EP0007283A1 - Circuit breaker with removable release unit - Google Patents

Circuit breaker with removable release unit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0007283A1
EP0007283A1 EP79420029A EP79420029A EP0007283A1 EP 0007283 A1 EP0007283 A1 EP 0007283A1 EP 79420029 A EP79420029 A EP 79420029A EP 79420029 A EP79420029 A EP 79420029A EP 0007283 A1 EP0007283 A1 EP 0007283A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit breaker
circuit
trip
magnetic circuit
magnetic
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP79420029A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0007283B1 (en
Inventor
Alain Gerbert-Gaillard
Robert Morel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Merlin Gerin SA
Original Assignee
Merlin Gerin SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Publication of EP0007283A1 publication Critical patent/EP0007283A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0007283B1 publication Critical patent/EP0007283B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7409—Interchangeable elements
    • 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
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/14—Electrothermal mechanisms
    • H01H71/16—Electrothermal mechanisms with bimetal element
    • H01H71/164—Heating elements
    • 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
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/40—Combined electrothermal and electromagnetic mechanisms
    • 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
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/14—Electrothermal mechanisms
    • H01H71/16—Electrothermal mechanisms with bimetal element
    • H01H71/164—Heating elements
    • H01H2071/165—Heating elements the bimetal being inductively heated, e.g. load current does not pass through bimetal
    • 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
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7463—Adjusting only the electromagnetic mechanism

