GB2152775A - Reversed conductors auto-tripping system - Google Patents
Reversed conductors auto-tripping system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2152775A GB2152775A GB08429895A GB8429895A GB2152775A GB 2152775 A GB2152775 A GB 2152775A GB 08429895 A GB08429895 A GB 08429895A GB 8429895 A GB8429895 A GB 8429895A GB 2152775 A GB2152775 A GB 2152775A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- neutral
- earth
- line
- conductors
- winding
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/26—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents
- H02H3/32—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors
- H02H3/33—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers
- H02H3/338—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors using summation current transformers also responsive to wiring error, e.g. loss of neutral, break
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Breakers (AREA)
Abstract
A single-phase earth leakage circuit breaker which additionally detects reversal of the line (L) and neutral (N) conductors includes a transformer (1) having first and second opposed windings (WDG1,2) coupled to the line and neutral conductors, a third winding (WDG3) coupled to a trip device (5), and a fourth winding (WDG-D) connected between the neutral and earth conductors and including a threshold device, e.g. a neon lamp (4) which passes significant circuit when a predetermined voltage exists between the neutral and earth conductors for inducing a magnetic flux in the transformer sufficient to operate the trip device. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Reverse polarity auto-tripping system
This invention relates to a circuit breaker operative in response to a fault condition.
This kind of circuit breaker is of use in bi-phase systems comprising line, neutral and earth conductors and is particularly relevant to single pole devices where the interrupting contact is in this line. If upon installing a biphase system, the line and neutral wires are by accident reversed then a reverse voltage is created between the line and neutral wires. This reverse voltage can be detected and employed to operate a circuit breaker. With the increasing use of plug and socket residual current circuit breakers (RCCB) formerly known as earth leakage circuit breakers particularly those having a single switched pole and a solid through neutral, in supply systems where live and neutral and polarized by a nonreversible plug and socket system, it is necessaryto indicate and/or preventthe huse of such RCCB's when a socket outlet has been incorrectly wired.
The present invention provides a circuit breaker for a biphase system comprising line, neutral and earth conductorthe breaker comprising switch means for disconnecting first line conductor ofthe biphase system, meansfordetecting earth current leakage and operating the switch means in response thereto, and means coupled between the neutral and earth conductors for detecting reversal ofthe neutral and line conductors on operating the switch means in response thereto.
The present invention therefore provides a simple safe and effective means of ensuring wiring faults do not cause damage in a biphase system and prevents the use of appliances when connected via the circuit breaker to a supply having line and neutral reversal, by means ofthe circuit breaker's contact or contacts opening and interrupting the supply. In the prior art, when the live and neutral of the supply were reversed a single pole RCCB would only interruptthe neutral line in the event of an earth leakage fault, and ifthe earth fault is via the human body that person is no longer protected. By coupling the reverse polarity sensing means to the switch means the appliance supplied by the power supply will not operate and the user's attention can be drawn to the situation by an appropriate indication.
In addition the means for protecting reversal of the neutral and line conductors can provide a suitable mechanism for detecting by the disconnection of the neutral conductor or disconnection of the earth conductor, as will become apparent below.
Figure 1 shows an auto-tripping system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and
Figure 2 shows an auto-tripping system according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
The invention will be described in relation to a
residual current circuit breaker hereinafter called an
RCCB.
