EP1115132B1 - Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields - Google Patents

Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1115132B1
EP1115132B1 EP00410152A EP00410152A EP1115132B1 EP 1115132 B1 EP1115132 B1 EP 1115132B1 EP 00410152 A EP00410152 A EP 00410152A EP 00410152 A EP00410152 A EP 00410152A EP 1115132 B1 EP1115132 B1 EP 1115132B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arc
chamber
contact
separators
contact means
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP00410152A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1115132A1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Aureyre
Jeremy Dorn
Lucas Pellegrin
Marc Rival
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/342—Venting arrangements for arc chutes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a breaking chamber of a low-voltage circuit breaker of high intensity.
  • EP 0 306 382 discloses a multipole circuit breaker molded insulating housing containing a control mechanism coupled to a switching bar so as to ensure the opening and closing of all the poles of the circuit breaker.
  • Each pole comprises a fixed contact member, a movable contact member and an arc extinction chamber.
  • the fixed contact member comprises a conductive fixed range of current supply bearing on the bottom of the housing, main fixed contacts and a fixed contact arc.
  • the fixed contact area is arranged in front engagement. In other words, it consists of a relatively straight metal bar, which does not impose a curved path to the current flowing therethrough and therefore prohibits any electromagnetic loop effect on the incipient bow when opening.
  • the movable contact member comprises a conductive fixed current-carrying pad also bearing on the bottom of the housing, and a contact system having a plurality of identical main contacts, divided into two series of the same number of parts and of another of a movable arc contact extending longitudinally along the median axis of the pole.
  • the arc contact protrudes into the chamber and allows entry of the arc into the chamber.
  • the arc extinguishing chamber is disposed above the first range and comprises lateral flanges supporting a stack of separators constituted by metal sheets of deionization of the arc, each sheet having a V-shaped notch. lower bow horn and an upper bow horn frame the stack of sheet metal from the extinguishing chamber.
  • the upper bow horn has two side tabs that are folded towards the fixed contacts and partially seal the upper part of the entrance into the chamber.
  • a lateral arc guiding cheek In the contact separation zone in the extension of each of the two side flanges of the chamber, there is a lateral arc guiding cheek.
  • the two cheeks protrude obliquely towards each other from the plane of the corresponding flange.
  • the cheeks have a substantially trapezoidal shape and are located in the lower part of the chamber, close to the fixed contact. They limit in the lower part access to the chamber, near the lower bow horn. When opening the contacts, the guide cheeks allow centering of the root arc along the lower arcuate horn.
  • Such a chamber is particularly suitable for circuit breakers of high caliber, of the order of 3000 A, having to satisfy single-phase voltage breaking tests.
  • relatively high of the order of 600 V with a relatively low intensity, of the order of 5 to 10 times the rated current of the circuit breaker.
  • it is poorly adapted to the breaking of very high fault currents, of the order of 100kA, at a moderately high voltage of 480V.
  • the intensity of the breaking current is very high, the diameter of the section of the arc is important, so that the arc is born almost instantaneously on all the contact fingers and immediately occupies the entire the available volume of the room.
  • the chamber is then subjected to a very high pressure and a very high temperature.
  • the gas emission of the cheeks further contributes to increase the pressure. But the positioning of the cheeks and the upper bow horn helps to reduce the opening of the entrance to the chamber, resulting in a delay in the balancing of the pressures in the housing of the device, which can lead to explosion of it.
  • circuit breaker arc chamber described in US Pat. No. 4,650,938, comprising separators intended to be arranged close to the contacts, and a pair of lateral flanges arranged on either side of a terminal block.
  • median longitudinal plane of the chamber to support the separators.
  • Each flange has an elongate rib projecting towards the opposite flange.
  • the two ribs extend over the entire height of the chamber, perpendicular to the separators, and face each other. They are arranged between the separators and the contacts, so as to restrict the width of the opening of the chamber entrance uniformly over the entire height of the chamber.
  • the ribs modify the gas flow in the chamber, and protect the portion of the flanges supporting the separators of the hot gas flow.
  • Such an arrangement is useful for a low performance low-end circuit breaker, in order to prevent the flanges from being damaged by the heat of the arc gases. By cons, it does not allow to use the entire volume of the chamber to cool the gas. The dimensions of the chamber needed to dissipate the energy of a given arc power, will be more important.
  • a circuit breaker of this type requires that arrangements be made to facilitate entry of the arc into the chamber, and in particular that the fixed contact is U-shaped under the lower surface of the chamber, to create an electromagnetic loop effect favoring the entry of the arc into the chamber.
  • the invention therefore aims to improve the performance of a high-voltage low-voltage multipole circuit breaker equipped with an upper arc horn. It aims in particular to allow the cutting of arcs large diameter arcs generated by very high fault currents at medium voltages, avoiding the risk of explosion of the chamber.
  • the arc horns help to ensure the entrance of the arc into the chamber as soon as the head of the main electric arc switches on the upper arc of the bow, even if the contact pads are of the type taken before , without electromagnetic effect of loop on the arc.
  • the dielectric shields allow them to lengthen and bend the electric arc between the movable contact in the open position and the separators, so as to promote the switching of the arc on the upper arc horn.
  • the narrowing of the dielectric screens in the lower part of the chamber, near the fixed contact allows to obtain a wide opening of the entrance to the chamber, which promotes the balance of pressures between the chamber and the previous volume of the pole.
  • the upper arc horn has a free end located near the movable contact member in the open position, and interposed between the separators and the movable contact member in the open position.
  • the upper part of each side dielectric screen interposes between the separators and the free end of the upper arc horn. This positioning of the upper bow horn allows for optimal switching of the bow on the upper bow horn. Dielectric screens are an obstacle for the arc. The arc is obliged to circumvent them to reach the separators, which allows its elongation.
  • the side dielectric screens are made of a low-gas-generating material, especially a polytetrafluoroethylene or a polyamide 6-6 or 4-6 heavily loaded.
  • the screens do not help to increase the pressures in the room. In addition, they do not generate a flow of gas likely to hinder the entry of the arc into the chamber.
  • each dielectric screen has an upper part and a lower part substantially narrower than the upper part. Alternatively, it is possible to totally eliminate the lower part.
  • each dielectric screen has an anterior part, the anterior parts of the two dielectric screens flanking at least partially the contact zone.
  • the front parts of the screens act as a protective shield for the side wall of the pole.
  • a low-power multipole circuit breaker 10 comprises a molded insulating casing 12 enclosing a known type of control mechanism 14, provided with a transverse switching bar 16 common to all the poles, journalling in bearings housed in the housing 12.
  • Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24 located near the fixed contact member 20.
  • the fixed contact member 20 comprises a current supply zone 26 mounted in the bottom of the housing 12, partially under the arc extinguishing chamber 24.
  • the fixed contact member 20 further comprises two contact bars main 28 ( Figure 2) directly attached to the current supply range 26 and a center arc contact 30 which is arranged on a metal plate 32 protruding from the fixed contact strips 28.
  • the metal plate 32 is fixed at the current supplying zone 26 in an intermediate zone between the bars 28 and the chamber 24. It extends towards the interior of the chamber 24 by a conducting lower arc-horn 34.
  • the current-supply range 26, the bars 28, the arc contact 30 and the arc horn 34 are made of various conductive metal materials, and are at the same potential.
  • the arcing contact 30 and the bars 28 together constitute a contact zone 36 intended to ensure electrical contact with the movable contact member 22.
  • the movable contact member 22 has meanwhile a conductive fixed range of current supply 40, a support cage 42 pivotally mounted about an axis 44 fixed relative to the housing 12 and a plurality of main contact fingers 46 (FIG. Figure 3) placed on either side of a middle arc contact finger 48.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 pivot about a common geometric axis 50, fixed relative to the cage 42, and are returned to the fixed contact member by contact pressure springs 52.
  • a coupling rod 54 is used for coupling between the cage 42 of the movable contact member 22 and a crank 56 of the switching bar 16 of the mechanism 14.