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit breaker, in particular with molded housing, having a circuit breaker block and a removable multipolar trip unit block for housing thermal and electromagnetic elements, associated with the different poles of the circuit breaker for controlling the tripping devices of the circuit breaker, comprising for each blade a magnetic circuit of annular shape, crossed by a current conductor traversing the pole and constituted by two separable parts, a first part of magnetic circuit in the form of U, and a second part of magnetic circuit in the form of bar, one said parts being carried by the circuit breaker block and the other by the trip block, to form said magnetic circuit surrounding said conductor in the mounted position of the trip block on the circuit breaker block.
  • the inventive device belongs to the second family, in which the continuity of the conductor is preserved while the magnetic circuit is in two separable parts, one of the parts being integral with the circuit breaker block and the other part of the trip unit.
  • the air gaps created between the two separable parts of the magnetic circuit have a notable influence on the characteristics of the thermal triggering elements, generally constituted by a short-circuited turn surrounding the magnetic circuit and heating a bimetallic strip. Small variations in these air gaps significantly modify the thermal trip characteristics of the trip unit, the influence being less on the electromagnetic trip elements.
  • a known device uses non-magnetic shims, possibly of zero thickness, inserted between the two separable parts of the magnetic circuit and an elastic device urging these two parts into contact with each other.
  • the accuracy and safety of correct positioning of the two parts of the magnetic circuit are not absolute.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to allow the production of a removable trip unit circuit breaker, the characteristics of which are perfectly defined.
  • the circuit breaker according to the invention is characterized in that in the assembled position of the trip unit, said second part is fitted between the legs of said first U-shaped part, the clearance between said legs and the end faces of said second part defining two air gaps, the sum of the thicknesses of which is independent of the relative position of said second part with respect to the first part.
  • the value of the air gap is independent of the penetration depth between these U-shaped legs.
  • This air gap value is also independent of a lateral displacement, causing a decrease in one of the air gaps and a corresponding increase in the opposite air gap, because only the sum of the air gaps affects the response characteristics.
  • the U-shaped part is preferably carried by the circuit breaker block while the bar, integral with the trigger block, comes to fit between the legs of the U when the trigger block is fixed.
  • a secondary winding for example with a single turn, surrounds the bar carried by the trip unit and a bimetal strip is in thermal contact with this winding, in a manner well known per se, to cause tripping of the circuit breaker depending on the intensity of the current flowing through the circuit breaker's input or output conductor.
  • the trigger block also includes a pallet coming in the mounted position of the trigger block opposite the end faces of the legs of the U-shaped magnetic circuit.
  • the spacing between the pallet and the opposite pole faces defines the response value of the electromagnetic pallet release and is determined by a stop device ensuring the relative positioning of the U-shaped magnetic circuit relative to the trip unit.
  • the magnetic U-shaped circuits of the different blades are mounted on the one hand with a lateral clearance on the circuit breaker block to allow the insertion of the different bars and compensate for slight manufacturing or positioning defects and on the other hand, elastically to allow a sinking movement, when the trigger block is put in place, by coming into contact with the abutment surfaces carried by the trigger block.
  • the pallet cooperates with a U-shaped cylinder head secured to the thermal bar so as to divert part of the flux and attract the pallet during a short-circuit current.
  • the trip unit obviously includes the usual transmission and adjustment devices and a release bar controlling the unlocking of the circuit breaker trip device.
  • the electromagnetic tripping characteristics can be modified by a device for adjusting the spacing of the pallet or by any other suitable means.
  • a range of trip units of different sizes is thus produced, which can be snapped on or fixed to the circuit breaker block either by the manufacturer or by the distributor or the user, depending on the type of circuit breaker desired. Any incorrect assembly or incorrect positioning of the two parts of the magnetic circuit is practically excluded and the reliability of the assembly is sufficient to authorize an assembly by the distributor or the seller. This results in a reduction in storage and supply costs which affects the cost of the circuit breaker.
  • a circuit breaker block 10 with molded boot housing one end of which receives a removable release block 12, comprises three juxtaposed poles each having a connection terminal 14 disposed at the end of a conductor 16, 18, 20 of passage of the current connected to the contacts 17, 19 of the circuit breaker.
  • the trip unit 12 with molded case contains current sensors passing through the conductors 16, 18, 20 and trip control elements, which actuate the mechanism 21 of the circuit breaker 10.
  • the trip unit 12 is removable and on the same circuit breaker unit can be mounted any one of a range of trip units with different characteristics.
  • Each blade of the circuit breaker is associated with a thermal element and an electromagnetic element, housed in the trip unit 12, which cause the tripping of the circuit breaker respectively in the event of overload or short-circuit.
  • Such circuit breakers with removable trip unit are well known and there is no need to describe them in more detail.
  • the tripping elements associated with each pole of the circuit breaker are identical and subsequently, only one of them will be described, in this case that associated with the conductor 16.
  • the conductor 16 is inserted between the legs 22, 24, of a U-shaped part 26 of a magnetic circuit designated by the general reference 28 surrounding the conductor 16.
  • the second bar-shaped part 30 of the magnetic circuit 28 is inserted in the working position between the legs 22 , 24.
  • the bottom 34 of the circuit breaker block 10, on which the conductor 16 is pressed, has a recess 36 for housing the base 32 of the U-shaped magnetic circuit 26 and i1 is easy to see that this U-shaped magnetic circuit is trapped between the conductor 16 and the bottom of the recess 36, the legs 22, 24 protruding to the top.
  • the second part 30 of the magnetic circuit 28 is however secured to the trigger block 12 by means of a deformable piece of U-shaped support 3 8 fixed by screws 40 to the molded case 42 of the trigger block 12.
  • the magnetic circuit part in U 26 is housed with clearance in the recess 36 and a leaf spring 44, inserted between the bottom of the recess 36 and the base 32, urges the U part 26 upwards in FIG. 2, this movement being limited by the stop of the base 32 against the conductor 16.
  • the front faces 46 of the legs 22, 24 have internal chamfers 48 for centering the bar 30 when it enters the legs 22, 24 during the mounting movement of the trip unit 12 on the circuit breaker unit 10.
  • the length of the bar 30 is slightly less than the spacing between the legs 22, 24, so as to define on either side of the air gaps 50, 52.
  • the air gap surface of the bar 30 is of smaller dimension than that of the legs 22, 24. It c it has just been noted that a longitudinal displacement of the bar 30, for example to the left in FIG. 1, causes a decrease in one of the air gaps 50 and a corresponding increase in the opposite air gap 52 which does not affect the total reluctance of the magnetic circuit 28, the sum of the air gaps 50, 52, remaining constant.
  • the bar 30 is enveloped by the legs 22, 24 and the reluctance of the magnetic circuit 28 is not affected by slight lateral displacements of the bar 30.
  • a secondary winding with a single turn 5 4 surrounds the bar 30 and a bimetallic strip 56 is maintained in thermal contact with the turn 54 by one of its ends mounted in sandwich between the support 38 and one of the faces of the turn 54
  • the free end of bimetallic strip 56 is capable of cooperate with a finger 58 of a trip bar 60 common to the thermal elements of the three blades of the circuit breaker.
  • a screw 64 for adjusting the spacing of the legs of the U-shaped support 38 makes it possible to move the rod assembly 30 - bimetallic strip 5 6 and to adjust the spacing between the free end of the bimetallic strip 56 and the finger 58 to adjust the thermal release characteristics of the release.
  • the thermal trip bar 60 is rotatably mounted by pivots 62 on the housing 42 and it has fingers 58 opposite each bimetallic strip 56 of the different blades.
  • a pallet-shaped frame 66 having a support rod 68 slidably mounted on a square support 70.
  • the bracket 70 is fixed to the housing 42 of the trigger block 12 by an adjusting screw device 72 making it possible to separate or to bring the bracket 70 and the associated pallet 66 closer to the front faces 46.
  • the stop 76 is capable of cooperating with a finger 7 8 of a rotary electromagnetic trip bar 80, connecting the electromagnetic trip devices of the different circuit breaker poles. It is understood that the magnetic field generated by a short-circuit current flowing through the conductor 16 is capable of attracting the pallet 66, let to cause the rotation of the electromagnetic trip bar 80 generating by well known means the tripping of the circuit breaker.
  • the bottom 34 of the circuit breaker block 10 carries partitions 82 for separating the different poles, the upper edges 84 of which are arranged opposite the bearing face of the trigger block 12.
  • the bearing faces 84 position the trigger block 12 in height with precision dependent on plastic deformations, generally insufficient to maintain the electromagnetic tripping characteristics.
  • the boot 42 of the trigger block 12 has projections 86, the edges of which bear on faces 88 adjacent to the front faces 46 of the legs 22, 24.
  • the assembly is arranged in such a way that at during the setting up of the trigger block 12, the projections 86 push the U-shaped magnetic circuits 26 down against the springs 44. It is easy to correctly position the pallet 66 relative to the projections 86 and during the setting up the trigger block, the pallet 66 is automatically positioned relative to the front faces 46 in order to ensure an electromagnetic trip for a predetermined threshold.
  • the trip unit 12 is fixed by any suitable means to the circuit breaker unit 10, preferably by latching devices (not shown) allowing rapid fixing by the user.
  • the U-shaped part 26 of the magnetic circuit remains integral with the circuit breaker unit 10, all the other elements of the trip device, in this case the bar 30 with the bimetallic strip 56 and the trip bar thermal 60, as well as the pallet 66 and the electromagnetic trip bar 80 remaining integral with the - trip unit 12.
  • the absence of any adjustment operation during the installation of the trip unit 12 allows this operation to be entrusted to the distributor or to the user, who will have a range of trip units of different ratings for each circuit breaker block.
  • the different sizes are obtained by bars 30 of different lengths and by a different positioning of the pallet 66. It is important to note that the thermal tripping characteristic determined by the sum of the air gaps 50, 52 , is independent of any wedge or stop system and that the air gap surfaces are not subject to any wear or friction liable to modify the tripping characteristics.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention, which overcomes the positioning faults of the trip unit 12 by simpler means than those described above.
  • the same references designate parts similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the magnetic pallet 66 is arranged opposite a U-shaped magnetic yoke 88 the base of which is attached to the bar 30. Part of the magnetic flux by running the bar 30 is derived in the U- shaped cylinder head 88 and exerts an attraction on the pallet 66.
  • the turn 5 4 in short-circuit surrounds the bar 30 and the base of the U-shaped cylinder head 88 and the operation of the thermal trigger does not is not affected by the presence of the cylinder head 88.
  • the flow passing through the cylinder head 88 is sufficient to attract the pallet 66 and cause the circuit breaker to trip.
  • the value of this flow is proportional to that of the flow in the bar 30, which is independent of the positioning of the bar 30 between the legs 22, 24, in the manner described above.
  • the projections 86 for positioning the constituent parts 26, 66 of the magnetic circuit 28 are in this variant superfluous.
  • the invention naturally extends to the variant in which the bar is secured to the circuit breaker block, while the U-shaped part is subject to the trip unit.

Abstract

Un circuit magnétique (28) entourant le conducteur de passage du courant (16, 18, 20) est réalisé en deux parties (26, 30) dont l'une (26) en forme de U est solidaire du bloc disjoncteur (10) et dont l'autre en forme de barreau (30) est susceptible de s'emboîter entre les jambes (22, 24) du U et est solidaire du bloc déclencheur (12). Sur le barreau (30), est monté un enroulement secondaire (34) à une seule spire en bon contact thermique d'une bilame (56) de déclenchement thermique. Les caractéristiques de déclenchement thermique, déterminées par la somme des entrefers (50, 52) entre les deux parties du circuit magnétique, sont indépendantes de la position relative de ces deux dernières parties. L'invention peut être appliquée à des disjoncteurs à boîtier moulé de forte intensité.A magnetic circuit (28) surrounding the current flow conductor (16, 18, 20) is produced in two parts (26, 30) one of which (26) in the shape of a U is integral with the circuit breaker block (10) and the other in the form of a bar (30) is capable of fitting between the legs (22, 24) of the U and is integral with the trigger block (12). On the bar (30) is mounted a secondary winding (34) with a single turn in good thermal contact with a bimetallic strip (56) for thermal release. The thermal tripping characteristics, determined by the sum of the air gaps (50, 52) between the two parts of the magnetic circuit, are independent of the relative position of these last two parts. The invention can be applied to high intensity molded case circuit breakers.

