AU2018423700A1

AU2018423700A1 - Electrical differential switching device

Info

Publication number: AU2018423700A1
Application number: AU2018423700A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alexandre CHAMAGNE; Marc Elsass
Original assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Current assignee: Hager Electro SAS
Priority date: 2018-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-16
Publication date: 2020-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-16
Also published as: AU2018423700B2; CN112243530B; WO2019220022A1; CN112243530A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical differential switching device comprising: a first line (L) comprising a pair of fixed and moving contacts; a second line (N); a trip lock comprising a moving contact holder on which the moving contact is mounted, said trip lock being configured to adopt a first position, wherein the fixed contact and the moving contact are in contact with one another, and a second position, wherein the fixed contact and the moving contact are spaced apart from one another; an electrical transformer (7) associated with a first electronic circuit (8) for performing a differential function, wherein the first electronic circuit (8) can operate a control member (9) that is intended to control an electromagnetic actuator (10) in order to switch the trip lock from the first position to the second position in the event of a differential fault; and a second electronic circuit (11), connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the control member (9), for operating the control member (9) of the electromagnetic actuator (10) for a first predefined period of time (t1), in the event of a differential fault and if power is being supplied to the first electronic circuit (8).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Electrical differential switching device

The present invention concerns the field of electrical differential switching devices of differential switch, differential circuit breaker or similar type. Differential circuit breakers of RCBO (Residual circuit breaker with overcurrent protection) type comprise, as is known, a first phase line, between a first connection terminal, intended to be connected to an electrical distribution source, and a second connection terminal, intended to be connected to a load, comprising a pair of respectively fixed and moving contacts, and a second neutral line between a first connection terminal, intended to be connected to an electrical distribution source, and a second connection terminal, intended to be connected to a load. This type of electrical device comprises, moreover, an electrical transformer associated with an electronic circuit configured to perform a differential function. This electronic circuit is supplied with power between the first phase line and the second neutral line, while being connected, on the one hand, between the second connection terminal of the first line and the fixed contact of the first phase line and, on the other hand, to the second connection terminal of the second neutral line. This electronic circuit is, furthermore, also electrically connected to a control element designed to control an electromagnetic actuator. This electromagnetic actuator is configured to actuate a trip lock so that the latter switches over from a first position, in which the contacts of the first phase line are closed, to a second position, in which these contacts are open, in the event of a differential fault. Such an electrical device must have a predetermined direction of supply, so that when the trip lock is in the second position, the electronic circuit is not supplied with power, which prevents the electromagnetic actuator from being irreversibly damaged. When installing the electrical device, it is therefore imperative that the installer makes sure that the first connection terminals are connected to the electrical distribution source and the second connection terminals are connected to the load, and not the other way round.

If, however, following a bad installation on this type of electrical device, the first connection terminals are connected to the load instead of being connected to the electrical distribution source, and the second connection terminals are connected to the electrical distribution source instead of being connected to the load, and a fault of differential type occurs, then the trip lock is switched over from the first position to the second position but the electronic circuit continues to be supplied with power and continues to drive the electromagnetic actuator until the latter is destroyed. This is because the electromagnetic actuator is not expected to be supplied with power over a long period of time and is impaired following a very rapid rise in temperature, in a few seconds to tens of seconds. Nevertheless, in this configuration, nothing prevents a user from later resetting the electrical device by manually toggling the control element of the trip lock in order to switch over the latter from the second position to the first position; however, since the electromagnetic actuator is impaired, a differential function will no longer be able to be ensured in the future if a differential fault were subsequently to appear. This would result in the installation to which this electrical device is connected no longer being protected. To compensate for this disadvantage, it is known practice to complement this type of electrical device with an additional switch, arranged between the first phase line and the electronic circuit, which is able to adopt a closed position and an open position depending on the position of the trip lock. In particular, on the one hand, in the open position of the additional switch, the fixed contact and the moving contact are open, and on the other hand, in the closed position of the additional switch, the fixed contact and the moving contact are closed. Such an additional switch allows the electrical device to be protected, during dielectric tests, and also allows the supply of electricity to the electronic circuit to be interrupted, when the contacts are open, so as not to damage the electromagnetic actuator. Electrical devices integrating an additional switch are known from the prior art and, in particular, from the publications EP 2 085 998 Al and EP 2 455 961 Al. The aim of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by proposing an alternative solution to the solutions known from the prior art that allows the integrity of the electromagnetic actuator to be preserved. To this end, the invention concerns an electrical differential switching device comprising:

- a first phase line, between at least a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, comprising a pair of respectively fixed and moving contacts, - a second neutral line between at least a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, - a trip lock comprising an operating element for actuating, preferably manually, the trip lock, and comprising a moving contact holder on which the moving contact is mounted, and being configured to adopt a first position, in which the fixed contact and the moving contact are in contact, and, on the other hand, a second position, in which the fixed contact and the moving contact are at a distance from one another, - at least one electrical transformer associated with a first electronic circuit configured to perform a differential function, the first electronic circuit being electrically connected to the first phase line and to the second neutral line, the first electronic circuit being able and intended to drive a control element designed to control an electromagnetic actuator, which is able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position to the second position, in the event of a differential fault, the trip lock being configured to be switched over from the first position to the second position in the event of a differential fault at a predefined switching time, said electrical device being characterized in that it comprises a second electronic circuit, electrically connected between the first electronic circuit and the control element, so as, in the event of a differential fault and if the first electronic circuit is supplied with power, to drive the control element of the electromagnetic actuator during a predefined first period of time, said predefined first period of time being strictly less than a destruction time of the electromagnetic actuator. The invention will be better understood on the basis of the description below, which relates to several preferred embodiments that are provided by way of nonlimiting example and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a circuit diagram of an electrical differential switching device according to a first possibility of the invention, - figure 2 is a circuit diagram of an electrical differential switching device according to a second possibility of the invention,

