FR2704698A1 - Method for controlling the power supply to electrical equipment, modules for implementing this method, electrical installation equipped with these modules, and corresponding installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for controlling the power supply to electrical equipment from at least one point performing a function of distributing the electrical power supply, in a flush-fitting wall housing. A module (34), added to a functional member (31), for example a socket or a push button, is inserted into a flush-fitting housing (30). This module (34) performs a function of controlled switching of the power supply according to various control criteria. Use in low-voltage electrical apparatus.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the supply of electrical equipment connected to a supply network. It also relates to modules for the implementation of this process, an electrical installation equipped with these modules, as well
'a that a corresponding installation process.

 In current electrical installations of domestic or professional premises, the implementation of several control points of electrical equipment such as lighting equipment, generally requires the use of two-way systems and / or remote control switches placed at the within a main panel of the electrical installation.

 In the case of a new electrical installation, the implementation of a remote control switch involves providing two additional wires between the main switchboard and the control points. In addition, in an old installation not using a remote control switch, the addition of additional control points requires a significant modification of the wiring plan, leading to work and costs. In this regard, we can cite the installation of a return and flow system. More generally, in current electrical installations, the flush-mounting boxes include members performing power distribution functions, for example under the form of a connection function in the case of power sockets, or in the form of a control function in the case of pushbuttons and the interrupt functions are performed at a central electrical panel , which results in complex wiring of these installations.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a method for controlling electrical equipment connected to a supply network, which offers great operating flexibility, possibilities of extension at a lower cost of the number of control points, and more generally helps to simplify the wiring of installations.

 According to the invention, the method for controlling the supply of electrical equipment from a supply network, from at least one control point integrating an electrical supply distribution function in a recess box, is characterized in that at this point is associated with said distribution function a supply interruption function intended to be integrated in said embedding box and to cooperate locally with the distribution function.

 Thus, with the method according to the invention, interrupt functions are located at the control points and are associated with distribution functions which can be control functions by push-button or even connection functions. Thus, in the case of installing multiple control points, it is no longer necessary to provide specific wiring between a central electrical panel and a flush-mounting box, wiring which is normally required when a remote control switch is put in artwork.

 According to a first version of the method of the invention, the method for controlling the supply of electrical equipment connected to an electrical network from several control points is characterized in that it is associated with a main control point a combination of a main control function and a power supply interruption function for said equipment, and at each other control point a secondary control function cooperating remotely with the interruption function associated with the control point main.

 Thus, with the method according to the invention, it is at the main control point that the interruption function is carried out which, in the prior art, was either centralized at the level of the central electrical panel, or distributed in the various secondary control points in the case for example of a back-and-forth installation. The location of the interrupt function at a control point contributes to a simplification of the installation since it is no longer necessary to draw additional wires between the central electrical panel and the site housing the control points. In addition, the interrupt and main control functions can be carried out within the same flush-mounting box.

 According to an advantageous variant of the invention, there is also associated with the main control point a timer function cooperating with the interrupt function and the main and secondary control functions to supply the electrical equipment for a predetermined period.

 According to another advantageous variant of the invention, there is also associated with the main control point a warning function before extinction cooperating with the interrupt function, the timing function and the control functions.

 According to a second version of the method according to the invention, applied an installation further comprising power points provided with means for connecting electrical equipment to the power network, the method further comprises within some of these points power supply, an interruption function and a presence detection function of electrical equipment connected to the electrical network via the corresponding connection means, this presence detection function cooperating with the interruption function to de-energize said means of connection when a detected impedance at the terminals of said connection means is greater than a predetermined value.

 According to another aspect of the invention, the module for controlling the supply of electrical equipment connected to an electrical network, implementing the method according to the invention, is characterized in that it is associated with means of main controls, in particular a push button, within a housing, in particular an installation housing, corresponding to a main control point, and in that it comprises means for interrupting the electrical supply of said electrical equipment, these means being controlled in particular by the main control means.

