IE86649B1

IE86649B1 - Safety device for electrical distribution boards

Info

Publication number: IE86649B1
Application number: IE20100685A
Authority: IE
Inventors: David Allen James; Purdie Baker Andrew
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-05
Filing date: 2010-10-27
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Also published as: GB0919366D0; AU2010236024B2; AU2010236024A1; GB2475144A; GB2475144B; IE20100685A1; GB201017983D0

Abstract

A shock prevention device is described for an electrical distribution board having at least one incoming terminal and one or more bus conductors for distributing electrical power from the incoming terminal to a plurality of outgoing conductor terminals. The electrical distribution board includes at least one mechanical disconnector to electrically isolate one or more outgoing conductor terminals from the bus conductors. The shock prevention device comprises a body member adapted to be releasably engageable with the at least one mechanical disconnector and a retaining member having a first end which is pivotably engageable with the body member and a second end which is releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board. The board member and the retaining member are pivotable between a first position in which the device can be fitted to or removed from the electrical distribution board and a second position in which the device can be engaged with the electrical distribution board such that operation of the mechanical disconnector is prevented.

Description

Safety Device for Electrical Distribution Boards The present invention relates to a shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board.

An electrical distribution board distributes electrical power from one or more incoming power supply terminals to a number of outgoing power supply terminals. Typically, the electrical distribution board comprises one or more bus conductors which run the length of the board. The bus conductors carry the incoming electrical power to one or more outgoing conductor terminals which are, in turn, connected to one or more circuit breakers of the outgoing circuit.

In the case where the bus conductors of the electrical distribution board are connected directly to the outgoing conductor terminals, when work is required to be carried out on one or more of the outgoing circuits the circuit breakers, such as MCBs, or the like, are used to break the electrical connection between the outgoing conductor terminals and the outgoing circuit. Then, in order to prevent the circuit breakers from being accidentally reconnected, a plastic cover, which may be lockable, or electrical insulation tape is placed over the circuit breaker switch.

Alternatively, and more properly, the circuit breaker is removed from the distribution board and a blanking module is used to cover the outgoing conductor terminal. Once the work is complete the plastic cover or the tape or blanking module are removed and the outgoing circuit reconnected. The tape technique is not recommended or officially sanctioned, but often happens in practice.

In addition to an MCB, or the like, being provided between the outgoing conductor terminals and the outgoing circuit, the electrical distribution board may additionally include an isolation switch (“disconnector”) positioned between the bus conductor and the outgoing conductor terminal. Schneider Electric in particular supplies “Isobar” brand of boards with this feature. The purpose of the disconnector is to allow unused outgoing conductor terminals to be electrically isolated from the bus conductor. This facility is not designed to prevent electric shock when work is required to be carried out on the outgoing circuit, but is sometimes used by workers for that purpose.

With these known precautions, there remains a risk of electrocution by virtue of the fact that the outgoing circuit could be prematurely reenergised either by someone accidentally operating the disconnector, or the circuit breaker switch (for example by pressing against the switch through the insulating tape, or when the tape falls off prematurely). Someone may remove the cover or blanking module and operate the switch on the assumption that the work had been completed. Where different electricians are working on different circuits, one may accidentally re-energise the wrong circuit when he has completed his own work.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board which obviates or mitigates one or more of the disadvantages referred to above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board having at least one incoming terminal and one or more bus conductors for distributing electrical power from the incoming terminal to a plurality of outgoing conductor terminals, the electrical distribution board including at least one mechanical disconnector to electrically isolate one or more outgoing conductor terminals from the bus conductors, the shock prevention device comprising: a body member adapted to be releasably engageable with the at least one mechanical disconnector; and a retaining member having a first end which is pivotably engageable with the body member and a second end which is releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board, wherein the body member and the retaining member are pivotable between a first position in which the device can be fitted to or removed from the electrical distribution board and a second position in which the device can be engaged with the electrical distribution board such that operation of the mechanical disconnector is prevented.

The mechanical disconnector may be a slide operated switch. The mechanical disconnector may be operable to move laterally and/or axially with respect to the electrical distribution board.

The mechanical disconnector may be mounted within the electrical distribution board. That is, the mechanical disconnector may be mounted within the housing of the electrical distribution board. The mechanical disconnector is mounted such that it has a top surface which is flush with a top surface of the electrical distribution board. That is, the mechanical disconnector may not protrude from the top surface of the electrical distribution board.

