USRE41662E1 - Input power connector for distribution panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to power input housings and assemblies for power distribution panels. The power input assemblies provide separate cavities with a centerwall for the power input cables to be led into and a cover closing the cavities. The cavities allow power cables to enter through either a top open end or a bottom open end and the cover is adapted to close the other open end when installed. Alternatively, the housing can be oriented with the open ends of the cavities to the sides, permitting cables to enter through either side and the cover closing the other side.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to power input structures for power distribution panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power distribution panels are generally mounted in an electronic equipment rack with other devices requiring a source of electric power. The basic function of such a distribution panel is to receive electric power, typically DC power, from an external power source and distribute this power through a bus bar to a series of individual circuits for delivery to the equipment mounted in the rack or in nearby equipment racks. Typically, these individual circuits are protected by fuses or circuit breakers. Common voltages for these panels are 24 and 48 Volts DC. The bus bars commonly handle up to 300 amps or more and the individual circuits are protected by circuit breakers capable of handling of up to 100 amps or more or by fuses capable of handling up to 125 amps or more. In addition, a power distribution panel may have two separate bus bars, meaning the total current being supplied to a panel could be up to 600 Amps.

The amount of electrical current being supplied to a power distribution panel is sufficient to cause injury to persons working around these panels or to adjacent devices. Protective devices or shields are desirable to guard against accidental contact with the exposed power and return current feeds linking the external power sources to the bus bars within the distribution panels. However, depending on the environment where a particular rack might be installed, these external power feeds may come from above, below or the side of the distribution panel. A distribution panel having a power input structure capable of being easily adapted for receiving and protecting power feeds from multiple directions is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power input housing with an open ended cavity divided by a centerwall, and a cover for the housing having an extension to close one of the open ends of the cavity when the cover is mounted to the housing. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a power input assembly including a housing with an open ended cavity divided by a centerwall into return and power chambers with conductors mounted within each chamber. A cover for the assembly is provided having an extension to close one of the open ends of the cavity when the cover is mounted to the housing. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of attaching power input cables to a power distribution panel using a power input assembly including a housing with an open ended cavity divided by a centerwall into power and return chambers with conductors mounted within each chamber and a cover for the housing having an extension to close one of the open ends of the cavity when the cover is mounted to the housing. The cables are led into either one of the open ends and the cover is used to close off the other open end.

A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a power distribution panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the power distribution ofFIG. 1, with the mounting flanges removed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the power distribution panel of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the power distribution panel ofFIG. 1 with the top cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a power input housing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the power input housing of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the power input housing of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the power input housing of FIG.5.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the power input housing of FIG.5.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the power input housing ofFIG. 8 taken along line A—A.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of an alternative power input housing in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the power input housing of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the power input housing of FIG.11.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the power input housing of FIG.11.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the power input housing of FIG.11.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the power input housing ofFIG. 14 taken along line A—A.

FIG. 17 is an exploded rear view of a power input assembly in accordance with the present invention with the cover positioned for entry of power cables from above the assembly.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the power input assembly ofFIG. 17 with the cover removed.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the power input assembly of FIG.18.

FIG. 19A is a side view of the power input assembly ofFIG. 19 with the cover in a first position.

FIG. 19B is a side view of the power input assembly ofFIG. 19A with the cover in a second position.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the power input assembly of FIG.18.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a cover for a power input assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the cover of FIG.21.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG.21.

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of an alternative power distribution bus in accordance to the present invention for use with the power distribution panel of FIG.1.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the power distribution bus of FIG.24.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the power distribution bus of FIG.24.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.24.

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.26.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.26.

FIG. 30 is a rear view of the portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.26.

FIG. 31 is a top view of the portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.26.

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the portion of the power distribution bus of FIG.26.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of the power output assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 34 is a top view of the power output assembly of FIG.33.

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of the power output assembly of FIG.33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be ma de in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

To prevent accidental contact with the power and return power leads supplying electrical power to apower distribution panel1, apower input assembly10 is provided about each power input location.Assembly10 is designed to provide separation and isolation of the power or battery and return leads from each other and prevent people and/or other devices from contacting the leads and receiving an electrical shock, causing harm to personnel or property.