Description

L'invention est relative à un disjoncteur, notamment à boÎtier moulé, ayant un bloc disjoncteur et un bloc déclencheur multipolaire amovible de logement des éléments thermiques et électromagnétiques, associés aux différents pôles du disjoncteur pour commander les organes de déclenchement du disjoncteur, comprenant pour chaque pale un circuit magnétique de forme annulaire, traversé par un conducteur du courant parcourant le pôle et constitué par deux parties séparables, une première partie de circuit magnétique en forme de U, et une deuxième partie de circuit magnétique en forme de barreau, l'une desdites parties étant portée par le bloc disjoncteur et l'autre par le bloc déclencheur, pour former ledit circuit magnétique entourant ledit conducteur en position montée du bloc déclencheur sur le bloc disjoncteur.The invention relates to a circuit breaker, in particular with molded housing, having a circuit breaker block and a removable multipolar trip unit block for housing thermal and electromagnetic elements, associated with the different poles of the circuit breaker for controlling the tripping devices of the circuit breaker, comprising for each blade a magnetic circuit of annular shape, crossed by a current conductor traversing the pole and constituted by two separable parts, a first part of magnetic circuit in the form of U, and a second part of magnetic circuit in the form of bar, one said parts being carried by the circuit breaker block and the other by the trip block, to form said magnetic circuit surrounding said conductor in the mounted position of the trip block on the circuit breaker block.

Il est connu de disposer d'une gamme de blocs déclencheurs de caractéristiques de déclenchement différentes pouvant être sélectivement associés à un même bloc disjoncteur pour constituer des disjoncteurs de calibres différents. Cette possibilité d'utilisation d'un même bloc disjoncteur est particulièrement intéressante pour des appareils de calibre élevé, par exemple supérieur à 200 ampères, dans lesquels la détection du courant parcourant le disjoncteur est généralement réalisée par un circuit magnétique en forme de tore de section rectangulaire, traversé par le conducteur d'entrée ou de sortie du-disjoncteur. Le passage du conducteur par un circuit magnétique fermé constitue un verrouillage, qui ne peut être rompu pour l'enlèvement du bloc déclencheur que par interruption du conducteur ou du circuit magnétique. Dans les disjoncteurs à interruption du conducteur pour l'enlèvement et la mise en place du bloc déclencheur, il convient de rétablir la continuité par des vis de connexion, dont un défaut de serrage peut être à l'origine d'un échauffement excessif. Le dispositif inventif appartient à la deuxième famille, dans laquelle la continuité du conducteur est conservée tandis que le circuit magnétique est en deux parties séparables, l'une des parties étant solidaire du bloc disjoncteur et l'autre partie du bloc déclencheur. Les entrefers créés entre les deux parties séparables du circuit magnétique cnt une influence notable sur les caractéristiques des élémants de déclenchement thermique, généralement constitués par une spire en court-circuit entourant le circuit magnétique et échauffant une bilame. De faibles variations de ces entrefers modifient notablement les caractéristiques de déclenchement thermique du bloc déclencheur, l'influence étant moindre sur les éléments de déclenchement électromagnétique. Un dispositif connu fait usage de cales amagnétiques, éventuellement d'épaisseur nulle, insérées entre les deux parties séparables du circuit magnétique et d'un dispositif élastique sollicitant ces deux parties l'une au contact de l'autre. La précision et la sécurité de positionnement correct des deux parties du circuit magnétique ne sont pas ah- solues.It is known to have a range of trip blocks of different tripping characteristics that can be selectively associated with the same circuit breaker block to form circuit breakers of different ratings. This possibility of using the same circuit breaker block is particularly advantageous for devices of high caliber, for example greater than 200 amperes, in which the detection of the current flowing through the circuit breaker is generally carried out by a magnetic circuit in the form of a toroid of section rectangular, crossed by the input or output conductor of the circuit breaker. The passage of the conductor through a closed magnetic circuit constitutes an interlock, which can only be broken for the removal of the trip unit by interrupting the conductor or the magnetic circuit. In circuit breakers with interrupted conductors for removal and installation of the trip unit, continuity should be restored by connection screws, of which a tightening fault can be the cause of excessive heating. The inventive device belongs to the second family, in which the continuity of the conductor is preserved while the magnetic circuit is in two separable parts, one of the parts being integral with the circuit breaker block and the other part of the trip unit. The air gaps created between the two separable parts of the magnetic circuit have a notable influence on the characteristics of the thermal triggering elements, generally constituted by a short-circuited turn surrounding the magnetic circuit and heating a bimetallic strip. Small variations in these air gaps significantly modify the thermal trip characteristics of the trip unit, the influence being less on the electromagnetic trip elements. A known device uses non-magnetic shims, possibly of zero thickness, inserted between the two separable parts of the magnetic circuit and an elastic device urging these two parts into contact with each other. The accuracy and safety of correct positioning of the two parts of the magnetic circuit are not absolute.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier à ces incon vénients et de permettre la réalisation d'un disjoncteur bloc déclencheur amovible dont les caractéristiques sont parfaitement définies.The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to allow the production of a removable trip unit circuit breaker, the characteristics of which are perfectly defined.

Le disjoncteur selon l'invention est caractérisé par le fait qu'en position montée du bloc-déclencheur, ladite deuxième partie est emboîtée entre les jambes de ladite première partie en forme de U, le jeu entre lesdites jambes et les faces terminales de ladite deuxième partie définissant deux entrefers dont la somme des épaisseurs est indépendante de la position relative de ladite deuxième partie par rapport à la première partie.The circuit breaker according to the invention is characterized in that in the assembled position of the trip unit, said second part is fitted between the legs of said first U-shaped part, the clearance between said legs and the end faces of said second part defining two air gaps, the sum of the thicknesses of which is independent of the relative position of said second part with respect to the first part.