The mechanical disconnector is operable between a first position in which the mechanical disconnector is accommodated within the electrical distribution board and a second position in which the mechanical disconnector at least partially protrudes from the electrical distribution board. In the first position the outgoing conductor terminals may be disconnected from the incoming terminal and in the second position the outgoing conductor terminals may be connected to the incoming terminal. The body member may have a lower surface which is at least partially complimentary in shape to an upper surface of the at least one mechanical disconnector. This arrangement prevents any relative axial and/or lateral movement between the body member and the at least one mechanical disconnector when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The body member is adapted such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, a portion of the body member abuts against a portion of the electrical distribution board. This arrangement prevents any relative axial and/or lateral movement between the body member and the electrical distribution board and thus prevents operation of the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The retaining member may be adapted such that, when the device is in the second position, a portion of the retaining member abuts against a portion of the electrical distribution board. This arrangement prevents any relative axial and/or lateral movement between the retaining member and the electrical distribution board and thus prevents operation of the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The body member may have a first aperture for receiving the retaining member. The first aperture may be accessed by a slot located in the body member. The first aperture may be located towards an end portion of the body member.

The body member may include a protruding portion which protrudes from an end thereof. The protruding portion of the body member allows the shock prevention device to be removed from the electrical distribution board by hand/finger.

The body member may be sized such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, the body member substantially covers the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The body member may be sized such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, the body member substantially fits within an area defined by the upper surface of the at least one mechanical disconnector. Preferably, the body member fits exactly within the area defined by the upper surface of the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The body member may be sized such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, the body member does not protrude laterally from a housing of the electrical distribution board. In this configuration, a circuit breaker can still be mounted to the outgoing conductor terminals when the shock prevention device is mounted to the electrical distribution board housing.

The body member may have a second aperture for receiving locking means. The second aperture may be adjacent the first aperture. The second aperture may be arranged such that, when the body member and the retaining member are in the second position, the second aperture is accessed beneath a portion of the retaining member.

The retaining member may be resilient, such that when the body member and the retaining member are in the first position, the retaining member is deformable between a first engaged position and a second release/engage position.

The retaining member may be generally U-shaped. In this configuration, the bottom closed end of the generally U-shaped retaining member is the first end of the retaining member. The bottom closed end of the retaining member is received by the first aperture of the body member. The top open end of the generally U-shaped retaining member in this configuration is the second end of the retaining member. In this configuration the top open end of the retaining member consists of two leg portions and the leg portions are releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board.

The retaining member may be arranged such that, when the retaining member is in the second position with the body member, the leg portions are on opposite sides of the body member. In this position, the retaining member is prevented by the body member from being deformable between the first engaged position and the second release/engage position.

The retaining member may be in the form of a wire. The wire may be a metal wire. Alternatively, the wire may be formed from any other suitably resilient material, such as plastics, or the like.

The first aperture of the body member may be adapted such that the retaining member snap fits into engagement therewith.

The second end of the retaining member may include one or more engagement protrusions for engaging with the electrical distribution board.

The retaining member may be releasably engageable with the housing of the electrical distribution board or the at least one mechanical disconnector.

The housing of the electrical distribution board may include one or more recesses for receiving the second end of the retaining member therein. The recesses may be adapted to receive the engagement protrusions of the retaining member.

The at least one mechanical disconnector may include one or more recesses for receiving the second end of the retaining member therein. The recesses may be adapted to receive the engagement protrusions of the retaining member.

The shock prevention device may further comprise locking means for locking the device in the second position. The locking means is configured such that a portion of the locking means is received by the second aperture of the body member. The second aperture may be arranged such that, when the body member and the retaining member are in the second position, the second aperture is accessed beneath a portion of the retaining member. In this configuration, the locking means prevents the device being removed from the electrical distribution board, as the locking means abuts against the body member as the body member is moved out of engagement with the mechanical disconnector.

The locking means may be key-operated, combination-operated or tooloperated to prevent unauthorised unlocking. Preferably, the locking means is a padlock. Alternatively, the locking means may be a wire seal or a security seal.

The locking means may be sized such that a circuit breaker may be mounted to an outgoing conductor terminal when the shock prevention device is mounted to the electrical distribution board.

The outgoing conductor terminals may project from the housing of the electrical distribution board.

