GB2356295A

GB2356295A - Distributor for plug-in rack, and plug-in rack without wires

Info

Publication number: GB2356295A
Application number: GB0026871A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christophe Weibel; Michel Krumenacker; Mickael Vernoit; Roger Dumont
Original assignee: Socomec SA
Current assignee: Socomec SA
Priority date: 1999-11-10
Filing date: 2000-11-03
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-03
Also published as: GB2356295B; GB0026871D0; FR2800927B1; FR2800927A1

Abstract

An electrical power distributor 10, for connecting one or more racks 20 to bus bars 30, comprises a printed power circuit having (in this case) two sets of current-carrying tracks having the same incoming feeders and distinct outgoing feeders. The incoming feeders (60) connect to the bus bars and the outgoing feeders (70, 70') connect to the racks. The printed circuit is immersed in an insulating case (16, Fig 7). The equipment 50 within the rack, which may be a fuse-switch, a contactor and a thermal relay, may be connected together with connectors rather than wiring.

Description

2356295 ELECTRICAL POWER DISTREBUTOR FOR PLUG-IN RACK AND PLUG-IN RACK The

present invention relates to an electrical power distributor for a plug-in rack on a 5 busbar in a main low-voltage switch cabinet for an industrial network. The invention also relates to a plug-in rack designed to cooperate with such a power distributor.

Electrical distribution in an industrial network, in particular, to supply motors or any other electrical equipment, is performed using distribution boards or distribution cabinets on or in which are plugged withdrawable racks containing the electrical control and protection devices making up the control module for each motor. The power supply is generally provided via the rear of the rack by means of clips or plugs or lugs which are,%Nired and plugged onto the current-carrying busbars distributing the electric energy in the cabinet. There are two of these busbars for a single-phase current, three for a three- phase current or four for a four-phase current. In the case of a control module for a motor, the rack can comprise, for example, a circuit breaker and a contactor, or a fuseswitch, a contactor and a thermal relay. The circuit breaker or the fuse-switch is controlled by an extended handle on the rack's front panel. A mechanical locking mechanism prevents this rack from being extracted when the circuit breaker or the fuse- switch is in the make position, i.e. when the motor is fed. In these racks, the clips, the plugs or the lugs, the electrical control and protection devices, as well as the output terminals to the motor are connected to one another by cable wires with a section adapted to the rated current of the control module for said motor.

This known technique presents numerous drawbacks. It requires wiring having to be done manually between the various devices, the power supply plugs and,the output terminals, generating a high manufacturing cost due to the time spent doing the wiring and to the parts required. As the wiring is done manually, the risks of errors being made are not excluded. Furthermore, the wires used for the wiring have a basic insulation which offers little electrical and mechanical protection. These cable Aires as well as their mechanical connections to the various devices, to the power supply plugs and to the 2 output terminals, are also sensitive to dust, vibrations, humidity and, if the case arises, to rodents, resulting in risks of ill-timed malfunctions which may lead to the electrical equipment downstream stopping, and therefore an industrial production stoppage for example.

The present invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an electrical power distributor which does away with all wiring and therefore any risk of a wiring error, which is simple to manufacture, economical, reliable, robust, insensitive to external attacks and which is easy to handle, with few tools and in complete safety. The invention also proposes a simplified plug-in rack, which does not require any wiring.

This aim is achieved by an electrical power distributor such as described in the preamble, characterised in that it comprises at least one printed power circuit provided with a current-carrying track for each busbar, each current-carrying track defining at least one incoming feeder and at least one outgoing electric current feeder, the incoming feeder comprising a supply terminal designed to be connected onto the corresponding busbar and the outgoing feeder comprising a distribution terminal designed to be connected onto said plug-in rack, said printed circuit being arranged in an electrically insulating case which said supply and distribution terminals come out of In a preferred form of embodiment of the invention, the distributor comprises two printed circuits arranged back to back, the two printed circuits comprising the same supply terminals but distinct distribution terminals, designed to be connected onto two distinct plug-in racks. These supply and distribution terminals can be the plug-in type.

These two printed circuits are advantageously arranged respectively on the front and rear sides of the same insulating plate. The printed circuit(s) can also be moulded in a block of insulating material forming said case.