 According to yet another aspect of the invention, a module is proposed for controlling the supply of electrical equipment connected to an electrical network implementing the method according to the invention, characterized in that this module is associated with main control means, in particular a push button, within a recessing box, corresponding to a main control point, and in that it comprises means for interrupting the electrical supply of said electrical equipment, these means being controlled in particular by the main control means.

 The invention also relates to an electrical installation connected to a power supply network and comprising power control points for equipment contained in recessed boxes, characterized in that at least one of said power control points comprises, within the corresponding installation housing, a module according to the invention.

 According to yet another aspect of the invention, the method for installing at least one additional power supply control point for electrical equipment in an existing installation connected to a network and comprising in particular a first embedding box containing existing means for controlling the supply of said equipment, is characterized in that, within said first embedding box, the existing control means are replaced, main control means, in particular a push button, and a module according to the invention connected to the network input and output to the equipment and controlled in particular by said main control means, in that as many secondary recess boxes are installed as additional control points, in each of said secondary boxes are placed secondary control means, in particular push buttons, and in that these secondary control means are connected in parallel it with the main control means.

 In another embodiment of the invention, the method for installing a set of control points for supplying electrical equipment from a central electrical panel connected to a supply network, is characterized in that equips a first control point with a module according to the invention and main control means, in particular a push button, contained in a first recessing box, this first control point being connected on the one hand, to the electrical panel central by a first pair of wires, and on the other hand, to electrical equipment by a second pair of wires, in that each other secondary control point is equipped with secondary control means, in particular with a push button, contained in a secondary housing, and in that these secondary control means are connected in parallel with the main control means.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below. In the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples:
- Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of implementation of the invention in an old installation;
- Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of implementation of the invention in a new installation;
- Figure 3 is a sectional view of a mounting housing containing a main control point equipped with a module according to the invention;
- Figure 4 is an electrical diagram of a practical embodiment of an interrupt module used in a module according to the invention;
- Figure 5 is an electrical diagram of a practical example of embodiment of a timing module implemented in a module according to the invention;
- Figure 6 is a sectional view of a mounting housing containing a power outlet fitted with a module according to the invention;
- Figure 7 illustrates a first embodiment of a socket incorporating a voltage suppression function according to the invention;
- Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a socket incorporating a protection function against overloads and short circuits according to the invention; and
- Figure 9 illustrates a third embodiment of a socket incorporating a differential protection function according to the invention.

 We will now describe a first aspect of the invention aimed at setting up several control points, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

 Consider first of all, with reference to FIG. 1, an electrical installation 10 connected to a supply network 2. This installation comprises, in a first control point 1, hereinafter called the main control point, a module for main control 8, for example a push button and an interrupt module 7, this main control point 1 being connected, on the one hand, to the network 2, and on the other hand to electrical equipment 3, for example a lighting equipment. The installation 10 further comprises several secondary control points 4, 5, 6, provided with secondary control means, for example push buttons, connected in parallel with the main control means 2. This configuration corresponds in particular to the case of the extension of an old installation which could initially include a single switch located at the main control point 1 and placed in series with the equipment 3. It then suffices to replace the initial switch with a set consisting of a module control according to the invention and of a main switch, preferably of the fleeting or impulse type, such as a push button, and of installing simple switches, at various secondary control points, for example push buttons, all connected in parallel with the main switch. This configuration advantageously replaces conventional back-and-forth systems.

 In the case of a new electrical installation 20 connected to the supply network via a central electrical panel 21, with reference to FIG. 2, a first control point 1 is fitted with an interruption module and a module control unit comprising for example a push button. Several other secondary control points 25, 26, 27 are equipped with control modules comprising push buttons. These control modules are electrically connected in parallel with the main control module fitted to the main control module. The main control point 1 is connected to the central electrical panel 21 by a single pair of wires 11 whereas conventional installations using a remote control switch require the installation of at least four wires. The main control point 1 is also connected by another pair of wires 23 to a set of electrical equipment, for example lighting equipment 28, 29, 24.