The body member may be adapted to be releasably engageable with two or more mechanical disconnectors. In this configuration, the shock prevention device may comprise one or more retaining members and/or one or more locking means.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board according to the present invention in a first position; Figure 2 is a side view of the shock prevention device of figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the shock prevention device of figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the shock prevention device of figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the shock prevention device of figure 1 in a second position; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the shock prevention device of figure 5, a portion of a housing of an electrical distribution board and locking means; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the shock prevention device of figure 5, a portion of a housing of an electrical distribution board, locking means and a circuit breaker mounted to an outgoing conductor terminal and the DIN rail of the electrical distribution board; Figure 8 is the same as figure 7, except the shock prevention device is mounted to the mechanical disconnector and locked with the locking means; Figure 9 is a side view of figure 8; and Figure 10 is a top view of figure 8.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a shock prevention device 10 for an electrical distribution board 12 (see Figs. 6 to 10, which illustrate part of an electrical distribution board). The electrical distribution board 12 has at least one incoming terminal (not shown) and one or more bus conductors (not shown) for distributing electrical power from the incoming terminal to a plurality of outgoing conductor terminals 14 (see Figs. 7 to 10). The outgoing conductor terminals 14 project from a housing 16 of the distribution board 12. The outgoing conductor terminals 14 are connected to one or more circuit breakers 17 (see Figs. 7 to 10) which are, in turn, connected to the outgoing circuits (e.g. lighting circuits etc.).

The distribution board 12 also includes a plurality of mechanical disconnectors 18. The disconnectors 18 are mounted within the housing 16. The purpose of the disconnector 18 is to act as a safety device which allows each outgoing conductor terminal 14 to be electrically isolated from the bus conductor. The disconnectors 18 operate by simply sliding in the horizontal direction within the housing 16. In Figs. 6 to 10, the disconnectors 18 are all in the “off' position, i.e. the outgoing conductor terminals 14 are disconnected from the bus conductors. The disconnectors 18 are operable between a first position in which the disconnectors 18 are accommodated within the electrical distribution board 12 and a second position in which the disconnectors 18 at least partially protrude from the electrical distribution board 12. In the first position the outgoing conductor terminals 14 may be disconnected from the incoming terminal and in the second position the outgoing conductor terminals 14 may be connected to the incoming terminal.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the shock prevention device 10 comprises a body member 20 which is adapted to be releasably engageable with each mechanical disconnector 18, a retaining member 22 which has a first end 22a which is pivotably engageable with the body member 20 and a second end 22b which is releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board 12.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 5, the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 are pivotable between a first position (Fig. 1) in which the device 10 can be fitted to or removed from the electrical distribution board 12, and a second position (Fig. 5) in which the device 10 is engaged with the electrical distribution board 12 such that operation of the mechanical disconnector 18 is prevented.

The body member 20 has an upper portion 20a and a lower portion 20b. The upper portion 20a is generally flat and has a surface area which is generally comparable to the upper surface 18a of the disconnector 18 (see Fig. 10). This means that the body member 20 substantially covers the disconnector 18, such that hand or tool operation of the disconnector 18 can be prevented when the device 10 is in use. The upper plate 20a has finger contact protrusions 20c to assist in the removal of the device 10 from the electrical distribution board 12.

The lower portion 20b has a bottom surface 20d which is complimentary in shape to the upper surface 18a of the disconnector 18 (see Fig. 6). In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the upper surface 18a of the disconnector 18 includes a recess 18b to allow for finger-operation thereof. The lower portion 20b of the body member 20 has a correspondingly shaped protrusion 20e which is received by the recess 18b when the body member 20 is engaged with the disconnector 18. This prevents any relative axial and/or lateral movement between the body member 20 and the disconnector 18 when the body member 20 is engaged therewith. The disconnector 18 is mounted within the housing 16 such that the upper surface 18a is flush with the top surface of the housing 16. In this manner the disconnector 18 does not protrude from the top surface of the housing 16.

As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the lower portion 20b also includes abutment protrusions 21 located approximately beneath the first aperture 20f. Abutment protrusions 21 are adapted to engage and abut against corresponding protrusions 16b located on the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12. With this arrangement, when the body member 20 is engaged with the disconnector 18, the disconnector 18 is prevented from sliding to the “on” position, as the abutment protrusions 21 of the body member 20 abut against the protrusions 16b of the housing 16. This prevents operation of the disconnector 18.

The body member 20 has a first aperture 20f which is located adjacent an end of the lower portion 20b. The first aperture 20f receives and retains the retaining member 22 therein. The first aperture 20f is accessed by a slot 20g located at the end of the lower portion 20b. The slot allows the retaining member 22 to be slotted into the first aperture 20f. The first aperture 20f receives the retaining member 22 in a snap fit engagement. In this arrangement the retaining member 22 is capable of pivoting about the first aperture 20f of the body member 20. It should be appreciated that the body member may not necessarily include the slot 20g, as the retaining member 22 may, for example, be threaded through the first aperture 20f.

