AU2009200402B2

AU2009200402B2 - Appareil electrique de coupure a connexion haute et basse

Info

Publication number: AU2009200402B2
Application number: AU2009200402A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christian Da Silva; Denis Kuhn; Ghislain Measson
Original assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Current assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Priority date: 2008-02-04
Filing date: 2009-02-04
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-04
Also published as: CN104658826A; FR2927195A1; CN101533742A; AU2009200402A1; EP2085998B1; ES2417632T3; EP2085998A1; CN104658826B

Abstract

-9 An electrical interrupt apparatus of the breaker type placed on a neutral line and at least one phase line, including: 5 - an electronic circuit providing at least one differential function, powered between the neutral line and a phase line or between two phase lines; - on each line, two connection devices and a pair of fixed and mobile contacts, respectively; and 10 - a mechanical release lock comprising a mobile contact support and actuated by a maneuvering member. The electronic circuit is connected from the side of the mobile contact on one of the lines, and from the side of the fixed contact on the other line. 30/03/09,va 17780 abstract,9

Description

- I ELECTRICAL INTERRUPT APPARATUS WITH HIGH AND LOW CONNECTION The present invention concerns an electrical interrupt apparatus of the breaker type, placed on a neutral line and at least one phase line or on phase lines and 5 comprising an electronic circuit providing at least one differential function. The apparatus of the invention must be able to be connected indifferently by the top or the bottom, i.e. the user must be able to freely select the side connected to the network. Connection habits differ from one country to the next, and even within a same country. 10 The various checks and tests performed on the apparatuses must then be able to be applied under the same conditions for both possible types of connections. Such is the case, for example, for the dielectric test conducted between phase and neutral downstream from the apparatus, i.e. from the side opposite the connection to the network: the apparatuses must be provided for complying therewith regardless of 15 the downstream side resulting from the selected network connection. Furthermore, for a product comprising a differential function as an electronic circuit powered between phase and neutral or between two phases, international standards recommend the existence of a push button allowing one to test the circuit. The standards in force provide for prolonged pressing for a defined 20 duration without producing any negative effects on the electronic circuit. This button is connected in parallel to the electronic circuit. In a traditional configuration connectable from only one side determined in advance, in order to avoid any risk of destruction, the electronic circuit / test button assembly is connected downstream from the fixed and mobile contacts in relation to 25 the power side. For economic reasons, in particular so as to develop only one line of products available for two types of market, the benefit of an apparatus which may be connected by the top and by the bottom, i.e. indifferently by the connecting devices present on both sides, is obvious. This is the object of the present invention. 30 For this purpose the invention provides an electrical interrupt apparatus of the breaker type placed on a neutral line and at least one phase line, including an electronic circuit providing at least one differential function, powered between the 05/07/13,dh-17780 - specipgs 1 -3 - cdm.docx, I -2 neutral line and a phase line or between two phase lines; on each line, two connection devices and a pair of fixed and mobile contacts, respectively, wherein the electronic circuit is connected from the side of the mobile contact on one of the lines, and from the side of the fixed contact on the other line, a mechanical release lock 5 including a mobile contact support and actuated by a maneuvering member, an additional switch is placed between the connection to the phase line and the electronic circuit, the opening / closing position of which is under control and corresponds to the position of the mobile contacts and the additional switch is actuated by a contact support supporting at least one mobile contact. 10 The result is crossed powering of the electronic circuit, which provides a certain form of symmetry in the perspective of undifferentiated power. This crossing also responds to the various problems posed above, notably allowing a dielectric test to be conducted between phase and neutral in both connection hypotheses and prolonged maintaining of the test button closed within the framework of the test of 15 said circuit. With this switch, it is possible to perform the second dielectric test applied for this type of product, between the upstream and the downstream, as well as to prevent the application of potential to the downstream lines in case the test button is pressed. 20 Its mechanical control by the movement of the contacts, allowing it to reflect the opening or closing position of the main contacts of the circuit breaker, is such that it preferably closes shortly before the closing of the mechanical lock, and opens shortly thereafter, so as to avoid any risk of disconnection due for example to the electromagnet of the electronic circuit. 25 The test push button is placed in series with a resistor, the assembly being connected in parallel to the electronic circuit. This so-called test resistor is provided for calibrating the test current. The fact that the test resistor and the additional switch are placed in series makes it possible, during prolonged pressing on the test button, to open the circuit powering the electronic circuit and the downstream circuit, and 30 therefore to limit the exposure time of the resistor to the test current. As a result, the energy which passes through the resistor is limited. 05/07/13.dh-17780 - specipgs1- 3 - cdm.docx,2 -3 The contact support makes it possible in practice to dissociate the movement of the mobile contact(s) and that of the additional switch, in order not to interfere and, in reality, to decrease the contact force. In no case may the circuit breaker function be disrupted by this switch, and it is important in particular for it to have no 5 influence on the closure of the circuit breaker. According to one practical possibility, the electronic circuit is supported by at least one printed circuit plate. This configuration is notably advantageous in terms of manufacturing, allowing implantation of the entirety of this circuit in one operation, like a single component. 10 According to a first alternative, the switch consists of a flexible conductive rod whereof one of the ends is fixed and the other, free end is driven upon closure of the mobile contacts into contact with a conductive shield latch connected to the electronic circuit. Alternatively, this may occur upon opening of the mobile contacts. More specifically, one of the ends of said flexible conductive rod may then 15 be attached to the printed circuit plate supporting the electronic circuit, the other free end being driven into contact with a conductive shield latch also secured to said plate, upon closing or opening of the mobile contacts. Under these assumptions, it is the free end of the conductive rod which is driven by an appendage of the mobile contact support. This is then dimensioned so 20 that the relaxation induced by the forces due to the flexible rod does not influence the closure of the additional switch. Alternatively, this rod can be driven by a carriage mobile in translation, moved by the mobile contact support against a return spring. In the case when the electrical apparatus is bipolar (phase-neutral), it 25 comprises a median wall separating the circuit breaker portion from the electronic circuit, a window made in said wall then enabling guiding of an appendage of the contact support or the mobile carriage driving the flexible rod. Under the assumption of the carriage, the window made in the wall may be permanently blocked by the carriage, which closes access between the circuit breaker 30 and electronic circuit sides, respectively, and decreases the potential impacts of one function on the other. 