  • Each main finger 46 comprises a contact pad 58, intended to ensure contact with the corresponding contact strip 28 of the fixed contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and a lug 60 projecting beyond the contact pad to the extinguishing chamber 24.
  • the arc contact finger has a movable arc contact 62 for contact with the stationary arc contact 30 of the stationary contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position. shown in Figure 1, and a lug 64 protruding beyond the contact pad to the extinguishing chamber 24 and having a shape identical to that of the lugs 60.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 are electrically connected at the current supply zone 40 via braids 49.
  • the extinguishing chamber 24 comprises two lateral flanges 68 made of insulating material, which are parallel to the sectional plane of FIG. 1 and situated equidistantly on either side thereof, so that the plane of section constitutes a median longitudinal geometric plane 70 of the chamber 24 and the pole.
  • a rear exhaust gas wall 72 is arranged at the rear of the chamber, perpendicular to the lateral flanges 68. This wall 72 has one or more orifices 74 for exhausting the cutoff gases.
  • An anterior opening 76 is arranged near the contact zone 36, opposite to the posterior wall 72.
  • Separators 78 consisting of flat metal plates extend perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the front opening 76 to the posterior wall 72.
  • the separators 78 are spaced from each other so as to allow the possibility of gas circulation between the front opening 76 and the rear wall 72. They are supported laterally by the lateral flanges 68. Each plate 78 has an anterior edge 80 for capturing the electric arc which has approximately in the plane of the plate a concave curved U or V shape with a narrower 82 notch asymmetrical. The separators 78 are stacked so that the notches 82 are alternately on one lateral side and the other side of the chamber 24.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 intended to receive the root of the arc when the arc extends from the fixed arc contact 30 towards the inside of the chamber 24, has a rear portion 84 located at the inside the chamber, and an intermediate portion 85 connecting the posterior portion to the fixed arc contact 30.
  • the width of the posterior portion 84 that is to say its largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the chamber, is important while the intermediate portion 85 is a narrower section.
  • the posterior portion 84 has two lateral surfaces constituting reception areas 86 for the root of an electric arc developing in the chamber 24.
  • the lower arcuate horn 34 is fixed on a bottom consisting of a plate of insulating material 90, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber.
  • the portion of the plate 90 not covered by the bow horn extends to the flanges 68 and the rear wall 72. It has a periphery 92 forming a projecting shoulder in the chamber and flush with the periphery of the rear portion 84 of the bow horn.
  • An upper arc horn 96 intended to receive the head of the arc when it leaves the arc contact finger 48, is constituted by a metal plate perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70, supported by the lateral flanges.
  • the upper arch horn 96 is substantially parallel to the separators 78 in its posterior part and comprises in its front part a flap 98 which partially closes the chamber in its upper part, and which interposes between the anterior edges of the separators 78 located in the upper part of the room and the outside of the room.
  • the flap 98 has a face 99 which, when the movable contact member is in the open position (in dashed lines in FIG. 1), is in the immediate vicinity of the lugs 60, 64 of the contact fingers 46, 48.
  • the dielectric screens 100 consist of a plate of insulating material with little or no gas, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyamide 6-6 or 4-6 heavily charged, or a thermoset or a polyester.
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • Each dielectric screen has a flat front portion located in the extension of the side walls of the chamber outside thereof, and a rear portion which curves towards the chamber and the median plane by matching the profile of the separators.
  • the front portions of the two dielectric screens 100 form cheeks located on either side of the fixed contact strips and extending sufficiently high so that the contact pads 58 are also located between the cheeks when the circuit breaker is open.
  • each dielectric screen itself has an upper part extending quite deeply towards the chamber, and a lower lower part.
  • the flange 102 of the dielectric screens 100 which faces the chamber 24 is oblique, and forms a notch at the inlet 76 of the chamber.
  • the dielectric screens 100 reduce the width of the opening 76 of the chamber in its lower part close to the fixed contact member, and reduce more significantly the width of the front opening 76 the upper part of the rear part of the dielectric screens 100 is inserted between the flap 98 of the upper arc horn 96 and the separators 78 situated in the upper part of the chamber. in the upper part of the room.
  • the switching bar 16 In the closed position, the switching bar 16 is locked by the mechanism 14, and holds the cage 42 in the position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the springs 52 provide a contact pressure between the pellets 58 of the main contact fingers 46 and the contact bars 28, and between the contact 62 of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30.
  • a trigger causes the release of the mechanism 14 which causes the opening.
  • the rotation of the switching shaft 16 rotates the cage 42 about its axis of rotation 44.
  • the main contact fingers 46 pivot very slightly about the axis of rotation 50, in the opposite direction of clockwise in FIG. 1, under the effect of the contact pressure springs 52, while remaining in contact with the bars 28. Then they meet a stop of the cage 42, and are integrally driven with the cage 42 in rotation in the direction around the axis of rotation 44, so that they separate the bars 28.
  • the movement of the arc contact finger 48 is similar, but offset in time, due to the spatial shift between the bars 28 and the fixed arcing contact 30.
  • the contact fingers 46, 48 When the mechanism arrives in the open position, the contact fingers 46, 48 are near the flap 98 of the upper arcuate horn, in the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.
  • the arc head then switches to the upper arc horn 96 allowing a main arc to stretch between the upper and lower arc horns, while secondary arcs are formed in series with the main arc, between the face 99 of the flap 98 and the lugs 60, 64 of the contact fingers 46, 48.
  • the upper part of the dielectric screens imposes on the arc a bypass path, so that the head of the main arc migrates progressively on the upper arc horn towards the bottom of the arc. bedroom.
  • the pressure rise in the chamber is not too great, thanks in particular to the large width of the lower part of the chamber inlet, which allows a balancing of the pressures in the entire pole.
  • the choice of a material with little or no gas to form the dielectric screens also contributes to not increasing the pressure in the chamber.
  • the arc In the absence of dielectric screens, the arc remains oblique at the entrance to the chamber, between the flap of the upper arcuate horn and the lower arcuate horn.
  • the separators located in the upper part of the chamber are totally unused.
  • the pressure P A in the chamber is low.
  • the arc voltage U A is not high enough to prevent a reboot of the arc after the current has passed through zero. There is failure of the cut.
  • the pressure P B in the chamber increases very rapidly until reaching an extremum linked to the product UI.
  • This very high value of the pressure is explained in particular by the ablation of the material in the lower zone of the chamber.
  • the voltage U B rises very early in the chamber and remains at a high value.
  • the arc voltage U B is high enough to prohibit its regeneration. The current is cut.
  • the maximum pressure reached in the chamber requires a considerable strengthening of the walls of the chamber to prevent an explosion of the device.
  • the early rise of the arc voltage U B is useless for a device with little limiter, since the essential thing is to have a sufficiently large arc voltage at the time of the passage of the current by zero.
  • the pressure P c also increases rapidly but stabilizes earlier at a lower value than previously.
  • the arc voltage U c increases less rapidly, and reaches its maximum value when the limited current has already begun to decrease. However, the maximum value is identical to that of the previous test and is maintained until the passage of current by zero, so that at this moment, the arc goes off permanently.
  • the dielectric screens are not very gasogenic, so as to control the pressure rise in the chamber. However, it may be useful in certain configurations, to provide dielectric screens in a gasogenic material. On this point there is a compromise to be made between the ultimate breaking power of the circuit breaker and its performance in the other breaking tests, especially during tests at high voltage and low current.
  • the flap 98 of the upper arc-horn which favors the switching of the arc, can be omitted if the position reached by the movable contact fingers at the end of the opening is favorable to a direct switching on the horn. upper arch.
  • the screens have an anterior part which acts as a shield between the contact zone where the electric arc arises and the side walls of the pole which surround the contact zone.
  • This front part can be omitted if necessary, if the side walls of the pole surrounding the contact area have sufficient resistance to the arc.

