CA2062004A1 - Electronic circuit interrupter with attached terminal connector block - Google Patents
Electronic circuit interrupter with attached terminal connector blockInfo
- Publication number
- CA2062004A1 CA2062004A1 CA002062004A CA2062004A CA2062004A1 CA 2062004 A1 CA2062004 A1 CA 2062004A1 CA 002062004 A CA002062004 A CA 002062004A CA 2062004 A CA2062004 A CA 2062004A CA 2062004 A1 CA2062004 A1 CA 2062004A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- terminal
- cable
- circuit
- terminal board
- circuit interrupter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000153 supplemental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/08—Terminals; Connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
- H02J13/00006—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
- H02J13/00012—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment using an auxiliary transmission line
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
- H02J13/00032—Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for
- H02J13/00036—Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
- H02J13/00032—Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for
- H02J13/0005—Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/08—Terminals; Connections
- H01H2071/086—Low power connections for auxiliary switches, e.g. shunt trip
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/1081—Modifications for selective or back-up protection; Correlation between feeder and branch circuit breaker
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
- Breakers (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
Abstract
AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH
ATTACHED TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Low voltage electric switchgear equipment includes a central processor unit electrically interconnected with electronic main and branch circuit interrupters within the same enclosure and used within a multi-phase power distribution circuit. A
terminal connector block is connected by cable with each of the electronic trip units within the branch circuit interrupters to provide communications between the branch circuit interrupters and the main circuit interrupter for continuously updating the status of the branch circuit interrupters and their associated electrical equipment. Strain relief is provided to the cable connecting between the terminal connector block and the branch circuit interrupter to prevent damage to the electrical compo-nents within the electronic trip unit that are internally connected with the cable.
ATTACHED TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Low voltage electric switchgear equipment includes a central processor unit electrically interconnected with electronic main and branch circuit interrupters within the same enclosure and used within a multi-phase power distribution circuit. A
terminal connector block is connected by cable with each of the electronic trip units within the branch circuit interrupters to provide communications between the branch circuit interrupters and the main circuit interrupter for continuously updating the status of the branch circuit interrupters and their associated electrical equipment. Strain relief is provided to the cable connecting between the terminal connector block and the branch circuit interrupter to prevent damage to the electrical compo-nents within the electronic trip unit that are internally connected with the cable.
Description
2 ~
- 1 ~ 41PR-6894 AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH
ATTACHED TERMINAL CONNECTOR BI~CK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVBNTION
Th2 advent of 1I smart~ circuit interrupters, such as described within U.S. Patent 4,672,501 penmits several such circuit interrupters arranged within a common enclosure to communicate with a central processor unit over a power line communication network or a twisted pair of conductors. The central processor i5 in the form of ~ ~ield programming unit which continuously interrogates each of the interconnected circuit interrupters to determine the status of the individual circuit inkerruptex setpoint parameters as well as to determine whether a circuit interrupter has re~ponded to int~rrupt circuit current to an associated piece of el~ctrical equipm2nt. An operator could then readily det~rmine from the field progr~mming unit which of the circuit interrupters has responded and the nature and magnitude o~ the overcurrent condition causing the circuit interrupter to respondu In c~rtain industrial environmen~s, it i5 , ' '3 ~
~ 2 - 41PR-6894 customary to assemble a main circuit interrupter along with several branch circuit interrupters within a common enclosure such as within low voltage switchg~ar application~. Th2 field programming unit i5 arranged within the enclosure and is interconnected with the main and branch circuit interrupters by means of a communications link to allow the condition and status of each of the circuit interrupters and the associated protected electrical equipment to be continuously monitored. The branch circuit interrupters communicate with each other, the field programming unit and the main circuit interrupter for a variety o~ functions including Zone Selective Interlock such as described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,468,714~ With Zone Selective Interlock function an upstream circuit interrupter is delayed from operating to interrupt circuit current to allow a downstream circuit interrupter clo~er to the ~ault to interrupt ~he circuit. The tr:ip-time characteristics of the individual branch circuit :interrupters can be independ~ntly adjusted to insure that the circuit interrupter closest to the fau:Lt will interrupt before any o~ the upstream circuit interrupter~. The use of such a communications link between the main and branch circuit interrupters within a common enclosure was hereto~ore li~ited to so-called "medium voltage" circuit interrupters having a voltage rating in the order of ten or more killovolts. The proposed u e of electronics in "low voltage" circuit interrupters in the order of several hundred volts, would allow such low voltage circuit interrupter6 to communicate with each other by mean of a similar communication~ link.