Figure 1 shows a magnetic core 1 of an RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) having fourwindingsWDG1-4wound around the core. The first and second windings WDG1 and WDG2 are connected in series with the live line Land neutral line N respectively. The fourth winding WDG4 has one end connected to the earth line E and the other end connected to the neutral line N via a sensor2 made up from a resistor3 and a neon 4 in series. When the neutral line N and live line L are reversed atthe input ofthe RCCB as shown by (L) and (N) in Figure 1 a current flows from (L) via the sensor 2 and WDG4to the earth line E which illuminates the neon 4 and causes a magneticfluxto be induced in the core 1 which in turn produces a voltage in the third winding WDG3.Thethird winding WDG3 is connected to a trip mechanism and a detection device 5 which is itself connected between the input neutral line N and live line L. When a voltage is produced in thethird winding WDG3 the detection device causes the trip mechanism to trip the RCCB and hence renders the RCCB incapable of being set while the reversal exists. The neon 4 remains illuminated conveying to the userthat the reversal needs to be rectified. The value for the fourth winding WDG4, the resistor3 and the neon 4are chosen to ensure sufficient output from the third winding WDG3 over the expected voltage operating range of the RCCB.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodimentsimilar compo- nents have been allocated the same numerals as shown in Figure 1, as shown there is a separate sensor 2from the neon 4 and resistor3 which are now used simplyto indicate polarity reversal. The resistor 3 and neon 4 are connected in parallel between the live line L and earth E so thatthe neon remains illuminated when the RCCB input is correctly wired and can be set or reset.In the case of a live and neutral reversal as shown by (L) and (N) the neon 4will be extinguished butthe sensor2 for both Figures 1 and 2 could be a neon which does not pass current below a given voltage and only conducts when a highervoltagefrom (L) to earth E is present Alternatively, any suitable device which only passes current above a certain voltage such as a voltage dependent resistor can be used, or provided that the relatively low current between the neutral line and earth can be tolerated, a standard resistor could be used.
When the inputto the RCCB is correctly wired and a loss of the neutral occurs the neon will again illuminate in the case of the embodiment shown in
Figure 1 due to the passage of current through the trip mechanism and detection device 5, the resistor 3, neon 4 and the winding WDG4to earth. Preferably this current can be used to trip the RCCB for as long as the neutral input is not present provided the RCCB is capable of tripping without a neutral input.
Similarly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the trip mechanism 5can also be triggered so as to trip the
RCCB in the event that the RCCB is correctly wired and with the loss of the neutral input.
In the case in either embodiment of the earth being missing from the input ofthe RCCB, the RCCB will not operate. The current will flowfrom the live line thrcugh the neutral line to the floating earth line and through the sensor2 and winding WDG4to the neutral line hence causing the trip mechanism to trip the SCCB if it has already been set.
Claims (6)
1. A circuit breakerfora biphase system comprising line, neutral and earth conductorthe breaker comprising switch means for disconnecting first line conductor of the biphase system, means for detecting earth current leakage and operating the switch means in response thereto, and means coupled between the neutral and earth conductors for detecting reversal of the neutral and line conductors on operating the switch means in response thereto.
2. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meansfordetecting earth current leakage comprises a transformer having first and second opposed windings coupled to the line and neutral conductors, a third winding coupled between the neutral and earth conductors and including a voltage threshold device for passing a significant current when a predetermined voltage exists between the neutral and earth conductors and a fourth winding coupled to a detection device which is responsive to flux created by significant current flow in the third winding to operate said switch means, said voltage threshold device and third winding constituting the line-neutral reversal detection means.
3. A circuit breaker according to claim 2wherein thethreshold deviceincludesa neon lamp.
4. Acircuit breaker according to claim 2 including a neon lamp connected between the earth and line conductorsfor providing an indication of correct wiring.
5. A circuit breaker substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 ofthe accompanying drawings.
6. A circuit breaker substantially as described with reference to Figure2oftheaccompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838331724A GB8331724D0 (en) | 1983-11-28 | 1983-11-28 | Reverse polarity auto-tripping system |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8429895D0 GB8429895D0 (en) | 1985-01-03 |
| GB2152775A true GB2152775A (en) | 1985-08-07 |
| GB2152775B GB2152775B (en) | 1986-12-03 |
Family
ID=10552470
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838331724A Pending GB8331724D0 (en) | 1983-11-28 | 1983-11-28 | Reverse polarity auto-tripping system |
| GB08429895A Expired GB2152775B (en) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-11-27 | Reversed conductors auto-tripping system |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838331724A Pending GB8331724D0 (en) | 1983-11-28 | 1983-11-28 | Reverse polarity auto-tripping system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8331724D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2162003A (en) * | 1984-05-05 | 1986-01-22 | Ashley Accessories Ltd | Earth leakage circuit breakers |
| WO1987001902A2 (en) * | 1986-02-10 | 1987-04-09 | Robert Birkmeyer | Protective circuit for electric apparatus |
| GB2201055A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1988-08-17 | Technology Res Corp | Ground fault current interrupter circuit with additional protection |
| GB2277417A (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1994-10-26 | Shakira Ltd | AC mains monitoring circuit |
| GB2295284A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1996-05-22 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Circuit breaker |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB830018A (en) * | 1957-03-13 | 1960-03-09 | Michael Cornelius Gerrard | Protective device for electrical circuits and apparatus |
| GB880238A (en) * | 1958-12-16 | 1961-10-18 | Michael Cornelius Gerrard | Protective arrangements for electric circuits and apparatus |
| GB981892A (en) * | 1960-07-07 | 1965-01-27 | Eduard Schrack | Earth fault circuit-breaker |
| GB1107879A (en) * | 1964-04-17 | 1968-03-27 | J A Crabtree Proprietary Ltd | Improvements in or relating to earth leakage protection devices |
| GB1498045A (en) * | 1974-01-03 | 1978-01-18 | Hansel Pty Ltd | Electrical protection circuit |
| GB2108339A (en) * | 1981-07-07 | 1983-05-11 | Secr Defence | Electric protective circuits |
-
1983
- 1983-11-28 GB GB838331724A patent/GB8331724D0/en active Pending
-
1984
- 1984-11-27 GB GB08429895A patent/GB2152775B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB830018A (en) * | 1957-03-13 | 1960-03-09 | Michael Cornelius Gerrard | Protective device for electrical circuits and apparatus |
| GB880238A (en) * | 1958-12-16 | 1961-10-18 | Michael Cornelius Gerrard | Protective arrangements for electric circuits and apparatus |
| GB981892A (en) * | 1960-07-07 | 1965-01-27 | Eduard Schrack | Earth fault circuit-breaker |
| GB1107879A (en) * | 1964-04-17 | 1968-03-27 | J A Crabtree Proprietary Ltd | Improvements in or relating to earth leakage protection devices |
| GB1498045A (en) * | 1974-01-03 | 1978-01-18 | Hansel Pty Ltd | Electrical protection circuit |
| GB2108339A (en) * | 1981-07-07 | 1983-05-11 | Secr Defence | Electric protective circuits |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2162003A (en) * | 1984-05-05 | 1986-01-22 | Ashley Accessories Ltd | Earth leakage circuit breakers |
| GB2201055A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1988-08-17 | Technology Res Corp | Ground fault current interrupter circuit with additional protection |
| WO1987001902A2 (en) * | 1986-02-10 | 1987-04-09 | Robert Birkmeyer | Protective circuit for electric apparatus |
| WO1987001902A3 (en) * | 1986-02-10 | 1987-09-24 | Robert Birkmeyer | Protective circuit for electric apparatus |
| GB2277417A (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1994-10-26 | Shakira Ltd | AC mains monitoring circuit |
| GB2277417B (en) * | 1993-04-19 | 1996-10-30 | Shakira Ltd | AC mains monitoring circuit |
| GB2295284A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1996-05-22 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Circuit breaker |
| GB2295284B (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1999-02-03 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Circuit breaker |
| CN1046055C (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1999-10-27 | 松下电工株式会社 | Circuit breaker |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2152775B (en) | 1986-12-03 |
| GB8331724D0 (en) | 1984-01-04 |
| GB8429895D0 (en) | 1985-01-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20011127 |