 We will now describe a practical embodiment of a main control point 1 implemented in the method according to the invention, with reference to FIG. 3. The main control point 1 is contained in a recessing box 30 installed in a wall 310. this flush-mounting box receives a push-button type control module 31 offering on the front side a movable part 39 actuable by a user, and an interrupt module 34 housed inside the box d recess 30 behind the control module 31. The interrupt module 34, which is preferably of the same shape as the recess box 30, for example of cylindrical shape, has on a first face oriented towards the bottom of said box d recess 30, two power input terminals 300, 301 and an output terminal 302, and on the other face facing the control module 31, two control wires 37, 38. The power input terminals 300.301s provided to connect two supply wires coming from a supply sheath 32 and connected to the network, while the output terminal 302 is provided to connect, in cooperation with one of the input terminals acting as a terminal common reference 301, two output wires 311, 312 housed in an output sheath 33 installed to connect the various pieces of equipment (not shown) to be supplied. The two control wires 37, 38 are connected respectively to two terminals 303, 304 of the control module 31. The interrupt module 34 is preferably overmolded to provide sufficient insulation and solidity, and has a thickness sufficiently small to allow its insertion into a standard installation box. As a practical embodiment, one can provide a thickness of about 15 mm.

An interrupt module according to the invention can integrate one or more distinct or combined functions. Thus, the following functions can be provided for a main control point:
- interruption, of the remote control type,
- timer or time delay,
- notice of extinction, or
- timer with extinction warning.

 FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a module 60 according to the invention integrating the only interrupt function. This module comprises two voltage input terminals 300, 301, an output terminal 302 connected to a triac TR, two control wires 37, 38 connected to two terminals 303, 304 of a push button 31, and a unit processing electronics 62. This processing unit 62 comprises a first stage for delivering a substantially continuous low voltage comprising a drop capacitor C2 in parallel with a limiting resistor and in series with a resistor Ri, a diodes D2 for rectifying the mains voltage lowered and a freewheeling diode D2, a Zener diode DZ1 to maintain the rectified voltage at a predetermined value and two filtering capacitors C1, C3.

The DC voltage thus obtained is used to supply a flip-flop 61 of JK type mounted as a table by positioning its inputs J and K at a logic level 1. The clock input C of flip-flop 61 is connected to a terminal of the push button 31, the other terminal of which is connected to the high supply line, and to a Zener diode in parallel with a capacitor C5. The output Q of the flip-flop 63 is connected to a triac TR trigger control stage, this stage conventionally comprising two bipolar transistors T2,
T3 in Darlington mounting with basic resistance
R10, a load resistor R6, a link resistor R7 and a trigger resistor R8.

 At each switching caused by an action on the push button 31, the output of the flip-flop 63 also switches, passing from a high logic state causing conduction of the triac TR to a low logic state causing a blocking of the triac TR.

 An interrupt module according to the invention can also integrate a timer or timer function, with reference to FIG. 5 which represents the electrical diagram of such a module 50 which then comprises an electronic processing unit 52 combining functions of delay and interrupt and input, output and control terminals identical to those of the interrupt module described above.

The unit 52 also includes a first stage identical to that of the unit 62, a second relaxation stage comprising a capacitor C4 in series with a resistor R3 and an adjustment potentiometer P1, their common point being connected to the base d a first control transistor T1 mounted as a follower, the collector of which is connected to the high supply line and the emitter to the low line through two resistors in series R4, R5. The push button 31 is connected in parallel to the relaxation capacitor C4. The transistor T1 controls the trigger of the triac TR through a conventional Darlington type assembly comprising two transistors T2, T3 and associated resistors R9, R7,
R6 and a gate resistor R8. The emitter of transistor T1 is connected to the input of the Darlington circuit through the resistor R4 and two diodes in series D3,
D4 establishing a voltage threshold.