Il est facile de comprendre que par emboîtement du barreau magnétique entre les jambes de la partie en U, la valeur de l'entrefer est indépendante de la profondeur de pénétration entre ces jambes en U. Cette valeur d'entrefer est également indépendante d'un déplacement latéral, provoquant une diminution de l'un des entrefers et une augmentation correspondante de l'entrefer opposé, car seule la somme des entrefers affecte les caractéristiques de réponse.It is easy to understand that by fitting the magnetic bar between the legs of the U-shaped part, the value of the air gap is independent of the penetration depth between these U-shaped legs. This air gap value is also independent of a lateral displacement, causing a decrease in one of the air gaps and a corresponding increase in the opposite air gap, because only the sum of the air gaps affects the response characteristics.

La partie en U est de préférence portée par le bloc disjoncteur tandis que le barreau, solidaire du bloc déclencheur, vient s'emboîter entre les jambes du U lors d'une fixation du bloc déclencheur. Un enroulement secondaire, par exemple à une seule spire, entoure le barreau porté par le bloc déclencheur et une bilame est en contact thermique de cet enroulement, d'une manière bien connue en soi, pour provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur en fonction de l'intensité du courant parcourant le conducteur d'entrée ou de sortie du disjoncteur. Le bloc déclencheur comporte également une palette venant en position montée du bloc déclencheur en regard des faces terminales des jambes du circuit magnétique en U.The U-shaped part is preferably carried by the circuit breaker block while the bar, integral with the trigger block, comes to fit between the legs of the U when the trigger block is fixed. A secondary winding, for example with a single turn, surrounds the bar carried by the trip unit and a bimetal strip is in thermal contact with this winding, in a manner well known per se, to cause tripping of the circuit breaker depending on the intensity of the current flowing through the circuit breaker's input or output conductor. The trigger block also includes a pallet coming in the mounted position of the trigger block opposite the end faces of the legs of the U-shaped magnetic circuit.

L'écartement entre la palette et les faces polaires en regard définit la valeur de réponse du déclencheur électromagnétique à palette et est déterminé par un dispositif de butée assurant le positionnement relatif du circuit magnétique en U par rapport au bloc déclencheur. Les circuits magnétiques en U des différents pales sont montés d'une part avec un jeu latéral sur le bloc disjoncteur pour permettre l'insertion des différents barreaux et pallier de légers défauts de fabrication ou de positionnement et d'autre part, élastiquement pour autoriser un mouvement d'enfoncement, lors de la mise en place du bloc déclencheur, par la venue en contact avec les surfaces de butée portées par le bloc déclencheur.The spacing between the pallet and the opposite pole faces defines the response value of the electromagnetic pallet release and is determined by a stop device ensuring the relative positioning of the U-shaped magnetic circuit relative to the trip unit. The magnetic U-shaped circuits of the different blades are mounted on the one hand with a lateral clearance on the circuit breaker block to allow the insertion of the different bars and compensate for slight manufacturing or positioning defects and on the other hand, elastically to allow a sinking movement, when the trigger block is put in place, by coming into contact with the abutment surfaces carried by the trigger block.

Selon un développement de l'invention, la palette coopère avec Une culasse en U solidarisée au barreau du thermique de manière à dériver une partie du flux et à attirer la palette lors d'un courant de court-circuit.According to a development of the invention, the pallet cooperates with a U-shaped cylinder head secured to the thermal bar so as to divert part of the flux and attract the pallet during a short-circuit current.

Le bloc déclencheur comporte bien entendu les dispositifs de transmission et de réglage usuels et un barreau de dé- elenchement commandant le déverrouillage du dispositif de déclenchement du disjoncteur. Pour obtenir des caractéristiques de déclenchement thermique différentes, il suffit d'incorporer au bloc déclencheur des barreaux de circuit magnétique de longueurs différentes accroissant ou diminuant l'entrefer du circuit magnétique de détection. Les caractéristiques de déclenchement électromagnétiques peuvent être modifiées par un dispositif de réglage de l'écartement de la palette ou par tout autre moyen approprié. On réalise ainsi une gamme de blocs déclencheurs de calibres différents, pouvant être encliquetés ou fixés au bloc disjoncteur soit par le fabricant, soit par le distributeur ou l'utilisateur, selon le calibre de disjoncteur souhaité. Toute erreur de montage ou de positionnement inexact des deux parties du circuit magnétique est pratiquement exclue et la fiabilité de l'ensemble est suffisante pour autoriser un montage par le distributeur ou le vendeur. Il en résulte une diminution des frais de stockage et d'approvisionnement qui se répercute sur le coût du disjoncteur.The trip unit obviously includes the usual transmission and adjustment devices and a release bar controlling the unlocking of the circuit breaker trip device. To obtain different thermal trip characteristics, it suffices to incorporate into the trip block magnetic circuit bars of different lengths increasing or decreasing the air gap of the magnetic detection circuit. The electromagnetic tripping characteristics can be modified by a device for adjusting the spacing of the pallet or by any other suitable means. A range of trip units of different sizes is thus produced, which can be snapped on or fixed to the circuit breaker block either by the manufacturer or by the distributor or the user, depending on the type of circuit breaker desired. Any incorrect assembly or incorrect positioning of the two parts of the magnetic circuit is practically excluded and the reliability of the assembly is sufficient to authorize an assembly by the distributor or the seller. This results in a reduction in storage and supply costs which affects the cost of the circuit breaker.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et représenté aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique partiellement arrachée du bloc déclencheur encliqueté sur un bloc disjoncteur selon l'invention;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 est une vue partielle analogue à celle de la figure 2, illustrant une variante de réalisation;
  • la figure 4 est une coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and shown in the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a partially cutaway schematic view of the trip unit snapped onto a circuit breaker block according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a section along line II-II of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a partial view similar to that of Figure 2, illustrating an alternative embodiment;
  • FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Sur les figures, un bloc disjoncteur 10 à bottier moulé dont l'une des extrémités reçoit un bloc délencheur amovible 12, comporte trois pôles juxtaposés ayant chacun une borne de connexion 14 disposée à l'extrémité d'un conducteur 16, 18, 20 de passage du courant relié aux contacts 17, 19 du disjoncteur. Le bloc déclencheur 12 à bottier moulé contient des capteurs de courant parcourant les conducteurs 16, 18, 20 et des éléments de commande de déclenchement, qui actionnent le mécanisme 21 du disjoncteur 10.In the figures, a circuit breaker block 10 with molded boot housing, one end of which receives a removable release block 12, comprises three juxtaposed poles each having a connection terminal 14 disposed at the end of a conductor 16, 18, 20 of passage of the current connected to the contacts 17, 19 of the circuit breaker. The trip unit 12 with molded case contains current sensors passing through the conductors 16, 18, 20 and trip control elements, which actuate the mechanism 21 of the circuit breaker 10.

