EP0205369A1 - Low tension circuit breaker with a shunt effect - Google Patents

Low tension circuit breaker with a shunt effect Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0205369A1
EP0205369A1 EP86401048A EP86401048A EP0205369A1 EP 0205369 A1 EP0205369 A1 EP 0205369A1 EP 86401048 A EP86401048 A EP 86401048A EP 86401048 A EP86401048 A EP 86401048A EP 0205369 A1 EP0205369 A1 EP 0205369A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contacts
circuit
pair
circuit breaker
arc
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86401048A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Roulet-Dubonnet
Claude Terracol
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
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Publication date
Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Publication of EP0205369A1 publication Critical patent/EP0205369A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01H71/002—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00 with provision for switching the neutral conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H79/00—Protective switches in which excess current causes the closing of contacts, e.g. for short-circuiting the apparatus to be protected
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H89/00—Combinations of two or more different basic types of electric switches, relays, selectors and emergency protective devices, not covered by any single one of the other main groups of this subclass
    • H01H89/06—Combination of a manual reset circuit with a contactor, i.e. the same circuit controlled by both a protective and a remote control device
    • 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
    • H01H9/46—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using arcing horns
    • H01H9/465—Shunt circuit closed by transferring the arc onto an auxiliary electrode

Definitions

  • Document US-A-2 924 752 describes a three-pole shunt-effect circuit breaker, which provides effective protection of cables and receivers downstream of the circuit breaker by creating a short circuit internal to the circuit breaker when the latter is opened.
  • the short circuit appears on the three phases and the three pairs of contacts are subjected to the short circuit current and are equipped with breaking chambers. The interest of such a circuit breaker is limited.
  • the present invention starts from the observation that the shunt effect of protecting cables can be used in certain cases for the protection of elements of the circuit breaker, which can then be simplified or arranged to perform additional functions.
  • the circuit breaker according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a second mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of said second pair of contacts, arranged to give said second pair of contacts an electrodynamic resistance significantly lower than that of said first pair of contacts, said circuit breaker being bipolar.
  • the invention is described below as being applied to a protection circuit breaker of a single-phase installation, supplied by the phase and the neutral, but it is applicable to two-phase installations.
  • the switching of the arc on the electrode causes a real short circuit of an intensity higher than that of the downstream short circuit, but it has the advantage of shunting this circuit downstream and effectively protecting the receivers of the installation and components of the circuit breaker downstream of the shunt circuit.
  • the shunt circuit directly connects the phase and neutral input terminals and only includes the arc extinguishing chamber associated with the phase contacts, so as to protect the neutral contacts of the circuit breaker by a suitably sized impedance. It should be noted that only an opening on short-circuit causes an arc sufficiently intense to be switched on the electrode creating the short-circuit in the shunt circuit.
  • the arc or the spark is extinguished before switching to the electrode.
  • the electrodynamic behavior of the neutral contacts can be significantly lower than that of the phase contacts and they can be simplified and actuated by an elementary mechanism.
  • Neutral contacts can be used to make a remote control or a contactor by actuating the mechanism by an electromagnet.
  • the switching electrode can be associated with the fixed phase contact, that is to say be arranged to pick up the arc root drawn on the fixed contact or conversely be associated with the movable contact, the operation being of course identical.
  • the circuit breaker has advantageously two compartments or two adjacent poles, one reserved for the phase circuit and the other for the neutral circuit.
  • the remote control electromagnet is housed in the part of the neutral circuit, connection terminals for the control wires being arranged on this part.
  • the invention is of course usable on a circuit breaker without a remote control, the neutral contacts then being advantageously incorporated in an available space in the phase pole.
  • the connection between the phase and neutral pole can advantageously be achieved by coupling the two handles.
  • the invention is applicable to a circuit breaker whose phase and neutral poles are independent, the neutral contacts being used for example only for a remote control.
  • the housing is advantageously of the modular miniature type.
  • the circuit breaker according to the invention is associated with or comprises a contactor, for example static, connected in series or incorporated in the circuit breaker to constitute the neutral contacts, for opening or closing the distribution circuit in normal operation, said contactor being protected by the shunt circuit, in case of short circuit.
  • a contactor for example static, connected in series or incorporated in the circuit breaker to constitute the neutral contacts, for opening or closing the distribution circuit in normal operation, said contactor being protected by the shunt circuit, in case of short circuit.
  • the perfect protection of the downstream circuit by the circuit breaker according to the invention allows a new type of command to open the circuit breaker by creating or simulating a short circuit.
  • This short circuit naturally causes tripping of the circuit breaker by the electromagnetic trip device, with intervention of the shunt circuit to protect the simulation circuit, which advantageously includes a resistor for limiting the short circuit current to a value just sufficient for instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker.
  • the simulation circuit sees the current for a very short period, which allows the use of simple components, for example a triac or thyristor for controlling the opening or closing of the simulation circuit.
  • the order can come from an electronic circuit providing a remote control or additional protection, for example differential protection.
  • the circuit breaker includes a differential transformer measuring any imbalance between the phase current and the neutral current to emit a command signal to close the simulation circuit, during an earth fault.
  • a miniature circuit breaker of the modular type comprises an insulating housing 10 capable of being fixed on a symmetrical DIN rail.
  • the housing 10 can be subdivided into two compartments 12, 14, by a transverse partition 16 or be made up of two independent contiguous housings, in particular two unipolar housings having a standard width of 18 mm.
  • compartment 14 is housed the circuit circuit of the circuit breaker, represented - schematically in section in FIG. 2.
  • the general arrangement corresponds to that described in French patent application No. 84 10995, filed on July 9, 1984, but it It is clear that the invention is applicable to any other type of circuit breaker.
  • phase circuit comprises, connected in series, the input terminal 18, the coil of the magnetic trip unit 22, the fixed contact 26, the movable contact 28, a braid 30 for connection to the bimetallic strip 24 and the output terminal 20
  • control lever 32 On the front face of the housing 10 is disposed a control lever 32, which actuates a mechanism designated by the general reference 34 having a trigger lock 36 capable of being actuated by the trigger 22 and the bimetallic strip 24.
  • a breaking chamber 38 is housed in the lower part of the housing 10, the lower sheet of the chamber 38 being extended by an electrode 40 arranged as an arc guide.
  • the electrode 40 is connected by a braid 43 to an input terminal 44 of the neutral compartment 12.
  • the braid 43 passes, for example, through an orifice formed in the partition 16 or the side walls of the two bomers, in the case of a modular system.
  • the braid 43 can be usefully omitted if a single cut / folded piece constitutes both the electrode 40 and the input terminal 44.
  • FIG. 3 represents the neutral circuit, housed in compartment 12, it can be seen that the neutral input terminal 44 is connected to the braid 43 and to a fixed contact 46 which cooperates with a contact mobile 48, connected by a braid 50 to the neutral output terminal 52.
  • the mobile contact 48 is connected by a stirrup 54 to a manual control handle 56 coupled by a clearance link 58 to the adjacent handle 32.
  • the mechanism which is not described in detail, is arranged so that a pivoting of the levers 56, 32, causes a separation of the phase contacts 28, 26, 42, before the separation of the neutral contacts 46, 48.
  • a reverse pivoting of the coupled levers 56, 32 causes the closing of the neutral contacts 46, 48, before that of the phase contacts 28, 26, 42.
  • the latter releases the lock 36, authorizing pivoting of the movable contact phase 28 under the action of a spring (not re presented) causing the separation of the contacts 28, 26, 42, and the formation of an arc.
  • the root of the arc anchored on the movable phase contact 28 quickly switches to the electrode 40 by creating the closure of a shunt circuit comprising the braid 43.
  • the current entering at a given time by the input terminal of phase 18 traverses the fixed contact 42, the arc extending between this contact and the electrode 40 and the braid 43 to exit via the neutral input terminal 44 by creating an internal short circuit of a very short path .
  • the shunt circuit is interrupted by the extinction of the arc in the chamber 38.
  • an electromagnetic actuator 60 for example in the location freed by the removal of the breaking chamber and the magnetic trigger.
  • This actuator 60 comprises a pusher 62 capable of cooperating with stops 64, 66, formed on the body of the lever 56.
  • the stops 64, 66 are separated by a V-shaped projection 68 disposed in the middle part, pushing the pusher 62 selectively to the left or to the right to cooperate selectively with the stops 64, 66.
  • the actuator 60 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 70 and biased by an elastic blade 72 in the straight position.
  • the actuator comprises a coil (not shown) whose supply wires 74 are connected to terminals 75 allowing remote control of the actuator 60.
  • the actuator assembly 60, stops 64, 66 is of a well known type in the remote control switches allowing, by excitation of the actuator box 60, tilting of the lever 56, respectively to the right, and to the left, with each new pulse.
  • the actuator 60 of the remote control type can be replaced by an actuator of the contactor type bringing the handle or the mechanism of the circuit breaker 10 in the closed position, during a supply of the electromagnet of the actuator and the movement of the mechanism in the open position when the actuator supply current is interrupted. There is no need to describe such mechanisms which are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the use of the circuit breaker as a remote control switch or contactor is possible thanks to the improved protection of the neutral contact surfaces, protected from the action of the arc by the switching of the short-circuit current in the shunt circuit.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 the current is switched in the shunt circuit by a transfer of the arc root anchored on the movable contact 28 on the switching electrode 40. It is clear that this switching can be carried out in a different way, in particular by transferring the root of the arc anchored on the fixed contact 26 to an electrode 40 connected to the neutral input terminal 44.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates such a variant of embodiment which differs from that according to FIG. 4 by an inversion connections of the fixed phase 26 and mobile phase contacts 28 and an arrangement of the electrode 40 near the fixed contact 26 for picking up the root anchored on the last contact 26.
  • the operation is of course absolutely identical to that described above. If it is desirable for a remote control to cut the phase and the neutral, an additional contact operated like the neutral contact may be provided and inserted in the electrical circuit of the phase.
  • the invention has been described above in its preferred application to a remote-controlled circuit breaker, but it can be used on conventional circuit breakers, with neutral and phase breaking as illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the absence of a remote control device, in particular actuator 60 significantly reduces the size of the neutral circuit and it is possible to accommodate the neutral contacts in the space available next to the lever 32 of the phase device.
  • the phase circuit is absolutely identical to that described above, except for the elimination of the arcing contact 42, and will not be described again.
  • the lever 32 further comprises a connecting rod 76 for connection to the movable neutral contact 78 which cooperates with a fixed neutral contact 80.
  • the neutral contacts 78, 80 are connected to neutral terminals (not shown) which can be arranged at side of phase terminals 18, 20, or any other suitable location.
  • the operation remains absolutely identical to that of the circuit breaker according to Figures 1 to 4.
  • the arrangement of the neutral circuit in the space available in the phase compartment allows a significant reduction in the width of the housing 10. It is thus possible to respect the 18 mm modular
  • Another advantageous embodiment is to have the neutral contact integral with the phase contact, but electrically isolated from the latter and still without an arc extinguishing system.
  • FIG. 7 similar to Figure 4, illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the shunt circuit 43 connects the electrode 40 to the neutral circuit via a resistor 82 for limiting the short-circuit current.
  • the value of the resistor 82 must be low to derive the greatest part of the current in the shunt circuit 43, the remaining part passing through the distribution circuit being sufficiently low so as not to damage the protected devices.
  • this connection of the shunt circuit 43 can be used with a diagram of the type represented in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is shown a simulation circuit 84 connecting the resistor 82 to the output terminal 20 of the phase circuit.
  • a alternistor 86 for example a triac or other semiconductor controlled by a trigger 88.
  • a short circuit is created between the phase circuit and the neutral circuit passing through the simulation circuit 84 and the resistor 82.
  • This short circuit is seen by the electromagnetic release 22 which causes the opening of the contacts 26, 28, with rapid switching of the arc on the electrode 40.
  • the simulation circuit 84 is shunted by the shunt circuit 43 and the current is interrupted as described above in the breaking chamber 38.
  • the trigger 88 receives the triggering order by any suitable electronic circuit, in particular as illustrated in FIG. 7, by a relay 90 supplied by a differential transformer 92.
  • This provision ition provides differential protection, the transformer 92 detecting any homopolar fault and actuating the relay 90 which emits a signal applied to the trigger 88 to make the alternator 86 conductive.
  • the conduction of the alternistor 86 simulates a short circuit which causes the circuit breaker to open.
  • FIG. 8 represents the electrical diagram of another alternative embodiment comprising a shunt circuit 43 with resistance 82 of the type illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • an alternistor 94 having a control trigger 96.
  • the alternistor 94 is connected in series with the downstream distribution circuit connected to the output terminals 20, 52, in such a way that a blocking command of the alternistor 94 causes the interruption of the supply to this downstream circuit.
  • a conduction of the alternistor 94 supplies this downstream circuit, the apparatus operating as a contactor actuated by the signals applied to the trigger 96.
  • the latter trips under the action of the electromagnetic trip device 22 with an arc between the phase contacts 26, 28, which separate. As described above ,. the arc switches to the electrode 40 causing an internal short circuit which bypasses the downstream circuit and the alternistor 94.
  • This alternistor 94 is thus protected against thermal stresses and it can be of the easily controllable electronic type.
  • the altemistor can constitute the neutral contacts.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an apparatus comprising the improvements according to FIGS. 7 and 8 combined to ensure both the circuit breaker function by the magnetic trip units 26 and the thermal trip devices 24, the differential protection function by the differential transformer 92 actuating the simulation simulator alternator 86 'a short circuit, and the contactor function by altemistor 94 connected in series with the downstream circuit.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)

