ES2617988B1 - FUSE HOLDER AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION THAT INCLUDES SUCH FUSE HOLDER - Google Patents

Abstract

Fuse holder and electrical installation comprising said fuse holder. The fuse holder (1) comprises a first and second half-shells (2, 4) of electrically insulating material, a first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) of electrically conductive material, arranged respectively inside said half-shells (2 , 4) configured to receive an electrically calibrated conductive body (14) and the conductor (102) of an electric cable (100) and retention means (16). The fuse holder configuration (1) can be modified between: a disassembled position, an open circuit position, and a closed circuit position. In addition, the first and second half shells (2, 4) comprise measuring openings (18) for measuring electrical parameters. The measuring openings (18) are sealed with electrically insulating sealing means (20). On the other hand, the invention also relates to an electrical installation (106) comprising at least one power supply (108) and a plurality of consumptions (110) and at least one fuse holder (1).

Description

Fuse holder and electrical installation comprising said fuse holder

Field of the Invention

The invention is located in the electrical sector.

More particularly, the invention relates to a fuse holder comprising: a first and second half-shells of electrically insulating material having respectively a first and a second end, a first and a second receiving body of electrically conductive material, arranged respectively in the interior of said first and second half shells and configured to receive an electrically calibrated conductive body through said first ends of said first and second half shells and the conductor of an electric cable through said second ends of said first and second half shells, and a means of retention.

Likewise, the invention relates to an electrical installation comprising at least one power supply and a plurality of consumptions and incorporating at least one fuse holder according to the invention.

State of the art

Fuse holders are known in the state of the art, such as the one disclosed in U S3243550A.

These devices are mounted in electrical installations between the power supply and the consumptions that feed the sources, such as motors, machines or others, to avoid possible overloads that could cause irreparable damage in case of overvoltage.

Especially in cases where multiple power supplies are provided, it may happen that at certain times, one of these sources fails. This is the case, for example, of the fields of photovoltaic solar panels. When this occurs, it is necessary to determine which of the sources is failing.

In this type of installation, the photovoltaic panels are connected to a common supply cable, inserting a switch and a conventional fuse mounted in their respective fuse holder. To check if the board generates current, the switch is opened and the voltage measurement is taken at this point.

This type of assembly is complicated and expensive and requires specific switches that allow the measurement of electrical parameters in a safe way for the operator in charge of the maintenance of the installation.

Summary of the invention

The invention aims to provide a fuse holder of the type indicated at the beginning, which simplifies the maintenance and verification of the electrical installations in which it is mounted and reduces installation costs. Another object of the invention is that maintenance and verification can be carried out safely by the operator.

This purpose is achieved by a fuse holder of the type indicated at the beginning, characterized in that said retention means are configured to cooperate with said first and second half-shells so that said first and second half-shells can vary the configuration of said fuse holder between: a disassembled position wherein the interior of said first and second half shells is accessible through said first ends, an open circuit position, in which said first and second half shells cooperate with each other and are retained through said retention means, and said first and second receiving bodies are separated from each other, so that said conductive body is separated from one of said first and second receiving bodies in the absence of electrically conductive contact, and a closed circuit position, in which said first and second semi-houses cooperate with each other and are retained through di The retention means, and said first and second receiving bodies are close to each other, so that said conductive body is in electrically conductive contact with said first and second receiving bodies, because said first and second half-shells comprise measuring openings through which said first and second receiving bodies can be accessed to measure electrical parameters and in that it further comprises electrically insulating sealing means, removable and sealed in said measuring openings.

Thanks to this configuration, it is avoided to have to place a switch in the electrical installation, since the fuse holder itself assumes this function. On the other hand, thanks to the open circuit position, in which the first and second half-shells are still connected in the absence of electrical contact, there is no risk that the fuse holder opens during the measurement of electrical parameters, such as, for example, the current flowing from the source, through the measurement openings. In this way, the measurement can be carried out safely without risk to the operator. It is also important to highlight security

of use of the fuse holder, since any surface that can be manipulated by the operator is electrically insulating.

In the invention, the term electrically calibrated conductor refers to a conductive element that allows the circulation of a predetermined amperage. For example, in the case of a fuse, the objective that the predetermined amperage is limited means that when this amperage is exceeded, this conductive body is founded and therefore the rest of the elements of the electrical installation are protected.

