JP4337660B2 - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly, to a circuit breaker that operates according to a product model set on a nameplate among various products.

There are many types of circuit breakers such as pre-alarm circuit breakers, earth leakage circuit breakers, earth leakage alarm circuit breakers, earth leakage pre-alarm circuit breakers, ground fault circuit breakers, and ground fault alarm circuit breakers.
Since it is difficult to manage inventory when designing electronic circuits exclusively for each product model, conventional circuit breakers share a common board (hardware) for similar products, such as dip switches. The model setting means was provided, and the model setting value was read by software, so that the product model was selected and different operations were performed for each model. For model setting, the operator set the model setting means when assembling the product, and then affixed the nameplate corresponding to the set model. Patent Document 1 discloses a name plate displaying the type and specifications of a circuit breaker.

JP-A-8-255549

In a conventional circuit breaker, during manufacture, an operator sets a wrong dip switch as a model setting means (such as the dip switch being set at an intermediate position), or the nameplate to be attached by the operator is different. Due to a mistake, the product model selected by the model setting means may differ from the product model name written on the nameplate attached to the product, and the circuit breaker will not operate according to the product specifications stated on the nameplate. There was a problem.
It is possible to confirm the operation of the product model by performing a series of tests to confirm the product model after attaching the nameplate, but new test equipment and test time are required for this purpose, and the circuit breaker is required. Manufacturing time is delayed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a circuit breaker that operates according to a product model set on a nameplate from various products.

  In the circuit breaker according to the present invention, the nameplate includes a model setting portion area having a shape corresponding to the product model of the circuit breaker, and the board is connected to the nameplate according to the shape of the model setting portion area. The model reading unit that generates the first signal is provided, and the electronic circuit unit provided on the substrate selects the product model of the circuit breaker based on the first signal from the model reading unit.

  In the circuit breaker according to the present invention, the nameplate includes a model setting section area having a shape corresponding to the product model of the circuit breaker, and the board is based on the shape of the model setting section area in combination with the nameplate. A model reading unit that generates a first signal in accordance with a conduction state is provided, and an electronic circuit unit provided on the board has conventionally been selected by selecting a product model of a circuit breaker based on the first signal from the model reading unit. Since the setting of the model setting means is not required, the problem between the nameplate and the model setting means is solved, and the circuit breaker can operate according to the product model set on the nameplate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the figure, 1 is a wiring circuit, 2 is a contact, 3 is a current transformer, 4 is a zero-phase current transformer, 5 and 6 are burden circuits, 7 is a waveform shaping circuit, 8 is an A / D conversion circuit, and 9 is a micro A computer 10 is a tripping circuit, 11 is an alarm output circuit, 12 is a model reading unit, and 13 is a nonvolatile memory. A load 14 such as a personal computer and a transformer are connected to the circuit breaker. Although not shown in the figure, the transformer is connected to the wiring circuit 1 at the top of the drawing.
The current flowing through the wiring circuit 1 is detected by the current transformer 3 and converted into a voltage signal by the burden circuit 5. Further, the leakage current of the wiring circuit 1 is detected by the zero-phase current transformer 4 and converted into a voltage signal by the burden circuit 6. Each voltage signal is waveform-shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 7 and converted into a digital value by the A / D conversion circuit 8. In the microcomputer 9, the current value and the leakage current value are calculated based on the digital value converted by the A / D conversion circuit 8. The nonvolatile memory 13 stores values calculated by the microcomputer 9 and information necessary for the microcomputer 9 to control each circuit.
The model reading unit 12 includes 8-bit terminals (electrodes b0 to b7), and one of each electrode pair is connected to a power source (for example, 5V). The other of the electrode pairs is connected to the microcomputer 9 and grounded (for example, 0 V) through a resistor.
The zero-phase current transformer 4 is for measuring a leakage (ground fault) in the wiring circuit 1 and uses three lines passing through the zero-phase current transformer 4. Passes all three lines but does not touch. One current transformer 3 is used per wiring circuit 1. Since the circuit breaker measures current for three phases, similar current transformers are required for the other two phases (three are required in total), but the other two phases are omitted in the drawing.

The microcomputer 9 recognizes which model is an electronic circuit breaker, earth leakage breaker, earth leakage alarm breaker or the like based on a signal from the model reading unit 12 at the time of circuit startup or periodically. The product model is selected based on this recognition.
Among the electrodes b0 to b7 of the model reading unit 12, the electrodes b0 to b7 corresponding to the positions where the slits of the model setting unit to be described later are provided are not short-circuited, and there is no voltage (0V) as an output, while the slits are provided. The electrodes b0 to b7 corresponding to the positions that are not present are short-circuited, and a voltage is present (5 V) as an output. The microcomputer 9 refers to a comparison table (definition of combination of output voltage and corresponding model) according to the combination of presence / absence of output voltages from the electrodes b0 to b7, and the circuit breaker model Is selected.