Le bloc déclencheur 12 est amovible et sur un même bloc disjoncteur peut être monté l'un quelconque d'une gamme de blocs déclencheurs de caractéristiques différentes. A chaque pale du disjoncteur est associé un élément thermique et un élément électromagnétique, logés dans le bloc déclencheur 12, qui provoquent le déclenchement du disjoncteur respectivement en cas de surcharge ou de court-circuit. De tels disjoncteurs à bloc déclencheur amovible sont bien connus et il est inutile de les décrire plus en détail.The trip unit 12 is removable and on the same circuit breaker unit can be mounted any one of a range of trip units with different characteristics. Each blade of the circuit breaker is associated with a thermal element and an electromagnetic element, housed in the trip unit 12, which cause the tripping of the circuit breaker respectively in the event of overload or short-circuit. Such circuit breakers with removable trip unit are well known and there is no need to describe them in more detail.

Les éléments de déclenchement associés à chaque p8le du disjoncteur sont identiques et par la suite, il ne sera décrit que l'un d'entre eux, en l'occurrence celui associé au conducteur 16. Le conducteur 16 est inséré entre les jambes 22, 24, d'une partie 26 en forme de U d'un circuit magnétique désigné par le repère général 28 entourant le conducteur 16. La deuxième partie en forme de barreau 30 du circuit magnétique 28, est insérée en position de travail entre les jambes 22, 24. Le fond 34 du bloc disjoncteur 10, sur lequel est plaqué le conducteur 16, présente un évidement 36 de logement de la base 32 du circuit magnétique en U 26 et i1 est facile de voir que ce circuit magnétique en U est emprisonné entre le conducteur 16 et le fond de l'évidement 36, les jambes 22, 24, faisant saillie vers le haut. La deuxième partie 30 du circuit magnétique 28 es par contre solidarisée au bloc déclencheur 12 par l'intermédiaire d'une pièce déformable de support en U 38 fixée par des vis 40 au bottier moulé 42 du bloc déclencheur 12. La partie de circuit magnétique en U 26 est logée avec jeu dans l'évidement 36 et un ressort à lame 44, inséré entre le fond de l'évidement 36 et la base 32, sollicite la partie en U 26 vers le haut sur la figure 2, ce mouvement étant limité par la butée de la base 32 contre le conducteur 16. Les faces frontales 46 des jambes 22, 24, présentent des chanfreins internes 48 de centrage du barreau 30 lors de sa pénétration entre les jambes 22, 24 au cours du mouvement de montage du bloc déclencheur 12 sur le bloc disjoncteur 10. La longueur du barreau 30 est légèrement inférieure à l'écartement entre les jambes 22, 24, de façon à définir de part et d'autre des entrefers 50, 52. La surface d'entrefer du barreau 30 est de dimension moindre à celle des jambes 22, 24. Il convient de noter qu'un déplacement longitudinal du barreau 30, par exemple vers la gauche sur la figure 1, provoque une diminution de l'un des entrefers 50 et une augmentation correspondante de l'entrefer opposé 52 qui n'affectent pas la réluctance totale du circuit magnétique 28, la somme des entrefers 50, 52, restant constante. Le barreau 30 est enveloppé par les jambes 22, 24 et la réluctance du circuit magnétique 28 n'est pas affectée par de légers déplacements latéraux du barreau 30.The tripping elements associated with each pole of the circuit breaker are identical and subsequently, only one of them will be described, in this case that associated with the conductor 16. The conductor 16 is inserted between the legs 22, 24, of a U-shaped part 26 of a magnetic circuit designated by the general reference 28 surrounding the conductor 16. The second bar-shaped part 30 of the magnetic circuit 28, is inserted in the working position between the legs 22 , 24. The bottom 34 of the circuit breaker block 10, on which the conductor 16 is pressed, has a recess 36 for housing the base 32 of the U-shaped magnetic circuit 26 and i1 is easy to see that this U-shaped magnetic circuit is trapped between the conductor 16 and the bottom of the recess 36, the legs 22, 24 protruding to the top. The second part 30 of the magnetic circuit 28 is however secured to the trigger block 12 by means of a deformable piece of U-shaped support 3 8 fixed by screws 40 to the molded case 42 of the trigger block 12. The magnetic circuit part in U 26 is housed with clearance in the recess 36 and a leaf spring 44, inserted between the bottom of the recess 36 and the base 32, urges the U part 26 upwards in FIG. 2, this movement being limited by the stop of the base 32 against the conductor 16. The front faces 46 of the legs 22, 24 have internal chamfers 48 for centering the bar 30 when it enters the legs 22, 24 during the mounting movement of the trip unit 12 on the circuit breaker unit 10. The length of the bar 30 is slightly less than the spacing between the legs 22, 24, so as to define on either side of the air gaps 50, 52. The air gap surface of the bar 30 is of smaller dimension than that of the legs 22, 24. It c it has just been noted that a longitudinal displacement of the bar 30, for example to the left in FIG. 1, causes a decrease in one of the air gaps 50 and a corresponding increase in the opposite air gap 52 which does not affect the total reluctance of the magnetic circuit 28, the sum of the air gaps 50, 52, remaining constant. The bar 30 is enveloped by the legs 22, 24 and the reluctance of the magnetic circuit 28 is not affected by slight lateral displacements of the bar 30.

Un enroulement secondaire à une seule spire 54, entoure le barreau 30 et une bilame 56 est maintenue au contact thermique de la spire 54 par une de ses extrémités montée.en sandwich entre le support 38 et l'une des faces de la spire 54. L'extrémité libre de la bilame 56 est susceptible de coopérer avec un doigt 58 d'une barre de déclenchement 60 commune aux éléments thermiques des trois pales du disjoncteur. Une vis de réglage 64 de l'écartement des branches du support en U 38 permet de déplacer l'ensemble barreau 30 - bilame 56 et de régler l'écartement entre l'extrémité libre de la bilame 56 et du doigt 58 pour régler les caractéristiques de déclenchement thermique du déclencheur. La barre de déclenchement thermique 60 est montée à rotation par des pivots 62 sur le boîtier 42 et elle présente des doigts 58 en regard de chaque bilame 56 des différents pales.A secondary winding with a single turn 5 4, surrounds the bar 30 and a bimetallic strip 56 is maintained in thermal contact with the turn 54 by one of its ends mounted in sandwich between the support 38 and one of the faces of the turn 54 The free end of bimetallic strip 56 is capable of cooperate with a finger 58 of a trip bar 60 common to the thermal elements of the three blades of the circuit breaker. A screw 64 for adjusting the spacing of the legs of the U-shaped support 38 makes it possible to move the rod assembly 30 - bimetallic strip 5 6 and to adjust the spacing between the free end of the bimetallic strip 56 and the finger 58 to adjust the thermal release characteristics of the release. The thermal trip bar 60 is rotatably mounted by pivots 62 on the housing 42 and it has fingers 58 opposite each bimetallic strip 56 of the different blades.