Furthermore, the invention encompasses a series of preferred features that are the subject of the dependent claims and whose usefulness will be highlighted later in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

In an embodiment which aims to obtain a simple assembly without additional tools and that avoids excessive torsional stresses on the cables connected in the fuse holder said retention means are at least one bayonet connection. However, in the broader concept of the invention, the retaining means can also be other alternative solutions, such as double threaded systems. In this case, each half-shell has an outer thread at the first end. The outer thread of the first half shell is screwed with an inner thread at the inner diameter of the first end of the second half shell. This combination of threads provides the open circuit position. Finally, the first half-shell has an internally threaded ring that can rotate freely on the outer perimeter of the first half-shell and rests on an annular stop provided on the outer surface of the first half-tank downstream of the outer thread. The inner thread of this ring cooperates with the outer thread of the first end of the second half housing and in this way, the closed circuit position is obtained.

In another embodiment said first and second half-shells comprise a cylindrical section of mutual coupling and said retention means are formed by a shoulder and a bayonet guide formed by a coupling section that starts from one of said first ends and a section of non-coaxial connection, said coupling and connection sections being joined through a first transverse section connecting said coupling and connection sections transversely, and said guide also presenting a second and third transverse retention sections projecting transversely to said section of connection, and said projection is adapted to move in a guided manner along said bayonet guide. Because the coupling section and the connection section are not coaxial, a stop is formed at the end of the connection section that

avoids the risk of the fuse holder accidentally dismantling when it is moved from the closed circuit to the open circuit position to perform the measurements. This greatly improves the safety of use of the fuse holder since if from the open circuit position the two half-shells could be completely separated, the operator, when trying to retain both pieces could close the circuit and receive a discharge. As will be seen below, the cylindrical section implies that one of the two half-shells, with its outer diameter is inserted into the inner diameter of the other half-shells8.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said coupling and connection sections are parallel and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of said cylindrical section and said first, second and third transverse sections are perpendicular to said coupling and connection sections. . This provides an efficient and fast closure, with the least possible twist of the cables inserted in the fuse holder.

In another embodiment that aims to simplify retention in the open and closed circuit positions, the end of said second and third sections has a narrowing configured to embrace said projection in said open circuit and closed circuit positions. With this, a secure closure is achieved that can be formed directly in the mold of the piece.

In an embodiment intended for use in outdoor environments, the fuse holder further comprises sealing sleeves, said sealing sleeves being mounted at said second ends of said first and second half shells to receive said electrical cable in a sealed manner. This improves the tightness of the assembly when used outdoors.

In another embodiment said sealing means are plugs of elastomeric material pressure mounted in said measuring openings. Thanks to this, the manipulation of the sealing means is very simple, since the plugs are placed and removed simply by squeezing or pulling them out of the openings.

In a particularly preferred embodiment which aims to reduce the risk of loss of the caps, respectively said sealing sleeves and said caps are connected to each other through a joint. By removing the plugs, the risk of falling to the ground and getting lost is canceled.

Especially preferably said sealing sleeves are of the same elastomeric material as said caps and respectively said sleeves, said caps and said joints form a single piece of elastomeric material, greatly simplifying the manufacturing of the assembly and making isolation in all openings especially effective. of the fuse holder.

The invention also solves the problem of facilitating the maintenance and start-up costs of an electrical installation comprising at least one power supply and a plurality of consumptions. This problem is solved because the installation comprises at least one fuse holder according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, and especially suitable for the use of the fuse holder according to the invention, the electrical installation is a photovoltaic plant and said at least one power supply is a photovoltaic plate connected to a power line through said fuse holder .

Likewise, the invention also encompasses other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and features of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention are mentioned, mentioning the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a perspective view of the fuse holder according to the invention in closed circuit position.

Fig. 2, a top plan view of the fuse holder of Figure 1, in the disassembled position, but with an electric cable connected at each end.

Fig. 3, a view cut longitudinally by a central plane of the fuse holder of Figure 1 in the disassembled position, but with an electric cable connected at each of the ends.

Fig. 4, a top plan view of the fuse holder of Figure 1, in the open circuit position.

Fig. 5, a view cut longitudinally by a central plane of the fuse holder of Figure 1, in the open circuit position.

