EP1081726A2 - Multipole switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has at least one input and one output terminal per pole path connected together via a connecting line with at least one current measurement device. At least one connecting line contains a switch with rails (1,2) for carrying away a spark between fixed (8) and movable (9) contacts. At least one adjacent line (10) is arranged so that its magnetic field (4',5') augments that (4) in the line with the switch when a spark (3) is present.

Description

The invention relates to a multi-pole switching device, in which each pole section at least has an input terminal and an output terminal, which via a Connection line are electrically connected to each other and at least one Measuring device for detecting the current flowing in this connecting line is provided, at least one pole section being provided, in the connecting line thereof a switching contact with a fixed and a movable contact piece switched is to which contact pieces are electrically conductive, between the contact pieces Connect arcs that arise from these contact pieces to conductors.

In switching devices with such rails functioning as a spark extinguishing device the quickest possible movement away when separating the movable from the fixed To strive for contact piece arcing. Through the flow of electricity in the Contact pieces, the rails and the arc creates a magnetic field that on the Arc exerts such forces that this in the manner mentioned by the Tried to move contact pieces away. In order to accelerate this path movement, it is already known that the magnetic field triggering this movement by providing reinforce current-carrying conductors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-pole switching device Specify the type mentioned, in which the acceleration of the arc movement by Reinforcement of the magnetic field causing this arc movement with special little effort is realized.

According to the invention this is achieved in that the connecting line at least one Pole path, which is adjacent to the pole path having the switch contact, at least is performed in sections so that that generated by the current flowing in it during operation Magnetic field reinforces that magnetic field which is in the contact pieces and the Rails circumscribed area of which when there is an arc between the Contact pieces or the rails in the rails and the current flowing in the arc is caused.

The connecting line between the input and output terminal of a pole section is a already existing component of the switching device, which is only for realizing the invention needs to be slightly modified. This modification lies in the insertion of a Line piece, e.g. Conductor rope, or if such in the connecting line already exists, in changing its spatial arrangement, which if necessary, can be accompanied by a slight extension of this conductor cable. All in all, however, all of these measures result in only a minimal additional material expenditure and can easily be built into existing designs from Switchgear can be installed.

It has proven to be particularly favorable that the connecting line at least in sections approximately parallel to that circumscribed by the contact pieces and the rails Area in the area of which the border runs.

The magnetic field caused by the current in the connecting line thus runs in the same direction as that generated by the current in the rails and the arc Magnetic field, so that the amplification of this magnetic field to be achieved is particularly effective is achieved.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention be provided that the connecting line in the form of a conductor loop and so is arranged that the area spanned by it approximately parallel to that of the contact pieces and the area circumscribed by the rails, and this area at least in some areas covered.

This allows a particularly good reinforcement of the the magnetic field generated by the current in the rails and the arc.

In this context, it has proven to be advantageous that the conductor loop spanned area is the area circumscribed by the contact pieces and the rails at least in the area of the contact pieces and in the area of those immediately adjacent to them Sections of the rails covered.

To minimize the wear of the contact points caused by an arc hold, it is necessary to lead the arc away from the area of the contact points, what is achieved with this arrangement of the conductor loop. Is the arc in once If movement is set, no or very little is required to maintain this movement low force. This low force already exerts that of the current in the rails and the Arc generated magnetic field alone, so that with the just specified In order of arrangement, the goal of the soon-to-be arc extinguishing is already achieved.