Avant de décrire le dispositif de déclenchement électromagnétique, il est utile de rappeler le fonctionnement du déclencheur thermique décrit ci-dessus :

  • Un courant parcourant le conducteur 16 engendre un champ magnétique dans le circuit magnétique 28 et induit un courant dans l'enroulement secondaire 54 en court-circuit qui s'échauffe par effet Joule. La bilame 56 est chauffée indirectement par conduction et son extrémité libre actionne le doigt 58 lors d'une déflexion suffisante. I1 est clair que la caractéristique de déclenchement thermique du bloc 12 est fonction de la somme des entrefers 50, 52, et les blocs déclencheurs 12 de caractéristiques différentes comportent des barreaux 30 de longueurs différentes. La somme des entrefers 50, 52, ne dépend que de la longueur du barreau 30 et de l'écartement des jambes 22, 24, données constructives facilement maîtrisables par les précisions d'usinage actuel. La position relative du barreau 30 par rapport au circuit magnétique en U 26 n'affecte pas la caractéristique de déclenchement thermique du bloc déclencheur 12. La vis 64 permet un réglage individuel de la bilame 56 par modification de l'écartement des branches du support en U 38 et une translation correspondante de la bilame 56 par rapport au doigt 58.
Before describing the electromagnetic trip device, it is useful to recall the operation of the thermal trip device described above:
  • A current flowing through the conductor 16 generates a magnetic field in the magnetic circuit 28 and induces a current in the secondary winding 54 in short circuit which heats up by Joule effect. The bimetallic strip 56 is heated indirectly by conduction and its free end actuates the finger 5 8 during sufficient deflection. I1 is clear that the thermal tripping characteristic of block 1 2 is based on the sum of the air gaps 50, 52, and the trip units 12 of different characteristics comprise bars 30 of different lengths. The sum of the air gaps 50, 52 depends only on the length of the bar 30 and the spacing of the legs 22, 24, constructive data easily controllable by the current machining precision. The relative position of the bar 30 relative to the U-shaped magnetic circuit 26 does not affect the thermal triggering characteristic of the trigger block 12. The screw 64 allows individual adjustment of the bimetallic strip 56 by modifying the spacing of the branches of the support in U 38 and a corresponding translation of the bimetallic strip 56 relative to the finger 58.

En regard des faces frontales 46 des jambes 22, 24 est disposée une armature en forme de palette 66 ayant une tige de support 68 montée à coulissement sur un support en équerre 70. L'équerre 70 est fixée au boîtier 42 du bloc déclencheur 12 par un dispositif à vis de réglage 72 permettant d'écarter ou de rapprocher l'équerre 70 et la palette associée 66 des faces frontales 46. Un ressort 74 prenant appui d'une part sur l'équerre 70 et d'autre part sur une butée 76 assujettie à la tige de support 68, sollicite la palette 66 en position relevée, d'écartement des faces frontales 46, en appui de l'équerre 70. La butée 76 est susceptible de coopérer avec un doigt 78 d'une barre de déclenchement électromagnétique rotative 80, reliant les déclencheurs électromagnétiques des différents p8les du disjoncteur. On comprend que le champ magnétique engendré par un courant de court-circuit parcourant le conducteur 16 est capable d'attirer la palette 66 ,let de provoquer la rotation de la barre de déclenchement électromagnétique 80 engendrant par des moyens bien connus le déclenchement du disjoncteur.Opposite the front faces 46 of the legs 2 2 , 24 is disposed a pallet-shaped frame 66 having a support rod 68 slidably mounted on a square support 70. The bracket 70 is fixed to the housing 42 of the trigger block 12 by an adjusting screw device 72 making it possible to separate or to bring the bracket 70 and the associated pallet 66 closer to the front faces 46. A spring 7 4 bearing on the one hand on the bracket 70 and on the other hand on a stop 76 subject to the support rod 68, urges the pallet 66 in the raised position, spacing of the front faces 46, in support of the bracket 70. The stop 76 is capable of cooperating with a finger 7 8 of a rotary electromagnetic trip bar 80, connecting the electromagnetic trip devices of the different circuit breaker poles. It is understood that the magnetic field generated by a short-circuit current flowing through the conductor 16 is capable of attracting the pallet 66, let to cause the rotation of the electromagnetic trip bar 80 generating by well known means the tripping of the circuit breaker.

Le fond 34 du bloc disjoncteur 10 porte des cloisons 82 de séparation des différents p8les, dont les tranches supérieures 84 sont agencées en face d'appui du bloc déclencheur 12. Les faces d'appui 84 positionnent en hauteur le bloc déclencheur 12 avec une précision tributaire des déformations des matières plastiques, généralement insuffisante au maintien des caractéristiques de déclenchement électromagnétique. Pour s'affranchir de ces imprécisions, le bottier 42 du bloc déclencheur 12 comporte des saillies 86 dont les bords tiennent porter sur des faces 88 adjacentes aux faces frontales 46 des jambes 22, 24. L'ensemble est agencé de telle manière qu'au cours de la mise en place du bloc déclencheur 12, les saillies 86 repoussent les circuits magnétiques en U 26 vers le bas à l'encontre des ressorts 44. Il est facile de positionner correctement la palette 66 par rapport aux saillies 86 et lors de la mise en place du bloc déclencheur, la palette 66 est automatiquement positionnée par rapport aux faces frontales 46 afin d'assurer un déclenchement électromagnétique pour un seuil prédéterminé.The bottom 34 of the circuit breaker block 10 carries partitions 82 for separating the different poles, the upper edges 84 of which are arranged opposite the bearing face of the trigger block 12. The bearing faces 84 position the trigger block 12 in height with precision dependent on plastic deformations, generally insufficient to maintain the electromagnetic tripping characteristics. To overcome these inaccuracies, the boot 42 of the trigger block 12 has projections 86, the edges of which bear on faces 88 adjacent to the front faces 46 of the legs 22, 24. The assembly is arranged in such a way that at during the setting up of the trigger block 12, the projections 86 push the U-shaped magnetic circuits 26 down against the springs 44. It is easy to correctly position the pallet 66 relative to the projections 86 and during the setting up the trigger block, the pallet 66 is automatically positioned relative to the front faces 46 in order to ensure an electromagnetic trip for a predetermined threshold.