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

Description

L'invention concerne une chambre de coupure d'un disjoncteur basse tension de forte intensité.The invention relates to a breaking chamber of a low-voltage circuit breaker of high intensity.

Le document EP 0 306 382 décrit un disjoncteur multipolaire à boîtier isolant moulé renfermant un mécanisme de commande accouplé à un barreau de commutation de manière à assurer l'ouverture et la fermeture de l'ensemble des pôles du disjoncteur. Chaque pôle comporte un organe de contact fixe, un organe de contact mobile et une chambre d'extinction d'arc. L'organe de contact fixe comporte une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée du courant prenant appui sur le fond du boîtier, des contacts fixes principaux et un contact fixe d'arc. La plage de contact fixe est disposée en prise avant. En d'autres termes, elle est constituée d'une barre métallique relativement rectiligne, qui n'impose pas un trajet courbe au courant le traversant et interdit par conséquent tout effet électromagnétique de boucle sur l'arc naissant lors de l'ouverture. L'organe de contact mobile comporte une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée de courant prenant également appui sur le fond du boîtier, et un système de contacts ayant une pluralité de contacts principaux identiques, répartis en deux séries de même nombre de part et d'autre d'un contact d'arc mobile s'étendant longitudinalement selon l'axe médian du pôle. Le contact d'arc fait saillie vers l'intérieur de la chambre et permet l'entrée de l'arc dans la chambre. La chambre d'extinction d'arc est disposée au-dessus de la première plage et comprend des flasques latéraux supportant un empilage de séparateurs constitués par des tôles métalliques de désionisation de l'arc, chaque tôle ayant une encoche en forme de V. Une corne d'arc inférieure et une corne d'arc supérieure encadrent l'empilage de tôles de la chambre d'extinction. La corne d'arc supérieure est dotée de deux pattes latérales qui sont rabattues en direction des contacts fixes et qui obturent partiellement la partie haute de l'entrée dans la chambre. Dans la zone de séparation des contacts dans le prolongement de chacun des deux flasques latéraux de la chambre, se trouve une joue latérale de guidage d'arc. Les deux joues font saillie en biais l'une vers l'autre à partir du plan du flasque correspondant. Les joues ont une forme sensiblement trapézoïdale et sont situées dans la partie basse de la chambre, à proximité du contact fixe. Elles limitent dans la partie basse l'accès à la chambre, à proximité de la corne d'arc inférieure. Lors de l'ouverture des contacts, les joues de guidage permettent un centrage de la racine d'arc le long de la corne d'arc inférieure.EP 0 306 382 discloses a multipole circuit breaker molded insulating housing containing a control mechanism coupled to a switching bar so as to ensure the opening and closing of all the poles of the circuit breaker. Each pole comprises a fixed contact member, a movable contact member and an arc extinction chamber. The fixed contact member comprises a conductive fixed range of current supply bearing on the bottom of the housing, main fixed contacts and a fixed contact arc. The fixed contact area is arranged in front engagement. In other words, it consists of a relatively straight metal bar, which does not impose a curved path to the current flowing therethrough and therefore prohibits any electromagnetic loop effect on the incipient bow when opening. The movable contact member comprises a conductive fixed current-carrying pad also bearing on the bottom of the housing, and a contact system having a plurality of identical main contacts, divided into two series of the same number of parts and of another of a movable arc contact extending longitudinally along the median axis of the pole. The arc contact protrudes into the chamber and allows entry of the arc into the chamber. The arc extinguishing chamber is disposed above the first range and comprises lateral flanges supporting a stack of separators constituted by metal sheets of deionization of the arc, each sheet having a V-shaped notch. lower bow horn and an upper bow horn frame the stack of sheet metal from the extinguishing chamber. The upper bow horn has two side tabs that are folded towards the fixed contacts and partially seal the upper part of the entrance into the chamber. In the contact separation zone in the extension of each of the two side flanges of the chamber, there is a lateral arc guiding cheek. The two cheeks protrude obliquely towards each other from the plane of the corresponding flange. The cheeks have a substantially trapezoidal shape and are located in the lower part of the chamber, close to the fixed contact. They limit in the lower part access to the chamber, near the lower bow horn. When opening the contacts, the guide cheeks allow centering of the root arc along the lower arcuate horn.

Une telle chambre est particulièrement adaptée à des disjoncteurs de calibre élevé, de l'ordre de 3000 A, devant satisfaire à des essais de coupure monophasée à tension relativement élevée, de l'ordre de 600 V avec une intensité assez faible, de l'ordre de 5 à 10 fois le courant nominal du disjoncteur. Par contre, elle est mal adaptée à la coupure de courants de défaut très élevés, de l'ordre de 100kA, sous une tension moyennement élevée de 480V. En effet, lorsque l'intensité du courant de coupure est très élevée, le diamètre de la section de l'arc est important, de sorte que l'arc naît quasi instantanément sur l'ensemble des doigts de contact et occupe immédiatement l'ensemble du volume disponible de la chambre. La chambre est alors soumise à une très forte pression et à une température très élevée. L'émission gazogène des joues contribue encore à augmenter la pression. Or le positionnement des joues et de la corne d'arc supérieure contribue à réduire l'ouverture de l'entrée dans la chambre, d'où un retard dans l'équilibrage des pressions dans le boîtier de l'appareil, qui peut entraîner l'explosion de celui-ci.Such a chamber is particularly suitable for circuit breakers of high caliber, of the order of 3000 A, having to satisfy single-phase voltage breaking tests. relatively high, of the order of 600 V with a relatively low intensity, of the order of 5 to 10 times the rated current of the circuit breaker. On the other hand, it is poorly adapted to the breaking of very high fault currents, of the order of 100kA, at a moderately high voltage of 480V. Indeed, when the intensity of the breaking current is very high, the diameter of the section of the arc is important, so that the arc is born almost instantaneously on all the contact fingers and immediately occupies the entire the available volume of the room. The chamber is then subjected to a very high pressure and a very high temperature. The gas emission of the cheeks further contributes to increase the pressure. But the positioning of the cheeks and the upper bow horn helps to reduce the opening of the entrance to the chamber, resulting in a delay in the balancing of the pressures in the housing of the device, which can lead to explosion of it.

On connaît par ailleurs une chambre d'arc pour disjoncteur, décrite dans le brevet étasunien US 4 650 938, comportant des séparateurs destinés à être disposés à proximité des contacts, et une paire de flasques latéraux disposés de part et d'autre d'un plan longitudinal médian de la chambre pour supporter les séparateurs. Chaque flasque comporte une nervure allongée faisant saillie vers le flasque opposé. Les deux nervures s'étendent sur toute la hauteur de la chambre, perpendiculairement aux séparateurs, et se font face. Elles sont disposées entre les séparateurs et les contacts, de façon à restreindre la largeur de l'ouverture de l'entrée de la chambre de manière uniforme sur toute la hauteur de la chambre. Lors de l'ouverture des contacts, les nervures modifient l'écoulement gazeux dans la chambre, et protègent la partie des flasques supportant les séparateurs du flux de gaz chauds. Une telle disposition est utile pour un disjoncteur bas de gamme de faibles performances, afin d'éviter l'altération des flasques par la chaleur des gaz d'arc. Par contre, elle ne permet pas d'utiliser l'ensemble du volume de la chambre pour refroidir les gaz. Les dimensions de la chambre nécessaires pour dissiper l'énergie d'un arc de puissance donnée, seront donc plus importantes. De plus, un disjoncteur de ce type impose que des dispositions soient prises afin de faciliter l'entrée de l'arc dans la chambre, et en particulier que le contact fixe soit conformé en U sous la surface inférieure de la chambre, afin de créer un effet électromagnétique de boucle favorisant l'entrée de l'arc dans la chambre.Furthermore, there is known a circuit breaker arc chamber, described in US Pat. No. 4,650,938, comprising separators intended to be arranged close to the contacts, and a pair of lateral flanges arranged on either side of a terminal block. median longitudinal plane of the chamber to support the separators. Each flange has an elongate rib projecting towards the opposite flange. The two ribs extend over the entire height of the chamber, perpendicular to the separators, and face each other. They are arranged between the separators and the contacts, so as to restrict the width of the opening of the chamber entrance uniformly over the entire height of the chamber. When opening the contacts, the ribs modify the gas flow in the chamber, and protect the portion of the flanges supporting the separators of the hot gas flow. Such an arrangement is useful for a low performance low-end circuit breaker, in order to prevent the flanges from being damaged by the heat of the arc gases. By cons, it does not allow to use the entire volume of the chamber to cool the gas. The dimensions of the chamber needed to dissipate the energy of a given arc power, will be more important. In addition, a circuit breaker of this type requires that arrangements be made to facilitate entry of the arc into the chamber, and in particular that the fixed contact is U-shaped under the lower surface of the chamber, to create an electromagnetic loop effect favoring the entry of the arc into the chamber.

L'invention vise donc à améliorer les performances d'un disjoncteur multipolaire basse tension de calibre élevé muni d'une corne d'arc supérieure. Elle vise notamment à permettre la coupure d'arcs électriques de diamètre important engendrés par des courants de défaut très élevés sous des tensions moyennes, en évitant les risques d'explosion de la chambre.The invention therefore aims to improve the performance of a high-voltage low-voltage multipole circuit breaker equipped with an upper arc horn. It aims in particular to allow the cutting of arcs large diameter arcs generated by very high fault currents at medium voltages, avoiding the risk of explosion of the chamber.

