EP1113476A2 - Electronic trip unit with a rating plug for circuit breakers, which has a switchable motor and line protection function - Google Patents

Electronic trip unit with a rating plug for circuit breakers, which has a switchable motor and line protection function Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1113476A2
EP1113476A2 EP00311530A EP00311530A EP1113476A2 EP 1113476 A2 EP1113476 A2 EP 1113476A2 EP 00311530 A EP00311530 A EP 00311530A EP 00311530 A EP00311530 A EP 00311530A EP 1113476 A2 EP1113476 A2 EP 1113476A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
circuit breaker
rating
algorithms
function
tripping unit
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Withdrawn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
EP00311530A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1113476A3 (en
Inventor
Zoltan Giday
Alan Joseph Messerli
James A. Marple
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.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Publication of EP1113476A2 publication Critical patent/EP1113476A2/en
Publication of EP1113476A3 publication Critical patent/EP1113476A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/123Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release using a solid-state trip unit
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/74Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/74Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7409Interchangeable elements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of power distribution systems. More particularly, the invention relates to circuit breakers easily switchable between line protection and motor protection functions.
  • Circuit breakers are used to protect equipment for overcurrent situations caused for example by short circuits in or near such equipment. In the event an overcurrent condition occurs the circuit breaker will open resulting in the separation of contacts therein ending current flow. Circuit breakers open in a number of ways including magnetic fields, temperature, and by computerized systems commonly known as electronic tripping units which include software, running a particular algorithm to detect a particular undesirable current condition. When such condition is matched, the electronic tripping unit causes the circuit breaker to open. There are many different types of devices that can be protected by circuit breakers and circuit breakers themselves are unique to the intended function thereof. In one example, one type of circuit breaker would be designed and built to function as a line protection device while another type of circuit breaker would be designed and built to function as a motor protection device.
  • the electronic tripping units employed with each of these circuit breakers are different and each employ distinct software and algorithms. Additionally the current transformers are usually replaced together with a trip unit. In the older prior art distinct circuit breakers would need to be employed for each different type of function and for each different circuit breaker rating. In order to reduce the number of components in stock, it is known to provide a plurality of different rating plugs which are connectable to a single circuit breaker and electronic trip unit in order to change the rating of the circuit breaker without disassembly of the entire circuit breaker. Such rating plugs work well for their intended purpose and enable quick and easy changing of ratings in the circuit breakers with which they are intended to be used. The art still requires however that completely distinct circuit breakers be employed for line protection functions and for motor protection functions. In order to change a particular circuit from line protection to motor protection, the entire circuit breaker would need to be replaced or the electronic trip unit and current transformers would need to be replaced after disassembly of the circuit breaker.
  • a circuit breaker of the invention includes a contact arm tripable by an electronic tripping unit operably connected to the contact arm.
  • the electronic tripping unit preferably includes at least two independently selectable trip algorithms and a rating plug having a switch in communication with said electronic tripping unit, or a jumper enables rapid "in-the-field" selection between the at least two algorithms for selective functions.
  • FIG. 1 a perspective view of a circuit breaker 10 of the invention is depicted.
