EP0148058A2 - Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric characteristics - Google Patents

Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric characteristics Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0148058A2
EP0148058A2 EP84402497A EP84402497A EP0148058A2 EP 0148058 A2 EP0148058 A2 EP 0148058A2 EP 84402497 A EP84402497 A EP 84402497A EP 84402497 A EP84402497 A EP 84402497A EP 0148058 A2 EP0148058 A2 EP 0148058A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
partition
circuit breaker
arc
chamber
housing
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
EP84402497A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0148058A3 (en
EP0148058B1 (en
Inventor
Louis Boillot
Gilbert Mora
Jean-Pierre Roulet-Dubonnet
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=9295635&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0148058(A2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Priority to AT84402497T priority Critical patent/ATE41718T1/en
Publication of EP0148058A2 publication Critical patent/EP0148058A2/en
Publication of EP0148058A3 publication Critical patent/EP0148058A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0148058B1 publication Critical patent/EP0148058B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/346—Details concerning the arc formation chamber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H2009/305—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts including means for screening for arc gases as protection of mechanism against hot arc gases or for keeping arc gases in the arc chamber
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/302—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a miniature electrical circuit breaker with insulating molded housing having an arc-forming chamber, containing a pair of separable contacts, an arc-extinguishing chamber communicating with the arc-forming chamber and a chamber. housing the mechanism, separated from the arc-forming chamber by an intermediate insulating partition having a rectangular opening through the support arm of the movable contact, said opening being elongated in the direction of movement of said arm and delimited laterally by two ribs insulating said partition framing said arm with little play and extending to the side walls of the molded housing.
  • Degradation products mainly composed of carbon, metals and oxides, are preferably deposited on the ribs and in the corners, wherever the gas flow which drives them is deflected by an obstacle. They are deposited in particular on the intermediate partition between the arc-forming chamber and the chamber containing the mechanism, which partition obstructs the passage of gases towards the circuit-breaker mechanism and imposes a circulation of gases and a displacement of the arc towards the breaking chamber.
  • this light partition extends as short as possible between the insulators on the fixed contact side and the insulators on the movable contact side.
  • This arrangement has the defect of creating a preferred line of path between the fixed contact and the movable contact which degrades the dielectric strength of the device.
  • the present invention aims to improve the dielectric strength of the circuit breaker and it is characterized in that said ribs extend at least over part of their length parallel to the equipotential lines of the electric field generated inside said housing in the separation zone of said contacts in the open position.
  • the part of the partition constituted by the ribs parallel to the equipotential lines is subjected to a zero potential gradient, which prohibits any initiation of progression along the ribs of the partition, even if these are polluted by deposits liable to affect the dielectric strength.
  • the light partition can be continuous, the ribs being connected on both sides by rounded parts to the walls delimiting the formation chamber so as to limit as much as possible the communication opening and therefore the volume of gas. likely to escape from the formation chamber to the mechanism chamber.
  • the partition in this case has an S-shape, the central part of which is parallel to the equipotentials and the ends of which are connected to the insulating parts neighboring the fixed contact and the movable contact respectively.
  • the light partition may be integral or come from molding with the shells constituting the insulating molded housing. This partition may also belong to or be integral with arc blowing cheeks disposed in the arc-forming chamber, so as to laterally frame the movable contact.
  • the gain in dielectric strength after switching off the devices can reach 50% and depends, among other things, on the thickness of the light partition, a possible path can only occur by perforating the partition or crossing the latter to find a potential gradient favorable to its development.
  • the particular form according to the invention of the light partition is applicable to all devices which must guarantee galvanic isolation, in particular in devices undergoing pollution of insulating materials. By preventing any path, the avalanche effect resulting from the decomposition into gas of the insulators exposed to this path is avoided.
  • the pole comprises a housing 10 of a molded insulating material having on the front face 12 a handle 14 for operating the circuit breaker, and on the two narrow lateral faces of the connection terminals 16, 18. Inside the housing 10 are housed a fixed contact 22 which cooperates with a movable contact 20 pivotally mounted on an axis 24.
  • the housing 10 further comprises a thermal trip device 26 and a electromagnetic trip device 28 capable of causing an automatic opening of the contacts 20, 22 in the event of an overload or short-circuit.
  • a breaking chamber 30 constituted by a stack of sheets 32 extending parallel to the rear face 34 of the housing 10.
  • Fixing claws 36 integral with the rear face 34 are capable of cooperating with a symmetrical DIN rail for support in a manner well known to specialists.
  • an arc-forming chamber 38 containing the fixed contact 22 and the movable contact 20.
  • the arc-forming chamber 38 communicates freely with the interrupting chamber 30, the opposite side being delimited by an insulating wall 40 along which extends an arc horn 42 connecting the fixed contact 22 to the end plate 32 attached to the rear face 34.
  • a partition designated by the general reference 44 Between the arc-forming chamber 38 and the chamber arranged in the upper part of the housing 10 extends a partition designated by the general reference 44.
  • the partition 44 has a lumen 48 for passage of the arm 46 for supporting the movable contact 20 to allow free movement of the latter from the position closed shown in fig. 1 in the open position shown in FIG. 3.
  • the partition 44 limits the gas leaks caused by the arc in the formation chamber 38 towards the mechanism so as to blow the arc from the formation chamber 38 towards the breaking chamber 30 where it is extinguished.
  • the lumen 48 of the partition 44 is delimited laterally by a pair of ribs 50, 52 framing the contact arm 46 with little play.
  • the ribs 50, 52 come from molding with the two shells constituting the molded housing 10.
  • the arc-forming chamber 38 is delimited laterally by a pair of cheeks 54, 56 advantageously made of gas-generating material, which borders on the shoemaker 10 of the gas recirculation conduits favoring the displacement of the arc towards the breaking chamber 30.
  • the magnetic trip device 28 comprises a yoke 58 of which a part constitutes the end sheet of the breaking chamber 30 and a metal rod 60 cooperating with the movable contact arm 46 to extract the latter towards the open position.
  • a circuit breaker is well known to specialists and it is unnecessary to describe in more detail its constitution or operation.
  • the voltage is applied between the contacts 20, 22, the arcing horn 42 being at the potential of the fixed contact 22, while the yoke 58 and the extractor rod 60 are at the potential of the movable contact 20, 46
  • the equipotential lines 69 between these conductive parts 22, 42; 20, 46, 58, 60 are plotted in FIG. 4.
  • the partition 44 with light 48 extends at least over a part 70 of its length parallel to the equipotential lines 68.
  • the bulkhead 44 in the form of a bean is separated from the insulating parts 40, 62 by discontinuities 64, 66 arranged in the zone of the bulkhead intersecting the equipotential lines.
  • the partition 44 extends continuously between the insulating part 40 on the side of the fixed contact 22 and the insulating part 62 on the side of the movable contact 20 having a general shape in S. It should be noted that the rounded shape of the parts of the ends of the light partition 44 connecting the central part 70, parallel to the equipotential lines at the walls 40, 62 of the housing 10 avoids any sharp angle liable to affect the dielectric strength.
  • the continuous partition 44 according to FIG.
  • the partition 44 can be of a different shape, the essential point being to include a part parallel or substantially parallel to the equipotential lines. This part parallel to the equipotential lines is advantageously at the level of the opening 48, but it could be at the level of the solid parts for connection to the walls of the housing 10.
  • the partition 44 comes from molding with the housing 10, but it is clear that it can be constituted by attached parts supported either by metal parts, such as the horn 42 and the cylinder head 58 , or by insulating parts, such as the cheeks 54, 56.
  • the partition 44 and more particularly the ribs 50, 52 can moreover belong to the cheeks 54, 56, the sealing of the interface between the nuts and the walls side 10 which can be ensured by embedding or interlocking in a well known manner.
  • the nature of the material and the thickness of the partition 44 are determined as a function of the required dielectric strength. It should be noted that the particular shape according to the invention of the partition 44 makes it possible to increase the isolation capacity of any switching device whatever its voltage or the type of device.
  • the present invention has made it possible to increase the dielectric strength by a particularly simple modification which does not affect the manufacturing cost of the device.