Fig. 6, a top plan view of the fuse holder of Figure 1, in closed circuit position.

Fig. 7, a visor cut longitudinally by a central plane of the fuse holder of Figure 1, in closed circuit position.

Fig. 8, a schematic view of an electrical installation according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 to 7 show a possible embodiment of the fuse holder according to the invention.

The fuse holder 1 comprising a first and a second half-shell 2, 4 holes of electrically insulating material. These semi-housings in this case are substantially hollow dindic bushes, but it is not ruled out that they may have other alternative cross sections and shapes.

The half-shells of a fuse holder according to the invention can be manufactured in any suitable insulating material. Preferably they are manufactured by injection molding from plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide 66 (PA66) or polyamide 6 (PA6), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other similar thermoplastics duly reinforced with fiberglass charge, carbon or other additives.

The first and second half shells 2, 4 respectively have a first and a second end 6, 8. The first ends 6 correspond to the coupling ends, while the second ends 8 are those that are designed for the insertion of the electric cable 100.

The fuse holder 1 also has a first and second receiving bodies 10, 12 of electrically conductive material arranged respectively inside the first and second half-shells 2, 4. The first and second receiving bodies 10 are made of electrically conductive materials , such as conductive metals and their alloys. For outdoor applications, aluminum or its alloys are used, but it is also conceivable to use other metals such as copper, iron or the like.

The first and second receiving bodies 10 are configured to receive a conductive body 14 electrically calibrated through the first ends 6 of the first and second half shells 2, 4. The conductive body 14 is a metal bar calibrated to melt from a predetermined current. For example, in solar installations, it is common for the fuse to support a maximum current of 10 or 15 A.

At the opposite ends, the second ends 8 of each half-shell, each of the receiving bodies 10 receives the conductor 102 of the electric cable 100.

Finally, the fuse holder 1 also has retention means 16 which in this embodiment are two diametrically opposite bayonet connections. However, it is not essential for the invention to be two bayonet connections.

More particularly, in the fuse holder 1 the first and second half shells 2, 4 comprise a cylindrical section 22 of mutual engagement. In the first half-shell 2 the cylindrical section 22 is the inner diameter of the coupling area, while in the second half-shell 4 the cylindrical section 22 is the outer diameter. The inner diameter of the first half-shell 2 is mounted guided on the outer diameter of the second half-shell 4.

In this preferred embodiment, each of the retaining means 16 is formed by a projection 24 as a cylindrical pin and a bayonet guide. The bayonet guide has a coupling section 26 that starts from the first ends 6 of the first half-shell 2 and a connection section 28. In the figures, it can be seen that these two sections are non-coaxial, but parallel. In particular, the coupling and connecting sections 26, 28 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the cylindrical section 22.

In addition, the coupling and connection sections 26, 28 are connected through a first transverse section 30 that transversely connects the coupling and connection sections 26,

28. The guide also presents a second and third transverse sections 32, 34 that protrude transversely to the connecting section 28. More specifically, this second and third transverse sections 32, 34 in this case are perpendicular. In this way, the guide of this embodiment has a shape that substantially resembles a form similar to number four.

In spite of everything, the bayonet guide could be quite different. In particular, it is not essential for the invention that the coupling and connection sections 26, 28 be parallel or straight. The sections could be curved and fulfill the same function. Also the first, second and third cross sections 30, 32, 34 could also not be straight, nor perpendicular to the coupling and connection sections 26, 28. It can also be noted that the second and third cross sections 32, 34 may also be arranged on opposite sides of connection section 28.

In the bayonet guide of this embodiment, it is appreciated that the projection 24 is adapted to move in a guided manner along the corresponding sections of the guide.

Thus, in general in the fuse holder 1 according to the invention, more particularly, in the one shown in the figures, the retention means 16 cooperate with the first and second half-shells 2, 4 so that the latter can vary the configuration of the fuse holder 1 between three different positions, namely:

a) a disassembled position

b) an open circuit position and

e) a closed circuit position.

In the disassembled position seen in Figures 2 and 3, the interior of the first and second half shells 2, 4 is accessible through the first ends 6. In fact in this position the conductive body 14 can be replaced or it can be replaced mount the electrical installation with the corresponding fuse holders 1.