First, the case of an electronic circuit breaker will be described.
When the product model selected based on the signal from the model reading unit 12 is an electronic circuit breaker, the circuit breaker starts timed counting when the current flowing through the wiring circuit 1 exceeds the rated value. When the time count exceeds a predetermined value, the microcomputer 9 outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit 10, and the trip circuit 10 opens the contact 2 to trip (trip) the circuit breaker. .

Next, the case of an earth leakage breaker will be described.
When the product model selected based on the signal from the model reading unit 12 is a leakage breaker, the circuit breaker starts timed counting when either the current flowing in the wiring circuit 1 or the leakage current exceeds the rated value. . When the time count exceeds a predetermined value, the microcomputer 9 outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit 10, and the trip circuit 10 opens the contact 2 to trip the circuit breaker.

Next, the case of a ground fault alarm circuit breaker will be described.
When the product model selected based on the signal from the model reading unit 12 is an earth leakage alarm circuit breaker, the circuit breaker starts timed counting when the current flowing through the wiring circuit 1 exceeds the rated value. When the time count exceeds a predetermined value, the microcomputer 9 outputs a trip signal to the trip circuit 10, and the trip circuit 10 opens the contact 2 to trip the circuit breaker.
When the leakage current flowing through the wiring circuit 1 is greater than or equal to the rated value, the time count is started. When the time count exceeds a predetermined value, the microcomputer 9 outputs an alarm output signal to the alarm output circuit 11.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a name plate of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, (a) shows the front surface of the nameplate, (b) shows the back surface of the nameplate, and (c) shows the side surface of the nameplate. Although not shown in the drawing, the product specifications of the circuit breaker such as the product model name (model name) and current value of the electronic circuit breaker, earth leakage breaker, earth leakage alarm breaker, etc. are displayed on the surface of the nameplate. The nameplate 15 is provided with a total of six holes 16 in the upper and lower directions for allowing screws to be described later to pass therethrough. On the back surface of the nameplate 15, there is a model setting area 17 and a recess slit 18 is provided.
In many cases, the nameplate 15 is provided with a setting unit for a cut-off current value, but the description thereof is omitted here.

The material of the nameplate 15 is, for example, a conductive material such as aluminum or steel, and the appearance is formed of a plate material having a width of 100 mm, a length of 180 mm, and a thickness of 2 mm. In the figure, three slits 18 are provided, but the shape (the number of slits) of the slits 18 in the model setting area 17 is made different depending on the product model of the circuit breaker. The slit 18 is formed by press work, for example.
Depending on the product model, the slits 18 are one for an electronic circuit breaker, two for an earth leakage breaker, and three for an earth leakage alarm breaker. Is provided. The slit 18 is formed by pressing from the back surface of the nameplate 15 to a predetermined position at a corresponding portion of the model setting area 17. The press work is stopped at a predetermined position (depth) without penetrating the surface so that impurities such as dust do not enter from the surface of the nameplate 15.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit breaker substrate according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, (a) shows the front surface of the substrate, and (b) shows the back surface of the substrate. FIG. 3B shows the components at positions viewed from the surface of the substrate for convenience of explanation. A model reading unit 12 is provided on the front surface, and an electronic circuit unit 20 (specifically, burden circuits 5 and 6, waveform shaping circuit 7, A / D conversion circuit 8, microcomputer 9, tripping device is provided on the back surface. The electronic circuit portion of the circuit 10, the non-volatile memory 13, and all or part of the alarm output circuit 11) are mounted. The model reading unit 12 includes electrodes b0 to b7 as shown in FIG. The board 19 is provided with holes 21 through which screws, which will be described later, pass in positions corresponding to the holes 16 of the nameplate 15 at a total of six locations. The electronic circuit unit 20 is arranged so as not to protrude from the substrate 19 to the nameplate 15 side.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the nameplate and the substrate of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are combined. For convenience of explanation, the thickness of the nameplate 15 is shown as being thicker than the actual ratio. (A) shows the surface and (b) shows the side surface.
In the figure, the electrodes b7 to b3 of the model reading section 12 on the substrate surface are in contact with each other because there is no slit in the model setting section area 17 of the nameplate 15, and both electrodes are made conductive by the conductive nameplate 15 (micrometer). A power supply potential is input to each computer 9). On the other hand, the electrodes b2 to b0 of the model reading unit 12 are not in contact with each other due to the slit 18 in the model setting unit region 17, and both electrodes are non-conductive (the ground potential is input to the microcomputer 9 respectively). ) The microcomputer 9 reads the conduction state of these electrodes b0 to b7 to select a product model corresponding to the combined nameplate 15 from various circuit breakers.
Note that FIG. 4 has been described with an example in which three slits 18 are provided. However, there are various types of circuit breakers, and the number of slits varies as described above according to the product model such as an electronic circuit breaker, a leak breaker, a leak alarm breaker, and the like. For example, one slit (b0 is non-conductive, b1 to b7 are conductive) at the position of the model setting area 17 of the nameplate 15 corresponding to the electrode b0, and the model setting area 17 of the nameplate 15 corresponding to the electrodes b0 to b1. 2 slits (b0 to b1 are non-conductive, b2 to b7 are conductive). By combining the nameplate 15 and the substrate 19, the conductive and non-conductive states of the electrodes b <b> 0 to b <b> 7 are read by the microcomputer 9. The non-volatile memory 13 stores the above-described comparison table. The microcomputer 9 selects the product type of the circuit breaker from the read conduction state with reference to the comparison table.
Further, when the nameplate 15 having a slit that does not correspond to the comparison table is combined with the substrate 19, by reading the signal from the model reading unit 12, the information of the product model based on the signal is obtained as the product model of the comparison table. The microcomputer 9 detects that the information is different from the information, and notifies the error from the alarm output circuit 11 under the control of the microcomputer 9.