Abstract

The separation partition (44) of the arc formation chamber (38) from the mechanism of a miniature circuit breaker is formed so as to follow at least on a part of its length some equipotential lines generated between the separated contacts (20, 22) of the circuit breaker. This particular shape of the partition (44) increases the insulating level of the appliance after a fault elimination.

Description

L'invention est relative à un disjoncteur électrique miniature à boîtier moulé isolant ayant une chambre de formation d'arc, contenant une paire de contacts séparables, une chambre d'extinction d'arc communiquant avec la chambre de formation d'arc et une chambre de logement du mécanisme, séparée de la chambre de formation d'arc par une cloison isolante intermédiaire ayant une lumière rectangulaire de traversée du bras de support du contact mobile, ladite lumière étant allongée dans la direction de débattement dudit bras et délimitée latéralement par deux nervures isolantes de ladite cloison encadrant à faible jeu ledit bras et s'étendant jusqu'aux parois latérales du boîtier moulé.The invention relates to a miniature electrical circuit breaker with insulating molded housing having an arc-forming chamber, containing a pair of separable contacts, an arc-extinguishing chamber communicating with the arc-forming chamber and a chamber. housing the mechanism, separated from the arc-forming chamber by an intermediate insulating partition having a rectangular opening through the support arm of the movable contact, said opening being elongated in the direction of movement of said arm and delimited laterally by two ribs insulating said partition framing said arm with little play and extending to the side walls of the molded housing.