This aim is also achieved by a plug-in rack designed to co-operate with such a power distributor, characterised in that it comprises a control module grouping together control 3 and protection devices for the electrical equipment of said industrial network, along with a connector emerging at the rear of said rack and designed to be connected to said distribution terminals of said distributor.

Said control and protection devices for a control module are, advantageously, connected to one another and to said connector by plug-in type plugs and sockets.

The present invention and its advantages shall be more fully disclosed in the following description of a form of embodiment given by way of a non restricted example and with 10 reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure I is a perspective and transparent view of a main switch cabinet equipped with a distributor and two racks according to the invention, is Figures 2A and 2B are top and bottom plan views of the printed circuit provided in the distributor, Figure 3 represents the electrical diagram for the distributor and the plug-in racks of the invention, Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views similar to Figures 2A and 2B of the printed circuit on which the supply and distribution terminals are mounted, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a set of distribution terminals, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a supply terminal, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the complete distributor of the invention, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of two plug-in racks connected to the distributor in Figure 7.

4 With reference to Figure 1, the invention relates to an electrical power distributor 10 designed to connect at least one plug-in rack 20, 20' onto a busbar 30 in a main lowvoltage switch cabinet 40 for an industrial network. The busbars 30 are generally arranged vertically in the main cabinet 40 and the number depends on the requirements of the industrial network located downstream. It can be two for a single-phase network, three for a three-phase network or four for a four-phase network. In the example shown, there are four of these busbars 30, i.e. three phases Pl, P2, P3 and a neutral N. To be absolutely clear, Figure I only illustrates one single power distributor 10 connected to two distinct plug-in racks 20, 20', mounted side by side on an L-shaped support 21 fixed to the inside of the cabinet. Each plug-in rack 20, 20' comprises a control module 50, 50' designed to feed electrical equipment, Eke for example a motor (not shown), provided in the electric network.

The power distributor 10 is described in detail with reference to Figures 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B and 7. It comprises two printed power circuits I I and I V arranged back to back. Preferably, a two-sided printed power circuit is used, i.e. comprising a single insulating plate 12, which is rectangular shaped, bearing on its front and rear side the currentcarrying tracks 13, 13' for each circuit 11, 11'. This insulating plate 12 is thick enough, a few millimetres, to ensure the electrical insulation between the two series of currentcarrying tracks 13, 13'formed by a layer of copper of approximately 400im taking into account the high currents, for example 3 2 A. Each printed power circuit 11, 1 V has a number of current-carrying tracks 13, 13' equivalent to the number of busbars 30. In the example shown, there are four of these tracks, i.e. three phases P I, P2, P3 and a neutral N. Each current-carrying track 13, 13' defines an incoming feeder 14 and an outgoing feeder 15, 15' for electric current. The incoming feeders 14 of the two printed circuits 11, 1 F are arranged on one of the longitudinal edges of the insulating plate 12, they are merged and each has a supply terminal 60 designed to be connected onto the corresponding busbar 30. The outgoing feeders 15, 15' of the two printed circuits 11, 1 F 30 are arranged on the other longitudinal edge of the insulating plate 12, they are distinct and each comprises a distribution terminal 70, 70' designed to be connected to the rear of the plug-in racks 20, 20'.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the two printed power circuits 11, 1 V corresponding to the front and rear sides of the insulating plate 12. The incoming feeders 14 of the current carrying tracks 13, 13' are common and are distributed to two series of outgoing feeders 15, 15' positioned respectively to the left and the right of the corresponding longitudinal edge of the insulating plate 12. The current-carrying tracks 13, 13' are arranged in such a manner that the incoming feeders 14 are distributed, on the one hand, to the outgoing feeders 15 to the left of the insulating plate 12 by the printed circuit I I located on the side illustrated by Figure 2A and, on the other hand, to the outgoing feeders 15' to the right of the insulating plate 12 by the printed circuit I V located on the side illustrated by Figure 2B. This'distribution keeps the order of the phases i.e., for example, from left to right: N, P3, P2 and P 1.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the printed power circuits 11, 1 V equipped with the supply terminals 60 mounted on the incoming feeders 14, overlapping the corresponding edge of the insulating plate 12, and the distribution terminals 70, 70' mounted on the outgoing feeders 15, 15', level with the corresponding edge of said plate 12. In this view, the insulating plate 12 comprises two slots 12' making it possible to house said distribution terminals 70,70'.

