GB2469655A

GB2469655A - Electrical enclosure apparatus, kit of parts and method

Info

Publication number: GB2469655A
Application number: GB0906875A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nick Smith; Mark Lycett; Chris Howells
Original assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2009-04-22
Filing date: 2009-04-22
Publication date: 2010-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-22
Also published as: GB0906875D0; GB2469655B

Abstract

An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts has a box a first face containing an opening and a removable cable guide plate positioned in the opening. The cable guide plate has a guide aperture within it arranged to allow cables to pass into the box through the cable guide plate. When cables are to pass into the electrical enclosure through a second face of a second enclosure, such as trunking, the cable guide plate may be used as a template for making a cut-out in the second face. When the faces are joined together with the cable guide plate positioned between them, cables may pass through the faces via the guide aperture without risk of snagging on the edges of the cut-out. This arrangement speeds the jointing of enclosures and reduces dust and debris arising from cutting of guide apertures on site. An assembly or kit having several interchangeable cable guide plates having guide apertures of differing shapes or sizes is also provided to allow an appropriate guide aperture to be selected for a particular set of cables entering the electrical enclosure box. If individual, un-boxed cables are to enter the electrical enclosure through the face, for instance using bolted glands, the cable guide plate may be removed and a cover, through which individual, glanded cables may be passed, attached to the face.

Description

Electrical Enclosure Apparatus, Kit of Parts and Method

Introduction

The invention relates to an enclosure for electrical, electronic or telecommunication equipment which is suitable for mounting on internal walls of buildings. In particular it relates to such an enclosure, particularly an enclosure for electrical switchgear, also known as a consumer unit or distribution board (i.e. an enclosure for holding electrical distribution equipment), or a trunking enclosure, which requires a cable entry aperture, through which cables may pass into the enclosure.

Backciround Where enclosures for electrical, electronic or telecommunication equipment, such as switches, fuse boxes, consumer switchgear units, trunking, telephone sockets, alarm systems, are mounted directly onto a wall without first forming a recess in the wall, it may be necessary for the enclosure to be furnished with a cable entry aperture through which cables or wires, hereinafter all referred to as "cables" for the sake of brevity, can pass into the enclosure.

It is preferable, in order to meet various safety standards, and in order to prevent the ingress of parts of the human body, such as fingers, for the cable entry arrangement for electrical enclosures to be such that there is little or no risk of accidental access to the interior of an enclosure where the cables pass into the enclosure. It is also desirable that cables are either enclosed within trunking (so that risk of accidental damage to cables is reduced) or the cables, if not enclosed in trunking, are typically steel-wired armoured (SWA) cables.

This invention is concerned with electrical enclosures such as trunking and enclosures for consumer units or distribution boards, which are constructed and arranged to be readily adaptable for use with both or either of SWA cables and trunked cables.

Conventionally, in known electrical enclosures, holes or openings may be provided in a face of the enclosure through which cables may pass. The holes or openings may be fitted with grommets or glands, typically bolted metal glands for SWA cables.

When a plurality of cables is to pass into a first face of a first enclosure from another second enclosure, such as trunking, through a second face of that second enclosure, it is usual for large openings to be cut in the two faces with the openings aligned such that the cables can pass form one enclosure into the other.

This leads to the risk of the cables snagging, chafing or becoming damaged where they rub against the edges of the openings in the two faces. Typically, in order to avoid such risk of damage, an insulating spacer plate is sandwiched between the two faces. This spacer plate is provided with a guide aperture, smaller than either of the openings in the first or second faces, and is positioned between the faces such that the guide aperture is entirely within the first and second openings, such that the cables, passing through the guide aperture, do not come into rubbing contact with edges of the openings in the first or second faces.

Typical known electrical enclosures may be formed from folded sheet metal such as steel, for instance in the form of a box shaped as a rectangular or right parallelepiped. Such enclosures may also be moulded from a suitable polymer. At least one face of the box may typically be left partially open when the box is formed such that it can act as the basis for providing cable entry. The open face may be covered by a blanking plate, which is removably fastened to the open face.

Such insulating spacer plates are typically custom-built whenever two enclosures (for instance, trunking and a distribution board enclosure) are to be connected to allow cable to pass safely from one enclosure through the faces and into to the other second enclosure. The fitter will typically cut the spacer plate, and the cable guide aperture in the spacer plate, for instance with a pad-saw or jig-saw, the apertures being of a size sufficient to allow required cables to pass through, but not so large that there is risk of the cables rubbing against sharp edges of the enclosures.