Lors de la coupure d'un court-circuit, l'arc qui se développe dans la chambre de coupure dégage beaucoup de chaleur et dégrade les isolants à proximité desquels il passe. De plus, les racines d'arc arrachent des particules métalliques aux contacts et aux cornes d'arc. Les produits de dégradation, composés essentiellement de carbone, de métaux et d'oxydes se déposent de préférence sur les nervures et dans les angles, partout ou le flux gazeux qui les entraîne est dévié par un -bstacle. Ils se déposent en particulier sur la cloison intermédiaire entre la chambre de formation d'arc et la chambre contenant le mécanisme, laquelle cloison fait obstacle au passage des gaz vers le mécanisme du disjoncteur et impose une circulation des gaz et un déplacement de l'arc vers la chambre de coupure. Dans toutes les réaliations connues, cette cloison à lumière s'étend au plus court entre les isolants côté contact fixe et les isolants côté contact mobile. Cette disposition a le défaut de créer une ligne privilégiée de cheminement entre le contact fixe et le contact mobile qui dégrade la tenue diélectrique de l'appareil.When breaking a short circuit, the arc that develops in the breaking chamber gives off a lot of heat and degrades the insulators near which it passes. In addition, the arc roots pull metal particles from the contacts and the arc horns. Degradation products, mainly composed of carbon, metals and oxides, are preferably deposited on the ribs and in the corners, wherever the gas flow which drives them is deflected by an obstacle. They are deposited in particular on the intermediate partition between the arc-forming chamber and the chamber containing the mechanism, which partition obstructs the passage of gases towards the circuit-breaker mechanism and imposes a circulation of gases and a displacement of the arc towards the breaking chamber. In all known embodiments, this light partition extends as short as possible between the insulators on the fixed contact side and the insulators on the movable contact side. This arrangement has the defect of creating a preferred line of path between the fixed contact and the movable contact which degrades the dielectric strength of the device.

La présente invention a pour but d'améliorer la tenue diélectrique du disjoncteur et elle est caractérisée en ce que lesdites nervures s'étendent au moins sur une partie de leur longueur parallèlement aux lignes équipotentielles du champ électrique engendré à l'intérieur dudit boîtier dans la zone de séparation desdits contacts en position ouvert.The present invention aims to improve the dielectric strength of the circuit breaker and it is characterized in that said ribs extend at least over part of their length parallel to the equipotential lines of the electric field generated inside said housing in the separation zone of said contacts in the open position.

La partie de la cloison constituée par les nervures parallèles aux lignes équipotentielles est soumise à un gradient de potentiel nul, ce qui interdit toute amorce de cheminement le long des nervures de la cloison, même si celles-ci sont polluées par des dépôts susceptibles d'affecter la rigidité diélectrique.The part of the partition constituted by the ribs parallel to the equipotential lines is subjected to a zero potential gradient, which prohibits any initiation of progression along the ribs of the partition, even if these are polluted by deposits liable to affect the dielectric strength.

La cloison à lumière peut être continue, les nervures se raccordant de part et d'autre par des parties arrondies aux parois de délimitation de la chambre de formation de façon à limiter au maximum l'ouverture de communication et de ce fait le volume de gaz susceptible de s'échapper de la chambre de formation vers la chambre du mécanisme. La cloison a dans ce cas une forme en S, dont la partie centrale est parallèle aux équipotentielles et dont les extrémités se raccordent aux pièces isolantes voisines respectivement du contact fixe et du contact mobile.The light partition can be continuous, the ribs being connected on both sides by rounded parts to the walls delimiting the formation chamber so as to limit as much as possible the communication opening and therefore the volume of gas. likely to escape from the formation chamber to the mechanism chamber. The partition in this case has an S-shape, the central part of which is parallel to the equipotentials and the ends of which are connected to the insulating parts neighboring the fixed contact and the movable contact respectively.

Si l'étanchéité requise est moins importante, il est possible de prévoir des discontinuités dans la cloison à lumière et plus particulièrement dans les parties d'extrémités coupant les lignes équipotentielles. Ces discontinuités augmentent la tenue diélectrique entre les contacts, mais au détriment de l'étanchéité.If the required seal is less important, it is possible to provide discontinuities in the light partition and more particularly in the end portions intersecting the equipotential lines. These discontinuities increase the dielectric strength between the contacts, but at the expense of sealing.

La cloison à lumière peut être solidaire ou venir de moulage avec les coquilles constituant le boîtier moulé isolant. Cette cloison peut également appartenir ou être solidaire de joues de soufflage de l'arc disposées dans la chambre de formation d'arc, de manière à encadrer latéralement le contact mobile.The light partition may be integral or come from molding with the shells constituting the insulating molded housing. This partition may also belong to or be integral with arc blowing cheeks disposed in the arc-forming chamber, so as to laterally frame the movable contact.

