FR2940542A1 - Interface device for assembling new type electronic meter on support of old type electronic meter in electric installation, has neutral conductors for prolonging cables so that device connects new type meter on support of old type meter - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a pair of phase conductors (71a, 71d), a pair of neutral conductors (72a, 72d,), and another pair of phase conductors (81a, 81d) separately prolonging phase power cables from the former pair of phase conductors to a lower area of a case (2). Another pair of neutral conductors commonly prolongs neutral power cables from the former pair of neutral conductors to the lower area of the case, so that the device connects a new type meter, having connecting terminals in a lower area, on a support of an old type meter, having connecting terminals in an upper area.

Description

Interface device for fixing an electric meter.

The invention relates to a device for fixing an electric meter on a panel.

The present invention relates more particularly to an interface device for mounting an electronic counter of a new type on a support for receiving an electronic counter of an old type.

The replacement of old electricity meters by new meters poses problems of compatibility of the new meter with the support and the various cables initially connected to the old meter.

The cables to be connected are phase and neutral power cables to the meter and start to the local electrical installation. Other cables to be connected are teleinformation cables, servo cables (otherwise known as pilot) and telereport cables.

New meters to be installed, in particular electronic meters known as AMM (for Automatic Meter Management) comprise connection terminals integrally located in a lower region. These meters are to be installed as replacement for old electronic meters having at least power terminals in an upper region. The support or panel initially receiving this old type of meter is not suitable for receiving a new type of meter.

In addition, the new AMM electronic counter has the following particularities: the phase and neutral connection terminals of arrival and departure are mounted on the electronic card. The phase connection terminals (incoming and outgoing) are connected to each other by a copper phase shunt on which a central calibration is provided. The measurement of the electrical energy consumed by the customer is deducted from the measurement of the 10 2940542 -2

electrical resistance through this phase shunt. The phase shunt also provides power to the electronic board.

The neutral connection terminals (incoming and outgoing) are connected to each other by a neutral shunt, which has two functions: the transit of the current (neutral) and also a power supply of the electronic board.

No existing device makes it possible to take advantage of this structure and of this arrangement as simply and most efficiently as possible while allowing the adaptation of the new type of meter to a support initially intended to receive an old type of meter.

Moreover, the terminals of the servocontrol cables have fairly variable positions from one meter to another, among the meters to be replaced, whereas the new type of meter has a unique position of servo terminals, for the sake of standardization. This transition to a standard position of the control cables on the new meter also raises concerns of compatibility of the original support with the new meter. It should be emphasized, moreover, that the interface device must be able to adapt to different types of supports or panels.

In addition, we must also take into account the need to make power terminals and telereport inaccessible to the customer.

The invention aims to overcome the above difficulties, and to allow easy adaptation of the new electronic counter, having connection terminals at the bottom, on a support or panel initially designed to receive an old electronic counter having connecting terminals in high. In addition, the object of the invention is to propose an extremely simple and optimized design.

To do this, the invention relates to an interface device for mounting a new type of electricity meter, on a support for receiving an electricity meter of an old type, characterized in that 'it comprises a housing adapted to be fixed to the support, terminals 2940542 -3

phase and neutral connection respectively to phase and neutral incoming power cables, phase and neutral connection terminals respectively to phase and neutral start power cables, said connection terminals being disposed in an upper region of the housing, and in that it comprises first conductors separately extending the phase power cables from the phase connection terminals to a lower region of the housing, and second conductors commonly extending the neutral power cables from the neutral connection terminals to 'to said lower region of the housing, so that the device makes it possible to connect the meter of a new type, having connection terminals in said lower region, to a support for receiving the counter of an old type, having connection terminals in an upper region.

Thus, an interface according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to adapt a meter of a new type such as the AMM counter to a medium initially designed to receive a counter of an old type. In addition, the interface according to the invention is extremely economical. Although four incoming and outgoing meter cables are provided, it is not necessary to provide at least four conductors extending these cables. This lesser amount of conductive material used as well as the reduction in the number of contacts in the circuit minimizes the cost of installation and the intervention time to set up the interface and the new meter. The quality and reliability of the device are also improved: less risk of false contacts, reduction of electrodynamic effects in case of short circuit, due to the removal of neutral connections near the phases under the hood of the meter .