Internally, due to the amount of current in thepower distribution buses60 and160, some shielding of the individual power leads166 prevents unwanted arcing or current induction between adjacent leads. This shielding can be accomplished by coating the leads with an electrically insulative material or by providing sufficient separation of the leads. Providing separation ofleads166 also provides improved access to components withinpanel1 for users.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 4, apower distribution panel1 with two power busses and twopower input assemblies10 installed is shown. A firstpower input assembly10 is shown withcover14 in place and asecond assembly10 is shown withcover14 removed.Panel1 includes a housing with arear face28, afront face34, a top26, a bottom44 and two opposingsides20. Mounted to eachside20proximate front face34 are mountingflanges18 for mountingpanel1 to a telecommunications equipment rack. Because telecommunications equipment racks vary in width,flanges18 include several columns of mounting holes and may be mounted in different orientations.Flange18 includeslong side21 andshort side19.Long side21 includes two columns of mountingholes23 and24.Short side19 includes a single column of mountingholes22.Panel1 can be mounted to a variety of different width mounting racks by altering the orientation offlanges18 mounted on eitherside20 ofpanel1. For example, mountingflanges18 withshort flange19 adjacent bothsides20 would allowpanel1 to mounted to a relatively wider rack, while mountingflanges18 withlong side21adjacent sides20 would permitpanel1 to be mounted to a relatively narrower rack. Additional sizes and configurations offlanges18 are anticipated which would permitpanel1 to be mounted to telecommunications racks of different widths.

Mounted torear face28 are two sets ofpower output terminals12.Output terminals12 are then connected to the power input terminals of telecommunications devices to supply power to those devices. InFIGS. 2 and 4, one of the sets ofoutput terminals12 is covered by aprotective housing16 to prevent accidental contact with the terminals.Chassis grounds30 are provided onrear face28 and allowpanel1 to be electrically connected to a ground.Panel1 includes an internal circuitry which senses interruptions or other problems with the power flowing through the panel. This circuitry is tied to an alarm which can provide a visible, audible or electronic signal when a power flow problem is detected. The electronic alarm signals allow the alarm status of a power panel to be remotely or centrally monitored.Power alarm connector32 is provided onrear face28 for the transmission of the electronic signals for remote or central monitoring.

On the front face ofpanel1 arecircuit breakers38 and fuses42 to provide protection for the equipment to whichpanel1 is supplying power.Additional breaker locations36 are available to allow more breakers to be mounted topanel1.Circuit breakers38 could alternatively replaced by fuses.Signal lamps40 are connected with the alarm inpanel1 to provide the visible signal if a power flow problem is detected.Holder46 is provided onfront face34 to maintain indicia regarding the devices which are being supplied power bypanel1.

Power input assembly10 includes apower conductor52 withposts48 and areturn conductor54 withposts50.Conductors52 and54 are attached tobuses60 insidepanel1.Posts48 are connected with the power terminal of the powersource supplying panel1 andposts50 are connected with the return terminal of the power source supplying the panel.Posts48 are electrically connected toconductor52, which are in turn electrically connected with apower bus end56 ofbus60.Posts50 are electrically connected toconductor54, which are in turn electrically connected with areturn bus end58 ofbus60.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 10,assembly10 includes ahousing70 with defining a cavity (the housing cavity defined bycavities71 and77). Thehousing70 includesopposingsidewalls72, abase76 extending between the sidewalls and acenterwall74 parallel to the sidewalls and generally bisecting the base into two halves. Incenterwall74 is anopening94 for receiving afastener holding cover14 in place onhousing70. Between sidewalls72 on either side ofcenterwall74 are defined thecavities71 and77 for receiving power cables from an external power supply. Eachsidewall72 has afirst end73 and asecond end75. Between first ends72 is endwall88 which cooperates withbase76 to formconductor openings78 proximate first ends73. Likewise, between second ends75 is endwall88 which cooperates withbase76 to formconductor openings78 proximate second ends75. Extending from eachendwall88 is mountingtab80, which includeopenings82 to receive fasteners such as screws to mounthousing70 torear face28. Along endwalls88opposite base76 areopenings92, which receive fasteners such as screws for holdingconductors52 and54 tohousing70, as is discussed below. Along the bottom ofbase76 and extending between the opposingsidewalls72 and opposing endwalls88 are reinforcingribs84.Ribs84 provide added strength and stiffness tohousing70. Likewise, along the bottom of mountingtabs80 are reinforcingribs86, and extending from the top ofbase76 alongcenterwall74 are reinforcingribs96. Proximate the junctions ofendwalls88 and reinforcingrib84 are opening90 for receiving fasteners such as screws.