Le gain sur la tenue diélectrique après coupure des appareils peut atteindre 50 % et dépend entre autres de l'épaisseur de la cloison à lumière, un éventuel cheminement ne pouvant se produire que par perforation de la cloison ou franchissement de cette dernière pour trouver un gradient de potentiel favorable à son développement. La forme particulière selon l'invention de la cloison à lumière est applicable à tous les appareils devant garantir un isolement galvanique, notamment dans les appareils subissant une pollution des matières isolantes. En empêchant tout cheminement on évite l'effet d'avalanche résultant de la décomposition en gaz des isolants exposés à ce cheminement.The gain in dielectric strength after switching off the devices can reach 50% and depends, among other things, on the thickness of the light partition, a possible path can only occur by perforating the partition or crossing the latter to find a potential gradient favorable to its development. The particular form according to the invention of the light partition is applicable to all devices which must guarantee galvanic isolation, in particular in devices undergoing pollution of insulating materials. By preventing any path, the avalanche effect resulting from the decomposition into gas of the insulators exposed to this path is avoided.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement 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 d'un pôle d'un disjoncteur selon l'invention, la paroi latérale étant supposée enlevée;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe suivant la ligne II-II de la fig.1;
  • la figure 3 est une vue partielle de la fig. 1, à échelle agrandie, montrant le contact mobile en position ouvert;
  • la figure 4 est une vue analogue à celle de la fig. 3, montrant les lignes équipotentielles et une variante de forme de la cloison à lumière selon l'invention.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and shown in the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a pole of a circuit breaker according to the invention, the side wall being assumed removed;
  • Figure 2 is a section along line II-II of Fig.1;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial view of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, showing the movable contact in the open position;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing the equipotential lines and a variant form of the light partition according to the invention.

Sur la figure 1, on reconnaît le pôle d'un disjoncteur électrique miniature du type décrit dans le brevet français N° 2.468.202. Le pôle comporte un boîtier 10 en une matière isolante moulée ayant sur la face avant 12 une manette 14 de manoeuvre du disjoncteur, et sur les deux faces latérales étroites des bornes de connexion 16, 18. A l'intérieur du boîtier 10 sont logés un contact fixe 22 qui coopère avec un contact mobile 20 monté à pivotement sur un axe 24. Le boi- tier 10 comporte de plus un déclencheur thermique 26 et un déclencheur électromagnétique 28 susceptibles de provoquer en cas de surcharge ou de court-circuit une ouverture automatique des contacts 20, 22. Dans la partie inférieure du boîtier 10 est disposée une chambre de coupure 30 constituée par un empilage de tôles 32 s'étendant parallèlement à la face arrière 34 du boîtier 10. Des griffes de fixation 36 solidaires de la face arrière 34 sont susceptibles de coopérer avec un rail DIN symétrique de support d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes. A l'entrée de la chambre de coupure est disposée une chambre de formation d'arc 38 contenant le contact fixe 22 et le contact mobile 20. La chambre de formation d'arc 38 communique librement avec la chambre de coupure 30, le côté opposé étant délimité par une paroi isolante 40 le long de laquelle s'étend une corne d'arc 42 reliant le contact fixe 22 à la tôle d'extrémité 32 accolée à la face arrière 34. Entre la chambre de formation d'arc 38 et la chambre disposée dans la partie supérieure du boîtier 10 s'étend une cloison désignée par le repère général 44. La cloison 44 présente une lumière 48 de passage du bras 46 de support du contact mobile 20 pour permettre un libre débattement de ce dernier de la position fermée représentée à la fig. 1 à la position ouverte représentée à la fig. 3. La cloison 44 limite les fuites de gaz engendrées par l'arc dans la chambre de formation 38 vers le mécanisme de façon à souffler l'arc de la chambre de formation 38 vers la chambre de coupure 30 où il s'éteint. En se référant à la fig. 2, on voit que la lumière 48 de la cloison 44 est délimitée latéralement par une paire de nervures 50, 52 encadrant à faible jeu le bras de contact 46. Dans l'exemple représenté sur la fig. 2, les nervures 50,52 viennent de moulage avec les deux coquilles de constitution du boîtier moulé 10. La chambre de formation d'arc 38 est délimitée latéralement par une paire de joues 54, 56 avantageusement en matériau gazogène, qui confine avec le bottier 10 des conduits de recirculation des gaz favorisant le déplacement de l'arc vers la chambre de coupure 30. Le déclencheur magnétique 28 comporte une culasse 58 dont une partie constitue la tôle d'extrémité de la chambre de coupure 30 ainsi qu'une tige métallique 60 coopérant avec le bras de contact mobile 46 pour extraire ce dernier vers la position d'ouverture. Un tel disjoncteur est bien connu des spécialistes et il est inutile de décrire plus en détail sa constitution ou son fonctionnement.In Figure 1, we recognize the pole of a miniature electric circuit breaker of the type described in French Patent No. 2,468,202. The pole comprises a housing 10 of a molded insulating material having on the front face 12 a handle 14 for operating the circuit breaker, and on the two narrow lateral faces of the connection terminals 16, 18. Inside the housing 10 are housed a fixed contact 22 which cooperates with a movable contact 20 pivotally mounted on an axis 24. The housing 10 further comprises a thermal trip device 26 and a electromagnetic trip device 28 capable of causing an automatic opening of the contacts 20, 22 in the event of an overload or short-circuit. In the lower part of the housing 10 is disposed a breaking chamber 30 constituted by a stack of sheets 32 extending parallel to the rear face 34 of the housing 10. Fixing claws 36 integral with the rear face 34 are capable of cooperating with a symmetrical DIN rail for support in a manner well known to specialists. At the entrance to the interrupting chamber is arranged an arc-forming chamber 38 containing the fixed contact 22 and the movable contact 20. The arc-forming chamber 38 communicates freely with the interrupting chamber 30, the opposite side being delimited by an insulating wall 40 along which extends an arc horn 42 connecting the fixed contact 22 to the end plate 32 attached to the rear face 34. Between the arc-forming chamber 38 and the chamber arranged in the upper part of the housing 10 extends a partition designated by the general reference 44. The partition 44 has a lumen 48 for passage of the arm 46 for supporting the movable contact 20 to allow free movement of the latter from the position closed shown in fig. 1 in the open position shown in FIG. 3. The partition 44 limits the gas leaks caused by the arc in the formation chamber 38 towards the mechanism so as to blow the arc from the formation chamber 38 towards the breaking chamber 30 where it is extinguished. Referring to fig. 2, it can be seen that the lumen 48 of the partition 44 is delimited laterally by a pair of ribs 50, 52 framing the contact arm 46 with little play. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ribs 50, 52 come from molding with the two shells constituting the molded housing 10. The arc-forming chamber 38 is delimited laterally by a pair of cheeks 54, 56 advantageously made of gas-generating material, which borders on the shoemaker 10 of the gas recirculation conduits favoring the displacement of the arc towards the breaking chamber 30. The magnetic trip device 28 comprises a yoke 58 of which a part constitutes the end sheet of the breaking chamber 30 and a metal rod 60 cooperating with the movable contact arm 46 to extract the latter towards the open position. Such a circuit breaker is well known to specialists and it is unnecessary to describe in more detail its constitution or operation.

