EP3227901B1 - Differential protection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a differential protection device, a differential circuit breaker comprising such a differential protection device, a differential switch comprising such a differential protection device and a method for controlling at least one electrical device, preferably at least one cut-off device, using a differential protection device.

By definition, this differential circuit breaker comprises, on the one hand, a number of cut-off devices, and on the other hand, a differential protection device. It may for example be a bipolar differential circuit breaker, the differential circuit breaker then comprising a differential protection device and two cut-off devices, or a four-pole differential circuit breaker, the differential circuit breaker then comprising four cut-off devices and a protection device. differential.

In a differential circuit breaker of this type, the breaking devices may be circuit breakers of magnetothermic type, which, for example, comprise a thermal actuator and a magnetic actuator able to trigger the opening of contacts according to two different types of defects (respectively overload on the line to be protected or short circuit on the line to be protected).

In a differential switch, the cut-off devices are switches that may be able to allow manual opening or closing of the contacts by means of a control lever of the cut-off device and automatic opening of the contacts through the switch. differential module for example.

Each of the switching devices is associated with an input terminal and an output terminal, intervening therebetween with switch contacts, at least one of which is movable under the control of a mechanism commonly known as a lock.

When the corresponding pole protects a phase conductor, this mechanism is itself under the control of at least one triggering member, such as for example a magnetic tripping member and / or a thermal tripping member, capable of provoking if necessary a command in opening of the contacts of the switch.

When the pole protects a neutral conductor, which may for example be the case when the differential circuit breaker is a four-pole differential circuit breaker, such a neutral is associated with three phases, no triggering member is usually provided by cons, the mechanism corresponding is then simply under the control of the mechanism of any of the other phases.

Indeed, whether it is to protect a phase conductor or neutral, the mechanisms of the various cut-off devices are usually coupled together, so that an opening command of any one of them causes a command of the same type for all of these.

As a corollary, the differential protection device is equipped with a fault detector capable of detecting the presence of a differential current between the electrical lines to be protected or between an electrical line to be protected and earth, this defect is commonly called differential defect. The differential protection device is also equipped with a mechanism commonly called differential lock, able to intervene triggering on the mechanism of at least one of the cut-off devices.

The present invention is more particularly the case where the multipole differential protection device or modular differential switch concerned is what is called a modular device. As is known, the housing of such a modular device has two main faces parallel to one another. The width of the modular apparatus is equal to the distance separating these main faces from one another. The width of the modular device is then a multiple of a given basic module common to all modular devices of the same type.

These modular devices are thus advantageously able to be arranged contiguously side by side on the same support rail.

They are then reported on it by a fixing face which belongs to the edge of their housing.

In the multipolar differential circuit breakers of such a modular design, the cut-off devices are usually arranged parallel to one another and they all have the same width equal to the basic module.

As a corollary, the differential protection device also extends most often to date parallel to the cut-off devices, being in practice attached to them at one or the other end of the alignment that it shape and width it, equal to three times the basic module. As a result, to date, the overall width of a four-pole differential circuit breaker for example is traditionally equal to seven times the basic module.

In the publication of the patent application FR 2,777,110 has been proposed an embodiment in which this overall width has been reduced to four times the basic module.

According to this embodiment, for a four-pole differential circuit breaker, the differential protection device is reduced to an equal width of four thirds of a module, which, for a differential circuit breaker of a width equal to four modules, leaves a width of two thirds a module width for each breaking device.

These differential circuit breakers have the disadvantage that the short-circuit performance, particularly cut-off devices, are relatively low. These differential circuit breakers also have the disadvantage that heating of the cut-off devices is difficult to contain. The document WO 2012/109684 A1 discloses a differential protection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a differential protection device for a differential circuit breaker advantageously to avoid these disadvantages while leading to a comparable compactness of the differential circuit breaker.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a differential protection device comprising a differential fault detector comprising a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit, the first electrical circuit comprising a coil,
said differential fault detector further comprising a torus which can be traversed at least once by at least one conductor,
the coil being wound around the core and connected to the first electrical circuit for applying a first voltage to the first electrical circuit when a magnetic flux is induced in the core, characterized in that
said differential fault detector comprises at least one voltage multiplication device connected to the second electrical circuit and capable of applying a second voltage to the second electric circuit according to the first voltage,
said multiplication device comprises at least one electrical energy storage device,
the multiplication device is adapted to apply the second voltage to the second circuit such that the second voltage is greater than the first voltage by a multiplicative factor greater than 2.

Thus, the differential defect detector may be provided with a torus of reduced size compared to known toroids of the prior art so that the dimensions of the differential protection device can be further reduced, and this while keeping a time of tripping in the event of a differential defect of less than 300 ms (time imposed by standards on differential products.

Preferably, the multiplying device is able to apply the second voltage to the second circuit such that the second voltage is greater than the first voltage by an ideal multiplying factor greater than 2.

In general, the coefficients for multiplication devices, often called voltage multipliers, are given for perfect, ideal, lossless voltage multipliers. Indeed, voltage doublers often have a real coefficient substantially equal to 1.4 and not 2.

Preferably, the voltage multiplier of the differential protection device is capable of applying a second voltage greater than the first voltage by a multiplicative factor less than or equal to 8.

Preferably, the voltage multiplier of the differential protection device is adapted to apply a second voltage greater than the first voltage by an ideal multiplicative factor less than or equal to 8.

According to a possible additional feature, the voltage multiplier may be a voltage tripler, a voltage quadrupeater, a voltage multiplier, or a voltage octupler.

Thus, the size of the core as well as the width of the differential protection device can be reduced while keeping a time of triggering sufficiently short. The higher the voltage multiplier circuit, the smaller the toroid size can be.

According to one possibility, the differential fault detector may comprise an intermediate electrical circuit connected to the first electrical circuit via a conditioning module capable of supplying a conditioned voltage, depending on the first voltage, to the intermediate circuit, the circuit intermediate electrical circuit being preferably connected to the second electrical circuit via the voltage multiplier device.

According to one possibility, the electrical energy storage device is an electrical capacitor having a capacitance between 470 nF and 2200 nF.

According to one possibility, the electrical energy storage device is a set of electrical capacitors having a capacitance between 470 nF and 2200 nF.

According to an additional possible feature, the coil may comprise a number of turns between 800 turns and 1100 turns.

According to one possibility, the voltage multiplying device may comprise an AC / DC converter capable of converting an alternating voltage applied to the first circuit and / or, where appropriate, to the intermediate circuit into a DC or quasi-DC voltage applied to the second circuit. .

The invention also relates to a differential circuit breaker comprising at least two cut-off devices and a differential protection device according to the invention, the cut-off devices then each comprising at least one conductor passing through the core of the at least one differential protection device. a recovery.

Thus, the invention proposes a differential circuit breaker of compact dimensions with satisfactory performance to the need of a user.

According to an additional possible feature, the differential circuit breaker may comprise four cut-off devices each comprising a conductor passing through the toroid of the differential protection device respectively at least once, the differential protection device and the cut-off devices being preferably arranged such that Thus, two cut-off devices are respectively arranged on either side of the differential protection device.

Thus, it is proposed a four-phase differential circuit breaker for minimizing the lengths of the conductors of cut-off devices passing through the torus, which has the effect that heating conductors can be reduced to a minimum.

In addition, according to one possibility, the cutoff device connected to the neutral may be, relative to the front face, disposed at the right end or at the left end of the circuit breaker.

According to a possible additional feature, the differential protection device has a first width substantially equal to the width of a basic module.

According to one possibility, the cutoff device or devices may have a second width substantially equal to 0.75 times the width of a basic module.

A base width may correspond substantially to a width of about 17.5 mm. This basic width is standardized between the various manufacturers of electrical equipment type modular circuit breaker and is generally between 17 and 18 mm according to the manufacturers.

Thus, this dimension of the cut-off device allows a breaking chamber of dimension large enough to meet the requirements with respect to the performance of the circuit breaker in short-circuit test, while maintaining the compactness of the circuit breaker. In addition, the additional space available compared to the solutions of the prior art allow the use of cutting devices of sizes up to 40 amps and breaking capacity up to 10 kAmpere.

