EP1895622A1 - Current distribution block - Google Patents

Abstract

The block (2) has a power supply input (3), and terminals (4) for distributing current, where the block constitutes a carrier structure for a power-supply bus bar (13). An anchoring unit (5) anchors and positions the distributing block at the rear of a rail (1), and a power supply output (6) is different from the distributing terminals. The input and output are in a rear plane with respect to a plane containing the distributing terminals.

Description

The invention relates to a current distributor.

It also relates to a current distribution system in an electrical cabinet using dispatchers.

Electrical distribution in electrical cabinets containing rail-mounted electrical devices is sometimes done using splitters.

Such a splitter includes an input for the power supply and a plurality of terminals through which current is distributed to the various electrical devices.

A splitter may include one input for the neutral and one input for each phase. Thus for three-phase, there is a neutral and three phases plus as many groups of distribution terminals as phases.

These known distributors include on the rear face means for hanging on the front face of a rail carried by the bottom of a cabinet or the sides of the cabinet.

So that the terminals of this splitter are accessible from the front of the cabinet, the splitter is anchored as the electrical devices on the front of the rail and windows allow access to clamping means which is equipped with each terminal.

We understand that the dispatcher occupies space on the rail.

It is often provided a distributor by level and each is supplied with current from the source by means of electric cables coming all from the source.

In these cabinets, there are therefore several rails with different levels and for greater intensities, it is known to supply these levels by means of busbars which, carried by an insulating support fixed on the bottom of the cabinet, extend in a vertical plane.

On each bar are provided regularly spaced tapped holes on which is fixed a cable for feeding a row of devices via a splitter mounted on the rail.

The bar extends laterally along the vertical axis of the cabinet. At each level where the rows of apparatus and therefore of a distributor are located, a cable connects the bar to the input of the splitter.

This solution although simple has a high cost. Indeed, it is necessary to pierce the bar then to tapping it. It is necessary to provide a lug at the end of the cable and crimp it, a clamping screw with a locking washer.

All this hardware must be managed which has a significant cost.

The invention aims to provide a solution to the problems mentioned.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a current distributor comprising an input for the power supply, a plurality of current distribution terminals and means of attachment on a rail, this current distributor being characterized in that, On the other hand, it comprises a power supply that is separate from the distribution terminals and, on the other hand, it constitutes a supporting structure for a cascaded power supply bar.

• FIG 1 :Un répartiteur avec ses barres d'alimentation
• FIG 2 : un détail d'un répartiteur selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood using the following description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawing which represents

• FIG 1: A splitter with its power bars
• FIG 2: a detail of a distributor according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing we see the rails 1 of an electrical cabinet. This one was not represented. On these rails must hang on the front of the electrical devices.

On each rail is mounted at least one current distributor 2 comprising an input 3 for the power supply, a plurality of current distribution terminals 4 and hooking means 5 on a rail.

This current distributor further comprises a current output 6 distinct from the conventional distribution terminals 4, this output 6 being intended to feed another distributor placed in a lower row.

The attachment means 5 shown are defined to anchor and position said distributor at the rear of the rail supporting the devices.

Thus, since the source generally located in the upper part of the cabinet, we will be able to cascade the splitter 2 at different levels without having, each time, a cable between the source and each splitter and these distributors will have the same distribution capacity.

We will connect the source to the splitter closest to this source. From this distributor we will feed a second distributor and so on while maintaining the distribution terminals for electrical appliances.

The provision of hooking means 5 for positioning the distributor completely at the rear of the rail makes it possible to preserve all the space on the front face of the rail intended for electrical appliances.

The attachment means 5 may be a screw system engaged in holes provided or drilled in the rail as well as in the distributor or a more known system of hooks. For this hook system it will be necessary to use double rails, ie simple rails mounted back to back.

There are also ears on the side faces of the distributor for mounting on the bottom of the cabinet.

This distributor further comprises means 5A for positioning it above the level of the upper edge of the rail at a height sufficient for the windows 8 to access the means for operating the clamping means of the various terminals of this distributor are accessible even when electrical devices are in place.

In a variant not shown, this distributor further comprises means for positioning it below the level of the lower edge of the rail at a height sufficient for the windows 8 to access the operating means of the clamping means different terminals 4 of this splitter are accessible even when the electrical devices are in place.

FIG. 1 shows a tetra-polar splitter which possibly forms a one-piece assembly, but it could be an assembly obtained by dismountable assembling of blocks such as that of FIG. 2. These blocks can each present a means hooking 42 with another block or be attached to a support (not shown) provided with said hooking means.

The attachment means may be constituted by an accessory part 5A, here Z-folded so that the lower branch is fixed behind a rail, the middle branch deports the upper branch rearward, this upper branch having a connection with the distributor.

The inputs and outputs open at the upper face for the input 3 and at the lower face for the output 6.

This input 3 and this output 6 are in a rear plane with respect to the plane containing the distribution terminals 4 which in the case represented are four in number. The wells of the distribution terminals 4 open at the level of the upper face and the access windows 8 to the clamping screws are on the front face.

Incidentally side walls separating each phase can contribute to better electrical insulation between phases.

The power distribution splitter is by flat bars 13 rigid or flexible.

In the case of flexible bars, one can also have the source at 90 °.

Advantageously, the splitter has a power bar support function 13. It constitutes a supporting structure for a power bar. More precisely the bar will be maintained only by the dispatcher.

More precisely, the bars are carried only by the distributors which are hooked on the rails or on the bottom of the cabinet. The rail or cabinet carries the distributor that carries the power bar.

It could be envisaged that the distributor is carried only by the power bar which would then be fixed on the bottom of the cabinet by insulating parts.

The power input and output of the splitter are aligned.

There is shown a solution such that the inlet 3 and the outlet 6 are aligned along the same axis and preferably form a through channel opening on the upper and lower face of the distributor. Especially in the latter case of the channel passing through the connection of the distributor on the bar is by a single clamping means on the single bar across the different splitters, here represented by two screws 20.

This common clamping solution does not exclude clamping by two separate parts.

In the example shown, the distributor is in two parts A, B separable which are joined by the screws 20 to tighten the bar 13. We see a portion of the channel 40 through the distributor. It is of polygonal section here rectangular.

The electrical contact surface between the distributor and the bar is therefore maximum.

In the case of a flexible bar which is generally wrapped with an insulating sheath 14, it will be simple to remove the envelope to the right of the contact area to provide power distribution splitter without breaking the conductor from the source.

It is also possible to isolate the rigid bars with a plastic part 14 attached to this bar.

The distributor, in the form of block of conductive metal will be protected by an insulating envelope 41. It is not necessary to form a groove in the thickness of the block to accommodate the bar. As seen in Figure 2, the insulating envelope protecting the block has a notch 43 to wedge the bar.

It will be possible to constitute an electrical distribution system in an electrical cabinet comprising several rows of electrical appliances and several distributors located at different levels characterized in that it comprises means for cascading the dispatchers, these distributors being became support for power bars.

Also the splitters and bars are positioned at the rear of rails to accommodate electrical devices (the rail is therefore reserved only for electrical devices). Preferably, these splitters are visible and accessible when the devices are mounted on the rails.

The use of a splitter as a power bar support carrying the current to all splitters aligned in the same column has the advantage of using fewer accessory parts, to have an excellent contact bar / splitter and to be compact. It is no longer necessary to use a short connection cable.

Claims (7)

Current distributor comprising an input (3) for the power supply, a plurality of current distribution terminals (4) and means (5) for hooking onto a rail, this current distributor being characterized in that on the one hand it comprises a supply outlet (6) separate from the distribution terminals and, on the other hand, it constitutes a carrier structure for a cascade feed bar (13). Current distributor according to claim 1 characterized in that the distributor is in two parts (A, B) between which the power bar is inserted. Current distributor according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply bar passes through the distributor. Current distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet (3) and the outlet (6) are in a rear plane with respect to the plane containing the distribution terminals (4). Distribution cabinet comprising at least two electrical equipment hooking rails and for each rail a distributor characterized in that it comprises a distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Dispensing cabinet according to claim 5 characterized in that the distributors are positioned behind the rails and above or below the rail to be accessible. Dispensing cabinet according to claim 6 characterized in that the distributors are hung on the rear of the rails.

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