Patent ID: 7453052

Claim:
An electrical distribution apparatus configured to connect a load to a power source, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet; a distribution conduction path; at least one thermal sensor in thermal communication with the conduction path; an electrical disconnect connected in series with the conduction path and configured to isolate the load from the power source on command, the disconnect being in signal communication with the at least one thermal sensor; a plurality of branch disconnects disposed within the housing and connected in series with the electrical disconnect, and configured to isolate an associated circuit of the load from the power source on command; an airflow generator in signal communication with the at least one thermal sensor and arranged to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet; and a reference thermal sensor in thermal communication with a reference temperature external to the housing; wherein the airflow generator is configured to turn on in response to the at least one thermal sensor sensing a first temperature; wherein the disconnect is configured to disconnect the load from the power source in response to the at least one thermal sensor sensing a second temperature greater than the first temperature; wherein the airflow generator is configured to turn on in response to a first temperature difference between the at least one thermal sensor and the reference thermal sensor, and disposed to provide a forced airflow across the electrical disconnect and the plurality of branch disconnects.