GB2171564A - Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals - Google Patents

Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2171564A
GB2171564A GB08501699A GB8501699A GB2171564A GB 2171564 A GB2171564 A GB 2171564A GB 08501699 A GB08501699 A GB 08501699A GB 8501699 A GB8501699 A GB 8501699A GB 2171564 A GB2171564 A GB 2171564A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
contactor
cover
cover member
housing
access
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08501699A
Other versions
GB8501699D0 (en
Inventor
Eric Albert Somerfield
Peter Ernstsons
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd filed Critical Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
Priority to GB08501699A priority Critical patent/GB2171564A/en
Publication of GB8501699D0 publication Critical patent/GB8501699D0/en
Publication of GB2171564A publication Critical patent/GB2171564A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/02Bases, casings, or covers
    • H01H9/0264Protective covers for terminals
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • H01R13/447Shutter or cover plate
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/22Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
    • H01R9/24Terminal blocks
    • H01R9/26Clip-on terminal blocks for side-by-side rail- or strip-mounting
    • H01R9/2625Clip-on terminal blocks for side-by-side rail- or strip-mounting with built-in electrical component

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

A contactor comprises two covers (14a, 14b) each in the form of a plate snap-fitted into engagement with the housing. Each cover is provided with three small bores (18) which, when the cover member is in position on the housing, lie directly above the terminals of the contactor. The size of the apertures (18) is such as to enable the terminals (20) to be engaged by an appropriate tool, such as an insulated screwdriver, to enable the wiring to the terminals to be changed, but not to permit manual engagement with the terminals (20) such as by the finger of an operative. A resilient portion (26) of cover 14(b) allows a starter contact (22) to be deflected into engagement with starter contact (24). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to contactors Description of Invention This invention is concerned with improvements relating to contactors, particularly of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) comprising a housing, parts of which may be secured together to enclose electro-magnetic switching mechanism and internal contacts of the contactor, and terminals by which external wiring may be connected to the contactor.
Conventionally the terminals are located in shallow recesses to reduce the likelihood of undesired manual contact: notwithstanding, manual contact with the terminal is possible, and it is one of the various objects of this invention to provide a means to improve the safety of contactors of the kind specified.
According to this invention there is provided a contactor of the kind specified comprising at least one cover member comprising means engagabie with the housing or with a part secured to or connected to the housing to enable the cover member to be secured in a position in which it significantly reduces access to at least one terminal of the contactor.
The impedance to access is preferably from the direction in which normal access to the contactor would be effected, such as generally normally towards a surface on which the contactor is mounted.
Preferably the cover member is provided with at least one aperture of a size and location such as to permit, when the cover member is in position, access to the terminal by an appropriate tool, such as an insulated screwdriver, to enable the wiring of the contactor to be changed, but which is of a size such as to prevent direct manual contact with the terminal.
Preferably the cover member when in position impedes access to the terminals of all the phases of the conductor, and preferably a plurality of apertures are provided in the cover member to permit access to the terminals by an appropriate tool.
Preferably two cover members are provided which are adapted to be engaged with the housing from opposite sides, and which are adapted to cover both terminals of said or each phase.
Alternative to being engaged with the housing, the cover members may be adapted to be retained in position on the housing by interengagement between themselves.
In addition, certain contactors of the kind specified comprise starter circuits which may be closed by movement of a spring contact member.
Conventionally, the spring contact member is depressed by a member which is operative through a cover assembly of the contactor, enabling the starter circuit to be closed without any risk. However when the cover assembly is removed, such spring contact member presents a significant potential safety hazard.
Preferably therefore, when the contactor comprises such a starter circuit, the cover emmber or one of the cover members comprises a portion adapted when the cover member is in position on the housing, to extend over the spring contact, to impede manual access to the spring contact when the cover assembly is removed. Alternatively the portion may be afforded by an ancilliary member clipped onto the cover member.
Preferably the portion is sufficiently resilient so as to enable the portion to be depressed on operation of the operative member, and to cause the spring contact member to be depressed and the starter circuit closed.
There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing, of a contactor which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.
The accompanying drawing is perspective view of the contactor which is the preferred embodiment.
The contactor which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing is a contactorofthe kind specified, comprising a housing assembly comprising two hollow housing parts 6a and 6b which enclose an electro-magnetic coil of the contactor, and internal contacts thereof. The housing parts are secured together in a conventional manner by two spring clips 8 (only one of which is shown) which may be removed from the housing, allowing separative movement of the housing parts to permit access to the interior of the contactor, e.g. for maintenance purposes.
Extending between outer side walls of each housing part is atop wall, 10a, lOb respectively, in an underside of which channels 12 are provided.
The contactor comprises two cover members 14a, 14b, each adapted to be engaged with the contactor from opposite sides thereof, the cover member being generally in the form of a plate adapted to be positioned between the outer walls of the housing part, and comprising formations 16 which are adapted to be engaged with formations (not shown) within the channels 12, to permit the cover member to be snap-fitted into engagement with the housing part. When so mounted on the housing parts, the cover members cannot be removed without damage, otherthan by separation of the housing parts.
Each cover member is provided with three small bores 18 which, when the cover member is in position on the housing, lie directly above the terminals of the three phases of the contactor. The size of the apertures 18 is such that to enable the terminals 20 to be engaged by an appropriate tool, such as an insulated screwdriver, to enable the wiring to the terminals to be changed, but not to permit manual engagement with the terminals 20, such as by the finger of an operative.
The contactor which is the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a starter circuit, which includes a spring contact member 22 connected to one of the terminals 20. In the normal operation of the starter circuit, the spring contact member 22 would be depressed by an operator member extending through the housing assembly, into engagement with a corresponding contact member 24.
To impede undesired engagement with the contact member 20, the cover member 14b comprises an extension portion 26, which when the cover member is snap-fitted in position on the housing part 6b, extends over the contact member 22. Desirably also, the cover member 14a is provided with a portion 28, into which an end part of the portion 26 extends, when both cover members are secured to the housing.
Preferably both cover members are moulded from plastics material, and the thickness of the portion 26, in conjunction with the physical properties of the plastics material used, is such as to enable the portion 16to be deformed, an action of the starter operator, into engagment with the spring contact 22, causing the contact member 22 to be deflected into engagement with the contact 24, and the starter circuit closed in conventional manner.
Alternative to the cover members being adapted for direct interfitting engagement with the housing parts, each cover member may be adapted for engagement with a part secured or connected to the housing, e.g. the other cover member. Thus, the channels 12 may extend completely through the top walls 10a and 1 Ob of the housing parts, and the formations 16 of the cover members may be such as to enable the cover members to be interlocked internally of the housing.

Claims (13)

1. A contactor of the kind specified comprising at least one cover member comprising means engagable with the housing or the parts secured to or connected to the housing, to enable the cover member to be secured in a position in which it significantly reduces access to at least one terminal of the contactor.
2. A contactor according to Claim 1 wherein impedance to access is from the direction in which normal access to the contactorwould be effected.
3. A contactor according to any of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the cover member is provided with at least one aperture of a size and location such as to permit, when the cover member is in position, access to the terminal by an appropriate tool, but which is of a size such as to prevent direct manual contact with the terminal.
4. A contactor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover member when in a position impedes access to the terminals of all the phases of the contactor.
5. A contactor according to Claim 4wherein the cover member is provided with a plurality of apertures to permit access to all the terminals by an appropriate tool, in accordance with Claim 3.
6. A contactor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two cover members are provided and which are adapted to cover both terminals of said or each phase.
7. A contactor according to Claim 6 wherein the two cover members are each adapted to be engaged with the housing from opposite sides thereof.
8. A contactor according to Claim 6 wherein the cover members are adapted to be retained in position on the housing by interengagement between themselves.
9. A contactor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover member or one of the cover members comprises a portion adapted when the cover member is in position on the housing, to extend over a spring contact, to impede manual access to the spring contact when the cover assembly is removed.
10. A contactor according to Claim 9 wherein said portion is afforded by an ancilliary member clipped onto the cover member.
11. A contactor according to one of Claims 7 and 8 wherein said portion is sufficiently resilient so as to enable the portion to be depressed on operation of the operative member, and to cause the spring contact member to be depressed.
12. A contactor constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB08501699A 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals Withdrawn GB2171564A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08501699A GB2171564A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08501699A GB2171564A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8501699D0 GB8501699D0 (en) 1985-02-27
GB2171564A true GB2171564A (en) 1986-08-28

Family

ID=10573302

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08501699A Withdrawn GB2171564A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2171564A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2218862A (en) * 1988-02-27 1989-11-22 Delta Circuits Protection Electrical supply control apparatus
GB2229579A (en) * 1989-03-22 1990-09-26 Magneti Marelli Spa "An electromagnetic switch for controlling the electric starter meter of an internal combustion engine"
GB2351189A (en) * 1999-05-01 2000-12-20 Campbell York Ltd Test terminal block (TTB) with reduced height connectors that are covered to prevent unintentional contact
EP1109264A2 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-20 Power Controls Iberica, SL Terminal protector for multipolar electrical devices
FR2805404A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-08-24 Mecelec Ind MATERIALIZATION ACCESSORY FOR A PROVISIONAL CONNECTION SPACE, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH AN ACCESSORY AND METHOD FOR CREATING A PROVISIONAL CONNECTION SPACE USING SUCH AN ACCESSORY
ES2161614A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-12-01 Power Controls Iberica Sl Terminal protection device for low voltage apparatus
EP1432077A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 Hager Electro S.A. Modular electrical apparatus having inclined connection sides
WO2012089350A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2012-07-05 Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG Collective connection apparatus

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB859634A (en) * 1958-03-20 1961-01-25 Vickers Aircraft Holdings Ltd An improved electric terminal block
GB861239A (en) * 1957-12-11 1961-02-15 Lucien Blanchet Improvements in or relating to electrical terminal assemblies
GB1163344A (en) * 1966-06-15 1969-09-04 Zumtobel Kg Improvements in or relating to Electrical Terminal Blocks
GB1211057A (en) * 1968-07-29 1970-11-04 Hego Electric Gmbh Clip-on terminal unit
GB1602349A (en) * 1977-09-28 1981-11-11 Schleicher Relais Terminal strip for the cover of an electrical appliance

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB861239A (en) * 1957-12-11 1961-02-15 Lucien Blanchet Improvements in or relating to electrical terminal assemblies
GB859634A (en) * 1958-03-20 1961-01-25 Vickers Aircraft Holdings Ltd An improved electric terminal block
GB1163344A (en) * 1966-06-15 1969-09-04 Zumtobel Kg Improvements in or relating to Electrical Terminal Blocks
GB1211057A (en) * 1968-07-29 1970-11-04 Hego Electric Gmbh Clip-on terminal unit
GB1602349A (en) * 1977-09-28 1981-11-11 Schleicher Relais Terminal strip for the cover of an electrical appliance

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2218862A (en) * 1988-02-27 1989-11-22 Delta Circuits Protection Electrical supply control apparatus
GB2229579A (en) * 1989-03-22 1990-09-26 Magneti Marelli Spa "An electromagnetic switch for controlling the electric starter meter of an internal combustion engine"
GB2229579B (en) * 1989-03-22 1993-08-25 Magneti Marelli Spa An electromagnetic device for controlling the supply of current to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine
GB2351189B (en) * 1999-05-01 2002-09-18 Campbell York Ltd Terminal block
GB2351189A (en) * 1999-05-01 2000-12-20 Campbell York Ltd Test terminal block (TTB) with reduced height connectors that are covered to prevent unintentional contact
ES2161614A1 (en) * 1999-07-13 2001-12-01 Power Controls Iberica Sl Terminal protection device for low voltage apparatus
EP1109264A2 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-20 Power Controls Iberica, SL Terminal protector for multipolar electrical devices
EP1109264A3 (en) * 1999-12-14 2004-12-08 Power Controls Iberica, SL Terminal protector for multipolar electrical devices
FR2805404A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-08-24 Mecelec Ind MATERIALIZATION ACCESSORY FOR A PROVISIONAL CONNECTION SPACE, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH AN ACCESSORY AND METHOD FOR CREATING A PROVISIONAL CONNECTION SPACE USING SUCH AN ACCESSORY
EP1130685A2 (en) * 2000-02-18 2001-09-05 Mecelec Industries Accessory for materializing a space for a provisional connection
EP1130685A3 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-06-12 Mecelec Industries Accessory for materializing a space for a provisional connection
EP1432077A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-23 Hager Electro S.A. Modular electrical apparatus having inclined connection sides
FR2849290A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-25 Hager Electro ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OF THE MODULAR TYPE WITH INCLINED CONNECTION FACES
WO2012089350A1 (en) * 2010-12-27 2012-07-05 Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG Collective connection apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8501699D0 (en) 1985-02-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)

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