Modular power box
A device may include a base box comprising a five-sided enclosure with a front mounting surface, wherein the base box further comprises an incoming feeder electrically connected to a branch circuiting infrastructure, a base box electrical connector, and a plurality of power interface module or blank cover plate mounting components. A device may include an interchangeable power interface module comprising an electrical connector, may have at least one circuit breaker, at least one receptacle, and a plurality of mounting holes or slots, which can mechanically engage with the base box, thus forming an electrical connection between the incoming feeder electrically connected to the branch circuiting infrastructure and the at least one receptacle of the interchangeable power interface module. A device may include a blank cover plate having a surface with upper and lower lips for mounting and de-mounting on the base box, and a plurality of mounting holes or slots.
1 . A modular power box kit, the kit comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface and an opening;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a first interface module and a second interface module, wherein each interface module comprises:
an interface module mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface;
an interface module electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector in a direction other than perpendicular to the box mounting surface when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of interface module mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
the first interface module and/or the second interface module further comprises at least one receptacle configured to receive the power through the interface module electrical connector; and
a chosen interface module is either the first interface module or the second interface module;
wherein:
the modular power box kit is assembled by engaging the plurality of box mounting components with the plurality of interface module mounting holes on the chosen interface module; and
an electrical connection is formed between the box electrical connector and the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box for the power source to supply the power to the chosen interface module.
2 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein:
the first interface module is configured to provide 3 phase 60 Amp power to the at least one receptacle on the first interface module.
3 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein:
the first interface module further comprises a circuit breaker;
when the circuit breaker is in a first position, the at least one receptacle of the first interface module is in electrical communication with the power source; and
when the circuit breaker is in a second position, the at least one receptacle of the first interface module is not in electrical communication with the power source.
4 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 ,
wherein the chosen interface module is the second interface module; and
wherein the second interface module is configured to provide single phase 30 Amp power to two of the at least one receptacle on the second interface module.
5 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein:
the chosen interface module further comprises an interface module opening;
the base box further comprises an ID label; and
the ID label is visible through the interface module opening when the chosen interface module is connected to the base box.
6 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein, after the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box, the chosen interface module substantially contains arc flashes between the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module and the box electrical connector to within the base box and the chosen interface module.
7 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interface module mounting holes on each of the first interface module and the second interface module are keyed such that each of the first interface module and the second interface module is prevented from being able to pivot away from the base box when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of interface module mounting holes.
8 . The modular power box kit of claim 1 , wherein the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module and the box electrical connector are configured to prevent accidental contact with personnel or unintended components before the electrical connection is made.
9 . A modular power box kit, the kit comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface and an opening;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a first interface module and a second interface module, wherein each interface module comprises:
an interface module mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface;
an interface module electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector in a direction that is parallel to the box mounting surface, and the interface module electrical connector and the box electrical connector align at a location within the base box when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of interface module mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
the first interface module and/or the second interface module further comprises at least one receptacle configured to receive the power through the interface module electrical connector; and
a chosen interface module is either the first interface module or the second interface module;
wherein:
the modular power box kit is assembled by engaging the plurality of box mounting components with the plurality of interface module mounting holes on the chosen interface module; and
an electrical connection is formed between the box electrical connector and the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box for the power source to supply the power to the chosen interface module.
10 . The modular power box kit of claim 9 , wherein:
the chosen interface module further comprises an interface module opening;
the base box further comprises an ID label; and
the ID label is visible through the interface module opening when the chosen interface module is connected to the base box.
11 . The modular power box kit of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of interface module mounting holes on each of the first interface module and the second interface module are keyed such that each of the first interface module and the second interface module is prevented from being able to pivot away from the base box when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of interface module mounting holes.
12 . The modular power box kit of claim 9 , wherein the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module and the box electrical connector are configured to prevent accidental contact with personnel or unintended components before the electrical connection is made.