Other advantageous features of the invention are mentioned below:

the second conductors comprise a shunt connecting the neutral connection terminals, 35 - 4

the shunt is formed of a flat element,

the second conductors comprise an electrical connection extending the shunt to said lower region, the electrical connection being furthermore obtained by cutting and / or deformation of a flat element, such as a strip,

the shunt and the electrical connection are obtained by cutting and / or deformation of the same part in a flat element,

the shunt and the electrical connection are flat elements of different thicknesses maintained in electrical contact with each other,

the electrical connection is a wired connection,

the first conductors consist of two elongated elements obtained by cutting and / or deformation of two flat elements,

at least a portion of the first or second conductors is made of copper or copper alloy,

The invention also relates to an electrical installation comprising an electronic counter mounted on a support via an interface device having all or some of the preceding characteristics, the interface device being interposed between the electronic counter and the support.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description and in the light of the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a front perspective view of an interface device for a new type of counter, suitable for being fixed on a support for receiving a counter of an old type, the device comprising four conductors for extension of the incoming and outgoing cables, illustrating a non-optimized arrangement of the device according to the invention, - the figure 2 represents a view of the device according to FIG. 1, the cover of the meter being removed for the sake of clarity, FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematic views of the two faces of the electronic card (in mixed lines) of the new type of meter. of AMM type, illustrating phase shunts and neutral (solid line), - Figure 5 shows a view of the interface device similar to that of Figure 1, wherein the device is optimized selo n the invention,

FIG. 6 is a view of the device of FIG. 5, the cover of the counter 15 being removed for the sake of clarity,

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the interface device according to the invention, in an embodiment different from that of FIGS. 5 and 6,

FIGS. 10 to 21 show various alternative embodiments of a conductor extending the neutral connection terminals of arrival and departure of the interface device according to the invention up to the neutral connection terminals of the counter,

FIG. 22 represents a perspective rear view of the interface device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an interface device 1 intended to be mounted on a support (not shown) initially designed and adapted to receive a meter of an old type (not shown) having its connection terminals at the top.

The new type of electronic meter (also not shown), for example AMM type has its connection terminals at the bottom. The first purpose of the interface device 1 is therefore to allow 2940542 -6 T

the adaptation of the new type of counter on the same support as that mentioned above.

The interface device 1 comprises a base 2 (or base) whose front face is visible in FIG. 2. The base comprises, on its rear face visible in FIG. 22, fastening means 4, for example slideway means co-operating with a fastening rail secured to the support which is initially adapted for fixing the old type of meter. In not shown embodiments of the invention, it is noted that the rear face of the base can include any type of attachment adapted to multiple existing supports.

The device also comprises a cover 3 covering the base 2 so as to form a closed housing protecting its internal components (Figure 1).

The cover 3 is fixed to the base 2 by means of two quarter-turn screws 5 cooperating with corresponding passages 50 formed in the front face of the base 2.

The new meter is fixed on the front face of the cover 3 via three screws 6. In alternative embodiments not shown, the rear face of the meter can be fixed to the front face of the cover 3 by any type of suitable fastening means, for example. example by a rail / slide system similar to that interposed between the base and the support as mentioned above. The feature may include geometries

As seen in Figure 2, the base 2 has in its upper part connection terminals 71a, 72a, 72d, 71d, otherwise called cages or clamps. There are two power cables arriving at the meter from the network: a phase cable and a neutral cable associated with two respective phase connection terminals 71a and neutral 72a. There are also two power cables from the meter to the customer's installation: a phase cable and a neutral cable associated with two respective phase 71d and neutral 72d connection terminals. 2940542 -7

According to a non-optimized arrangement, the interface device 1 comprises four conductors 8 extending the four power cables above, from the connection terminals 71a, 72a, 72d, 71d to a lower region 5 of the housing 2, 3, where another end of each conductor opposite the connection terminals is connected to the terminals of the new meter.