- figure 3 is a circuit diagram of an electrical differential switching device according to a third possibility of the invention, - figure 4 is a diagram in the form of function blocks illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, - figure 5 is a diagram in the form of function blocks illustrating a variant of the second and third embodiments of the invention, - figure 6 is a diagram in the form of function blocks illustrating a specific aspect of the first embodiment of the invention, - figure 7 is a diagram in the form of function blocks illustrating a specific aspect of the variant of the second and third embodiments of the invention. The electrical differential switching device comprises: - a first phase line L, between at least a first connection terminal 1 and a second connection terminal 2, comprising a pair of respectively fixed 3 and moving 4 contacts, - a second neutral line N between at least a first connection terminal 5 and a second connection terminal 6, - a trip lock (not shown) comprising an operating element (not shown) for manually actuating the trip lock, and comprising a moving contact holder on which the moving contact 4 is mounted, and being configured to adopt a first position P1, in which the fixed contact 3 and the moving contact 4 are in contact, and, on the other hand, a second position P2, in which the fixed contact 3 and the moving contact 4 are at a distance from one another, - at least one electrical transformer 7 associated with a first electronic circuit 8 configured to perform a differential function, the first electronic circuit 8 being electrically connected to the first phase line L and to the second neutral line N, the first electronic circuit 8 being able and intended to drive a control element 9 designed to control an electromagnetic actuator 10, which is able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position P1 to the second position P2, in the event of a differential fault, the trip lock being configured to be switched over from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the event of a differential fault at a predefined switching time. In accordance with the invention illustrated in figures 4 to 7, the electrical device is characterized in that it comprises a second electronic circuit 11, electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the control element 9, so as, in the event of a differential fault and if the first electronic circuit 8 is supplied with power, to drive the control element 9 of the electromagnetic actuator 10 during a predefined first period of time tl, said predefined first period of time tl being strictly less than a destruction time of the electromagnetic actuator 10. " Predefined switching time" is understood to mean the period between the detection of a fault signal by the electrical transformer 7 and the opening of the pair of respectively fixed 3 and moving 4 contacts. This switching time is inherent to the features of the electrical device and is thus predefined. "Second electronic circuit 11 electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the control element 9" is understood to mean that the first electronic circuit 8 is electrically connected upstream of the second electronic circuit 11 and that the control element 9 is electrically connected downstream of the second electronic circuit 11. The destruction time of the electromagnetic actuator corresponds substantially to the period of time necessary to bring about deterioration thereof following a prolonged supply of power causing a very rapid rise in temperature. This destruction time may be equal to a few seconds or even tens ofseconds. Advantageously, according to the invention, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is driven only during the predefined first period of time tl. This is because if a fault signal is present after the pair of respectively fixed 3 and moving 4 contacts opens, which results in power being supplied to the first electronic circuit 8, the second electronic circuit 11 allows the supply of power to the control element 9 to be interrupted at the end of the predefined first period of time tl. It should be noted that the start of the period of time tl begins substantially from the detection of the fault signal. The result of this is that the electromagnetic actuator 10 does not risk being degraded if the electrical differential switching device is installed badly. This is because if, following a bad installation, the first connection terminals 1, 5 are connected to the load instead of being connected to the electrical distribution source, and the second connection terminals 2, 6 are connected to the electrical distribution source instead of being connected to the load, and a fault of differential type occurs, the trip lock is switched over from the first position P1 to the second position P2 but the electromagnetic actuator 10 will then no longer be supplied with power at the end of the predefined first period of time tl. Consequently, in the case of bad installation, this configuration guarantees that the electrical differential switching device remains operational in the event of a differential fault. Preferably, the duration of said predefined first period of time tl is strictly greater than the switching time of the trip lock. The trip lock is configured to be switched over from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the event of a differential fault at a predefined switching time in order to open the fixed and moving contacts 3, 4. In this advantageous configuration, in the event of a differential fault occurring, the electromagnetic actuator 10 continues to be supplied with power and therefore operational at least for a period greater than this switching time in order to be able to drive the trip lock. Thus, the normal differential protection operation of the electrical differential switching device does not risk being affected. According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical differential switching device comprises, moreover, a switch 12 electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the control element 9, the second electronic circuit 11 being electrically connected in parallel between the first electronic circuit 8 and the switch 12, the switch 12 being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element 9 and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element 9. In this case, according to a first embodiment illustrated in figure 4, in the event of a differential fault, on the one hand the first electronic circuit 8 is configured to switch over the switch 12 to the closed position and on the other hand the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to switch over the switch 12 to the open position after the predefined first period of time tl has elapsed. Following the occurrence of a differential fault, on the one hand the first electronic circuit 8 is configured to provide a, preferably logic, signal to the switch 12. More particularly, this signal is designed to switch over the switch 12 from the open position to the closed position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is supplied with power and, as a consequence, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is controlled. Following the occurrence of the differential fault, on the other hand the first electronic circuit 8 is also configured to provide a signal to the second electronic circuit 11, so as to start a first delay with a duration equal to the predefined first period of time tl, for example equal to 100 milliseconds. At the end of this predefined first period of time tl, the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to provide a signal to the switch 12 in order to switch over the switch 12, this time from the closed position to the open position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is no longer supplied with power and, consequently, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is no longer controlled and no longer at risk of being damaged. Preferably, the control element 9 is a thyristor. Preferably, the second electronic circuit 11, performing the delay function, may, as nonlimiting examples, be made up of NPN and PNP transistors and of capacitors or of at least one comparator. Preferably, the switch 12 can consist of an NPN transistor. According to a second embodiment, the electrical differential switching device comprises, moreover, in addition to the aforementioned features of the preferred embodiment, a third electronic flip-flop circuit 13, on the one hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the switch 12, which is electrically connected to the control element 9, and on the other hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the second electronic circuit 11, the switch 12 being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element 9 and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element 9, and in the event of a differential fault, on the one hand the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is configured to switch over the switch 12 to the closed position and on the other hand the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to switch over the switch 12 to the open position after the predefined first period of time tI has elapsed. Following the occurrence of a differential fault, on the one hand the first electronic circuit 8 is configured to provide a, preferably logic, signal to the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13. The function of this third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is to store this signal and to provide an output signal, even though the signal from the first electronic circuit 8 is about to disappear. More particularly, the output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to switch over the switch 12 from the open position to the closed position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is supplied with power and, as a consequence, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is controlled. Following the occurrence of the differential fault, on the other hand the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is also configured to provide an output signal to the second electronic circuit 11, so as to start a delay with a duration equal to the