FR3076064A1 - AUXILIARY APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device (10) adapted and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices (1). The auxiliary apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of pins (60) movable between a supervisory position and an alert position. A housing of the apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of housings, each pin (60) being arranged in one of the housings and comprising a head and at least one shoulder. An electronic card of the apparatus (10) comprises, for each housing, at least a first switch that can be controlled by the shoulder of the pin, which is arranged in the housing concerned, in order to produce a change of state of the first switch when the pin (60) takes the supervisory position.

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the field of electrical protection equipment and in particular the auxiliary devices that can be associated with it.

An electrical protective device, such as a circuit breaker, is designed to fulfill the protective functions of an electrical installation and comprises, in known manner, an actuating member associated with a lock and a housing in which the lock is disposed and of which the actuator protrudes. In certain cases and more particularly for tertiary-type electrical installations, additional functions may also be necessary. These additional functions may for example consist in acquiring information on the operating state of the electrical protection equipment. In known manner, these functions are performed by one or more auxiliary device (s) intended to be coupled to an electrical protection device, most often at the level of the housing. In this case, it may be a question of determining the position of the actuating member or of the contacts of the electrical equipment. It follows from the fact that the auxiliary device (s) is (are) coupled (s) to the casing of the electrical protective equipment, a space requirement representing a disadvantage for the electrician installer.

According to the prior art, the presence of such auxiliary devices limits the space available for disposing of electrical protection devices. Furthermore, if an auxiliary device not provided for at the time of installation must be coupled to electrical protection equipment, it will be necessary to offset some of the other electrical protection equipment, so as to provide sufficient space to place the auxiliary device. This can be a major problem in certain cases, particularly in terms of service continuity.

The present invention aims to provide a quick and easy to implement solution, compact, visible to the user and the installer, secure to overcome the major limitations of the prior art indicated above. The object of the invention is also to provide an auxiliary device having reduced electrical energy consumption and which can be associated with a variety of electrical protection devices. To this end, the invention relates to an auxiliary device suitable and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices comprising a housing comprising at least one first wall from which a projecting actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The auxiliary device comprises a plurality of pins, a housing and an electronic card arranged in the housing, each of the pins being movable independently between a supervisory position and an alert position.

The casing comprises a fixing interface suitable and intended to be fixed to the first wall of the housing of at least one of the plurality of electrical protection devices or being suitable and intended to be fixed to a faceplate covering the plurality of devices electrical protection. The auxiliary device is characterized in that the casing comprises a plurality of housings, each pin being arranged in one of the housings and comprising at least one shoulder.

The electronic card comprises, for each housing, at least a first switch capable of being controlled by the shoulder of the pin, which is arranged in the housing concerned, when the pin takes the supervisory position. The invention also relates to an electrical protection system, comprising a plurality of electrical protection devices comprising a housing comprising at least one first wall from which protrudes an actuator movable between a first position and a second position, and a auxiliary device according to the invention associated with the plurality of electrical protection devices, the electrical protection system comprising, where appropriate, a faceplate covering the plurality of electrical protection devices, electrical protection system in which the interface of attachment of the auxiliary device is either attached to the first wall of the housing of at least one of the plurality of electrical protective devices, or attached to the faceplate.

The present application also relates to an auxiliary device suitable and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices comprising a housing comprising at least one first wall, the auxiliary device comprising a casing and an electronic card arranged in the casing, the casing comprising a fitting interface suitable and intended to be fixed to the first wall of the housing of at least one of the plurality of electrical protection devices or being suitable and intended to be fixed to a faceplate covering the plurality of electrical devices electrical protection, auxiliary device characterized in that it further comprises an electric field sensor capable of detecting a variation of electric field coming from at least one connection terminal of at least one of the electrical protection devices to which the device auxiliary is associated. The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical cabinet comprising a plurality of auxiliary devices according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another example of an electrical cabinet comprising an auxiliary device according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a detailed view of the electrical cabinet of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment; Figure 5 is a detailed view of the electrical cabinet of Figure 3, from which has been removed a label holder; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment; Figure 7 is an exploding view of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an electronic card of the auxiliary device according to the embodiment; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment from which has been removed part of its housing; Figure 10 is a perspective section of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment installed in a front plate of the electrical cabinet; Figure 10a is another perspective section of the auxiliary device according to the embodiment installed in a front plate of the electrical cabinet; Figures 11 and 11a are detailed views of the auxiliary device according to the embodiment, in which a pin of the auxiliary device takes a supervisory position; Figures 12 and 12a are detailed views of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment, in which the pin takes an alert position; Figures 13 and 13a are detailed views of the auxiliary apparatus according to the embodiment, in which the pin takes a delivery position. The auxiliary device 10 according to the invention is suitable and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices 1. The electrical protection devices 1 each comprise a housing 3 comprising at least one first wall 4 from which a protruding actuator 5 movable between a first position PI and a second position P2. The auxiliary device 10 comprises a plurality of pins 60, a housing 40 and an electronic card 20 arranged in the housing 40. Each of the pins 60 is movable between a supervisory position S and an alert position A.