As shown inFIGS. 5 though10, mountingtabs80 are locatedproximate conductor openings78, andcavities71 and77 are oriented to receive power cables from above or belowpanel1. As shown inFIG. 1,housing70 is mounted torear face28 so that mountingtabs80 are on the inside ofpanel1 and sidewalls72 andcenterwall74 extend throughrear face28 outside ofpanel1. Mountingopenings15 inrear face28 are located above and belowhousing70 and are located so that a fastener such as a screw can be inserted through anopening15 and engage opening82 to holdhousing70 torear face28.

Referring now toFIGS. 11 through 16,housing170 is shown.Housing170 is similarly constructed tohousing70, with mountingtabs80 located on different opposing walls. Ifhousing170 were mounted torear face28 ofpanel1,cavities71 and77 would be oriented to receive power cables from either the left side or right side ofpanel1. Bothhousing70 andhousing170 are made of electrically insulative material.

Referring now toFIGS. 17 through 20, a power input assembly is shown. InFIG. 17,conductors52 and54 include of afirst leg106, across leg108 and asecond leg110. First andsecond legs106 and110 extend throughopenings78 ofhousing70 andcross leg108 lies along the top ofbase76.Conductor52 is placed withincavity71 andconductor54 is placed withincavity77.Posts48 extend fromcross leg108 ofconductor52opposite base76 andposts50 extend fromcross leg108 ofconductor54opposite base76.Second leg110 andfirst leg106 includeopenings102. Fasteners such asscrews100 are inserted throughopenings92 inendwalls88 and engageopenings102, holdings the straps tohousing70. Proximate an end ofsecond leg110 oppositecross leg108 areopenings104 for attaching and electrically connectingconductor52 topower bus end56 ofbus60, and for attaching and electrically connectingconductor54 to returnbus end58 ofbus60.Conductors52 and54 are held byhousing70 and are separated from potential contact bycenterwall74.

FIGS. 21 through 23show cover14. References tohousing70 are intended to apply also forhousing170.Cover14 includes a top120 and alower extension122.Top120 is sized to fit onhousing70 coveringcavities71 and77, so thatledges126 rest just outside of the top ofsidewalls72,extension122 is proximate one offirst end73 orsecond end75 ofsidewalls72 andledge134 is at the other offirst end73 orsecond end75. When mounted tohousing70,extension122 extends betweensidewalls72 across bothcavities71 and77 and betweentop120 andendwall88.Ledges124 rest just outside of first or second ends73 or75 ofsidewalls72 whencover14 is mounted tohousing70.Ledge134 extends between parallel toextension122 on the opposite open end ofhousing70 but does not extend far enough to close the open end. In this position, cover14 closes off access tocavities71 and77 from the rear and from one of the two ends.Ledges126 and134 are shown as the same size but may be of different sizes.Ledges126 may extend up to the same extent asextension122 whileledge134 may not be made so large as to block the open end oppositeextension122.

Mounting opening128 in top120 includes anarrow end130 and awide end132.Opening128 is sized and located to receive a fastener extending from opening94 inhousing70 to holdcover14 tohousing70. The shape ofopening128 is sized to allowcover14 to be removed fromhousing70 without completely removing the screw from opening94.Narrow end130 andwide end132 are oriented to be generally parallel toledges126.

Cover14 andhousing70 are designed so thatcover14 may be mounted tohousing70 withextension122 at either first end73 (as shown inFIG. 19A) or second end75 (as shown inFIG. 19B) ofsidewalls72. This will permit power supply cables from an external power source to enter from above or below as the installation environment dictates without requiring a different version ofcover14 for each direction of entry. With regard tohousing170, power cables can enter the housing from either end and cover14 will be installed withextension122 covering the opposite end.Cover14 is made of an electrically insulative material.

