Patent ID: 7057306

Claim:
Apparatus having a fuel cell for producing electrical power that is distributed to electrical loads in a high-voltage line network connected to the fuel cell, and to further electrical loads in a low-voltage line network that is connected to the high-voltage line network via a DC/DC converter, said apparatus further comprising: a central monitoring and switching unit having a first housing which can be mounted detachably on a fuel cell housing of the fuel cell; electrical conductors which are arranged in said first housing and are connected to respective electrical outputs of the fuel cell via contact means and bushings in a wall of said first housing; wherein, at least one of said conductors includes a fuel cell circuit breaker; said conductors are connected to loads via branches which are provided with fuses in at least one pole, and via bushings in a wall of said first housing and contact means; the low-voltage line network is connected via a bushing to a control and evaluation unit which is associated with the central monitoring and switching unit; the control and evaluation unit is connected via bushings in a wall of said first housing and contact means to sensors for detecting operating states of the apparatus; the bushings in a wall of said first housing are dust-tight and water-tight; and the contact means are detachable.