 An action on the push button 31 causes a short-circuit of the capacitor C4, a blocking of the transistor T1 and a conduction of the triac TR allowing the supply of the equipment. When the push button 31 is released, the capacitor C4 gradually charges through the resistor R3 and the potentiometer P1 until a sufficient voltage is reached to turn the transistor T1 on, which causes the triac TR to block and the l to stop. equipment supply.

 It is also possible to associate with the timing function an extinction warning function consisting for example of a modification of the light intensity of a lighting equipment (semi-lighting or flickering) to indicate to a user that his request for extinction has been successfully registered. It is also possible to provide an extinction warning function alone, giving the user time to leave a room and signaling him that his extinction request has been taken into account. This extinction warning function can be easily materialized by placing an additional stage downstream of the triac TR.

 Another aspect of the invention will now be described, relating to supply points such as electrical outlets within an electrical installation, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

For example, a power point 49 contained in a recess box 40 placed in a wall 410 comprises a connection module 41, for example a bipolar or three-pole socket, and an interrupt module 44 placed behind of the connection module 41 and comprising, on a first face oriented towards the bottom of the installation housing 40, two input terminals 400, 401, and on the other face oriented towards the connection module 41, two output wires 47, 48 provided to be connected to the terminals 402, 403 of the connection module 41. The input terminals 400, 401 of the interruption module 44 are provided to receive two wires 45, 46 leaving a sheath 42 embedded in the wall 410 and provided, for example, to connect the power point 49 to a central electrical panel (not shown). The interrupt module inserted in the embedding box 40 can integrate several functions, such as:
- a voltage presence elimination function,
- a protective function against overloads and short-circuits, and / or
- a differential protection function.

 Thus, with reference to FIG. 7, the electrical installation 70 connected to a network 71 comprises a mounting box 72 comprising a socket 73 and an interruption module 74 interposed between the network 71 and the socket 73. The module d interruption 74 integrates a voltage presence elimination function and includes a switch 75, for example a bipolar switch, controlled by a control unit 77 supplied by the sector upstream of the switch 75 and connected on the one hand to a current measurement unit 78 downstream of the switch 75 and on the other hand to a generation unit 79 applying a measurement voltage, for example a DC voltage, to the terminals of the socket 73.

If a load is connected to socket 73, a current absorbed by this load subjected to the measurement voltage generated by the unit 79 is detected. If this current is less than a predetermined minimum value, for example a few tens of milliamps, then the switch 75 is kept open, thus making it possible to avoid electrocution if this charge turns out to be a human body. Beyond the predetermined minimum value, the switch 75 is then commanded to close and the voltage is present on the socket 73.

 It is also possible within the framework of the invention, with reference to FIG. 8, a recess box 82, 112 integrating a function of protection against overloads and short-circuits, and located within an electrical installation. 80 connected to a supply network 81. This installation housing 82 comprises an interrupt module 84, 114 comprising an interrupt unit 85 controlled by a control unit 87 which receives overload information from a module of overload detection 86 located downstream of the switch 85, and a socket 83, 113 located downstream of the interrupt unit 84, 114.

 A differential protection function can also be integrated in flush-mounting boxes 92, 102 provided within an electrical installation 90 connected to a supply network 91, and provided with an earth connection. Thus, the housing 92, 102 comprises an interrupt unit 94, 104 and an earthed socket 93, 103. The interrupt unit 94 comprises a bipolar switch 95 controlled by a control unit 97 receiving measurement information of differential current from a measurement unit 96 located downstream of the switch 95. When a differential current is detected in the earth line, the control unit 97 controls the opening of the switch 95 and the outlet 93 is then turned off.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

 Thus, it is possible to envisage many other embodiments of the control module according to the invention, and in particular interrupt and timer modules, than those which have just been described. In particular, these modules can be produced in ASIC technology. In addition, a combination of several discrete or integrated modules can be provided within the same installation housing. The equipment ordered can be of any kind, including lighting, incandescent or fluorescent lamps.