As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the upper portion 20a of the body member 20 protrudes beyond the lower portion 20b at the left-hand side. This provides a protruding portion which allows the device 10 to be removed from the electrical distribution board 12 by, for example, a hand/finger or tool (see below).

As best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the body member 20 is sized such that, when the device 10 is mounted to the electrical distribution board 12, neither the upper portion 20a or the lower portion 20b of the body member 20 protrude laterally from the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, this allows a circuit breaker 17 to be mounted to the outgoing conductor terminal 14 when the device 10 is in place. That is, the circuit breaker 17 may still be mounted to the outgoing conductor terminal 14 via the normal DIN rail 24 mounting point in the usual fashion. Therefore, no modification to the housing 16 or the circuit breaker 17 is required in order to use the device 10.

The body member 20 has a second aperture 20h which is adapted to receive locking means 26 (see Figs. 2, 6 and 8). The second aperture 20h is located adjacent the first aperture 20f. With reference to Figs. 2 and 8 in particular, the second aperture 20h is arranged such that when the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 are in the second position (Fig. 5), the second aperture 20h is accessed beneath the retaining member 22. That is, when the locking means 26 is in place, the locking means 26 is sandwiched between the second aperture 20h and the retaining member 22. This prevents the device 10 from being removed from the electrical distribution board 12 and the disconnector 18 being accidentally operated (see below).

In the embodiment illustrated and described here the retaining member 22 is in the form of a metal wire (or clip) which is generally U-shaped. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the bottom of the U-shape (an example of a first end of a retaining member) is inserted into the first aperture 20f of the body member 20 via the slot 20g. The retaining member 22 is thus able to pivot about a pivot point which coincides with the first aperture 20f, and is releasably engageable therewith. The opposite end from the U-shape (an example of a second end of a retaining member) includes two leg portions 22c. The leg portions 22c are arranged such that, when the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 are in the second position (Fig. 5), the leg portions 22c are arranged on opposite sides of the body member 20. In this position the leg portions 22c may abut against the body member 20.

The leg portions 22c each have an engagement portion 22d (an example of an engagement protrusion) which is formed by bending the leg portion 22c downwards and away from the first end (see Fig. 1). The engagement portions 22d are used to mount the device 10 to the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12 (see below). Although in the embodiment illustrated here the engagement portions 22d are shown to engage with the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12, it should be appreciated that the engagement portions 22d may be adapted to engage with the mechanical disconnector 18 without any change to the operation of the device 10.

The retaining member 22 is resilient, such that when the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 are in the first position (Fig. 1), the retaining member 22 is deformable between an engaged position (Fig. 1) and a release/engage position (not shown). In the embodiment illustrated and described here the retaining member 22 is resiliently deformable between the engaged position and the release/engage position by forcing the two leg portions 22c together. That is, a force is applied to the outer sides of each leg portion 22c to push them together. Due to the resilience of the retaining member 22, after the force is removed the leg portions 22c resume their original shape and the retaining member 22 returns to the engaged position (Fig. 1). When the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 are in the second position (Fig. 5), the leg portions 22c are arranged on opposite sides of the body member 20 and the retaining member 22 is prevented by the body member 20 from deforming between the first engaged position and the second release/engage position.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the locking means 26 is a padlock. As best seen in Fig. 8, a portion of the locking means 26 is received by the second aperture 20h of the body member 20. The locking means 26 is used to lock the device 10 in the second position when it is engaged with the electrical distribution board 12 (see below). With reference to Figs. 7 to 9, the locking means 26 is sized such that, when the device 10 is mounted to the electrical distribution board 12, the locking means 26 fits into an existing cut-out portion 17a of the circuit breaker 17.

This allows a conventional circuit breaker to be used. That is, the circuit breaker 17 may still be mounted to the outgoing conductor terminal 14 via the normal DIN rail 24 mounting point in the usual fashion. Therefore, no modification to the housing 16 or the circuit breaker 17 is required in order to use the device 10.

The device 10 is dimensioned such that it is possible to mount a number of devices 10 to adjacent outgoing conductor terminals 14 without interference therewith.

