FR2832865A1 - Interface equipment for fixing electric meter, comprises base with distribution network/meter connections, meter/customer system connections and cut-out switch also lid with window and meter support - Google Patents

Abstract

The interface consists of a base (2) with holes (4) for fixing it to a meter board (3). The base has integrated phase and neutral distribution network/meter connections (5) and phase and neutral meter/customer system connections (15) and in addition a supply cut-out switch (20) with control unit (21). A lid (30) has a window (31) for the meter connections (13,14,18,19), a meter support (35) and aperture (36) for switch telecontrol (25)

Description

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 The present invention relates to the technical field of devices or panels intended to receive an electric meter, in particular a low voltage meter intended to be interposed between an energy distribution network and an installation for use.

 The standardized architecture of connection installations generally provides, between the electrical distribution network and the installation of a customer, a branch made from the network, then downstream of this branch, successively protection by circuit breaker, a meter and a circuit breaker.

 In known electrical installations, the meter is fixed on a support generally consisting of a table or a panel supporting electrical equipment. Other devices, such as the circuit breaker, circuit breakers, two-way relays or timers, can also be fixed on this support.

 The generally installed electric meter is electromechanical or in some cases electronic, including tele-information and fraud detection systems.

 Such meters are fully satisfactory with regard to their main function of counting the energy supplied to a customer. However, the meters hitherto used are unable to allow fine management of the customer's subscription. Indeed, the energy supplier may wish to make available to its customers different management methods, such as, for example, the subscription, the package, or even the prepayment. However, the electric meters currently available are not able to support such modes of managing the supply of energy, so it is necessary to supplement them with means enabling this management to be ensured.

 Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to use these management assistance means at a lower cost, for example by replacing the existing counter with a new counter supplemented by such assistance means.

 In addition, in order to reduce the implementation costs, it is necessary that the installation of assistance means for managing the supply of energy can be carried out without any modification of the connections to the electrical panel.

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 It therefore appears the need to have means making it possible to replace a pre-installed electric meter with a new electric meter associated with means of assistance to management.

 In order to meet this need, the invention relates to an interface device intended to receive an electric meter and to be fixed to an electrical panel or the like.

 According to the invention, the interface device comprises: - a base having means of attachment to the electrical panel and being equipped: 'with an upstream connection device intended to be connected, on the one hand, to a network of electrical distribution and, on the other hand, to the electric meter.

'A downstream connection device intended to be connected, on the one hand, to the electric meter and, on the other hand, to an installation for use and provided with controlled electrical cut-off means.

* and control means of the cutting means, - and a cover, which is removably fixed on the base by covering the equipment of the base to prevent access, which is provided with a window for the connection of upstream and downstream connection devices to the meter, and which includes fixing means for an electric meter.

 According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the upstream connection device comprises a connection terminal, called the arrival terminal, for a neutral supplying conductor and, at least one connection terminal, called the arrival terminal, for a conductor supply of a phase as well as for each incoming terminal, an incoming conductor connected to the corresponding terminal and intended to be connected to the electric meter.

 According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the downstream connection device comprises a connection terminal, called the start, for a neutral distribution conductor, at least one connection terminal, said the start, for a distribution conductor d '' a phase and for each starting terminal, a starting conductor connected to the corresponding terminal and intended to be connected to the electric meter, the controlled electric cut-off means being interposed

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 between at least the phase start terminal and the corresponding phase start conductor.

 According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the base has fixing means in a configuration similar to that of the electric meter to be replaced.

 According to a characteristic of the invention, at least part of the means for fixing the cover to the base are arranged in relation to the opening of passage of the arrival and departure conductors intended to be connected to the meter. This advantageous characteristic of the invention makes it possible, during the installation of the electric meter on the panel, to make inaccessible the means for fixing the cover to the base and therefore to ensure the inviolability of the system.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the control means comprise connection means intended to be connected to the electric meter and are adapted to exchange information with the electric meter.

 According to yet another arrangement of the invention, the control means are connected by supply cables to the feeder conductors, thus, the connection of the control means downstream of the electric meter makes it possible to ensure that the electric consumption of the control means is taken into account by the electric meter.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the control means are adapted to be programmable and control the opening or closing of the breaking means as a function of predetermined parameters. Thus, the control means provide a function of assistance means for managing the supply of energy to the installation for use supplied by the electric meter installed on the interface device.

 The invention also relates to an electrical metering device characterized in that it comprises an interface device according to the invention and an electrical meter adapted on the cover by being connected to the incoming and outgoing electrical conductors, and located so as to obscure the window of the hood.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the electric meter comprises a communication interface and the means of

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 interface device controls are then connected to the meter communication interface.

 Various other characteristics of the invention will emerge from the description below, made with reference to the drawings which illustrate a nonlimiting embodiment of an interface device according to the invention.

