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A system and method are provided for cooling exhaust from a power center, such as in the event of an arc fault. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a power center having an enclosure, an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure, and a phase change material disposed in the enclosure, t

A system and method are provided for cooling exhaust from a power center, such as in the event of an arc fault. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a power center having an enclosure, an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure, and a phase change material disposed in the enclosure, the exhaust duct, or both, wherein the phase change material is configured to rapidly cool exhaust in response to a high temperature in the enclosure. A method is provided that includes cooling an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase of a phase change material from a solid to a vapor. Another method is provided that includes providing a phase change material configured to cool an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase from a solid to a vapor.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A system comprising: a power center, comprising: an enclosure; an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure; and a phase change material disposed in the enclosure, the exhaust duct, or both, wherein the phase change material is configured to rapidly cool exhaust in response

The invention claimed is: 1. A system comprising: a power center, comprising: an enclosure; an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure; and a phase change material disposed in the enclosure, the exhaust duct, or both, wherein the phase change material is configured to rapidly cool exhaust in response to a high temperature in the enclosure. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material comprises a solid during normal operation of the power distribution center, and the phase change material changes phase from the solid to a vapor in response to the high temperature of the exhaust. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material consists essentially of a metallic salt. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the phase change material consists essentially of lithium fluoride. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material comprises a layer directly adhered to a surface. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material is suspended in a flow path of the exhaust from the enclosure to an outlet of the exhaust duct. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the phase change material is at least substantially or entirely enclosed by a plurality of thin plastic films. 8. The system of claim 1, comprising a rack supporting a plurality of screens within the exhaust duct, wherein a plurality of sheets of the phase change material are supported by the plurality of screens. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust duct comprises a pressure relief device. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power center is configured to manage greater than 1000 V and the high temperature is greater than 1000 degrees Celcius. 11. A method, comprising: cooling an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase of a phase change material from a solid to a vapor. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the exhaust comprises reducing heat generated in response to an arcing event within the power center. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein cooling the exhaust comprises melting and boiling the phase change material to absorb heat. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the phase change material consists essentially of a metallic salt. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the phase change material consists essentially of lithium fluoride. 16. The method of claim 11, comprising ducting the exhaust away from the power center while cooling the exhaust with the phase change material. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein ducting the exhaust comprises releasing the exhaust away from the power center while still within a room and/or building containing the power center. 18. A method, comprising: providing a phase change material configured to cool an exhaust at a high temperature from a power center by changing phase from a solid to a vapor. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising at least substantially or entirely enclosing the phase change material within a thin layer of plastic. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising mounting, coating, suspending, or a combination thereof, the phase change material in an enclosure of the power center, an exhaust duct coupled to the enclosure, or both. 21. A duct for a power center, comprising: a duct section configured to couple with a power center; and a phase change material comprising lithium fluoride disposed in the duct section. 22. The duct of claim 21, wherein the duct comprises a layer of the phase change material directly adhered to an interior surface of the duct. 23. The duct of claim 21, wherein the duct comprises a mount suspended within a volume of the duct, and a sheet of the phase change material is supported on the mount. 24. A high temperature coolant for a power center, comprising: a phase change material comprising a metallic salt configured to absorb heat by changing phase from in response to an electrical arc event in the power center. 25. The high temperature coolant of claim 24, wherein the phase change material is surrounded by a plastic film and is mounted on a screen.