In the open circuit position, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first and second half shells 2, 4 cooperate with each other and are retained through the retaining means 16 and the first and second receiving bodies 10, 12 are separated each. However, in this position the conductive body 14 is separated from the second receiving body 12 in the absence of electrically conductive contact.

In the closed circuit position of Figures 6 and 7, the first and second half shells 2, 4 cooperate with each other and are retained through the retaining means 16, and the first and second receiving bodies 10, 12 are close each. Unlike in the open circuit position, in this third position of the fuse holder 1 the conductive body 14 is in electrically conductive contact simultaneously with the first and second receiving bodies 10, 12.

To fix the open and closed circuit positions reliably, the end of the second and third sections 32, 34 has a narrowing 36 configured to embrace the cylindrical shoulder 24 in the open circuit and closed circuit positions.

The first and second half shells 2, 4 have measuring openings 18 through which the first and second receiving bodies 10, 12 can be accessed to measure electrical parameters. In order to eliminate any risk of accidental electrocution, the fuse holder 1 also has electrically insulating sealing means 20 that are sealed in the measuring openings 18.

Precisely, thanks to the combination of the three positions of the fuse holder together with the existence of the 18 shutter openings, the maintenance and verification of the electrical installations in which the fuse holder is mounted is very simple and also reduces the installation costs because a series mounted switch is not necessary. In addition, the manipulation of the device is very safe for the operator.

The fuse holder 1 of the figures also has sealing sleeves 38 mounted on the second ends 8 of the first and second half shells 2, 4 to receive the insulating coating of the electric cable 100 in a sealed manner. These sleeves 38 are made molded of an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. In this embodiment, they are pressurized on a tooth 44 provided at the second end 8 of the first and second half shells 2, 4 and in the inner mouth of the sleeve 38. Optionally, the overmoulded sleeve 38 could be manufactured on the half shell correspondent.

In the fuse holder 1 of the figures, the sealing means 20 are plugs of elastomeric material mounted under pressure in said measuring openings 18, thanks to annular projections 46.

To avoid that during the measurements in the open circuit position the plugs can be lost, the sealing sleeves 38 and the plugs are connected to each other through a joint 40. In this particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing sleeves 38 The joints 40 are of the same elastomeric material as the plugs, forming a single piece of elastomeric material.

Finally, Figure 8 shows a preferred embodiment of an electrical installation 106 in which the fuse holder 1 according to the invention is applicable.

In particular, the electrical installation 106 is a photovoltaic installation, in which the solar panels are the power supplies 108 of the installation.

The photovoltaic panels feed a plurality of consumptions 110 which can be, for example, homes or others. If necessary, the electricity produced can be converted from direct current to alternating current.

The consumptions 110 are connected by a power supply line 112. Each of the photovoltaic panels is connected to the power supply line 112 through electrical connection cables 100.

The installation of the plates is carried out as follows. Starting from the disassembled position of the fuse holder 1, the cable 100 is inserted with the bare end of the insulator 104, through the second ends 8 of each of the first and second half shells 2, 4. In this way, the conductor 102 is placed inside the first and second receiving bodies 10, 12, making sure that the insulator 104 is correctly inserted tightly in the corresponding sleeve 38. Tightening screws 42 are tightened from this position. These tightening screws 42 have a strictness 48 to be able to make a tightening with controlled tightening torque. In Figures 1 to 7, screws 42 are shown in the situation prior to final tightening. Once tightened, the first hexagonal head 50 would have separated from the rest of the screw 42. The second hexagonal head 52 is provided for the disassembly of the fuse holder.

Alternatively, the fuse holder 1 according to the invention could have other tightening systems, such as a teeth that pierce the conductor 102.

Once the screws 42 are tightened and with the conductive body 14, the second half-shell 4 is inserted into the first half-shell 2, causing the shoulder 24 to be inserted into the coupling section 26 until it stops at the end of said stretch. Then, for the final installation, a relative rotation is made between the two half-shells in opposite directions so that the shoulder 24 passing through the first cross-section 30 reaches the connecting section 28. In this connection section 28 the insertion of the shoulder 24 is continued joining the two half-shells in the longitudinal direction L until they stop at the bottom of this section. Finally, a rotation is made in opposite directions of the two half-shells until the protrusion 24 fits at the end of the third cross section 34 thanks to the narrowing 36. In this position, the fuse holder 1 is in the closed circuit position.