• application d'une première tension à un premier circuit électrique à partir d'un champ magnétique à l'aide d'un tore et d'une bobine ;
• application d'une deuxième tension à un deuxième circuit électrique en fonction de la première tension à l'aide d'un dispositif de multiplication de tension, la deuxième tension étant supérieure à la première tension d'un facteur supérieur à 2 et
• accumulation d'énergie à l'aide d'un dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie relié au deuxième circuit électrique.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling at least one electrical device, preferably at least one switching device, with the aid of a differential protection device according to the invention, a method comprising the steps following successive

• applying a first voltage to a first electrical circuit from a magnetic field using a toroid and a coil;
• applying a second voltage to a second electrical circuit as a function of the first voltage by means of a voltage multiplier device, the second voltage being greater than the first voltage by a factor greater than 2 and
• energy accumulation using an energy storage device connected to the second electrical circuit.

• déchargement de l'énergie électrique accumulée dans le dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie dans un troisième circuit lorsqu'une troisième tension détectée dans le dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie dépasse une tension seuil prédéterminée.

According to one possibility, the method may comprise the following additional step:

• discharging the accumulated electrical energy into the energy storage device in a third circuit when a third voltage detected in the energy storage device exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage.

• envoi d'une commande destinée à l'appareil électrique en déchargeant dans le troisième circuit l'énergie électrique accumulée dans le dispositif d'accumulation d'énergie.

According to one possibility, the method may comprise the following additional step:

• sending a command for the electrical apparatus by discharging into the third circuit the electrical energy accumulated in the energy storage device.

According to one possibility, the sending of the command intended for the electrical apparatus may consist in applying a force on a control member of the cut-off device by means of an actuator.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de protection différentiel selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'un doubleur de tension ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'un quadrupleur de tension ;
• la figure 4 est une courbe représentant la tension mise à disposition par le doubleur de tension et par le quadrupleur de tension en fonction du temps ;
• la figure 5 est la représentation schématique d'un détecteur de défaut différentiel comprenant un doubleur de tension ;
• la figure 5A est une représentation schématique d'un tripleur de tension ;
• la figure 5B est une représentation schématique d'un quadrupleur de tension ;
• la figure 5C est une représentation schématique d'un octupleur de tension ;
  la figure 5D est une représentation schématique d'un sextupleur de tension ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un disjoncteur différentiel, selon l'invention, comprenant quatre dispositif de coupure ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur différentiel de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de protection différentielle selon l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective du disjoncteur différentiel de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue de dessus du disjoncteur différentiel de la figure 6, avec le dispositif de coupure à relier à la phase neutre agencé sur la droite ; et,
• la figure 11 est une vue de dessus du disjoncteur différentiel de la figure 6, avec le dispositif de coupure à relier à la phase neutre agencé sur la gauche.

The features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, by way of example, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a differential protection device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of a voltage doubler;
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation of a voltage quadruplifier;
• the figure 4 is a curve representing the voltage provided by the voltage doubler and the voltage quadrupler as a function of time;
• the figure 5 is the schematic representation of a differential fault detector including a voltage doubler;
• the Figure 5A is a schematic representation of a voltage tripler;
• the Figure 5B is a schematic representation of a voltage quadruplifier;
• the Figure 5C is a schematic representation of a voltage octupler;
  the figure 5D is a schematic representation of a sextupler of tension;
• the figure 6 is a perspective view of a differential circuit breaker, according to the invention, comprising four breaking device;
• the figure 7 is a schematic representation of the differential circuit breaker of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a perspective view of the differential protection device according to the invention;
• the figure 9 is a perspective view of the differential circuit breaker of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 10 is a top view of the differential circuit breaker of the figure 6 , with the cut-off device to be connected to the neutral phase arranged on the right; and,
• the figure 11 is a top view of the differential circuit breaker of the figure 6 , with the cut-off device to be connected to the neutral phase arranged on the left.

As the discloses figure 1 the invention relates to a differential protection device 20 capable of detecting differential fault currents and / or leakage currents to earth. The differential protection device 20 comprises a differential fault detector 22 comprising a first electric circuit 24 and a second electric circuit 26.

The first electrical circuit 24 comprises a coil 4. The differential fault detector 22 further comprises a torus 1 which can be traversed at least once by at least one conductor 3. The coil 4 is wound around the torus 1 and connected to the first one. electrical circuit 24 for applying a first voltage U2 in the first circuit 24 when a magnetic flux is induced in the torus 1.

The differential fault detector 22 comprises at least one voltage multiplication device 6 connected to the second electrical circuit 24 and capable of applying a second voltage V2 to the second electric circuit 26 as a function of the first voltage U2.

The voltage multiplication device 6 comprises at least one device 7 for storing electrical energy. The voltage multiplication device 6 is able to apply the second voltage V2 in the second circuit 26 so that the second voltage V2 is greater than the first voltage U2 by a factor greater than two.

The voltage multiplying device 6 of the differential fault detector 22 disclosed in FIG. figure 1 can be a tripler of voltage, a voltage quadruple, a sextupleur of voltage or a voltage octupler.

The differential fault detector 22 may comprise a third electrical circuit 28 comprising a comparison module 8. The electrical energy storage device 7 can apply the third voltage V3 to the third electrical circuit 28. At least one device 6 for multiplying the voltage connected to the second electric circuit 26 is capable of applying a second voltage V2 to the second electric circuit 26 as a function of the first voltage U2.

The torus 1 may be traversed at least once by at least one conductor 3. In the case disclosed in the figure 1 , torus 1 is crossed by four conductors 3 corresponding to the four phases. The appearance of the first voltage U2 in the first electrical circuit 24 then indicates that the sum of the magnetic fields generated by the conductors 3 is not zero.

The differential fault detector 22 may furthermore comprise an intermediate electrical circuit 25 connected to the first electrical circuit 24 via a conditioning module 5 capable of supplying a conditioned voltage V1 to the intermediate circuit 25 as a function of the first voltage U2. . The intermediate circuit 25 can be connected to the second electric circuit 24 via the voltage multiplication device 6, the first voltage U2 then constitutes the input voltage of the conditioning module 5.

The conditioning module 5 may be able to perform the following main functions: filtering, protection against strong currents, EMC adaptation and others. The output of the conditioning module 5 then constitutes the input of the voltage multiplier 6. The voltage multiplier 6 makes it possible, on the one hand, to amplify the first voltage U 2 and / or the conditioned voltage V 1 and the storage of the energy required to trigger a relay 10 in the device 7 for accumulating electrical energy or several device 7 for storing electrical energy. The devices 7 for storing electrical energy can be capacitors 7. The capacitors 7 can be called capacitors 7.

The second voltage V2 is continuously compared to a reference using the comparison module 8. When the second voltage V2 exceeds the reference, a command is given to a control member 9 to discharge the capacitor 7 in the relay 10 to help from third electrical circuit 28. The triggering of the relay 10 allows the unlocking of a differential lock 11 thus causing contact opening 12.

Thus, by using a voltage multiplier of greater than 2, a torus 1 of relatively small volume can be used. As the cost of a torus 1 increases with the increase in the volume of its material, a relatively small torus 1 makes it possible to reduce the costs of the differential defect detector 22. In addition, the integration of a torus 1 of reduced size further simplifies the integration of it into the product.

The figure 2 discloses a voltage multiplication device 6a of magnitude two, i.e., a voltage doubler 6a. Such a voltage doubler 6a for a differential fault detector 22 is known from the prior art FR 2,777,110 .

The differential fault detector 22 of the differential protection device 20 according to the invention comprises a voltage multiplier device 6 of greater than two order, that is to say, a voltage tripler, a voltage quadrupeater, a sextupler of tension or an octupler of tension. These second order voltage multiplication devices 6 are disclosed by way of example in FIGS. figures 3 , 5A and 5B . The figures 3 and 5B disclose voltage quadruplers and the Figure 5A a voltage tripler. Comparing a second-order voltage multiplication device 6a with a second-order voltage multiplication device 6, the latter needs a substantially reduced input voltage U2, V1 compared to required by the second order voltage multiplication device 6a. Nevertheless, the second order voltage multiplication device 6 takes longer to reach the steady state of the output voltage.