One purpose of the invention accordingly is to pro~ide means for communication between low voltage circuit interrupter~ without affecting the circuit int~rrupter overcurrent determination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A low voltage circuit interrupter employing an electronic trip unit is electrically connected with a terminal connector by means of a multi-wire electrical cable. The terminal connector accordingly provides interconnection with associat~d electronic circuit interrupters for communications and supplemental control functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Figure 1 is a front view of a switchgear equipment enclosure containing low voltaqe circuit interrupters interconnected by means of terminal connector blocks in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a top perspecti.ve view of a main circuit interrupter containing o~e of the terminal connector blocks in accordance with the i.nvention;
Yigure 3 is a top p~rspecti.ve view of the terminal connector block of Figure 2 prior to assembly;
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the low voltage circuit interrupter of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a top plan view in partial section of one end of the circuit in~errupter depicted in Figure 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A lou voltage switchgear assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1 and consists of a metal enclosure 11 that is subdividad into a plurality of individual compartments 12~ The field programming unit 13 is arrang d within one of ~e compartmen~s such that the keypad 14 and display ..
? ~ ~ i 3 15 are accessible from the exterior of the enclosure.
Indicia 16 provides instruction for displaying the status and setpoint information stored within each of the circuit interrupters 17A-17F arranged within separate compartmentsO The circuit interrupters are similar to those described in U.S. Patent 4,991,042 and ~ach includes an operating handle 21 accessible from the exterior of the compartment to turn the circuit interrupter contacts to their "ON" and '~OFF" positions.
~ keypad 24 and a display 25 are accessible from the exterior of the compartment for inputting and reviewing the setpoint data stored within the circuit interrupter electron:ic trip unit. An inverted T-shaped slot 23 is formed through each of the compartment~ 12 through which the handle escutcheon 22, handle operator 21, keypad 24 and display 25 project. The rating plug 26 that sets the circuit interrupter ratings is only accessible ~y means of the compartment handle, such. as indicated at 7 and which can be padlocked to prevent access to the circuit interrupter rating plug and also to the terminal conn~ctor block 18 that is mounted on the side wall of the enclosure 11. ~h~ terminal connector block includes a plurality of terminal connectors 19 and connects with the ~ield pr~gramming unit 13 as well as with the individual circuit interrupters 1~-17F by ~eans o~
cables 20. Each of the individual ~ircuit interrupters has a corresponding terminal connector bloc~ such as indicated at 18A which is connected with its as~ociated circuit in~errupter by means of 2 s~parate cable as indicated at 20A. As described earlier, the electrical interconnection by means of the individual terminal conneckor blocks 18 allows the field programming unit to continuously .interrogate the interconnected circuit ~ J~
interrupters to determine the status of the individual setpoint parameters and to also determine whether any of the circuit interrupters has responded to interrupt the circuit curxent to an associated pi~ce of electrical equipment. Although the circuit interrupter and associated terminal block are described herein for use within switchgear eguipment, this is by way of example only. The circuit interrupter can be mounted, per se, outside an electrical enclosure for communication with lo distant circuit interrupters over a power line communications network for data acquisition, interlock and metering functions.
A circuit interrupter 17 is shown in Figure 2 and is similar to that described in aforementionecl U.S. Patent 4,991,0~2 wherein the keypad 24 and display 25 are arranged under a protective plastic plate a~ indicated at 27. The circuit interrupter further includes a terminal connector blocX 18 which is cormected with the circuit interrupter by means of a cable 20. To provide strain relief to the cable-circuit int:errupter connection, a ~langed eyelet 31 i positionecl over the cable and is inserted within a circular access slot 32 formed within the circui~ interrupter housi~g. The process of inserting the flanged eyelet 31 will be described below ~5 in greater d~tail. The ~erminal connector block 18 includes a plurality of terminal connectors 19 that are arranged on a continuous terminal trip 34 and are electrically isolated from each other by means of the terminal barriers 30 inteyrally-formed thereon. The terminal connectox block is formed from a top insulating plate 28 and a bottom insulating plate 29 formed from a plastic or similar electrical in~ulating material.