Referring now toFIGS. 24 through 26, an alternativepower distribution bus160 is shown.Bus160 shown would be used in place of the right-side bus60 inFIG. 4, above, and includes the same rearpower input assembly10 and rearpower output assembly12.Power conductor42 is electrically connected withpower bus end56, which in turn feeds the power into aprotective device mount162.Protective device mount162 permits protective devices such ascircuit breakers38 to be mounted in the electrical path.Leads166 carry the power fromprotective device mount162 to offsetconnectors168 and170169 ofpower output assembly12. Offsetconnectors168 and170169 are configured to allowadjacent leads166 to connect withrear output assembly12 in staggered columns. Three offsetconnectors168 are located in a first column and three offsetconnectors170169 are located in a second column. This offsetting of adjacent leads and power output connectors provides added space between the connections. This added space reduces the possibility of current in one lead inducing current in an adjacent lead in the area of the connection withpower output assembly12.Leads166 as shown are crafted from bar stock. To reduce corrosion and other related occurrences, this bar stock may be plated with tin, lead or another suitable material.

Referring now toFIGS. 27 through 32,protective device mount162 and leads166 are shown with the other components ofpower distribution bus160 removed.Leads166 are individually numbered as leads171 through176, withlead171 being the topmost lead and lead176 being the bottommost lead.Leads171,173, and175 are configured to connect with offsetconnectors168 ofpower output assembly12, whileleads172,174 and176 are configured to connect with offsetconnectors170169. Each of the leads is comprised of five sections,181,183,185,187 and189, connected at four angles,182,184,186 and188. Aconnector section181 of each lead171 through176 is electrically attached toprotective device mount162. Anangle182 then linksconnector segment181 with ariser segment183. Anangle184 in turn connectsriser segment183 with atwisted segment185. Anangle186 connects twistedsegment185 with atransverse segment187. Anangle188 connectstransverse segment187 withoutput connector segment189.Posts190 are mounted onoutput connector segments189 to the electrical and physical contact betweenleads166 and offsetconnectors168 and170169.Posts192 are mounted onconnector segment181 to improve electrical and physical contact betweenleads166 andprotective device mount162.

Referring now toFIGS. 33 through 35,output power assembly12 is shown in greater detail, withleads166 removed.Output power assembly12 includes anoutput housing206 with aninner face208 and anouter face210.Return terminals200 andbattery terminals202 are in parallel columns onouter face210 and located to different planes,212 and214, respectively, to provide separation and improved organization of battery and return cables from telecommunications equipment receiving power frompanel1.

As shown,output power assembly12 is configured to supply power to six such devices, having six pairs ofbattery terminals202 and six pairs ofreturn terminals200. Alternative configurations having more or fewer pairs of terminals can be used depending on size constraints and the number of devices requiring power.Output housing206 is a uni-body housing, so that the same housing includes provisions for both battery and return terminals.

Terminals200 and202 are grouped in pairs to improve the quality and physical surface area of contact between the cables to and from the devices and the terminals, and to prevent rotation of the cables attached to the terminals.Return terminals200 are all linked to acommon return strap204 which extends throughoutput housing206 fromouter face210 beyondinner face208. Whenoutput power assembly12 is mounted topanel1, returnstrap204 is electrically connected to returnbus end58.

Each pair ofbattery terminals202 are connected to aconductor strap220 which extends throughoutput housing206 fromouter face210 beyondinner face208 and includes an offsetconnector168 or170169. As detailed above, offsetconnectors168 and170169 are electrically connected withsegments189 ofleads166 whenoutput power assembly12 is mounted topanel1.

Flanges216 andfastener openings218 are provided onoutput housing206 to allowpower output assembly12 to be securely and removably fastened torear face28 ofpanel1, as shown in FIG.1.

Having described preferred aspects and embodiments of the present invention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims (38)

1. A power input housing for a power distribution panel comprising:

a body defining a cavity having a first open end and a second open end, the body including a base, opposing sidewalls extending from the base and a center wall extending from the base;

a removable cover mounted to the body;

the cavity being defined by the sidewalls, the base and the removable cover, and being divided longitudinally by the center wall, the center wall substantially parallel to the sidewalls, the sidewalls and base each having a first end adjacent and partially defining the first open end and each having a second end adjacent and partially defining the second open end;

the base having access openings at the first and second ends of the cavity on both sides of the center wall to permit electrical conductors to pass through the base;

the cover having a major surface and a lower extension, the cover being mountable in either a first position or a second position on the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first position the lower extension closes off the first open end of the cavity and the second open end of the cavity remains open, and when the cover is mounted in the second position the lower extension of the cover closes off the second open end of the cavity and the first open end remains open;

a mounting tab projecting outward from the base including a fastener opening; and

the body and the cover being made of an electrically insulative material.