In summary, the second order voltage multiplication devices 6 require more time to accumulate the energy required to trigger the relay 10 for a lower input voltage, which results in less voluminous cores 1 and / or a reduced number of primary passages. The number of primary passes is the number of times each driver crosses the torus.

A small number of primary passes simplifies the manufacturing process and allows for easy tuning of the configuration of the current paths in the product, reducing the material used in the connections, reducing the heating and possibly reduce the impact of the magnetic radiation of the current paths on the other bricks in the product and reduce the overall volume of the torus and primary conductors taken in a set.

The reduction in the volume of the torus 1 allows the reduction of its cost and simplifies the process of its integration into the product. It also allows the increase of the section of the conductors 3 to reduce among other things the heating or the passage of a caliber to another higher caliber in less cost.

For a second voltage V2 worth, for example, 5.55 volts, a second-order voltage multiplication device 6 a needs an input voltage U 2, V 1 of 2.88 volts. For the same second voltage of 5.55 volts, a voltage multiplication device 6 of order four, requires an input voltage U2, V1 of only 1.5 volts.

Nevertheless, the fourth-order voltage multiplication device 6 needs more time (243 ms = 345 ms-103 ms) to exceed the reference voltage (example: 4.5 volts) and trigger the relay 10 , while remaining below a trigger time of 300 ms. These results are disclosed in the figure 4 .

The trip time of the differential fault detector 22 of the differential protection device 20 having a voltage multiplier 6 of greater than two is longer than that of the second order voltage multiplier 6, which can result in the tripping time exceeding the normative value of 300 ms or the desired target.

To overcome these disadvantages, it may be necessary to reduce the tripping time using the implementation of palliative solutions.

Such a reduction in the tripping time can be obtained by reducing the impedance of the torus 1. This reduction in the impedance of the core 1 is reflected in a reduction in the number of turns that the coil 4 comprises.

The coil 4 of the differential protection device 20 according to the invention may comprise between 800 and 1 100 turns, in order to obtain a sufficiently short trip time.

In addition, the reduction of the trip time can be achieved by reducing the value of the storage capacity 7 to a maximum of minimum value ensuring the triggering of the relay 10, that is to say to give the relay the energy just needed for safe operation.

The invention also relates to a differential circuit breaker 40 comprising at least one differential protection device 20 and at least one switching device 60. The differential circuit breaker 40 may, for example, consist of four cut-off devices 60 and a device 20 for differential protection. The differential circuit breaker 40 may be a modular device comprising a first main face 42 and a second main face 44. figures 6 and 7 , the differential circuit breaker 40 may be arranged so that two circuit breakers 60 are arranged on either side of the differential protection device 20.

Each cut-off device 60 may be provided with an input terminal 62 and an output terminal 64. The input terminals 62 and the output terminals 64 may be respectively linearly arranged. The input terminals 62 and the output terminals 64 can also be respectively arranged equidistantly from each other.

The differential protection device 20 has a first width L1. The cut-off devices 60 are provided with a second width L2. The first width L1 is preferably substantially equal to the width of a basic module. The second width, for its part, can correspond to a width substantially equal to 0.75 times the width of a basic module. The width of a basic module corresponds approximately to a width of 17.5 mm. This basic width is standardized between the various manufacturers of electrical equipment type modular circuit breaker and is generally between 17 and 18 mm according to the manufacturers. The differential circuit breaker 40 is therefore equipped with a width equal to four modules (four times the second width L2 of the cut-off device and once the first width L1 of the differential protection device 20).

Thus, the additional space available compared to the solutions of the prior art allow the use of cut-off devices 60 of 40 amps and breaking capacity up to 10 kAmpere.

The width of a 17.5 mm module corresponds to the pitch of the bridging terminals that can connect the terminals 62, 64 of the cut-off devices 60.

The application also relates to a circuit breaker, preferably a differential circuit breaker having a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream power line and a downstream power line.

In general, the opening and closing mechanism has two stable states, a first state that can be called the "open contacts" state for which the upstream electrical line is not electrically connected to the downstream line and a second state that can be called state "closed contacts" for which the upstream power line is electrically connected to the downstream line. The main function of the circuit breaker is to protect the downstream power line from faults, electrical overload type faults, short circuit, earth leakage fault.

In general, the circuit breaker comprises an actuator adapted to bring the opening and closing mechanism back into the first state ("open contacts" state) in the event of overload (abnormal over-current) on the protected line. Preferably, the actuator is a thermal actuator adapted to deform according to its temperature. Preferably, the actuator may consist of a bimetallic traversed or not by the current.

The circuit breaker may also include a driver, preferably a heat trainer. The trainer is usually the connecting part between the opening and closing mechanism and the actuator (against overloads).

Generally the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts is provided with a trigger, which, when moved by the actuator, allows the opening of the contacts, that is to say allows the change of state , from the closed contact state (second state) to the open contact state (first state), of the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts.

The opening of the contacts can be performed when the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts passes from the second state to the first state.

In general, the trigger can be provided with a protrusion able to be moved directly by the actuator in order to trigger the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts. In other cases, this connection can also be made via a separate part of the trigger, called coach or thermal trainer. The coach can usually be mechanically guided in envelopes parts of the device and may be in contact or in pivot connection with the trigger.

In some cases, the connection can be made directly between the trigger and the (thermal) actuator.

• Entraîneur est en rotation dans la pièce de déclenchement et est guidé en translation dans les pièces enveloppes ;
• Entraîneur en translation guidé dans les pièces enveloppes et en contact ponctuel sur le déclencheur.

In cases where the connection is indirect, that is to say using a piece (the coach), several different types of connection may be possible:

• Trainer is rotated in the trigger piece and is guided in translation in the envelope pieces;
• Trainer guided in the envelopes and in contact with the trigger.

In the case where the release is provided with an outgrowth adapted to be moved directly by the actuator to trigger the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts, the size of this function when arming and triggering the lock can become important, in fact the closing mechanism of contact closure passing from one stable state to the other generally by a rotational movement about an axis, the trigger can be also animated by a rotational movement , the angular sector swept by the mechanism can also be scanned by the protrusion of the trigger. This movement imposes the fact of having a free space allowing the free movement of the trigger during the change of state of the mechanism of opening and closing of the contacts. This free space is even more important for the following reason: when closing the contacts, if the trigger is retained by any component, it can automatically trigger the triggering of the opening and closing mechanism of the contacts, which may prevent the contacts from closing unexpectedly, which may cause the circuit breaker to malfunction. As a result, in devices equipped with this technical solution, a large space is released around the trigger, which prevents to achieve compact devices or in a limited space.

In cases where the linkage is made with a driver rotating relative to the trigger, the stroke of the coach can be important since it is directly related to the movement of the trigger during the opening maneuvers and closing contacts. The guidance of the coach can also be difficult to achieve to find the right compromise between the different positions (open and / or closed contact), the good orientation of the forces during an unlocking, avoid the jamming between the trainer and the guiding parts guide and keep a precise guidance to reduce the variability of the function.

In cases where the connection is made using a translational driver in the envelope parts, the circuit breaker can be difficult to assemble in an architecture or the assembly is done by stacking, particularly if a lock has two contacts. Because in this case there must be a trainer on either side of the lock (a trainer by thermal function), It would then be necessary to find a system to pre-mount the trainer in the envelope parts and hold it before assembling the lock on the envelope piece.

Such circuit breakers of the prior art are known for example documents FR 2,661,776 and EP 0 295 158 B1 .

The purpose of the request is therefore to overcome the difficulties of congestion related to the movements of the parts, the difficulties of guiding or assembly. The purpose of the application is also to obtain a complete and compact subassembly that can be installed in an environment with a reduced space.

