CA1171447A - Terminal box for baseboard heater - Google Patents
Terminal box for baseboard heaterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1171447A CA1171447A CA000390581A CA390581A CA1171447A CA 1171447 A CA1171447 A CA 1171447A CA 000390581 A CA000390581 A CA 000390581A CA 390581 A CA390581 A CA 390581A CA 1171447 A CA1171447 A CA 1171447A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- terminal box
- baseboard heater
- cover
- baseboard
- heater
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/02—Casings; Cover lids; Ornamental panels
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H3/00—Air heaters
- F24H3/002—Air heaters using electric energy supply
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Central Heating Systems (AREA)
Abstract
Case 2823 TERMINAL BOX FOR BASEBOARD HEATER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel terminal box arrangement is provided for use in conjunction with a baseboard heater. The baseboard heater is provided with a knock-out which, when removed, allows the terminal box to be positioned within the end walls of the baseboard heater. The terminal box provides a housing that is independent of the baseboard heater and in which at least one wiring connection can be made with an electrical conductor connected to one of the ends of the heating element.
The terminal box is positioned within the end walls of the baseboard heater in fixed relation with the baseboard heater and remotely of the ends of the baseboard heater. In this arrangement the terminal box prevents heat generated at the ends of the heating element from radiating directly to the electrical connections.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A novel terminal box arrangement is provided for use in conjunction with a baseboard heater. The baseboard heater is provided with a knock-out which, when removed, allows the terminal box to be positioned within the end walls of the baseboard heater. The terminal box provides a housing that is independent of the baseboard heater and in which at least one wiring connection can be made with an electrical conductor connected to one of the ends of the heating element.
The terminal box is positioned within the end walls of the baseboard heater in fixed relation with the baseboard heater and remotely of the ends of the baseboard heater. In this arrangement the terminal box prevents heat generated at the ends of the heating element from radiating directly to the electrical connections.
Description
~J ~ 7~9t7 Case 2823 TERMINAL BOX FOR sASEBOARD HEATER
The present invention relates to baseboard heaters. More particularly the present invention relates to the terminal box section provided within the baseboard heater.
Commonly, terminal box sections are provided within the outer structure of a baseboard heater between the end walls of the heater and a support member for the heater element. The support member supports the heating element in spaced relation from the walls of the baseboard heater. The terminal box section is further provided with a cover so as to ensure that the connections made within the terminal box section are not readily accessible.
Currently, standards set for baseboard heater operation do not allow the sheath o~ the heating element within the terminal box or the terminal box to be heated by the heating element over a temperature of 60C. In order to maintain the temperature of this terminal box area below 60C., the ends of the heating element remain unheated or are heated to a lower temperature than the rest of the element. These terminals are known as ~cold terminals~ in the art. It is the heat radiating from the cold terminals within the terminal box section that governs the temperature to which it heats up. As a result of the ends of the heating element not being heated up a to a temperature commensurate with the :: :
`
~L~ 7~L44~7 Case 2323 ~2--rest of the heating element, an uneven heat distribution across the entire length of the heating element appears.
Another frequent problem associated with this type of standard terminal box section is that often when the power cable for the baseboard heater comes through the baseboard at a construction site, entry into the teminal box section must be through the rear wall of the baseboard heater. This entry of the power cable has resulted in a number of developments in back connector fasteners for baseboard heaters.
Such fasteners add to the material cost of the baseboard heater.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a terminal box arrangement suitable for use in a baseboard heater that is not subject to the above mentioned disadvantages in terms of installation, material cost and uneven heat distribution.
Briefly, the present invention provides a terminal box adapted for use with a baseboard heater having a heating element. The terminal box provides a housing in which at least one wiring connection is made with an electrical conductor connected to one of the ends of the heating element. This connection provides for the transfer of electrical energy to the heating element. The terminal box is located between the end wall of the baseboard heater and remotely of the ends of the heating element. The major advantage found with this arrangement is that the terminal box prevents heat generated at the "cold terminal" of the baseboard heater from directly radiating to the electrical connections.