It has been shown that it is in normal use of the switching device in low and Medium voltage networks are sufficient to carry out the conductor loop with one turn, since the Amperages here are sufficiently high to only flow through a conductor loop cause the magnetic field amplification to be achieved according to the invention in one turn.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-pole switching device two pole sections designed as a combination of miniature circuit breaker and Residual current circuit breaker to specify, in which this has so far been general and not on certain multi-pole switching device realized limited inventive principle is. In this special switching device, the first one for connecting the phase conductor single-phase voltage supply network provided pole section the measuring devices a circuit breaker (overcurrent detector and short-circuit current detector) and a switching contact controlled by these measuring devices via a switching mechanism and to the fixed or the movable contact piece of this switching contact subsequent, electrically conductive rails and has the second for connecting the Neutral conductor of a single-phase voltage supply network provided the pole section Components of a residual current detection circuit (summation current transformer and on its Secondary winding connected evaluation circuit). The connecting lines both this neutral conductor pole section as well as the phase conductor pole section are through the toroid of the total current transformer and the evaluation device acts on the in the Phase conductor pole path arranged switching mechanism.

The problem discussed is achieved in such a multi-pole switching device in that the connecting line of the neutral conductor pole section is formed by a conductor cable which in Shape of a conductor loop and is arranged so that the spanned by it Surface approximately parallel to the surface circumscribed by the contact pieces and the rails lies and this area at least in the area of the contact pieces and in the area of these immediately adjacent sections of the rails covered.

As already discussed above, the magnetic field amplification to be achieved becomes special achieved effectively with relatively little effort.

Fig. 1 zwei stromführende Schienen 1,2 mit einem zwischen diesen brennenden Lichtbogen 3 schematisch im Grundriß;

Fig.2 die Kontaktstücke 8,9 eines Schaltgerätes und zwei sich an diese anschließende Schienen 1,2 mit einem zwischen diesen brennenden Lichtbogen 3 schematisch im Grundriß;

Fig.3a-c die Anordnung gemäß Fig.2 jeweils in derselben Darstellung mit einem jeweils unterschiedlich angeordneten Leiter 10 zur Verstärkung des vom Strom in den Schienen 1,2 und dem Lichtbogen 3 erzeugten Magnetfeldes;

Fig.4a die Anordnung gemäß Fig.3a-b, wobei der dortige Leiter 10 durch eine Leiterschleife 11 ersetzt ist;

Fig.4b die Anordnung gemäß Fig.4a mit etwas größer ausgeführter Leiterschleife 11;

Fig.5 die Draufsicht auf ein zweipoliges, als Kombination aus Leitungsschutzschalter und Fehlerstromschutzschalter ausgeführtes Schaltgerät;

Fig.6 die erste Polstrecke 12 des Schaltgerätes gemäß Fig.5 bei abgenommener Seitenschale;

Fig.7 die zweite Polstrecke 13 des Schaltgerätes gemäß Fig.5 bei abgenommener Seitenschale;

Fig.8 die Darstellung dieses Schaltgerätes in der Darstellung gemäß Fig.6 bei weggelassener Trennwand zwischen den beiden Polstrecken 12,13 und

Fig.9 die Darstellung dieses Schaltgerätes in der Darstellung gemäß Fig.7 bei weggelassener Trennwand zwischen den beiden Polstrecken 12,13.

Die gegenständliche Erfindung basiert auf folgendem, in Fig.1 dargestellten und an sich bekannten Prinzip:

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which particularly preferred exemplary embodiments are shown. It shows:

1 shows two current-carrying rails 1, 2 with an arc 3 burning between them, schematically in plan;

2 shows the contact pieces 8.9 of a switching device and two adjoining rails 1, 2 with an arc 3 burning between them, schematically in plan;

3a-c the arrangement according to FIG. 2 each in the same representation with a differently arranged conductor 10 for amplifying the magnetic field generated by the current in the rails 1, 2 and the arc 3;

4a shows the arrangement according to FIGS. 3a-b, the conductor 10 there being replaced by a conductor loop 11;

4b shows the arrangement according to FIG. 4a with a slightly larger conductor loop 11;

5 shows the top view of a two-pole switching device designed as a combination of a circuit breaker and a residual current circuit breaker;

6 shows the first pole section 12 of the switching device according to FIG. 5 with the side shell removed;

7 shows the second pole section 13 of the switching device according to FIG. 5 with the side shell removed;

8 shows the representation of this switching device in the representation according to FIG. 6 with the partition wall between the two pole sections 12, 13 and 12 omitted

9 shows the representation of this switching device in the representation according to FIG. 7 with the partition wall between the two pole sections 12, 13 omitted.