Typically, the electrical enclosures will be fitted to each other by fasteners such as screws or nuts and bolts, with the spacer plate sandwiched between them to guide the cables.

The insulated spacer is typically formed from of an insulating material such as phenol formaldehyde resin laminated with paper or fabric (Paxolin for instance).

The prior art fitting methods have a number of disadvantages. The fitter must accurately measure and cut the apertures in the enclosure, trunking and form an insulated spacer with a guide aperture therein. Furthermore, in order to avoid sharp edges of the guide aperture fraying the cables as they are drawn through the aperture, the fitter may need to round the edges of the cut aperture in the insulated spacer, for instance using a file. This process may take as long as 60 minutes and contributes significantly to the time and labour required for fitting electrical enclosures together with cables passing through the joint. The process may also lead to the generation of airborne dust and particles from the cutting and rounding steps, providing a potential inhalation health hazard for the fitter and any other persons nearby, and also leading to dust deposits which may need to be cleaned up.

Hence, there is a need for apparatus and methods that overcome some or all of the problems of the prior art, and there is a need for electrical enclosures and kits which are suitable for use with either trunked cables or with separate SWA cables which pass into the enclosure by means of bolted glands.

Summary of Invention

One object of the present invention, amongst others, is to provide an electrical enclosure assembly which allows for a suitable cable entry aperture to be provided in a face of the electrical enclosure for the required cables at a desired location whilst overcoming some or all of the problems of the prior art. It is also an object of the invention to provide methods for cabling electrical enclosures which overcome some or all of the problems set out above for the prior art. It is also an object of the invention to provide electrical enclosures or kits of parts for electrical enclosures which may be cabled using trunking or, for instance, using armoured cables with bolted glands.

A first aspect of the invention provides an electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts for forming an electrical enclosure comprising: a box having a first face comprising a rim defining an opening and a removable cable guide plate positioned in the opening in an attached configuration, the cable guide plate comprising a guide aperture constructed and arranged to allow cables to pass therethrough to enter the box through the opening when the cable guide plate is in the attached configuration.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method for jointing a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit, according to the first aspect of the invention, to a second face of a second electrical enclosure, the method comprising; i) forming a cut-out in the second face larger than the guide aperture, ii) ensuring that the cable guide plate is attached to the first face, iii) aligning the first and second faces such that the guide aperture is located within the cut-out, iv) fastening the first and second faces together.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method for jointing a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit, according to the first aspeat of the invention, to a second face of a second electrical enclosure, the method comprising; 1) forming a cut-out in the second face larger than the guide aperture, ii) ensuring that the cable guide plate is attached to the first face, iii) aligning the first and second faces such that the guide aperture is located within the cut-out, iv) fastening the first and second faces together.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method for passing one or more cables through a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit of parts according to the first aspect of the invention and comprising a removable cover plate, the cover plate arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement, the method comprising removing the cable guide plate, providing one or more holes in a cover plate adapted to permit passage of the one or more cables therethrough, fastening the cover plate to the first face in an attached configuration with the cables passing through the one or more holes and into the electrical enclosure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

By the term "electrical enclosure assembly" in this description is included a kit of parts suitable for making an electrical enclosure wherein not all of the parts of the kit or assembly have to be used in forming the electrical enclosure. For instance, a plurality of interchangeable parts may be provided in the kit, with the most suitable part being selected for the particular application of the electrical enclosure to be made. The unused parts may be discarded or retained for use with other similar kits of parts. In particular, the kit of parts of the invention may comprise a plurality of cable guide plates.

The terms "configuration" and "arrangement" as used in this description are meant to have identical meanings, and the use of the different terms, when referring to the cable guide plate and to the cover respectively, is merely for the sake of clarity.

The term box as used in this description can be used to describe any enclosure having faces, but will typically refer to a box in the form of an approximate regular right or rectangular parallelepiped, i.e. a rectangular box nominally having 6 faces.

Typically the box will be of unitary construction, typically of metal, for instance of folded sheet metal such as steel, or may be of polymer such as in the form of a polymer moulding. Any suitable material may be used for the box.

