Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H1/00—Contacts
  • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
  • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
  • H01H1/365—Bridging contacts
• • 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
  • H01H9/0072—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00 particular to three-phase switches
• • 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
  • H01H9/40—Multiple main contacts for the purpose of dividing the current through, or potential drop along, the arc
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
  • H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
  • H01H2011/0093—Standardization, e.g. limiting the factory stock by limiting the number of unique, i.e. different components
• • 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
  • H01H71/02—Housings; Casings; Bases; Mountings
  • H01H71/0207—Mounting or assembling the different parts of the circuit breaker

Definitions

• the invention relates to a basic switch module for a multipole electrical heavy- current motor power switch of the type described in the preamble to claim 1 , and a power switch composed of said basic switch modules.
• a plurality of modular-based power switches also called circuit breakers, are already known, for instance from Danish published speculations No. 147.588, No. 150.427 and No. 165.470, and from EP 327 708, DE-OS 37 29 616, EP 232 250, GB 2 185 632, GB 2 227 612, EP 112 232, EP 325 371, EP 228 723, and Swedish published specification No. 347 605.
• none of the circuit breakers presently known use three-pole modules of the type described below.
• the object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker which can be used as a switchboard circuit breaker, for instance in switchgears, and which may be mounted either on a DIN rail or directly on an apparatus.
• the circuit breaker preferably has a high short-circuit capacity and is able to function as a safety circuit breaker with insulation capacity.
• the circuit breakers should be suitable for delivery in boxes, i.e. a compact box-like configuration is prefer ⁇ red.
• the dimensions of the circuit breaker is preferably small.
• it is preferably to use a highly automated production, and it is preferable to construct circuit breakers for several different current strengths from common components (such as basic modules), i.e. from about 10 til 100 Amp.
• a basic switch module as stated in the preamble to claim 1 is characterised in that the basic switch module is multipole, and compri ⁇ ses an essentially closed housing containing the bar member and several movable contacts being fixed to the bar member, said bar member being provided with means for receiving a control device (bar) connected to the operating mechanism, the basic module further comprising an opening through which the control device (bar) may be inserted into the basic module, as well as a plurality of openings designed for external insertion of the fixed contacts, between which the movable contacts may form a bridge.
• a circuit breaker according to the invention breaks three-phased currents, and comprises modules, each module being able to handle and break a three-phased current.
• modules each module being able to handle and break a three-phased current.
• Switch gears installations having this type of modular circuit breakers may easily be extended to handle heavier currents than originally planned.
• the most important advantage is that the same type of multipole, multi ⁇ phase module may be used in circuit breakers of different current capacity and for different purposes.
• the basic switch module may comprise three movable contacts and is provided with two sets of three openings for the insertion of two sets of three fixed contacts, between which the three movable contacts may form a bridge in pairs, thus enabling the basic module to be used as a three-pole circuit breaker, whereby the basic switch module is adapted to accommodate three conductors, each representing one phase in a three-phase power supply installation.
• the basic switch module may have an essentially right-angled parallelepiped shape, whereby the modules are easy to arrange adjacently in a socket or base and further easy to pack and may be shipped in a very compact manner.
• the basic switch modules may preferably be provided with movable contacts arranged to establish contact with knife contacts and fixed contacts designed as knife contacts. This arrangement is preferred, as the knife contacts are easy to insert and fix from the outside, when the module is assembled with the other members of the modular circuit breaker.
• the invention relates to a multipole electrical circuit breaker, characterised in that it comprises a number of basic switch modules according to one or more of the claims 1 to 4.
• a flexible modular switch is obtained, as the current ratings may be increased by adding a basic switch module to the already inserted modules.
