Apparatus for accomodating a plurality of individual inverters

Abstract

The invention is directed to an apparatus (1) for accommodating a plurality of individual inverters (2), comprising a rack, the individual inverters (2) being removably mountable to the side elements of said rack, said rack having at least one terminal block (10) for receiving cables for current supply and evacuation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for accommodating a plurality of inverters;

FIG. 2 shows a device of two such apparatus arranged side by side on a common base plate;

FIG. 3 shows the terminal block to an enlarged scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to the FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus for accommodating a plurality of inverters is labeled at 1. The inverters bear the reference numeral 2. It can be seen that the apparatus is configured like a tower and has a square cross section. This shape constitutes the rack and is made from four lateral metal sheets 3 forming, in connection with the base plate 4 and the cover 5, the housing for accommodating the inverters labeled at 2. Each inverter is associated with a switch 6, by means of which each inverter can be activated from the DC side.

The invention is also directed to a terminal block 10 having various terminals for clampingly receiving cables (not shown). The terminal block 10 is offset within the housing 1 or the tower and is closed by a plate 11 once the inverters 2 have been mounted in order to protect the terminal block against water penetration. The plate is fixed by screws.

According to FIG. 2, there is provided an embodiment in which two such apparatus are disposed side-by-side, with the base plates 4 of the two apparatus being connected.

As already explained herein above, the inverters are screwed from within to the lateral metal sheets 3 so as to make it more difficult to steal the inverters. On the fourth side of the tower there are no inverters, this side wall being fastened from outside. If two such towers are disposed adjacent to each other and proximate to this wall on a respective one of the base plates 4, the access to the inside of each tower for dismounting the inverters is at least made more difficult.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for accommodating a plurality of individual inverters (2), comprising a rack, the individual inverters (2) being removably mountable to the side elements of said rack, said rack having at least one terminal block (10) for receiving cables for current supply and evacuation.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one terminal block (10) has terminals for incoming cables from a current source such as a PV plant.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one terminal block (10) has terminals for cables taking departure from the plurality of inverters.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one terminal block (10) is weather-proof protected such as by a removable hood or plate.

5. The apparatus as set forth claim 1 wherein the rack of each seat for accommodating an inverter (2) has at least one switch (6) associated therewith for activating the inverter (2) from the DC side.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rack (1) is configured to be a housing.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, whereby the rack (1) is configured to have a square cross section.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rack (1) has wall elements in the form of metal sheets for example to which the inverters (2) are screwed.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein, in the case of a plurality of racks, the racks (1) are joined together by a common base plate (4).

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein two or more such racks (1) are directly adjacent.