The term electrical enclosure includes enclosures for electrical, electronic or telecommunication equipment including, for instance, trunking, alarm boxes, consumer units, enclosures for distribution boards, switchgear enclosures and other such electrical, particularly but not exclusively where the enclosure is intended for fitment to the surface of a wall without first providing a recess in the wall to hold the enclosure. The invention is particularly appropriate for enclosures for consumer units & distribution boards, also known as distribution boxes, where multiple cables may be required to enter and exit the unit, either as unenclosed cable or enclosed within trunking.

Where the enclosure is for a distribution board, the enclosure may include a back plate adapted to hold various circuit breakers, which may for instance protrude through an aperture in a front face, which may in turn be protected by a removable or openable lid or cover enclosing the circuit breakers.

By the term guide aperture, in this description, is meant an aperture that is constructed and arranged to protect cables from damage when the cables are being drawn through it.

The invention is particularly suited to enclosures for commercial electrical switchgear, also called distribution boards. These typically have several cables entering or leaving the enclosure. The mains electrical supply is generally distributed to various circuit breakers contained within the enclosure by means of one or more bus bars (live and possibly neutral) and terminal bars for neutral and earth. Such distribution boards are often positioned in offices, shops, retail units, hotels, leisure buildings, public buildings and factories with a dusty environment, so the inhibition of the ingress of particulate matter into the enclosure of the distribution board is highly desirable. It is desirable for the faces of such an enclosure to remain substantially sealed or closed other than where cables pass into the box of the electrical enclosure. The provision of a close-fitting connection method between trunking holding the cables and the enclosure may achieve this. It is also desirable for the cables to pass into the enclosure in a manner such that that risk of accidental ingress of body parts such as fingers into the interior of the enclosure is reduced.

The electrical enclosure assembly or kit of the first aspect of the invention has a box having a first face comprising a rim defining an opening and a removable cable guide plate positioned in the opening in an attached configuration, the cable guide plate comprising a guide aperture constructed and arranged to allow cables to pass therethrough to enter the box through the opening when the cable guide plate is in the attached configuration.

It may further comprising a removable cover plate, the cover plate being arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement.

Suitably, the cable guide plate and the cover plate are each arranged to be individually removably attachable to the first face. Typically the cover plate an/or the cable guide plate will be attachable to the first face of the box by means of fasteners, such as, for instance, bolts and nuts or screws, usually passing through attachment holes, such as tapped holes, in the rim forming the opening in the face. The same attachment holes may be used for both the cover plate and the cable gland plate when either is attached to the face, or separate attachment holes may be provided.

Typically the enclosure, in use, with cables passing into the enclosure through the first face, will have either the cable guide plate or the cover plate attached to the first face, or both may be attached. When the cables pass into the first enclosure of the first aspect of the invention through a second face of a second enclosure, such as trunking, the cable guide plate will be attached to the first face. When the cables pass into the first enclosure through glands, the cover plate will be attached to the first face and the cables (typically glanded with bolted glands attached to the cover plate or provided with a grommet) will pass through inlet holes formed in the cover plate and adapted to snugly fit the cables (and any gland or grommet). For this second arrangement, the cable guide plate may either be detached, to allow more space for large cables, or may be left attached. Nuts on the bolted glands may be of a suitable size to be held by the guide aperture of the cable guide plate in order to facilitate the tightening of bolted glands allowing cables to pass into the first enclosure.

The guide aperture typically comprises a smooth inner edge such that cables can be slid or dragged through the guide aperture without snagging on sharp edges. This assists in avoiding damage to the cables as they are pushed or dragged into place through the guide aperture. Typically, the cable guide plate, in which the guide aperture is formed, will be of an insulating material such as a polymer or of an insulating material such as phenol formaldehyde resin laminated with paper or fabric (Paxolin for instance). Suitably, the cable guide plate is formed or moulded including the guide aperture such that this is formed with smooth edges around the guide aperture. By "smooth" is meant that there are substantially no surfaces having a radius of curvature of less than 0.1 mm.

Preferably, the smooth inner edge has a rounded cross-section, meaning that the cross-section through the edge, normal to the plane of the plate's surface and normal to the tangent to the edge, forms the surface of an ellipse, circle, parabola, hyperbola or the like.

The enclosure or kit may comprise a plurality of cable guide plates, for instance with a first cable guide plate having a first guide aperture having a different configuration to a second guide aperture of a second cable guide plate. This allows a suitable cable guide plate, most appropriate to the task in hand, to be selected by a fitter, from the plurality of differing cable guide plates present in the enclosure or kit. By "different configuration" for the guide apertures is meant differing shape, size or position (including any or all of these) and also different numbers of guide apertures within a single cable guide plate. For instance, the electrical enclosure assembly or kit may be provided with 5 cable guide plates, each adapted to fit the rim of the face, the first gland plate having a gland with a small cross-section and the other gland plates having glands of progressively larger cross section up to the fifth gland plate having the largest cross-section. This allows a person fitting the electrical enclosure to select the most appropriate gland plate having the best cross-section to closely hold the cables passing through the gland into the box when the selected gland is in the attached configuration. As another option, for example, the different gland plates may each have different numbers of apertures.

The cable guide plate may be a separately formed or moulded item from the box. For instance the box may be a metal box with a metal rim forming the opening in the first face, with the cable guide plate as a moulded resin plate attachable to the face.

In another suitable configuration of the invention, the cable guide plate and the first face may be unitary and the cable guide plate, in the attached arrangement, held to the rim of the first face by bridges configured to be broken or cut, for instance by use of a saw such as a pad-saw, or a knife, whereby the cable guide plate may be removed from the first face if it is not needed. By "unitary" it is meant that the cable guide plate and the rim are formed of the same sheet or molding. Typically, this will lead to a plurality of slots being present in the first face, and passing therethrough, between the cable guide plate, the rim and the bridges.

Once again, for this configuration, the guide aperture typically comprises a smooth inner edge such that cables can be slid or dragged through the guide aperture without snagging on sharp edges. Preferred features for the guide aperture of this configuration are as set out hereinbefore.

This configuration may also further comprise a removable cover plate, the cover plate arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement.

Two or more faces of the box of may comprise openings which may be fitted with removable cable guide plates and/or covers, so that, depending upon which face is to be used to allow cables to enter the box, a suitable face and/or cable guide plate and/or cover may be selected and used.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method for jointing a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit, according to the first aspeat of the invention, to a second face of a second electrical enclosure, the method comprising; i) forming a cut-out in the second face larger than the guide aperture, ii) ensuring that the cable guide plate is attached to the first face, iii) aligning the first and second faces such that the guide aperture is located within the cut-out, iv) fastening the first and second faces together.

The method suitably may comprise using a cable guide plate as a template for forming a cut-out in the second face and aligning the first and second faces such that the cable guide plate is substantially aligned with the cut-out.

Where the cable guide plate and the first face are unitary, as detailed hereinbefore, and the cable guide plate, in the attached arrangement, held to the rim of the first face by bridges configured to be broken or cut, leading to a plurality of slots being present in the first face, and passing therethrough, the position of the cut-out may be marked on the second face through the slots of the first face. For instance the first face may be positioned against the second face and a scribing tool used to scratch the outline of the cable guide plate onto the second face. A suitable cut-out or aperture may then be cut into the second face using the outline as a cutting guide A third aspect of the invention provides method for passing one or more cables through a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit of parts according to the first aspect of the invention and comprising a removable cover plate, the cover plate arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement, the method comprising removing the cable guide plate, providing one or more holes in the cover plate adapted to permit passage of the one or more cables therethrough and fastening the cover plate to the first face in the attached configuration with the cables passing through the one or more holes and into the electrical enclosure.

The method of the second aspect of the invention is suited to connecting, for instance, trunking to an enclosure for a distribution board, where cable within the trunking passes into the first face of the enclosure. The method of the third aspect of the invention is suited, for instance, to allow SWA cables, which are not trunked, to pass into an enclosure of a distribution board.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a first face of a distribution board enclosure according to a first embodiment of the invention showing cable guide plate unitary with the first face and a removable cover, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the first face of the first embodiment with the cable guide plate attached to the rim of the first face, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the first face of the first embodiment with the cable guide plate detached the rim of the first face and removed, Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of a first face of a of a distribution board enclosure according to a second embodiment of the invention showing a separate, removable cable guide plate, and Figures 5A and 5B show alternative removable cable guide plates for use with the second embodiment and having guide apertures of differing configurations to the cable guide plate of Figure 4.

Turning to Figures 1 to 3, these show a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows an enclosure for a distribution board (not shown) having a box I with a first face 2 comprising a cable guide plate 3 which is unitary within the face 2 and held to the rim 4 by bridges 5. Slots 6 are thus formed through the face between the rim 4 and the cable guide plate 3. The cable guide place has a guide aperture 7 formed by a rounded edge 15, which has a semi-circular cross-section.

Tapped attachment holes 9 are provided in the first face 2 to permit attachment of the removable cover plate 10 using bolts 11 passing through the further holes 12 in the cover plate 10.

Additional holes 13 are provided in the rim 4.

In use for attachment or joining the first enclosure of the first embodiment to another enclosure, such as trunking, the cover plate 10 is detached from the face 2 and may be discarded. The box 1 is positioned with first face 2 abutting the second face of the trunking to which the enclosure is to be joined and is suitably aligned and positioned.

With the enclosure held in place, a cutting indication line is scribed on the second face using the slots 6 as a guide. The tapped holes 9 or additional holes 13 may also be used to provide guide marks for drilling corresponding holes in the second face.

The first enclosure is then set aside and a cut-out formed in the second face using suitable tools, such as a drill and pad-saw. Holes are also drilled, corresponding to the holes in the first face. Once the cut-out has been formed, the first enclosure is offered up to the cut-out and re-aligned such that the guide aperture 7 lies entirely inside the opening formed by the cut-out and the holes in the faces align. The first enclosure and the trunking may then be fastened together using suitable fasteners such as nuts and bolts, passing though the holes 9, 13. Cables can then be passed through the trunking into the enclosure (or vice versa) through the guide aperture.

The rounded inner edge 15 of the guide aperture 7 ensures that damage or chafing of the cables is minimal as they are passed through the guide aperture. The positioning of the guide aperture within the cut-out prevents the cables from coming into contact with any sharp edges of the cut-out.

If, instead of being used with trunking, the first enclosure is to be used with SWA cables without protective trunking, then the cover plate 10 is detached and holes cut into it of suitable diameter in order to permit glanded cables to pass though it into the enclosure with a snug fit between gland, hole and cable. Typically bolted glands will be used. If necessary, to provide additional space for glanded cables to pass through into the enclosure, the cable guide plate 3 can be removed from the first face 2 by cutting the bridges 5 with a suitable tool such as a pad-saw, leaving a larger opening 14. The cover plate 10, with cables passing through it, can then be re-attached to the first face 2 using fasteners 11 through holes 9, 12 and additional holes 13.

Alternatively, the cable guide plate may be left in place, and in a preferred configuration, may be configured to grip nuts of the bolted glands to facilitate the fastening of the bolted glands into place.

Hence it can be seen that the first embodiment is easily adaptable for use with either trunked cables or free, armoured cables to be used with glands. Although some cutting on site may be needed, no separate spacer plate needs to be cut and shaped when trunking is used, speeding the jointing operation and reducing dust.

Turning to figures 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, these Figures show a second embodiment which is a kit of parts for an enclosure for a distribution board.

The kit of parts has a box 1 with a first face 2 in which an opening 14 is present.

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the first face 2 with a removable cable guide plate 20 shown in position for attachment to the first face 2.

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show respectively a removable cover plate 10 and further cable guide plates 20 which may be selected for attachment to the first face 2.

Tapped attachment holes 9 are provided in the first face 2 to permit attachment of the removable cable guide plates 20 or the removable cover plate 10 using bolts 11 passing through the further holes 12 in the cable guide plates 20 or removable cover plate 10.

In use, for attachment or joining the first enclosure of the second embodiment to another enclosure, such as trunking, the cover plate 10 is not used and may be discarded. A suitable cable guide plate 20 is selected by the person joining the enclosures together and is positioned against the second face of the trunking to which the enclosure is to be joined and suitably aligned. With the cable guide plate held in place, a cutting line is scribed on the second face using the inside edge of the guide aperture as a template. The holes 12 in the cable guide plate are used to provide guide marks for drilling corresponding holes in the second face. The cable guide plate is then set aside temporarily and a cut-out formed in the second face using suitable tools, such as a drill and pad-saw, forming an opening larger than the area defined by the cutting line such that the guide aperture will lie entirely within the aperture. Holes are also drilled, corresponding to the holes in the cable guide plate.

Once the cut-out has been formed, the first enclosure is offered up to the cut-out with the cable guide plate sandwiched between the two faces such that the guide aperture 7 lies entirely inside the opening formed by the cut-out and the holes in the faces align. The first enclosure and the trunking may then be fastened together using suitable fasteners such as bolts 11, passing though the holes 12. Cables can then be passed through the trunking into the enclosure (or vice versa) through the guide aperture. The rounded inner edge 15 of the guide aperture 7 ensures that damage or chafing of the cables is minimal as they are passed through the guide aperture 7.

The positioning of the guide aperture 7 within the cut-out prevents the cables from coming into contact with any sharp edges of the cut-out.

If, instead of being used with trunking, the first enclosure is to be used with SWA cables without protective trunking, which enter the first enclosure through glands, then the cover plate 10 is used instead of a cable guide plate 20 and holes cut into it of suitable diameter in order to permit glanded cables to pass though it into the enclosure with a snug fit between gland, hole and cable. The cover plate 10, with cables passing through it, can then be attached to the first face 2 using fasteners 11 through holes 12.

Hence it can be seen that the second embodiment is easily adaptable for use with either trunked cables or free, armoured cables with glands. Although some cutting on site may be needed, no separate spacer plate needs to be cut and shaped when trunking is used, speeding the jointing operation and reducing dust.

The cable guide plates not used from the kit of the second embodiment may be discarded or kept for use with another similar kit of parts.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example gland plates 8 with covers 4 may be provided in several faces of the box 1.

The described and illustrated embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as "preferable", "preferably", "preferred" or "more preferred" in the description suggest that a feature so described may be desirable, it may nevertheless not be necessary and embodiments lacking such a feature may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In relation to the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used to preface a feature there is no intention to limit the claim to only one such feature unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts for forming an electrical enclosure comprising: a box having a first face comprising a rim defining an opening and a removable cable guide plate positioned in the opening in an attached configuration, the cable guide plate comprising a guide aperture constructed and arranged to allow cables to pass therethrough to enter the box through the opening when the cable guide plate is in the attached configuration.
2. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 1 further comprising a removable cover plate, the cover plate arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement.
3. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 2 wherein the cable guide plate and the cover plate are each arranged to be individually removably attachable to the first face.
4. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the guide aperture comprises a smooth inner edge.
5. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 4 wherein the smooth inner edge has a rounded cross-section.
6. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a plurality of cable guide plates.
7. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 6 wherein a first cable guide plate has a first guide aperture having a different configuration to a second guide aperture of a second cable guide plate.
8. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein the cable guide plate and the first face are unitary and the cable guide plate, in the attached arrangement, is held to the rim of the first face by bridges configured to be broken or cut, whereby the cable guide plate may be removed from the first face.
9. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 8 wherein a plurality of slots are present in the first face, and passing therethrough, between the cable guide plate, the rim and the bridges.
10. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to claim 8 or9 further comprising a removable cover plate, the cover plate arranged to substantially cover the opening when the cover is in an attached arrangement.
11. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts according to anty preceding claim which is a distribution board enclosure or trunking.
12. An electrical enclosure assembly or kit of parts as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying figures.
13. A method for jointing a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, to a second face of a second electrical enclosure, the method comprising; I) forming a cut-out in the second face larger than the guide aperture, ii) ensuring that the cable guide plate is attached to the first face, iii) aligning the first and second faces such that the guide aperture is located within the cut-out, iv) fastening the first and second faces together.
14. A method according to claim 13 comprising using a cable guide plate as a template for forming a cut-out in the second face and aligning the first and second faces such that the cable guide plate is substantially aligned with the cut-out.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the first electrical enclosure or kit of parts is according to claim 9 and the position of the cut-out is marked on the second face through the slots of the first face.
16. A method for passing one or more cables through a first face of a first electrical enclosure or kit of parts according to any one of claims 2 to 12 comprising removing the cable guide plate, providing one or more holes in the cover plate adapted to permit passage of the one or more cables therethrough, and fastening the cover plate to the first face in the attached configuration with the cables passing through the one or more holes and into the electrical enclosure.
17. An electrical enclosure or method substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying figures.