For this purpose the application proposes a circuit breaker comprising a subassembly comprising an opening and closing mechanism having at least two stable states, a first state for which an upstream electrical line is not electrically connected to a downstream line (open contact ) and a second state for which the upstream power line is electrically connected to the downstream line (closed contact), said circuit breaker comprising a trigger able to switch the opening and closing mechanism of the second state to the first state when the trigger is moved, relative to the opening and closing mechanism, to return the opening and closing mechanism to the first state, said subassembly also comprising a driver and an actuator, preferably a thermal actuator, adapted to displace the trainer. to bring the opening and closing mechanism back to the first state when a product connected to the the electrical current downstream is traversed by a current greater than the rated current for which the product is expected (current overload).

Preferably, the circuit breaker comprises at least one envelope piece forming a holding shell and comprising guide means of the coach, the trainer being maintained in the means of guiding by deformable clips of the envelope pieces or by an additional piece which is fixed on the envelope pieces or by at least one clipping pin.

Preferably, the subassembly comprises means for guiding the driver.

Preferably, the driver has a general shape of U, the first leg of the U being connected to the trigger and the second leg of the U being connected to the actuator, the middle part of the U connecting the two branches of the U.

Thus, the circuit breaker can gain compactness (and therefore in margin of adjustment of the thermal protection).

Preferably, the driver can be, on the one hand, connected to the actuator and, on the other hand, connected to the trigger.

Preferably the trainer is made of metal material, prevence from a wire. Preferably, the section of this wire may be round or square. The wire has the advantage of being easily achievable and rigid by using a wire of small diameter (compared to a plastic part).

Preferably the coach is made of plastic.

Preferably, the coach is guided on the envelopes. Preferably, the envelopes can hold the various parts of the lock (subassembly) (including thermal) in a guide rail. Preferably, the driver can be held in the guide rail by deformable clips of the subassembly holding envelope or by an additional piece that is fixed on the envelopes or by at least one clipping pin. Thus the subset is complete and autonomous.

The subassembly comprises at least one holding shell which may be formed by at least one envelope piece, preferably two envelope pieces.

Preferably, the driver is guided in translation in the guide means in a translation direction. Preferably, the trainer has no rigid connection with the trigger, which reduces its bulk during operation.

Preferably, the trainer operates in translation and has no rigid connection with the trigger part, which reduces its bulk during operation.

Preferably, the trigger is provided with an orifice in which the driver is arranged. Preferably, the first branch of the U of the generally U-shaped driver is arranged in the orifice.

Preferably, the actuator is able to return the opening and closing mechanism of the second state to the first state by bearing against the trainer when a product connected to the downstream electrical line is traversed by a current greater than the rated current. .

Preferably, the actuator is able to return the opening and closing mechanism of the second state to the first state by bearing against the second leg of the U of the U-shaped driver when the product connected to the power line. downstream is traversed by a current higher than the rated current.

Preferably, the driver can abut against a border of the orifice when the opening and closing mechanism is in its second state to switch the opening and closing mechanism of the second state to the first state. Preferably, the first U-shaped limb of the generally U-shaped driver may bear against the rim of the orifice when the opening and closing mechanism is in its second state to tilt the opening mechanism and closing the second state to the first state.

Preferably, the orifice has a substantially oblong and curvilinear shape. Preferably, the orifice has essentially a form of beans and / or bananas and / or C.

Preferably, the driver can assume a neutral position, in which the opening and closing mechanism can freely switch from the first state to the second state and vice versa.

Preferably, the orifice is adapted to allow the opening and closing mechanism of the first state to switch to the second state and vice versa, when the driver takes the neutral position.

Preferably, the driver may further take an actuating position which is offset from the neutral position in the translation direction.

Preferably, when the trainer takes the actuating position, a tilting of the opening and closing mechanism from the first state to the second state causes the actuator to move from the actuating position to the neutral position.

In this circuit breaker, the trainer is free and has no relative movement with respect to the fixed parts of the product during the movement of the mechanism (opening or closing of the contacts)

Preferably, the driver can be clipped into the envelope pieces, which eliminates the assembly difficulties for this type of subassembly (a mechanism with two contacts and a drive in translation with a stack assembly). The trainer can also be maintained in the envelopes parts by an additional piece which would itself be fixed on the envelopes.

Thus the trainer can be assembled by simple clipping after constitution of the complete subset, so the complete subset is functional and can be tested in a template before assembly of the complete product, so regardless of the complete product. This feature can not be achieved in the case where the coach is guided by the product envelope for example.

Preferably, the deformable clips extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation.

Preferably, the release is pivotally mounted relative to at least one envelope piece about a pivot axis.

The circuit breaker that is the object of the application has the advantage of saving space for future developments more and more compact, as well as to have a complete and independent mechanical subassembly with the trainer already assembled on it, or to assemble in the final environment without the constraint of a necessary maintenance in the envelopes (in the case of a stack assembly).

• la figure 12 est une représentation schématique d'un entraîneur en liaison pivot dans une pièce de déclenchement et guidé en translation dans des enveloppes d'un disjoncteur connu de l'art antérieur;
• la figure 12a est une représentation schématique de l'entraîneur en liaison pivot dans la pièce de déclenchement et guidé en translation dans les enveloppes du disjoncteur connu de l'art antérieur;
• la figure 13 est une représentation schématique d'un disjoncteur proposé par la demande ;
• la figure 13a est une représentation schématique d'un entraîneur du disjoncteur proposé par la demande ;
• la figure 14 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur proposé par la demande dans une première position (position contact ouvert);
• la figure 15 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur proposé par la demande dans une deuxième position (position contact fermé).

The characteristics and advantages of the circuit breaker proposed by the application will emerge from the following description, by way of example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings in which:

• the figure 12 is a schematic representation of a coach pivotally connected in a trigger piece and guided in translation in the casings of a circuit breaker known from the prior art;
• the figure 12a is a schematic representation of the coach pivotally connected in the trigger piece and guided in translation in the envelopes of the circuit breaker known from the prior art;
• the figure 13 is a schematic representation of a circuit breaker proposed by the application;
• the figure 13a is a schematic representation of a trainer of the circuit breaker proposed by the application;
• the figure 14 is a schematic representation of the circuit breaker proposed by the application in a first position (open contact position);
• the figure 15 is a schematic representation of the circuit breaker proposed by the application in a second position (closed contact position).

The Figures 12 and 12a disclose a subassembly 523 of a prior art circuit breaker having an opening and closing mechanism 560, which can be rotatably mounted relative to an axis of rotation R. The subassembly 523 also includes a driver 520 which is rotatably mounted in the opening and closing mechanism 560 and is guided in translation in envelope parts 521. Said circuit breaker further comprises a trigger 540 able to tilt the opening and closing mechanism 560.

In general, the circuit breaker may further comprise an electrical contact comprising a movable contact element 561 and a fixed contact element. The movable contact element 561 can be mechanically connected to the trigger 540.

The Figures 13 to 15 disclose a circuit breaker 100 according to the invention comprising a subassembly 123 comprising an opening and closing mechanism 160 having at least two stable states, a first state for which an upstream electrical line is not electrically connected to a downstream line (open contact) and a second state for which the upstream power line is electrically connected to the downstream line (closed contact). Said subassembly 123 also comprises a driver 120 and an actuator 150, preferably a thermal actuator, adapted to return the opening and closing mechanism 160 to the first state when a product connected to the downstream electrical line is traversed by a higher current. the rated current for which the product is intended (current overload). Said circuit breaker 100 may comprise a trigger 140 able to switch the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the second state to the first state when the trigger 140 is moved, relative to the opening and closing mechanism 160, to bring the mechanism opening and closing 160 to the first state.

Preferably, subassembly 123 comprises guide means 124 of the trainer.

Preferably, the driver 120 has a general U shape, the first leg 125 of the U being connected to the trigger 140 and the second leg 126 of the U being connected to the actuator 150, the middle portion 127 of the connecting U the two branches 125, 126 of the U.

Thus, the circuit breaker 100 can gain in compactness (and therefore in margin of adjustment of the thermal protection).

Preferably, the driver 120 can be, on the one hand, connected to the actuator 150 and, on the other hand, connected to the trigger 140.

Preferably the driver 120 is made of metallic material, preferably from a wire. Preferably, the section of this wire may be round or square. The wire has the advantage of being easily achievable and rigid by using a wire of small diameter (compared to a plastic part).