The casing 40 comprises a fixing interface 50 suitable and intended to be fixed to the first wall 4 of the housing 3 of at least one of the plurality of electrical protection devices 1 or being suitable and intended to be fixed to a faceplate 6 covering at least partially the plurality of electrical protection devices 1. The electrical protection devices 1 can be installed in an electrical cabinet 8.

The housing 40 comprises a plurality of housings 42, each pin 60 being arranged in one of the housings 42 and comprising a head 61 as well as at least one shoulder 62.

The electronic card 20 comprises, for each housing 42, at least a first switch 22 capable of being controlled by the shoulder 62 of the pin 60, which is arranged in the housing 42 concerned, in order to control the first switch 22 when the pin 60 takes the supervisory position S.

Advantageously, this configuration allows rapid installation of the auxiliary device 10. In addition, the auxiliary device 10 is compact, visible to the user and the installer, and overcomes the major limitations of the state of the technical. The auxiliary device 10 has reduced electrical energy consumption and can be combined with a variety of electrical protective devices 1.

In addition, the auxiliary device 10 can be provided and then installed after the installation of the electrical protection devices 1 without modifying the location of the electrical protection devices 1 already in place in the electrical cabinet 8, or the location of the electrical protection devices 1 themselves. The auxiliary device 10 can therefore easily be integrated into an existing installation, in particular by a non-specialized person, such as an individual. The auxiliary device 10 can therefore easily be installed both in a residential installation and in a tertiary installation. Furthermore, the auxiliary device 10 does not require modifying the shape or the dimensions of the electrical protective equipment 1 with which it is associated. The auxiliary device 10 can be fixed via the fixing interface 50 of the casing 40 to the front plate 6 or to the first wall 4 so that the actuating member 5 can strike the head 61 of the pin 60 when the actuating member 5 passes from the first position PI to the second position P2 in order to move the pin 60 from the supervisory position S to the alert position A. Thus, a change of state of the electrical protective equipment 1 manifested by a tilting of the actuating member 5 can be detected by the auxiliary device 10. The electrical protection equipment 1 can be modular and can be designed to fulfill electrical risk protection functions after installation. For example, an electrical protection device 1 can protect lines and / or protect people and / or protect goods and equipment. The electrical protective equipment 1 can be a circuit breaker 1 or a differential circuit breaker or a differential switch, without these examples being limiting.

In known manner, an electrical protection device 1 comprises a housing 3 comprising at least a first wall 4 from which an actuating member 5 movable between a first predetermined position PI and a second predetermined position P2.

The first position PI of the actuating member 5, preferably materializes a situation in which the circuit (not shown) of the electrical protective equipment 1 is closed, and therefore in which the equipment (not shown) to which it is connected has no faults. The second position P2 of the actuating member 5, preferably materializes, a situation in which the circuit (not shown) of the electrical protective equipment 1 is open, and therefore in which the equipment (not shown) to which it is connected has a fault. In general, but not limited to, the actuating member 5 is movable in rotation between the first and second positions PI and P2. By way of example, the first position PI corresponds to a high position, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 relative to the second position P2 which corresponds to a low position, as illustrated for example in FIG. 12. As a result, in this configuration, the passage from the first position PI to the second position P2 corresponds to a movement of rotation, or of tilting, of the actuating member 5 from top to bottom, ie in a substantially vertical plane.