As best seen by referring to Figure 3, the terminal - 6 - 41P~-68g4 connector block 18 is pieced together by forming the top and bottom plates 28, 29 ~rom a common design such that each is an exact duplicate of th other. The bottom plate 29, for example, is arranged such that the front wall 47 upstanding from the bottom 46 contains a series of U-shaped grooves 48 and is separated from th~ taller back wall 49 by the bottom 460 The terminal strip 34 is arranged over the bottom plate 29 and is positioned thereon by arranging the taper~d locating holes 43 on opposite ends of th~ terminal strip over corresponding tapered locatinq posts 42 formed on the opposite ends of the bottom plate 29. The locating post~ are received within the locating holes in a press-fit relation to help position and support the terminal strip upon the bottom plate. A printed circuit board 41 can be arranged on the ~ottom 46 intermediate the front and back walls 48, ~9 b~fore positioning the terminal strip on the bottom if such printed circuit board is desired. When the terminal strip is positioned over the bottom 46 and the printed circuit board 41, the U-shaped grooves 48 provide venting for the printed circuit board to prevent the printed circuit board from becoming over heated under adverse thermal operating conditions. The lugs 54 at the ends o~
the wire conductors 53 within the cable 20 are then fastened to the terminal strip by means o~ the terminal connectors 19 and are electric~lly isolated by means of the terminal barriers 30. To attach the top and bottom plates 28, 29 and th~ terminal strip 34, a pair of thread-cutting screws 40 pass through a pair of thru-holes 71, 71' ~ormed at the opposite ends of the top and bottom plates and are received within corresponding openings 50 and 50' ~ormed on the interior surface of the ~op and bottom plates. The thru-holes 44 at opposite ~ 7 - 41PR-6894 ends of the terminal strip correspondingly align with thru-holes 45 at opposite ends of the bottom plate 29 and thru-holes 45' at the opposite ends of the top plate 28 to receive the s~lf-captivated terminal block mounting screws 39 that also pass through the thru-holes 44 formed at the opposite ends of the terminal strip 34. As indicated, the top plate 2~, which is an exact duplicate of the bottom plate 29, has a C-shaped configuration consisting of a top leg 35 and a bottom leg 36 that extend parallel to each other and are joined by the extended biqht portion 37 and corresponding slots 48 formed through a corresponding front wall 47 ~ as indicated. The corners of the C are slanted as indicated at 51, 51' to allow th~ assembled communications terminal connector block 18 to be arranged in close proximity to the associated electronic circuit interrupter or walls of the associated el~ctrical enclc1sure. The complementary slots 55, 55' are formed withirl the slanted corners 51, 51' such that the cable 20 is c:lamped between the top plate 28 and the bottom plate Z'9, providing the necessary strai~ relief.
As best ~een by referring to the circuit interrupter 17 shown in Figure 2, 4 and 5, the f langed eyelet 31 is shown passing through the aperture 32 formed within th enclosure wall within the compartments 56 that enclose the terminal lugs 33. The cabl~ ~O extends through the ey~let 31 which is positioned within the slot and is deformed at its ends to produce the ~ormed over oval parts 31A, 31B. The eyelet is accordingly pressed onto the cable and thereby retains the cable within the aperture. When lateral force is applied to the cable, the eyelet prevents displacement o~ the wire conductor~
53 carrie~ within the cable 20 from being displaced from .....
electrical connection with the printed circuit board 72 contained within the circuit interrupter enclosure.
Alternatively, the aperture 32 can be slotted to allow the eyelet and cable to be down-loaded within the aperture prior to deforming the ends of the eyelet to ~acilitate assembly of the cable to the circuit interrupter case.