En position ouvert du disjoncteur, représentée sur les fig. 3 et 4, la tension est appliquée entre les contacts 20, 22, la corne d'arc 42 étant au potentiel du contact fixe 22, tandis que la culasse 58 et la tige d'extracteur 60 sont au potentiel du contact mobile 20, 46. Les lignes équipotentielles 69 entre ces pièces conductrices 22, 42; 20, 46, 58, 60 sont tracées sur la fig. 4. A proximité du contact fixe 22 est disposée la paroi isolante 40 appartenant au boîtier 10, une paroi isolante 62 du boîtier 10 s'étendant à l'arrière du contact mobile 20, 46 en position ouvert. Selon la présente invention, la cloison 44 à lumière 48 s'étend au moins sur une partie 70 de sa longueur parallèlement aux lignés équipotentielles 68. Dans le mode de réalisation selon la fig. 3, la cloison 44 en forme ue haricot est séparée des parties isolantes 40, 62 par des discontinuités 64, 66 disposées dans la zone de la cloison coupant les lignes équipotentielles. Dans l'exemple représenté sur la fig. 4, la cloison 44 s'étend en continu entre la pièce isolante 40 du côté du contact fixe 22 et la pièce isolante 62 du côté du contact mobile 20 en ayant une forme générale en S. Il convient de noter que la forme arrondie des parties d'extrémités de la cloison 44 à lumière raccordant la partie centrale 70, parallèle aux lignes équipotentielles aux parois 40, 62 du boi- tier 10 évite tout angle vif susceptible d'affecter la rigidité diélectrique. La cloison continue 44 selon la fig. 4 assure une meilleure étanchéité mais une tenue diélectrique inférieure à celle de la cloison à discontinuités 64, 66, représentée à la fig. 3. Il est clair que la cloison 44 peut être d'une forme différente, le point essentiel étant de comporter une partie parallèle ou sensiblement parallèle aux lignes équipotentielles. Cette partie parallèle aux lignes équipotentielles est avantageusement au niveau de l'ouverture 48, mais elle pourrait être au niveau des parties pleines de raccordement aux parois du boîtier 10.In the open position of the circuit breaker, shown in figs. 3 and 4, the voltage is applied between the contacts 20, 22, the arcing horn 42 being at the potential of the fixed contact 22, while the yoke 58 and the extractor rod 60 are at the potential of the movable contact 20, 46 The equipotential lines 69 between these conductive parts 22, 42; 20, 46, 58, 60 are plotted in FIG. 4. Near the fixed contact 22 is arranged the insulating wall 40 belonging to the housing 10, an insulating wall 62 of the housing 10 extending at the rear of the movable contact 20, 46 in the open position. According to the present invention, the partition 44 with light 48 extends at least over a part 70 of its length parallel to the equipotential lines 68. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the bulkhead 44 in the form of a bean is separated from the insulating parts 40, 62 by discontinuities 64, 66 arranged in the zone of the bulkhead intersecting the equipotential lines. In the example shown in fig. 4, the partition 44 extends continuously between the insulating part 40 on the side of the fixed contact 22 and the insulating part 62 on the side of the movable contact 20 having a general shape in S. It should be noted that the rounded shape of the parts of the ends of the light partition 44 connecting the central part 70, parallel to the equipotential lines at the walls 40, 62 of the housing 10 avoids any sharp angle liable to affect the dielectric strength. The continuous partition 44 according to FIG. 4 provides better sealing but a lower dielectric strength than that of the discontinuity partition 64, 66, shown in FIG. 3. It is clear that the partition 44 can be of a different shape, the essential point being to include a part parallel or substantially parallel to the equipotential lines. This part parallel to the equipotential lines is advantageously at the level of the opening 48, but it could be at the level of the solid parts for connection to the walls of the housing 10.