2. The power input housing ofclaim 1, wherein the cavity is an outer cavity, and further comprising an inner cavity;

the inner cavity defined by an extension of the sidewalls, with the base of the body positioned between the outer and inner cavities, wherein ends of the inner cavity closed by a pair of opposing end walls, the end walls extending from the base proximate the first and second open ends of the outer cavity;

the access openings in the base of the body providing access to the inner cavity.

3. The power input housing ofclaim 2, wherein the mounting tab is a first mounting tab, and further comprising a second mounting tab, wherein the first and second mounting tabs project outward from the sidewalls.

4. The power input housing ofclaim 2, wherein the mounting tab is a first mounting tab, and further comprising a second mounting tab, wherein the first and second mounting tabs project outward from the end walls.

5. The power input housing ofclaim 2, wherein the cover has four sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and further comprising a lip extending from the major surface along each of the other three sides.

6. The power input housing ofclaim 5, wherein the lower extension includes first and second side lips.

7. The power input housing ofclaim 2, wherein the major surface of the removable cover includes a fastener hole.

8. A power distribution panel comprising:

a panel housing including a front and a rear;

the front including circuit control devices;

the rear including a power input assembly and a power output assembly;

the power input assembly including first and second parallel cavities each defining first and second open ends, and a cover including a major surface and a lower extension, the cover mountable in one of two selectable positions wherein in the first position the first open ends are closed and in the second position the second open ends are closed.

9. The power distribution panel ofclaim 8, wherein the power input assembly includes first and second outer walls, and an inner center wall between the first and second outer walls, the first and second outer walls and the inner wall defining the first and second parallel cavities.

10. The power distribution panel ofclaim 9, wherein the inner wall defines a first fastener opening, and the cover defines a second fastener opening alignable with the first fastener opening in either of two selectable positions of the cover.

11. The power distribution panel ofclaim 9, wherein the cover has four sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and further comprising a lip extending from the major surface along each of the other three sides.

12. The power distribution panel ofclaim 11, wherein the lower extension includes first and second side lips.

13. The power distribution panel ofclaim 8, wherein the cover has four sides, the lower extension positioned along one side, and further comprising a lip extending from the major surface along each of the other three sides.

14. The power distribution panel ofclaim 13, wherein the lower extension includes first and second side lips.

15. The power distribution panel ofclaim 8, wherein the power input assembly includes mounting tabs defining fastener holes for mounting the power input assembly to the rear of the panel housing.

16. A power input assembly comprising:

a housing including a cavity, the cavity defined by opposing sidewalls, a base and a removable cover, the cavity having a first open end and an opposite second open end;

the cavity including a longitudinally extending power chamber and a longitudinally extending return chamber;

the power chamber having a conductor which passes through the base of the cavity and adapted for receiving a conductor from a power terminal of an electrical power source, and the return chamber having a conductor which passes through the base of the cavity and adapted for receiving a conductor from a return terminal of the electrical power source;

the cover having a lower extension and being mountable in either a first position or a second position on the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first position the lower extension closes off the first open end of cavity and the second open end of the cavity remains open, and when the cover is mounted in the second position the lower extension closes off the second open of the cavity and the first open end remains open.

17. The power input assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising wires from the electrical power source, wherein the wires extend through one of the first and second open ends of the cavity and are attached to the conductors, and the cover is mounted in the second or the first position, respectively.

18. The power input assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the housing includes a mounting tab projecting outward from the base.

19. The power input assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the housing includes two mounting tabs, with one mounting tab extending from the base proximate the first open end and one mounting tab extending from the base proximate the second open end.

20. The power input assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the housing includes two mounting tabs, with one mounting tab extending from the base proximate each of the sidewalls.

21. A method of attaching power cables to a power distribution device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a power input assembly mounted to the power distribution panel, the power input assembly including:

a housing including a cavity having a first open end and a second open end on opposite sides of the housing;

the cavity defining a power chamber having a conductor which passes into the power distribution panel for connecting with a wire from a power terminal of an electrical power source, and a return chamber having a conductor which passes into the power distribution panel for connecting with a wire from a return terminal of an electrical power source;

positioning power and return cables in the respective first and second open ends of the housing;

attaching the power cable to the conductor in the power chamber;

attaching the return cable to the conductor in the return chamber; and

placing a cover on the housing wherein the cover has a lower extension to close off the other of the first and second open ends of the cavity.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the first and second open ends are oriented vertically.