Selon l'invention, cet objectif est atteint grâce à un pôle pour un disjoncteur électrique comprenant un boîtier, un mécanisme de commande apte à passer d'une position fermée à une position ouverte, ledit pôle comprenant :

  • un organe de contact fixe, comportant une zone de contact,
  • un organe de contact mobile, apte à être accouplé audit mécanisme, et à passer d'une position fermée dans laquelle il est en contact avec la zone de contact de l'organe de contact fixe, à une position ouverte où les deux organes de contact sont séparés,
  • une chambre d'extinction d'arc, comportant :
  • deux flasques latéraux parallèles en matériau isolant, situés à égale distance d'un plan longitudinal médian de la chambre,
  • des séparateurs s'étendant d'un des flasques latéraux à l'autre sensiblement perpendiculairement au plan médian longitudinal,
  • une ouverture antérieure située à proximité de la zone de contact de l'organe de contact fixe,
  • une corne d'arc inférieure en matériau conducteur, reliée électriquement à l'organe de contact fixe,
  • une corne d'arc supérieure en matériau conducteur, les séparateurs étant situés entre la corne d'arc inférieure et la corne d'arc supérieure,
  • une paire d'écrans diélectriques latéraux en matériau électriquement isolant, faisant saillie vers le plan médian et limitant latéralement l'ouverture antérieure de la chambre,
caractérisé en ce que :
  • chaque écran diélectrique latéral est disposé de manière à s'interposer latéralement entre les séparateurs et l'organe de contact mobile en position ouverte,
  • la paire d'écrans diélectriques latéraux est disposée de manière que la largeur de l'ouverture de la chambre mesurée perpendiculairement au plan médian longitudinal soit sensiblement plus faible à proximité de la corne d'arc supérieure qu'à proximité de la corne d'arc inférieure.
According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a pole for an electrical circuit breaker comprising a housing, a control mechanism capable of passing from a closed position to an open position, said pole comprising:
  • a fixed contact member, comprising a contact zone,
  • a movable contact member, adapted to be coupled to said mechanism, and to move from a closed position in which it is in contact with the contact zone of the fixed contact member, to an open position where the two contact members are separated,
  • an arc extinction chamber, comprising:
  • two parallel side flanges made of insulating material, located equidistant from a median longitudinal plane of the chamber,
  • separators extending from one of the lateral flanges to the other substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane,
  • an anterior opening located near the contact zone of the fixed contact member,
  • a lower arc of conductive material, electrically connected to the fixed contact member,
  • an upper arc of conducting material, the separators being located between the lower arc horn and the upper arc horn,
  • a pair of side dielectric shields of electrically insulating material, projecting towards the median plane and laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber,
characterized in that
  • each side dielectric screen is arranged to interpose laterally between the separators and the movable contact member in the open position,
  • the pair of dielectric side shields is arranged such that the width of the chamber opening measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal median plane is substantially smaller near the upper arc horn than close to the arc horn lower.

Les cornes d'arc contribuent à assurer l'entrée de l'arc dans la chambre dès que la tête de l'arc électrique principal commute sur la corne d'arc supérieure, ceci même si les plages de contact sont du type à prise avant, sans effet électromagnétique de boucle sur l'arc. Les écrans diélectriques permettent quant à eux d'allonger et courber l'arc électrique entre le contact mobile en position ouverte et les séparateurs, de manière à favoriser la commutation de l'arc sur la corne d'arc supérieure. Le rétrécissement des écrans diélectriques dans la partie basse de la chambre, à proximité du contact fixe, permet d'obtenir une large ouverture de l'entrée dans la chambre, ce qui favorise l'équilibre des pressions entre la chambre et volume antérieur du pôle. En effet, une montée rapide de la pression dans la chambre serait néfaste à l'entrée et au maintien de l'arc dans la chambre. De plus, elle serait susceptible de provoquer l'explosion de la chambre. La combinaison des écrans diélectriques profilés et des cornes d'arc permet de favoriser l'allongement de l'arc dans la chambre tout en y contrôlant la pression.The arc horns help to ensure the entrance of the arc into the chamber as soon as the head of the main electric arc switches on the upper arc of the bow, even if the contact pads are of the type taken before , without electromagnetic effect of loop on the arc. The dielectric shields allow them to lengthen and bend the electric arc between the movable contact in the open position and the separators, so as to promote the switching of the arc on the upper arc horn. The narrowing of the dielectric screens in the lower part of the chamber, near the fixed contact, allows to obtain a wide opening of the entrance to the chamber, which promotes the balance of pressures between the chamber and the previous volume of the pole. Indeed, a rapid rise in the pressure in the room would be detrimental to the entry and maintenance of the arc in the room. Moreover, it would be likely to cause the explosion of the room. The combination of profiled dielectric screens and arc horns makes it possible to promote the elongation of the arc in the chamber while controlling the pressure therein.

Préférentiellement, la corne d'arc supérieure comporte une extrémité libre située à proximité de l'organe de contact mobile en position ouverte, et s'interposant entre les séparateurs et l'organe de contact mobile en position ouverte. La partie supérieure de chaque écran diélectrique latéral s'interpose entre les séparateurs et l'extrémité libre de la corne d'arc supérieure. Ce positionnement de la corne d'arc supérieure permet une commutation optimale de l'arc sur la corne d'arc supérieure. Les écrans diélectriques constituent pour l'arc un obstacle. L'arc est obligé de les contourner pour atteindre les séparateurs, ce qui permet son allongement.Preferably, the upper arc horn has a free end located near the movable contact member in the open position, and interposed between the separators and the movable contact member in the open position. The upper part of each side dielectric screen interposes between the separators and the free end of the upper arc horn. This positioning of the upper bow horn allows for optimal switching of the bow on the upper bow horn. Dielectric screens are an obstacle for the arc. The arc is obliged to circumvent them to reach the separators, which allows its elongation.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les écrans diélectriques latéraux sont constitués en un matériau peu gazogène, notamment un polytétrafluoréthylène ou un polyamide 6-6 ou 4-6 fortement chargé. Ainsi, les écrans ne contribuent pas à augmenter les pressions dans la chambre. De plus, ils ne génèrent pas de flux de gaz susceptible d'entraver l'entrée de l'arc dans la chambre.According to one embodiment, the side dielectric screens are made of a low-gas-generating material, especially a polytetrafluoroethylene or a polyamide 6-6 or 4-6 heavily loaded. Thus, the screens do not help to increase the pressures in the room. In addition, they do not generate a flow of gas likely to hinder the entry of the arc into the chamber.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque écran diélectrique comporte une partie supérieure et une partie inférieure sensiblement plus étroite que la partie supérieure. Alternativement, il est possible d'éliminer totalement la partie inférieure.According to one embodiment, each dielectric screen has an upper part and a lower part substantially narrower than the upper part. Alternatively, it is possible to totally eliminate the lower part.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque écran diélectrique comporte une partie antérieure, les parties antérieures des deux écrans diélectriques encadrant latéralement au moins partiellement la zone de contact. Les parties antérieures des écrans font fonction de bouclier protecteur de la paroi latérale du pôle.According to one embodiment, each dielectric screen has an anterior part, the anterior parts of the two dielectric screens flanking at least partially the contact zone. The front parts of the screens act as a protective shield for the side wall of the pole.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de réalisation de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et représenté aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue d'un pôle d'un appareillage selon un mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention, en coupe suivant un plan longitudinal médian d'une chambre de coupure de ce pôle ;
  • la figure 2 représente en perspective éclatée d'une partie du pôle de la figure 1, montrant notamment la chambre de coupure ;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue du dessus du pôle de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 4 représente les courbes de l'évolution temporelle de l'intensité du courant et de la tension d'arc pour un disjoncteur selon l'invention et pour deux autres disjoncteurs, à titre comparatif;
  • la figure 5 représente les courbes de l'évolution temporelle de la pression pour un disjoncteur selon l'invention et pour deux autres disjoncteurs, à titre comparatif.
Other advantages and features of the invention will emerge from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a view of a pole of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in section along a median longitudinal plane of a breaking chamber of this pole;
  • Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the pole of Figure 1, showing in particular the breaking chamber;
  • Figure 3 shows a top view of the pole of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 4 represents the curves of the temporal evolution of the intensity of the current and of the arc voltage for a circuit breaker according to the invention and for two other circuit breakers, by way of comparison;
  • FIG. 5 represents the curves of the time evolution of the pressure for a circuit breaker according to the invention and for two other circuit breakers, for comparison.