• the manufacturing thereof is much cheaper than otherwise due to the identical basic switch modules of all the switches regardless of which current they are rated for.
• the multipole electrical circuit breaker preferably comprises a switch base arranged to accommodate several basic switch modules, the operating mechanism, a top section and a handle, whereby the switch base forms an advantageous socket member, wherein each basic switch module can be received and positioned accurately in order to cooperate with the operating mechanism.
• the switch base forms an advantageous socket member, wherein each basic switch module can be received and positioned accurately in order to cooperate with the operating mechanism.
• control device is mounted in a slide which may be moved forwards and backwards on a set of rails, whereby a reliable guiding of the control bar is provided.
• the displacement of the slide along the rails may be controlled by a carrier on partially cylindrical, rotating devices which may engage a handle shaft directly or indirectly.
• a carrier on partially cylindrical, rotating devices which may engage a handle shaft directly or indirectly.
• Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a three-pole circuit breaker according to the invention with two basic switch modules,
• Fig. 2 shows the same with four basic switch modules
• Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of various types of circuit breakers
• Fig. 4 A shows a basic switch module
• Fig. 4B is an exploded view of the same basic switch module
• Fig. 5 shows a set of movable contacts
• Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a bar member.
• Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a three-pole circuit breaker with two basic switch modules 30.
• Each basic switch module is capable of breaking and closing three currents, each rating several amperes, for instance 20 Amp, in a three-phase installation.
• a bottom section or base 12 is shown with a lower surface 13 designed for snapping onto a DIN rail.
• On both sides of the base three fixed contacts 14 are provided, each connected to its own terminal 16 for attaching external phase conductors, which are to be connected to the three- pole circuit breaker.
• an operating mechanism 25 is inserted in the centre of the base 12 and a basic switch module 30 is attached on each side of the operating mechanism 25.
• a bar 32 is designed to be inserted through the openings 33 in both basic switch modu ⁇ les and through the housing 26 enclosing the operating mechanism 25.
• the operating mechanism 25 comprises a slide 18, a set of rails 20 to support and guide the slide and two partially cylindrical parts and a flat spring 27.
• a part 24 is provided with a square hole arranged at one end to receive a square handle shaft (not shown), and a hole at the other end to receive and engage a part 22, thus ensuring that a rotation of the handle results in a rotation of the part 24, and e.g. by means of the carrier 23 on the part 22 as well as displacement of the slide 18.
• the bar 32 is mounted in notches 132 in the slide 18. This ensures that displacement of the slide 18 along the rails 20 will result in displacement of the bar 32 and the bar members 103 in Fig. 4B in the mounted modules 30, and thus in displacement of the movable contacts 123,124,125 inside the basic switch module 30. These contacts are shown in Figs. 4A, 4B and 5, which show the preferred design of a basic switch module 30.
• Fig. 1 shows three fixed contact rails 34-38 above the basic switch modules 30, The rails are designed to connect the two basic switch modules.
• the contact rail in the middle 36 is shown with a circular arch-shaped middle section, designed 5 to accommodate the cylinder-shaped parts 22, 24 of the operating mechanism for engagement with a handle.
• the circuit breaker may 10 then be snapped onto a DIN rail.
• Fig. 2 shows a similar circuit breaker capable of closing and breaking heavy currents, e.g. 40 Amp., and provided with four basic switch modules. All of the parts used are identical, with the exception of the base 212, which can accommo ⁇ date four modules, the corresponding top section 246 and the current rails 214, 15 234-238 forming the fixed contacts.
• Fig. 3 shows various types of circuit breakers which may be constructed from the same basic switch modules 30.
• a "QA 16” i.e. a circuit breaker for 16 Amp, with or without a neutral pole
• a handle 320 a front module or top section 346 (includ-
• a "QA 25/32” (i.e. a circuit breaker for 32 Amp) may be constructed from a handle 320, a front module or top section 346 with inserted current rails 334
• a plate 345 which are shown by means of dotted lines on the lower face of a plate 345, two basic switch modules 330, and a base section 312 (including fixed contacts and terminal) provided with an operating mechanism.
• a "QA 63" i.e. a circuit breaker for 63 Amp
• a circuit breaker for 63 Amp may be constructed from a handle 320, a front module or top section 346 with inserted current rails 334, four basic switch modules 330, and a base section 312 (including fixed contacts and ter ⁇ minals) provided with an operating mechanism.
• a "QSA 25/32” i.e. a circuit breaker for 32 Amp with fuses mounted on top of an alternative top section or front module 355 or 356 may be constructed from a handle 320, the alternative fuse-bearing front module 355,356, four basic switch modules 330, and a base section 312 (including fixed contacts and terminals) pro ⁇ vided with an operating mechanism.
• a QP 80/100 with parallelly connected switch modules may be constructed when it is needed to connect and break a current of up to 80/100 Amp.
• the front module (like base 312) is provided with terminals to the wires which need to be connected to the circuit breaker.
• Fig. 3 also shows that the lower surface of the base section 12, 212 preferably is provided with two orthogonal tracks or recesses adapted to fit on a DIN rail, whereby the base section 12, 212 can be mounted on a DIN rail in two directions as indicated by A and B in Fig. 3. Further, the circuit breaker may be extended by means of a fourth or even fifth pole with or without the break function.
• Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4B show the preferred embodiment of the basic switch module 30 comprising a top section 101, a bottom section 102, and a bar member 103.
• the top section 101 and bottom section 102 are preferably identical.
• the notches 134 form openings 33, allowing the bar 32 to pass through the basic switch module, and in particular through the opening 84 in the bar member 103, which may be longitudinally displaced inside the basic switch module by the bar 32.
• the three sections form an essentially closed, right-angled parallelepiped.
• the top section and bottom section are provided with snap-on devices 108,109 to keep the two sections close together.
• Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a set of movable contacts 123-125 to be mounted on a bar member 103, as shown in Fig. 4.
• the contacts 401 and 402 are arranged in a manner known per se to form a bridge between two knives, i.e. fixed contacts (e.g. 14,34).
• the contacts 401 and 402 are pressed against each other by means of springs 406,407, which are kept in position by a spring retainer 405.
• Numerals 411 and 412 refer to convex contact surfaces, which have to be brought into engagement with the fixed knife contacts 14,34.
• Fig. 6 shows how the bar member 103 is constructed by means of two essentially identical halves 121,122 designed to accommodate three sets of movable contacts 123,124,125.
• Four pins 90 (two in each half) are designed to be retained in four corresponding holes 91.
• Numerals 127 and 128 are partition walls separating the three sets of contacts, thereby creating an essentially closed break chamber around each set of contacts 123-125, when the parts are mounted in the top section 101 and bottom section 102 of the basic switch module.
• the partition walls 117, 118 in the two halves of the basic switch module 101,102 also provide the separation of the breaking chambers.
• the circuit breaker function in the following manner. If the circuit breaker handle (320 in Fig. 3) is set into engaged position, said rotation results in a correspond ⁇ ing rotation of the cylindrical parts 24,22.
• the carrier 23 displaces the slide 18 and the bar 32.
• the openings 33 are sufficiently long to enable the bar to be displaced without engaging the surfaces 101,102 of the basic switch module. However, the openings 84 in the bar members 103 of the basic switch modules are so narrow that the displacement of the bar 32 is transmitted to the bar mem- bers 103, and thereby to the movable contacts 123-125.
• turning the handle shaft clockwise means that all of the movable contacts 123-125 are displaced in such manner that the contacts 401,402 are on opposite sides of a set of knife contacts 14,34, thus forming a bridge between the two knife contacts.
• the basic switch module may also be provided with a zero voltage trip mecha- nism, making automatic re-connection possible. Similarly, it will be possible to make multipole versions with a longitudinal connection.

Landscapes

• Breakers (AREA)
• Protection Of Generators And Motors (AREA)
• Control Of Ac Motors In General (AREA)
• Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
• Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8092567

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1993
  • 1993-03-26 DK DK035393A patent/DK171005B1/da not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1994
  • 1994-03-25 PL PL94310824A patent/PL175399B1/pl unknown
  • 1994-03-25 WO PCT/DK1994/000128 patent/WO1994023437A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1994-03-25 EP EP94911114A patent/EP0691029A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1994-03-25 AU AU63748/94A patent/AU683051B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1994-03-25 FI FI954529A patent/FI954529L/fi unknown
• 1995
  • 1995-09-25 NO NO953790A patent/NO953790L/no unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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