Patent ID: 8242395

Claim:
A switchgear assembly having an integrated arc flash venting system, comprising: (a) a circuit breaker compartment having a first side wall having a first base edge and a first side edge, a second side wall having a second base edge and a second side edge, a base connecting said first base edge of said first side wall to said second base edge of said second side wall, and a back wall connecting said first side edge of said first side wall to said second side edge of said second side wall and forming said circuit breaker compartment; (b) a bottom vent opening formed in said base and a back vent opening formed in said back wall for the passage of arc flash gases and contaminants; and (c) a switchgear, said switchgear having at least one section bus compartment, wherein said at least one section bus compartment is formed by a first insulating side barrier, and a second insulating side barrier, an insulating rear barrier connects said first insulating side barrier to said second insulating side barrier, wherein said at least one section bus compartment includes a plurality of phase conductors each separated by interphase insulation barriers to form a corresponding plurality of section bus compartment chambers and wherein all of the arc flash gases and contaminants pass through said bottom and back vent openings in said circuit breaker compartment and into said at least one section bus compartment wherein said at least one section bus compartment forms a single pathway for channeling all of the arc flash gases and contaminants to outside air.