The housing of the terminal box may also be independent of the baseboard heater and be positionahle in fixed relation with the baseboard heater.
Case 2823 Additionally, the terminal box may be located on a lower side portion of the baseboard heater. ln such a position, the temperature within the terminal box during heater operation is corlsiderably less than 65C. As a result, more length of the heating element may be heated to provide a more evenly distributed temperature pattern across the heating eleme,nt. This also increases the wattage capability of the heating element in the baseboard heater which will provide for the shortening of the baseboard heater, giving a reduced material cost.
Further, the baseboard heater may be provided with a knock-out which covers an aperture.
The aperture is of a shape that it will accept the terminal box with it so that the terminal box is positioned between the end walls of the baseboard heater. A fastening means, ~uch as for example a screw, may pass through a wall of the baseboard and into the terminal box to locate the terminal box in fi~ed relation with respect to the baseboard heater.
In the pre~erred construction the teminal box compri~es a ~eat portion and a cover therefor.
The seat portion has rear wall which is provided with apertures through which nails can be driven to secure the terminal to the baseboard. A knock-out in the baseboard heater is removable and a wire extending from the end of the heating element can be connected to a power cable entering the terminal box. Once the connection is made, the cover is placed on top of the terminal box. The terminal box and the seating portion are provid~d with a lip along an edge surface thereof. The lips, of each of the seating portion and cover of the terminal box, are adjacent one another allowing the electrical conductor to pass therebetween.
To complete the assembly of the baseboard heater and the terminal box, the baseboard heater Is fitted over . ~
, .
71~t~
Case 2823 the terminal box and secured thereto. In this preferred construction the rear wall of the seating portion of the terminal box is provided with a slot and the top cover oE the terminal box is provided with a tongue that fits into the slot so as to locate the top cover with respect to the seating portion.
The top cover has a front wall portion which overlaps a front wall portion of the seating portion, and together these front covers have aligned apertures through which the fastening means passes.
For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference may be had by way of example to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings for the preferred embodiment in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the baseboard heater and terminal box shown assembled;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear views of the baseboard heater;
Figure 4 is a side view of the baseboard heater and terminal box;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal box; and Figure 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the baseboard heater and terminal box shown in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings there is shown a baseboard heater 10 having a front cover 12 and a heating element 14 located in a heating chamber 16 behind the front cover 12. The heating element 14 is shown supported on end supports 18. As can be seen in Figure 2, while a space 20 is provided between the end supports 18 and the end walls 22 of the baseboard heater 10, such a space is not completely covered at the front of the baseboard heater and is no-t large enough to house the terminal end section that would noramlly be used for making connections of power cables to the heating element in the baseboard heater.
Case 2823 A terminal box 24 is shown to comprise a ~eat potion 26 and a cover 28 (see ~igure 5). The rear wall 3U of a seat ~6 is provided with apertures 32 through which nails may be drived to fasten the sea~
26 to the bottom wall plate. Also provided in the rear wall 30 is a slotted aperture 34. Along an edge in side wall ~6 of seat 26 there is shown a lip 38.
~he cover 28 is provided with a tongue 40 which may be fitted into slot 34 so as to locate the position of the cover 28 relative to seat 26. As shown, aligned apertures in the front walls 4.7, 44 provide for a fastening means in the form of screw 46 to pass through the front walls and secure the cover 28 to seat 26. In this manner the terminal box 24 will then be fixed to the baseboard. The cover is also provided with a lip 48 which is located adjacent lip 38 of seat 26. Through these aligned lips 48 electrical conductor 50, extending from cold terminal 52 of the baseboard heater, may pass into the terminal box 24 (see ~igure 6). Conductor 51 completes the circuit within the heater 10. As shown, the terminal box 24 is provided with a plurality of knock-outs 54 on the seat portion 26.