Abstract

@ Un disjoncteur, notamment à coupure du circuit de phase et de neutre comprend un circuit de shunt, constitué par une électrode de commutation (40) disposée à proximité des contacts de phase (26, 28) pour capter un arc tiré entre ces contacts, lors d'une ouverture sur court-circuit. Le transfert de l'arc sur l'électrode de commutation (40) ferme un circuit de shunt, créant un court-circuit interne protégeant les câbles et les récepteurs en aval du disjoncteur - (10). Le circuit shunt est interrompu lors de l'extinction de l'arc dans la chambre de coupure (38). La commutation rapide de l'arc protège les surfaces de contact, notamment des contacts de neutre permettant l'utilisation de ces contacts pour une fonction télérupteur ou contacteur à télécommande.

Figure imgaf001
@ A circuit breaker, in particular with cut-off of the phase and neutral circuit comprises a shunt circuit, constituted by a switching electrode (40) disposed near the phase contacts (26, 28) to pick up an arc drawn between these contacts, during an opening on short circuit. The transfer of the arc to the switching electrode (40) closes a shunt circuit, creating an internal short circuit protecting the cables and the receivers downstream of the circuit breaker - (10). The shunt circuit is interrupted when the arc is extinguished in the breaking chamber (38). The rapid switching of the arc protects the contact surfaces, in particular neutral contacts allowing the use of these contacts for a remote control or contactor function.
Figure imgaf001

Description

L'invention est relative à un disjoncteur électrique basse tension ayant :

  • -un premier pôle P et un deuxième pôle N, le premier pôle P comprenant une première paire de contacts, des premières bornes d'entrée et de sortie et un premier circuit de connexion desdites premières bornes, dans lequel est insérée ladite première paire de contacts, et le deuxième pôle N comprenant une deuxième paire de contacts, des deuxièmes bornes d'entrée et de sortie et un deuxième circuit de connexion desdites deuxièmes bornes, dans lequel est insérée ladite deuxième paire de contacts,
  • -un premier mécanisme de commande d'ouverture et de fermeture manuelle et/ou d'ouverture automatique sur défaut de ladite première paire de contacts,
  • -une électrode disposée à proximité et écartée de ladite première paire de contacts pour être isolée de ces derniers contacts en position de fermeture et pour capter un arc tiré lors de l'ouverture de ladite première paire de contacts sur défaut,
  • -un circuit de shuntage connectant ladite électrode audit deuxième circuit de connexion en un point intermédiaire entre ladite deuxième borne d'entrée et ladite deuxième paire de contacts pour créer une liaison de court-circuit entre lesdits premier et deuxième circuits de connexion et shunter ladite deuxième paire de contacts, dès la commutation de l'arc sur ladite électrode et limiter le courant de défaut passant par ladite deuxième paire de contacts.
The invention relates to a low voltage electric circuit breaker having:
  • a first pole P and a second pole N, the first pole P comprising a first pair of contacts, first input and output terminals and a first connection circuit of said first terminals, into which said first pair of contacts is inserted , and the second pole N comprising a second pair of contacts, second input and output terminals and a second connection circuit of said second terminals, into which said second pair of contacts is inserted,
  • a first mechanism for controlling manual opening and closing and / or automatic opening on failure of said first pair of contacts,
  • an electrode disposed close to and spaced from said first pair of contacts in order to be isolated from these latter contacts in the closed position and to pick up an arc drawn during the opening of said first pair of contacts on fault,
  • a shunt circuit connecting said electrode to said second connection circuit at an intermediate point between said second input terminal and said second pair of contacts to create a short-circuit connection between said first and second connection circuits and shunt said second pair of contacts, upon switching of the arc on said electrode and limit the fault current passing through said second pair of contacts.