Preferably the coach is made of plastic.

Preferably, the driver 120 is guided on the envelopes 121, 122. Preferably, the envelopes 121, 122 can hold the various parts of the lock (subassembly 123) (including thermal) and in particular the driver 120 in the guide means 124. Preferably, the various parts of the lock can be held by deformable clips 128 or by an additional piece to be fixed on the envelopes 121, 122 or at least one clipping pin. Thus the subset 123 is complete and autonomous.

The driver 120 can be connected to the trigger by means of a mechanical link allowing a tilting of the trainer relative to the trigger.

The subassembly 123 comprises at least one holding shell which may be formed by at least one envelope piece 121, 122, preferably two envelope pieces 121, 122.

Preferably, the driver 120 operates in translation and has no rigid connection with the trigger 140, which reduces its bulk during operation.

In this invention, the driver 120 is free and has no relative movement relative to the fixed parts of the product during the movement of the mechanism (opening or closing contacts).

The driver 120 can be guided in translation in the guide means 124 in a translation direction T.

As disclosed by figures 14 and 15 the trigger 140 may be provided with an orifice 141 in which the driver 120 is arranged. Preferably, the first leg 125 of the U of the generally U-shaped driver is arranged in the orifice 141.

The actuator 150 is capable of returning the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the second state to the first state by bearing against the driver 120 when a product connected to the downstream electrical line is traversed by a current greater than the current. nominal.

The actuator may be able to return the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the second state to the first state by bearing against the second leg 126 of the U of the U-shaped driver 120 when the product connected to the line downstream electrical current is traversed by a current greater than the rated current.

The driver may abut against a border 142 of the orifice 141 when the opening and closing mechanism 160 is in its second state to tilt the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the second state to the first state. Preferably, the first leg 125 of the U of the generally U-shaped driver 120 can bear against the edge 142 of the orifice 141 when the opening and closing mechanism 160 is in its second state to tilt the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the second state to the first state.

The orifice 141 may have a substantially oblong and curvilinear shape. Preferably, the orifice has essentially a form of beans and / or bananas and / or C.

The figures 14 and 15 show the coach 120 taking a position called neutral position.

When the driver 120 takes its neutral position, the opening and closing mechanism 160 can be designed to be able to freely switch from the first state to the second state and vice versa.

Preferably, the orifice 141 is designed to allow the opening and closing mechanism 160 to swing from the first state to the second state and vice versa, when the driver 120 assumes a neutral position.

The driver 120 may also take an actuating position (not disclosed in the figures) which is offset from the neutral position in the translation direction T.

Preferably, when the driver 120 takes the actuating position, a tilting of the opening and closing mechanism 160 from the first state to the second state causes a displacement of the driver 120 from the actuating position to the position neutral.

Preferably, the driver 120 can be clipped into the envelope parts 121, 122, which eliminates the assembly difficulties for this type of subassembly 123 (a mechanism with two contacts and a translation drive with a stack assembly ). The driver 120 may also be held in the envelope pieces 121, 122 by an additional piece which would itself be fixed on the envelopes 121, 122.

Thus, the driver 120 can be assembled by simple clipping after forming the complete subset 123, thus the complete subset 123 is functional and can be tested in a template before assembly of the complete product, therefore independently of the complete product. This feature can not be achieved in the case where the driver 120 is guided by the envelope parts 121, 122 of the product for example.

Preferably, the deformable clips extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation.

Preferably, the trigger 140 is pivotally mounted relative to at least one envelope piece 121, 122 around a pivot axis.

The circuit breaker that is the object of the application has the advantage of saving space for future developments more and more compact, as well as to have a complete and independent mechanical subassembly with the trainer already assembled on it, or to assemble in the final environment without the constraint of a necessary maintenance in the envelopes (in the case of a stack assembly).

The application also relates to a modular differential circuit breaker.

Circuit breakers of this type may comprise at least one cut-off compartment and a differential protection compartment, the cut-off compartment (s) having an opening mechanism and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line.

Differential circuit breakers may include test functions to test the proper functioning of the differential protection compartment. The differential protection compartment then comprises in circuit test, the test circuit comprising a first switch that can be closed by pressing a test button

This test can be done by pressing the test button which has the effect of closing the test circuit which simulates a differential fault which causes the tripping of the differential module of the product, generally this differential fault is achieved by a leakage current between the neutral and at least one phase of the product, the current passing through a resistor having the effect of limiting the leakage current.

In general, the circuit breaker comprises a connecting piece mounted inside the differential protection compartment and which makes it possible to mechanically connect the at least one compartment (s) between them by at least one lateral lug, preferably two lateral lugs. . The connecting piece can protrude from either side of the differential protection compartment and can penetrate the breaking compartments located, where appropriate, on either side of the differential protection compartment.

The connecting piece can actuate the opening of the contact of the compartments of cuts during a differential defect by means of its lateral pins.

Such a circuit breaker known from the prior art is for example disclosed by the document EP0948021 B1

The circuit breakers known in the prior art have the disadvantage of leaving the test circuit active after a mechanical opening of the contacts of the breaking compartments and / or after a differential fault, and thus let the current flow unnecessarily into the test circuit when a long press on the test button, which could result in the destruction of the test function by damaging a resistance of the test function.

The purpose of this application is to overcome these disadvantages.

For this purpose the application proposes a differential circuit breaker comprising a test circuit comprising a first switch that can be opened and / or closed by pressing a test button and a second switch that can be opened and / or closed by a connecting piece. Preferably, the connecting piece closes the second switch when the contact of the compartment (s) cutoff (s) is (are) closed (s). Preferably, the connecting piece opens the second switch when the contact of the compartment (s) cutoff (s) is (are) open (s) and / or when the differential protection compartment detects a fault.

Preferably, the connecting piece can deactivate the test circuit during mechanical opening of the breaking compartments and / or by the differential protection compartment during a differential fault.

Preferably, when the circuit breaker is in the ON position, that is to say when the contact of the compartment (s) of cutoff (s) is (are) closed (s) and the differential protection compartment does not detect a fault, the connecting piece can be adapted to allow the establishment of good contact of the test circuit in the differential compartment, that is to say to close the test circuit (second closed switch, possibility of performing the test function).

Preferably, when the circuit breaker is in the OFF position, that is to say when the contact (s) of the cutoff compartment (s) is (are) open and / or when the differential protection compartment detects a defect , the connecting piece physically opens the test circuit (second switch open and thus protects it from a short circuit in case of prolonged support and closure of the test button contact). Indeed when pressing the test button, the first switch test button is closed but as the second switch is open, the test function is disabled.

Thus, the connecting piece can deactivate the test circuit during mechanical opening of the breaking compartments and / or by the differential protection compartment during a differential fault.

Preferably, the first switch and the second switch are connected in series.

Preferably, the second switch comprises a first contact element and a second contact element, the connecting piece being able to move the first contact element away from the second contact element to open the second switch by bearing against the first element of contact.

Preferably, the first contact element being rotatably mounted in a case of the differential circuit breaker.

• la figure 16 est une représentation schématique d'une pièce de liaison d'un disjoncteur proposé par la demande;
• la figure 16a est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur proposé par la demande comprenant la pièce de liaison de la figure 16;
• la figure 17 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur proposé par la demande en position ON;
• la figure 18 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur proposé par la demande en position OFF;

The characteristics and advantages of the circuit breaker proposed by the application will emerge from the following description, by way of example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings in which:

• the figure 16 is a schematic representation of a connecting piece of a circuit breaker proposed by the application;
• the figure 16a is a schematic representation of the circuit breaker proposed by the application comprising the connecting piece of the figure 16 ;
• the figure 17 is a schematic representation of the circuit breaker proposed by the request in the ON position;
• the figure 18 is a schematic representation of the circuit breaker proposed by the request in the OFF position;

As disclosed by figures 16 at 18, the application relates to a circuit breaker 210 comprising a test circuit comprising a first switch 220 that can be opened and / or closed by pressing a test button 222 and a second switch 230 that can be opened and / or closed by a connecting piece 250. Preferably, the connecting piece 250 closes the second switch 230 when the contact of the compartment (s) cutoff (s) is (are) closed (s). Preferably, the connecting piece 250 opens the second switch 230 when the contact of the compartment (s) cutoff (s) is (are) open (s).

