EP1315190B1 - Test device with short circuit indicator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a test arrangement with short-circuit detector for a multi-pole circuit breaker according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the publication DE 3837461 A1 a short-circuit detector is known, which contains two signaling contacts, is transferred by the triggering device of a multi-pole circuit breaker when triggered due to a short circuit from a normal position to a reporting position, is held locked in the message position and from this position attributable to a display and return plunger in the normal position is. The short-circuit detector can be attached laterally to the housing of the circuit breaker with its own housing, wherein the short-circuit detector engages with a release pin through both housings in a form-fitting manner in the tripping device of the circuit breaker. In the housing of the short-circuit detector, a test opening is provided, by means of which a release spigot connected to the trigger can be actuated by means of an elongated object to the functionality of the short-circuit detector without short-circuit release of the circuit breaker and without that the circuit breaker is energized test. However, with this test procedure, the chain of events taking place during an actual short-circuit tripping is simulated and tested only within the short-circuit detector. On the other hand, from the document US 5576677 A a circuit breaker is known which has a device for push-to-trip, which acts on manual actuation of the armature of a magnetic short-circuit release, causing the armature via a trip shaft, a latch mechanism and a switch lock the circuit breaker to turn off.

The invention has the object to expand the scope of the chain of effects when testing a short circuit detector.

Starting from a test arrangement of the type mentioned, the object is achieved by the features of the independent claim, while the dependent claims advantageous developments of the invention can be seen.

The attack surface for the test tool is located at such a point within the chain of action between short-circuit release and short-circuit detector that all occurring functions in a short-circuit release within this chain of effects including the short-circuit alarm and additionally the unlatching of the latching mechanism and the triggering of the switching mechanism are verifiable.

The test arrangement according to the invention can be realized with a wide variety of embodiments of the triggering device. Advantageous is the use of a strip-like triggering device, which is arranged as a longitudinally displaceable bridge between the armature of the short-circuit release and the Verklinkungsmechanismus and has a lug.

In an advantageous development of the switching plunger of the signaling contact the approach with spring force, preferably caused by a separate contact spring, is locked in the short-circuit or test case in its reporting position with the approach to each other and unlocked using the display and reset plunger to reset after the switch lock to return to its normal position. The approach preferably has a gradation for locking.

In another advantageous development, a displaceable actuating element is arranged between the approach and the switching plunger, which mediates the locking between switching plunger and triggering device in the reporting position. The actuating element is preferably mounted pivotably and has a form-lockingly connected to the approach and lockable with the switch plunger cooperating lever element.

The indicating and return plunger is preferably coupled or connected to the switching plunger of the at least one signaling contact.

Preferably, the short-circuit detector is installed in the housing of the circuit breaker, but also the housing in a separate housing may be useful.

Figur 1:

eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Testanordnung bei nichtausgelöstem Schutzschalter;

Figur 2:

die Testanordnung gemäß Fig. 1 bei ausgelöstem Schutzschalter;

Figur 3:

eine nur teilweise dargestellte zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Testanordnung bei nichtausgelöstem Schutzschalter;

Figur 4:

die Testanordnung gemäß Fig. 3 bei ausgelöstem Schutzschalter.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, with reference to figures explained embodiments. Show it

FIG. 1:

a first embodiment of the test arrangement according to the invention in non-tripped circuit breaker;

FIG. 2:

the test arrangement according to Fig. 1 with tripped circuit breaker;

FIG. 3:

a partially illustrated second embodiment of the test arrangement according to the invention in non-tripped circuit breaker;

FIG. 4:

the test arrangement according to Fig. 3 with tripped circuit breaker.

The test arrangement 2 is equipped with a short-circuit detector 4 for a circuit breaker. The otherwise not shown multipolar circuit breaker is surrounded by a schematically indicated housing 1 and contains inter alia a switching mechanism 6, a Verklinkungsmechanismus 10, each pole a magnetic short-circuit release and arranged between the armatures 8 of the short-circuit release and Verklinkungsmechanismus 10 triggering device 12. From the short-circuit release is only the belonging to one of the three poles armature 8 is shown. The short-circuit detector 4 contains two signal contacts in the form of an opener 14 and a shutter 16. By the triggering device 12, the short-circuit detector 4 of his in Fig. 1 shown normal position in his in Fig. 2 transferred reporting position shown. The short-circuit detector 4 is according to Fig. 2 held locked in the reporting position and is returned from this position by a display and return ram 18 in the normal position. According to the invention, the triggering device 12 is provided on the one hand with an engagement surface 20 for an insertable into the housing of the circuit breaker test tool and is on the other hand with a switch plunger 22 of the signaling contacts 14, 16 lockable in operative connection. The triggering device 12 is designed as a strip-like trip bridge, mounted longitudinally displaceably in the housing 1 of the circuit breaker and provided with a stepped projection 24. On the projection 24 rests with the spring force of a contact spring 26 of the switch plunger 22 perpendicular to the direction D of the triggering device 12. The projection 24 is perpendicular to the direction D of the triggering device 12 from. It has a relative to the switching rod 22 and the triggering movement of the triggering device 12 in the direction of D rearward graduation 28. The display and reset ram 18 is directly connected to the switch plunger 22.

The latching mechanism 10 consists in a conventional manner of a pawl 30, a latch lever 32 and a storage spring 34. The latch 30 is a in the housing 1 mounted transmission lever 36 operatively connected to the triggering device 12 and in the non-tripped state according to Fig. 1 latched with the latch lever 32. The latch lever 32 in turn locked in the non-tripped state, a support lever 38 of the switching mechanism 6. In a short-circuit release is in accordance with Fig. 2 moved by the movement of the armature 8, the triggering device 12 in the direction D, whereupon about effected pivoting of the transmission lever 36 in the clockwise direction Fig. 2 the Verklinkungsmechanismus 10 unlatches and thus released by release of the support lever 38, the switching mechanism 6 and thus the circuit breaker is turned off. During the release movement of the triggering device 12, the projection 24 is simultaneously moved in the direction D, whereby the switch plunger 22 passes under the action of the contact spring 26 in the engagement of the gradation 28, the position of the signal contacts 14, 16 is changed and connected to the switch plunger 22 Display and return ram 18 visible and accessible from the outside. The switch plunger 22 and the triggering device 12 remain locked on the gradation 28 and by the force of the contact spring 26 non-positively and positively. Only after manual reset of the switch plunger 22 by means of the display and reset ram 18 in its normal position, the triggering device 12, the latching mechanism 10 and the switching mechanism 6 for returning to the non-triggered state according to Fig. 1 Approved.

By applying the attack surface 20 by means of a test tool, such as a screwdriver, in the direction D is caused by the thus caused displacement of the triggering device 12 also triggering the Verklinkungsmechanismus 10 and the switching mechanism 6 and causes a transition of the short-circuit detector 4 in the locked position. This test procedure can be carried out regardless of whether the previously in the non-tripped state circuit breaker is energized or not or whether it is in the on or off state. The testing process covers a large part of the elements involved in an actual short-circuit tripping, while at the same time performing the function of a push-to-trip. Even with this mechanically induced test triggering must be operated to return all parts in the non-triggered state previously for confirmation of the display and reset rams 18.

Compared to the test arrangement described above, the test arrangement 3 differs according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 by a modified version of its short-circuit detector 5 and its triggering device 13. The likewise longitudinally displaceable mounted release device 13 is equipped with a laterally projecting lug 25 which terminates in a fork-like engagement 29. The short-circuit detector 5 has a pivotally mounted actuating element 42 which is equipped with a laterally projecting lever element 44. The elongated lever element 44 extends outside the pivot axis of the actuating element 42. The respect FIGS. 3 and 4 right-hand end of the lever member 44 is positively encompassed by the engagement 29 of the projection 25, while the left-hand end is in operative connection with a common switch plunger 23 of the signaling contacts 14 and 16. In the normal position according to Fig. 3 is supported by the switch plunger 23 under the action of the contact spring 26 of the signaling contacts 14, 16 frontally against the end face of the lever member 44 from. In a short-circuit or test release is due to the release movement of the triggering device 13 in the direction D, the actuator 42 via the entrainment of its lever member 44 through the neck 25 of the in Fig. 3 shown normal position after the in Fig. 4 pivoted reporting position shown. As a result, the two previously opposite ends of the switch plunger 23 and lever member 44 disengaged, whereupon under the action of the contact spring 26 of the switch plunger 23 with a part laterally next to the lever member 44 passes and thereby the actuator 42 against pivoting back into the in Fig. 1 locked position shown. After manual reset of the switch plunger 23 by means of its associated display and return plunger 18 in its normal position, the actuator 42 and the triggering device 13 for returning to the non-triggered according to Fig. 3 Approved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the test arrangement can also be implemented in such a way that the triggering device is designed as a release shaft pivotably mounted about its longitudinal axis. The short-circuit detector 4 or 5 of the test arrangement 2 or 3 can also be accommodated in a separate housing, which is to be grown from the outside to the circuit breaker. Instead of the described pivoting is also suitable by suitable storage, a linear displacement of the actuating element 42 for the purpose of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

casing

2

test arrangement

4: 5

Short-circuit detector

6

switch lock

8th

armature

10

latching mechanism

12:13

triggering device

14; 16

Signal contacts

18

Display and reset ram

20

attack surface

22; 23

switching plunger

24; 25

approach

26

contact spring

28

gradation

29

intervention

30

pawl

32

ratchet lever

34

storage spring

36

transmission lever

38

support lever

42

actuator

44

lever member

D

displacement direction

Claims (9)

1. A test arrangement with short-circuit indicator (4; 5) for multipole circuit breakers, having a housing (1), a breaker mechanism (6), a latching mechanism (10), short-circuit trips and a tripping device (12; 13) arranged between the magnet armatures (8) of the short-circuit trips and the latching mechanism (10), the short-circuit indicator (4; 5) including at least one signalling contact (14; 16), being transferred by the tripping device (12; 13) from a normal position into a signalling position, being kept locked in the signalling position and being returnable from the signalling position into the normal position by an indicating and resetting plunger (18), characterised in that the tripping device (12; 13) is provided with an engaging surface (20) for a test tool and is operatively connected in lockable manner at least indirectly with a switching plunger (22; 23) of the signalling contact (14; 16).
2. A test arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the tripping device (12; 13) is of strip-type construction, mounted longitudinally displaceably in the housing (1) and provided with an extension piece (24; 25) for operative connection with the switching plunger (22; 23).
3. A test arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the switching plunger (22) rests with its end against the extension piece (24) with a spring force directed perpendicularly relative to the direction (D) of displacement of the tripping device (12) and is locked together with the tripping device (12) in the signalling position.
4. A test arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the extension piece (24) projects perpendicularly from the tripping device (12) relative to the displacement direction (D) and comprises a step (28) set back relative to the switching plunger (22) and the tripping displacement direction (D).
5. A test arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the extension piece (25) is coupled in form-fitting manner to a movable actuating element (42), against which the switching plunger (22; 23) rests with its end with a spring force directed perpendicularly relative to the direction of movement of the actuating element (42) and is locked together with the tripping device (13) in the signalling position by means of the actuating element (42).
6. A test arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the actuating element (42) is mounted swivellably and is provided with a lever element (44), which on the one hand is surrounded by the extension piece (25) in the manner of a fork and on the other hand serves in the normal position as a rest for the switching plunger (23), which in the signalling position is for its part locked together with the lever element (44).
7. A test arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the indicating and resetting plunger (18) is at least operatively connected with the switching plunger (22; 23).
8. A test arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the short-circuit indicator (4; 5) is arranged in the housing (1) of a circuit-breaker.
9. A test arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the short-circuit indicator (4; 5) is accommodated in a separate housing.

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