According to one possibility, the first switch 22 is opened by the shoulder 62 of the concerned pin 60 when the concerned pin 60 takes the supervisory position S. In this configuration, the first switch 22 can be a so-called "normally closed" switch, which assumes a closed state when it is not actuated by an element, such as for example the shoulder 62 of the pin 60. Thus, the energy consumption of the auxiliary device 10 can be reduced, since the current is interrupted by the actuation of the first switch 22, when the pin 60 takes the supervisory position S.

Each of the pins 60 may also be able to assume a delivery position L. the electronic card 20 may further comprise, for each housing 42 of the housing 40, at least one second switch 24 capable of being controlled by the shoulder 62 of the pin arranged in the housing 42 concerned in order to produce a change of state of the second switch 24 when the pin 60 takes the delivery position L. The second switch 24 can be opened by the shoulder 62 of the pin 60 concerned when the pin 60 concerned takes the delivery position L. In this configuration, the second switch 24 can also be a so-called “normally closed” switch which assumes a closed state when it is not actuated by an element, such as for example the shoulder 62 of pawn 60.

Thus, the energy consumption of the auxiliary device 10 can be reduced while the pin 60 takes the delivery position L, since the current is interrupted by the actuation of the second switch 24.

According to one possibility, for each housing 42, the first switch 22 and the second switch 24 are connected in series. Thus, the electrical circuit, in which the first switch 22 and / or the second switch 24 are arranged, preferably in series, can be opened, when the pin 60 takes the supervisory position S and / or the delivery position L and / or can only be closed when pin 60 takes the alert position A.

Advantageously, the supervisory position S is located above the alert position A on the horizontal axis when the auxiliary device 10 is positioned relative to the electrical protection devices 1 so as to be associated with them. this. That is to say that, in the supervision position S, the pin 60 is located above a pin 60 taking the alert position A. Preferably, the alert position A is between the supervisory position S and delivery position L.

Each pin 60 can include a first stop face 64 and each housing 42 can include a first stop zone 44. The first stop face 64 can then come into contact with the first stop zone 44 when the pin 60 concerned takes the position supervision S. In addition, each housing 42 may include a second stop zone 46, the first stop face 64 being in contact with the second stop zone 46 when the pin 60 concerned takes the alert position A.

According to one possibility, each pin 60 comprises a second stop face 66 and each housing 42 comprises a third stop zone 48, the first stop face 64 being in contact with the third stop zone 48 when the concerned pin 60 takes the position delivery L.

The first abutment face 64 and / or the second abutment face 66 can (can) be arranged on a tongue 68 elastically deformable of the pin 60.

The pin 60 may further comprise at least one projection 67 and the housing 42 may comprise at least one bulge 43 coming into contact with the projection 67 when the pin 60 takes the alert position A. as disclosed in FIGS. 11a, 12a and 13a, in the embodiment of the invention, the pin 60 comprises two projections 67 and the housing 42 comprises two bulges 43.

When the actuating member 5 of the auxiliary device 10 passes from the first position PI to the second position P2 and strikes the head 61 of the pin 60 which is in the supervisory position S, the tongue 68 is deformed so detaching the first abutment face 64 from the first abutment area 44. Then, the pin 60 leaves the supervision position S and falls, preferably after a stroke of approximately 1 mm, in free fall until the bulge 43 comes into contact with the projection 67. The free fall of the pin 60 can thus be braked, before the first abutment face 64 comes to rest on the second abutment zone 46, in order to avoid that, following the fall of the pin 60, the inertia of pin 60 causes the tongue 68 to bend beyond the second stop zone 46. Pin 60 is thus in the alert position A. During free fall and when pin 60 takes the alert position A, shoulder 62 does not include no longer requires the first switch 22, first switch 22 which is consequently closed. The pin 60 falls under the effect of its own weight, following the displacement of the pin 60 caused by the contact between the actuating member 5 and the pin 60 and / or the head 61 of the pin 60.

According to a possible additional characteristic, in the alert position A, the pin 60 and / or the head 61 of the pin 60 is (are) spaced from the control member 5 taking the second position P2. Thus, the control member 5 can be brought back to the first position PI by a user, without the pin 60 taking the alert position A interfering. The travel of the pin 60 between the supervisory position S and the alert position A may be substantially equal to or greater than the travel of the control member 5 on the horizontal axis.

According to one possibility, the switch 22 and / or the second switch 42 are not controlled by the shoulder 42, when the pin 60 takes the alert position A.