Preferably, the first switch 220 and the second switch 230 are connected in series.

Preferably, the connecting piece 250 can deactivate the test circuit during mechanical opening of the breaking compartments and / or by the differential protection compartment during a differential fault.

The connecting piece 250 may be mounted inside the differential protection compartment and may make it possible to mechanically connect the at least one compartment (s) between them by at least one lateral lug 251, 251 ', preferably two lateral lugs 251, 251 '. The connecting piece 250 may protrude from either side of the differential protection compartment and may enter the breaking compartments located, where appropriate, on either side of the differential protection compartment.

Preferably, when the circuit breaker 210 is in ON position 253, that is to say when the contact of the compartment (s) of cut-off is (are) closed (s) and the differential protection compartment detects no differential defect, the connecting piece 250 may be adapted to allow the establishment of good contact of the test circuit in the differential compartment, that is to say to close the test circuit (second switch 220 closed, possibility of achieving the test function).

Preferably, when the circuit breaker is in the OFF position 255, that is to say when the contact of the at least one compartment (s) is (are) open and / or when the differential protection compartment detects a differential defect, the connecting piece 250 physically opens the test circuit (second open switch and thus protects it from a short circuit in case of prolonged support and closure of the test button 222 contact). Indeed, when pressing the test button 222, the first switch 220 of the test button 222 is closed but as the second switch 230 is open, the test function is disabled.

As it follows from figures 17 and 18 the second switch 230 may comprise a first contact element 231 and a second contact element 232. The first contact element 231 can be moved away from the second contact element 232 to open the second switch 230. The connection piece 250 can move aside the first contact element 231 of the second contact element 232 bearing against the first contact element 231. The first contact element 231 can be rotatably mounted in a housing 211 of the differential circuit breaker 210.

Thus, the connecting piece can deactivate the test circuit during mechanical opening of the breaking compartments and / or by the differential protection compartment during a differential fault.

The subject of the application is also a method of manufacturing a modular electrical appliance providing at least two electrical functions, preferably a modular differential circuit breaker.

Modular electrical appliances, as well as circuit breakers of this type may include at least one breaking compartment and a differential protection compartment, the at least one compartment (s) having an opening and closing mechanism of at least one electrical contact between an upstream power line and a downstream power line. The differential protection compartment may comprise a differential fault detector comprising a toroid and a detection circuit. The differential protection compartment may further comprise a test circuit comprising a test button.

The operating principle of a differential circuit breaker is to compare the intensities on different conductors that cross it. For the case of a single-phase differential circuit breaker, it compares the intensity of the current flowing in a conductor corresponding to the phase, and the intensity of the current flowing in a conductor corresponding to the neutral. In other words, the differential circuit breaker verifies that the sum of the intensities of the current flowing in the conductor corresponding to the phase and the conductor corresponding to the neutral are canceled. In the case of a multiphase differential circuit breaker, the differential circuit breaker verifies that the sum of the currents of current flowing in the conductors corresponding to the phases and to the neutral is canceled.

The differential device is thus based on the principle that, in a normal installation, the electric current that arrives from one conductor must come out through another. In a single-phase installation, if the current in the conductor corresponding to the phase at the start of an electrical circuit is different from that in the conductor corresponding to the neutral, it is that there is a leak.

For this purpose, each conductor passes into the torus, each of these conductors thus forming identical and opposing electromagnetic fields that cancel each other out. In the event of a difference between the electromagnetic fields, the resulting electromagnetic field actuates a breaking compartment which rapidly cuts off the current by opening the electrical contact.

Current differential circuit breakers are first assembled in their entirety and adjusted and controlled as a result of assembly. In case of problems related to adjustment and / or control the product is thrown because difficult to disassemble.

The object of the application is to propose a method of manufacturing an electrical appliance providing at least two electrical functions, preferably a modular differential circuit breaker, making it possible to reduce the number of products discarded.

1. a) mettre à disposition le compartiment de protection différentielle;
2. b) passer au moins une connexion primaire, de préférence deux connexions primaires à travers du tore ;
3. c) tester le fonctionnement du compartiment de protection différentielle en, d'une part, appuyant sur le bouton test, et d'autre part, appliquant une tension aux connexions primaires, de telle sorte, qu'un flux magnétique est induit dans le tore et déclenche le détecteur de défaut différentiel ;
4. d) agencer le au moins un compartiment de coupure de façon adjacente au compartiment de protection différentielle.

For this purpose the application proposes a method of manufacturing an electrical appliance providing at least two electrical functions, preferably a modular differential circuit breaker,
said apparatus comprising at least one breaking compartment and a differential protection compartment,
said differential protection compartment comprising a differential fault detector and a test circuit,
said test circuit comprising a test button,
said differential fault detector comprising a toroid and a detection circuit,
the method comprising the following successive steps:

1. a) provide the differential protection compartment;
2. b) passing at least one primary connection, preferably two primary connections through the torus;
3. c) test the operation of the differential protection compartment by, on the one hand, pressing the test button, and on the other hand, applying a voltage to the primary connections, so that a magnetic flux is induced in the torus and triggers the differential fault detector;
4. d) arranging the at least one breaking compartment adjacent to the differential protection compartment.

Preferably, in step c), the magnetic flux is induced in the core by creating a leakage current between the primary connection corresponding to the neutral and one of the primary connections corresponding to a phase.

Preferably, the leakage current is limited by a resistor connected between the primary connection corresponding to the neutral and the primary connection corresponding to the phase.

Preferably, in step c), the proper functioning of the differential protection compartment is noted, if the induction of the magnetic flux in the toroid and / or the creation of the leakage current triggers the differential fault detector.

Preferably, step d) is carried out after, in step c), the proper functioning of the differential protection compartment has been found.

Preferably, the method comprises the following additional step:
e) electrically welding at least a first external pole corresponding to one of the primary connections of the electrical apparatus

Preferably, the method comprises the following additional step:
f) insert the cutoff compartment (s) and / or the electrical apparatus, preferably in a housing.

Preferably, the method comprises the following additional step:
g) electrically welding at least one second external pole corresponding to one of the primary connections respectively to a conductor of the cutoff compartment or compartments, each conductor being preferably connected to a magnetic coil of the breaking compartment.

This step ensures that no mechanical differential defect will generate waste because the product is still repairable at this stage.

Preferably, the method comprises, between step c) and step d), the following additional step:
c1) insert the differential protection compartment into a housing.

Preferably, the at least one second external pole is located outside the housing of the differential protection compartment, when the housing of the differential protection compartment is mounted on the differential protection compartment.

Preferably, the at least one first external pole is located outside the case of the differential circuit breaker, when the case of the differential circuit breaker is mounted on the differential circuit breaker.

The application also relates to a modular electrical appliance providing at least two electrical functions manufactured using the manufacturing method according to demand.

Preferably, the electrical apparatus is a modular differential circuit breaker.

• la figure 19 est une représentation schématique d'un compartiment de protection différentielle selon l'objet de la demande;
• la figure 20 une représentation schématique du compartiment de protection différentielle faisant l'objet de la demande encastré dans un boîtier;
• la figure 21 est une représentation schématique d'un disjoncteur différentiel faisant l'objet de la demande;
• la figure 22 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur différentiel faisant l'objet de la demande;
• la figure 23 est une représentation schématique du disjoncteur différentiel faisant l'objet de la demande.

The characteristics and advantages of the method of manufacturing an electrical appliance providing at least two electrical functions, preferably a modular differential circuit breaker proposed by the application will become apparent from the following description, by way of example, in reference to the attached schematic drawings in which:

• the figure 19 is a schematic representation of a differential protection compartment depending on the purpose of the request;
• the figure 20 a schematic representation of the differential protection compartment which is the subject of the recessed application in a housing;
• the figure 21 is a schematic representation of a differential circuit breaker being the subject of the application;
• the figure 22 is a schematic representation of the differential circuit breaker being the subject of the application;
• the figure 23 is a schematic representation of the differential circuit breaker being the subject of the application.