 Figure 1 is an overall perspective of an interface device according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the interface device as illustrated in FIG. 1.

 Figure 3 is a perspective of the device as illustrated in Figure 1 equipped with an electric meter.

 An interface device according to the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and designated as a whole by the reference 1 firstly comprises a base 2 intended to be fixed on a support 3 such as a wall or a switchboard. To this end, the base 2 comprises as a means for fixing the bores 4 for the passage of fixing screws. According to the example illustrated, the base 2 comprises three bores 4, only two of which appear in FIG. 2.

 According to the invention, the base is provided with various electrical equipment.

 First of all, the base is equipped with an upstream connection device 5 intended to allow a connection between a distribution network not shown and an electric meter 10 adapted on the interface device 1 as shown in FIG. 3 and like this will be described later.

 The connection device 5 is qualified as "upstream" with respect to the meter 10 because of its interposition between said meter 10 and the distribution network. Thus, the upstream connection device is considered to be the responsibility of the energy distributor and as an integral part of the distribution network.

 The upstream connection device 5 then comprises a so-called arrival connection terminal 11 for a conductor for supplying the neutral, not shown. The upstream connection device 5 further comprises at least one connection terminal 12, known as the arrival terminal, for a phase supplying conductor. Note that according to the example

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 illustrated the interface device 1 is designed for a single-phase installation so that the upstream connection device 5 comprises a single arrival terminal 12 for a phase supply conductor. Of course, according to the invention, the interface device 1 could be adapted for a three-phase installation in which case the upstream connection device 5 would include three incoming terminals for the connection of three phase supply conductors.

 The upstream connection device 5 further comprises for each incoming terminal 11, 12 an incoming conductor, respectively 13,14, connected to the corresponding incoming terminal and intended to be connected to the electric meter 10.

 In order to allow a connection of the electric meter which will be adapted on the interface device 1 to the installation of use, the base 2 is equipped with a downstream connection device 15. In the same way as for the upstream device 5 , the connection device 15 is qualified as "downstream" because of its position relative to the meter 10 between the latter and the installation for using electricity from the distribution network.

 The downstream connection device 15 comprises a connection terminal 16, called the start terminal, for a neutral distribution conductor. The connection device also comprises at least one connection terminal 17, called the start terminal, for a phase distribution conductor.

 As indicated above, according to the example illustrated, the interface device 1 is designed for a single-phase installation so that the downstream connection device 15 only comprises a starting terminal 17. Of course, in if the interface device according to the invention is provided for a three-phase installation, the downstream connection device 15 would include three starting terminals 17 for the connection of phase distribution conductors.

 Like the upstream connection device 5, the downstream connection device 15 also comprises, in relation to each starting terminal, a starting conductor 18, 19 connected to the corresponding terminal 16, 17 and intended to be connected to the electric meter 10.

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 According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the downstream connection device 15 also comprises electrical cut-off means 20 interposed between the phase start terminal 17 and the corresponding phase start conductor 19.

 Of course, in the context of a three-phase installation, the breaking means would be interposed between the three start terminals 17 and the corresponding phase start conductors. Likewise, it could be envisaged that the breaking means are also interposed between the neutral start connector 16 and the corresponding neutral start conductor 18.

 The breaking means 20 are of the type capable of being controlled remotely, and are for example constituted by a relay or the like.

 According to another essential characteristic of the invention, the base 2 is also equipped with control means 21 of the cut-off means 20. The control means 21 are for example constituted by a programmable control block connected to the cut-off means 20 by command lines 22.

 Furthermore, according to the example illustrated, the electrical supply to the control means 21 is provided by two supply conductors 23, 24 respectively connected to the neutral start conductor 18 and to a phase start conductor 19.

 According to a preferred, but not strictly necessary, feature of the invention, the control unit 21 further comprises connection means 25 intended to be connected to the electric meter to allow exchanges of information between said meter and the control unit. According to the example illustrated, the connection means 25 are constituted by electric cables terminated by a socket or a connector intended to be fitted on a remote information interface of the electric meter 10.

 In addition to the base 2 and its electrical equipment, the interface device 1 according to the invention also includes a cover 30 which is adapted to cover the base 2 and its electrical equipment, namely the upstream connection devices 5 and downstream 15 as well as the control means 21 to prevent access to this equipment. The cover 30 is also provided with a window 31 for the passage of the incoming conductors

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 13, 14 and 18,19 starting intended to be connected to the electric meter 10. The cover 30 is intended to be removably fixed by any suitable means, such as screw, clip or other on the base 2.

 Preferably but not strictly necessary, at least part of the means for fixing the cover 30 to the base 2 are arranged in relation to the passage opening 31 of the arrival and departure conductors. According to the example illustrated, the cover 2 comprises at the window 31 a bore 32 for the passage of a fixing screw intended to come and engage in a fixing pin 33 offered by the base 2.