Le bloc déclencheur 12 est fixé par tout moyen approprié au bloc disjoncteur 10, de préférence par des dispositifs d'encliquetage (non représentés) permettant une fixation rapide par l'utilisateur. Lors de la séparation du bloc déclencheur 12,.la partie en U 26 du circuit magnétique reste solidaire du bloc disjoncteur 10, tous les autres éléments du dispositif de déclenchement, en l'occurrence le barreau 30 avec la bilame 56 et la barre de déclenchement thermique 60, ainsi que la palette 66 et la barre de déclenchement électromagnétique 80 restant solidairesdu - bloc déclencheur 12. L'absence de toute opération de réglage lors de la mise en place du bloc déclencheur 12, permet de confier cette opération au distributeur ou à l'utilisateur, qui pour chaque bloc disjoncteur disposera d'une gamme de blocs déclencheurs de calibres différents. De la manière décrite ci-dessus, les calibres différents sont obtenus par des barreaux 30 de longueurs différentes et par un positionnement différent de la palette 66. Il est important de noter que la caractéristique de déclenchement thermique déterminée par la somme des entrefers 50, 52, est indépendante de tout système de cale ou de butée et que les surfaces d'entrefers ne sont soumises à aucune usure ou frottement susceptible de modifier les caractéristiques de déclenchement.The trip unit 12 is fixed by any suitable means to the circuit breaker unit 10, preferably by latching devices (not shown) allowing rapid fixing by the user. When the trip unit 12 is separated, the U-shaped part 26 of the magnetic circuit remains integral with the circuit breaker unit 10, all the other elements of the trip device, in this case the bar 30 with the bimetallic strip 56 and the trip bar thermal 60, as well as the pallet 66 and the electromagnetic trip bar 80 remaining integral with the - trip unit 12. The absence of any adjustment operation during the installation of the trip unit 12, allows this operation to be entrusted to the distributor or to the user, who will have a range of trip units of different ratings for each circuit breaker block. As described above, the different sizes are obtained by bars 30 of different lengths and by a different positioning of the pallet 66. It is important to note that the thermal tripping characteristic determined by the sum of the air gaps 50, 52 , is independent of any wedge or stop system and that the air gap surfaces are not subject to any wear or friction liable to modify the tripping characteristics.

Les figures 3 et 4 illustrent une variante de réalisation de l'invention, qui permet de s'affranchir des défauts de positionnement du bloc déclencheur 12 par des moyens plus simples que ceux décrits ci-dessus. Les mêmes repères désignent des pièces analogues ou identiques à cellesdes figures 1 et 2. La palette magnétique 66 est disposée en regard d'une culasse magnétique en U 88 dont la base est accolée au barreau 30. Une partie du flux magnétique parcourant le barreau 30 est dérivée dans la culasse en U 88 et exerce une attraction sur la palette 66. La spire 54 en court-circuit entoure le barreau 30 et la base de la culasse en U 88 et le fonctionnement du déclencheur thermique n'est pas affecté par la présence de la culasse 88. Lors d'un court-circuit le flux parcourant la culasse 88 est suffisant pour attirer la palette 66 et provoquer le déclenchement du disjoncteur. La valeur de ce flux est proportionnelle à celle du flux dans le barreau 30, laquelle est indépendante du positionnement du barreau 30 entre les jambes 22, 24, de la manière décrite ci-dessus. Les saillies 86 de positionnement des parties constitutives 26, 66 du circuit magnétique 28 sont dans cette variante superflues.Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention, which overcomes the positioning faults of the trip unit 12 by simpler means than those described above. The same references designate parts similar or identical to those of FIGS. 1 and 2. The magnetic pallet 66 is arranged opposite a U-shaped magnetic yoke 88 the base of which is attached to the bar 30. Part of the magnetic flux by running the bar 30 is derived in the U- shaped cylinder head 88 and exerts an attraction on the pallet 66. The turn 5 4 in short-circuit surrounds the bar 30 and the base of the U-shaped cylinder head 88 and the operation of the thermal trigger does not is not affected by the presence of the cylinder head 88. During a short circuit, the flow passing through the cylinder head 88 is sufficient to attract the pallet 66 and cause the circuit breaker to trip. The value of this flow is proportional to that of the flow in the bar 30, which is independent of the positioning of the bar 30 between the legs 22, 24, in the manner described above. The projections 86 for positioning the constituent parts 26, 66 of the magnetic circuit 28 are in this variant superfluous.

L'invention s'étend bien entendu à la variante dans laquelle le barreau serait solidaire du bloc disjoncteur, tandis que la partie en U serait assujettie au bloc déclencheur.The invention naturally extends to the variant in which the bar is secured to the circuit breaker block, while the U-shaped part is subject to the trip unit.

Claims (9)