The figure 19 is a schematic representation of a differential protection compartment 320 according to the object of the request made available in step a) of the method. The differential protection compartment 320 comprises a differential fault detector and a test circuit, said test circuit comprising a test button, said differential fault detector comprising a torus 302 and a detection circuit.

The test button can be used to open and / or close a switch of the test circuit. The switch can be plugged into the test circuit. Opening the switch can cause the test circuit to open. Closing the switch can cause the closing of the test circuit.

Four primary connections 304 pass through torus 302 after execution of step b).

The figure 20 a schematic representation of the differential protection compartment 320 embedded in a housing 321 as it is after the execution of step c1).

The figure 21 is a schematic representation of a differential circuit breaker 330 that is the subject of the application. The GFCI 330 includes the differential protection compartment 320 shown in FIGS. figures 19 and 20 . The differential circuit breaker 330 may comprise four breaking compartments 340, two breaking compartments 340 being arranged respectively on either side of the differential protection compartment 320.

The primary connections 304 may each comprise two poles 307. These poles may either be external poles 308, namely first external poles 308 'which are outside the housing 321 of the differential protection compartment 320 or the second external poles 308. which are furthermore outside a housing 331 of the differential circuit breaker 330, or be internal poles 306 inside the housing 321.

The figure 22 is a schematic representation of the differential circuit breaker 330. The figure shows in particular the first external poles 308 'to be soldered electrically in step e). figures 4 and 5 flashes represent the soldering points of the components.

The figure 23 is a schematic representation of the differential circuit breaker 330. The figure shows in particular the electrical welding of the second outer poles 308 "of the primary connections 304 respectively to a conductor 309, 310, 311, 312 of the breaking compartments 340, welded during the Step g) Preferably, each conductor 309, 310, 311, 312 is connected to a magnetic coil of the breaking compartment.

The application also relates to a cut-off device and a modular differential circuit breaker comprising at least one such cut-off device.

Such cut-off devices generally have a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line. In general, the opening and closing mechanism comprises a cutting chamber comprising a yoke, an arc horn and a subset called a deion.

The cut-off performance of such switching devices and modular differential circuit breakers comprising at least one such cut-off device are the result of a compromise between different components of the switchgear.

Generally the cutoff is finalized in the deion, deion comprising platelets which split the arc. The said pads are kept parallel and without contact with each other by a known non-conductive mechanical electricity device such as cardboard sheets or plastic plates. The performance of such cut-off devices is dependent on the number of platelets of the deion. The number of platelets is generally between 7 and 15 platelets, more particularly 7 or 11 or 12 or 13 platelets.

It goes without saying that the more deion subset comprises platelets, the higher the cutoff performance is high but the volume of the subset deion is important.

The electric arc is created at the moment of the opening of the contact under load and is guided towards the deion subset by two elements:
The bow horn and a bow plate.

The current trend is to develop cutting devices ever more efficient volume equivalent or reduced. This trend involves increasing the performance of the cutoff device either at constant volume or by reducing the volume of the product or at least to keep acceptable performance while reducing the volume of the product.

Another important parameter in the cutoff performance of the cutoff device is whether or not there is an arc jump between the arc horn and the bolt.

• avec saut d'arc et
• sans saut d'arc.

Currently there are two head technologies for cutting devices known from the prior art:

• with bow jump and
• without an arc jump.

With bow jump, either the horn is a component welded on the breech, or the horn forms an integral part of the breech itself. This results in a slower arc climb and therefore high thermal stress.

In this configuration, the deion subassembly can extend to the breech which allows to increase the number of deion plates, on the other hand the fact that a "jump of arc" is present on the course of the arc, goes against the increase in performance generated by the fact that the number of deion wafers is increased.

The jump of the arc is in fact a discontinuity of the conductor which allows the arc to go to the subset deion.

Without arching, it is always the extension of the horn that extends under the breech. This causes a loss of volume in the interrupting chamber and therefore a lower arc voltage and a lower heat dissipation.

The object of the application is to propose a cut-off device and a modular differential circuit breaker comprising at least one such cut-off device having a sufficiently high breaking performance while keeping a sufficiently compact breaking chamber.

For this purpose, the application proposes a cut-off device having a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line. The opening and closing mechanism comprises a cutting chamber comprising a yoke, an arc horn and a subset called a deion. Preferably, the bow horn is bent. Preferably, the breech has a longitudinal opening. Preferably, the arcuate horn terminates in a flat portion that is housed in the longitudinal opening so as to be parallel and aligned therewith.

Preferably, the bow horn is housed in the same plane as that of the breech. The longitudinal opening allows the bow horn to be housed in the same plane as that of the breech.

Preferably, the arc horn is integrated directly into the cylinder head in one piece without arc jump.

Preferably, the bow horn is arranged on the same plane as the breech. Preferably, the longitudinal opening in the cylinder head is open, which allows to house the arc horn integrally in its thickness in the opening of the cylinder head, because generally this type of component has a constant thickness.

Preferably, the opening may also consist of a cavity housing the non-emergent arc horn made by stamping in the cylinder head for example.

• soit la corne d'arc n'est pas totalement intégrée dans l'épaisseur de la culasse (cas de composant d'épaisseur constante) ;
• soit elle est totalement intégrée dans l'épaisseur de la culasse si par exemple le composant n'est pas d'épaisseur constante (culasse plus épaisse que la corne d'arc) ou que l'excroissance générée par l'emboutissage dans la culasse ne rentre en collision avec aucun composant du sous ensemble magnétique.

In that case:

• either the arc horn is not totally integrated in the thickness of the cylinder head (case of component of constant thickness);
• either it is totally integrated in the thickness of the cylinder head if for example the component is not of constant thickness (breech thicker than the arc horn) or that the protrusion generated by stamping in the cylinder head collides with any component of the magnetic subassembly.

Preferably, the bow horn is partially integrated in the thickness of the breech.

Preferably, the arc horn is fully integrated in the thickness of the yoke, an excrescence generated by the stamping in the cylinder head being spaced apart from each component of the magnetic subassembly.

These characteristics have the effect of causing a volume gain in the interrupting chamber to maximize the performance of the deion (gain of a wafer on the deion). They also better dissipate the energy of the electric arc.

Preferably, the yoke and the bow horn are formed in one piece.

Preferably, the yoke and the arc horn are formed by a piece of variable thickness.

Preferably, the yoke and the arc horn are formed by a piece of constant thickness.

Preferably, the yoke and the bow horn are formed by a bent piece.

Preferably, the yoke and the arc horn are formed of an electrically conductive material.

Preferably, the yoke and the arc horn are formed by a metal piece.

According to one possibility, the yoke may comprise a flat portion, preferably extended at one of its ends by a first curved portion having a contact zone constituting a fixed contact of the cut-off device.

According to one possibility, the first bent portion is itself extended by a second portion constituting an arc horn.

Preferably, the arc horn may consist of two portions, a prolonged curved portion of a terminal planar portion.

According to one possibility, the breech may have an opening.

According to one possibility, the arcuate horn terminates in a flat portion and is preferably bent so that the planar portion is housed in the opening of the yoke so as to be parallel and aligned therewith.

These features have the advantage that an arc jump can be avoided and the volume of the breaking chamber can be maintained (thus the number of deion platelets in the deion subset).

• la figure 24 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure connu de l'art antérieur avec saut d'arc;
• la figure 25 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure connu de l'art antérieur;
• la figure 26 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure connu de l'art antérieur avec saut d'arc;
• la figure 27 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure connu de l'art antérieur sans saut d'arc;
• la figure 28 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure connu de l'art antérieur;
• la figure 29 est une représentation schématique d'une culasse d'un dispositif de coupure proposé par la demande ;
• la figure 30 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif de coupure proposé par la demande comprenant une culasse représentée dans la figure 29.