  • the breaker 10 includes a housing base 12 and a housing cover 14 each of which are conventional.
  • a contact arm (not shown) is disposed within circuit breaker 10.
  • Also visible in the drawing is a switch handle 16 recognizable by one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the circuit breaker 10 provides for the connection electrically and mechanically of an electronic trip unit, a current transformer assembly and a rating plug. These are discussed hereunder in connection with Figure 2.
  • the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is familiar to those of skill in the art.
  • a conventional current transformer carrier 20 carries current transformers 22 (illustrated as three in the drawing although four is also a preferred arrangement for the invention). Each current transformer 22 provides a load lug 24 for connection of the circuit breaker to a desired electrical connection (not shown).
  • Current transformer carrier 20 and the current transformer 22 are received within engagement area 18 as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • a push-to-trip assembly comprising components 26, 28, 30 and 32 which is conventional is illustrated.
  • an electronic trip unit 34 is mounted to carrier 20 on pins 36. The particular physical attributes of electronic trip unit 34 are known to the art since all of the hardware used therein is conventional.
  • Electronic trip unit 34 is, however, distinct from the prior art since the completed circuit breaker 10 of the invention is to be easily switchable from a line protection circuit breaker to a motor protection circuit breaker.
  • Electronic trip unit 34 (ETU) therefore includes at least two algorithms, one of which is directed to a motor protection function and one of which is directed to a line protection function.
  • the circuit breaker 10 is thus capable of performing either function and need only be "told" which function to undertake.
  • a rating plug 40 includes an electronics assembly 42 with preferably two switches 44a and 44b. Each of which preferably includes a knob 46 for ease of turning of switches 44a and 44b. Plug 40 further includes housing 48 and but for the additional switches are similar in structure to the prior art. Rating plugs of the prior art have employed one switch directed to the rating of the breaker (or in some cases two switches where one is a ground fault interruption); the invention provides two switches, one of which is adapted to select between two algorithms in the electronic trip unit 34 to determine the function (line protection or motor protection) of the breaker and the other of which is adapted to set the desired rating of the circuit breaker.
  • the rating switch preferably provides 32 gradations from .4x to 1x of the breaker fixed rating Ict for each of line protection and motor protection.
  • the 32 gradations are made up of 16 gradations at 63% (0.4x to 0.63 x Ict) and 16 gradations at 100% (0.625 to 1x Ict) of the Ict for each of line protection and motor protection.
  • the settings at 63% and 100% are switchable at one switch while the 16 positions are at the other switch. Since 32 gradations are available for each of line protection and motor protection it will be understood that 64 total settings are possible in the rating plug of the invention without disassembly. It will be understood that the nominal current rating In for the breaker as set by the rating plug is dictated by In ⁇ Ict.
  • the rating plug is connectable to the electronic tripping unit through an opening 50 in electronic tripping unit housing 52.
  • Rating plug 40 is protected by and accessible rating plug cover 54 which engages with cover 14 of circuit breaker 10 when in the completed condition. Because the rating plug 40 is accessible and is capable of switching the circuit breaker function simply and easily.
  • the invention further reduces necessary components for the manufacturer to stock since a single breaker and trip unit can be readily adapted to function as a line protector or a motor protector.
  • the rating plug 40 may dispense with switches in favor of jumpers.
  • the rating plug is removed and another installed when function or nominal current rating is desired to be changed. This embodiment of the invention still greatly simplifies function changeover since it avoids time consuming disassembly and replacement of electronic tripping units and current transformers.