En référence aux figures 1 à 3, un disjoncteur multipolaire basse tension de puissance 10 comporte un boîtier isolant moulé 12 renfermant un mécanisme de commande 14 de type connu, muni d'un barreau de commutation transversal 16 commun à l'ensemble des pôles, tourillonnant dans des paliers ménagés dans le boîtier 12. Chaque pôle comporte un organe de contact fixe 20, un organe de contact mobile 22 et une chambre d'extinction d'arc 24 située à proximité de l'organe de contact fixe 20.With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a low-power multipole circuit breaker 10 comprises a molded insulating casing 12 enclosing a known type of control mechanism 14, provided with a transverse switching bar 16 common to all the poles, journalling in bearings housed in the housing 12. Each pole comprises a fixed contact member 20, a movable contact member 22 and an arc extinction chamber 24 located near the fixed contact member 20.

L'organe de contact fixe 20 comporte une plage d'amenée de courant 26 montée dans le fond du boîtier 12, partiellement sous la chambre d'extinction d'arc 24. L'organe de contact fixe 20 comporte en outre deux barrettes de contact principales 28 (figure 2) fixées directement à la plage d'amenée de courant 26 et un contact d'arc médian 30 qui est agencé sur une plaque métallique 32 faisant saillie par rapport aux barrettes de contact fixes 28. La plaque métallique 32 est fixée à la plage d'amenée de courant 26 dans une zone intermédiaire entre les barrettes 28 et la chambre 24. Elle se prolonge vers l'intérieur de la chambre 24 par une corne d'arc inférieure conductrice 34. La plage d'amenée de courant 26, les barrettes 28, le contact d'arc 30 et la corne d'arc 34 sont constitués de divers matériaux métalliques conducteurs, et sont à un même potentiel. Le contact d'arc 30 et les barrettes 28 constituent ensemble une zone de contact 36 destinée à assurer le contact électrique avec l'organe de contact mobile 22.The fixed contact member 20 comprises a current supply zone 26 mounted in the bottom of the housing 12, partially under the arc extinguishing chamber 24. The fixed contact member 20 further comprises two contact bars main 28 (Figure 2) directly attached to the current supply range 26 and a center arc contact 30 which is arranged on a metal plate 32 protruding from the fixed contact strips 28. The metal plate 32 is fixed at the current supplying zone 26 in an intermediate zone between the bars 28 and the chamber 24. It extends towards the interior of the chamber 24 by a conducting lower arc-horn 34. The current-supply range 26, the bars 28, the arc contact 30 and the arc horn 34 are made of various conductive metal materials, and are at the same potential. The arcing contact 30 and the bars 28 together constitute a contact zone 36 intended to ensure electrical contact with the movable contact member 22.

L'organe de contact mobile 22 comporte quant à lui une plage fixe conductrice d'amenée de courant 40, une cage support 42 montée pivotante autour d'un axe 44 fixe par rapport au boîtier 12 et une pluralité de doigts de contacts principaux 46 (figure 3) placés de part et d'autre d'un doigt de contact d'arc 48 médian. Les doigts de contact 46, 48 pivotent autour d'un axe géométrique commun 50, fixe par rapport à la cage 42, et sont rappelés vers l'organe de contact fixe par des ressorts de pression de contact 52. Une bielle d'accouplement 54 sert à l'accouplement entre la cage 42 de l'organe de contact mobile 22 et une manivelle 56 du barreau de commutation 16 du mécanisme 14. Chaque doigt principal 46 comporte une pastille de contact 58, destinée à assurer le contact avec la barrette de contact correspondante 28 de l'organe de contact fixe 20 lorsque l'appareil est dans la position fermée représentée sur la figure 1, ainsi qu'un ergot 60 faisant saillie au-delà de la pastille de contact vers la chambre d'extinction 24. Le doigt de contact d'arc possède quant à lui un contact d'arc mobile 62 destiné à assurer le contact avec le contact d'arc fixe 30 de l'organe de contact fixe 20 lorsque l'appareil est dans la position fermée représentée sur la figure 1, ainsi qu'un ergot 64 faisant saillie au-delà de la pastille de contact vers la chambre d'extinction 24 et ayant une forme identique à celle des ergots 60. Les doigts de contact 46, 48 sont reliés électriquement à la plage d'amenée de courant 40 par l'intermédiaire de tresses 49.The movable contact member 22 has meanwhile a conductive fixed range of current supply 40, a support cage 42 pivotally mounted about an axis 44 fixed relative to the housing 12 and a plurality of main contact fingers 46 (FIG. Figure 3) placed on either side of a middle arc contact finger 48. The contact fingers 46, 48 pivot about a common geometric axis 50, fixed relative to the cage 42, and are returned to the fixed contact member by contact pressure springs 52. A coupling rod 54 is used for coupling between the cage 42 of the movable contact member 22 and a crank 56 of the switching bar 16 of the mechanism 14. Each main finger 46 comprises a contact pad 58, intended to ensure contact with the corresponding contact strip 28 of the fixed contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, and a lug 60 projecting beyond the contact pad to the extinguishing chamber 24. The arc contact finger has a movable arc contact 62 for contact with the stationary arc contact 30 of the stationary contact member 20 when the apparatus is in the closed position. shown in Figure 1, and a lug 64 protruding beyond the contact pad to the extinguishing chamber 24 and having a shape identical to that of the lugs 60. The contact fingers 46, 48 are electrically connected at the current supply zone 40 via braids 49.

La chambre d'extinction 24 comporte deux flasques latéraux 68 en matériau isolant, qui sont parallèles au plan de coupe de la figure 1 et situés à égale distance de part et d'autre de celui-ci, de sorte que le plan de coupe constitue un plan géométrique longitudinal médian 70 de la chambre 24 et du pôle. Une paroi postérieure 72 d'échappement des gaz est agencée à l'arrière de la chambre, perpendiculairement aux flasques latéraux 68. Cette paroi 72 comporte un ou plusieurs orifices 74 d'échappement des gaz de coupure. Une ouverture antérieure 76 est agencée à proximité de la zone de contact 36, à l'opposé de la paroi postérieure 72. Des séparateurs 78 constitués par des plaques métalliques planes s'étendent perpendiculairement au plan longitudinal médian 70 de l'ouverture antérieure 76 à la paroi postérieure 72. Les séparateurs 78 sont disposés à distance les uns des autres de manière à laisser la possibilité d'une circulation de gaz entre l'ouverture antérieure 76 et la paroi postérieure 72. Ils sont supportés latéralement par les flasques latéraux 68. Chaque plaque 78 possède une arête antérieure 80 de captation de l'arc électrique qui présente approximativement dans le plan de la plaque une forme incurvée concave en U ou en V avec une encoche 82 plus étroite dissymétrique. Les séparateurs 78 sont empilés de manière que les encoches 82 se trouvent alternativement d'un côté latéral et de l'autre de la chambre 24.The extinguishing chamber 24 comprises two lateral flanges 68 made of insulating material, which are parallel to the sectional plane of FIG. 1 and situated equidistantly on either side thereof, so that the plane of section constitutes a median longitudinal geometric plane 70 of the chamber 24 and the pole. A rear exhaust gas wall 72 is arranged at the rear of the chamber, perpendicular to the lateral flanges 68. This wall 72 has one or more orifices 74 for exhausting the cutoff gases. An anterior opening 76 is arranged near the contact zone 36, opposite to the posterior wall 72. Separators 78 consisting of flat metal plates extend perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the front opening 76 to the posterior wall 72. The separators 78 are spaced from each other so as to allow the possibility of gas circulation between the front opening 76 and the rear wall 72. They are supported laterally by the lateral flanges 68. Each plate 78 has an anterior edge 80 for capturing the electric arc which has approximately in the plane of the plate a concave curved U or V shape with a narrower 82 notch asymmetrical. The separators 78 are stacked so that the notches 82 are alternately on one lateral side and the other side of the chamber 24.