Dans l'exemple représenté sur les figures, la cloison 44 vient de moulage avec le boîtier 10, mais il est clair qu'elle peut être constituée par des pièces rapportées supportées soit par des pièces métalliques, telles que la corne 42 et la culasse 58, soit par des pièces isolantes, telles que les joues 54, 56. La cloison 44 et plus particulièrement les nervures 50,52 peuvent d'ailleurs appartenir aux joues 54, 56, l'étanchéité de l'interface entre les foues et les parois latérales 10 pouvant être assurée par un encastrement ou emboîtement d'une manière bien connue. La nature du matériau et l'épaisseur de la cloison 44 sont déterminées en fonction de la tenue diélectrique requise. Il est à noter que la forme particulière selon l'invention de la cloison 44 permet d'accroître la capacité d'isolement de tout appareil de coupure quelle que soit sa tension ou le type d'appareil. l.a présente invention a permis d'accroi- tre la tenue diélectrique par une modification particulièrement simple n'affectant pas le oût de fabrication de l'appareil.In the example shown in the figures, the partition 44 comes from molding with the housing 10, but it is clear that it can be constituted by attached parts supported either by metal parts, such as the horn 42 and the cylinder head 58 , or by insulating parts, such as the cheeks 54, 56. The partition 44 and more particularly the ribs 50, 52 can moreover belong to the cheeks 54, 56, the sealing of the interface between the nuts and the walls side 10 which can be ensured by embedding or interlocking in a well known manner. The nature of the material and the thickness of the partition 44 are determined as a function of the required dielectric strength. It should be noted that the particular shape according to the invention of the partition 44 makes it possible to increase the isolation capacity of any switching device whatever its voltage or the type of device. The present invention has made it possible to increase the dielectric strength by a particularly simple modification which does not affect the manufacturing cost of the device.

L'invention n'est bien entendu nullement limitée au mode de mise en oeuvre plus particulièrement décrit.The invention is of course by no means limited to the mode of implementation more particularly described.

Claims (6)

1. Disjoncteur électrique miniature à boîtier (10) moulé isolant iyant une chambre (38) de formation d'arc, contenant une paire de contacts (20, 22) séparables, une chambre (30) d'extinction d'arc communiquant avec la chambre (38) de formation d'arc et une chambre de logement du mécanisme, séparée de la chambre (38) de formation d'arc par une cloison (44) isolante intermédiaire ayant une lumière (48) rectangulaire de traversée du bras (46) de support du contact (20) mobile, ladite lumière (48) étant allongée dans la direction de débattement dudit bras (46) et délimitée latéralement par deux nervures (50, 52) isolantes de ladite cloison (44) encadrant à faible jeu ledit bras (46) et s'fendant jusqu'aux parois latérales du boîtier (10) moulé, caractérisé en ce que lesdites nervures (50, 52) s'étendent au moins sur une partie de leur longueur parallèlement aux lignes équipotentielles du champ électrique engendré à l'intérieur dudit boîtier (10) dans la zone de séparation desdits contacts (20, 22) en position ouvert.1. Miniature electrical circuit breaker with insulated molded housing (10) having an arc-forming chamber (38) containing a pair of separable contacts (20, 22), an arc-extinguishing chamber (30) communicating with the arc-forming chamber (38) and a mechanism housing chamber, separated from the arc-forming chamber (38) by an insulating partition (44) having a rectangular opening (48) passing through the arm (46) ) for supporting the movable contact (20), said lumen (48) being elongated in the direction of movement of said arm (46) and delimited laterally by two ribs (50, 52) insulating from said partition (44) framing said play with little play arm (46) and extending to the side walls of the molded housing (10), characterized in that said ribs (50, 52) extend at least over part of their length parallel to the equipotential lines of the generated electric field inside said housing (10) in the separation zone of said contacts (20, 22) in the open position. 2. Disjoncteur électrique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite cloison (44) à lumière (48) s'étend entre les parois (40, 62) isolantes de délimitation de la chambre (38) de formation respectivement du côté du contact (22) fixe et du côté du contact (20) mobile en position ouvert.2. An electric circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that said partition (44) with light (48) extends between the insulating walls (40, 62) delimiting the chamber (38) forming respectively on the contact side. (22) fixed and on the contact side (20) movable in the open position. 3. Disjoncteur électrique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la partie centrale de ladite cloison (44) à lumière (48) s'étend parallèlement aux équipotentielles, les parties d'extrémités se raccordant en arrondi aux parois (40, 62) isolantes de délimitation de la chambre (38) de formation pour constituer une cloison en forme de S.3. An electrical circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central part of said partition (44) with light (48) extends parallel to the equipotentials, the end parts being connected in roundness to the walls (40, 62) insulating delimitation of the formation chamber (38) to constitute an S-shaped partition. 4. Disjoncteur électrique selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite cloison (44) à lumière présente une ou plusieurs discontinuités (64, 66) dans sa et ses parties coupant lesdites lignes équipotentielles.4. An electrical circuit breaker according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said light partition (44) has one or more discontinuities (64, 66) in its and its parts intersecting said equipotential lines. 5. Disjoncteur électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit boîtier (10) comporte deux coquilles accolées, ladite cloison (44) à lumière venant de moulage avec lesdites coquilles.5. An electrical circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said housing (10) comprises two adjoining shells, said partition (44) light coming from molding with said shells. 6. Disjoncteur électrique selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou - 4, caractérisé en ce que la chambre (38) de formation d'arc est délimitée latéralement par deux Joues (54, 56) isolantes en forme de plaques encadrant ledit contact (20) mobile, ladite cloison (44) à lumière étant portée par lesdites plaques et se raccordant latéralement audit boîtier.6. An electric circuit breaker according to claim 1, 2, 3 or - 4, characterized in that the arc-forming chamber (38) is delimited laterally by two insulating cheeks (54, 56) in the form of plates framing said contact ( 20) movable, said light partition (44) being carried by said plates and connecting laterally to said housing.
EP84402497A 1983-12-26 1984-12-05 Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric characteristics Expired EP0148058B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84402497T ATE41718T1 (en) 1983-12-26 1984-12-05 MINIATURE SWITCH WITH DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8320899A FR2557354B1 (en) 1983-12-26 1983-12-26 MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH IMPROVED DIELECTRIC HOLD
FR8320899 1983-12-26

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0148058A2 true EP0148058A2 (en) 1985-07-10
EP0148058A3 EP0148058A3 (en) 1985-08-14
EP0148058B1 EP0148058B1 (en) 1989-03-22

Family

ID=9295635

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84402497A Expired EP0148058B1 (en) 1983-12-26 1984-12-05 Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric characteristics

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US4604507A (en)
EP (1) EP0148058B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0782798B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE41718T1 (en)
AU (1) AU566392B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1220248A (en)
DE (1) DE3477442D1 (en)
ES (1) ES8604003A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2557354B1 (en)
HK (1) HK93693A (en)
ZA (1) ZA849842B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0251160A2 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-07 Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Quenching device for electric circuit breaker
DE3908102A1 (en) * 1989-03-13 1990-09-20 Licentia Gmbh Automatic circuit breaker, especially a line protective circuit breaker
FR2757675A1 (en) * 1996-12-23 1998-06-26 Schneider Electric Sa Circuit breaker with screen against projections of ionised gas
CN104201074A (en) * 2014-09-16 2014-12-10 长城电器集团有限公司 Energy-saving miniature circuit breaker

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3339401A1 (en) * 1983-10-29 1985-05-09 Sursum Elektrizitätsgesellschaft Leyhausen GmbH & Co, 8500 Nürnberg SELF-SWITCH TO POSITION ON RAIL
CN1037794C (en) * 1994-02-10 1998-03-18 松下电工株式会社 A circuit breaker
KR20030016063A (en) * 2001-08-20 2003-02-26 엘지산전 주식회사 structure for preventing grounding and dust in Molded Case Circuit Breaker
US7864004B2 (en) * 2006-12-29 2011-01-04 General Electric Company Activation for switching apparatus
CN101916695B (en) * 2010-08-06 2012-08-29 上海良信电器股份有限公司 Double-layer electric arc isolation device of miniature circuit breaker

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2733312A (en) * 1956-01-31 christensen
GB905639A (en) * 1959-06-16 1962-09-12 Crabtree & Co Ltd J A Improvements in electric circuit breakers
US3842376A (en) * 1971-08-02 1974-10-15 Heinemann Electric Co Fastener and circuit breaker case
US3953812A (en) * 1974-10-09 1976-04-27 General Electric Company Electric circuit breaker
EP0080924A1 (en) * 1981-11-27 1983-06-08 Merlin Gerin Miniature circuit breaker with two juxtaposed extinguishing chambers

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE617864A (en) * 1961-05-29
US4011420A (en) * 1975-01-22 1977-03-08 General Electric Company Molded case circuit breaker with improved interrupting capacity

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2733312A (en) * 1956-01-31 christensen
GB905639A (en) * 1959-06-16 1962-09-12 Crabtree & Co Ltd J A Improvements in electric circuit breakers
US3842376A (en) * 1971-08-02 1974-10-15 Heinemann Electric Co Fastener and circuit breaker case
US3953812A (en) * 1974-10-09 1976-04-27 General Electric Company Electric circuit breaker
EP0080924A1 (en) * 1981-11-27 1983-06-08 Merlin Gerin Miniature circuit breaker with two juxtaposed extinguishing chambers

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0251160A2 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-07 Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Quenching device for electric circuit breaker
EP0251160A3 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-08-24 Brown, Boveri & Cie Aktiengesellschaft Quenching device for electric circuit breaker
DE3908102A1 (en) * 1989-03-13 1990-09-20 Licentia Gmbh Automatic circuit breaker, especially a line protective circuit breaker
FR2757675A1 (en) * 1996-12-23 1998-06-26 Schneider Electric Sa Circuit breaker with screen against projections of ionised gas
CN104201074A (en) * 2014-09-16 2014-12-10 长城电器集团有限公司 Energy-saving miniature circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2557354A1 (en) 1985-06-28
ES538790A0 (en) 1986-01-16
ATE41718T1 (en) 1989-04-15
AU566392B2 (en) 1987-10-15
JPH0782798B2 (en) 1995-09-06
CA1220248A (en) 1987-04-07
DE3477442D1 (en) 1989-04-27
JPS60227332A (en) 1985-11-12
FR2557354B1 (en) 1986-09-05
US4604507A (en) 1986-08-05
ZA849842B (en) 1985-08-28
AU3716884A (en) 1985-07-04
EP0148058A3 (en) 1985-08-14
EP0148058B1 (en) 1989-03-22
HK93693A (en) 1993-09-17
ES8604003A1 (en) 1986-01-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0296915B1 (en) Rotating switch with curved arc-runner path
EP1995747B1 (en) Interrupter tube and circuit breaker equipped with such an interrupter tube
EP0410902A1 (en) Low tension circuit-breaker for high currents with multiple contacts
FR2923649A1 (en) CUTTING CHAMBER AND CIRCUIT BREAKER EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CUTTING CHAMBER.
EP0206882B1 (en) Low voltage circuit breaker with interruption
EP1115132B1 (en) Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields
EP0148058B1 (en) Miniature circuit breaker with improved dielectric characteristics
EP0012048B1 (en) Rotating arc switch
FR2520927A1 (en) VACUUM CHAMBER FOR ARC EXTINGUISHING
FR2596578A1 (en) ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH AUTOEXPANSION AND ROTATING ARC
EP3133626B1 (en) Electrical circuit breaker
FR2841682A1 (en) VACUUM BULB FOR AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE APPARATUS SUCH AS A SWITCH OR A CIRCUIT BREAKER
FR2475290A1 (en) Electrode chamber for LV isolating switch - has two-part arc guide plates and parallel metallic deionising electrodes
EP0768692A1 (en) Autoexpansion circuit breaker with insulating gas
EP2936529B1 (en) Unitary cut-off block and cut-off device, in particular contact switch comprising at least one such block
EP0095406A1 (en) Switch with rotating arc and permanent magnet
EP0047696A2 (en) Miniature circuit breaker with arcing-contacts
EP0657907B1 (en) Current interrupting part of a switching device in particular of a contactor or a circuit breaker
FR2632772A1 (en) Low-voltage circuit breaker with magnetic blasting of the arc by a permanent magnet
EP2771897B1 (en) Arc quench chamber provided with a tube for limiting the impact of the particle generation, and electrical switching apparatus provided with such an arc quench chamber
FR2584230A1 (en) Arc extinction chamber for low-voltage circuit breaker with cutout in air
FR2711012A1 (en) Circuit breaker with improved arc extinction chamber.
FR2733352A1 (en) Switch for current limiter
EP0713232A1 (en) Arc chamber for an electrical circuit breaker
FR3059460A1 (en) CHAMBER FOR RELAXATION OF A DIFFERENTIAL CIRCUIT BREAKER AND CIRCUIT BREAKER THUS EQUIPPED

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE GB IT LI NL SE

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE GB IT LI NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19851219

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19870930

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: INTERPATENT ST.TECN. BREV.

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE GB IT LI NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19890322

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19890322

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 41718

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19890415

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3477442

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19890427

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 19891218

Year of fee payment: 6

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
ITTA It: last paid annual fee
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19901231

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19901231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19931125

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19940131

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Effective date: 19941205

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19941231

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 84402497.6

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: MERLIN GERIN

Effective date: 19941231

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19941205

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19961218

Year of fee payment: 13

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19971206

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 84402497.6

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20021203

Year of fee payment: 19

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040701