When a user passes the counter 60 from the alert position A to the delivery position L, the user presses the counter 60 and / or the head of the counter. Preferably, a force greater than 10 N must be applied to the pin 60 to move the latter from the alert position A to the delivery position L and / or to slide the projection 67 beyond the bulge 43. In the delivery position L, the projection 67 is no longer in contact with the bulge 43. The force required to move the pin 60 from the alert position A to the delivery position L may be greater than the force required to move the pin 60 from the supervisory position S to the alert position A. This additional force is necessary to bend the projection 67 and to slide it beyond the bulge 43, as shown in FIGS. 12a and 13a.

The tongue 68 is then deformed so as to detach the first abutment face 64 from the second abutment zone 46. Thus, the pin 60 leaves the alert position A until the second abutment face 66 comes to rest on the third stop zone 48. The pin 60 is thus in the delivery position L where the shoulder 62 controls the second switch 24, and which consequently is open.

Each pin 60 of the auxiliary device can be deactivated independently of the other pins 60 by passing it in the delivery position L. In this delivery position L, the head 61 of the pin 60 is outside the travel of the 'actuator 5, when the latter passes from the first position PI to the second position P2. Alternatively, the pin 60 concerned can be removed from its housing 42.

According to one possibility, the pin 60 comprises at least a first part 63 carrying the head 61 and a second part 65 capable of sliding in the housing 42, the first part 63 being fixed to the second part 65 in a reversible manner.

Due to the removability of the first part 63 of the pins 60, it is possible to adapt the head 61 to a particular geometry of the actuating member 5, by replacing the first part 63 with a first part 63 carrying the head 61 adapted. Furthermore, certain electrical protection devices 1, such as earth leakage circuit breakers (not shown) have shapes which could cause mechanical collisions. Indeed, differential circuit breakers generally occupy the width of two circuit breakers on a modular row. In addition, the differential circuit breaker generally comprises an actuating member 5 which is located mainly on the left side of the first wall 4 of the housing 3, when the differential circuit breaker is viewed from the front on the side of the first wall 4, and comprises on the side right of the wall 4 of the interaction elements with the user of the push button type or more simply a plastic protuberance according to the variants of the differential circuit breaker. However, possible collisions between these interaction elements are not desirable. To avoid such collisions, it is possible because of the removability of the first part 63 of the pins 60 to remove the first part 63 carrying the head 61 of the pin 60 which would be found in front of such interaction elements.

Preferably, each pin 60 is fitted into one of the housings 42.

According to one possibility, the pins 60 are movable independently of each other.

The electronic card 20 of the auxiliary device 10 can include means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26.

The means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26 constitute wireless communication means.

These allow at least one wireless communication link to be established between the auxiliary device 10 and a control unit (not shown).

Advantageously, the means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26 make it possible to transmit at least one item of information on the state or the triggering or the position PI, P2 of the actuating member 5 to the control unit. The control unit, also called remote human-machine interface, may consist, by way of nonlimiting examples, of a computer or a mobile device, such as a tablet, a smartphone or the like, or a remote server.

The communication can be done by a standard long range protocol of the Lora type, Sigfox, in this case the information passes via a remote server of the cloud type.

The communication can be done by a standard medium range protocol of the Wi-fi type, KNX, in this case the information passes through an equipment already present near the electrical cabinet 8 in the home or the premises of the user, by example an internet box or any other connected object that can act as a data concentrator, for example, a smoke detector, an alarm center or the like.

The communication can be done by a standard short range protocol of the Bluetooth type and the information can pass through a specific concentrator module located near or in the electrical cabinet 8. This concentrator module can operate on mains power supply or on battery. The auxiliary device 10 can comprise an autonomous and / or rechargeable electrical supply 13 for supplying the electronic card 20 and / or the means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26. The electrical supply can consist of a battery 13, or into a battery. The battery 13 can be housed in a compartment of the casing 40.

According to one possibility, when the actuator 5 takes the first position PI and the pin 60 takes the supervisory position S, the head 61 of the pin 60 concerned is spaced from the actuator 5. These characteristics facilitate the manual arming of each counter 60.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the pin 60 is designed and intended to be in contact with the actuating member 5 during a stroke of less than 1 mm. Thus, the risk of blocking the actuating member 5 by the pin 60 and / or the head 61 of the pin 60 can be reduced.

According to one possibility, the fixing interface 50 is suitable and intended to be fixed to the front plate 6 and comprises at least one latching element 52 able to be snapped onto a projection 6a projecting from one face of the front plate 6.

Advantageously, the assembly and disassembly of the auxiliary device 10 can be carried out easily without tools, for example by an individual.

The attachment of the auxiliary device 10 to the electrical protective equipment 1 can be ensured by means of the fixing means initially provided for a label holder 7 of the faceplate 6, which may, for example, consist of several lugs 6a.

Alternatively, the attachment of the auxiliary device 10 could also be carried out by attachment to a part of the housing 3.

According to one possibility, the electrical installation in which the electrical protection devices 1 are installed can also comprise a general differential switch (said head device) placed upstream of the electrical protection devices 1.

According to another possibility, the plurality of electrical protection devices 1 can comprise such a general differential switch (said head device) placed upstream of the other electrical protection devices 1.

Each of the electrical devices may be able to protect a particular circuit. When an electrical fault appears on the particular circuit, the corresponding electrical protection equipment 1 will cut the current on in the particular circuit.

The function of the general differential switch is to protect all the circuits and devices which are downstream of it, in particular the electrical protection devices 1 and their corresponding specific circuits. The general differential switch may, following a problem on one or more of the particular circuits, when for example lightning waves convey in the network, open and thus cut the supply of all the circuits downstream of the latter. , including special circuits.

It is also possible that the power supplier cuts off the power supply upstream of the main differential switch.

In all these cases, it may be advantageous for the user to be informed of the general power cut on his installation.

To overcome these problems, the auxiliary device can further comprise an electric field sensor 70 capable of detecting a variation of electric field coming from at least one connection terminal B of at least one of the electrical protection devices 1 to which the auxiliary device 10 is associated. Since a voltage present at connection terminal B creates an electric field in its vicinity, the electric field sensor 70 can determine if a voltage is present at connection terminal B by measuring the electric field which surrounds it.

According to one possibility, the connection terminal B is arranged inside the housing 3 of the electrical protection apparatus 1, preferably near the first wall 4.

The connection terminal of the electrical protection device 1 is shown in Figure 10a. Generally, an electrical protection device 1 comprises at least one connection terminal B, preferably at least one input terminal and at least one associated output terminal. For reasons of simplification of the figures, only one connection terminal B among the terminals whose electric field is sensed is shown.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the electric field sensor 70 comprises an antenna 72, the antenna 72 preferably being produced by a metal wire. This metal wire can be made of copper, preferably enameled copper. The production of enameled copper metal wire has the advantage of obtaining an electrically insulated wire.

According to one possibility, the antenna 72 is produced by a metal wire comprising two ends 74, 76, a first end 74 of said ends 74, 76 being connected to the electronic card 20 and a second end 76 of said ends 74, 76 being one end free.

When the auxiliary device 10 is associated with the electrical protection devices 1, the antenna 72 can be arranged near the connection terminals B of the electrical protection devices 1 to the electrical network.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the electric field sensor 70 further comprises a voltage filtering system and an amplifier arranged on the electronic card 20, the amplifier being on the one hand connected to the first end 74 of the antenna 72 and on the other hand connected to the voltage filtering system. The electronic card 20 can also include a processing unit preferably connected to the amplifier.

The voltage filtering system can include a low-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 100 Hz or a cutoff frequency of between 50 Hz and 100 Hz.

According to one possibility, the antenna 72 extends essentially in parallel to the electronic card 20 and / or along one of the sides of the electronic card 20. The antenna 72 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

The electrical protection devices 1 can be arranged in a row, that is to say collinearly, preferably inside the electrical cabinet 8.

FIG. 10 represents a section of the auxiliary device 10. According to one possibility, the antenna 72 is understood essentially in parallel to the row of electrical protection devices 1 at a connection terminal B. The antenna 72 may further extend essentially parallel to the faceplate 6 and / or to the first wall 4 of the housing 3 of the electrical protective equipment 1.

Because of this positioning, when the connection terminal B of the electrical protection device 1 is energized, in general a few hundred volts of alternating voltage of the order of 50 Hz, the connection terminal B radiates an electric field. This electric field can be picked up by the antenna 72, in particular the part of the antenna which faces the electrical devices 1 and / or said connection terminal B. This results in a voltage present at the first end 74 of antenna 72.

This voltage may include other components of frequencies greater than 50 Hz or 100 Hz which are filtered by the voltage filtering system of the electric field sensor 70 in order to extract therefrom the alternating component of frequency 50 Hz representative of the voltage present in the connection terminal B.

When the electrical protection devices 1 are energized, the presence of an alternating voltage at the connection terminal B generates an electric field.

This field is picked up by the antenna 72 of the electric field sensor 70 and transmitted to the electronic card 20 and / or to the voltage filtering system and / to the amplifier in the form of an alternating voltage.

This voltage can be filtered so as to be able, for example, to transmit only the component at 50 Hz to the processing unit of the electronic card 20. This filtering makes it possible to eliminate the noises that the antenna 72 can pick up and transmit only the signal generated by the presence of the voltage at connection terminal B.

This signal can subsequently be transformed into “voltage presence” or “no voltage presence” information in the form, for example, of a DC voltage of value 0V or 3V. This information can be transmitted to the control unit and / or to the user using the means of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26. The invention further relates to an electrical protection system, comprising a plurality of electrical protection devices 1 comprising a housing 3 comprising at least a first wall 4 from which an actuating member 5 movable between a first position PI and a second position P2, and an auxiliary device 10 according to the invention associated with the plurality of electrical protection devices 1, the electrical protection system comprising, where appropriate, a faceplate 6 covering the plurality of electrical protection devices 1, electrical protection system in which the attachment interface 50 of the auxiliary apparatus 10 is either fixed to the first wall 4 of the housing 3 of at least one of the plurality of apparatus electrical protection 1, or fixed to the front plate 6.

According to one possibility, at least one of the electrical protection devices 1 comprises at least one connection terminal B, the electric field sensor 70 of the auxiliary device 10 being arranged near the connection terminal B, in order to be able to detect a variation of electric field coming from connection terminal B.

According to one possibility, the connection terminal B is arranged inside the housing 3 of the electrical protection apparatus 1, preferably near the first wall 4.

The present application also relates to an auxiliary device 10 suitable and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices 1 comprising a housing 3 comprising at least one first wall 4, the auxiliary device 10 comprising a casing 40 and an electronic card. 20 arranged in the housing 40 the housing 40 comprising a fixing interface 50 suitable and intended to be fixed to the first wall 4 of the housing 3 of at least one of the plurality of electrical protection devices 1 or being suitable and intended to be fixed to a faceplate 6 covering the plurality of electrical protection devices 1, auxiliary device 10 characterized in that it further comprises an electric field sensor 70 capable of detecting a variation in electric field coming from at least one terminal connection B of at least one of the electrical protection devices 1 with which the auxiliary device 10 is associated.

Thus, since a voltage present at connection terminal B creates an electric field in its vicinity, the electric field sensor 70 can determine whether a voltage is present at connection terminal B by measuring the electric field which surrounds it. Generally, an electrical protection device 1 comprises at least one connection terminal B, preferably at least one input terminal and at least one associated output terminal. For reasons of simplification of the figures, only one connection terminal B among the terminals whose electric field is sensed is shown.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the auxiliary device 10 comprises an autonomous and / or rechargeable electrical supply 13 for supplying the electronic card 20 and / or the means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26.

According to one possibility, the connection terminal B is arranged inside the housing 3 of the electrical protection equipment 1, preferably near the first wall 4. The connection terminal of the electrical protection equipment 1 is shown in Figure 10a.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the electric field sensor 70 comprises an antenna 72, the antenna 72 preferably being produced by a metal wire. This metal wire can be made of copper, preferably enameled copper. The production of enameled copper metal wire has the advantage of obtaining an electrically insulated wire.

According to one possibility, the antenna 72 is produced by a metal wire comprising two ends 74, 76, a first end 74 of said ends 74, 76 being connected to the electronic card 20 and a second end 76 of said ends 74, 76 being one end free.

When the auxiliary device 10 is associated with the electrical protection devices 1, the antenna 72 can be arranged near the connection terminals B of the electrical protection devices 1 to the electrical network, as shown in FIG. 10a.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the electric field sensor 70 further comprises a voltage filtering system and an amplifier arranged on the electronic card 20, the amplifier being on the one hand connected to the first end 74 of the antenna 72 and on the other hand connected to the voltage filtering system. The electronic card 20 can also include a processing unit preferably connected to the amplifier.