La corne d'arc inférieure 34, destinée à réceptionner la racine de l'arc lorsque l'arc s'étend depuis le contact d'arc fixe 30 vers l'intérieur de la chambre 24, comporte une partie postérieure 84 située à l'intérieur de la chambre, et une partie intermédiaire 85 reliant la partie postérieure au contact d'arc fixe 30. La largeur de la partie postérieure 84, c'est-à-dire sa plus grande dimension mesurée suivant un axe perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian 70 de la chambre, est importante alors que la partie intermédiaire 85 constitue un tronçon plus étroit. La partie postérieure 84 présente deux surfaces latérales constituant des aires de réception 86 pour la racine d'un arc électrique se développant dans la chambre 24.The lower arcuate horn 34, intended to receive the root of the arc when the arc extends from the fixed arc contact 30 towards the inside of the chamber 24, has a rear portion 84 located at the inside the chamber, and an intermediate portion 85 connecting the posterior portion to the fixed arc contact 30. The width of the posterior portion 84, that is to say its largest dimension measured along an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70 of the chamber, is important while the intermediate portion 85 is a narrower section. The posterior portion 84 has two lateral surfaces constituting reception areas 86 for the root of an electric arc developing in the chamber 24.

La corne d'arc inférieure 34 est fixée sur un fond constitué par une plaque en matériau isolant 90, en l'occurrence du polyamide 6-6 chargé à 30% de fibre de verre. La partie de la plaque 90 non recouverte par la corne d'arc s'étend jusqu'aux flasques 68 et la paroi postérieure 72. Elle présente un pourtour 92 formant un épaulement saillant dans la chambre et affleurant à la périphérie de la partie postérieure 84 de la corne d'arc.The lower arcuate horn 34 is fixed on a bottom consisting of a plate of insulating material 90, in this case polyamide 6-6 loaded with 30% glass fiber. The portion of the plate 90 not covered by the bow horn extends to the flanges 68 and the rear wall 72. It has a periphery 92 forming a projecting shoulder in the chamber and flush with the periphery of the rear portion 84 of the bow horn.

Une corne d'arc supérieure 96, destinée à réceptionner la tête de l'arc lorsqu'elle quitte le doigt de contact d'arc 48, est constituée par une plaque métallique perpendiculaire au plan longitudinal médian 70, supportée par les flasques latéraux. La corne d'arc supérieure 96 est sensiblement parallèle aux séparateurs 78 dans sa partie postérieure et comporte dans sa partie antérieure un rabat 98 qui ferme partiellement la chambre dans sa partie supérieure, et qui s'interpose entre les arêtes antérieures des séparateurs 78 situés dans la partie haute de la chambre et l'extérieur de la chambre. Le rabat 98 comporte une face 99 qui, lorsque l'organe de contact mobile est en position ouverte (en pointillés sur la figure 1), se situe à proximité immédiate des ergots 60, 64 des doigts de contact 46, 48.An upper arc horn 96, intended to receive the head of the arc when it leaves the arc contact finger 48, is constituted by a metal plate perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane 70, supported by the lateral flanges. The upper arch horn 96 is substantially parallel to the separators 78 in its posterior part and comprises in its front part a flap 98 which partially closes the chamber in its upper part, and which interposes between the anterior edges of the separators 78 located in the upper part of the room and the outside of the room. The flap 98 has a face 99 which, when the movable contact member is in the open position (in dashed lines in FIG. 1), is in the immediate vicinity of the lugs 60, 64 of the contact fingers 46, 48.

Deux écrans diélectriques latéraux 100, placés de manière symétrique par rapport au plan médian longitudinal, limitent l'ouverture antérieure de la chambre. Les écrans diélectriques 100 sont constitués par une plaque en matériau isolant peu ou pas gazogène, de préférence du polytétrafluoréthylène (PTFE) ou du polyamide 6-6 ou 4-6 fortement chargé, ou bien un thermodur ou un polyester. Chaque écran diélectrique comporte une partie antérieure plane située dans le prolongement des parois latérales de la chambre en dehors de celle-ci, et une partie postérieure qui s'incurve vers la chambre et vers le plan médian en épousant le profil des séparateurs. Les parties antérieures des deux écrans diélectriques 100 forment des joues situées de part et d'autre des barrettes de contact fixes et s'étendant sur une hauteur suffisante pour que les pastilles de contact 58 soient également situées entre les joues lorsque le disjoncteur est ouvert. La partie postérieure de chaque écran diélectrique comporte elle-même une partie supérieure s'étendant assez profondément vers la chambre, et une partie inférieure moins importante. Le rebord 102 des écrans diélectriques 100 qui fait face à la chambre 24 est oblique, et forme une échancrure à l'entrée 76 de la chambre. En d'autres termes, les écrans diélectriques 100 réduisent peu la largeur de l'ouverture 76 de la chambre dans sa partie basse à proximité de l'organe de contact fixe, et réduisent de manière plus importante la largeur de l'ouverture antérieure 76 de la chambre dans sa partie haute, à proximité de la corne d'arc supérieure 96. La partie supérieure de la partie postérieure des écrans diélectriques 100 s'intercale entre le rabat 98 de la corne d'arc supérieure 96 et les séparateurs 78 situés dans la partie haute de la chambre.Two lateral dielectric screens 100, placed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane, limit the front opening of the chamber. The dielectric screens 100 consist of a plate of insulating material with little or no gas, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyamide 6-6 or 4-6 heavily charged, or a thermoset or a polyester. Each dielectric screen has a flat front portion located in the extension of the side walls of the chamber outside thereof, and a rear portion which curves towards the chamber and the median plane by matching the profile of the separators. The front portions of the two dielectric screens 100 form cheeks located on either side of the fixed contact strips and extending sufficiently high so that the contact pads 58 are also located between the cheeks when the circuit breaker is open. The posterior part of each dielectric screen itself has an upper part extending quite deeply towards the chamber, and a lower lower part. The flange 102 of the dielectric screens 100 which faces the chamber 24 is oblique, and forms a notch at the inlet 76 of the chamber. In other words, the dielectric screens 100 reduce the width of the opening 76 of the chamber in its lower part close to the fixed contact member, and reduce more significantly the width of the front opening 76 the upper part of the rear part of the dielectric screens 100 is inserted between the flap 98 of the upper arc horn 96 and the separators 78 situated in the upper part of the chamber. in the upper part of the room.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant :The operation of the device is as follows:

En position de fermeture, le barreau de commutation 16 est verrouillé par le mécanisme 14, et maintient la cage 42 dans la position illustrée sur la figure 1. Les ressorts 52 assurent une pression de contact entre les pastilles 58 des doigts de contact principaux 46 et les barrettes de contact 28, ainsi qu'entre le contact 62 du doigt de contact d'arc 48 et le contact d'arc fixe 30.In the closed position, the switching bar 16 is locked by the mechanism 14, and holds the cage 42 in the position shown in FIG. 1. The springs 52 provide a contact pressure between the pellets 58 of the main contact fingers 46 and the contact bars 28, and between the contact 62 of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30.

En présence d'un courant de défaut d'intensité très élevée, au-delà de 100 kA crête, un déclencheur provoque la libération du mécanisme 14 qui entraîne l'ouverture. La rotation de l'arbre de commutation 16 fait pivoter la cage 42 autour de son axe de rotation 44. Les doigts de contact principaux 46 pivotent très légèrement autour de l'axe de rotation 50, dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d'une montre sur la figure 1, sous l'effet des ressorts de pression de contact 52, tout en restant en contact avec les barrettes 28. Puis ils rencontrent une butée de la cage 42, et sont entraînés solidairement avec la cage 42 en rotation dans le sens horaire autour de l'axe de rotation 44, de sorte qu'ils se séparent des barrettes 28. Sur le principe, le mouvement du doigt de contact d'arc 48 est similaire, mais décalé dans le temps, du fait du décalage spatial entre les barrettes 28 et le contact d'arc fixe 30. Ainsi, lorsque a lieu la séparation des doigts de contact principaux 46, le doigt de contact d'arc 48 est encore en contact avec le contact d'arc fixe 30. La totalité du courant circulant entre les plages 26, 40 passe alors par les contacts d'arc 30, 62. Dans une seconde phase, le doigt de contact d'arc 48 rencontre à son tour une butée de la cage 42 qui l'entraîne solidairement avec la cage 42 dans le mouvement de rotation de cette dernière autour de l'axe de rotation 44 de la cage, dans le sens horaire, de sorte que se produit la séparation du doigt de contact d'arc 48 et du contact d'arc fixe 30. Un arc naît alors, non seulement entre les contacts d'arc 30 mais également entre les doigts de contact 46 et les barrettes 28, car l'intensité du courant est telle que la surface des contacts d'arc est insuffisante pour réceptionner l'arc. On retiendra en effet à titre purement indicatif qu'un arc libre a une intensité de 104 Ampères crête par cm2 de section de l'arc.In the presence of a very high intensity fault current, beyond 100 kA peak, a trigger causes the release of the mechanism 14 which causes the opening. The rotation of the switching shaft 16 rotates the cage 42 about its axis of rotation 44. The main contact fingers 46 pivot very slightly about the axis of rotation 50, in the opposite direction of clockwise in FIG. 1, under the effect of the contact pressure springs 52, while remaining in contact with the bars 28. Then they meet a stop of the cage 42, and are integrally driven with the cage 42 in rotation in the direction around the axis of rotation 44, so that they separate the bars 28. In principle, the movement of the arc contact finger 48 is similar, but offset in time, due to the spatial shift between the bars 28 and the fixed arcing contact 30. Thus, when the separation of the main contact fingers 46, the arc contact finger 48 is still in contact with the fixed arcing contact 30. current flowing between the tracks 26, 40 then passes through the contacts arc 30, 62. In a second phase, the arc contact finger 48 in turn encounters a stop of the cage 42 which drives it integrally with the cage 42 in the rotational movement of the latter around the rotation axis 44 of the cage, in the clockwise direction, so that the separation of the arc contact finger 48 and the fixed arc contact 30 occurs. An arc then arises, not only between the arcing contacts. But also between the contact fingers 46 and the bars 28, because the intensity of the current is such that the area of the arcing contacts is insufficient to receive the arc. It should be remembered that for purely indicative purposes, a free arc has an intensity of 10 4 peak amperes per cm 2 of section of the arc.

Lorsque le mécanisme arrive en position ouverte, les doigts de contact 46, 48 se trouvent à proximité du rabat 98 de la corne d'arc supérieure, dans la position représentée en pointillés sur la figure 1. La tête d'arc commute alors sur la corne d'arc supérieure 96 permettant à un arc principal de s'étirer entre les cornes d'arc supérieure et inférieure, alors que des arcs secondaires se forment en série avec l'arc principal, entre la face 99 du rabat 98 et les ergots 60, 64 des doigts de contact 46, 48. La partie supérieure des écrans diélectriques impose à l'arc un trajet de contournement, de sorte que la tête de l'arc principal migre progressivement sur la corne d'arc supérieure vers le fond de la chambre.When the mechanism arrives in the open position, the contact fingers 46, 48 are near the flap 98 of the upper arcuate horn, in the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The arc head then switches to the upper arc horn 96 allowing a main arc to stretch between the upper and lower arc horns, while secondary arcs are formed in series with the main arc, between the face 99 of the flap 98 and the lugs 60, 64 of the contact fingers 46, 48. The upper part of the dielectric screens imposes on the arc a bypass path, so that the head of the main arc migrates progressively on the upper arc horn towards the bottom of the arc. bedroom.

L'arc, en pénétrant dans la chambre 24, se divise plus ou moins au contact des séparateurs 78 en arcs élémentaires, chaque arc élémentaire constituant une liaison électrique en série entre deux séparateurs 78 adjacents ou entre chaque corne d'arc 34, 96 et le séparateur 78 lui faisant face.The arc, penetrating into the chamber 24, divides more or less in contact with the separators 78 in elementary arcs, each elementary arc constituting an electrical connection in series between two adjacent separators 78 or between each arc horn 34, 96 and the separator 78 facing it.

L'élévation de pression dans la chambre n'est pas trop importante, grâce notamment à la largeur importante de la partie basse de l'entrée de la chambre, qui permet un équilibrage des pressions dans l'ensemble du pôle. Le choix d'un matériau peu ou pas gazogène pour constituer les écrans diélectriques contribue également à ne pas élever la pression dans la chambre.The pressure rise in the chamber is not too great, thanks in particular to the large width of the lower part of the chamber inlet, which allows a balancing of the pressures in the entire pole. The choice of a material with little or no gas to form the dielectric screens also contributes to not increasing the pressure in the chamber.

Des essais comparatifs ont été menés avec un disjoncteur en prise avant comportant des cornes d'arc mais aucun écran diélectrique, un disjoncteur comportant des cornes d'arc et des écrans diélectriques imposant une restriction uniforme de la largeur de l'entrée de la chambre du haut en bas de l'ouverture et un disjoncteur selon l'invention. Les figures 4 et 5 représentent respectivement l'évolution des tensions et des pressions lors de l'ouverture sur un courant de défaut d'intensité très élevée. La courbe UR représente la tension du réseau.Comparative tests were conducted with a front-mounted circuit breaker having arc horns but no dielectric shield, a circuit breaker having arc horns and dielectric shields imposing a uniform restriction of the width of the chamber inlet. up and down the opening and a circuit breaker according to the invention. Figures 4 and 5 respectively show the evolution of voltages and pressures when opening on a very high intensity fault current. The curve U R represents the voltage of the network.

En l'absence d'écrans diélectriques l'arc reste oblique à l'entrée de la chambre, entre le rabat de la corne d'arc supérieure et la corne d'arc inférieure. Les séparateurs situés dans la partie supérieure de la chambre sont totalement inutilisés. La pression PA dans la chambre est faible. La tension d'arc UA n'est pas suffisamment élevée pour empêcher un réamorçage de l'arc après le passage du courant par zéro. Il y a échec de la coupure.In the absence of dielectric screens, the arc remains oblique at the entrance to the chamber, between the flap of the upper arcuate horn and the lower arcuate horn. The separators located in the upper part of the chamber are totally unused. The pressure P A in the chamber is low. The arc voltage U A is not high enough to prevent a reboot of the arc after the current has passed through zero. There is failure of the cut.

Lorsque les écrans diélectriques obturent uniformément les côtés latéraux de l'entrée dans la chambre la pression PB dans la chambre augmente très rapidement jusqu'à atteindre un extrémum lié au produit UI. Cette valeur très élevée de la pression s'explique notamment par l'ablation du matériau dans la zone inférieure de la chambre. La tension UB s'élève très tôt dans la chambre et se maintient à une valeur élevée. Lors du passage du courant par zéro, la tension d'arc UB est suffisamment élevée pour interdire sa régénération. Le courant est coupé. Toutefois, la pression maximale atteinte dans la chambre exige un renforcement considérable des parois de la chambre pour éviter une explosion de l'appareil. De plus, la montée précoce de la tension d'arc UB est inutile pour un appareil peu limiteur, puisque l'essentiel est d'avoir une tension d'arc suffisamment importante au moment du passage du courant par zéro.When the dielectric screens uniformly close the lateral sides of the entrance into the chamber, the pressure P B in the chamber increases very rapidly until reaching an extremum linked to the product UI. This very high value of the pressure is explained in particular by the ablation of the material in the lower zone of the chamber. The voltage U B rises very early in the chamber and remains at a high value. When the current passes through zero, the arc voltage U B is high enough to prohibit its regeneration. The current is cut. However, the maximum pressure reached in the chamber requires a considerable strengthening of the walls of the chamber to prevent an explosion of the device. In addition, the early rise of the arc voltage U B is useless for a device with little limiter, since the essential thing is to have a sufficiently large arc voltage at the time of the passage of the current by zero.

Lorsque l'on utilise un disjoncteur selon l'invention la pression Pc augmente aussi rapidement mais se stabilise plus tôt à une valeur moins élevée que précédemment. La tension d'arc Uc augmente moins rapidement, et atteint sa valeur maximale lorsque le courant limité a déjà commencé à décroître. Toutefois, la valeur maximale est identique à celle de l'essai précédent et se maintient jusqu'au passage du courant par zéro, de sorte qu'à cet instant, l'arc s'éteint définitivement.When using a circuit breaker according to the invention the pressure P c also increases rapidly but stabilizes earlier at a lower value than previously. The arc voltage U c increases less rapidly, and reaches its maximum value when the limited current has already begun to decrease. However, the maximum value is identical to that of the previous test and is maintained until the passage of current by zero, so that at this moment, the arc goes off permanently.

Naturellement, diverses modifications sont possibles sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. Dans le mode de réalisation décrit, les écrans diélectriques sont peu gazogènes, de manière à maîtriser l'élévation de pression dans la chambre. Toutefois, il peut être utile dans certaines configurations, de prévoir des écrans diélectriques en un matériau gazogène. Il y a sur ce point un compromis à assurer entre le pouvoir de coupure ultime du disjoncteur et ses performances dans les autres essais de coupure, notamment lors des essais à tension élevée et courant faible.Of course, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. In the embodiment described, the dielectric screens are not very gasogenic, so as to control the pressure rise in the chamber. However, it may be useful in certain configurations, to provide dielectric screens in a gasogenic material. On this point there is a compromise to be made between the ultimate breaking power of the circuit breaker and its performance in the other breaking tests, especially during tests at high voltage and low current.

Le rabat 98 de la corne d'arc supérieure, qui favorise la commutation de l'arc, peut être omis si la position atteinte par les doigts de contact mobiles à la fin de l'ouverture est favorable à une commutation directe sur la corne d'arc supérieure.The flap 98 of the upper arc-horn, which favors the switching of the arc, can be omitted if the position reached by the movable contact fingers at the end of the opening is favorable to a direct switching on the horn. upper arch.

Dans le mode de réalisation décrit précédemment, les écrans possèdent une partie antérieure qui fait fonction de bouclier entre la zone de contact ou naît l'arc électrique et les parois latérales du pôle qui encadrent la zone de contact. Cette partie antérieure peut être omise le cas échéant, si les parois latérales du pôle encadrant la zone de contact ont une résistance suffisante à l'arc.In the embodiment described above, the screens have an anterior part which acts as a shield between the contact zone where the electric arc arises and the side walls of the pole which surround the contact zone. This front part can be omitted if necessary, if the side walls of the pole surrounding the contact area have sufficient resistance to the arc.

Pour obtenir l'effet recherché lors de la coupure des courants très élevés à faible tension, l'existence de contacts d'arc spécifiques pénétrant plus profondément dans la chambre que les contacts principaux n'est pas nécessaire. Cette architecture est choisie pour assurer d'autres performances de l'appareil, notamment lors des essais à tension élevée et courant faible. L'invention s'applique d'ailleurs également à un appareil dont l'organe de contact mobile ne comporte qu'un doigt de contact.To achieve the desired effect when cutting very high currents at low voltage, the existence of specific arc contacts penetrating deeper into the chamber than the main contacts is not necessary. This architecture is chosen to ensure other performance of the device, especially during tests at high voltage and low current. The invention also applies to an apparatus whose movable contact member comprises only a contact finger.

Claims (5)

  1. Pole for an electrical circuit breaker (10) comprising a case (12), and an operating mechanism (14) able to switch from a closed position to an open position, said pole comprising:
    - a stationary contact means (20) comprising a contact zone (36),
    - a movable contact means (22) able to be coupled to said mechanism and to switch from a closed position in which it is in contact with the contact zone of the stationary contact means to an open position where the two contact means are separated,
    - an arc extinguishing chamber (24) comprising:
    - two parallel side flanges (68) made of insulating material situated at equal distance from a longitudinal mid-plane (70) of the chamber,
    - separators (78) extending from one of the side flanges to the other, appreciably perpendicularly to the longitudinal mid-plane,
    - a front opening (76) situated near to the contact zone of the stationary contact means,
    - a lower arcing horn (34) made of conducting material, electrically connected to the stationary contact means,
    - an upper arcing horn (96) made of conducting material, the separators being situated between the lower arcing horn and the upper arcing horn,
    - a pair of lateral dielectric shields (100) made of electrically insulating material salient towards the mid-plane and laterally limiting the front opening of the chamber,
    characterized in that:
    - each lateral dielectric shield (100) is arranged in such a way as to be interposed laterally between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position,
    - the pair of lateral dielectric shields (100) is arranged in such a way that the width of the opening of the chamber measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal mid-plane is appreciably smaller near to the upper arcing horn than near to the lower arcing horn.
  2. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that
    - the upper arcing horn (96) comprises a free end (98) situated near to the movable contact means in the open position and interposed between the separators and the movable contact means in the open position,
    - the upper part of each lateral dielectric shield is interposed between the separators (78) and the free end (98) of the upper arcing horn (96).
  3. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that
    - the lateral dielectric shields (100) are made of a material generating little or no gas, in particular a polytetrafluorethylene or a strongly charged 6-6 or 4-6 polyamide.
  4. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that each lateral dielectric shield (100) comprises an upper part and a lower part appreciably narrower than the upper part.
  5. Pole according to claim 1, characterized in that each dielectric shield comprises a front part, the front parts of the two dielectric shields laterally bounding the contact zone (36) at least partially.
EP00410152A 2000-01-07 2000-12-07 Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields Expired - Lifetime EP1115132B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0000199 2000-01-07
FR0000199A FR2803686B1 (en) 2000-01-07 2000-01-07 POLE FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER, PROVIDED WITH AN ARC EXTINGUISHING CHAMBER WITH DIELECTRIC SHIELDS

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1115132A1 EP1115132A1 (en) 2001-07-11
EP1115132B1 true EP1115132B1 (en) 2006-08-09

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EP00410152A Expired - Lifetime EP1115132B1 (en) 2000-01-07 2000-12-07 Pole for electrical circuit breaker with arc extinguishing chamber provided with dielectric shields

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US (1) US6348666B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1115132B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4493859B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1187774C (en)
DE (1) DE60029919T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2267482T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2803686B1 (en)

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US9362077B2 (en) 2000-02-17 2016-06-07 Pass & Seymour, Inc. Electrical device with miswire protection and automated testing
US8299799B2 (en) * 2000-02-17 2012-10-30 Pass & Seymour, Inc. Electrical device with miswire protection and automated testing
US7598828B1 (en) * 2004-07-28 2009-10-06 Pass & Seymour, Inc. Protection device with a sandwiched cantilever breaker mechanism
JP2004273235A (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-30 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Circuit breaker
US6977354B1 (en) * 2004-11-03 2005-12-20 Eaton Corporation Arc hood and power distribution system including the same
FR2877763B1 (en) 2004-11-08 2007-03-16 Schneider Electric Ind Sas CONTACT BAG FOR A MOBILE ELECTRIC CONTACT OF A CIRCUIT BREAKER, MOBILE ELECTRICAL CONTACT HAVING SUCH A PASTILLE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPRISING SUCH A CONTACT
FR2891082B1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-10-19 Schneider Electric Ind Sas CUTTING DEVICE HAVING A REDUCED SIZE OF ARC EXTINGUISHING CHAMBER
JP4957072B2 (en) * 2006-05-11 2012-06-20 富士電機機器制御株式会社 Circuit breaker
KR101386582B1 (en) * 2010-06-04 2014-04-18 엘에스산전 주식회사 A circuit braker
KR200460487Y1 (en) * 2011-02-22 2012-05-24 엘에스산전 주식회사 Circuit breaker with an arc extinguishing device
CN102810418B (en) * 2012-07-03 2016-06-08 无锡新宏泰电器科技股份有限公司 The contact blade of a kind of dynamic contact system
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US9530592B1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2016-12-27 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Arc extinguishing assemblies and methods
EP3151261B1 (en) * 2015-10-02 2019-06-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Cam circuit-breaker for medium and high voltages
CN106783426B (en) * 2017-01-13 2018-08-07 乐清市也为电气有限公司 A kind of electric switch
CN106783423B (en) * 2017-01-13 2018-08-07 乐清市也为电气有限公司 A kind of operating mechanism of electric switch
US10650993B1 (en) * 2019-03-19 2020-05-12 Siemens Industry, Inc. Circuit breaker with enhanced arc extinguishing chamber
CN114203492A (en) * 2021-12-23 2022-03-18 江苏其厚智能电气设备有限公司 Plastic shell type circuit breaker contact system with arc contacts

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60029919T2 (en) 2007-04-05
JP2001216881A (en) 2001-08-10
CN1187774C (en) 2005-02-02
US20010007318A1 (en) 2001-07-12
ES2267482T3 (en) 2007-03-16
FR2803686B1 (en) 2002-02-22
US6348666B2 (en) 2002-02-19
DE60029919D1 (en) 2006-09-21
CN1304149A (en) 2001-07-18
JP4493859B2 (en) 2010-06-30
FR2803686A1 (en) 2001-07-13
EP1115132A1 (en) 2001-07-11

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