The PowerPlex™ Panelboard: Advancing Panelboard Technology Understanding component-level protection and its benefits on installation, maintenance and safety.
May 2007 The PowerPlex Panelboard: Advancing Panelboard Technology Understanding component-level protection and its benefits on installation, maintenance and safety. T he combination of hazardous locations and ignition sources, such as circuit breakers, switches and motor starters, requires highly engineered protection that prevents a single spark or hot spot from placing facilities and personnel in danger.
ADVANCING Panelboard Technology Appleton’s PowerPlex Panelboard redefines NEC-style panelboard enclosures by transferring the protection from the cast enclosure to the component level. circuit breakers can then be placed within enclosures that FIGURE 1: The top and bottom housing include a labyrinth channel to form a flamepath. do not require explosionproof construction. When circuit breakers need to be replaced, the individually sealed flameproof component is simply removed and swapped with another.
ADVANCING Panelboard Technology of all of these combinations through a switching mechanism Actuating mechanism attached to the top of each housing (Figure 3). This design also enables actuation of the protected circuit breakers from both A sectional view of the protected circuit breaker. FIGURE 3: inside and outside of the panelboard enclosure.
ADVANCING Panelboard Technology Today, the hourly costs to properly access hazardouslocation enclosures, specifically those hours associated with disassembling and re-assembling while maintaining the flamepaths of precision-machined enclosure covers, can be exorbitant to facilities. Coupled with the cost of plant downtime, the PowerPlex Panelboard can provide a much lower total cost of ownership with simple maintenance when changing breakers.
Appleton offers a full line of electrical products for hazardous and industrial locations that safely and efficiently distribute power, exhibit light and create connections. Each product is designed and built to maintain a safe and productive workplace in robust environments that push man and machine to the limit.