In operation and with reference to Figs. 1,6 and 7, in order to attach the shock prevention device 10 to the electrical distribution board 12, the device 10 is taken from the position of Fig. 1, where the device 10 is in the first position and the retaining member 22 is in the engaged position, and the leg portions 22c are pushed together and held to bring the retaining member 22 to the release/engage position. Once in this configuration, the retaining member 22 is brought into engagement with the electrical distribution board housing 16. With the leg portions 22c held such that the retaining member 22 is in the release/engage position, the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22 are lowered into recess 18b of the disconnector 18. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12 includes opposite facing recessed portions 16a for receiving at least the tips of the engagement portions 22d therein. Once the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22 are in the recess 18b, the leg portions 22c of the retaining member 22 are released and, due to its resilience, the retaining member 22 returns to the engaged position. As the retaining member 22 returns to the engaged position, the engagement portions 22d enter the recessed portions 16a of the housing 16. In this position the retaining member is engaged with the electrical distribution board 12.

In order to engage the body member 20 with the disconnector 18, the body member 20 is simply pushed downwards so that the body member 20 pivots relative to the retaining member 22. The body member 20 is pushed downwards until the bottom surface 20d is engaged with the upper surface 18a of the disconnector 18. The body member 20 is adapted to snap fit into engagement with the retaining member 22. That is, the body member 20 is sized such that there is a snap fit and/or interference fit between it and the leg portions 22c of the retaining member 22. This position is illustrated in Figs. 5, 8 and 9. In this position the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22 abut against the recessed portions 16a of the housing 16. This arrangement prevents any relative axial and/or lateral movement between the retaining member 22 and the electrical distribution board 12 and thus prevents operation of the disconnector 18. This position is the “second position” (Fig. 5) in which the device 10 is engaged with the electrical distribution board 12 such the operation of the disconnector 18 is prevented. The device 10 engages the distribution board 12 such that it can not be easily (or accidentally) removed therefrom.

As illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, the locking means 26 may be used to lock the device 10 in this position, as described above. When the locking means 26 is in place, the locking means 26 is sandwiched between the second aperture 20h and the retaining member 22. This prevents the device 10 from being removed from the electrical distribution board 12 and the disconnector 18 being accidentally operated. When the locking means 26 is in place, if the body member 20 is pulled upward to try and move the device 10 to the first position (Fig. 1), the locking means 26 presses against the second aperture 20h of the body member 20. Since the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22 are engaged in the recessed portions 16a of the housing, the body member 20 is prevented from pivoting with respect to the retaining member 22. In this configuration the device 10 may not be accidentally removed from the distribution board 12.

In order to remove the device 10 from the electrical distribution board 12, the locking means 26, if applied, is unlocked and removed from the device 10. Then a hand, or tool, is inserted underneath the upper portion 20a of the body member 20 at the opposite end from the first aperture 20f and the body member 20 is pulled upwards out of engagement with the disconnector 18 such that the body member 20 pivots relative to the retaining member 22 to bring the device 10 back to the “first position” (Fig. 1). When the device 10 is in this first position, the retaining member 22 is in the engaged position. The leg portions 22c are pushed together and held to bring the retaining member 22 to the release/engage position. By doing this the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22 come out of the opposite facing recessed portions 16a of the housing 16. Then, the retaining member 22 is pulled out of the recess 18b of the disconnector 18. The leg portions 22c of the retaining member 22 are then released and the retaining member 22 returns under bias to the engaged position.

The outgoing conductor terminal 14 can then be re-energised in the usual manner.

The shock prevention device 10 therefore obviates or mitigates the disadvantages of previous proposals, as the outgoing conductor terminal is prevented from being re-energised accidentally. Providing locking means 26 for locking the device 10 to the distribution board 12 ensures that only the person who locks the device 10 to the distribution board 12 can unlock the device 10 once they are finished working on the outgoing circuit.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the above without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the retaining member 22 has been illustrated and described above as a metal wire, it should be appreciated that the retaining member 22 may not necessarily be made of metal, or wire-shaped. The retaining member may, for example, be made of any suitable material (resilient or otherwise) and may be of any other suitable shape. Also, the retaining member may not need to be in the substantially U-shaped symmetrical arrangement illustrated and described above. For example, it is possible that the retaining member could be one half of the U-shape illustrated and described above. In this arrangement the first aperture 20f would receive the first end (bottom of U-shape) therein, in the manner described above, and the second end of the retaining member would engage with the housing 16, as described above.

Furthermore, although the retaining member 22 has been illustrated and described above as being resilient, it should be appreciated that the retaining member may not necessarily need to be resilient and the retaining member could be arranged such that resilience is not required to engage the retaining member with the distribution board. For example, the retaining member may slot into engagement with the distribution board without the need for any bending or the like.