- 1 ~ 41PR-6894 AN ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH
ATTACHED TERMINAL CONNECTOR BI~CK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVBNTION
Th2 advent of 1I smart~ circuit interrupters, such as described within U.S. Patent 4,672,501 penmits several such circuit interrupters arranged within a common enclosure to communicate with a central processor unit over a power line communication network or a twisted pair of conductors. The central processor i5 in the form of ~ ~ield programming unit which continuously interrogates each of the interconnected circuit interrupters to determine the status of the individual circuit inkerruptex setpoint parameters as well as to determine whether a circuit interrupter has re~ponded to int~rrupt circuit current to an associated piece of el~ctrical equipm2nt. An operator could then readily det~rmine from the field progr~mming unit which of the circuit interrupters has responded and the nature and magnitude o~ the overcurrent condition causing the circuit interrupter to respondu In c~rtain industrial environmen~s, it i5 , ' '3 ~
~ 2 - 41PR-6894 customary to assemble a main circuit interrupter along with several branch circuit interrupters within a common enclosure such as within low voltage switchg~ar application~. Th2 field programming unit i5 arranged within the enclosure and is interconnected with the main and branch circuit interrupters by means of a communications link to allow the condition and status of each of the circuit interrupters and the associated protected electrical equipment to be continuously monitored. The branch circuit interrupters communicate with each other, the field programming unit and the main circuit interrupter for a variety o~ functions including Zone Selective Interlock such as described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,468,714~ With Zone Selective Interlock function an upstream circuit interrupter is delayed from operating to interrupt circuit current to allow a downstream circuit interrupter clo~er to the ~ault to interrupt ~he circuit. The tr:ip-time characteristics of the individual branch circuit :interrupters can be independ~ntly adjusted to insure that the circuit interrupter closest to the fau:Lt will interrupt before any o~ the upstream circuit interrupter~. The use of such a communications link between the main and branch circuit interrupters within a common enclosure was hereto~ore li~ited to so-called "medium voltage" circuit interrupters having a voltage rating in the order of ten or more killovolts. The proposed u e of electronics in "low voltage" circuit interrupters in the order of several hundred volts, would allow such low voltage circuit interrupter6 to communicate with each other by mean of a similar communication~ link.
One purpose of the invention accordingly is to pro~ide means for communication between low voltage circuit interrupter~ without affecting the circuit int~rrupter overcurrent determination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A low voltage circuit interrupter employing an electronic trip unit is electrically connected with a terminal connector by means of a multi-wire electrical cable. The terminal connector accordingly provides interconnection with associat~d electronic circuit interrupters for communications and supplemental control functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Figure 1 is a front view of a switchgear equipment enclosure containing low voltaqe circuit interrupters interconnected by means of terminal connector blocks in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a top perspecti.ve view of a main circuit interrupter containing o~e of the terminal connector blocks in accordance with the i.nvention;
Yigure 3 is a top p~rspecti.ve view of the terminal connector block of Figure 2 prior to assembly;
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the low voltage circuit interrupter of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is a top plan view in partial section of one end of the circuit in~errupter depicted in Figure 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A lou voltage switchgear assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1 and consists of a metal enclosure 11 that is subdividad into a plurality of individual compartments 12~ The field programming unit 13 is arrang d within one of ~e compartmen~s such that the keypad 14 and display ..
? ~ ~ i 3 15 are accessible from the exterior of the enclosure.
Indicia 16 provides instruction for displaying the status and setpoint information stored within each of the circuit interrupters 17A-17F arranged within separate compartmentsO The circuit interrupters are similar to those described in U.S. Patent 4,991,042 and ~ach includes an operating handle 21 accessible from the exterior of the compartment to turn the circuit interrupter contacts to their "ON" and '~OFF" positions.
~ keypad 24 and a display 25 are accessible from the exterior of the compartment for inputting and reviewing the setpoint data stored within the circuit interrupter electron:ic trip unit. An inverted T-shaped slot 23 is formed through each of the compartment~ 12 through which the handle escutcheon 22, handle operator 21, keypad 24 and display 25 project. The rating plug 26 that sets the circuit interrupter ratings is only accessible ~y means of the compartment handle, such. as indicated at 7 and which can be padlocked to prevent access to the circuit interrupter rating plug and also to the terminal conn~ctor block 18 that is mounted on the side wall of the enclosure 11. ~h~ terminal connector block includes a plurality of terminal connectors 19 and connects with the ~ield pr~gramming unit 13 as well as with the individual circuit interrupters 1~-17F by ~eans o~
cables 20. Each of the individual ~ircuit interrupters has a corresponding terminal connector bloc~ such as indicated at 18A which is connected with its as~ociated circuit in~errupter by means of 2 s~parate cable as indicated at 20A. As described earlier, the electrical interconnection by means of the individual terminal conneckor blocks 18 allows the field programming unit to continuously .interrogate the interconnected circuit ~ J~
interrupters to determine the status of the individual setpoint parameters and to also determine whether any of the circuit interrupters has responded to interrupt the circuit curxent to an associated pi~ce of electrical equipment. Although the circuit interrupter and associated terminal block are described herein for use within switchgear eguipment, this is by way of example only. The circuit interrupter can be mounted, per se, outside an electrical enclosure for communication with lo distant circuit interrupters over a power line communications network for data acquisition, interlock and metering functions.