The present invention is based on the following principle shown in FIG. 1 and known per se:

In this figure, 1 and 2 denote electrically conductive, current-carrying rails, between which an arc 3 burns. The current through the rails 1,2 and Arc 3 generates an electromagnetic field, the direction of which is represented by symbols 4 and 5 is shown. The arc 3 is located within this field current-carrying conductor on which this electromagnetic field exerts a force F. This force F shifts the arc 3 in its direction, that is to the right in the Representation according to FIG. 1.

With switching devices in particular (cf. schematic illustration in FIG. 2), it is desirable to have one between two electrically conductive parts, which in a switching device by the fixed and the movable contact piece 8.9 of an interruption contact are formed, if possible quickly erase the electrical connection between these two contacts 8.9 to actually separate.

One way of realizing this rapid erasure is by rails 1,2 Align V-shape (see Fig. 2), so that the distance between these rails 1,2 with increasing distance from the contact pieces 8.9 expanded. With the force F Arc 3 caused to run to the right is elongated and tears when it is long enough.

Another very frequently used possibility of arc extinguishing is to be provided a spark extinguishing chamber 6, as shown in Fig.1. Such a facility comprises a plurality of approximately parallel plates 7 which are approximately normal to Arc 3 are aligned. If the arc 3 runs into such a spark quenching chamber 6 into the plate 7 into a plurality of partial arcs connected in series divided, which are pending between the plates 7.

In order for an arc to persist, it must have a certain minimum voltage (= Maintenance voltage) are driven. One to maintain a series connection of several Partial arcing voltage is higher than that required to maintain it a single arc with the same overall length is required. Is the tension between the rails 1.2 lower than the sum of the maintenance voltages of the partial arcs, the arc 3 can be extinguished in the spark quenching chamber 6 and the electrical Connection between the rails 1,2 are interrupted. The move in of the arc into the spark extinguishing chamber 6 is determined by the physical discussed above Fact of the creation of a force F on the arc 3 caused by the magnetic field of the current flow in the rails 1.2 reached.

In the conventional switchgear, the two options discussed for arc quenching combined, that is, the rails 1, 2 aligned and diverging from each other Area of the ends of these rails 1, 2 facing away from the contact pieces 8, 9 Spark extinguishing chamber 6 is provided, as shown in FIG. 2 with dashed lines is.

In order to move the arc 3 away from the contact pieces 8.9 in the direction of further spaced ends of the rails 1, 2 and / or the inward movement to accelerate the arc 3 into the spark extinguishing chamber 6 and thus one more Achieving faster arc extinguishing can do that in a manner known per se Arc 3 moving magnetic field can be amplified.

For this purpose, a current-carrying conductor 10 is provided, which in sections runs approximately parallel to the area A ₁ circumscribed by the contact pieces 8, 9 and the rails ₁ , ₂ (cf. FIGS. 3a, b, c). The current flow in this conductor 10 generates a magnetic field represented by the symbols 4 ', 5', which is superimposed on the magnetic field prevailing within the area A ₁ . If the current flow direction in the conductor 10 is selected in the manner shown in FIGS. 3a, b, c, the magnetic field in the area A _{1 is} amplified.