Also, although the locking means has been illustrated and described above as being a padlock, it should be appreciated that any suitable locking means could be used to lock the device 10 in engagement with the distribution board 12. For example, the locking means could be non-key operated, such as combination operated. The locking means could be a wire seal, a security seal, plastic seal, mechanical lock requiring a tool, % turn fastener, or the like.

Furthermore, although the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12 has been illustrated and described above as having opposite facing recesses 16a for receiving the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22, it should be appreciated that the disconnector 18 may include recess portions for receiving the engagement portions 22d of the retaining member 22. In this configuration, the retaining member 22 is engaged with the disconnector 18 of the electrical distribution board 12 rather than the housing 16 of the electrical distribution board 12. The operation of the device 10 is otherwise the same.

Also, although the body member 20 has been illustrated and described above as being engageable with only one disconnector 18, it should be appreciated that the body member could be adapted such that it was engageable with two or more disconnectors 18. In this configuration, the body member would comprise a number of body members 20 joined together (integrally or otherwise) such that they could fit over a number of disconnectors 18. The device 10 in this configuration could have one or more retaining members 22, as described above, to mount the device 10 to the distribution board 12. Preferably, the device would have at least two retaining members 22 mounted on body members 20 at opposite ends of the device 10. In this configuration, this would allow the device 10 to operate on a number of outgoing conductor terminals 14 at one time. This would avoid the need to mount a number of individual devices 10 to individual outgoing conductor terminals 14.

Claims

1. A shock prevention device for an electrical distribution board having at least one incoming terminal and one or more bus conductors for distributing electrical power from the incoming terminal to a plurality of outgoing conductor terminals, the electrical distribution board including at least one mechanical disconnector to electrically isolate one or more outgoing conductor terminals from the bus conductors, the shock prevention device comprising: a body member adapted to be releasably engageable with the at least one mechanical disconnector; and a retaining member having a first end which is pivotably engageable with the body member and a second end which is releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board, wherein the body member and the retaining member are pivotable between a first position in which the device can be fitted to or removed from the electrical distribution board and a second position in which the device can be engaged with the electrical distribution board such that operation of the mechanical disconnector is prevented; and wherein the body member is adapted such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, a portion of the body member abuts against a portion of the electrical distribution board.

2. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body member has a lower surface which is at least partially complimentary in shape to an upper surface of the at least one mechanical disconnector.

3. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member is adapted such that, when the device is in the second position, a portion of the retaining member abuts against a portion of the electrical distribution board.

4. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body member has a first aperture for receiving the retaining member.

5. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first aperture is located towards an end portion of the body member.

6. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first aperture is accessed by a slot located in the body member.

7. A shock prevention device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the body member has a second aperture for receiving locking means.

8. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second aperture is arranged such that, when the body member and the retaining member are in the second position, the second aperture is accessed beneath a portion of the retaining member.

9. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body member is sized such that, when the body member is engaged with the at least one mechanical disconnector, the body member does not protrude laterally from a housing of the electrical distribution board.

10. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member is resilient, such that when the body member and the retaining member are in the first position, the retaining member is deformable between a first engaged position and a second release/engage position.

11. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member is generally U-shaped, and the bottom closed end of the generally _U-shaped retaining member is the first end of the retaining member and the top open end of the generally U-shaped retaining member is the second end of the retaining member.

12. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the top open end of the retaining member consists of two leg portions and the leg portions are releasably engageable with the electrical distribution board.

13. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when the retaining member is in the second position with the body member, the leg portions are on opposite sides of the body member.

14. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second end of the retaining member includes one or more engagement protrusions for engaging with the electrical distribution board.

15. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining member is releasably engageable with the housing of the electrical distribution board or the at least one mechanical disconnector.

16. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing of the electrical distribution board and/or the at least one mechanical disconnector includes one or more recesses for receiving the second end of the retaining member therein.

17. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shock prevention device further comprises locking means for locking the device in the second position.

18. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking means is configured such that a portion of the locking means is received by the second aperture of the body member.

19. A shock prevention device as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the second aperture is arranged such that, when the body member and the retaining member are in the second position, the second aperture is accessed beneath a portion of the retaining member.

20. A shock prevention device as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the locking means is sized such that a circuit breaker may be mounted to an outgoing conductor terminal when the shock prevention device is mounted to the electrical distribution board.

21. A shock prevention device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body member is adapted to be releasably engageable with two or more mechanical disconnectors.

22. A shock prevention device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.