1. Disjoncteur, notamment à bottier moulé, ayant un bloc disjoncteur (10) et un bloc déclencheur (12) multipolaire amovible de logement des éléments thermiques et électromagnétiques, associés aux différents pales du disjoncteur pour commander les organes de déclenchement (60, 80, 21) du disjoncteur, comprenant pour chaque pale un circuit magnétique (28) de forme annulaire traversé par un conducteur (16, 18, 20) du courant parcourant le p81e et constitué par deux parties séparables (26, 30), une première partie de circuit magnétique (26) en forme de U et une deuxième partie de circuit magnétique en forme de barreau (30), l'une desdites parties (26, 30) étant portée par le bloc disjone- teur (10) et l'autre par le bloc déclencheur (12), pour former ledit circuit magnétique (28) entourant ledit conducteur en position montée du bloc déclencheur sur le bloc disjoncteur, caractérisé par le fait qu'en ladite position montée, ladite deuxième partie (30) est:embottée entre les jambes (22, 24) de ladite première partie (26) en forme de U, le jeu entre lesdites jambes et les faces terminales de ladite deuxième partie (30) définissant deux entrefers (50, 52) dont la somme des épaisseurs est indépendante de la position relative de ladite deuxième partie (30) par rapport à la première partie (26).1. Circuit breaker, in particular with molded shoemaker, having a circuit breaker block (10) and a removable multipole trip unit (12) for housing thermal and electromagnetic elements, associated with the different blades of the circuit breaker for controlling the trip members (60, 80, 21) of the circuit breaker, comprising for each blade a magnetic circuit (28) of annular shape crossed by a conductor (16, 18, 20) of the current flowing through the p81e and consisting of two separable parts (26, 30 ), a first part U-shaped magnetic circuit (26) and a second bar-shaped magnetic circuit part (30), one of said parts (26, 30) being carried by the circuit breaker block (10) and the other by the trigger block (12), to form said magnetic circuit (28) surrounding said conductor in the mounted position of the trigger block on the circuit breaker block, characterized in that in said mounted position, said second part (30) is: swung between the legs (22, 24) of said first U-shaped part (26), the clearance between said legs and the end faces of said second part (30) defining two air gaps (50, 52) the sum of the thicknesses of which is independent of the relative position of said second part (30) relative to the first part (26). 2. Disjoncteur selon 1, caractérisé par le fait que ladite première partie (26) est portée par ledit bloc disjoncteur (10), la base (32) du U étant intercalée entre ledit conducteur (16, 18, 20) et le fond (34) du bloc disjoncteur (10).2. Circuit breaker according to 1, characterized in that said first part (26) is carried by said circuit breaker block (10), the base (32) of the U being interposed between said conductor (16, 18, 20) and the bottom ( 34) of the circuit breaker block (10). 3. Disjoncteur selon 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie (30) de circuit magnétique portée par le bloc déclencheur (12) est entourée d'un enroulement secondaire (54) pilotant l'élément thermique (56) du pale correspondant.3. Circuit breaker according to 1 or 2, characterized in that said part (30) of the magnetic circuit carried by the trip unit (12) is surrounded by a secondary winding (54) controlling the thermal element (56) of the corresponding blade. 4. Disjoncteur selon 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdites premières (26) et/ou lesdites deuxièmes (30) parties de circuits magnétiques des différents pales sont montées avec un jeu suffisant pour pallier les défauts de positionnement relatif des blocs déclencheur (12) et disjoncteur (10).4. Circuit breaker according to 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the said first (26) and / or said second (30) parts of the magnetic circuits of the different blades are mounted with sufficient play to compensate for the relative positioning faults of the trip units (12) and circuit breaker (10). 5. Disjoncteur selon 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc déclencheur (12) porte une troisième partie de circuit magnétique en forme de palette (66) venant en position montée du bloc déclencheur (12) en regard des faces terminales (46) desdites jambes (22, 24) de ladite première partie (26) en U, à une distance permettant une attraction et un collage de la palette sur ladite première partie (26) de circuit magnétique, lorsque 1e conducteur (16, 18, 20) associé est parcouru par un courant de court-circuit.5. Circuit breaker according to 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that said trip unit (12) carries a third part of a magnetic circuit in the form of a pallet (66) coming in the assembled position of the trip unit (12) facing the faces terminals (46) of said legs (22, 24) of said first U-shaped part (26), at a distance allowing attraction and bonding of the pallet on said first magnetic circuit part (26), when the conductor (16, 18, 20) associated with a short-circuit current. 6. Disjoncteur selon 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc délencheur (12) et lesdites premières parties (26) de circuits magnétiques portent des surfaces de butée (86, 88), coopérant pour positionner correctement les palettes (66) des différents pales par rapport auxdites premières parties (26) lors de la mise en place du bloc déclencheur (12) sur le disjoncteur (10).6. Circuit breaker according to 5, characterized in that said release unit (12) and said first parts (26) of magnetic circuits carry abutment surfaces (86, 88), cooperating to correctly position the pallets (66) of the different blades by with respect to said first parts (26) when the trip unit (12) is placed on the circuit breaker (10). 7. Disjoncteur selon 6, caractérisé par un dispositif élastique (44) sollicitant en position montée du bloc déclencheur (12) lesdites surfaces de butée (86, 88) au contact.7. Circuit breaker according to 6, characterized by an elastic device (44) urging in the mounted position of the trip unit (12) said abutment surfaces (86, 88) in contact. 8. Disjoncteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, de calibre variable par montage de l'un des blocs déclencheurs (12) d'une gamme de blocs déclencheurs, caractérisé en ce que les différents blocs,déclencheurs de ladite gamme présentent des deuxièmes,parties (30) de circuit magnétique de longueurs différentes, de manière à définir des entrefers (50, 52) différents du circuit magnétique et des caractéristiques différentes de réponse du bloc déclencheur (12).8. Circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, of variable size by mounting one of the trip blocks (12) of a range of trip blocks, characterized in that the different blocks, trip of said range have second , parts (30) of magnetic circuit of different lengths, so as to define air gaps (50, 52) different from the magnetic circuit and different response characteristics of the trip unit (12). 9. Disjoncteur selon 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que le bloc déclencheur (12) porte une troisième partie de circuit magnétique en forme de palette (66) disposée en regard des faces terminales des jambes d'une quatrième partie de circuit magnétique (88) en forme de U accolée à ladite deuxième partie (30) à une distance permettant une attraction de la palette lorsque le conducteur (16, 18, 20) associé est parcouru par un courant de court-circuit. 9 . Circuit breaker according to 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the trip unit (12) carries a third part of the magnetic circuit in the form of a pallet (66) arranged opposite the end faces of the legs of a fourth part of the magnetic circuit (88) U-shaped contiguous to said second part (30) at a distance allowing attraction of the pallet when the associated conductor (16, 18, 20 ) is traversed by a short-circuit current.
EP79420029A 1978-06-23 1979-06-11 Circuit breaker with removable release unit Expired EP0007283B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7819422A FR2429487A1 (en) 1978-06-23 1978-06-23 CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH REMOVABLE TRIGGER BLOCK
FR7819422 1978-06-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0007283A1 true EP0007283A1 (en) 1980-01-23
EP0007283B1 EP0007283B1 (en) 1982-12-15

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EP79420029A Expired EP0007283B1 (en) 1978-06-23 1979-06-11 Circuit breaker with removable release unit

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US (1) US4276527A (en)
EP (1) EP0007283B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS554900A (en)
CA (1) CA1113981A (en)
DE (1) DE2964259D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2429487A1 (en)

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FR2585877A1 (en) * 1985-07-31 1987-02-06 Merlin Gerin MAGNETOTHERMIC TRIGGER ASSOCIATED WITH THE MECHANISM OF A MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH INSULATING HOUSING
US4714907A (en) * 1985-07-31 1987-12-22 Merlin Gerin Miniature electrical circuit breaker with multiple moving contacts and thermomagnetic trip release

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FR2598027B1 (en) * 1986-04-23 1990-10-12 Telemecanique Electrique PROTECTED INVERTER CONTACTOR DEVICE CONTAINING CURRENT OVERCURRENTS
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0007283B1 (en) 1982-12-15
FR2429487B1 (en) 1981-05-22
DE2964259D1 (en) 1983-01-20
JPS554900A (en) 1980-01-14
FR2429487A1 (en) 1980-01-18
CA1113981A (en) 1981-12-08
US4276527A (en) 1981-06-30

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