13 . A modular power box kit, the kit comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface and an opening;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a plurality of interface modules, wherein each of the interface modules comprises:
an interface module mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface;
an interface module electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector in a direction other than perpendicular to the box mounting surface when at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of interface module mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
a first interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprises a first number of a receptacle or receptacles;
a second interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprises a second number of the receptacle or receptacles; and
a total number of the receptacle or receptacles of the first interface module is different than a total number of the receptacle or receptacles of the second interface module;
wherein the modular power box kit is configured to be assembled by engaging the plurality of box mounting components with the plurality of interface module mounting holes on a chosen interface module of the plurality of interface modules.
14 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein the direction in which the interface module electrical connector is configured to align with the box electrical connector is parallel to the box mounting surface and the interface module electrical connector and the box electrical connector align at a location within the base box.
15 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein:
the first interface module further comprises at least one circuit breaker and is the chosen interface module;
when the first interface module is assembled with the base box and when a chosen circuit breaker of the at least one circuit breaker is in a first position, an associated receptacle of the first number of the receptacle or receptacles on the first interface module is in electrical communication with the power source through the box electrical connector, the interface module electrical connector and the at least one circuit breaker; and
when the at least one circuit breaker of the at least one circuit breaker is in a second position, the associated receptacle of the first number of the receptacle or receptacles on the first interface module is not in electrical communication with the power source.
16 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein the first interface module comprises at least one receptacle of the first number of the receptacle or receptacles and is configured to provide 3 phase 60 Amp power to the at least one receptacle.
17 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein the first interface module comprises at least two receptacles of the first number of the receptacle or receptacles, wherein the first interface module is configured to provide single phase 30 Amp power to the at least two receptacles.
18 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of interface modules further comprises an opening and the base box further comprises an ID label, wherein the ID label is visible through the opening of the at least one of the plurality of interface modules when the at least one of the plurality of interface modules is assembled with to the base box.
19 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein, after the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box, the chosen interface module substantially contains arc flashes between the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module and the box electrical connector to within the base box and the chosen interface module.
20 . The modular power box kit of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of interface module mounting holes are keyed such that each of the interface modules is prevented from being able to pivot away from the base box when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of interface module mounting holes.
21 . A modular power box comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface and an opening;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a cover plate configured to connect with the base box, wherein the cover plate comprises:
a cover plate mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface; and
a cover plate electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector in a direction other than perpendicular to the box mounting surface when the cover plate is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of cover plate mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when the cover plate is assembled with the base box;
wherein the cover plate is configured to be assembled with the base box by engaging the plurality of box mounting components with the plurality of cover plate mounting holes.
22 . The modular power box of claim 21 , wherein the direction in which the cover plate electrical connector is configured to align with the box electrical connector is parallel to the box mounting surface and the cover plate electrical connector and the box electrical connector align at a location within the base box.
23 . The modular power box of claim 21 , wherein:
the cover plate further comprises at least one receptacle; and
the modular power box is configured such that, when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of cover plate mounting holes, an electrical connection is formed between the power source and the at least one receptacle of the cover plate through the box electrical connector and the cover plate electrical connector.
24 . The modular power box of claim 23 , wherein;
the cover plate further comprises at least one circuit breaker;
the at least one circuit breaker is configured to electrically connect the power source and the at least one receptacle of the cover plate when active; and
the at least one circuit breaker is configured to electrically separate the power source and the at least one receptacle of the cover plate when inactive.
25 . The modular power box of claim 23 , wherein the at least one receptacle of the cover plate is a single receptacle and the cover plate is configured to provide 3 phase 60 Amp power to the single receptacle.
26 . The modular power box of claim 23 , wherein the at least one receptacle of the cover plate comprises at least two receptacles, and wherein the cover plate is configured to provide single phase 30 Amp power to the at least two receptacles.
27 . The modular power box of claim 23 , wherein:
the cover plate further comprises a cover plate opening;
the base box further comprises a circuit ID label; and
the circuit ID label is visible through the cover plate opening when the cover plate is assembled with the base box.
28 . The modular power box of claim 23 , wherein, after the cover plate is assembled with the base box, the cover plate substantially contains arc flashes between the cover plate electrical connectors and the box electrical connector to within the modular power box.