A window 30 is provided in the lower part of the front face of the cover 3 so as to be traversed by the conductors 8 running from the top of the housing 2, 3. The lower ends of the conductors 8 protrude from the front face of the cover 3 and go back to their lower end, so as to be connected to the terminals of the new meter from below.

Note that once the new meter is connected, the visible part of these conductors 8 below the meter is masked by a terminal cover or headphone (not shown), so as to be isolated and to prevent any access by a person not allowed.

The invention aims to take advantage of the structure and arrangement of the electronic card making up the new type of meter. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate two opposite faces of the electronic card 9 (shown in phantom) of the new meter, it can be seen that this card 9 directly supports the terminals 10a, 11a, 11d, 10d intended to be connected to the 8. Terminals 10a, 10d and neutral connection terminals 11a, 11d of arrival and departure are mounted on the electronic board 10. The phase connection terminals (arrival 10a and 10d start) are interconnected by a shunt of phase 12 copper on which is provided a calibration 13 central. The measurement of the electrical energy consumed by the customer is deduced from the measurement of the electrical resistance through this phase shunt 12. The phase shunt 12 also provides a power supply for the electronic card 10.

The neutral connection terminals (arrival 11a and start 11d) are interconnected by a neutral shunt 14, which has two functions: the transit of 2940542 -8

current (neutral) and also a power supply of the electronic card 10.

To measure the energy consumed, it is mandatory to pass the current through the power circuit of the phase. It is further noted that a meter of this type is provided with a unipolar disconnector (allowing the breaking or setting of the remote current) located on the power circuit of the phase. On the other hand, it is not necessary for the neutral circuit to pass the power circuit through the counter. 10 The meter must only be powered by a single conductor or connection.

Thus, according to an essential aspect of the invention, the conductors 8 decompose into first phase conductors 81a, 81d and second neutral conductors 82a, 82d. The first conductors 81a, 81d provide the extension of the phase power cables to the lower region of the meter, so as to be connected to the phase terminals thereof. This extension is provided separately, that is to say that each phase cable (arrival 81a and 81d departure) is respectively connected to each corresponding phase power terminal of the meter, without other electrical connection than that provided on the shunt of phase 12 integrated into the meter. The first conductors are copper and obtained by cutting and folding flat elements. They are therefore rigid, which facilitates their connection to the associated phase terminals. According to another essential aspect of the invention, the second neutral conductors 82a, 82d extend the neutral power cables to the same lower region of the meter, so as to be connected to the neutral terminals thereof. . This extension is commonly provided, i.e., the incoming neutral 72a and 72d terminal connection terminals of the interface device are electrically connected by a neutral shunt 15 (FIGS. 6 and 7), a link single and therefore common electrical being performed between this shunt 15 of neutral and the neutral shunt 14 of the meter. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrical connection is wired 82e and of relatively small diameter between 2940542 -9.

the two opposite shunts 14, 15 of neutral. In the illustrated example, the neutral shunt 15 has the general shape of a U and is obtained by cutting and deformation (folding and / or stamping) of a flat element. In an alternative embodiment, the neutral shunt 15 may be formed by a connecting cable 5 between the incoming neutral connection 72a and 72d start connection terminals.

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the neutral shunt 14 connecting the neutral terminals of the meter is made in one piece or previously assembled with the link 82f and the shunt 15 of neutral of the interface device before being mounted on the neutral connection terminals of the meter.

Figures 10 to 21 illustrate different alternative embodiments of the electrical connection 82 between the two opposite shunts 14, 15 of neutral. In the description, this electrical connection is generically identified by the reference 82, the following letter (e, f, etc.) being relative to the different embodiments of the invention. The electrical connection 82 may be made of copper, a copper alloy or any other conductive material.

Figures 10 (seen in profile) at 13 illustrate that the electrical connection 82 may be of the same thickness as the opposite shunts 14, 15 of neutral. The electrical connection 82g and shunts 14, 15 can be made of material and made by cutting and deformation of the same flat element. The electrical connection 82 may be straight on one side or the other of the single element (FIGS. 11 and 12) or may be arranged at an angle (FIG. 13). Note that the assembly formed by the shunts and the electrical connection is in this example a rigid element facilitating connection to the associated neutral terminals 30.

Figures 14 (seen in profile) at 19 illustrate that the electrical connection 82 may be thinner than the shunts 14, 15 of neutral, so as to save material. The electrical connection 82 is for example made in a strip. Contacts or electrical junctions are made between 2940542 -10-

the electrical connection 82 and each of the shunts 14, 15. The electrical connection 82 may be disposed on an edge of the assembly that it forms with the shunts 14, 15 (FIGS. 15, 16) or may be located in the plane of symmetry of this set (Figure 17). It should be noted that the assembly formed by the shunts and the electrical connection in this example is substantially rigid, which also facilitates connection to the associated neutral terminals.

Figures 18 (seen in profile) and 19 illustrate a wired electrical connection similar to that shown in Figures 5 to 9. With reference to Figures 20 and 21, the electrical connection 82 may also consist of a strip of which at least one end is superimposed on one of the shunts 14, 15 neutral, marrying the surface of the latter. By taking advantage of the electrical connection between the shunts 14, 15 and the corresponding connection terminals (cable clamps), it is then economized to provide a specific electrical contact or junction between the electrical connection 82 and the shunt or shunts. concerned, taking the electrical connection 82 in pincers between its adjacent elements.

According to a not shown embodiment of the invention, it may even be provided that the device comprises dummy connection means causing the installer to connect each of the neutral connection terminals of the meter with extension conductors, in order to avoid that the simplicity of the device does not generate doubt about the connections or connections to be made. These dummy connection means are advantageously made of an economical material.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and includes all the technical equivalents of the means presented. For example any rigid connection mentioned above can be made or replaced by a multi-leaf connection, possibly isolated, having a suitable section, or by one or more cables.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Interface device for mounting a new type of electricity meter, on a support (1) for receiving an electricity meter of an old type, characterized in that it comprises a housing (2; 3) adapted to be fixed to the support (1), phase (71a) and neutral (72a) connection terminals respectively to phase and neutral power supply cables, phase (71d) and neutral (72d) connection terminals. ) respectively to phase and neutral starting power cables, said connection terminals (71a; 72a; 72d; 71d) being disposed in an upper region of the housing (2; 3), and in that it comprises first conductors (81a; 81d) separately extending the phase power cables from the phase connection terminals (71a; 71d) to a lower region of the housing (2; 3), and second conductors (14; 15; 82) extending commonly. the neutral power cables from the neutral connection terminals (72a 72d) to said lower region of the housing (2; 3), so that the device makes it possible to connect the meter of a new type, having connection terminals in said lower region, on a support intended to receive the counter of an old type, having connection terminals in a upper region. 2. Interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second conductors (14; 15; 82) comprise a shunt (15) connecting the neutral connection terminals (72a; 72d). 3. Interface device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shunt (15) is formed of a flat element. 4. Interface device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the second conductors (14; 15; 82) comprise an electrical connection (82) extending the shunt (15) to said lower region, the electrical connection being further obtained by cutting and / or deformation of a flat element, such as a strip. 2940542 -12- 5. Interface device according to claim 4, characterized in that the shunt (15) and the electrical connection (82) are obtained by cutting and / or deformation of the same part in a flat element. 5 6. Interface device according to claim 4, characterized in that the shunt and the electrical connection are flat elements of different thicknesses maintained in electrical contact with each other. Interface device according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical connection is a wire connection. 8. Interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first conductors (81a; 81d) consist of two elongated elements obtained by cutting and / or deformation of two flat elements. 9. Interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least a portion of the first or second conductors (81a; 81d; 82) is made of copper or copper alloy. 10. Electrical installation comprising an electronic counter mounted on a support via an interface device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, interposed between the electronic counter and the support. 20