 Furthermore, the transmission of control information from the secondary control points to the main control point can be carried out by wire or non-wire, for example by radio or by carrier current.

Claims (22)

 1. Method for controlling the supply of electrical equipment from a supply network, from at least one control point integrating in a recess box a function for distributing the electrical supply, characterized in that that at this point is associated with said distribution function a power interruption function intended to be integrated into said recessing box and to cooperate locally with said distribution function.  2. Method according to claim 1, for controlling from one or more points (1, 4, 5, 6) the supply of electrical equipment (3) connected to an electrical network (2), characterized in that which is associated with a main control point (1) a combination of a main control function (8) and an interruption function (7) of the supply of said equipment (3), and with each another control point (4, 5, 6) a secondary control function cooperating remotely with the interrupt function (7) associated with the main control point (1).  3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that there is also associated with the main control point (1) a timer function cooperating with the interrupt function and the main and secondary control functions to supply power for a duration predetermined electrical equipment (3).  4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that there is also associated with the main control point (1) a notice function before extinction cooperating with the interrupt function, the timing function and the control functions.  5. Method according to claim 1, applied to an installation (70) comprising one or more supply points (72) provided with means (73) for connecting electrical equipment to the supply network (71), characterized in that '' it further includes within some of these supply points, an interrupt function (75) and a presence detection function (78, 79) of electrical equipment connected to the network via the corresponding connection means (73), this presence detection function cooperating with the interrupt function to de-energize said connection means (73) when a detected impedance at the terminals of said connection means is greater than a predetermined value.  6. Method according to one of claims 1 or 5, applied to an installation (70) comprising one or more supply points (72) provided with means (73) for connecting electrical equipment to the supply network (71) , characterized in that it further comprises, within some of these supply points, an interrupt function (85) and an overload and short-circuit protection function (86, 87), this function protection cooperating with the interrupt function to de-energize said connection means (83, 113) when an electric current greater than a predetermined limit value is detected downstream of said supply point.  7. Method according to any one of claims 1, 5 or 6, applied to an installation (90) connected to a network (91) provided with an earth line, and comprising supply points (92, 102) comprising connection means (93, 103), characterized in that it further comprises, within some of said supply points, an interrupt function (95) and a differential protection function 96, 97), this differential protection function cooperating with the interrupt function to de-energize said connection means (93, 103) when a differential current greater than a predetermined limit value is detected between a supply line and the earth line.  8. Module (34, 50, 60) for controlling the supply of electrical equipment connected to an electrical network, implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with main control means (31), in particular a push button, within a recessing box (30), corresponding to a main control point (1), and in that it comprises means (TR) to interrupt the supply of said electrical equipment, these interruption means being controlled in particular by the main control means (31).  9. Module according to claim 8, implemented in an electrical installation (10, 20) comprising several secondary control points (4, 5, 6; 25, 26, 27) for controlling the supply of electrical equipment ( 3; 28, 29, 24), characterized in that secondary control means, in particular push buttons, are provided at each secondary control point (4, 5, 6; 25, 26, 27) and are connected to the main control means (1) of the module according to the invention.  10. Module (50) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it further comprises timing means (52) cooperating with the interrupting means (TR), the main control means (31 ) and the secondary control means for controlling the supply of electrical equipment for a predetermined period.  11. Module according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises extinction warning means cooperating with the timing means to indicate and confirm to a user of said electrical equipment that an extinction command has been saved and will be executed after a predetermined time.  12. Module (74) for implementing the method according to claim 5, associated within a recessing box (72) with means (73) for connecting electrical equipment to the supply network (71) , characterized in that it comprises interrupting means (75) and means (78, 79) for detecting the presence of electrical equipment of impedance greater than a predetermined value, these detection means (78, 79 ) cooperating with the interrupting means (77, 75) to de-energize the connection means (73).  