The baseboard heater 10 is further provided with knock-outs 56. When one of these knock-outs is removed, an aperture is provided through which the terminal box 24 may be positioned between the end walls ~2 of the baseboard heater 10. As illustrated in the drawings, the terminal box is located in the lower right-hand corner of the baseboard heater.
It should be understood that two knook-outs are provided in the preferred construction illustrated at either end of the baseboard heater. The baseboard heater is provided with a front wall portion 58 having an aperture 60 which aligns with the apertures in the front walls 42,, 44 of the seat portion 26 and cover 23. Screw 46 also passes through the aperture 60 so as to locate the baseboard heater and the terminal .
. . . ..
~ , 7~
Case 2823 box in fixed relation and to connect them electrically (i.e., grounding)~
As previ~usly mentioned, such an arrangement permits for more of the length of the heating element 14 to be heated thereby providin~ a more even heat distribution across the length of the heatin~ element 14. As a result cold terminal 52 will be heated to a higher temperature than obtained in prior art arrangements. However, since the terminal box provides an independent housing in which electrical connections 64 with the electrical conductors 50 and 51 are made, heat radiated from the cold terminal 52 will not come into direct contact with the connections housed within the terminal box 24.
It should be understood that the foregoing has been a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and that alternate embodiments may be readily apparent to a man skilled in the art in view thereof. Accordingly, the present invention should only be limited to that which is claimed in the acco~panying claims.
.
The present invention relates to baseboard heaters. More particularly the present invention relates to the terminal box section provided within the baseboard heater.
Commonly, terminal box sections are provided within the outer structure of a baseboard heater between the end walls of the heater and a support member for the heater element. The support member supports the heating element in spaced relation from the walls of the baseboard heater. The terminal box section is further provided with a cover so as to ensure that the connections made within the terminal box section are not readily accessible.
Currently, standards set for baseboard heater operation do not allow the sheath o~ the heating element within the terminal box or the terminal box to be heated by the heating element over a temperature of 60C. In order to maintain the temperature of this terminal box area below 60C., the ends of the heating element remain unheated or are heated to a lower temperature than the rest of the element. These terminals are known as ~cold terminals~ in the art. It is the heat radiating from the cold terminals within the terminal box section that governs the temperature to which it heats up. As a result of the ends of the heating element not being heated up a to a temperature commensurate with the :: :
`
~L~ 7~L44~7 Case 2323 ~2--rest of the heating element, an uneven heat distribution across the entire length of the heating element appears.
Another frequent problem associated with this type of standard terminal box section is that often when the power cable for the baseboard heater comes through the baseboard at a construction site, entry into the teminal box section must be through the rear wall of the baseboard heater. This entry of the power cable has resulted in a number of developments in back connector fasteners for baseboard heaters.
Such fasteners add to the material cost of the baseboard heater.
It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a terminal box arrangement suitable for use in a baseboard heater that is not subject to the above mentioned disadvantages in terms of installation, material cost and uneven heat distribution.
Briefly, the present invention provides a terminal box adapted for use with a baseboard heater having a heating element. The terminal box provides a housing in which at least one wiring connection is made with an electrical conductor connected to one of the ends of the heating element. This connection provides for the transfer of electrical energy to the heating element. The terminal box is located between the end wall of the baseboard heater and remotely of the ends of the heating element. The major advantage found with this arrangement is that the terminal box prevents heat generated at the "cold terminal" of the baseboard heater from directly radiating to the electrical connections.
The housing of the terminal box may also be independent of the baseboard heater and be positionahle in fixed relation with the baseboard heater.
Case 2823 Additionally, the terminal box may be located on a lower side portion of the baseboard heater. ln such a position, the temperature within the terminal box during heater operation is corlsiderably less than 65C. As a result, more length of the heating element may be heated to provide a more evenly distributed temperature pattern across the heating eleme,nt. This also increases the wattage capability of the heating element in the baseboard heater which will provide for the shortening of the baseboard heater, giving a reduced material cost.