Le document US-A-2 924 752 décrit un disjoncteur tripolaire à effet shunt, qui assure une protection efficace des câbles et des récepteurs en aval du disjoncteur en créant un court-circuit interne au disjoncteur lors de l'ouverture de celui-ci. Le court-circuit apparat sur les trois phases et les trois paires de contacts sont soumises au courant de court-circuit et sont équipées de chambres de coupure. L'intérêt d'un tel disjoncteur est limité.Document US-A-2 924 752 describes a three-pole shunt-effect circuit breaker, which provides effective protection of cables and receivers downstream of the circuit breaker by creating a short circuit internal to the circuit breaker when the latter is opened. The short circuit appears on the three phases and the three pairs of contacts are subjected to the short circuit current and are equipped with breaking chambers. The interest of such a circuit breaker is limited.

La présente invention part de la constatation que l'effet shunt de protection des câbles est utilisable dans certains cas pour la protection d'éléments du disjoncteur, qui peuvent alors être simplifiés ou agencés pour réaliser des fonctions additionnelles.The present invention starts from the observation that the shunt effect of protecting cables can be used in certain cases for the protection of elements of the circuit breaker, which can then be simplified or arranged to perform additional functions.

Le disjoncteur selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un deuxième mécanisme de commande d'ouverture et de fermeture de ladite deuxième paire de contacts, agencé pour conférer à ladite deuxième paire de contacts une tenue électrodynamique notablement inférieure à celle de ladite première paire de contacts, ledit disjonctuer étant bipolaire.The circuit breaker according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a second mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of said second pair of contacts, arranged to give said second pair of contacts an electrodynamic resistance significantly lower than that of said first pair of contacts, said circuit breaker being bipolar.

L'invention est décrite ci-après comme étant appliquée à un disjoncteur de protection d'une installation monophasée, alimentée par la phase et le neutre, mais elle est applicable à des installations biphasées.The invention is described below as being applied to a protection circuit breaker of a single-phase installation, supplied by the phase and the neutral, but it is applicable to two-phase installations.

La commutation de l'arc sur l'électrode provoque un véritable court-circuit d'une intensité supérieure à celle du court-circuit en aval, mais il présente l'avantage de shunter ce circuit en aval et de protéger efficacement les récepteurs de l'installation et les composants du disjoncteur en aval du circuit shunt. Le circuit shunt connecte directement les bornes d'entrée de phase et de neutre et ne comporte que la chambre d'extinction d'arc associée aux contacts de phase, de façon à protéger les contacts de neutre du disjoncteur par une impédance judicieusement dimensionnée. Il convient de noter que seule une ouverture sur court-circuit provoque un arc suffisamment intense pour être commuté sur l'électrode créant le court-circuit dans le circuit shunt. Lors d'une commande manuelle d'ouverture du disjoncteur, pour une coupure du courant nominal ou d'une valeur légèrement supérieure, l'arc ou l'étincelle s'éteint avant la commutation sur l'électrode. La tenue électrodynamique des contacts de neutre peut être notablement inférieure à celle des contacts de phase et ils peuvent être simplifiés et actionnés par un mécanisme élémentaire..The switching of the arc on the electrode causes a real short circuit of an intensity higher than that of the downstream short circuit, but it has the advantage of shunting this circuit downstream and effectively protecting the receivers of the installation and components of the circuit breaker downstream of the shunt circuit. The shunt circuit directly connects the phase and neutral input terminals and only includes the arc extinguishing chamber associated with the phase contacts, so as to protect the neutral contacts of the circuit breaker by a suitably sized impedance. It should be noted that only an opening on short-circuit causes an arc sufficiently intense to be switched on the electrode creating the short-circuit in the shunt circuit. During a manual command to open the circuit breaker, for a cut in the nominal current or a slightly higher value, the arc or the spark is extinguished before switching to the electrode. The electrodynamic behavior of the neutral contacts can be significantly lower than that of the phase contacts and they can be simplified and actuated by an elementary mechanism.

Les contacts de neutre peuvent être utilisés pour réaliser une télécommande ou un contacteur en actionnant le mécanisme par un électro-aimant.Neutral contacts can be used to make a remote control or a contactor by actuating the mechanism by an electromagnet.

L'électrode de commutation peut être associée au contact fixe de phase, c'est-à-dire être agencée pour capter la racine d'arc tiré sur le contact fixe ou inversement être associée au contact mobile, le fonctionnement étant bien entendu identique. En prenant soin d'ouvrir les contacts de neutre légèrement en retard des contacts de phase, et éventuellement de les fermer juste avant la fermeture des contacts de phase, on évite tout risque de soudure des contacts de neutre, qui sont parfaitement protégés par le circuit shunt, et il est possible de réduire la pression de contact et de supprimer le dispositif d'exiraction du contact mobile de neutre assurant son ouverture rapide, ainsi que la chambre d'extinction d'arc. Dans le cas d'un disjoncteur télécommandé, la suppression de la chambre d'extinction d'arc libère un emplacement suffisant au logement de la bobine de l'électro-aimant de télécommande. Le disjoncteur comporte avantageusement deux compartiments ou deux pôles accolés, l'un réservé au circuit de phase et l'autre au circuit de neutre. L'électro-aimant de télécommande est logé dans la partie du circuit de neutre, des bornes de connexion des fils de commande étant agencées sur cette partie. L'invention est bien entendu utilisable sur un disjoncteur dépourvu d'une télécommande, les contacts de neutre étant alors avantageusement incorporés dans un espace disponible dans le pôle de phase. La liaison entre le pôle de phase et de neutre peut être avantageusement réalisé par un accouplement des deux mannettes.The switching electrode can be associated with the fixed phase contact, that is to say be arranged to pick up the arc root drawn on the fixed contact or conversely be associated with the movable contact, the operation being of course identical. By taking care to open the neutral contacts slightly behind the phase contacts, and possibly to close them just before the closing of the phase contacts, we avoid any risk of soldering of the neutral contacts, which are perfectly protected by the circuit. shunt, and it is possible to reduce the contact pressure and to remove the device for exiraction of the mobile neutral contact ensuring its rapid opening, as well as the arc extinguishing chamber. In the case of a remote-controlled circuit breaker, the elimination of the arc extinguishing chamber frees sufficient space for housing the coil of the remote control electromagnet. The circuit breaker has advantageously two compartments or two adjacent poles, one reserved for the phase circuit and the other for the neutral circuit. The remote control electromagnet is housed in the part of the neutral circuit, connection terminals for the control wires being arranged on this part. The invention is of course usable on a circuit breaker without a remote control, the neutral contacts then being advantageously incorporated in an available space in the phase pole. The connection between the phase and neutral pole can advantageously be achieved by coupling the two handles.

L'invention est applicable à un disjoncteur dont les pôles de phase et de neutre sont indépendants, les contacts de neutre servant par exemple uniquement à une télécommande. Le boîtier est avantageusement du type miniature modulaire.The invention is applicable to a circuit breaker whose phase and neutral poles are independent, the neutral contacts being used for example only for a remote control. The housing is advantageously of the modular miniature type.

