FR2767602A1 - DEVICE FOR SIGNALING AN ELECTRICAL FAULT IN A SWITCHING DEVICE SUCH AS A DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for signaling an electrical fault, such as an insulation fault, in a differential switch. This device is intended to be used in a breaking device comprising a pair of contacts separable by pole, a mechanism for controlling the contacts, a trip device comprising a means for detecting an electrical fault and an electromagnet (11) capable of cause the contacts to open during an automatic tripping following a fault, and a means M for signaling the tripped state of the device. This signaling device comprises an indicator (5) driven by the electromagnet (11) between a first and a second position corresponding respectively to a normal operating state and to a triggered state of the device, and means (3) for retain the indicator (5) in the second position, so as to memorize the trip information until the device closes.

Description

DEVICE FOR SIGNALING AN ELECTRICAL FAULT IN A

  SWITCHING DEVICE SUCH AS A DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH

  The present invention relates to a device for signaling an electrical fault in a breaking device such as a differential switch comprising: - a pair of contacts separable by pole, in electrical connection with a pair of connection terminals, - a mechanism for controlling the contacts, - a trip device comprising a means for detecting an electrical fault and a trip means such as an electromagnet capable of causing the opening of the contacts during an automatic trip following a fault, and, - a means of signaling of the triggered state of the device, comprising an indicator capable of occupying either a first stable inactive position or a second position

  i5 stable active signaling of the fault under the action of the electromagnet.

  Differential switches or circuit breakers are known comprising a means for signaling a differential fault in order to allow the user to detect the presence of a

  insulation fault in its electrical installation.

  Some of the known signaling means are in the form of indicator lights (light-emitting diode systems or other indicator lights) operating under the dependence of the power source of the electrical installation that the circuit breaker protects. optimal cannot be obtained for the user taking into account in particular

  that the information of a differential fault is not reliable whatever the state of the source.

  Others of these means are mechanical as described in document EP 0.275.750. In this document, the differential trip device comprises a transformer and a relay cooperating by means of a trip bar with the mechanism lock, and with a signaling lock of a fault indicator lever. The relay used is a relay with two stable positions, of the magnetic latching type. However, this type of relay is relatively expensive and this

  realization of switch implements a large number of parts.

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  Document US 4,382,270 is also known, which describes another signaling means.

  mechanical of the solenoid type but which needs to be reset individually.

  The present invention provides a fault signaling device for a breaking device, in particular a differential circuit breaker, of simple design, operating independently of the power source of the installation and moreover self-resettable, as well as a switch or circuit breaker. equipped with this device For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device of the kind previously mentioned, characterized in that it comprises a means for retaining the indicator in the aforementioned second position against the action of a means for recalling said indicator in the first position, so as to memorize the triggering information until an operation of

closing the device.

  According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the indicator is positively driven by

  the electromagnet between the two aforementioned positions.

  According to a particular characteristic, the aforementioned triggering means is an electromagnet with a plunging core and the indicator is positively driven by the plunging core between the

two aforementioned positions.

  According to another characteristic, the contact control mechanism comprising a lever connected by a mechanical transmission link to a contact drive member, the means for retaining the indicator in the second position is driven by said

controller.

  The present invention also relates to a breaking device and in particular a differential switch or circuit breaker equipped with a device comprising the preceding characteristics

taken alone or in combination.

  But other advantages and characteristics will appear better in the detailed description which

  follows and refers to the appended drawings given solely by way of examples and in which:

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  FIGS. 1 and 2 are two partial views in longitudinal section of a differential circuit breaker according to the invention, illustrating a particular embodiment of the signaling device, respectively, in a rest position and in a fault signaling position, - Figures 3 and 4 are two partial perspective views of said apparatus corresponding to Figures 1 and 2, - Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate in perspective respectively the drive pin of the drawer, the indicator, the drawer and the drawer return spring, - Figures 9 and 10 are two views similar to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating another embodiment of the signaling device, - Figure 11 is a partial perspective view, illustrating this other embodiment of the device, in a signaling position, - Figure 1 la is a view similar to the previous one but showing the device in a rest position, - Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate in perspe ctive, respectively, the lug of the drawer, the indicator, the drawer and the spring of the drawer used in this second embodiment and, - Figure 16 is a general view illustrating the interior of a device equipped with a

  device according to the second embodiment of the invention.

  In the figures, we can see a differential circuit breaker D housed in a parallelepipedic box 1,

  in molded insulating material intended to be snap-fitted on a DIN rail (not shown).

  This circuit breaker D is intended to be connected to an alternating network by means of connection terminals provided in the housing 1 and can fulfill several functions. It can indeed trigger, and thus interrupt the electrical circuit, when an overload occurs, a

  short circuit or a differential fault.

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  This circuit breaker D includes a signaling means M of a differential fault allowing the user to diagnose that his electrical installation has an insulation fault and not an overload fault or a short circuit fault. Thanks to this signaling means, the user is immediately operational to search for the insulation fault, from which it follows that the safety of people and goods can be effectively maintained.

  For the sake of simplification, only the differential part will be described in the following.

  In a manner known per se, this device, in its two embodiments, comprises a pair of contacts (not shown) separable by pole, a mechanism for controlling the two contacts comprising a lever 2 connected by a mechanical transmission link to a member for driving the contacts, a spring for actuating the mechanism (not shown) to cause the opening of the contacts during an automatic trip on fault, a differential trip device having a transformer for detecting a leakage current and a

  electromagnet 11 intended to cooperate with a lock of said mechanical connection of the mechanism.

  This electromagnet 11 comprises a plunging core 8 intended to slide in a guide tube formed by the carcass of a coil when the latter is traversed by a current, between a rest position FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, 11a and an active position trigger Figures 2, 4, 10 and 11. This core 8 is automatically returned to the rest position by a spring 10

after triggering.

  According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, the signaling means M comprises an indicator 5 in the form of a rod articulated around a fixed point 9 of the device, said rod 5 being connected in an articulated manner by one from its ends to the core 8 of the electromagnet 11 and comprising at its opposite end, a sight glass 16 intended to cooperate with a window 13 provided at the upper part of the housing 1. The indicator 5 also includes a lug 14 able to cooperate with a stepped part 15 of a drawer 3 slidably mounted inside the housing 1 parallel

displacement of the core 8.

  This drawer 3 is driven to slide by the handle 2 between a rest position fig. 1 and an active position fig.2 which will be described later. To this end, the handle 2 comprises a connecting lug 4 capable of driving the drawer 3 after a certain closing stroke of the handle 2. A spring 6 is interposed between the drawer 3 and the housing 1 in order to recall the drawer 3

in the rest position.

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  According to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 15, the signaling means M comprises the same elements as previously described, but the indicator 5, articulated around the fixed axis 9, comprises a first end 5a cooperating with the retaining means 3 and a second end 5b connected to the core 8 of the electromagnet 11, so that the indicator 5 is driven by the core 8 in the triggering direction and moves in rotation relative to said core

when the latter is rearmed.

  According to this embodiment, the signaling means M further comprises a spring 12 capable of returning the indicator 16 to a rest position after a closing operation of the contacts. The operation of the device of the invention will be described below successively for the two embodiments. According to the first embodiment, the circuit breaker D being closed (fig. 1 and 3), the circuit breaker and differential mechanisms are locked and the indicator 16 is erased c '' is not visible through the window 13, because kept in position by the part 7, itself retained by the core 8

  of the differential trigger system.

  When a differential fault occurs, fig. 2, and under the effect of the triggering force

  given by the core 8 (arrow A), the indicator 5 and the indicator 16 pivot around the axis 9.

  The handle 2, released from the attachment on the circuit breaker side, and equipped with the connecting piece 4 acts on a mechanism which drives the drawer 3, which, thanks to the release of material 15 by moving from left to right (arrow B), just lock the lug 14 of the indicator, and thus the

  keep in "visible" position (figure 2 and figure 4).

  When the device is reset, the spring 10 of the electromagnet 11 pushes the core 8 in the rear position and thus returns the differential assembly to the working position. The action of the return spring 6 pushes the drawer 3 into the rear position and thus unlocks the indicator light 16. The device is

  then in working position and able to fulfill its role.

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  According to the second embodiment, the circuit breaker D being closed, FIG. 9, the circuit breaker and differential mechanisms are locked and the indicator 16 is erased. In the event of a differential fault, fig. 10 and 11, and under the effect of the tripping force given by the core 8, (arrow A), the indicator 5 and therefore the indicator rep. 16 pivots around the axis 9. The lever 2, freed from the attachment on the circuit breaker side, and equipped with the connecting piece or lug 4, comes to take charge of the drawer 3 which, by moving from left to right (arrow B), locks the lug 14 of the indicator 16, and thus keeps it in the "visible" position. Unlike the first embodiment, the core 8 then returns to its initial position as soon as the circuit breaker is open (not visible, which is made possible by the fact that the indicator 5 can move in rotation relative to the core 8 in this meaning). When resetting (or closing) the device, the return spring 6 pushes the drawer 3 in the rear position and unlocks the indicator 16. The spring 12 then recalls the indicator 16 in its hidden position. The device is then in the working position and able to fulfill its role. Note that the window 13 also has the function of protecting the internal mechanisms

  against external penetration of foreign bodies.

