the branch device <NUM> to disconnect the line connector <NUM> from a conductor of the power line rail assembly (via a window <NUM> or <NUM>), the neutral connector <NUM> to the neutral bus <NUM>, and other component(s) of the branch device <NUM> from the load center <NUM>. Accordingly, the load center <NUM> provides a power line bus assembly <NUM>, and if desired, an electronic rail <NUM> along a center line or axis, which can allow branch devices (and their connectors) to be easily racked-in to and racked out from the conductors and communication components of the load center <NUM>. The load center <NUM> also provides a track system with a ratchet lock assembly as well as finger-safe protection, which can facilitate the connection and disconnection of branch devices in an orderly and safe manner on the load center <NUM>.

In the preceding, reference is made to various embodiments. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the described features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice contemplated embodiments. Furthermore, although embodiments may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the preceding aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Claim 1:
A power line rail assembly (<NUM>) for an electrical distribution system, comprising:
a line bus bar assembly for supplying electrical energy, the line bus bar assembly having conductors including a first line bus (<NUM>) and a separate second line bus (<NUM>), the first line bus (<NUM>) including two branching first bus bars (352A, 352B), the second line bus (<NUM>) including two branching second bus bars (354A, 354B), and an enclosure (<NUM>) for housing conductors of the line bus bar assembly,
characterized in that
the enclosure (<NUM>) includes first and second sets of windows (<NUM>, <NUM>) on opposite sides of the enclosure (<NUM>) through which to connect to the first (352A, 352B) and second pairs of bus bars (354A, 354B) respectively in the enclosure (<NUM>),
the first (352A, 352B) and second bus bars (354A, 354B) are separated from each other in an X-formation along a length of the line bus bar assembly to provide first and second pairs of separated bus bars, the first pair of separated bus bars having one of the first bus bars (352A, 352B) positioned above one of the second bus bars (354A, 354B), the second pair of separated bus bars having the other of the first bus bars (352A, 352B) positioned below the other of the second bus bars (354A, 354B),
each of the first and second sets of windows (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a top row of windows and a bottom row of windows, the top and bottom rows arranged along a length of the enclosure (<NUM>),
the top row of windows of the first set for connecting to one of the first (352A, 352B) and second bus bars (354A, 354B) of the first pair of separated bus bars,
the bottom row of windows of the first set for connecting to the other of the first (352A, 352B) and second bus bars (354A, 354B) of the first pair of separated bus bars,
the top row of windows of the second set for connecting to one of the first (352A, 352B) and second bus bars (354A, 354B) of the second pair of separated bus bars, and
the bottom row of windows of the second set for connecting to the other of the first (352A, 352B) and second bus bars (354A, 354B) of the second pair of separated bus bars.