The exact course of the conductor 10 is to be selected so that the discussed effect of the magnetic field amplification results. This conductor 10 can therefore be arranged anywhere in the area outside the area A ₁ (cf. FIGS. 3a, b, c). The closer it is to the area A ₁ , the greater is of course the effect which strengthens the magnetic field in this area A ₁ , which is why it is preferably arranged in the area of the boundary, for example at a short distance exactly above one of the rails ₁ , 2.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4 a, instead of a single, essentially straight conductor 10, a conductor loop 11 is used, which is arranged such that the area A ₂ spanned by it is approximately parallel to that of the contact pieces 8, 9 and the rails 1, 2 circumscribed area A ₁ and this area A ₁ at least partially covers. The conductor loop 11 is therefore coplanar over the area A ₁ . In the area of coverage of the areas A ₁ and A ₂ , the magnetic field driving the arc 3 in the direction of the spark quenching chamber 6 is strengthened. Outside of this coverage area, the magnetic field generated by the conductor loop 11 weakens the magnetic field generated by rails 1, 2 and arc, which in itself leads to a lower running speed of the arc 3 in this area. In the arrangement according to FIG. ₄ , this area lying outside the coverage area of the areas A ₁ and A ₂ is already in the spark quenching chamber 6, that is to say in an area in which the arc 3 is already about to be extinguished and therefore no longer in any case must be moved.

The cheapest design variant of the conductor loop 11, taking into account the information just given, is of course to cover the entire area A ₁ (see FIG. 4b).

The number of turns of the conductor loop 11 can be chosen to be as high as desired, however only small forces are required to move an arc 3, it is sufficient as shown in Fig.4a, b to provide a single winding.

The invention relies on the provision of a discussed conductor 10 and a discussed Conductor loop 11 to increase the running speed of an arc 3 and is in applying this principle to a multi-pole switching device. An example of a such a multi-pole switching device is shown in Figs. 5-9, to which reference is made below is taken:

This multi-pole switching device has two poles and is a combination of a circuit breaker and residual current circuit breaker. Each pole section 12, 13 has at least one Input terminal 14, 14 'and an output terminal 15, 15'. The input terminal 14, 14 ' each pole section 12, 13 is connected to the output terminal 15, 15 'of this pole section 12, 13 Connection line electrically connected.

In the pole section 12 shown in FIG. 6 with the side shell removed, the Input terminal 14 via the bimetallic strip 16 and a flexible conductor cable 17 with the Contact bridge 18 connected, which carries the movable contact piece 9. in the switched on state, this movable contact piece 9 is fixed Contact piece 8, which is fixed to the contact piece carrier 19. This carrier 19 is with the connected the first end of the coil 20, the second end via a further conductor cable 21 with the Output terminal 15 is connected.

The coil 20 has an armature which is displaceable in its longitudinal direction and which from the magnetic field of the coil 20 - if this is due to a short-circuit current has sufficient strength - is pressed against the contact bridge 18 so that the Switching mechanism 26 triggered and by this the contact bridge 18 is pivoted. Ultimately, through these processes, the movable contact piece 9 becomes stationary Contact piece 8 lifted off. The coil 20 with the movable armature forms the Short circuit current detector of the circuit breaker part of the present switching device.

The bimetallic strip 16 is heated by the current flowing through it and bends so that its end connected to the conductor cable 17 is pivoted to the right. If the continuous current is too high, this bend of the bimetal strip 16 leads to the extent that that the contact bridge 18 is pivoted via the bracket 22 and the movable contact piece 9 is lifted off the fixed contact piece 8. The bimetallic strip 16 thus forms the Overcurrent detector of the circuit breaker part of the present switching device.

In the connecting line between the input terminal 14 and the output terminal 15 This pole section 12 is thus two the current through this connecting line measuring devices and a switch contact (fixed and movable Contact piece 8.9), on which said two current measuring devices act, i.e. can open it.

Furthermore, electrically conductive rails 1, 2 are provided, which contact the contact pieces Connect 8.9 and serve to create arcs between the contact pieces 8.9 to lead away from these. In the space between these rails 1, 2 there is a large number of spaced parallel electrically conductive plates 7 are provided, which forms a spark extinguishing chamber 6 with the functional principle already discussed above.

At the second pole section 13, which is shown in FIG. 7 with the side shell removed the connecting line between the input terminal 14 'and the output terminal 15' of a continuous conductor rope 23 is formed. This conductor rope 23 and that before mentioned, connecting the coil 20 of the first pole section 12 with its output terminal 15 Conductor cable 21 are guided through the toroidal core 24 of a summation current transformer. The Secondary winding of this summation current transformer is with electronics (indicated by the outline 25 of the circuit board carrying this electronics) connected, which electronics evaluates the signal supplied by the total current transformer. The electronics are also included connected to the moving contact piece 9 switching mechanism, so that it upon detection of an impermissibly high difference between the currents in the conductor cables 21 and 23 cause the interruption contact 8, 9 of the first pole section 12 to open can. The second pole section 13 thus contained the components of a fault current detection circuit, formed from a summation current transformer and one of them Secondary winding of connected evaluation circuit. This evaluation circuit can naturally in a different form, for example by means of a permanent magnet release, be realized.

As is clear from FIG. 7, the conductor cable 23 forming the connecting line between the input terminal 14 'and the output terminal 15' is designed in the form of a conductor loop which has one turn. This conductor loop is arranged in such a way that the area A ₂ spanned by it lies approximately parallel to the area A ₁ circumscribed by the contact pieces 8, 9 and the rails _{1, 2} and covers this area A _{1 in} some areas.

This overlap in regions can be seen in particular in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which all the housing parts of the switching device, in particular also the partition wall located between the two pole sections 12, 13, have been omitted. The area in which the areas A ₁ and A ₂ overlap lies here in the area of the contact pieces 8, 9 and in the area of the sections of the rails _{1, 2} directly adjacent to them.

The first pole section 12 is for connecting the phase conductor L of a two-pole voltage supply network, the second pole section 13 for connecting the neutral conductor N this Voltage supply network provided. Occurs when the switch contact opens Arc between its contact pieces 8.9 or subsequently between them Components connecting rails 1,2, this arc ensures that initially also current still flows in neutral conductor N and thus in conductor cable 23. This current flow therefore leads for the amplification of the magnetic field discussed in the beginning, which in the Contact pieces 8.9 and the rails 1.2 circumscribed area in the presence of a Arc between the contact pieces 8.9 and the rails 1.2 from in the rails 1,2 and the arc flowing current is caused.

The invention is by no means limited to that shown in FIGS. 6-9, particularly preferred Embodiment limited. The principle on which it is based is that of an in any designed multi-pole switching device that the above with reference to Fig.1-4b discussed principle of increasing the arc running speed with the help of an anyway existing connecting line of a pole path that is adjacent to a Switching contact with subsequent pole section containing arc quenching device lies to realize.

It follows first of all that the connecting line does not have the shape of a conductor loop must have only one turn, several turns could also be provided. It but is also sufficient in the sense of FIGS. 3a-c, only a section of that in FIGS provided conductor loop. The remaining sections of the conductor rope 23 can can be laid as desired. In this context it should be noted that it is common - deviating from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-9, also the Input terminal 14 'of the neutral conductor pole section 13 at the lower edge of the device, that is to be arranged next to the input terminal 14 of the phase conductor pole section 12. It is enough to effect the magnetic field reinforcement in question, the conductor cable 23 in the form of in FIG. 9 with the 23 'upper branch or the lower branch with 23 " Lay the conductor loop.

Furthermore, the application of the present invention is not limited to switching devices, where circuit breaker and residual current circuit breaker functions are combined. Rather, it is possible to use the principle according to the invention with a multipole, only one of the two circuit breaker functions (three- or four-pole Miniature circuit breakers or four-pole residual current circuit breakers, each for one three-phase three-phase system).

Here, of course, a switch contact with an arc extinguishing device is not only in one of the Pole sections, but at least in all phase conductor pole sections, usually also in the Neutral conductor pole section may be provided. This prevents the application of the objective Not invention, also here the connecting line of one of the pole sections in one of the The ways discussed above are such that the current flow in this connecting line that magnetic field is amplified, the one between the rails 1, 2 of an adjacent one Pole path moving arc moving.

In this context, with regard to the two-pole FI-LS switch shown in Fig. 6-9 to note that the neutral conductor N can also be designed to be interruptible here, i.e. in its pole section 13 a switch contact corresponding to the design of the first pole section 12 can be installed.

In all possible embodiments, it should be borne in mind that the desired one Magnetic field amplification only results if the current in the section used for this the connecting pipe has the correct flow direction. To make sure that Switching device according to the invention in the necessary manner with the voltage supply network or is connected to the redirects to the consumers on the housing of the switching device in the area of each terminal 14, 15; 14 ', 15' printed, . Which line to the respective terminal 14, 15; 14 ', 15' is to be connected.

Claims (6)

Multi-pole switching device, in which each pole section (12, 13) has at least one input terminal (14, 14 ') and one output terminal (15, 15'), which are electrically connected to one another via a connecting line and at least one measuring device for detecting the in this connecting line flowing current is provided, at least one pole section (12) being provided, in the connecting line of which a switching contact with a fixed (8) and a movable contact piece (9) is connected, to which contact pieces (8, 9) are electrically conductive, between the Arcs (3) resulting from arcs (3, 9) connect rails (1, 2) leading away from these contact pieces (8, 9), characterized in that the connecting line has at least one pole path (13) which is adjacent to the switch contact (8, 9) ) has pole path (12), is guided at least in sections so that the magnetic field generated by the current flowing in it during operation is that Magnetic field strengthened, which in the area (A ₁ ) circumscribed by the contact pieces (8,9) and the rails (1,2) from which when there is an arc (3) between the contact pieces (8,9) or the rails ( 1,2) in the rails (1,2) and the arc (3) flowing current is caused. Multi-pole switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting line runs at least in sections approximately parallel to the surface (A ₁ ) circumscribed by the contact pieces (8,9) and the rails (1,2) in the region of their boundary. Multi-pole switching device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting line is designed in the form of a conductor loop and is arranged in such a way that the surface (A ₂ ) spanned by it is approximately parallel to that of the contact pieces (8, 9) and the rails (1, 2 ) circumscribed area (A ₁ ) and this area (A ₁ ) at least partially covers. Multi-pole switching device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the area (A ₂ ) spanned by the conductor loop has the area (A ₁ ) circumscribed by the contact pieces (8, 9) and the rails (1,2) at least in the region of the contact pieces (8 , 9) and in the area of the sections of the rails (1, 2) immediately adjacent to them. Multi-pole switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that the conductor loop has one turn. Multi-pole switching device with two pole sections (12, 13) designed as a combination of circuit breaker and residual current circuit breaker, the first pole section (12) provided for connecting the phase conductor (L) of a single-phase voltage supply network to the measuring devices of a circuit breaker (overcurrent detector and short-circuit current detector) as well as a switching contact (8, 9) controlled by these measuring devices via a switching mechanism (26) and electrically conductive rails (1, 2) adjoining the fixed (8) or the movable contact piece (9) of this switching contact (8, 9) ) and the second pole section (13) provided for connecting the neutral conductor (N) of a single-phase voltage supply network has the components of a fault current detection circuit (summation current transformer and evaluation circuit connected to its secondary winding), the connecting lines of both this neutral conductor pole section (13) as well as the P Rabbit conductor pole section (12) through the toroidal core (24) of the summation current transformer and the evaluation device acts on the switching mechanism (26) arranged in the phase conductor pole section (12), characterized in that the connecting line of the neutral conductor pole section (13) through a conductor cable (23) is formed, which is designed in the form of a conductor loop and is arranged such that the surface (A ₂ ) spanned by it is approximately parallel to the surface circumscribed by the contact pieces (8, 9) and the rails (1,2) (A ₁ ) lies and this surface (A ₁ ) covers at least in the area of the contact pieces (8, 9) and in the area of the sections of the rails ( _{1, 2} ) immediately adjacent to these.

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