 Finally, the cover 30 comprises fixing means 35 for the electric meter 10. According to the example illustrated, the fixing means consist of a standardized rail 35 intended for the attachment of the meter 10.

 Furthermore, the cover 30 includes an opening 36 for the passage of the connector 25 intended to be connected with the remote information socket of the counter 10.

 The implementation of the interface device according to the invention is carried out as follows.

 When a user arrives at the installation site, he first deposits the pre-existing counter. Then it fixes the base 2 in place of the removed meter, the fixing holes 4 of the base 2 then being advantageously placed so as to correspond exactly to the fixing holes of the removed meter. Then, the operator proceeds to the connection of the cables coming from the electrical network and the installation on the corresponding terminals 11, 12 and departure 16, 17. Then the user places the cover 30 on the base 2 so as to cover the connections made by passing the incoming cables 13,14 and starting 18,19, neutral and phase, through the window 31 of said cover 30 The operator then completes the assembly operations by connecting the electric meter 10 to the incoming cables 13, 14 and outgoing 18, 19 as well as to the tele-information socket 25 of the control unit 21. It is note that the socket 25 then passes through the opening 36.

 It therefore appears that the interface device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to greatly facilitate the implementation of new solutions for the distribution and metering of electrical energy insofar as the interface device offers a particularly suitable housing. to the

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 reception of the control means 21 which are preferably programmable as a function of the wishes of the energy distributor and of his or her customers.

 According to the example illustrated, the cover 30 and the base 2 are preferably made of plastic, while the conductive and connecting elements are made of the usual materials for this type of application and known to those skilled in the art.

 According to the example described above, part of the means for fixing the cover 30 to the base 2 is placed in relation to the window 31. However, according to the invention, the means for fixing the cover could be arranged otherwise in the since the fixing means are preferably obscured by the electric meter when it is placed on the cover in order to prevent the cover from being dismantled without total or partial dismantling of the counter.

 Similarly, according to the example described above, the means for fixing the base, on its support, are produced in the form of a bore for screws. However, within the meaning of the invention, the fastening means could be made in any other suitable form such as for example in the form of lug, finger or hooking groove on a DIN profile such as for example the rail 35 .

 Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention described above, without departing from its scope.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Interface device intended to receive an electric meter (10) and to be fixed on an electric panel or the like (3) characterized in that it comprises: - a base (2) presenting means (4) of fixing on the electrical panel and being equipped with: 'an upstream connection device (5) intended to be connected, on the one hand, to an electrical distribution network and, on the other hand, to the electric meter. 'A downstream connection device (15) intended to be connected, on the one hand, to the electric meter and, on the other hand, to an installation for use and provided with controlled electrical cut-off means. * and control means (21) cut-off means (20), - and a cover (30), which is removably fixed on the base (2) by covering the equipment of the base to prevent access , which is provided with a window (31) for the connection of the upstream (5) and downstream (15) connection devices to the meter (10), and which comprises fixing means for the electric meter. 2. Interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upstream connection device (5) comprises a connection terminal (11), called the arrival terminal, for a neutral supply conductor and, at least, a connection terminal (12), called the arrival terminal, for a phase supply conductor, as well as, for each arrival terminal (11, 12), a connected arrival conductor (13, 14) to the corresponding terminal (11, 12) and intended to be connected to the electric meter (10). 3. Interface device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the downstream connection device (15) comprises a connection terminal (16), said to start, for a neutral distribution conductor, at least one terminal connection (17), said to start, for a distribution conductor of a phase and, for each starting terminal (16, 17), a starting conductor (18, 19) connected to the corresponding terminal (16, 17 ) and intended to be connected to the meter <Desc / Clms Page number 10>  electric (10), the means (20) of electric cut being interposed between at least the phase start terminal (17) and the corresponding phase start conductor (19).  4. Interface device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least part of the means for fixing the cover (30) on the base (2) are arranged in relation to the passage window ( 31) of the arrival (13) and departure (14) conductors.  5. Interface device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means (21) comprise means (25) for connection, intended to be connected to the electric meter (10) and are adapted for exchange information with the electric meter (10).  6. Interface device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control means are connected by power cables (23,24) to the feeder conductors (18,19).  7. Interface device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control means (21) are adapted to be programmable and control the opening or closing of the switching means (20) according to predetermined parameters.  8. Electric metering device, characterized in that it comprises an interface device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and an electric meter (10) adapted on the cover (30) being connected to the conductors electric arrival (13,14) and departure (18,19) and located so as to obscure the window (31) of the cover (30).  9. Electric metering device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electric meter (10) obscures, at least in part, the means for fixing the cover (30) on the base (2).  10. Metering device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electric meter (10) comprises a communication interface and in that control means (21) of the interface device are connected to the communication interface of the counter (10).