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  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Protection Of Generators And Motors (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A circuit breaker (10) is rendered more versatile by providing an electronic trip unit (34) having more than one algorithm embedded in the software thereof to function as either a line protector or a motor protector. The rating plugs (40) of the invention may either be switchable between line and motor protection or the rating plugs may simply include a particular jumper thus enabling the circuit breaker to be converted from line to motor or motor to line based upon the rating plug selected. Whether the rating plug is switchable or the non-switchable jumper-type rating plugs of the invention are being employed the electronic trip unit and current transformer need not be changed in order to change the function of the circuit breaker between line protection and motor protection.

Description

  • The invention relates to the field of power distribution systems. More particularly, the invention relates to circuit breakers easily switchable between line protection and motor protection functions.
  • Circuit breakers are used to protect equipment for overcurrent situations caused for example by short circuits in or near such equipment. In the event an overcurrent condition occurs the circuit breaker will open resulting in the separation of contacts therein ending current flow. Circuit breakers open in a number of ways including magnetic fields, temperature, and by computerized systems commonly known as electronic tripping units which include software, running a particular algorithm to detect a particular undesirable current condition. When such condition is matched, the electronic tripping unit causes the circuit breaker to open. There are many different types of devices that can be protected by circuit breakers and circuit breakers themselves are unique to the intended function thereof. In one example, one type of circuit breaker would be designed and built to function as a line protection device while another type of circuit breaker would be designed and built to function as a motor protection device. The electronic tripping units employed with each of these circuit breakers are different and each employ distinct software and algorithms. Additionally the current transformers are usually replaced together with a trip unit. In the older prior art distinct circuit breakers would need to be employed for each different type of function and for each different circuit breaker rating. In order to reduce the number of components in stock, it is known to provide a plurality of different rating plugs which are connectable to a single circuit breaker and electronic trip unit in order to change the rating of the circuit breaker without disassembly of the entire circuit breaker. Such rating plugs work well for their intended purpose and enable quick and easy changing of ratings in the circuit breakers with which they are intended to be used. The art still requires however that completely distinct circuit breakers be employed for line protection functions and for motor protection functions. In order to change a particular circuit from line protection to motor protection, the entire circuit breaker would need to be replaced or the electronic trip unit and current transformers would need to be replaced after disassembly of the circuit breaker.
  • A circuit breaker of the invention includes a contact arm tripable by an electronic tripping unit operably connected to the contact arm. The electronic tripping unit preferably includes at least two independently selectable trip algorithms and a rating plug having a switch in communication with said electronic tripping unit, or a jumper enables rapid "in-the-field" selection between the at least two algorithms for selective functions.
  • An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker of the invention; and
  • Figure 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the interior components of the circuit breaker of the invention illustrating the relative position of the components providing the benefits of the invention.
  • Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of a circuit breaker 10 of the invention is depicted. The breaker 10 includes a housing base 12 and a housing cover 14 each of which are conventional. A contact arm (not shown) is disposed within circuit breaker 10. Also visible in the drawing is a switch handle 16 recognizable by one of ordinary skill in the art. In an engagement area 18, the circuit breaker 10 provides for the connection electrically and mechanically of an electronic trip unit, a current transformer assembly and a rating plug. These are discussed hereunder in connection with Figure 2. The configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is familiar to those of skill in the art.
  • For clarity in understanding the invention, each of several conventional components are identified. Detailed discussion of these components is not necessary as they are well known to those of skill in the art.
  • Referring to Figure 2, a conventional current transformer carrier 20 carries current transformers 22 (illustrated as three in the drawing although four is also a preferred arrangement for the invention). Each current transformer 22 provides a load lug 24 for connection of the circuit breaker to a desired electrical connection (not shown). Current transformer carrier 20 and the current transformer 22 are received within engagement area 18 as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For completeness, a push-to-trip assembly comprising components 26, 28, 30 and 32 which is conventional is illustrated. In the invention, an electronic trip unit 34 is mounted to carrier 20 on pins 36. The particular physical attributes of electronic trip unit 34 are known to the art since all of the hardware used therein is conventional. The software in electronic trip unit 34 is, however, distinct from the prior art since the completed circuit breaker 10 of the invention is to be easily switchable from a line protection circuit breaker to a motor protection circuit breaker. Electronic trip unit 34 (ETU) therefore includes at least two algorithms, one of which is directed to a motor protection function and one of which is directed to a line protection function. The circuit breaker 10 is thus capable of performing either function and need only be "told" which function to undertake.
  • Still referring to Figure 2, a rating plug 40 includes an electronics assembly 42 with preferably two switches 44a and 44b. Each of which preferably includes a knob 46 for ease of turning of switches 44a and 44b. Plug 40 further includes housing 48 and but for the additional switches are similar in structure to the prior art. Rating plugs of the prior art have employed one switch directed to the rating of the breaker (or in some cases two switches where one is a ground fault interruption); the invention provides two switches, one of which is adapted to select between two algorithms in the electronic trip unit 34 to determine the function (line protection or motor protection) of the breaker and the other of which is adapted to set the desired rating of the circuit breaker. The rating switch preferably provides 32 gradations from .4x to 1x of the breaker fixed rating Ict for each of line protection and motor protection. The 32 gradations are made up of 16 gradations at 63% (0.4x to 0.63 x Ict) and 16 gradations at 100% (0.625 to 1x Ict) of the Ict for each of line protection and motor protection. The settings at 63% and 100% are switchable at one switch while the 16 positions are at the other switch. Since 32 gradations are available for each of line protection and motor protection it will be understood that 64 total settings are possible in the rating plug of the invention without disassembly. It will be understood that the nominal current rating In for the breaker as set by the rating plug is dictated by In < Ict. The rating plug is connectable to the electronic tripping unit through an opening 50 in electronic tripping unit housing 52. Rating plug 40 is protected by and accessible rating plug cover 54 which engages with cover 14 of circuit breaker 10 when in the completed condition. Because the rating plug 40 is accessible and is capable of switching the circuit breaker function simply and easily. The invention further reduces necessary components for the manufacturer to stock since a single breaker and trip unit can be readily adapted to function as a line protector or a motor protector.
  • In another embodiment of the invention, not specifically shown, the rating plug 40 may dispense with switches in favor of jumpers. In a jumper rating plug application, the rating plug is removed and another installed when function or nominal current rating is desired to be changed. This embodiment of the invention still greatly simplifies function changeover since it avoids time consuming disassembly and replacement of electronic tripping units and current transformers.