At the moment in which it is desired to check electrical parameters of the electrical installation such as voltage or circulating current, the fuse holder 1 must simply be placed in the open circuit position, placing the shoulder 24 fitted at the end of the second cross section 32.

In this position, in which the conductive body 14 is disconnected from one of the receiving bodies 10, 12, the operator removes the caps from the measuring openings 18. Then,

You can insert the voltmeter probe or ammeter to analyze the correct operation of the installation.

The embodiments described so far represent non-limiting examples, so that the person skilled in the art will understand that beyond the examples shown, within the

Within the scope of the invention multiple combinations between the claimed features are possible.

Claims (11)

1.-Fuse holder (1) comprising: [a] a first and second half shells (2, 4) of electrically insulating material having respectively a first and a second end (6, 8), [b] a first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) of electrically conductive material, arranged respectively inside said first and second half shells (2, 4) and configured to receive a electrically calibrated conductive body (14) a through said first ends (6) of said first and second half shells (2, 4) and the conductor (102) of an electric cable (100) through said second ends (8) of said first and second half shells (2, 4), AND [e] retention means (16), characterized in that [d] said retention means (16) are configured to cooperate with said first and second half shells (2, 4) so that said first and second half shells (2, 4) can vary the configuration of said fuse holder (1) between: [i] a disassembled position in which the interior of said first and second half shells (2, 4) is accessible through said first ends (6), [ii] an open circuit position, in which said first and second half shells (2, 4) cooperate with each other and are retained through said retention means (16), and said first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) are away from each other, so that said conductive body (14) is separated from one of said first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) in the absence of electrically conductive contact, and [iii] a closed circuit position, in which said first and second half shells (2, 4) cooperate with each other and are retained through said retention means (16), and said first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) are close to each other, so that said conductive body (14) is in electrically conductive contact with said first and second receiving bodies (10, 12), and why [e] said first and second half shells (2, 4) comprise measuring openings (18) through which said first and second receiving bodies (10, 12) can be accessed to measure electrical parameters and why [f] also comprises electrically insulating sealing means (20), removable and sealed in said measuring openings (18). 2. Fuse holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said retention means (16) are at least one bayonet connection. 3. Fuse holder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said first and second half-shells (2, 4) comprise a cylindrical section (22) of mutual coupling and that said retention means (16) are formed by [at a highlight (24) and [b] a bayonet guide formed by a coupling section (26) that starts from one of said first ends (6) and a non-coaxial connection section (28), said coupling and connection sections (26, 28) being linked through a first cross section (30) that transversely connects said coupling and connection sections (26, 28), and said guide also presenting a second and third transverse sections (32, 34) that protrude transversely to said connecting section (28), and by which [cl said projection (24) is adapted to move in a guided manner along said bayonet guide. 4. Fuse holder (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling and connection sections (26, 28) are parallel and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of said cylindrical section (22) and said first, second and third cross sections (30, 32, 34) are perpendicular to said coupling and connecting sections (26.28). 5. Fuse holder (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the end of said second and third sections (32, 34) has a narrowing (36) configured to embrace said shoulder (24) in said open circuit positions and closed circuit. 6. Fuse holder (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises sealing sleeves (38), said sealing sleeves (38) being mounted at said second ends (8) of said first and second half-shells (2, 4) to receive said electric cable (100) in a sealed way. 7. Fuse holder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said sealing means (20) are elastomeric material plugs mounted under pressure in said measuring openings (18). 8. Fuse holder (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that respectively said sealing sleeves (38) and said plugs are connected to each other through a joint (40). 9. Fuse holder (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said sleeves (38) of The seals are of the same elastomeric material as said caps and because respectively said sleeves (38), said caps and said joints (40) form a single piece of elastomeric material. 10.-Electric installation (106) comprising at least one power supply (108) and a plurality of consumptions (110), characterized in that it comprises at least 10 fuse holders (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9 . 11.-Electrical installation (106) according to claim 10, characterized in that said electrical installation is a photovoltaic plant and that said at least one power supply is a photovoltaic plate connected to a power line through said fuse holder ( one ).