Further, the baseboard heater may be provided with a knock-out which covers an aperture.
The aperture is of a shape that it will accept the terminal box with it so that the terminal box is positioned between the end walls of the baseboard heater. A fastening means, ~uch as for example a screw, may pass through a wall of the baseboard and into the terminal box to locate the terminal box in fi~ed relation with respect to the baseboard heater.
In the pre~erred construction the teminal box compri~es a ~eat portion and a cover therefor.
The seat portion has rear wall which is provided with apertures through which nails can be driven to secure the terminal to the baseboard. A knock-out in the baseboard heater is removable and a wire extending from the end of the heating element can be connected to a power cable entering the terminal box. Once the connection is made, the cover is placed on top of the terminal box. The terminal box and the seating portion are provid~d with a lip along an edge surface thereof. The lips, of each of the seating portion and cover of the terminal box, are adjacent one another allowing the electrical conductor to pass therebetween.
To complete the assembly of the baseboard heater and the terminal box, the baseboard heater Is fitted over . ~
, .
71~t~
Case 2823 the terminal box and secured thereto. In this preferred construction the rear wall of the seating portion of the terminal box is provided with a slot and the top cover oE the terminal box is provided with a tongue that fits into the slot so as to locate the top cover with respect to the seating portion.
The top cover has a front wall portion which overlaps a front wall portion of the seating portion, and together these front covers have aligned apertures through which the fastening means passes.
For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference may be had by way of example to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings for the preferred embodiment in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the baseboard heater and terminal box shown assembled;
Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear views of the baseboard heater;
Figure 4 is a side view of the baseboard heater and terminal box;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal box; and Figure 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the baseboard heater and terminal box shown in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings there is shown a baseboard heater 10 having a front cover 12 and a heating element 14 located in a heating chamber 16 behind the front cover 12. The heating element 14 is shown supported on end supports 18. As can be seen in Figure 2, while a space 20 is provided between the end supports 18 and the end walls 22 of the baseboard heater 10, such a space is not completely covered at the front of the baseboard heater and is no-t large enough to house the terminal end section that would noramlly be used for making connections of power cables to the heating element in the baseboard heater.
Case 2823 A terminal box 24 is shown to comprise a ~eat potion 26 and a cover 28 (see ~igure 5). The rear wall 3U of a seat ~6 is provided with apertures 32 through which nails may be drived to fasten the sea~
26 to the bottom wall plate. Also provided in the rear wall 30 is a slotted aperture 34. Along an edge in side wall ~6 of seat 26 there is shown a lip 38.
~he cover 28 is provided with a tongue 40 which may be fitted into slot 34 so as to locate the position of the cover 28 relative to seat 26. As shown, aligned apertures in the front walls 4.7, 44 provide for a fastening means in the form of screw 46 to pass through the front walls and secure the cover 28 to seat 26. In this manner the terminal box 24 will then be fixed to the baseboard. The cover is also provided with a lip 48 which is located adjacent lip 38 of seat 26. Through these aligned lips 48 electrical conductor 50, extending from cold terminal 52 of the baseboard heater, may pass into the terminal box 24 (see ~igure 6). Conductor 51 completes the circuit within the heater 10. As shown, the terminal box 24 is provided with a plurality of knock-outs 54 on the seat portion 26.
The baseboard heater 10 is further provided with knock-outs 56. When one of these knock-outs is removed, an aperture is provided through which the terminal box 24 may be positioned between the end walls ~2 of the baseboard heater 10. As illustrated in the drawings, the terminal box is located in the lower right-hand corner of the baseboard heater.
It should be understood that two knook-outs are provided in the preferred construction illustrated at either end of the baseboard heater. The baseboard heater is provided with a front wall portion 58 having an aperture 60 which aligns with the apertures in the front walls 42,, 44 of the seat portion 26 and cover 23. Screw 46 also passes through the aperture 60 so as to locate the baseboard heater and the terminal .