Claims (10)

  1. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) comprising:
    an electronic tripping unit (34) having at least two independently selectable trip algorithms therein; and
    a rating plug (40) having a switch (44) in communication with said electronic tripping unit (34), said switch (44) selecting between each of said at least two algorithms.
  2. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) comprising:
    an electronic tripping unit (34) having at least two independently selectable trip algorithms therein; and
    a rating plug (40) having a jumper selecting one of said at least two algorithms.
  3. A circuit breaker (10) comprising:
    a contact arm;
    an electronic tripping unit (34) operably connected to said contact arm;
    an electronic tripping unit (34) having at least two independently selectable trip algorithms therein; and
    a rating plug (40) having a switch (44) in communication with said electronic tripping unit (34), said switch (44) selecting between each of said at least two algorithms.
  4. An interchangeable trip and rating system for a circuit breaker (10) comprising:
    an electronic tripping unit (34) having at least two independently selectable trip algorithms therein;
    a rating plug (40) having a switch (44) in communication with said electronic tripping unit (34), said switch (44) selecting between each of said at least two algorithms.
  5. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least two algorithms include one algorithm directed to a line protection function and one algorithm directed to a motor protection function.
  6. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rating plug includes two switches (44a, 44b)).
  7. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) as claimed in claim 6 wherein said two switches (44a, 44b) control a selection between said at least two algorithms and a rating of said circuit breaker (10).
  8. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) as claimed in claim 7 wherein said selection of rating of said circuit breaker (10) provides 32 rating levels.
  9. A function changeable circuit breaker (10) as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rating plug (40) includes a switch (44) to select among 32 rating levels for said circuit breaker.
  10. A circuit breaker (10) comprising:
    a contact arm;
    an electronic tripping unit (34) operably connected to said contact arm;
    a software program embedded in said electronic tripping unit (34), said software program having at least two individually;
    an electronic tripping unit (34) having at least two independently selectable trip algorithms therein; and
    a rating plug (40) having a jumper selecting one of said at least two algorithms.
EP00311530A 1999-12-27 2000-12-21 Electronic trip unit with a rating plug for circuit breakers, which has a switchable motor and line protection function Withdrawn EP1113476A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US47323899A 1999-12-27 1999-12-27
US473238 1999-12-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1113476A2 true EP1113476A2 (en) 2001-07-04
EP1113476A3 EP1113476A3 (en) 2003-03-05

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00311530A Withdrawn EP1113476A3 (en) 1999-12-27 2000-12-21 Electronic trip unit with a rating plug for circuit breakers, which has a switchable motor and line protection function

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP1113476A3 (en)
CN (1) CN1302074A (en)
HU (1) HUP0004986A3 (en)
MX (1) MXPA00012699A (en)
PL (1) PL344655A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2079091A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-07-15 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Voltage trigger case for a circuit breaker, voltage trigger device and assembly method
FR2926392A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-07-17 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Voltage trigger's electronic module case for e.g. three-pole circuit breaker, has box to house actuator in rest position at inside of case and in active position, in which actuator protrudes out from case by orifice and recess of lid
EP2202773A2 (en) * 2008-12-24 2010-06-30 General Electric Company Field configurable rating plug using communication and control signal
EP2202860A2 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-06-30 General Electric Company Universal rating plug for electronic trip unit
CN111584312A (en) * 2020-05-08 2020-08-25 浙江中新电力工程建设有限公司自动化分公司 Leakage circuit breaker capable of replacing leakage module on line and leakage protection method thereof

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10306548B4 (en) * 2003-02-17 2005-02-03 Wöhner GmbH & Co. KG Elektrotechnische Systeme Breaker device
FR2926393B1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-12-18 Schneider Electric Ind Sas TRANSFORMATION BLOCK OF A DOUBLE-PASSING ELECTRONIC TRIGGER
US7948343B2 (en) * 2008-06-30 2011-05-24 Eaton Corporation Settings emulator for a circuit interrupter trip unit and system including the same

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288498A (en) * 1994-04-13 1995-10-18 Gen Electric Circuit breaker
US5793595A (en) * 1993-08-11 1998-08-11 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Multi-application relay for power systems
US5877925A (en) * 1996-12-17 1999-03-02 General Electric Company Ground fault-rating plug for molded case circuit breakers

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5793595A (en) * 1993-08-11 1998-08-11 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Multi-application relay for power systems
GB2288498A (en) * 1994-04-13 1995-10-18 Gen Electric Circuit breaker
US5877925A (en) * 1996-12-17 1999-03-02 General Electric Company Ground fault-rating plug for molded case circuit breakers

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2079091A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-07-15 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Voltage trigger case for a circuit breaker, voltage trigger device and assembly method
FR2926392A1 (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-07-17 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Voltage trigger's electronic module case for e.g. three-pole circuit breaker, has box to house actuator in rest position at inside of case and in active position, in which actuator protrudes out from case by orifice and recess of lid
JP2009170422A (en) * 2008-01-10 2009-07-30 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Case of electronic trip device for circuit breaker, electronic trip device, and its assembling method
US8358188B2 (en) 2008-01-10 2013-01-22 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Electronic trip device case for a circuit breaker, electronic trip device and assembly method thereof
RU2481664C2 (en) * 2008-01-10 2013-05-10 Шнейдер Электрик Эндюстри Сас Body of device of electronic splitter for automatic circuit breaker, device of electric splitter and method of its assembly
EP2202773A2 (en) * 2008-12-24 2010-06-30 General Electric Company Field configurable rating plug using communication and control signal
EP2202773A3 (en) * 2008-12-24 2014-11-12 General Electric Company Field configurable rating plug using communication and control signal
EP2202860A2 (en) * 2008-12-29 2010-06-30 General Electric Company Universal rating plug for electronic trip unit
EP2202860A3 (en) * 2008-12-29 2012-09-05 General Electric Company Universal rating plug for electronic trip unit
CN111584312A (en) * 2020-05-08 2020-08-25 浙江中新电力工程建设有限公司自动化分公司 Leakage circuit breaker capable of replacing leakage module on line and leakage protection method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HUP0004986A2 (en) 2001-07-30
HU0004986D0 (en) 2001-02-28
PL344655A1 (en) 2001-07-02
HUP0004986A3 (en) 2003-05-28
EP1113476A3 (en) 2003-03-05
MXPA00012699A (en) 2003-04-25
CN1302074A (en) 2001-07-04

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