GB2171564A - Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals - Google Patents
Covers for limiting access to contactor terminals Download PDFInfo
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
- H01H9/0264—Protective covers for terminals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
- H01R13/447—Shutter or cover plate
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R9/00—Structural 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
- H01R9/22—Bases, e.g. strip, block, panel
- H01R9/24—Terminal blocks
- H01R9/26—Clip-on terminal blocks for side-by-side rail- or strip-mounting
- H01R9/2625—Clip-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.
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)
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)
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 |
-
1985
- 1985-01-23 GB GB08501699A patent/GB2171564A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
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)
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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