Le disjoncteur selon l'invention est associé ou comporte un contacteur, par exemple statique, connecté en série ou incorporé dans le disjoncteur pour constituer les contacts de neutre, pour ouvrir ou fermer le circuit de distribution en fonctionnement normal, ledit contacteur étant protégé par le circuit shunt, en cas de court-circuit. En incorporant le contacteur au disjoncteur, on dispose d'un appareil, qui peut être facilement télécommandé, tout en assurant la protection du circuit commandé. Le contacteur peut être agencé pour assurer un gand nombre de manoeuvres, le circuit shunt dérivant instantanément tout courant de court-circuit susceptible d'endommager le contacteur, par exemple un triac ou alternistor.The circuit breaker according to the invention is associated with or comprises a contactor, for example static, connected in series or incorporated in the circuit breaker to constitute the neutral contacts, for opening or closing the distribution circuit in normal operation, said contactor being protected by the shunt circuit, in case of short circuit. By incorporating the contactor into the circuit breaker, there is a device which can be easily remote-controlled, while ensuring the protection of the controlled circuit. The contactor can be arranged to ensure a large number of operations, the shunt circuit instantly deriving any short-circuit current liable to damage the contactor, for example a triac or alternistor.

La parfaite protection du circuit aval par le disjopcteur selon l'invention permet un nouveau type de commande d'ouverture du disjoncteur par création ou simulation d'un court-circuit. Ce court-circuit provoque bien entendu le déclenchement du disjoncteur par le déclencheur électromagnétique, avec intervention du circuit shunt pour protéger le circuit de simulation, qui comporte avantageusement une résistance de limitation du courant de court-circuit à une valeur juste suffisante au déclenchement instantané du disjoncteur. Le circuit de simulation voit le courant pendant une très courte période, ce qui permet l'emploi de composants simples, par exemple d'un triac ou thyristor de commande d'ouverture ou de fermeture du circuit de simulation. L'ordre peut émaner d'un circuit électronique assurant une télécommande ou une protection additionnelle, par exemple une protection différentielle. A cet effet, le disjoncteur comporte un transformateur différentiel mesurant tout déséquilibre entre le courant de phase et le courant de neutre pour émettre un signal de commande de fermeture du circuit de simulation, lors d'un défaut à la terre.The perfect protection of the downstream circuit by the circuit breaker according to the invention allows a new type of command to open the circuit breaker by creating or simulating a short circuit. This short circuit naturally causes tripping of the circuit breaker by the electromagnetic trip device, with intervention of the shunt circuit to protect the simulation circuit, which advantageously includes a resistor for limiting the short circuit current to a value just sufficient for instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker. The simulation circuit sees the current for a very short period, which allows the use of simple components, for example a triac or thyristor for controlling the opening or closing of the simulation circuit. The order can come from an electronic circuit providing a remote control or additional protection, for example differential protection. For this purpose, the circuit breaker includes a differential transformer measuring any imbalance between the phase current and the neutral current to emit a command signal to close the simulation circuit, during an earth fault.

Toutes ces variantes peuvent être combinées entre elles selon les applications du disjoncteur, qui sont quasi universelles.All these variants can be combined with one another according to the applications of the circuit breaker, which are almost universal.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre de différents modes de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et représentés aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • -la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un disjoncteur selon l'invention ;
  • -les figures 2 et 3 sont des coupes respectivement selon les lignes II-II et III-III de la figure 1 ;
  • -la figure 4 représente le schéma électrique du disjoncteur selon la figure 1;
  • -la figure 5 est une vue identique à celle de la figure 4, illustrant une variante de réalisation ;
  • -la figure 6 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2, montrant un mode de mise en oeuvre différent ;
  • -les figures 7, 8 et 9 sont des vues analogues à celle de la figure 4, illustrant trois autres variantes de réalisation.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of different embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a circuit breaker according to the invention;
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are sections respectively along lines II-II and III-III of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 represents the electrical diagram of the circuit breaker according to FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a view identical to that of FIG. 4, illustrating an alternative embodiment;
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing a different mode of implementation;
  • FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to that of FIG. 4, illustrating three other variant embodiments.

Sur les différentes figures, les mêmes numéros de repère sont utilisés pour désigner des pièces analogues ou indentiques.In the various figures, the same reference numbers are used to designate similar or identical parts.

Sur les figures, un disjoncteur miniature du type modulaire, commercialement dénommé MUL-TI 9, comporte un boîtier isolant 10 susceptible d'être fixé sur un rail DIN symétrique. Le boîtier 10 peut être subdivisé en deux compartiments 12, 14, par une cloison transversale 16 ou être constituée de deux boîtiers indépendants accolés, notamment deux boîtiers unipolaires ayant une largeur standard de 18 mm. Dans le compartiment 14 est logé le circuit de phase du disjoncteur, représenté - schématiquement en coupe sur la figure 2. L'agencement général correspond à celui décrit dans la demande de brevet français n° 84 10995, déposée le 9 juillet 1984, mais il est clair que l'invention est applicable à tout autre type de disjoncteur. Sur la figure 2, on reconnaît la borne d'entrée 18 du circuit de phase et sur la face opposée la borne de sortie 20 de ce circuit, ainsi que le déclencheur électromagnétique 22, le bilame 24, le contact fixe 26 et le contact mobile 28. Le circuit de phase comporte, connectés en série, la borne d'entrée 18, la bobine du déclencheur magnétique 22, le contact fixe 26, le contact mobile 28, une tresse 30 de connexion au bilame 24 et la borne de sortie 20. Sur la face avant du boîtier 10 est disposée une manette de commande 32, qui actionne un méchanisme désigné par le repère général 34 ayant un verrou de déclenchement 36 susceptible d'être actionné par le déclencheur 22 et le bilame 24. Une chambre de coupure 38 est logée dans la partie inférieure du boîtier 10, la tôle inférieure de la chambre 38 se prolongeant par une électrode 40 agencée en guide d'arc. Au contact fixe 26 est associé un contact d'arc 42 en forme de lame élastique évitant une séparation des contacts principaux 26, 28 avec formation d'un arc. Il est inutile de décrire le fonctionnement de cet ensemble, l'arc tiré entre les contacts 28, 42, lors de la séparation étant commuté rapidement sur l'électrode 40 et soufflé dans la chambre d'extinction ou de coupure 38. La seule différence notable avec les disjoncteurs standard, notamment celui décrit dans la demande de brevet précitée, est l'absence d'une connexion entre l'électrode 40 et la borne de sortie 20. Selon l'invention, l'électrode 40 est reliée par une tresse 43 à une borne d'entrée 44 du compartiment de neutre 12. La tresse 43 traverse par exemple un orifice ménagé dans la cloison de séparation 16 ou les parois accotées des deux bomers, dans le cas d'un système modulaire. La tresse 43 peut être utilement supprimée si une unique pièce découpée/pliée constitue à la fois l'électrode 40 et la borne d'entrée 44.In the figures, a miniature circuit breaker of the modular type, commercially known as MUL-TI 9, comprises an insulating housing 10 capable of being fixed on a symmetrical DIN rail. The housing 10 can be subdivided into two compartments 12, 14, by a transverse partition 16 or be made up of two independent contiguous housings, in particular two unipolar housings having a standard width of 18 mm. In compartment 14 is housed the circuit circuit of the circuit breaker, represented - schematically in section in FIG. 2. The general arrangement corresponds to that described in French patent application No. 84 10995, filed on July 9, 1984, but it It is clear that the invention is applicable to any other type of circuit breaker. In Figure 2, we recognize the input terminal 18 of the phase circuit and on the opposite side the output terminal 20 of this circuit, as well as the electromagnetic trip device 22, the bimetallic strip 24, the fixed contact 26 and the movable contact 28. The phase circuit comprises, connected in series, the input terminal 18, the coil of the magnetic trip unit 22, the fixed contact 26, the movable contact 28, a braid 30 for connection to the bimetallic strip 24 and the output terminal 20 On the front face of the housing 10 is disposed a control lever 32, which actuates a mechanism designated by the general reference 34 having a trigger lock 36 capable of being actuated by the trigger 22 and the bimetallic strip 24. A breaking chamber 38 is housed in the lower part of the housing 10, the lower sheet of the chamber 38 being extended by an electrode 40 arranged as an arc guide. At fixed contact 26 is associated with an arcing contact 42 in the form of an elastic blade avoiding separation of the main contacts 26, 28 with the formation of an arc. It is unnecessary to describe the operation of this assembly, the arc drawn between the contacts 28, 42, during separation being quickly switched over to the electrode 40 and blown into the extinguishing or breaking chamber 38. The only difference notable with standard circuit breakers, in particular that described in the aforementioned patent application, is the absence of a connection between the electrode 40 and the output terminal 20. According to the invention, the electrode 40 is connected by a braid 43 to an input terminal 44 of the neutral compartment 12. The braid 43 passes, for example, through an orifice formed in the partition 16 or the side walls of the two bomers, in the case of a modular system. The braid 43 can be usefully omitted if a single cut / folded piece constitutes both the electrode 40 and the input terminal 44.

En se reportant maintenant à la figure 3, qui représente le circuit de neutre, logé dans le compartiment 12, on voit que la borne d'entrée de neutre 44 est connectée à la tresse 43 et à un contact fixe 46 qui coopère avec un contact mobile 48, relié par une tresse 50 à la borne de sortie de neutre 52. Le contact mobile 48 est relié par un étrier 54 à une manette 56 de commande manuelle accouplée par une liaison à jeu 58 à la manette adjacente 32. Le mécanisme, qui n'est pas décrit en détail, est agencé pour qu'un pivotement des manettes 56, 32, provoque une séparation des contacts de phase 28, 26, 42, avant la séparation des contacts de neutre 46, 48. Un pivotement inverse des manettes accouplées 56, 32, provoque la fermeture des contacts de neutre 46, 48, avant celle des contacts de phase 28, 26, 42. Lors d'un court-circuit détecté par le déclencheur magnétique 22, ce dernier libère le verrou 36, autorisant un pivotement du contact mobile de phase 28 sous l'action d'un ressort (non représenté) engendrant la séparation des contacts 28, 26,42, et la formation d'un arc. La racine de l'arc ancrée sur le contact mobile de phase 28 commute rapidement sur l'électrode 40 en créant la fermeture d'un circuit de shunt comprenant la tresse 43. Le courant entrant à un instant donné par la borne d'entrée de phase 18 parcourt le contact fixe 42, l'arc s'étendant entre ce contact et l'électrode 40 et la tresse 43 pour sortir par la borne d'entrée de neutre 44 en créant un court-circuit interne d'un trajet très court. Le circuit shunt est interrompu par l'extinction de l'arc dans la chambre 38. Il est clair que les récepteurs et les câbles alimentés par le disjoncteur 10 sont parfaitement protégés par la commutation rapide de l'arc et le transfert du courant dans le circuit shunt. Lors d'une manoeuvre manuelle du disjoncteur 10, en l'occurrence pour une interruption du circuit parcouru par un courant inférieur ou quelque peu supérieur au courant nominal, l'arc ou l'étincelle tiré entre les contacts de phase 26, 28, 42, s'éteint avant tout transfert sur l'électrode 40, ce qui évite la création d'un court-circuit en fonctionnement normal ou en cas de surcharge.Referring now to FIG. 3, which represents the neutral circuit, housed in compartment 12, it can be seen that the neutral input terminal 44 is connected to the braid 43 and to a fixed contact 46 which cooperates with a contact mobile 48, connected by a braid 50 to the neutral output terminal 52. The mobile contact 48 is connected by a stirrup 54 to a manual control handle 56 coupled by a clearance link 58 to the adjacent handle 32. The mechanism, which is not described in detail, is arranged so that a pivoting of the levers 56, 32, causes a separation of the phase contacts 28, 26, 42, before the separation of the neutral contacts 46, 48. A reverse pivoting of the coupled levers 56, 32, causes the closing of the neutral contacts 46, 48, before that of the phase contacts 28, 26, 42. During a short circuit detected by the magnetic trip device 22, the latter releases the lock 36, authorizing pivoting of the movable contact phase 28 under the action of a spring (not re presented) causing the separation of the contacts 28, 26, 42, and the formation of an arc. The root of the arc anchored on the movable phase contact 28 quickly switches to the electrode 40 by creating the closure of a shunt circuit comprising the braid 43. The current entering at a given time by the input terminal of phase 18 traverses the fixed contact 42, the arc extending between this contact and the electrode 40 and the braid 43 to exit via the neutral input terminal 44 by creating an internal short circuit of a very short path . The shunt circuit is interrupted by the extinction of the arc in the chamber 38. It is clear that the receivers and the cables supplied by the circuit breaker 10 are perfectly protected by the rapid switching of the arc and the transfer of current into the shunt circuit. During a manual operation of the circuit breaker 10, in this case for an interruption of the circuit traversed by a current lower or somewhat higher than the nominal current, the arc or the spark drawn between the phase contacts 26, 28, 42 , goes out before any transfer to the electrode 40, which avoids the creation of a short circuit in normal operation or in the event of an overload.

Dans le compartiment 12 est logé un actionneur électromagnétique 60, par exemple dans l'emplacement libéré par la suppression de la chambre de coupure et du déclencheur magnétique. Cet actionneur 60 comporte un poussoir 62 susceptible de coopérer avec des butées 64, 66, ménagées sur le corps de la manette 56. Les butées 64, 66, sont séparées par une saillie en V 68 disposée dans la partie médiane, poussant le poussoir 62 sélectivement vers la gauche ou vers la droite pour coopérer sélectivement avec les butées 64, 66. A cet effet, l'actionneur 60 est monté à pivotement sur un pivot 70 et sollicité par une lame élastique 72 en position droite. L'actionneur comporte une bobine (non représentée) dont les fils d'alimentation 74 sont connectés à des bornes 75 permettant une télécommande de l'actionneur 60. L'ensemble actionneur 60, butées 64, 66, est d'un type bien connu dans les télérupteurs permettant par excitation de la boine de l'actionneur 60, un basculement de la manette 56, respectivement vers la droite, et vers la gauche, à chaque nouvelle impulsion. Lors d'une télécommande, il est avantageux de supprimer la liaison à jeu 58 entre les deux manettes de commande 32, 56, de manière à actionner uniquement les contacts de neutre. Il est clair que l'actionneur 60 du type télérupteur peut être remplacé par un actionneur du type contacteur amenant la manette ou le mécanisme du disjoncteur 10 en position fermée, lors d'une alimentation de l'électro-aimant de l'actionneur et le déplacement du mécanisme en posi- fion ouvert lors de l'interruption du courant d'alimentation de l'actionneur. Il est inutile de décrire de tels mécanismes qui sont bien connus des spécialistes. L'utilisation du disjoncteur comme télérupteur ou contacteur est possible grâce à la protection améliorée des surfaces de contact de neutre, protégées de l'action de l'arc par la commutation du courant de court-circuit dans le circuit shunt.In the compartment 12 is housed an electromagnetic actuator 60, for example in the location freed by the removal of the breaking chamber and the magnetic trigger. This actuator 60 comprises a pusher 62 capable of cooperating with stops 64, 66, formed on the body of the lever 56. The stops 64, 66, are separated by a V-shaped projection 68 disposed in the middle part, pushing the pusher 62 selectively to the left or to the right to cooperate selectively with the stops 64, 66. To this end, the actuator 60 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 70 and biased by an elastic blade 72 in the straight position. The actuator comprises a coil (not shown) whose supply wires 74 are connected to terminals 75 allowing remote control of the actuator 60. The actuator assembly 60, stops 64, 66, is of a well known type in the remote control switches allowing, by excitation of the actuator box 60, tilting of the lever 56, respectively to the right, and to the left, with each new pulse. During a remote control, it is advantageous to remove the clearance 58 between the two control levers 32, 56, so as to actuate only the neutral contacts. It is clear that the actuator 60 of the remote control type can be replaced by an actuator of the contactor type bringing the handle or the mechanism of the circuit breaker 10 in the closed position, during a supply of the electromagnet of the actuator and the movement of the mechanism in the open position when the actuator supply current is interrupted. There is no need to describe such mechanisms which are well known to those skilled in the art. The use of the circuit breaker as a remote control switch or contactor is possible thanks to the improved protection of the neutral contact surfaces, protected from the action of the arc by the switching of the short-circuit current in the shunt circuit.

Dans l'exemple de réalisation, illustré dans les figures 1 à 4, le courant est commuté dans le circuit shunt par un transfert de la racine d'arc ancrée sur le contact mobile 28 sur l'électrode de commutation 40. Il est clair que cette commutation peut être réalisée d'une manière différente, notamment par un transfert de la racine de l'arc ancrée sur le contact fixe 26 vers une électrode 40 connectée à la borne d'entrée de neutre 44. La figure 5 illustre une telle variante de réalisation qui diffère de celle selon la figure 4 par une inversion des connexions des contacts phase fixe 26 et mobile 28 et une disposition de l'électrode 40 à proximité du contact fixe 26 pour capter la racine ancrée sur le dernier contact 26. Le fonctionnement est bien entendu absolument identique à celui décrit ci-dessus. S'il est souhaitable qu'une télécommande coupe la phase et le neutre, un contact supplémentaire manoeuvré comme le contact de neutre pourra êtra prévu et inséré dans le circuit électrique de la phase.In the exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the current is switched in the shunt circuit by a transfer of the arc root anchored on the movable contact 28 on the switching electrode 40. It is clear that this switching can be carried out in a different way, in particular by transferring the root of the arc anchored on the fixed contact 26 to an electrode 40 connected to the neutral input terminal 44. FIG. 5 illustrates such a variant of embodiment which differs from that according to FIG. 4 by an inversion connections of the fixed phase 26 and mobile phase contacts 28 and an arrangement of the electrode 40 near the fixed contact 26 for picking up the root anchored on the last contact 26. The operation is of course absolutely identical to that described above. If it is desirable for a remote control to cut the phase and the neutral, an additional contact operated like the neutral contact may be provided and inserted in the electrical circuit of the phase.

L'invention a été décrite ci-dessus dans son application préférentielle à un disjoncteur télécommandé, mais elle est utilisable sur des disjoncteurs conventionnels ,à coupure du neutre et de la phase de la manière illustrée à la figure 6. L'absence d'un dispositif de télécommande, notamment à actionneur 60, réduit notablement l'encombrement du circuit de neutre et il est possible de loger les contacts de neutre dans l'espace disponible à côté de la manette 32 du dispositif de phase. Le circuit de phase est absolument identique à celui décrit ci-dessus, à l'exception de la suppression du contact d'arc 42, et ne sera pas décrit à nouveau. La manette 32 comporte de plus une biellette 76 de liaison au contact mobile de neutre 78 qui coopère avec un contact fixe de neutre 80. Les contacts de neutre 78, 80, sont reliés à des bornes de neutre (non représentées) pouvant être disposées à côté des bornes de phase 18, 20, ou tout autre emplacement approprié. Le fonctionnement reste absolument identique à celui du disjoncteur selon les figures 1 à 4. La disposition du circuit de neutre dans l'espace disponible dans le compartiment de phase permet une réduction importante de la largeur du bôitier 10. Il est ainsi possible de respecter le pas modulaire de 18 mm.The invention has been described above in its preferred application to a remote-controlled circuit breaker, but it can be used on conventional circuit breakers, with neutral and phase breaking as illustrated in FIG. 6. The absence of a remote control device, in particular actuator 60, significantly reduces the size of the neutral circuit and it is possible to accommodate the neutral contacts in the space available next to the lever 32 of the phase device. The phase circuit is absolutely identical to that described above, except for the elimination of the arcing contact 42, and will not be described again. The lever 32 further comprises a connecting rod 76 for connection to the movable neutral contact 78 which cooperates with a fixed neutral contact 80. The neutral contacts 78, 80 are connected to neutral terminals (not shown) which can be arranged at side of phase terminals 18, 20, or any other suitable location. The operation remains absolutely identical to that of the circuit breaker according to Figures 1 to 4. The arrangement of the neutral circuit in the space available in the phase compartment allows a significant reduction in the width of the housing 10. It is thus possible to respect the 18 mm modular pitch.

Une autre réalisation intéressante est de disposer le contact de neutre solidaire au contact de phase, mais isolé électriquement de ce dernier et toujours dépourvu de système d'extinction d'arc.Another advantageous embodiment is to have the neutral contact integral with the phase contact, but electrically isolated from the latter and still without an arc extinguishing system.

La figure 7, analogue à la figure 4, illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle le circuit shunt 43 relie l'électrode 40 au circuit de neutre par l'intermédiaire d'une résistance 82 de limitation du courant de court-circuit. La valeur de la résistance 82 doit être faible pour dériver la plus grande partie du courant dans le circuit shunt 43, la partie restante parcourant le circuit de distribution étant suffisamment faible pour ne pas détériorer les appareils protégés. Il est clair que cette connexion du circuit shunt 43 est utilisable avec un schéma du type représenté à la figure 5. Sur le figure 7 est représenté un circuit de simulation 84 reliant la résistance 82 à la borne de sortie 20 du circuit de phase. Dans le circuit de simulation 84, est interposé un alternistor 86, par exemple un triac ou tout autre semi-conducteur commandé par ' une gâchette 88. Il est facile de voir qu'en position de conduction de l'alternistor 86, par exemple commandé par un signal appliqué à la gâchette 88, on crée un court-circuit entre le circuit de phase et le circuit de neutre passant par le circuit de simulation 84 et la résistacne 82. Ce court-circuit est vu par le déclencheur électromagnétique 22 qui provoque l'ouverture des contacts 26, 28, avec commutation rapide de l'arc sur l'électrode 40. Dès la commutation de l'arc sur l'électrode 40, le circuit de simulation 84 est shunté par le circuit shunt 43 et le courant est interrompu de la manière décrite ci-dessus dans la chambre de coupure 38. La gachette 88 reçoit l'ordre de déclenchement par tout circuit électronique approprié, notamment de la manière illustrée à la figure 7, par un relais 90 alimenté par un transformateur différentiel 92. Cette disposition assure une protection différentielle, le transformateur 92 détectant tout défaut homopolai- re et actionnant le relais 90 qui émet un signal appliqué à la gâchette 88 pour rendre conducteur l'alternistor 86. La conduction de l'alternistor 86 simule un court-circuit qui provoque l'ouverture du disjoncteur.Figure 7, similar to Figure 4, illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the shunt circuit 43 connects the electrode 40 to the neutral circuit via a resistor 82 for limiting the short-circuit current. The value of the resistor 82 must be low to derive the greatest part of the current in the shunt circuit 43, the remaining part passing through the distribution circuit being sufficiently low so as not to damage the protected devices. It is clear that this connection of the shunt circuit 43 can be used with a diagram of the type represented in FIG. 5. In FIG. 7 is shown a simulation circuit 84 connecting the resistor 82 to the output terminal 20 of the phase circuit. In the simulation circuit 84, there is interposed a alternistor 86, for example a triac or other semiconductor controlled by a trigger 88. It is easy to see that position of the conduction alternistor 86, for example, controlled by a signal applied to the trigger 88, a short circuit is created between the phase circuit and the neutral circuit passing through the simulation circuit 84 and the resistor 82. This short circuit is seen by the electromagnetic release 22 which causes the opening of the contacts 26, 28, with rapid switching of the arc on the electrode 40. As soon as the arc switching on the electrode 40, the simulation circuit 84 is shunted by the shunt circuit 43 and the current is interrupted as described above in the breaking chamber 38. The trigger 88 receives the triggering order by any suitable electronic circuit, in particular as illustrated in FIG. 7, by a relay 90 supplied by a differential transformer 92. This provision ition provides differential protection, the transformer 92 detecting any homopolar fault and actuating the relay 90 which emits a signal applied to the trigger 88 to make the alternator 86 conductive. The conduction of the alternistor 86 simulates a short circuit which causes the circuit breaker to open.

La figure 8 représente le schéma électrique d'une autre variante de réalisation comprenant un circuit de shuntage 43 à résistance 82 du type illustré à la figure 7. Dans le circuit de phase entre le contact mobile 28 et la borne de sortie 20, est disposé un alternistor 94 ayant une gâchette de commande 96. On voit que l'alternistor 94 est connecté en série du circuit aval de distribution raccordé aux bornes de sortie 20, 52, de telle manière qu'une commande de blocage de l'alternistor 94 provoque l'interruption de l'alimentation de ce circuit aval. Inversement, une conduction de l'alternistor 94 alimente ce circuit aval, l'appareil fonctionnant en contacteur actionné par les signaux appliqués à la gâchette 96. Lors d'un court-circuit en aval du disjoncteur, ce dernier déclenche sous l'action du déclencheur électromagnétique 22 avec formation d'un arc entre les contacts de phase 26, 28, qui se séparent. De la manière décrite ci-dessus,. l'arc commute sur l'élecrode 40 en provoquant un court-circuit interne qui shunte le circuit aval et l'alternistor 94. Cet alternistor 94 est ainsi protégé contre les contraintes thermiques et il peut être du type électronique facilement commandable. L'altemistor peut constituer les contacts de neutre.FIG. 8 represents the electrical diagram of another alternative embodiment comprising a shunt circuit 43 with resistance 82 of the type illustrated in FIG. 7. In the phase circuit between the movable contact 28 and the output terminal 20, is arranged an alternistor 94 having a control trigger 96. It can be seen that the alternistor 94 is connected in series with the downstream distribution circuit connected to the output terminals 20, 52, in such a way that a blocking command of the alternistor 94 causes the interruption of the supply to this downstream circuit. Conversely, a conduction of the alternistor 94 supplies this downstream circuit, the apparatus operating as a contactor actuated by the signals applied to the trigger 96. During a short circuit downstream of the circuit breaker, the latter trips under the action of the electromagnetic trip device 22 with an arc between the phase contacts 26, 28, which separate. As described above ,. the arc switches to the electrode 40 causing an internal short circuit which bypasses the downstream circuit and the alternistor 94. This alternistor 94 is thus protected against thermal stresses and it can be of the easily controllable electronic type. The altemistor can constitute the neutral contacts.

La figure 9 illustre un appareil comprenant les perfectionnements selon les figures 7 et 8 combinés pour assurer à la fois la fonction disjoncteur par les déclencheurs magnétiques 26 et thermiques 24, la fonction protection différentielle par le transformateur différentiel 92 actionnant l'alternistor 86 de simulation d'un court-circuit, et la fonction contacteur par l'altemistor 94 connecté en série du circuit aval.FIG. 9 illustrates an apparatus comprising the improvements according to FIGS. 7 and 8 combined to ensure both the circuit breaker function by the magnetic trip units 26 and the thermal trip devices 24, the differential protection function by the differential transformer 92 actuating the simulation simulator alternator 86 'a short circuit, and the contactor function by altemistor 94 connected in series with the downstream circuit.

Il est clair que les dispositions décrites plus particulièrement en référence à l'un des modes de mise en oeuvre sont également applicables aux autres variantes.It is clear that the arrangements described more particularly with reference to one of the modes of implementation are also applicable to the other variants.

Claims (10)

1. Disjoncteur (10) électrique basse tension ayant : -un premier pôle P et un deuxième pôle N, le premier pôle P comprenant une première paire de contacts (26, 28), des premières bornes d'entrée - (18) et de sortie (20) et un premier circuit de connexion desdites premières bornes (18, 20) dans lequel est insérée làdite première paire de contacts (26, 28) et le deuxième pôle N comprenant une deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48), des deuxièmes bornes d'entrée (44) et de sortie (52) et un deuxième circuit de connexion desdites deuxièmes bornes (44, 52) dans lequel est insérée ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48), -un premier mécanisme (34) de commande d'ouverture et de fermeture manuelle et/ou d'ouverture automatique sur défaut de ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) -une électrode (40) disposée à proximité et écartée de ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) pour être isolée de ces derniers contacts en position de fermeture et pour capter un arc tiré, lors de l'ouverture de ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) sur défaut, -un circuit de shuntàge (43) connectant ladite électrode (40) audit deuxième circuit de connexion en un point intermédiaire entre ladite deuxième borne d'entrée (44) et ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) pour créer une liaison de court-circuit entre lesdits premier et deuxième circuits de connexion et shunter ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48), dès la commutation de l'arc sur ladite électrode (40) et limiter le courant de défaut passant par ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48), caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un deuxième mécanisme (54, 60) de commande d'ouverture et de fermeture de ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48), agencé pour conférer à ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) une tenue électrodynamique notablement inférieure à celle de ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28), ledit disjoncteur étant bipolaire. 1. Low voltage electric circuit breaker (10) having: a first pole P and a second pole N, the first pole P comprising a first pair of contacts (26, 28), first input - (18) and output (20) terminals and a first connection circuit of said first terminals (18, 20) into which is inserted said first pair of contacts (26, 28) and the second N pole comprising a second pair of contacts (46, 48), second input (44) and output terminals (52) and a second connection circuit of said second terminals (44, 52) into which is inserted said second pair of contacts (46, 48), a first mechanism (34) for manual opening and closing control and / or automatic opening on failure of said first pair of contacts (26, 28) an electrode (40) disposed close to and spaced from said first pair of contacts (26, 28) to be isolated from these latter contacts in the closed position and to pick up a drawn arc, when said first pair of contacts (26, 28) on fault, a shunt circuit (43) connecting said electrode (40) to said second connection circuit at an intermediate point between said second input terminal (44) and said second pair of contacts (46, 48) to create a short link -circuit between said first and second connection circuits and shunt said second pair of contacts (46, 48), as soon as the arc is switched on said electrode (40) and limit the fault current flowing through said second pair of contacts ( 46, 48), characterized in that it comprises a second mechanism (54, 60) for controlling the opening and closing of said second pair of contacts (46, 48), arranged to give said second pair of contacts ( 46, 48) an electrodynamic withstand significantly lower than that of said first pair of contacts (26, 28), said circuit breaker being bipolar. 2. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une seule chambre - . (38) d'extinction d'arc, associée à ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28), ladite électrode (40) appartenant à ladite chambre (38) d'extinction d'arc qui est incorporée dans ladite liaison de court-circuit pour interrompre cette liaison dès l'exfinc- tion de l'arc dans la chambre (38) d'extinction d'arc.2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single chamber -. (38) arc quenching, associated with said first pair of contacts (26, 28), said electrode (40) belonging to said arc quenching chamber (38) which is incorporated in said short link circuit for interrupting this connection as soon as the arc has ended in the arc extinguishing chamber (38). 3. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caratérisé en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif de télécommande (60) associé audit deuxième mécanisme de commande pour une ouverture et fermeture à distance de ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48).3. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a remote control device (60) associated with said second control mechanism for remote opening and closing of said second pair of contacts (46, 48). 4. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un dispositif de liaison entre ledit premier et ledit deuxième mécanisme pour ouvrir ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) après ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) lors d'une ouverture sur défaut du disjoncteur.4. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a connecting device between said first and said second mechanism for opening said second pair of contacts (46, 48) after said first pair of contacts (26 , 28) when the circuit breaker opens on fault. 5. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, à boîtier modulaire étroit (10) à circuit de phase P et à circuit de neutre N, caractérisé en ce que ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) est insérée dans le circuit de phase P et ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) dans le circuit de neutre N.5. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, with a narrow modular housing (10) with phase circuit P and with neutral circuit N, characterized in that said first pair of contacts (26, 28) is inserted in the phase circuit P and said second pair of contacts (46, 48) in the neutral circuit N. 6. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit bottier (10) en une ou deux parties comporte une première (14) et une deuxième (12) chambres accolées, la première chambre (14) contenant ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28), ledit premier mécanisme et la chambre (38) d'extinction d'arc et la deuxième chambre (12) contenant ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) et le deuxième mécanisme.6. Circuit breaker according to claim 5, characterized in that said shoemaker (10) in one or two parts comprises a first (14) and a second (12) adjoining chambers, the first chamber (14) containing said first pair of contacts ( 26, 28), said first mechanism and the arc extinguishing chamber (38) and the second chamber (12) containing said second pair of contacts (46, 48) and the second mechanism. 7. Disjoncteur selon les revendications 3 et 6, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de télécommande (60) est logé dans ladite deuxième chambre (12).7. Circuit breaker according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the remote control device (60) is housed in said second chamber (12). 8. Disjoncteur selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un boîtier unique - (10) ayant une manette (32) de commande manuelle, ladite deuxième paire de contacts (46, 48) étant logée dans ledit boîtier, à proximité de ladite manette.8. Circuit breaker according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a single housing - (10) having a handle (32) for manual control, said second pair of contacts (46, 48) being housed in said housing, close of said lever. 9. Disjoncteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un premier commutateur, notamment statique, connecté en série de ladite première paire de contacts (26, 28) et en aval de ces derniers pour être protégé des courants de court-circuit par ledit circuit shunt.9. Circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first switch, in particular static, connected in series with said first pair of contacts (26, 28) and downstream of these to be protected from short-circuit currents through said shunt circuit. 10. Disjoncteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un circuit (84) de simulation d'un court-circuit ayant un deuxième commutateur (86), notamment statique, dont la fermeture provoque le déclenchement du disjoncteur, ledit circuit (84) de simulation étant protégé par le circuit shunt.10. Circuit breaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a circuit (84) for simulating a short circuit having a second switch (86), in particular static, the closure of which causes the tripping of the circuit breaker, said simulation circuit (84) being protected by the shunt circuit.
EP86401048A 1985-05-29 1986-05-16 Low tension circuit breaker with a shunt effect Withdrawn EP0205369A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8508178 1985-05-29
FR8508178A FR2582857B1 (en) 1985-05-29 1985-05-29 SINGLE POLE AND NEUTRAL CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH SHUNT EFFECT