One. of the supply terminals 60 is shown in detail in Figure 6. It comprises a base 61 designed to be connected rigidly to an incoming feeder 14 by a through fixing device 62 to electrically connect the two printed circuits 11, 11'. This through fixing device 62 is, for example, a screw, a rivet or any other equivalent means, placed through a hole 63 provided in the base 61. To improve the electrical contact between the terminal 60 and the printed circuits 11, 11', the base 61 comprises a slot 64 which fits onto the insulating plate 12 and ensures an tight electrical contact with the two corresponding current carrying tracks 13, 13' when tightening the through fixing device 62. This supply terminal 6 comprises a plug 65 extending said base 61 and designed to fit into one of the busbars 30.

Figure 5 illustrates the distribution terminals 70, 70' of which there are four, in accordance with the example described. Each distribution terminal 70, 70' comprises a base 71 designed to be connected rigidly to an outgoing feeder 15, 15' by a through fixing device 72 to electrically connect the two printed circuits 11, 11'. This through fixing device 72 is, for example, a screw, a rivet or any other equivalent means, arranged through a hole provided in the base 71. As for the supply terminals 60, the base 71 comprises a slot 73 which fits onto the insulating plate 12 and ensures a tight electrical contact with the two corresponding current-carrying tracks 13, 13' when tightening the through fixing device 72. This distribution terminal 70 70' comprises a split plug 74 extending said base 71 and designed to plug into a male connector 80, 80' provided at the rear of a plug-in rack 20, 20'. The distribution terminals 70, 70' are housed in an insulating case 75 of the corresponding shape.

The male connector 80, 80' comprises four plugs 81 which can be fitted in the split plugs 74 of said distribution terminals 70, 70'. These plugs 81 are provided on an insulating support 82 mounted in the rear of the plug-in rack 20, 20' and comprise on the inside of this rack sockets 83 designed to feed the control module 50, 50'arranged in said rack.

To facilitate the connections, all the supply terminals 60, the distribution terminals 70, 70', the plugs 74, 81 and the sockets 83 are the plug-in type, i.e. making a quick connection possible, requiring no wiring nor any tools.

Figure 7 illustrates the power distributor 10 in its entirety, the printed circuits 11, 1 V, the incoming feeders 14 and the outgoing feeders 15, 15', along with part of the supply terminals 60 and distribution terminals 70, 70' being enclosed in an insulating case 16 which is parallelepiped shaped. Preferably, this case 16 is made of resin moulded around said printed circuits 11, 11', the plugs 65 of the supply terminals 60 and the distribution terminals 70, 70' remaining apparent and therefore accessible. The case 16 can also be 7 made up of a cover or two assembled flanges. Thus, the power distributor 10 obtained consists of a single piece, is compact, rigid, insulated, resistant and insensitive to external attacks and vibrations. Indeed, all the connections are immersed and therefore protected by the resin.

In the example shown, this power distributor 10 comprises two distant holes 17, provided on the side of the distribution terminals 70, 70' and designed to receive for example a locking screw 18, making it possible to mount said distributor 10 on the rear wall of the support 21 mounted in the cabinet 40 and designed to slidingly receive the plug-in racks 20.