predefined first period of time tl, for example equal to 100 milliseconds. At the end of this predefined first period of time tl, the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to provide a signal in order to switch over the switch 12, this time from the closed position to the open position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is no longer supplied with power and, consequently, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is no longer controlled and no longer at risk of being damaged. Preferably, the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 may be made up, for example, of NPN and PNP transistors. According to a third embodiment, the electrical differential switching device comprises, moreover, in addition to the features of the preferred embodiment, a third electronic flip-flop circuit 13, on the one hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the switch 12, which is electrically connected to the control element 9, and on the other hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the second electronic circuit 11, the switch 12 being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element 9 and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element 9, and in the event of a differential fault, the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to switch over the switch 12 on the one hand to the closed position during the predefined first period of time tl and on the other hand to the open position after the predefined first period of time tI has elapsed. Following the occurrence of a differential fault, the first electronic circuit 8 is configured to provide a, preferably logic, signal to the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13. The function of this third electronic flip flop circuit 13 is to store this signal and to provide an output signal, even though the signal from the first electronic circuit 8 is about to disappear. On the one hand the output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to provide an output signal to the second electronic circuit 11 in order to switch over the switch 12 from the open position to the closed position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is supplied with power and, as a consequence, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is controlled. On the other hand the output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to provide an output signal, so as to start a first delay with a duration equal to the predefined first period of time tl, for example equal to 100 milliseconds. At the end of this predefined first period of time tl, the second electronic circuit 11 is configured to provide a signal to the switch 12 in order to switch over the switch 12, this time from the closed position to the open position. The result of this is that the control element 9 is no longer supplied with power and, consequently, the electromagnetic actuator 10 is no longer controlled and no longer at risk of being damaged. According to a variant of the second and third embodiments illustrated in figure 5, the electrical differential switching device comprises, moreover, a fourth electronic circuit 14 electrically connected downstream of the second electronic circuit 11 in order to apply feedback to the second electronic circuit 11 and/or the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 in order to reset them after a predefined second period of time t2, which is strictly greater than the predefined first period of time tl, has elapsed. In this configuration, the output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to provide an output signal to the fourth electronic circuit 14, so as to start a second delay with a duration equal to the predefined second period of time t2, for example equal to 450 milliseconds. At the end of this predefined second period of time t2, the fourth electronic circuit 14 is configured to provide a signal to reset the third electronic flip flop circuit 13 and/or the second electronic circuit 11. Preferably, and as illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the electrical differential switching device comprises signaling means 15 and a fifth electronic circuit 16, said fifth electronic circuit (16) being electrically connected between the signaling means 15 and the first electronic circuit 8, and being configured to drive the signaling means 15, during a third period of time t3, in the event of a differential fault, and if the first electronic circuit 8 is supplied with power. Advantageously, the signaling means 15 are started up during a period corresponding to the third period of time t3, if the first electronic circuit 8 is supplied with power, again after the trip lock has caused the contacts 3, 4 to open. It is thus possible to warn the user that a voltage is present at the second connection terminals 2, 6, which are normally designed to be connected to the load, in the event of a bad installation. According to a specific aspect of the first embodiment that is illustrated in figure 6, the electrical differential switching device comprises a third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the fifth electronic circuit 16, which is, moreover, configured to supply power to the signaling means 15 after a predefined fourth period of time t4 has elapsed, in the event of a differential fault. In this configuration, following the occurrence of a differential fault, the first electronic circuit 8 is configured to provide a, preferably logic, signal to the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13. The function of this third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is to store this signal and to provide an output signal, even though the signal from the first electronic circuit 8 is about to disappear. The output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to provide an output signal to the fifth electronic circuit 16, so as to start a third delay with a duration equal to the predefined fourth period of time t4, for example equal to 1 second. At the end of this predefined fourth period of time t4, the fifth electronic circuit 16 is configured to provide a signal in order to supply power to the signaling means 15. Thus, the signaling means 15 are started up, for a duration equal to the third period of time t3, only at the end of the predefined fourth period of time t4. According to a specific aspect of the variant of the second and third embodiments that is illustrated in figure 7, the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is, moreover, electrically connected between the first electronic circuit 8 and the fifth electronic circuit 16, which is, moreover, configured to supply power to the signaling means 15 after a predefined fourth period of time t4 has elapsed, in the event of a differential fault. The output signal from the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13 is designed to provide an output signal to the fifth electronic circuit 16, so as to start a third delay with a duration equal to the predefined fourth period of time t4, for example equal to 1 second. At the end of this predefined fourth period of time t4, the fifth electronic circuit 16 is configured to provide a signal in order to supply power to the signaling means 15. It is thus possible to warn the user that a voltage is still present at the second connection terminals 2, 6, in the event of a bad installation. Thus, the signaling means 15 are started up, for a duration equal to the third period of time t3, only at the end of the predefined fourth period of time t4. Presently, the signaling means 15 comprise at least one LED. Of course, as an alternative, the signaling means 15 can consist of a screen, an audible alarm or the like. Preferably, the electrical differential switching device comprises an electronic module 17 comprising the first electronic circuit 8 and the control element 9 and the second electronic circuit 11 and, if necessary, preferably the switch 12, and, if necessary, preferably the third electronic flip-flop circuit 13, and, if necessary, preferably the fourth electronic circuit 14, and, if necessary, preferably the signaling means 15, and, if necessary, preferably the fifth electronic circuit 16. Preferably, and as illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the electronic module 17 is connected on the one hand between the second connection terminal 2 of the first line L intended to be connected to a load and the fixed contact 3 of the first line L and on the other hand to the second connection terminal 6 of the second neutral line N intended to be connected to a load. Preferably, and as illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the first phase line L comprises at least one magnetic trip element 18 able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the event of a fault of short-circuit type. Preferably, the magnetic trip element 18 comprises a coil surrounding a moving core that is able to actuate the trip lock. Preferably, the magnetic trip element 18 is arranged between the second connection terminal 2 of the first line L intended to be connected to a load and the fixed contact 3 of the first line L. Preferably, and as illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the first phase line L comprises at least one thermal trip element 19 able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the event of a fault of prolonged-overcurrent type. The thermal trip element 19 may be made up of a bimetallic strip connected or not connected to the moving contact 4 by a flexible conductor, not shown, such as a conductive braid, and able and intended to actuate the trip lock under the effect of a deformation of the bimetallic strip. Advantageously, the bimetallic strip is deformed by direct or indirect heating of the flexible conductor. Preferably, the thermal trip element 19 is arranged between the first connection terminal 1 of the first phase line L intended to be connected to a load and the moving contact 4 of the first phase line L. If the electrical differential switching device comprises both a magnetic trip element 18 and a thermal trip element 19, it forms a differential circuit breaker. If the electrical differential switching device provides only the differential function, it forms a differential switch.

Preferably, the connection terminals 1, 2, 5, 6 can consist of a metal cage or of a cable. According to a first possibility of the invention that is illustrated in figure 1, the second neutral line N is formed by a jumper cable and does not comprise a pair of respectively fixed and moving contacts. According to a second possibility of the invention that is illustrated in figure 2, the second neutral line N does not comprise a pair of respectively fixed and moving contacts. According to a third possibility of the invention that is illustrated in figure 3, the second neutral line N comprises a pair of respectively fixed 3 and moving 4 contacts. In the present description, a differential fault can derive either from a differential fault in the installation or from the actuation of a test button 20, which allows the differential function of the electrical differential switching device to be tested. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the appended drawings. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or through substitution of technical equivalents, without, however, departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An electrical differential switching device comprising: - a first phase line (L), between at least a first connection terminal (1) and a second connection terminal (2), comprising a pair of respectively fixed (3) and moving (4) contacts, - a second neutral line (N) between at least a first connection terminal (5) and a second connection terminal (6), - a trip lock comprising an operating element for actuating, preferably manually, the trip lock, and comprising a moving contact holder on which the moving contact (4) is mounted, and being configured to adopt a first position (P1), in which the fixed contact (3) and the moving contact (4) are in contact, and, on the other hand, a second position (P2), in which the fixed contact (3) and the moving contact (4) are at a distance from one another, - at least one electrical transformer (7) associated with a first electronic circuit (8) configured to perform a differential function, the first electronic circuit (8) being electrically connected to the first phase line (L) and to the second neutral line (N), the first electronic circuit (8) being able and intended to drive a control element (9) designed to control an electromagnetic actuator (10), which is able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2), in the event of a differential fault, the trip lock being configured to be switched over from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in the event of a differential fault at a predefined switching time, said electrical device being characterized in that it comprises a second electronic circuit (11), electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the control element (9), so as, in the event of a differential fault and if the first electronic circuit (8) is supplied with power, to drive the control element (9) of the electromagnetic actuator (10) during a predefined first period of time (tl), said predefined first period of time (tl) being strictly less than a destruction time of the electromagnetic actuator (10).

2. The electrical device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the duration of said predefined first period of time (tl) is strictly greater than the switching time of the trip lock.

3. The electrical device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a switch (12) electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the control element (9), the second electronic circuit (11) being electrically connected in parallel between the first electronic circuit (8) and the switch (12), the switch (12) being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element (9) and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element (9).

4. The electrical device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that in the event of a differential fault, on the one hand the first electronic circuit (8) is configured to switch over the switch (12) to the closed position and on the other hand the second electronic circuit (11) is configured to switch over the switch (12) to the open position after the predefined first period of time (tl) has elapsed.

5. The electrical device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises, moreover, a third electronic flip-flop circuit (13), on the one hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the switch (12), which is electrically connected to the control element (9), and on the other hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the second electronic circuit (11), the switch (12) being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element (9) and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element (9), and in that in the event of a differential fault, on the one hand the third electronic flip-flop circuit (13) is configured to switch over the switch (12) to the closed position and on the other hand the second electronic circuit (11) is configured to switch over the switch (12) to the open position after the predefined first period of time (tl) has elapsed.

6. The electrical device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that it comprises, moreover, a third electronic flip-flop circuit (13), on the one hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the switch (12), which is electrically connected to the control element (9), and on the other hand electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the second electronic circuit (11), the switch (12) being able and intended to adopt a closed position in order to supply power to the control element (9) and an open position in order to interrupt the supply of power to the control element (9), and in that in the event of a differential fault the second electronic circuit (11) is configured to switch over the switch (12) on the one hand to the closed position during the predefined first period of time (tI) and on the other hand to the open position after the predefined first period of time (tl) has elapsed.

7. The electrical device as claimed in either one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that it comprises, moreover, a fourth electronic circuit (14) electrically connected downstream of the second electronic circuit (11) in order to apply feedback to the second electronic circuit (11) and/or the third electronic flip-flop circuit (13) in order to reset them after a predefined second period of time (t2), which is strictly greater than the predefined first period of time (tl), has elapsed.

8. The electrical device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises signaling means (15) and a fifth electronic circuit (16), said fifth electronic circuit (16) being electrically connected between the signaling means (15) and the first electronic circuit (8), and being configured to drive the signaling means (15), during a third period of time (t3), in the event of a differential fault, and if the first electronic circuit (8) is supplied with power.

9. The electrical device as claimed in claim 8 taken in combination with any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a third electronic flip-flop circuit (13) electrically connected between the first electronic circuit (8) and the fifth electronic circuit (16), which is, moreover, configured to supply power to the signaling means (15) after a predefined fourth period of time (t4) has elapsed, in the event of a differential fault.

10. The electrical device as claimed in either one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the signaling means (15) comprise at least one LED.

11. The electrical device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises an electronic module (17) comprising the first electronic circuit (8) and the control element (9) and the second electronic circuit (11) and, if necessary, preferably the switch (12), and, if necessary, preferably the third electronic flip-flop circuit (13), and, if necessary, preferably the fourth electronic circuit (14), and, if necessary, preferably the signaling means (15), and, if necessary, preferably the fifth electronic circuit (16).

12. The electrical device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the electronic module (17) is connected on the one hand between the second connection terminal (2) of the first line (L) intended to be connected to a load and the fixed contact (3) of the first line (L) and on the other hand to the second connection terminal (6) of the second neutral line (N) intended to be connected to a load.

13. The electrical device as claimed in any one of claims I to 12, characterized in that the first phase line (L) comprises at least one magnetic trip element (18) able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in the event of a fault of short-circuit type.

14. The electrical device as claimed in any one of claims I to 13, characterized in that the first phase line (L) comprises at least one thermal trip element (19) able and intended to actuate the trip lock in order to switch over the trip lock from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in the event of a fault of prolonged-overcurrent type.