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0205369A1 true EP0205369A1 (en) 1986-12-17

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EP86401048A Withdrawn EP0205369A1 (en) 1985-05-29 1986-05-16 Low tension circuit breaker with a shunt effect

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US4695913A (en)
EP (1) EP0205369A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS61273823A (en)
AU (1) AU581139B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1252192A (en)
ES (1) ES8704034A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2582857B1 (en)
PT (1) PT82577B (en)
ZA (1) ZA863983B (en)

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EP0248342A2 (en) * 1986-05-31 1987-12-09 Crabtree Electrical Industries Limited Circuit breakers, and a method of increasing the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker
EP0274893A2 (en) * 1987-01-10 1988-07-20 Merlin Gerin Limited Alternating current power circuit and fuse therefor
EP0350825A2 (en) * 1988-07-15 1990-01-17 Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Electrical switch gear
EP0504463A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Circuit arrangement for power supply
EP0504464A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switching device for interrupting a circuit
EP0504462A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device to interrupt a circuit
EP0504461A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switch device to interrupt a circuit
DE4110335A1 (en) * 1991-03-28 1992-10-01 Siemens Ag LV circuit short circuit branch - protects components against overcurrent by closing bridging branch to by=pass them when short circuit exists
EP0780861A1 (en) * 1995-12-21 1997-06-25 Schneider Electric Sa Electrical device with arc commutation
FR2849713A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-09 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Commutator pole for electromagnetic machine has two fixed conductors with movable contact carrier between and shunt between opposing conductors

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JPH081773B2 (en) * 1985-03-26 1996-01-10 三菱電機株式会社 Gas insulated switchgear
US5414907A (en) * 1991-08-09 1995-05-16 Kiapos; John Eyeglass retainer coupling and method for attching bead chain to retainer
ES2047445B1 (en) * 1992-04-13 1996-09-01 Electric Distrib & Contr Es Sa AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKER.
DE4337344B4 (en) * 1993-11-02 2005-08-25 Moeller Gmbh Current limiting contact system for circuit breakers
US5811955A (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-09-22 Flint & Walling Industries, Inc. Electro-start motor switch
FR2757321B1 (en) * 1996-12-16 1999-01-15 Gec Alsthom T & D Sa METHOD FOR DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN AN INTERNAL ARC AND A CUT-OUT ARC DETECTED IN AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION UNDER METAL ENCLOSURE
US20020198691A1 (en) * 2001-06-19 2002-12-26 Subhasish Roychoudhury Methods and systems for ars interruption modeling
DE102004018275B4 (en) * 2004-04-15 2007-10-18 Siemens Ag switchgear
US8342494B2 (en) * 2006-11-13 2013-01-01 Schneider Electric USA, Inc. Aligning structure for a power line and sensor
CA2684527A1 (en) * 2007-04-28 2008-11-06 Abb Ag Installation switching device
US20080280471A1 (en) * 2007-05-10 2008-11-13 Square D Company Sequencing connection device
US7715176B2 (en) * 2007-05-16 2010-05-11 Perez Marcelo A Modular power monitoring system
US7714566B2 (en) * 2007-05-16 2010-05-11 Perez Marcelo A Clamp-on current and voltage module for a power monitoring system
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DE102014118757B4 (en) * 2014-12-16 2021-08-05 Abb Ag Neutral conductor switching device and arrangement with at least one phase switching device and one neutral conductor switching device

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FR2259431A1 (en) * 1974-01-25 1975-08-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp
FR2360977A1 (en) * 1976-08-04 1978-03-03 Merlin Gerin Low voltage circuit breaker - has bimetallic or electromagnetic trip connected to normally fixed contact and extinction chamber associated with electrode
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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0248342A2 (en) * 1986-05-31 1987-12-09 Crabtree Electrical Industries Limited Circuit breakers, and a method of increasing the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker
EP0248342A3 (en) * 1986-05-31 1988-11-23 Crabtree Electrical Industries Limited Circuit breakers, and a method of increasing the breaking capacity of a circuit breaker
EP0274893A2 (en) * 1987-01-10 1988-07-20 Merlin Gerin Limited Alternating current power circuit and fuse therefor
EP0274893A3 (en) * 1987-01-10 1990-01-24 Y. S. Securities Limited Alternating current power circuit and fuse therefor
EP0350825A2 (en) * 1988-07-15 1990-01-17 Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Electrical switch gear
EP0350825A3 (en) * 1988-07-15 1991-04-17 Asea Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Electrical switch gear
EP0504462A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device to interrupt a circuit
EP0504464A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switching device for interrupting a circuit
EP0504463A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Circuit arrangement for power supply
EP0504461A1 (en) * 1991-03-21 1992-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Switch device to interrupt a circuit
DE4110335A1 (en) * 1991-03-28 1992-10-01 Siemens Ag LV circuit short circuit branch - protects components against overcurrent by closing bridging branch to by=pass them when short circuit exists
EP0780861A1 (en) * 1995-12-21 1997-06-25 Schneider Electric Sa Electrical device with arc commutation
FR2742916A1 (en) * 1995-12-21 1997-06-27 Schneider Electric Sa ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH ARC SWITCHING
US5777286A (en) * 1995-12-21 1998-07-07 Schneider Electric Sa Electric device having separable contacts with arc switching
CN1068699C (en) * 1995-12-21 2001-07-18 施耐德电器工业公司 Electrical arc switching device
FR2849713A1 (en) * 2003-01-06 2004-07-09 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Commutator pole for electromagnetic machine has two fixed conductors with movable contact carrier between and shunt between opposing conductors

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA863983B (en) 1987-01-28
CA1252192A (en) 1989-04-04
ES8704034A1 (en) 1987-03-16
US4695913A (en) 1987-09-22
AU5800586A (en) 1986-12-04
FR2582857A1 (en) 1986-12-05
FR2582857B1 (en) 1989-04-28
AU581139B2 (en) 1989-02-09
PT82577B (en) 1989-12-21
PT82577A (en) 1986-06-01
JPS61273823A (en) 1986-12-04
ES555243A0 (en) 1987-03-16

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