13. Module (84, 114) for implementing the method according to claim 6, associated within a recessing box (82) with means (83, 113) for connecting electrical equipment to the network of power supply (81), characterized in that it further comprises means (86) for detecting an overload or a short circuit upstream of the connection means (83, 113), these overload detection means (86) cooperating with the interrupting means (87, 85) for de-energizing said connection means (83, 113) when an overload or a short circuit is detected.  14. Module (94, 104), for implementing the method according to claim 7, associated within a recessing box (92) with means (93, 103) for connecting electrical equipment to a network supply (91) provided with an earth line (98), characterized in that it further comprises differential protection means (96) cooperating with the interrupting means (95, 97) to de-energize said connection means (93, 103) when a current greater than a predetermined limit value is detected in the earth line.  15. Module (34, 44) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, placed inside a recessing box (30, 40) containing functional means (31, 41) accessible from the outside. said housing (30, 40) by a user, characterized in that this module (34, 44) is located behind said functional means (31, 41) and is not directly accessible by said user.  16. Module (34) according to claim 15 and any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises two input terminals (300, 301) provided for connecting the module (34) to the network supply, two control wires (37, 38) intended to be connected to the terminals (303, 304) of the main control means (31), in particular of a push button, and at least one output terminal (302) provided to connect, in combination with one (301) of the power input terminals, the module (34) to the electrical equipment to be supplied.  17. Module (44) according to claim 15 and one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that it further comprises two input terminals (400, 401) provided for connecting the module (44) to the network d power supply and two output wires (47, 48) intended to be connected to the terminals (402, 403) of the connection means (41) placed on the front face of the embedding box (40).  18. Module according to claim 15 and claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises three input terminals provided for connecting the module to the supply network and two output wires to be connected to the terminals of the connection means. placed on the front side of the installation box.  19. Electrical installation (10, 20) connected to a supply network (2) and comprising points (1, 4, 5, 6; 1, 25, 26, 27) for controlling the supply of equipment contained in built-in boxes (30, 40), characterized in that at least one (1) of said power control points comprises, within the corresponding built-in box (30), a module (34) according to l any of claims 8 to 11, 16 or 17.  20. Electrical installation (70, 80, 90) connected to a supply network (71, 81, 91) and comprising supply points (72; 82, 112; 92, 102) provided for the connection of equipment electrical and contained in recess boxes (40), characterized in that at least one of said connection points (49) comprises, within the corresponding recess box (40), a module (44) according to one any of claims 12 to 14, 18 or 19.  21. Method for installing at least one additional control point (4, 5, 6) for supplying electrical equipment (3) to an existing installation (10) connected to a network (2) and comprising a first housing d recess (30) containing existing means for controlling the supply of said equipment, characterized in that within said first recess box (30), the existing control means are replaced, main control means (31) , in particular a push button, and a module (34) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, 16 or 17, connected at the input to the network and at the output to the equipment and controlled in particular by said main control means ( 31), in that as many secondary flush-mounting boxes are installed as additional control points (4, 5, 6), secondary control means, in particular push-buttons, are placed in each of said secondary boxes, and in that we connect these mo yen secondary control in parallel with the main control means (31).  22. Method for installing a set of points (1, 25, 26, 27) for controlling the supply of electrical equipment (28, 29, 24) from a central electrical panel (21) connected to a supply network ( 2), characterized in that a first control point (1) is fitted with a module (34) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, 16 or 17 and main control means (31), in particular d '' a push button, contained in a first embedding box (30), this first control point (1) being connected on the one hand, to the central electrical panel (21) only by a first pair of wires (11), and secondly, to the electrical equipment (28, 29, 24) by a second pair of wires (23), in that each other secondary control point (25, 26, 27) is equipped with secondary control means, in particular a push button, contained in a secondary box, and in that these secondary control means (25, 26, 27) are connected in parallel with the main control means (1)