05/07/13,db- 17780 - specipgs 1-3 - cdm.docx,3 -4 Conversely, when the conductive flexible rod is directly driven by the mobile contact support, more specifically by an appendage thereof moving in said window, a portion of the surface thereof remains open, which has an impact on the circuit breaker function. Pollution may furthermore be generated from the side of the 5 volume allotted to the differential function. The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended figures, for which: - Fig. 1 is a simplified electrical diagram of the electrical configuration of the apparatus according to the invention; 10 - Figs. 2 and 3 show, in a perspective view, a configuration of the invention in which the conductive flexible rod is actuated by an appendage of the contact support, in the opening and closing positions of the additional switch, respectively; - Fig. 4 shows, still in perspective view, a contact support modified 15 to this end; - Fig. 5 shows a solution according to which the flexible rod is driven by a carriage mobile in translation; - Fig. 6 illustrates a contact support and a carriage able to cooperate in the solution of Fig. 5; and 20 - Fig. 7 shows an alternative of figure 1 without the additional turn passing through the torus. Fig. I schematizes a phase (L)-neutral (N) differential circuit breaker whereof the differential function is provided by an electronic circuit (PCBA) powered between phase and neutral, and at the terminals of which is placed a test push button (1) 25 connected in series with a resistor (2). This electronic circuit (PCBA) in particular comprises a torus (3) crossed by the phase line (L) and neutral line (N) forming the primary of a transformer whereof the secondary winding (4) delivers, in case of imbalance in the primary currents, a signal processed by the electronic circuit (PCBA). The disconnection function is traditionally provided by pairs of fixed (5, 5') 30 and mobile (6, 6') contacts arranged respectively on the neutral (N) and phase (L) lines. According to the invention, an additional switch (7) is arranged between the phase (L) and the power supply of the electronic circuit (PCBA) on the phase side. 30/03/09,va 17780 speci,4 -5 Fig. 1 clearly shows the cross powering, the electronic circuit (PCBA) being connected to the neutral (N) and to the phase (L), respectively, on either side of the pairs of fixed (5, 5') and mobile (6, 6') contacts. In this configuration, it is perfectly possible to power the product, i.e. in this case the phase-neutral differential circuit 5 breaker, either from the top or from the bottom. The existence of the switch (7) makes it possible to avoid "burning" the electronic circuit when the test function is applied by pressing on the push button (1). This configuration also makes it possible to protect the product during dielectric tests carried out by the installers. 10 From a practical point of view, according to one possibility which notably is the object of Fig. 2, the invention is applied by using a flexible conductive rod (8) secured (for example by welding) on a printed circuit (9) supporting the electronic circuit (PCBA). In the differential circuit breaker shown in Fig. 2, the outer insulating casing (B) of which is shown partially cut out on the side of the electronic 15 circuit for explanatory purposes, the inner volume is divided in two by a median partition (10). Behind this partition (10) is a traditional circuit breaker, with its mechanical release lock (not visible), its control lever (11) and its release motors, magnetic and thermal, respectively (not visible). The visible volume contains the electronic circuit (PCBA) as well as one of the connection devices (12) of the 20 product. Without going into details which do not constitute the invention strictly speaking, the printed circuit supports a magnetic torus (3) whereof the primary winding is formed by the phase and neutral wires (N, L), as well as an electromagnet (13) with which the lock may be released (located in the hidden volume allotted to the 25 disconnection function) in case of imbalance of the currents in the phase and the neutral. The test button (1) also actuates a metal rod (14) in contact with a rigid conductor (15) jutting out from the printed circuit (9). A window (16) is made in the median wall (10). An appendage (17) of the contact support is provided for moving in said window (16). This appendage (17), when it moves towards the right with 30 reference to this figure, drives the flexible rod (8) into contact with a rigid conductive portion (18) of the phase wire jutting out from the printed circuit (9). 30/03/09,va 17780 speci,5 -6 Fig. 2 illustrates the switch (7) in the open position, i.e. the flexible conductive rod (8) is not in contact with the conductive portion (18). Under this assumption, given the control and the existing correspondence between the position of the mobile contacts and that of the switch (7), the mobile contacts (6, 6') are in the open position 5 of the contacts of the circuit breaker. With reference to Fig. 3, said flexible rod (8) is pushed back by the appendage (17) of the contact support toward the conductor portion (18): the switch (7) (see figure 1) as well as the mobile contacts are in the closing position. Fig. 4 provides a general view of the contact support (19) with which the lock of the product is 10 equipped, with its appendage (17) intended to cross the window (16) so as to jut out from the side of the printed circuit (9) of the electronic circuit (PCBA) and to drive the flexible rod (8). Figs. 5 and 6 show one possible alternative to the configuration of Figs. 2 to 4, using a carriage (20) provided with a trunnion (21) actuating the flexible rod (8). 15 With a spring (22), the carriage may be returned to the initial position, when the mobile contacts are in the open position. The advantage of this configuration, as compared with that which is suggested in Figs. 2 to 4, lies in the permanent blocking of the window (16), notably leading to reducing the drawbacks upon opening at the moment of the cut-off in the circuit 20 breaker space, because it avoids pollution of the differential stage generated by said cut-off, due to the carbon/metal particles vaporized during the latter. In both cases, the lock of the circuit breaker provides mechanical information to the flexible rod (8). As visible in figure 6, on the side of the carriage (20) opposite that which includes the trunnion (21), a low wall (23) allows cooperation with an 25 appendage (17'), under this atrophied view, which juts out from the contact support (19) inside the window (16). With reference to Fig. 7, the powering of the electronic circuit (PCBA) is accomplished without passing through the torus (3), as this is the case in Fig. 1. Under the assumption of Fig. 1, the use of this additional turn aims at rebalancing the 30 flow in the torus (3) because the power supply of the circuit (PCBA) creates an imbalance. The solution of Fig. 7 makes this characteristic unnecessary. Other alternatives are, of course, possible and encompassed by the invention. 30/03/09,va 17780 speci,6