A circuit interrupter 17 is shown in Figure 2 and is similar to that described in aforementionecl U.S. Patent 4,991,0~2 wherein the keypad 24 and display 25 are arranged under a protective plastic plate a~ indicated at 27. The circuit interrupter further includes a terminal connector blocX 18 which is cormected with the circuit interrupter by means of a cable 20. To provide strain relief to the cable-circuit int:errupter connection, a ~langed eyelet 31 i positionecl over the cable and is inserted within a circular access slot 32 formed within the circui~ interrupter housi~g. The process of inserting the flanged eyelet 31 will be described below ~5 in greater d~tail. The ~erminal connector block 18 includes a plurality of terminal connectors 19 that are arranged on a continuous terminal trip 34 and are electrically isolated from each other by means of the terminal barriers 30 inteyrally-formed thereon. The terminal connectox block is formed from a top insulating plate 28 and a bottom insulating plate 29 formed from a plastic or similar electrical in~ulating material.
As best seen by referring to Figure 3, the terminal - 6 - 41P~-68g4 connector block 18 is pieced together by forming the top and bottom plates 28, 29 ~rom a common design such that each is an exact duplicate of th other. The bottom plate 29, for example, is arranged such that the front wall 47 upstanding from the bottom 46 contains a series of U-shaped grooves 48 and is separated from th~ taller back wall 49 by the bottom 460 The terminal strip 34 is arranged over the bottom plate 29 and is positioned thereon by arranging the taper~d locating holes 43 on opposite ends of th~ terminal strip over corresponding tapered locatinq posts 42 formed on the opposite ends of the bottom plate 29. The locating post~ are received within the locating holes in a press-fit relation to help position and support the terminal strip upon the bottom plate. A printed circuit board 41 can be arranged on the ~ottom 46 intermediate the front and back walls 48, ~9 b~fore positioning the terminal strip on the bottom if such printed circuit board is desired. When the terminal strip is positioned over the bottom 46 and the printed circuit board 41, the U-shaped grooves 48 provide venting for the printed circuit board to prevent the printed circuit board from becoming over heated under adverse thermal operating conditions. The lugs 54 at the ends o~
the wire conductors 53 within the cable 20 are then fastened to the terminal strip by means o~ the terminal connectors 19 and are electric~lly isolated by means of the terminal barriers 30. To attach the top and bottom plates 28, 29 and th~ terminal strip 34, a pair of thread-cutting screws 40 pass through a pair of thru-holes 71, 71' ~ormed at the opposite ends of the top and bottom plates and are received within corresponding openings 50 and 50' ~ormed on the interior surface of the ~op and bottom plates. The thru-holes 44 at opposite ~ 7 - 41PR-6894 ends of the terminal strip correspondingly align with thru-holes 45 at opposite ends of the bottom plate 29 and thru-holes 45' at the opposite ends of the top plate 28 to receive the s~lf-captivated terminal block mounting screws 39 that also pass through the thru-holes 44 formed at the opposite ends of the terminal strip 34. As indicated, the top plate 2~, which is an exact duplicate of the bottom plate 29, has a C-shaped configuration consisting of a top leg 35 and a bottom leg 36 that extend parallel to each other and are joined by the extended biqht portion 37 and corresponding slots 48 formed through a corresponding front wall 47 ~ as indicated. The corners of the C are slanted as indicated at 51, 51' to allow th~ assembled communications terminal connector block 18 to be arranged in close proximity to the associated electronic circuit interrupter or walls of the associated el~ctrical enclc1sure. The complementary slots 55, 55' are formed withirl the slanted corners 51, 51' such that the cable 20 is c:lamped between the top plate 28 and the bottom plate Z'9, providing the necessary strai~ relief.
As best ~een by referring to the circuit interrupter 17 shown in Figure 2, 4 and 5, the f langed eyelet 31 is shown passing through the aperture 32 formed within th enclosure wall within the compartments 56 that enclose the terminal lugs 33. The cabl~ ~O extends through the ey~let 31 which is positioned within the slot and is deformed at its ends to produce the ~ormed over oval parts 31A, 31B. The eyelet is accordingly pressed onto the cable and thereby retains the cable within the aperture. When lateral force is applied to the cable, the eyelet prevents displacement o~ the wire conductor~
53 carrie~ within the cable 20 from being displaced from .....
electrical connection with the printed circuit board 72 contained within the circuit interrupter enclosure.