  The technical advantages seen by the user are as follows: The indicator light operates independently of the power source of the electrical installation that the circuit breaker protects: it is mechanical. This results in better safety for the user. Indeed, the separation of the upstream and downstream circuits is guaranteed in all circumstances; the information of a differential fault is reliable whatever the state of the source; the user's isolation is guaranteed and the information is in all cases kept in memory. The clearing of the signaling is carried out by the simple operation of closing the circuit breaker

  by the user (some devices require an action in two maneuvers).

  The intrinsic technical advantages of the invention are as follows: The stress exerted on the differential trip relay is low and therefore does not reduce the reliability of the protection. Indeed, the driving force of the signaling means is

  low and operating friction is reduced.

  The returns to the initial state of the differential and reset circuit breaker functions are independent of the initialization of the signaling. Indeed, the mechanical connections

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  functional between the differential function, the circuit breaker trip device and the differential fault signaling function are carried out in such a way that their

  initializations are independent.

  The presence of the transparent material window protects the device against external intervention. Indeed, it does not allow dust and other pollution to enter the device and an external intervention on the operation of the indicator and consequently

  on the trip relay is not possible.

  Note that the mounting of the mechanism is facilitated by appropriate devices. A device makes it possible, in fact, to keep the spring of the indicator in a stable position during mounting and a second allows the automatic positioning in this functional

  spring when fitting the differential function cover.

  Another device keeps the spring of the drawer during its installation in

the device.

  Finally, it should be noted that according to the two embodiments, the signaling means is self-resetting, thanks to the spring of the electromagnet in the case of the first embodiment, or else thanks to the

  spring associated with the indicator for the second embodiment.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have not

  have been given only as an example.

  Thus, the invention can be applied to any cut-off device with own current, from a source

  auxiliary or others requiring a means of signaling an electrical fault of any kind.

  Likewise, although the device of the invention is particularly suitable when the electromagnet used is of the plunging core type and therefore with a fugitive action, it would also be possible to apply the concept stated in claim 1 and 2, to a device

  break using a magnetic latching type relay.

  The invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their

  combinations if these are carried out according to his spirit.

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Claims (15)

  1. Device for signaling an electrical fault in a breaking device such as a differential switch comprising: - a pair of contacts separable by pole, in electrical connection with a pair of connection terminals, - a contact control mechanism, - a trip device comprising a means for detecting an electrical fault and a trip means such as an electromagnet capable of causing the opening of the contacts during an automatic trip following a fault, and, a means of signaling the triggered state of the device, comprising an indicator capable of occupying either a first stable inactive position or a second active stable position for signaling the fault under the action of the electromagnet, characterized in that it comprises a means (3) for retaining the indicator in the second position against the action of a return means (10, 12) of said indicator (5) in the first position, so as to memorize the trip information until an operation of closing the device.   2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator (5) is driven   positively by the electromagnet (11) between the two aforementioned positions.   3.- Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned triggering means (11) is an electromagnet with plunging core (8) and in that the indicator (5) is driven   positively by the plunging core (8) between the two aforementioned positions.   4.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   contact control mechanism comprising a lever (2) connected by a mechanical transmission link to a contact drive member, the means for retaining   the indicator (5) in the second position is driven by said lever (2). 9 2767602   5.- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the indicator retaining means (5) comprises a drawer (3) driven in translation by the handle (2) between a rest position   and an indicator retaining position (5) in the second position.   6.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   the indicator (5) is rotatably mounted around a fixed axis (9) of the device, is hingedly connected by one of its ends, to the core (8) of the electromagnet (11) , and cooperates with her   other end with the indicator retaining means (3) (5).   7.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the indicator   (5) is articulated around a fixed axis (9) of the device, and comprises a first end (Sa) cooperating with the retaining means (3) and a second end (5b) connected to the core (8) of the electromagnet (11), so that the indicator (5) is driven by the core (8) in the triggering direction and moves in rotation relative to said core when resetting this latest.   8.- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the indicator (5) further comprises a spring (12) adapted to return the indicator (5) in the rest position after resetting the device.   9. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the means of   signaling M comprises a spring (6) interposed between the drawer (3) and the housing and suitable for   return the drawer (3) to the rest position when resetting the device.   10.- Device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the lever   (2) comprises a lug (4) intended to cooperate with the drawer (3) so as to drive it after a certain stroke during an automatic release, and not to drive it during a closing operation.   11.- Device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that   the indicator (5) comprises a lug (14) cooperating with a clearance of material (15) formed in the drawer (3). 2767602   12.- Device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that   the indicator (5) comprises, on the side of the drawer (3), an indicator (16) intended to cooperate with a   window (13) provided in the housing.   13. Cutting device equipped with a device according to any one of claims previous.   14.- Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that it is an auxiliary source.   15.- differential circuit breaker according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the device   is used to detect an insulation fault.