23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the first and second open ends are oriented horizontally.

24. A power input housing for a power distribution panel comprising:

a body including a base and a center wall extending from the base; and

a removable cover mounted to the body, the cover including a major surface and a lower extension, the cover and the body defining a cavity divided longitudinally by the center wall;

the base including access openings on both sides of the center wall to permit electrical conductors to pass through the base;

wherein the cover is mountable in either a first position or a second position relative to the body such that when the cover is mounted in the first position, the lower extension encloses a first end of the cavity while a second end of the cavity remains open, and such that when the cover is mounted in the second position, the lower extension of the cover encloses the second end of the cavity while the first end remains open;

wherein the body and the cover are made of an electrically insulative material.

25. The power input housing ofclaim 24, wherein the body includes opposing sidewalls extending from the base.

26. The power input housing ofclaim 25, wherein the center wall is substantially parallel to the opposing sidewalls.

27. The power input housing ofclaim 24, further including a mounting tab projecting outward from the base, the mounting tab including a fastener opening.

28. The power input housing ofclaim 27, wherein the major surface of the removable cover includes a fastener hole.

29. A power distribution panel comprising:

a panel housing having a front and a rear;

circuit control devices located at the front of the panel housing; and

a power input assembly and a power output assembly located at the rear of the panel housing, the power input assembly including a cover having a major surface and a lower extension, the power input assembly defining first and second parallel cavities, the cover of the power input assembly being mountable in one of two selectable positions;

wherein in a first position of the two selectable positions, first ends of the first and second parallel cavities are closed, and in a second position of the two selectable positions, second ends of the first and second parallel cavities are closed.

30. The power distribution panel ofclaim 29, wherein the power input assembly includes first and second outer walls, and an inner center wall between the first and second outer walls, the first and second outer walls and the inner center wall defining the first and second parallel cavities.

31. The power distribution panel ofclaim 30, wherein the inner wall defines a first fastener opening, and the cover defines a second fastener opening alignable with the first fastener opening in either one of the two selectable positions of the cover.

32. The power distribution panel ofclaim 29, wherein the power input assembly includes mounting tabs defining fastener holes for mounting the power input assembly to the rear of the panel housing.

33. A power input assembly comprising:

a housing and a removable cover, the housing and cover defining a cavity, the cavity including a longitudinally extending power chamber and a longitudinally extending return chamber;

a power conductor at least partially located within the power chamber, the power conductor being adapted to interconnect to a power terminal of an electrical power source;

a return conductor at least partially located within the return chamber, the return conductor being adapted to interconnect to a return terminal of the electrical power source;

wherein the removable cover includes a lower extension, the cover being mountable in either a first position or a second position on the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first position, the lower extension closes off a first end of the cavity while a second end of the cavity remains open, and such that when the cover is mounted in the second position, the lower extension closes off the second end of the cavity while the first end remains open.

34. The power input assembly ofclaim 33, wherein the power conductor and the return conductor each pass through a base of the housing.

35. The power input assembly ofclaim 33, wherein the housing includes a base and opposing sidewalls extending from the base, the cavity being defined by the base, the opposing sidewalls, and the cover.

36. The power input assembly ofclaim 35, wherein the housing includes a mounting tab projecting outward from the base.

37. A power input assembly comprising:

a housing including a cavity, the cavity defined by opposing sidewalls, a base and a removable cover, the cavity having a first open end and an opposite second open end;

the cavity including a longitudinally extending power chamber and a longitudinally extending return chamber;

first and second power conductor posts located within the power chamber of the cavity, the power conductor posts being adapted for connection to a power terminal of an electrical power source, and first and second return conductor posts located within the return chamber of the cavity, the return conductor posts being adapted for connection to a return terminal of the electrical power source;

the cover having a lower extension and being mountable in either a first position or a second position on the housing, such that when the cover is mounted in the first position the lower extension closes off the first open end of cavity and the second open end of the cavity remains open, and when the cover is mounted in the second position the lower extension closes off the second open of the cavity and the first open end remains open.

38. The power input assembly ofclaim 37, wherein the opposing sidewalls extend outward from the base.

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