Alternatively, the aperture 32 can be slotted to allow the eyelet and cable to be down-loaded within the aperture prior to deforming the ends of the eyelet to ~acilitate assembly of the cable to the circuit interrupter case.
Claims (20)
1. A multi-functional circuit interrupter comprising in combination:
an insulated enclosure;
an electronic trip unit within said enclosure determining overcurrent conditions within an associated protected circuit;
a terminal block apart from said enclosure and connected with said electronic trip unit through a multi-conductor cable containing a plurality of wire conductors; and a plurality of terminal connectors on said terminal block arranged for providing electrical connection with components contained within said electronic trip unit.
an insulated enclosure;
an electronic trip unit within said enclosure determining overcurrent conditions within an associated protected circuit;
a terminal block apart from said enclosure and connected with said electronic trip unit through a multi-conductor cable containing a plurality of wire conductors; and a plurality of terminal connectors on said terminal block arranged for providing electrical connection with components contained within said electronic trip unit.
2. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said trip unit includes a microprocessor.
3. The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein one of said terminal connectors connect with said microprocessor by mean of a wire conductor extending through said multi-conductor cable.
4. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said multi-conductor cable includes a ferrule arranged around said cable to provide strain relief to said cable.
5. The circuit interrupter of claim 4 wherein said enclosure defines an aperture, said cable and said ferrule being arranged through said aperture.
6. The circuit interrupter of claim 5 wherein opposing ends of said ferrule are flattened to compress said ferrule against said wire conductors and to prevent said ferrule, said cable and said wire conductors from passing through said aperture.
7. The circuit interrupter of claim 1 including a supplemental printed circuit board electrically connected within said terminal block.
8. An electrical switchgear arrangement comprising:
an enclosure;
a central processor unit within said enclosure;
a plurality of circuit interrupters within said enclosure apart from said central processor unit, each of said circuit interrupters containing an electronic trip unit arranged for interrupting current through an associated protected circuit;
a corresponding plurality of terminal blocks connected with each of said circuit interrupters by means of a separate multi-conductor cable: and a plurality of terminal connectors on said terminal blocks, said terminals connecting with said trip units by means of a plurality of wire conductors extending within said multi-conductor cable.
an enclosure;
a central processor unit within said enclosure;
a plurality of circuit interrupters within said enclosure apart from said central processor unit, each of said circuit interrupters containing an electronic trip unit arranged for interrupting current through an associated protected circuit;
a corresponding plurality of terminal blocks connected with each of said circuit interrupters by means of a separate multi-conductor cable: and a plurality of terminal connectors on said terminal blocks, said terminals connecting with said trip units by means of a plurality of wire conductors extending within said multi-conductor cable.
9. The switchgear arrangement of claim 8 wherein each of said trip units includes a microproressor.
10. The switchgear arrangement of claim 9 wherein each said microprocessor connects with a separate one of said terminal connectors through a separate one of said wire conductors.
11. The switchgear arrangement of claim 8 wherein said central processor unit communicates with said circuit interrupters through a power line communication network.
12. A terminal board connector comprising:
a top plate comprised of insulating material and defining a pair of top end pieces integrally-joined by a top bight piece;
a bottom plate comprised of said insulating material and defining a pair of bottom end pieces joined by a bottom bight piece; and a terminal board comprised of said insulating material and including a plurality of terminal connectors arranged on one surface thereof, said top and bottom plates being fastened together to trap said terminal board intermediate said top and bottom plates.
a top plate comprised of insulating material and defining a pair of top end pieces integrally-joined by a top bight piece;
a bottom plate comprised of said insulating material and defining a pair of bottom end pieces joined by a bottom bight piece; and a terminal board comprised of said insulating material and including a plurality of terminal connectors arranged on one surface thereof, said top and bottom plates being fastened together to trap said terminal board intermediate said top and bottom plates.
13. The terminal board connector of claim 12 wherein said top and bottom plates are identical.
14. The terminal board connector of claim 12 wherein said top and bottom plates include a front wall including a plurality of wire receiving slots formed therein.
15. The terminal board of claim 14 wherein said top and bottom plates further include a rear wall opposite from said front wall and extending upwards from a bottom surface axtending between said front and rear walls a greater distance than said front wall.
16. The terminal board of claim 12 wherein said top and bottom plates comprise a C-shaped configuration whereby said top and bottom bight pieces join said top and bottom end pieces at an angle to define a clearance space between said terminal board and an adjoining wall.
17. The terminal board of claim 12 wherein said terminal board includes an array of integrally-formed insulating ridges intermediate said terminal connectors.
18. The terminal board of claim 12 wherein said top and bottom plates include a slot for receiving a multi-wire conductor cable.
19. The terminal board of claim 18 including a metal ferrule arranged over said cable and formed over on both ends to thereby prevent removal of said cable from said top and bottom plates.
20. The terminal board of claim 12 including a printed circuit board electrically connected within said top and bottom plates.
22. The invention as defined in any of the preceading claims including any further features of novelty disclosed.
22. The invention as defined in any of the preceading claims including any further features of novelty disclosed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US67447591A | 1991-03-25 | 1991-03-25 | |
| US674,475 | 1991-03-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2062004A1 true CA2062004A1 (en) | 1992-09-26 |
Family
ID=24706748
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002062004A Abandoned CA2062004A1 (en) | 1991-03-25 | 1992-02-27 | Electronic circuit interrupter with attached terminal connector block |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0594755A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2062004A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4209284A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10730390B2 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2020-08-04 | Manitou Bf | Device and system for controlling functions of an industrial or all-terrain vehicle |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1264162B1 (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1996-09-17 | Sace Spa | ENCLOSED LOW VOLTAGE SWITCH EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WITH INCORPORATED WIRING IN THE SWITCH BOX |
| DE10315623A1 (en) * | 2003-04-04 | 2004-10-14 | Abb Patent Gmbh | Low-voltage module |
| DE102010041190B4 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2020-09-10 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Switches, in particular circuit breakers for low voltages |
-
1992
- 1992-02-27 CA CA002062004A patent/CA2062004A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-16 JP JP4055814A patent/JPH0594755A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-03-21 DE DE4209284A patent/DE4209284A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10730390B2 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2020-08-04 | Manitou Bf | Device and system for controlling functions of an industrial or all-terrain vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0594755A (en) | 1993-04-16 |
| DE4209284A1 (en) | 1992-12-24 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1096027A (en) | Electrical switchboard apparatus with center fed vertical riser bus | |
| US5515236A (en) | Motor control center universal electrical connector | |
| US4079439A (en) | Loadcenter having a dual purpose neutral rail | |
| US5215480A (en) | Electronic circuit interrupter with attached terminal connector block | |
| EP0244630A2 (en) | Compact-type gas-insulated switchgear apparatus | |
| US6920038B2 (en) | Terminal block and renovation load center employing the same | |
| US4789344A (en) | Plug-in connector module for a removable control unit of a motor control center | |
| WO1996030980A3 (en) | Busbar channel system of a low-voltage switch equipment | |
| CN1161813C (en) | Modular type electric device for circuit breaker | |
| US3165372A (en) | Cable connector assembly | |
| US4491897A (en) | Plug-in base for low-voltage circuit breakers | |
| JPH0349237B2 (en) | ||
| CA2062004A1 (en) | Electronic circuit interrupter with attached terminal connector block | |
| EP0063970A1 (en) | Power bus set for a modular apparatus of an electrical box | |
| US4539541A (en) | Terminal connector assembly for electric control device | |
| US6307456B1 (en) | Light industrial circuit breaker terminal cover | |
| US3005934A (en) | Panel board | |
| US3510729A (en) | Circuit breaker mounting arrangement | |
| ATE75562T1 (en) | MULTIPLE CONNECTOR UNIT. | |
| US6617974B2 (en) | Multiple pole fused disconnect | |
| JP2000188805A (en) | Connection conductor device of distribution board | |
| US7121856B2 (en) | Device for connection of busbars to equipment of an electrical switchboard | |
| CN1054477C (en) | Distributor for electrical power supply of series of switchgear apparatuses | |
| PL205243B1 (en) | Electric switchgear for electric equipment mounted in parallel rows on distribution board or inside switchbox and distribution board or electric switchbox | |
| US3573415A (en) | Parallel pole circuit breaker |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |