GB2498745A

GB2498745A - Selective simultaneous operation of plural switches

Info

Publication number: GB2498745A
Application number: GB1201264.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Allan Davidson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-26
Filing date: 2012-01-26
Publication date: 2013-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-26
Also published as: GB2498745B; GB201201264D0

Abstract

A device for operating a plurality of circuit breakers arranged in a unit comprises plural operating elements 8 each engaging an actuating element (fig 1, 3) of one circuit breaker. A master switch (fig 2, 6) is mechanically connected to the operating elements and operates them simultaneously to switch the corresponding circuit breakers on or off. The operating elements 8 are removable from the device to allow selection of the circuit breakers to be engaged. The master switch can be operated manually and slide or pivot on a support attached to the front of a consumer unit. Operating elements 8 can be on the side opposite to the master switch, following its motion. Connections between operating elements 8 and the rest of the device can be arranged to be broken or disconnected by attempting to switch the master switch on when the circuit breaker it engages is tripped.

Description

I

ELECTRIC SWITCHES

Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a device for operating electric switches.

[0002] In order to save energy in homes and other premises, when lights, appliances, etc are not required, in particular when the home is unoccupied, it is desirable to switch them off. It is inconvenient to do this separately for each individual item.

[0003] A consumer unit is provided with a main switch that can isolate the entire eTectricity supply. However, operating the main switch as an energy-saving measure would also switch off circuits usually desired to be left on, for example those powering heating, fire and intruder alarms, refrigerators and freezers.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to alleviate these problems, the present invention provides a device for operating a plurality of circuit breakers arranged in a unit, the device comprising a pTurality of operating eTements, each arranged for engagement with an actuating element of one of the circuit breakers, and a master switch mechanically connected to the operating eTements and arranged to operate the latter simultaneously to switch the corresponding circuit breakers on or off, the operating elements being removable from the device to allow selection of the circuit breakers to be engaged.

[0005] The master switch can be slidably or pivotally attached to a support fixable to a front of the unit, such as a cover. The operating elements may be arranged on a side of the master switch facing away from a manually operable part thereof and may be arranged to pivot therewith. The operating elements may comprise grips for gripping actuating elements in the form of levers.

[0006] A connection between each operating element and the device may be arranged to be disconnected or broken in the event of an attempt to switch the master switch on during a tripped state of the circuit breaker engaged by that operating element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0008] Figure 1 shows a known consumer unit; [0009] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, for use with the consumer unit of Figure 1; and [0010] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the device of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0011] Figure 1 shows a consumer unit 1 having a row of miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) 2. Each MCB is actuated by an actuating element in the form of a lever 3 movable from an upper "off" position to a lower "on" position. In the event of an overcurrent the MCB 1 trips and the lever 3 moves to the "off" position. The unit 1 is provided with a transparent cover 4 hinged to the unit.

[0012] Figure 2 shows a device according to the invention, in the form of a replacement hinged cover 5 for the unit 1. A master switch 6 with a forwardly extending master lever 7 is mounted centrally in the cover. In this example, the master switch 6 is slidable along an arcuate track centred on the axis of rotation of the MCB Tevers 3.

[0013] Figure 3 shows the rear side of the device. Grips 8, arranged in a row, are each removably connected to a rear part of the master switch 6. The grips 8 are aligned with the MCBs 1 and comprise upper and lower jaws 9 that grip the respective MCB levers 3 when the cover 5 is attached to the unit 1.

[0014] Before attaching the device to the unit 1, the user removes those grips 8 corresponding to the essential circuits that are not to be switched off. Once the device is attached to the unit 1, the remaining grips 8 engage their respective MCB levers 3. On raising the master lever 7, for example when the home is to be unoccupied, these grips raise the engaged MCB levers 3, switching the respective MCBs 1, and the corresponding circuits and appliances, off. The MCBs for the essential circuits remain on. When the unit 1 is to be brought back into full operation, the master lever 7 is lowered to switch the engaged MCBs 1 on again.

[0015] It will be appreciated that circuits not required at certain times can be conveniently deactivated in one operation using the invention, thus saving energy that would otherwise be consumed by lights, transformers, equipment on standby, etc. [0016] An engaged MCB 1 wilT trip, i.e. operate to break the circuit, in the normal way, in the event of an overcurrent caused by an overload or fault in the circuit.

Its lever 3 moves down to the off position, together with the master switch 6 and the other engaged MCB levers 3. If the user then returns the master lever 7 to the on position, the weak mechanical connection between the grip 8 of the tripped MCB 1 and the master switch 6 is disconnected so that the tripped MCB 1 remains off whilst the other engaged MCBs 1 are switched on. Once the fault has been investigated, the tripped MCB 1 can be separately reset by the user and its grip 8 replaced in the master switch 6.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A device for operating a plurality of circuit breakers arranged in a unit, the device comprising a plurality of operating elements, each arranged for engagement with an actuating element of one of the circuit breakers, and a master switch mechanicalTy connected to the operating elements and arranged to operate the latter simultaneously to switch the corresponding circuit breakers on or off, the operating elements being removabTe from the device to allow selection of the circuit breakers to be engaged.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the master switch is attached to a support fixable to a front of the unit.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the master switch is slidably attached to the support.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the master switch is pivotabTy attached to the support.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A device according to any preceding cTaim, wherein the operating elements are arranged on a side of the master switch facing away from a manually operable part thereof.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the operating elements are arranged to follow the motion of the manually operable part.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A device according to any preceding cTaim, wherein the operating elements comprise grips for gripping the respective actuating elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a connection between each operating element and the remainder of the device is arranged to be disconnected or broken in the event of an attempt to switch the master switch on during a tripped state of the circuit breaker engaged by that operating element.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A device for operating a plurality of circuit breakers arranged in a unit, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>