The voltage filtering system can include a low-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 100 Hz or a cutoff frequency of between 50 Hz and 100 Hz.

According to one possibility, the antenna 72 extends essentially in parallel to the electronic card 20 and / or along one of the sides of the electronic card 20.

According to one possibility, the electronic card 20 comprises means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves 26. The antenna 72 is shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

The electrical protection devices 1 can be arranged in a row, that is to say collinearly, preferably inside the electrical cabinet 8.

FIG. 10 represents a section of the auxiliary device 10. According to one possibility, the antenna 72 is understood essentially in parallel to the row of electrical protection devices 1 at a connection terminal B. The antenna 72 may further extend essentially parallel to the faceplate 6 and / or to the first wall 4 of the housing 3 of the electrical protective equipment 1.

Because of this positioning, when the connection terminal B of the electrical protection device 1 is energized, in general a few hundred volts of alternating voltage of the order of 50 Hz, the connection terminal B radiates an electric field. This electric field can be picked up by the antenna 72, in particular the part of the antenna which faces the electrical devices 1 and / or said connection terminal B. This results in a voltage present at the first end 74 of antenna 72.

This voltage may include other components of frequencies greater than 50 Hz or 100 Hz which are filtered by the voltage filtering system of the electric field sensor in order to extract the AC component of frequency 50 Hz representative of the voltage present in connection terminal B.

When the electrical protection devices 1 are energized, the presence of an alternating voltage at the connection terminal B generates an electric field.

This field is picked up by the antenna 72 of the electric field sensor 70 and transmitted to the electronic card 20 and / or to the voltage filtering system and / to the amplifier in the form of an alternating voltage.

This voltage can be filtered so as to be able, for example, to transmit only the component at 50 Hz to the processing unit of the electronic card 20. This filtering makes it possible to eliminate the noises that the antenna 72 can pick up and transmit only the signal generated by the presence of the voltage at connection terminal B.

This signal can subsequently be transformed into “voltage presence” or “no voltage presence” information in the form, for example, of a DC voltage of value OV or 3V. This information can be transmitted to the control unit and / or to the user. The control unit, also called remote human-machine interface, may consist, by way of nonlimiting examples, of a computer or a mobile device, such as a tablet, a smartphone or the like, or a remote server.

The communication can be done by a standard long range protocol of the Lora type, Sigfox, in this case the information passes via a remote server of the cloud type.

The communication can be done by a standard medium range protocol of the Wi-fi type, KNX, in this case the information passes through an equipment already present near the electrical cabinet 8 in the home or the premises of the user, by example an internet box or any other connected object that can act as a data concentrator, for example, a smoke detector, an alarm center or the like.

The communication can be done by a standard short range protocol of the Bluetooth type and the information can pass through a specific concentrator module located near or in the electrical cabinet 8. This concentrator module can operate on mains power supply or on battery.

According to one possibility, the fixing interface 50 can be adapted and intended to be fixed to the front plate 6 and comprises at least one latching element 52 able to be snapped onto a projection 6a projecting from one face of the front plate 6.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (24)