29 . The modular power box of claim 21 , wherein the cover plate comprises a first cover plate and a second cover plate each having the cover plate mounting surface, the cover plate electrical connector and the plurality of cover plate mounting holes, wherein: the second cover plate has a different number of circuit breakers and/or a different number of receptacles than the first cover plate.
30 . The modular power box of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of cover plate mounting holes are keyed such that the cover plate is prevented from being able to pivot away from the base box when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of cover plate mounting holes.
31 . A modular power box kit, the kit comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface and an opening;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a first interface module and a second interface module, wherein each interface module comprises:
an interface module mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface;
an interface module electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of interface module mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when either the first interface module or the second interface module is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
the first interface module and/or the second interface module further comprises at least one receptacle configured to provide the power through the interface module electrical connector, and
a chosen interface module is either the first interface module or the second interface module;
wherein:
as the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box, a mechanical connection is formed between the plurality of box mounting components and the plurality of interface module mounting holes on the chosen interface module, and an electrical connection is formed between the box electrical connector and the interface module electrical connector of the chosen interface module for the power source to supply the power to the chosen interface module; and
the modular power box kit is configured so that the interface module mounting surface of the chosen interface module contacts the box mounting surface before the electrical connection is formed.
32 . The modular power box kit of claim 31 , wherein:
the chosen interface module further comprises an interface module opening;
the base box further comprises an ID label; and
the ID label is visible through the interface module opening when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box.
33 . The modular power box kit of claim 31 , wherein the plurality of interface module mounting holes on each of the interface modules are keyed such that each of the interface modules is prevented from being able to pivot away from the base box when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box.
34 . A modular power box kit, the kit comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a plurality of interface modules, wherein each of the interface modules comprises:
an interface module mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface;
an interface module electrical connector configured to engage with the box electrical connector to form an electrical connection between the power source and the interface module connector to supply the power to the chosen interface module through the box electrical connector when a chosen interface module of the plurality of interface modules is assembled with the base box;
a plurality of interface module mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
a first interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprises a first number of a receptacle or receptacles;
a second interface module of the plurality of interface modules comprises a second number of the receptacle or receptacles; and
a total number of the receptacle or receptacles of the first interface module is different than a total number of the receptacle or receptacles of the second interface module;
wherein:
the modular power box kit is configured to be assembled by forming a mechanical connection between the base box and the chosen interface module when the plurality of box mounting components engage with the plurality of interface module mounting holes on the chosen interface module; and
the modular power box kit is configured so that the interface module mounting surface of the chosen interface module contacts the box mounting surface before the electrical connection is formed.
35 . The modular power box kit of claim 34 , wherein the chosen interface module further comprises an interface module opening and the base box further comprises an ID label, wherein the ID label is visible through the interface module opening when the chosen interface module is assembled with the base box.
36 . A modular power box comprising:
a base box comprising:
an enclosure with a box mounting surface;
a box electrical connector configured to receive power from a power source; and
a plurality of box mounting components; and
a cover plate configured to connect with the base box, wherein the cover plate comprises:
a cover plate mounting surface configured to interface with the box mounting surface; and
a cover plate electrical connector configured to align with the box electrical connector when the cover plate is assembled with the base box; and
a plurality of cover plate mounting holes configured to align with the plurality of box mounting components when the cover plate is assembled with the base box;
wherein:
as the cover plate is assembled with the base box by a mechanical connection formed between the plurality of box mounting components and the plurality of cover plate mounting holes, an electrical connection is formed between the box electrical connector and the cover plate electrical connector to provide the power from the power source to the cover plate; and
the modular power box is configured so that the cover plate mounting surface of the cover plate contacts the box mounting surface before the electrical connection is formed.
37 . The modular power box of claim 36 , wherein the cover plate comprises a first cover plate and a second cover plate each having the cover plate mounting surface, the cover plate electrical connector, the plurality of cover plate mounting holes, and a receptacle or receptacles, wherein the first cover plate has a first number of the receptacle or receptacles and the second cover plate has a second number of the receptacle or receptacles different than the first number of the receptacle or receptacles.