As was previously explained, the power distributor 10 according to the invention offers the advantage of providing two distinct outgoing feeders 70, 70' with one single power supply 60. Thus, this distributor 10 makes it possible to double the number of outgoing feeders for the same main cabinet 40. Figure 8 illustrates in detail two plug-in racks 20, 20" according to the invention,. which are distinct, mounted side by side in an L-shaped support 21 and connected to the same distributor 10. Each plug-in rack 20,20' comprises a control module 50, 50' designed to feed, for 20 example, a motor or any other electrical equipment in the industrial network. Each control module 50, 50' comprises, for example, a fuse-switch 51, a contactor 52 and a thermal relay 53. The fuse-switch 51 is activated by a handle 54 which is accessible on the front panel of said rack 20. Each rack 20, 20' also comprises a grip handle (not shown) making it possible to put it in place in the support 21 and remove it. 25 The electric circuit in this example of an application is illustrated by Figure 3. The busbars 30 are symbolised by the phases Pl, P2, P3 and the neutral N, on which are connected the supply terminals 60 connected to the incoming feeders 14. The power distributor 10 is symbolised by a rectangle drawn in broken lines and comprises the two 30 printed circuits 11, 11' shown by the current-carrying tracks 13, 13' distributing the current for each incoming feeder 14 to two outgoing feeders 15, 15'. The two control 8 modules 5 0, 5 0' are each shown with a fuse-switch 5 1, a contactor 52 and a thermal relay 53 connected to one another and to the male connector 80, 80' by quick and direct connections, requiring no wiring nor any tools. It goes without saying that the control modules 50, 50' can comprise other electrical devices depending on the requirements, for example a circuit breaker can replace the fuse-switch and the thermal relay. The plug-in racks 20, 20' are symbolised by two adjacent rectangles, surrounding the two control modules 50, 50', and connected by the male connectors 80,80, to the distribution terminals 70, 70' connected to the outgoing feeders 15, 15'.

The power distributor 10 such as described can be offered for sale individually or already mounted in the cabinet 40 on the rear wall of the support 21 designed to receive the plug-in rack(s) 20, 20' depending on requirements. Thus, to prepare a main cabinet 40, all that is required is to assemble in a plug-in rack 20, 20' the electrical control and protection devices forming each control module 50, 50' by means of the quick connecting terminals, connect each module to the corresponding male connector 80, 80', and then insert the plug-in rack 20, 20'in the support 21 until its male connector 80, 80' is connected to the distribution terminals 70, 70' of the power distributor 10 already mounted in the cabinet 40 which is itself plugged onto the busbars 30. This operation is performed quickly, without any tools, with no risk of error as no wiring is required anymore, and it is completely safe for the personnel. Thus, it clearly appears that the invention makes it possible to achieve the goals set.

The present invention is of course not limited to the example of embodiment described and can be extended to any modification and alternative which is obvious for an expert.

The power distributor 10 according to the invention can be adapted to various applications or be equipped with accessory devices, if need be. For example, it can comprise an unlocking device arranged on the supply terminals 60 side and making it possible to gain access to the busbars 30 in case they are protected from being touched by a protection flap. Likewise, the terminals, the plugs, the connectors, etc. can be male or female depending on the configurations.

9

Claims

1. Electrical power distributor (10) for plug-in rack (20, 20') on a busbar (30) in a main low-voltage switch cabinet (40) for an industrial network, characterised in that it comprises at least one printed power circuit (11, 1 F) provided with a current-carrying track (13, 13') for each busbar (30), each current- carrying track definin& at least one incoming feeder (14) and at least one outgoing feeder (15, 15') for electric cur-rent, the incoming feeder comprising a supply terminal (60) designed to be connected onto the corresponding busbar and the outgoing feeder comprising a distribution terminal (70, 70') designed to be connected onto said plug-in rack (20, 20'), said printed circuit being arranged in an electrically insulating case (16) which said supply and distribution terminals come out of

2. Distributor according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises two printed circuits 15 (11 and I V) arranged back to back, the two printed circuits comprising the same supply terminals (60).

3. Distributor according to claim 2, characterised in that the two printed circuits (I I and I F) are arranged respectively on the front and rear sides of the same insulating plate 20 (12).

4. Distributor according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the distribution terminals (70, 70') of the two printed circuits (11, 1 V) are distinct and arranged to be connected onto two distinct plug-in racks (20,20'). 25

5. Distributor according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the printed circuit(s) (11, 1 F) are moulded in one block of insulating material forming said case (16).

6. Distributor according to claim 1, charactefised in that the supply and distribution 30 terminals (60) (70, 70') are the plug-in type.

7. Plug-in rack (20, 20') designed to co-operate with a power distributor (10) according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a control module (50, 50') grouping together control and protection devices (51, 52, 53) for electrical equipment in said industrial network, as well as a connector (80, 80') emerging at the rear of said rack (20, 20') and arranged to be connected to said distribution terminals (70, 70') of said distributor.

8. Rack according to claim 7, characterised in that said control and protection devices (51, 52, 53) in a control module (50, 50') are connected to one another and to said connector (80,80) by plug-in type plugs and sockets.