US-12627120-B2 - Electrical panel with venting and water protection

Abstract

An electrical panel including a water management system for redirecting water away from any sensitive electrical components and out of the panel. In some embodiments, the electrical panel includes an enclosure including an opening formed in a top surface thereof to enable air to move into and out of the enclosure. The electrical panel further includes a drip lip for directing any water that enters the opening out of the enclosure, the drip lip including a drip tray arranged and configured to receive any water entering through the opening and a channel arranged and configured to receive the water from the drip tray and to direct the water out of the enclosure.

Inventors

• Nicholas PILATO

Assignees

• LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240130

Claims (19)

1. 1 . An electrical panel comprising: an enclosure defining an interior portion to house an electrical component, the enclosure including an opening formed therein for enabling air to enter and exit the enclosure; a drip tray arranged and configured to receive any water entering through the opening; and a channel adjacent to the drip tray such that any water received by the drip tray is directed to the channel, wherein the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water out of the enclosure; wherein the enclosure further comprises a top surface and the opening is formed in the top surface.
2. 2 . The electrical panel of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid guard coupled to and extending from the top surface of the enclosure, the liquid guard being arranged and configured to partially cover the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure.
3. 3 . The electrical panel of claim 2 , wherein the liquid guard is angled relative to the top surface of the enclosure.
4. 4 . The electrical panel of claim 3 , wherein the liquid guard includes a wire mesh coupled thereto, the wire mesh being arranged and configured to prevent debris from passing through the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure.
5. 5 . The electrical panel of claim 4 , wherein the liquid guard is coupled to a front edge of the opening, the wire mesh is positioned adjacent a back edge of the opening.
6. 6 . The electrical panel of claim 1 , wherein the drip tray is positioned beneath the opening.
7. 7 . The electrical panel of claim 6 , wherein the drip tray is angled such that gravity directs the water towards the channel.
8. 8 . The electrical panel of claim 7 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a side surface; and the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water to the side surface of the enclosure so that the water is directed out of the enclosure.
9. 9 . The electrical panel of claim 7 , further comprising one or more vertical channels, the one or more vertical channels arranged and configured to receive the water from the channel and to direct the water downward so that the water is directed out of the enclosure.
10. 10 . The electrical panel of claim 9 , wherein the one or more vertical channels include a C-shaped cross-section.
11. 11 . An electrical panel comprising: an enclosure defining an interior portion to house an electrical component, the enclosure including an opening formed therein for enabling air to enter and exit the enclosure; a drip tray arranged and configured to receive any water entering through the opening; a channel adjacent to the drip tray such that any water received by the drip tray is directed to the channel, wherein the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water out of the enclosure; and a liquid barrier arranged and configured to inhibit water from entering into the interior portion of the enclosure.
12. 12 . The electrical panel of claim 11 , wherein the liquid barrier extends at least partially into the channel.
13. 13 . The electrical panel of claim 1 , wherein the drip tray and the channel are integrally formed.
14. 14 . An electrical panel comprising: an enclosure including a back surface, a front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces defining an interior portion to house an electrical component, the enclosure including an opening formed in the top surface thereof for enabling air to enter and exit the enclosure; a drip tray positioned beneath the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure to receive any water entering through the opening, the drip tray being angled relative to the top surface to direct the water; and a channel adjacent to the drip tray such that any water received by the drip tray is directed to the channel, wherein the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water to at least one of the first and second sides surfaces of the enclosure so that the water is directed out of the enclosure.
15. 15 . The electrical panel of claim 14 , further comprising a liquid guard coupled to and extending from the top surface of the enclosure, the liquid guard being arranged and configured to partially cover the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure.
16. 16 . The electrical panel of claim 15 , wherein the liquid guard is angled relative to the top surface of the enclosure.
17. 17 . The electrical panel of claim 16 , wherein the liquid guard includes a wire mesh coupled thereto, the wire mess being arranged and configured to prevent debris from passing through the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure.
18. 18 . The electrical panel of claim 14 , further comprising a liquid barrier arranged and configured to inhibit water from entering through the front surface of the enclosure.
19. 19 . The electrical panel of claim 18 , wherein the liquid barrier extends at least partially into the channel.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to electrical panels such as, for example, circuit breaker panels or the like, and more particularly to systems and methods for enabling venting of the electrical panel while managing water migration. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Electrical panels such as, for example, circuit breaker panels, relay panels, or the like (terms used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit or distinguish), are well known. In a conventional power distribution system, power from a utility may be fed to an electrical panel which, in turn, may feed a series of branch circuits. To provide protection for the branch circuits, the electrical panel may include a main breaker to control the supply of power from the primary power supply to the branch circuits. To protect the individual branch circuits, the electrical panel may include an individual circuit breaker for each branch circuit. Additionally, within a standard electrical panel, electrical components such as circuit breakers, relays, control circuitry, wiring (such as some low voltage, communication wiring, etc.) or the like can be located. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Disclosed herein is an electrical panel arranged and configured to allow air in and out of the enclosure while controlling water, which may enter the panel. Thus arranged, the electrical panel can operate at cooler temperatures while preserving the water resistance of the design. For example, in some embodiments, incorporating a vent with water management into an outdoor panel allows for greater heat dissipation while achieving NEMA 3R protection. In some embodiments, an electrical panel is disclosed. The electrical panel including an enclosure, a drip tray, and a channel. The enclosure defining an interior portion to house an electrical component, the enclosure including an opening formed therein for enabling air to enter and exit the enclosure. The drip tray being arranged and configured to receive any water entering through the opening. The channel being adjacent to the drip tray such that any water received by the drip tray is directed to the channel, wherein the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water out of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes a top surface and the opening is formed in the top surface. In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes a liquid guard coupled to and extending from the top surface of the enclosure, the liquid guard being arranged and configured to partially cover the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the liquid guard is angled relative to the top surface of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the liquid guard includes a wire mesh coupled thereto, the wire mesh being arranged and configured to prevent debris from passing through the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the liquid guard is coupled to a front edge of the opening, the wire mesh is positioned adjacent a back edge of the opening. In some embodiments, the drip tray is positioned beneath the opening. In some embodiments, the drip tray is angled such that gravity directs the water towards the channel. In some embodiments, the enclosure further comprises a side surface and the channel is arranged and configured to direct the water to the side surface of the enclosure so that the water is directed out of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes one or more vertical channels, the one or more vertical channels arranged and configured to receive the water from the channel and to direct the water downward so that the water is directed out of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical channels include a C-shaped cross-section. In some embodiments, the enclosure further includes a liquid barrier arranged and configured to inhibit water from entering into the interior portion of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the liquid barrier extends at least partially into the channel. In some embodiments, the drip tray and the channel are integrally formed. An electrical panel is disclosed. In some embodiments, the electrical panel includes an enclosure, a drip tray, and a channel. The enclosure includes a back surface, a front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces defining an interior portion to house an electrical component, the enclosure including an opening formed in the top surface thereof for enabling air to enter and exit the enclosure. The drip tray is positioned beneath the opening formed in the top surface of the enclosure t