Claims

1. An electrical interrupt apparatus of the breaker type placed on a neutral line and at least one phase line, including: 5 an electronic circuit providing at least one differential function, powered between the neutral line and a phase line or between two phase lines; on each line, two connection devices and a pair of fixed and mobile contacts, respectively, wherein the electronic circuit is connected from the side of the mobile contact on one of the lines, and from the side of the fixed contact on the other line; 10 a mechanical release lock including a mobile contact support and actuated by a maneuvering member; an additional switch is placed between the connection to the phase line and the electronic circuit, the opening / closing position of which is under control and corresponds to the position of the mobile contacts and the additional switch is 15 actuated by a contact support supporting at least one mobile contact.

2. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a test push button in series with a resistor are connected in parallel to the electronic circuit. 20

3. The electrical apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit is supported by at least one printed circuit plate.

4. The electrical apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch consists of a flexible conductive rod whereof one of the ends is 25 fixed and the other, free end is driven into contact with a conductive shield latch connected to the electronic circuit upon closing or opening of the mobile contacts.

5. An electrical apparatus according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the switch consists of a flexible conductive rod whereof one of the ends is attached to the 30 printed circuit plate supporting the electronic circuit and the other, free end is driven into contact with a conductive shield latch also attached to said platen upon closing or opening of the mobile contacts. 05/07/13,dh-17780 -claims - cdm.docx,7 -8

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the free end of the conductive rod is driven by an appendage of the mobile contact support. 5

7. The electrical apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the free end of the conductive rod is driven by a carriage mobile in translation, moved by the mobile contact support against a return spring.

8. The electrical apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further including a 10 median wall separating the circuit breaker portion from the electronic circuit, a window made in said wall allowing guiding of an appendage of the contact support or of the mobile carriage driving the conductive rod.

9. An electrical interrupt apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described 15 with reference to the accompanying drawings. 05/07/13.dh- 17780 - claims - cdm.docx,8