The characteristics and advantages of a breaking device and a modular differential circuit breaker comprising at least one such cut-off device proposed by the application will become apparent from the following description, by way of example, with reference to the drawings. annexed schematic diagrams in which:

• the figure 24 is a schematic representation of a breaking device known from the prior art with arc jump;
• the figure 25 is a schematic representation of a cutting device known from the prior art;
• the figure 26 is a schematic representation of a breaking device known from the prior art with arc jump;
• the figure 27 is a schematic representation of a cutoff device known from the prior art without arc jump;
• the figure 28 is a schematic representation of a cutting device known from the prior art;
• the figure 29 is a schematic representation of a cylinder head of a proposed cut-off device;
• the figure 30 is a schematic representation of a demand cutoff device comprising a cylinder head shown in FIG. figure 29 .

The Figures 24 to 26 are schematic representations of a breaking device 450 known from the prior art with arc-jump comprising a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line. The opening and closing mechanism comprises a breaking chamber 470 having a yoke 462, an arc horn 461 and a subassembly called deion 490. The arc horn 461 is a component welded to the cylinder head 462. The sub deion assembly 490 extends to the cylinder head 462 which allows to increase the number of plates deion 491. By cons the fact that a "jump of arc" is present on the course of the electric arc, goes against the increase in performance generated by the fact that the number of platelets 491 deion is increased.

The jump of arc is further schematized in the figures 24 and 26 . The jump of arc is made from a first position 451 of the arc to a second position 452 of the arc above a discontinuity 463 of the driver which allows the arc to go to the subassembly 490.

The figures 27 and 28 are schematic representations of a cut-off device 450 'known from the prior art without arcing, comprising a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line. The opening and closing mechanism comprises a breaking chamber 470 'comprising a yoke 462', an arc horn 461 'and a subset called a deion 490'.

As schematized in figures 27 and 28 the extension of the arc horn 461 'extends under the yoke 462'. This causes a loss of volume in the interrupting chamber and therefore a lower arc voltage and a lower heat dissipation.

The figure 29 is a schematic representation of a cylinder head 410 of a cutoff device 400 proposed by the application.

The figure 30 is a schematic representation of the cut-off device 400 comprising the cylinder head 402.

The cut-off device 400 has a mechanism for opening and closing at least one electrical contact between an upstream electrical line and a downstream electrical line. The opening and closing mechanism comprises a breaking chamber 420 comprising a yoke 402, an arc horn 401 and a subset called the deion 440.

Preferably, the yoke 402 has a longitudinal opening 411. Preferably, the arc horn 401 is housed in the same plane as that of the cylinder head 402. The longitudinal opening 411 allows the arc horn 401 to be housed in the same plane as that of the 402 cylinder head.

Preferably, the arc horn 401 is integrated directly into the cylinder head 402 in one piece without arc jump.

Preferably, the arc horn 401 is arranged on the same plane as the cylinder head 402.

These characteristics have the effect of causing a volume gain in the breaking chamber 403 to maximize the performance of the 440 deion (gain of a wafer on the deion). They also better dissipate the energy of the electric arc.

According to one possibility, the yoke 402 may comprise a flat portion 404, preferably extended at one of its ends by a first curved portion 405 having a contact zone 406 constituting a fixed contact of the cut-off device.

According to one possibility, the first curved portion 405 and the contact zone 406 are themselves extended by a second curved portion 407 constituting the arc horn 401.

Preferably, the arcuate horn 401 may consist of two portions, that is to say the second curved portion 407 and a terminal planar portion 408. Preferably, the second curved portion 407 is extended by the terminal flat portion.

Preferably, the end planar portion 408 is housed in the longitudinal opening 401.

According to one possibility, the arc horn 401 terminates in a planar portion and is preferably bent so that the planar portion is housed in the opening 411 of the cylinder head 402 so as to be parallel and aligned with it. Preferably the opening 401 is open.

Optionally the opening 401 can be made by stamping, in this case it is non-emergent and the portion covering the opening 401 extends beyond the thickness of the cylinder head 402 in the direction opposite to that of the chamber cutting distance d. Preferably this distance is equal to the thickness of the cylinder head 402. Optionally this distance is less than the thickness of the cylinder head 402.

The figures 24 and 26 each discloses a cutoff device 400 with arc jump. The cutoff device 400 comprises a first position 451 where the arc is located before the jump of arc and a second position 452 where the arc is located after the jump of arc.

These features have the advantage that an arc jump can be avoided and the volume of the breaking chamber can be maintained (thus the number of deion platelets in the deion subset).

The last object of the application is a differential circuit breaker which combines at least two of the various objects mentioned above.

Claims (14)

1. A differential protection device including a differential fault detector (22) comprising a first electrical circuit (24) and a second electrical circuit (26), the first electrical circuit (24) including a coil (4),

   said differential fault detector (22) further including a toroid (1) which can be traversed with at least one repeat by at least one conductor (3),

   the coil (4) being wound around the toroid (1) and connected to the first electrical circuit (24) for applying a first voltage (U2) to the first electrical circuit (24) when a magnetic flux is induced in the toroid (1), characterized in that

   said differential fault detector (22) includes at least one voltage multiplication device (6) connected to the second electrical circuit (26) and capable of applying a second voltage (V2) to the second electrical circuit (26) as a function of the first voltage (U2),

   said multiplication device (6) includes at least one electrical energy storage device (7),

   the multiplication device (6) is capable of applying the second voltage (V2) to the second circuit (24) such that the second voltage (V2) is greater than the first voltage (U2) by a multiplicative factor greater than 2.
2. The differential protection device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it has a first width (L1) substantially equal to the width of a base module.
3. The differential protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the differential fault detector (22) includes an intermediate electrical circuit (25) connected to the first electrical circuit (24) by means of a conditioning module (5) capable of supplying a conditioned voltage (V1) to the intermediate circuit (25) as a function of the first voltage (U2), the intermediate electrical circuit (25) preferably being connected to the second electrical circuit (26) by means of the voltage multiplication device (6).
4. The differential protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical energy storage device (7) is an electrical capacitor preferably having a capacitance between 470 nF and 2200 nF.
5. The differential protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coil (4) includes a number of turns comprised between 800 turns and 1100 turns.
6. The differential protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the voltage multiplication device (6) includes an AC/DC converter capable of converting an alternating voltage applied to the first electrical circuit (24) and/or, if applicable, to the intermediate circuit (25), into a direct or quasi-direct voltage applied to the second electrical circuit (26).
7. The differential protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second voltage (V2) is greater than the first voltage (U2) by a multiplicative factor of less than or equal to 8.
8. A differential circuit breaker including at least two disconnection devices (60), characterized in that it also includes a differential protection device (20) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the disconnection devices (60) each including at least one conductor (3) traversing the toroid (1) of the differential protection device (20) with at least one repeat.
9. The differential circuit breaker according to Claim 8, characterized in that it includes four disconnection devices (60) each including a conductor (3) traversing the toroid (1) of the differential protection device (20) respectively with at least one repeat, the differential protection device (20) and the disconnection devices (60) being preferably arranged in such a way that two disconnection devices (60) are respectively arranged on either side of the differential protection device (20).
10. The differential circuit breaker according to any one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the disconnection device or devices (60) have a second width (L2) that is substantially equal to 0.75 times the width of a base module.
11. A method for controlling at least one electrical apparatus, preferably at least one disconnection device (60), by means of a differential protection device (20) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, said method characterized in that it includes the following successive steps:

    - applying a first voltage (U2) in a first electrical circuit (24) from a magnetic field by means of a toroid (1) and a coil (4);

    - applying a second voltage (V2) in a second electrical circuit (26) as a function of the first voltage (U2) by means of a voltage multiplication device (6), the second voltage (V2) being greater than the first voltage (U2) by a factor greater than 2 and

    - storing energy by means of an energy storage device (7) connected to the second electrical circuit (26) .
12. The control method according to Claim 11, characterized in that it further includes the following step:

    - discharging the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device (7) into a third electrical circuit (28) when a third voltage (V3) detected in the energy storage device (7) exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage.
13. The control method according to Claim 12, characterized in that it further includes the following step:

    - sending a command intended for the electrical apparatus by discharging into the third electrical circuit (28) the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device (7).
14. The control method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the sending of the command intended for the electrical appliance consists in applying a force to a control unit of the disconnection device by means of an actuator.

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