1. Auxiliary apparatus (10) suitable and intended to be associated with a plurality of electrical protection devices (1) comprising a housing (3) comprising at least one first wall (4) from which an actuating member ( 5) movable between a first position (PI) and a second position (P2), the auxiliary device (10) comprising a plurality of pins (60), a housing (40) and an electronic card (20) arranged in the housing (40), each of the pins (60) being movable between a supervisory position (S) and an alert position (A), the casing (40) comprising a fixing interface (50) suitable and intended to be fixed to the first wall (4) of the housing (3) of at least one of the plurality of electrical protective devices (1) or being suitable and intended to be fixed to a faceplate (6) covering the plurality of protective devices electric (1), auxiliary device (10) characterized in that the casing (40) comprises a plurality of housings (42), each pin (60) being arranged in one of the housings (42) and comprising a head (61) as well as at least one shoulder (62), the electronic card (20) comprising, for each housing (42), at least a first switch (22) capable of being controlled by the shoulder (62) of the pin, which is arranged in the housing (42) concerned, in order to control the first switch (22) when the pawn (60) takes the supervisory position (S). 2. Auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first switch (22) is opened by the shoulder (62) of the concerned pin when the concerned pin (60) takes the supervisory position (S). 3. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that each of the pins (60) is further able to assume a delivery position (L). 4. Auxiliary device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic card (20) further comprises, for each housing (42), at least one second switch (24) capable of being controlled by the shoulder (62) of the pin arranged in the housing (42) concerned in order to produce a change of state of the second switch (24) when the pin (60) takes the delivery position (L). 5. Auxiliary device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second switch (24) is opened by the shoulder (62) of the concerned pin when the concerned pin (60) takes the delivery position (L). 6. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that, for each housing (42), the first switch (22) and the second switch (24) are connected in series. 7. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each pin (60) comprises a first abutment face (64) and each housing (42) comprises a first abutment zone (44), the first stop face (64) being in contact with the first stop zone (44) when the pin (60) concerned takes the supervisory position (S). 8. Auxiliary apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that each housing (42) comprises a second stop zone (46), the first stop face (64) being in contact with the second stop zone (46) when the pawn (60) concerned takes the alert position (A). 9. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that each pin (60) comprises a second abutment face (66) and each housing (42) comprises a third abutment zone (48), the first stop face (64) being in contact with the third stop zone (48) when the pin (60) concerned takes the delivery position (L). 10. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electronic card (20) comprises means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (26) capable of transmitting information representative of the position (PI, P2) of the actuating member (5). 11. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the auxiliary device (10) comprises an autonomous and / or rechargeable electrical supply (13) for supplying the electronic card (20) and / or the means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (26) as defined in claim 10. 12. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pins (60) are movable independently of each other. 13. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supervisory position (S) is located above the alert position (A) on the horizontal axis when the auxiliary device (10) is positioned relative to the electrical protection devices (1) so as to be associated with them. 14. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, when the actuating member (5) takes the first position (PI) and the pin (60) takes the supervisory position (S ), the head (61) of the pin (60) concerned is spaced from the actuating member (5). 15. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said pin (60) comprises at least a first part (63) carrying the head (61) and a second part (65) capable of sliding in the housing (42), the first part (63) being fixed to the second part (65) reversibly. 16. Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the fixing interface (50) is suitable and intended to be fixed to the faceplate (6) and comprises at least one latching element ( 52) able to be snapped onto a projection (6a) projecting from one face of the faceplate (6). 17 Auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it further comprises an electric field sensor (70) capable of detecting a variation of electric field coming from at least one connection terminal (B ) at least one of the electrical protection devices (1) with which the auxiliary device (10) is associated. 18. Auxiliary device according to claim 17, characterized in that the electric field sensor (70) comprises an antenna (72), the antenna (72) preferably being made by a metal wire. 19. Auxiliary apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the antenna (72) is produced by a metal wire comprising two ends (74, 76), a first end (74) of said ends (74, 76) being connected to the electronic card (20) and a second end (76) of said ends (74, 76) being a free end. 20. Auxiliary apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the electric field sensor (70) further comprises a voltage filtering system and an amplifier arranged on the electronic card (20), the amplifier being on the one hand connected to the first end (74) of the antenna (72) and on the other hand connected to the voltage filtering system. 21. Auxiliary apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the voltage filtering system comprises a low-pass filter with cut-off frequency between 50 Hz and 100 Hz. 22. Auxiliary apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the antenna (72) extends essentially in parallel to the electronic card (20) and / or along one of the sides of the electronic card (20). 23. Electrical protection system, comprising a plurality of electrical protection devices (1) comprising a housing (3) comprising at least one first wall (4) from which protrudes an actuating member (5) movable between a first position (PI) and a second position (P2), and an auxiliary device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 22 associated with the plurality of electrical protection devices (1), the electrical protection system comprising, where appropriate, a faceplate (6) covering the plurality of electrical protection devices (1), an electrical protection system in which the attachment interface (50) of the auxiliary device is either attached to the first wall ( 4) of the housing (3) of at least one of the plurality of electrical protection devices (1), is fixed to the faceplate (6). 24. Electrical protection system according to claim 23, characterized in that at least one of the electrical protection devices (1) comprises at least one connection terminal (B), the auxiliary device (10) being an auxiliary device ( 10) according to any one of claims 17 to 22, the electric field sensor (70) of Γ auxiliary device (10) being arranged near the connection terminal (B), in order to be able to detect a variation of electric field from of the connection terminal (B).