. . . ..
~ , 7~
Case 2823 box in fixed relation and to connect them electrically (i.e., grounding)~
As previ~usly mentioned, such an arrangement permits for more of the length of the heating element 14 to be heated thereby providin~ a more even heat distribution across the length of the heatin~ element 14. As a result cold terminal 52 will be heated to a higher temperature than obtained in prior art arrangements. However, since the terminal box provides an independent housing in which electrical connections 64 with the electrical conductors 50 and 51 are made, heat radiated from the cold terminal 52 will not come into direct contact with the connections housed within the terminal box 24.
It should be understood that the foregoing has been a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and that alternate embodiments may be readily apparent to a man skilled in the art in view thereof. Accordingly, the present invention should only be limited to that which is claimed in the acco~panying claims.
.
Claims (11)
1. A terminal box adapted for use with a baseboard heater having a heating element, said terminal box providing a housing in which at least one wiring connection is made with an electrical conductor connected to one of the ends of said heating element to provide electrical energy to said heating element, said terminal box being located between end walls of said baseboard heater and remotely of the ends of said heating element, whereby said terminal box prevents heat generated at the ends of said heating element from radiating directly to the electrical connection.
2. The terminal box of Claim 1 wherein said housing is independent of said baseboard heater and is positionable in fixed relation with said baseboard heater.
3. The terminal box of Claim 2 wherein said terminal box further comprises a seat portion provided with knock-outs and a cover for said seat portion
4. The terminal box of Claim 3 wherein said cover comprises a top wall and a front wall portion which overlaps a front wall portion of said seat portion.
5. The terminal box of Claim 4 wherein said seat portion further includes a rear wall portion having apertures through which first fastening means may be driven to secure said seat portion to a baseboard.
6. The terminal box of Claim 5 wherein said rear wall further includes a slot for receiving a tongue of said cover so as to locate said cover relative to said seat portion.
7. The terminal box of Claim 6 wherein a second fastening means is provided to pass through aligned apertures in the front walls of the cover and Case 2823 seat portion so as to secure the cover to said seat portion.
8. The terminal box of Claim 7 wherein said second fastening means may also pass through a wall of said baseboard heater thereby positioning said terminal box in fixed relation with said baseboard heater.
9. The terminal box of Claim 3 or 8 wherein said cover and said seat portion are each provided with a lip along an edge thereof, each lip being adjacent one another to allow said electrical conductor to pass therebetween into said terminal box.
10. The terminal box of Claim 1, 2 or 8 wherein said terminal box is positionable below a front cover to said baseboard heater close to one of the end walls of said baseboard heater.
11. The terminal box of Claim 2, 3 or 8 wherein said baseboard heater is provided with removable covering means which cover an aperture in said heater and, once said covering means is removed, said terminal box being readily positioned in fixed relation within the end walls of said baseboard heater.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000390581A CA1171447A (en) | 1981-11-20 | 1981-11-20 | Terminal box for baseboard heater |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000390581A CA1171447A (en) | 1981-11-20 | 1981-11-20 | Terminal box for baseboard heater |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1171447A true CA1171447A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
Family
ID=4121467
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000390581A Expired CA1171447A (en) | 1981-11-20 | 1981-11-20 | Terminal box for baseboard heater |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1171447A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4761537A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-08-02 | Tennessee Plastics, Inc. | Electric baseboard heater having a reduced profile cabinet |
| USD917033S1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-04-20 | Stelpro Design Inc. | Baseboard heater |
-
1981
- 1981-11-20 CA CA000390581A patent/CA1171447A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4761537A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-08-02 | Tennessee Plastics, Inc. | Electric baseboard heater having a reduced profile cabinet |
| USD917033S1 (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2021-04-20 | Stelpro Design Inc. | Baseboard heater |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |