EP2743956B1 - Electric current breaking apparatus, in particular a coupling breaker - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to low-voltage electrical power cut-off devices in general, and in particular electrical power cut-off devices installed at home and commonly known as "branch circuit breakers".

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

We know the document FR 2,295,553 describing a device for breaking the electrical current, said apparatus being housed in an insulating casing and comprising at least one unipolar assembly and a control mechanism, said unipolar assembly comprising an insulating base supporting partitions delimiting a breaking chamber intended to ensure confinement of the cutoff, said chamber being closed, with the exception of an escape side opening formed in a partition, by a cover which is applied to said breaking chamber, said chamber containing a fixed contact, a movable contact supported by a movable contact carrier, an arc extinguishing device, said control mechanism being manually or automatically brought into a position of opening the contacts via a so-called first trigger bar, said control comprising a shaft adapted to drive said contact carrier.

In this document, the part of the housing intended to achieve the confinement of the cutoff comprises two bulb parts referencing the fixed contacts and the magnetothermal trip units. These two bulb parts are themselves referenced on the base which also serves as external face. In addition, this base reference other mechanical functions, namely the so-called switch mechanism for the manual operation of the device and the mobile contact support. Thus, this architecture imposes on certain parts certain typologies of functions, namely, for the bulbs, the functions of mechanical referencing and containment of the cut, and for the base, the functions of mechanical referencing and external face.

The fact that the parts have to perform several different types of functions makes it necessary to consider the maximum stresses associated with each type of function for each part, namely, the dimensional accuracy, the mechanical strength, a material compatible with the cut, the aesthetics , etc ...

In addition, because some parts are referenced on the bulbs, which are referenced on the base, the kinematic chain is elongated, which causes uncertainties on the fulfillment of product functions, these uncertainties making adjustments to necessary adjustments, for example, settings of the position of the fixed contacts.

The document " WO 2011/033183 A1 "discloses an electric power cutoff apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these drawbacks and proposes a power cut-off device, in particular a branch circuit breaker, of simple design, making it possible to reduce the number of constraints imposed on the various parts by their functions, hence a reduced production cost. of the device, and to reduce the number of necessary settings, thereby simplifying the mounting of the device.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is an electrical current cut-off device of the kind mentioned above, this apparatus being characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, a plate comprising means of referencing a set of parts. having a kinematic function, this assembly comprising the above-mentioned control mechanism, the fixed contact (s), the mobile contact carrier (s), and a part containment of the cut, said capoule, delimiting at least in part the breaking chamber, said platen comprising referencing means of said cap.
Thus, this plate does not ensure the confinement of the cut and has no aesthetic function, being internal to the product. The only constraints imposed on this plate are therefore a certain mechanical strength and a certain dimensional accuracy.
The containment room ensures the containment of the cut without any other function, which makes it possible to choose the material solely according to this constraint. Thus, the number of constraints associated with each of the parts is decreased, resulting in a reduced manufacturing cost of the device.
In addition, this type of architecture reduces the length of the drive train, in that the parts are referenced directly on the plate and no longer on parts called "bulbs", which makes it safer to perform the functions of the drive. produces and reduces the number of adjustment adjustments required.

Advantageously, the confinement piece of the aforementioned cut is in one piece. Thus, the number of pieces in the device is decreased.

According to a particular characteristic, this apparatus comprises a thermal protection device against prolonged overcurrent of the electric current and / or a magnetic protection device against instantaneous overcurrent of electric current, and / or a differential protection device in the case of a imbalance between several phases due to a ground fault of the installation to be protected, the protection device or devices cooperating with the control mechanism so as to cause the opening of the contacts when the corresponding fault occurs, and the above-mentioned plate comprises referencing means of at least one of the aforementioned protective devices.

According to another characteristic, this apparatus comprises a differential protection device, and the above-mentioned control mechanism comprises, on the one hand, a so-called switch control mechanism, and on the other hand, a so-called differential control mechanism.

According to a particular characteristic, the so-called switch control mechanism and the so-called differential control mechanism are mechanically connected in such a way that during a prolonged or instantaneous overload of the current, the thermal or magnetic protection devices act on a so-called transfer bar, which acts on a so-called first trigger bar, which acts on a so-called second trigger bar, which causes the triggering of the differential mechanism by snap failure, which causes the triggering of the switch mechanism by breaking snap, which controls the opening of the movable contact support shaft.

According to another characteristic, the so-called switch control mechanism and the so-called differential control mechanism are mechanically connected in such a way that in the case of an imbalance between several phases, a relay of the differential protection device acts on the so-called trigger bar second, which triggers the differential mechanism (15) by snap failure, which causes the trigger mechanism (14) to trigger by snap-in breaking, which controls the opening of the movable contact support shaft (8).

According to another characteristic, the unipolar assembly intended to cut the neutral comprises a so-called arc-horn piece adapted to bring the electric potential above the fixed contact, and in that the aforementioned plate comprises referencing means of said bow horn on the turntable.

According to another characteristic, the so-called first trigger bar is articulated with respect to said arc horn so as to be referenced on the plate by means of this arc horn.

According to another characteristic, this apparatus comprises several unipolar assemblies intended respectively for the breaking of a phase or of the neutral and in that it comprises a transfer bar able to transmit to the control mechanism the tripping orders coming from the protection devices. different unipolar assemblies, and the plate comprises referencing means of said transfer bar.

Thus, it is possible to easily cut the product into subassemblies that can be assembled separately and then aggregated together, these elements then being referenced on the plate during aggregation.

According to another characteristic, the confinement part of the cutoff supports at least one mechanical subassembly, said elements of the subassembly being intended to be referenced on the plate.

According to another characteristic, at least one of these subassemblies comprises at least part of a magnetic protection device or at least part of a thermal protection device.

According to another characteristic, the means for referencing (the) contact (s) fixed (s) on the plate, comprises (nt) latching means provided in part on the fixed contact and partly on the plate.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the magnetic protection device (s) comprise (s), for the or each magnetic protection device, a substantially cylindrical body of the plate cooperating with the magnetic core of the magnet coil. magnetic protection device to ensure the referencing of the coil and the magnetic core on the plate.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the thermal protection device comprise, for the or each thermal protection device, to ensure the positioning of the protection device on the plate, a flat part of the thermal tripping device cooperating with a flat part of the plate and a system comprising pads provided on the plate (or the protective device) cooperating with orifices provided on the device (or respectively the plate), and for fixing, two openings respectively provided in the device and in the platinum.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the control mechanism said switch on the plate comprise two flat portions respectively belonging to the mechanism and the plate, for positioning, and a screw / nut system for fixing.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the transfer bar comprise two studs respectively provided at both ends of the transfer bar cooperating respectively with two openings provided on the plate.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the movable contact-carrier shaft comprise two studs provided respectively at the two ends of said shaft and cooperating with two holes of the plate.

According to another characteristic, the plate comprises referencing means of the differential mechanism on the plate comprising so-called first referencing means of the differential control mechanism on the said switch control mechanism and secondly, referencing means said seconds of the differential control mechanism on the plate.

Advantageously, these so-called first referencing means comprise latching means provided in part on the differential control mechanism and in part on the switch control mechanism, and an axis of rotation of the control mechanism lever being common to the control mechanisms. two mechanisms.

And said so-called second referencing means comprise a stud belonging to the differential mechanism cooperating with an orifice of the plate.

According to another characteristic, the two axes of rotation respectively of the two trigger bars said first and second, are substantially merged.

According to a particular characteristic, the means for referencing the horn horn on the plate comprise latching means provided in part on the plate and partly on the horn horn.

According to another characteristic, the referencing means of the capoule comprise retaining means comprising clips provided partly on the capoule and partly on the plate, as well as the substantially rectangular inner shape of a portion of the capoule, at the level of the cap. arc extinguishing device cooperating with the corresponding male form of a part of the plate.

According to another feature, this apparatus is a branch circuit breaker intended to be located between a meter and an electrical distribution board in order to connect a private individual to the electrical network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective illustrant une platine supportant les différents éléments d'un appareil de coupure du courant selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective correspondant à la figure 1, avant le montage des pièces de confinement sur la platine,
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective illustrant la pièce de confinement seule,
• Les figures 4,5 et 6 sont des vues partielles en perspective, illustrant la platine et les différentes zones de référencement des différents éléments de l'appareil,
• La figure 7 est une vue partielle en perspective, illustrant la platine après le montage des pièces de confinement,
• La figure 7a est une vue en perspective de la pièce de confinement seule,
• La figure 7b est une vue en perspective de la platine seule,
• La figure 7c est une vue en coupe de la figure 7,
• Les figures 8,8a et 8b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine de l'arbre porte-contacts mobiles,
• Les 9, 9a, et 9b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine du mécanisme différentiel,
• Les figures 10, 10a et 10b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine du mécanisme interrupteur,
• Les figures 11,11 a et 11 b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine de la barre de transfert,
• Les figures 12,12a, 12b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine des contacts fixes,
• Les figures 13,13a,13b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine du déclencheur thermique,
• Les figures 14, 14a, 14b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a, 7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine de la corne d'arc neutre et de la barre de déclenchement, la figure 14c étant une vue similaire à la figure 14, mais selon une orientation différente,
• Les figures 15,15a,15b sont des vues similaires aux figures 7,7a ,7b, mais illustrant le montage sur la platine du noyau magnétique du dispositif de protection magnétique, la figure 15c étant une vue en coupe de la figure 15.

But other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a plate supporting the various elements of a current-breaking device according to the invention,
• The figure 2 is a perspective view corresponding to the figure 1 , before mounting the containment pieces on the board,
• The figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the confinement room alone,
• The figures 4,5 and 6 are partial views in perspective, illustrating the stage and the various areas of referencing of the various elements of the apparatus,
• The figure 7 is a partial perspective view, illustrating the plate after mounting the containment pieces,
• The figure 7a is a perspective view of the confinement room alone,
• The figure 7b is a perspective view of the platinum alone,
• The Figure 7c is a sectional view of the figure 7 ,
• The figures 8,8a and 8b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the movable contact-carrier shaft,
• 9, 9a, and 9b are views similar to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the differential mechanism,
• The Figures 10, 10a and 10b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the switch mechanism,
• The figures 11.11 a and 11b are views similar to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the transfer bar,
• The Figures 12,12a, 12b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the fixed contacts,
• The Figures 13,13a, 13b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the thermal release,
• The Figures 14, 14a, 14b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the neutral arc horn and the trigger bar, the figure 14c being a view similar to the figure 14 but in a different orientation,
• The Figures 15,15a, 15b are similar views to figures 7, 7a, 7b , but illustrating the mounting on the plate of the magnetic core of the magnetic protection device, the figure 15c being a sectional view of the figure 15 .

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

• Lors de la survenue d'une surcharge prolongée ou instantanée de courant, les dispositifs de protection thermique ou magnétique agissent sur une barre de transfert 11, laquelle agit sur une barre de déclenchement dite première 12, laquelle agit sur une barre de déclenchement dite seconde 16, ce qui provoque le déclenchement du mécanisme différentiel 15 par rupture d'accrochage, ce qui provoque le déclenchement du mécanisme interrupteur 14 par rupture d'accrochage, ce qui commande l'ouverture de l'arbre porte-contact 8.

On the figure 1 has been shown a plate P on which are mounted the various elements of an electrical protection device such as a branch circuit breaker allowing an individual to be connected to the electrical network, said circuit breaker being intended to be located between a meter and a table electric. This assembly is intended to be mounted in an insulating housing (not shown), this housing having an opening for the passage of a lever M for the operation of the apparatus and having access openings to input terminals and to output terminals intended to be electrically connected respectively to the meter and to the electrical panel.
This device is of the multipole type and mainly comprises a control mechanism 1 and, according to this particular embodiment, four unipolar assemblies 2, 3, 4, 5 comprising three assemblies 2, 3, 4 intended to cut a phase and an assembly. unipolar 5 for the neutral cut, each of these sets being associated an input terminal and an output terminal. Each unipolar assembly 2, 3, 4, 5 comprises a fixed contact 6 electrically connected by a flexible conductor to one of the terminals, and a movable contact 7 electrically connected by a flexible conductor to the other of the terminals.
This movable contact 7 is supported by a movable contact holder shaft 8 common to all the unipolar assemblies, and adapted to be rotated by a control mechanism 1 between a position in which the fixed and movable contacts 6 and 7 are open. position in which the fixed and mobile contacts are closed.
The control of the opening of the contacts can be effected either manually by the operation of a lever M belonging to the control mechanism 1, or automatically by means of a protective device comprising a magnetic protection device 9 against instantaneous overloads of electrical current, and a thermal protection device 10 against prolonged overloads of electric current.
Thus, each unipolar phase assembly 2,3,4 comprises an electric circuit comprising, mounted in series with the fixed contacts 6, and movable 7, a thermal protection device 10 and a magnetic protection device 9, these two devices being mounted in series or in parallel depending on the size. These two protection devices 9, 10 each comprise an actuator able to act on a so-called transfer bar 11, said bar extending substantially parallel to the alignment direction of the unipolar assemblies 2, 3, 4 and being intended to transmit the order of triggering or opening of the contacts to the control mechanism 1, which acts to drive the movable contact carrier shaft 8 into an open position of the contacts 6,7 of all the unipolar assemblies.
This apparatus also comprises a differential protection device 13 able to send an opening command to the control mechanism during an imbalance caused by a receiver having a fault current.
The control mechanism 1 is constituted by a first so-called switch mechanism 14 and a second so-called differential mechanism 15.
The operation of such an electrical protection device is as follows:

• During the occurrence of a prolonged or instantaneous current overload, the thermal or magnetic protection devices act on a transfer bar 11, which acts on a so-called first trigger bar 12, which acts on a so-called second trigger bar 16 , which triggers the differential mechanism 15 by snap-in breakage, which triggers the switch mechanism 14 by a snap-in break, which controls the opening of the contact-carrier shaft 8.

When the occurrence of an imbalance between several phases, the relay of the differential protection device acts on the so-called second trip bar, which causes the triggering of the differential mechanism 15 by snap failure, which triggers the mechanism switch 14 by snap-fastening, which controls the opening of the contact-carrier shaft 8.

During manual opening, the operation of the handle M controls the mechanisms 14 and 15, which controls the opening of the contacts via a connecting rod (not shown).
As this is more particularly illustrated on the figures 2 and 3 each unipolar sub-assembly of said phase 2,3,4 further includes a so-called containment piece of the cut-off 17, more commonly known as "capoule", which is intended to be fixed on the plate P and comprises three walls 18, 19,20 folded so as to define a recess 21 substantially parallelepiped closed at its lower part by the plate P. This recess 21 forms a breaking chamber accommodating an arc extinguishing chamber 22, a fixed contact 6 and a movable contact 7, said breaking chamber being intended to be closed at its upper part 23, and having an upper opening 24 intended to allow the gas to escape.
As more particularly illustrated on figures 2 and 3 according to this particular embodiment of the invention, the confinement part 17 supports the coil 25 of the magnetic protection device 9 and the bimetallic strip 26 of the thermal protection device 10.
This apparatus also comprises a part called horn of neutral arc 27, this piece being well known to specialists, its function will therefore not be described in more detail, and being intended to be fixed on the plate P.
According to the invention, this arc horn 27 is also intended to support the so-called first trigger bar 12, which is rotatably mounted about a fixed axis X of this arc horn 27. Advantageously, the trigger bar differential said second 16, is rotated about an axis (not visible in the figures) substantially coincides with the axis of rotation X of the so-called first trigger bar 12, this characteristic resulting in the absence of risk of friction between the two pieces.
According to the invention, all the parts of the apparatus having a kinematic function, namely the fixed contacts 6, the movable contact-carrying shaft 8, the magnetic 9 and thermal 10 triggers, the so-called switch 14 and differential 15 mechanisms, the transfer bar 11, the trigger bars 12, 16, the neutral arc horn 27, and the containment piece 17, are intended to be referenced or even as the case may be, fixed on the plate P.

The figure 4 illustrates the referencing zone A on the plate P of the magnetic protection device 9 and the reference zone B for referencing the neutral arc horn 27 and the so-called first trigger bar 12.
The figure 5 illustrates the reference zone C of the fixed contacts 6 and the containment part 17, and the reference zone D of the thermal protection device 10.
The figure 6 illustrates the zone E of referencing of the differential mechanism 15, the zone F of referencing of the control mechanism said switch 14, the zone G of referencing of the transfer bar 11, and the zone H of referencing of the movable contact carrier 8.

The Figures 7 to 7c illustrate the fixing and referencing of the containment piece 17 on the plate P.
These fastening means comprise two clips 28,29 provided at the lower part of the containment piece 17 and situated respectively on two opposite edges of two facing walls delimiting the breaking chamber, said clips being intended to cooperate with two corresponding openings 30 In addition, the rectangular internal shape of a portion 32 of the containment piece 17 at the fin block 33 surrounds a corresponding male shape of a portion 34 of the platen, thereby realizing the positioning of the confinement part 17 with respect to the plate P.
Means for holding the containment piece 17 may also advantageously be envisaged at the front of the containment room.
As illustrated on figures 8,8a and 8b , the referencing and fixing of the contact-carrying shaft 8 is carried out by means of two pads 35, 36 respectively provided at the two opposite ends of the shaft 8 and intended to cooperate respectively with two orifices 37, 38 respectively provided in two support portions 39,40 of the plate.
As illustrated on Figures 9,9a and 9b , the fixing and referencing means of the differential mechanism 15 comprise so-called first fixing and referencing means of the differential mechanism 15 on the so-called switch mechanism 14 and said second referencing and fixing means of the differential mechanism 15 on the plate P These first means include two clips 41,42 ( fig.9 ) belonging to a wall of the differential mechanism 15 intended to cooperate with two corresponding forms 43,44 ( fig.10a ) belonging to a wall 45 of the switch mechanism 14, and a Z axis ( Fig. 10a ) associated with the lever Z and common to said switch mechanism and the differential mechanism.
These so-called second means comprise a stud 46 provided on a wall 47 of said differential mechanism for cooperating with a corresponding orifice 48 provided in a support 49 of the plate P. It will also be noted the presence of a U-axis for positioning and maintaining the relay in the differential mechanism.

As illustrated on Figures 10, 10a and 10b , the referencing mechanism of the switch mechanism 14 on the plate P comprises a screw and nut system 50, the screws (not shown) being introduced from the outer face of a flat portion of the plate which serves to position the switch mechanism . As illustrated on Figures 11, 11a and 11b , the referencing means of the transfer bar 11 on the plate P comprise two pads 51,52 provided at both ends of the bar 11 and cooperating respectively with two openings 53,54 provided in the plate P.
As illustrated on Figures 12,12a, 12b , the fixed contacts 6 are introduced into corresponding recesses 55,56,57 and 58 of the plate and retained in these recesses by means of two retaining elements 59,60 belonging to the plate P and located opposite one relative to each other, these two elements forming clips and thus ensuring the referencing of the fixed contacts in the recesses.
As illustrated on Figures 13,13a, 13b , the referencing means of the thermal protection device 10 on the plate comprise two pads 61,62 provided on the plate P intended to cooperate with two openings 63,64 provided in a wall 65 of the thermal release, and an opening 66 provided on the plate P intended to cooperate with another opening 67 provided in the aforementioned wall, these two openings being intended to cooperate with a screw / nut system.

As illustrated on Figures 14 to 14c , the referencing means of the neutral arc horn 27 on the plate comprise a system comprising clips 68, 69, 70, 71 provided in part on the plate and in part on the neutral arc horn.
The referencing means of the so-called first trigger bar 12 on the arc horn 27 consist mainly of the fact that the trigger bar 12 is articulated with respect to this arc horn 27.
On the Figures 15 to 15c the means of referencing the magnetic protection devices 9 with respect to the plate are represented, which comprise, for each unipolar phase sub-assembly, a cylindrical body 72 of the plate intended to receive the magnetic core 73 of the coil 25, which coil 25 is then positioned and referenced on the cylindrical body 72.
It has therefore been realized according to the invention a simple electric power cutoff apparatus, to reduce the number of constraints imposed on each of the parts. Thus, the plate does not ensure the confinement of the cut and has no aesthetic function being internal to the product. The only constraints on this part are therefore the mechanical strength and the dimensional accuracy in that it refers to all the parts having a kinematic function.
In addition, because of this architecture, the assembly formed on the plate is very compact, which further increases the accuracy of the ratings on this deck.
The confinement piece has no other function than that of ensuring the containment of the cut, this allows to choose the material only according to this constraint.
In addition, this architecture has the industrial advantage of the architecture with two bulbs, namely, the ability to easily cut the product into subassemblies that can be assembled separately and aggregated together.
Indeed, the containment room can support some kinematic elements that will refer to the platinum during aggregation.
Finally, this architecture is less consuming in terms of numbers of rooms.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example.

Thus, for example, the invention has been described above when applied to the case of a four-pole current interrupter consisting of a unipolar assembly for the neutral of the power supply and three unipolar phase assemblies equipped with a protection device against both permanent overloads and an overcurrent protection device, said power failure device also having a differential protection device.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the case of a four-pole current interrupter and applies to all cases where it is desired to cut a power supply.

Claims (24)

1. Electric current breaking apparatus, said apparatus being housed in an insulating housing and comprising at least one single pole assembly (5) and a control mechanism (1), said single pole assembly (5) comprising an insulating base bearing partitions delimiting an arc extinguishing chamber (21) that is intended to ensure the containment of the switching, said chamber (21) being at least partially closed by a cover (23) that is fitted onto said arc extinguishing chamber (21), said chamber enclosing a fixed contact (6), a moving contact (7) that is borne by a moving contact holder (8), an arc extinguishing device (33), said control mechanism (1) being able to be manually or automatically brought into a position for opening the contacts (6, 7) by means of a trip bar called a first trip bar (12), said control mechanism (1) comprising a shaft that is able to entrain said contact holder (8),
   characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand, an internal plate (P) comprising means for referencing an assembly of parts having a kinematic function, this assembly comprising the aforementioned control mechanism (1), the fixed contact(s) (6), the movable contact holder(s) (8), and, on the other hand, a part for containing the switching (17), called a fringe, at least partly delimiting the arc extinguishing chamber (22), said plate (P) comprising means for referencing said fringe (17).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned part for containing the switching (17) is one piece.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a device for thermal protection (10) against prolonged overloads from the electric current and/or a device for magnetic protection (9) against instantaneous electric current overloads, and/or a device for differential protection (13) in the event of an imbalance between multiple phases due to an earth fault in the installation to be protected, the protection device or devices cooperating with the control mechanism (1) so as to cause the opening of the contacts (6, 7) on the occurrence of the corresponding fault, and in that the aforementioned plate (P) comprises means for referencing at least one of the aforementioned protection devices (9, 10).
4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a differential protection device (13), and in that the aforementioned control mechanism (1) comprises, on the one hand, a control mechanism called a switch control mechanism (14) and, on the other hand, a control mechanism called a differential control mechanism (15).
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the control mechanism called the switch control mechanism and the control mechanism called the differential control mechanism are mechanically connected in such a way that during a prolonged or instantaneous overload from the current, the thermal or magnetic protection devices act upon a bar called a transfer bar (11), which acts upon a trip bar called a first trip bar (12), which acts upon a trip bar called a second trip bar (16), which causes the tripping of the differential mechanism (15) by breaking the linkage, which causes the tripping of the switch mechanism (14) by breaking the linkage, which controls the opening of the shaft bearing moving contacts (8).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control mechanism called the switch control mechanism and the control mechanism called the differential control mechanism are mechanically connected in such a way that in the event of an imbalance between multiple phases, a relay of the differential protection device acts upon the trip bar called the second trip bar, which causes the tripping of the differential mechanism (15) by breaking the linkage, which causes the tripping of the switch mechanism (14) by breaking the linkage, which controls the opening of the shaft bearing moving contacts (8).
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single pole assembly that is intended for the switching of the neutral comprises a part called an arc horn (27) that is able to bring the electrical potential above the fixed contact (6), and in that the aforementioned plate (P) comprises means for referencing said arc horn (27) on the plate (P).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6 and 7, characterized in that the trip bar called the first trip bar (12) is mounted in a manner articulated with respect to said arc horn (27) so as to be referenced on the plate (P) by means of this arc horn (27).
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises multiple single pole assemblies (2, 3, 4, 5) that are respectively intended for the switching of a phase or of the neutral, in that it comprises a transfer bar (11) that is able to transmit, to the control mechanism (1), the trip orders originating from the protection devices (9, 10, 13) of the various single pole assemblies (2, 3, 4, 5), and in that the plate (P) comprises means for referencing said transfer bar (11).
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part for containing the switching (17) bears at least one mechanical sub-assembly, said elements of the sub-assembly being intended to be referenced on the plate (P).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one of these sub-assemblies comprises at least one part of a magnetic protection device (9) or at least one part of a thermal protection device (10).
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for referencing the fixed contact(s) (6) on the plate (P) comprise snap-fitting means (59, 60) that are provided partly on the fixed contact (6) and partly on the plate (P).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that the means for referencing the magnetic protection device(s) (9) comprise, for the or each magnetic protection device (9), a substantially cylindrical body (72) of the plate (P) cooperating with the magnetic core (73) of the coil (25) of the magnetic protection device in order to ensure the referencing of the coil and of the magnetic core on the plate.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that the means for referencing the thermal protection device (10) comprise, for the or each thermal protection device, in order to ensure the positioning of the protection device on the plate, a flat part of the thermal trip device cooperating with a flat part of the plate and a system comprising pads (61, 62) that are provided on the plate (or the protection device) cooperating with orifices (63, 64) that are provided on the device (or respectively on the plate), and for the fixation, two openings (67, 66) that are respectively provided in the device and in the plate.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the means for referencing the control mechanism called the switch control mechanism (14) on the plate (P) comprise two flat parts respectively belonging to the mechanism and to the plate, for the positioning, and a bolt/nut system (50), for the fixation.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that the means for referencing the transfer bar (11) comprise two pads (51, 52) that are respectively provided at the two ends of the transfer bar (11) respectively cooperating with two openings (53, 54) that are provided on the plate.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for referencing the moving contact holder shaft (8) comprise two pads (35, 36) that are respectively provided at the two ends of said shaft (8) and that cooperate with two orifices (37, 38) in the plate (P).
18. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the plate (P) comprises means for referencing the differential mechanism (15) on the plate (P) comprising means for referencing, called first referencing mean of the differential control mechanism (15) on the control mechanism called the switch control mechanism (14) and, on the other hand, means for referencing called second referencing means of the differential control mechanism (15) on the plate (P).
19. Apparatus according to Claim 18, characterized in that the referencing means called the first referencing means comprise snap-fitting means (41, 42, 43, 44) that are provided partly on the differential control mechanism (15) and partly on the switch control mechanism (14), as well as an axis (Z) of rotation of the lever (M) of the control mechanism (1), said axis being shared by the two mechanisms.
20. Apparatus according to Claim 18, characterized in that the referencing means called the second referencing means comprise a pad (46) belonging to the differential mechanism (15) cooperating with an orifice (48) in the plate (P).
21. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the two axes of rotation (X), respectively of the two trip bars (12, 16) called the first and second trip bars, are substantially merged.
22. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the means for referencing the arc horn (27) on the plate (P) comprise snap-fitting means (68, 69, 70, 71) that are provided partly on the plate (P) and partly on the arc horn (27).
23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for referencing the fringe (17) comprise retaining means (28, 29) comprising clips that are provided partly on the fringe (17) and partly on the plate (P), as well as the substantially rectangular interior form (32) of a part of the fringe, at the arc extinguishing device (33), cooperating with the corresponding male form of a part (34) of the plate (P).
24. Electrical protection apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a coupling breaker intended to be located between a meter and an electric switchboard in order to connect a private individual to the electrical grid.

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