The screw 22 is for fixing the nameplate 15 and the board 19, and in order to prevent non-contact between the model setting area 17 and the model reading section 12, the model reading section 12 or the model setting is set as much as possible. Arranged in the vicinity of the partial area 17.
Since the electronic circuit unit 20 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 19, when the name plate 15 is fixed to the substrate 19 with the screws 22, the substrate 19 and the name plate 15 are brought into close contact with each other, and the electrodes b0 to b7 are reliably in contact with each other. 20 can be prevented from being touched or damaged by the nameplate 15. Furthermore, since the electronic circuit unit 20 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 19, a flat substrate 19 can be used.
Here, the nameplate 15 and the substrate 19 are provided on the outer surface of the circuit breaker, that is, the surface of the case of the circuit breaker or the surface of an accessory device provided on the circuit breaker.

The microcomputer 9 once reads the contents set by the model setting section area 17 and stores the information in the nonvolatile raw memory 13. Thereafter, the microcomputer 9 and other circuits of the circuit breaker operate in accordance with the product model stored in the nonvolatile raw memory 13. Since the circuit breaker is used for a long period of time, such as an expected life of 15 years, the adhesiveness of the nameplate 15 and the contact between the nameplate 15 and the substrate 19 are reduced due to secular change, Due to the use in the environment, there is a possibility that impurities enter between the model setting unit area 17 and the model reading unit 12 and become non-contact. Even in such an environment, since the operation is based on the product model information once read from the model reading unit 12 and stored in the nonvolatile raw memory 13, it does not malfunction for many years.
Further, when the microcomputer 9 periodically reads the product model information from the model reading unit 12, the product model information already stored in the nonvolatile raw memory 13 due to disconnection of the nameplate 15 and the substrate 19, etc. When information on a different product model is read or there is no signal from the model reading unit 12, the microcomputer 9 detects this and controls the alarm output circuit 11 to notify an error.

The above-described nameplate 15 is formed of a conductive material, and a different number of slits 18 are provided by pressing depending on the product model. However, the nameplate 15 is made of a non-conductive material such as acrylic. On the back surface, a conductive material such as conductive ink may be provided in the position where the slit 18 of the model setting portion region 17 is provided without pressing. Depending on the product model, the number of conductive inks to be arranged is different (for example, 1 for an electronic circuit breaker, 2 for a leakage breaker, 3 for a leakage alarm breaker) The microcomputer 9 selects the product model accurately with reference to the comparison table based on the output signals of the electrodes b0 to b7 depending on the presence or absence of the conductive ink, depending on the combination of the nameplate 15 and the substrate 19.
The nameplate 15 may be fixed by bonding to the substrate 19 or may be fixed with screws as described above. Further, by making the contact area of the nameplate 15 with the substrate 19 larger than the area of the model setting area 17, it is possible to prevent non-contact between the model setting area 17 and the model reading section 12 due to secular change. It becomes possible.
As described above, in the first embodiment, the circuit breaker operates according to the product model set on the nameplate.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a name plate of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, (a) shows the front surface of the nameplate 23, (b) shows the back surface of the nameplate 23, and (c) shows the side surface of the nameplate 23. The nameplate 23 uses a non-conductive material such as acrylic, and only the model setting area 24 is made conductive with conductive ink or the like. The impedance of the model setting unit region 24 is changed by changing at least one of the area, volume, and conductive material of the model setting unit region 24 according to each model of the circuit breaker. As shown on the side surface of the name plate 23, the model setting area 24 is formed from the back surface of the name plate 23 to a predetermined position.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. A difference from the circuit breaker of FIG. 1 is that a model reading unit 25 is provided, and the model reading unit 25 is connected to the A / D conversion circuit 8. The other parts are the same as those shown in FIG. Similarly to the configuration of FIG. 3, a model reading unit 25 and an electronic circuit unit are provided on each surface of the substrate. The model reading unit 25 includes only a pair of electrodes, and is connected to the microcomputer 9 via the A / D conversion circuit 8. When the nameplate 23 and the board are combined, the model reading unit 25 and the model setting unit region 24 come into contact with each other. An output signal corresponding to the impedance of the model setting unit area 24 is output from the model reading unit 25 to the A / D conversion circuit 8. The output signal is A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 8. The converted signal is output from the A / D conversion circuit 8 to the microcomputer 9, and the microcomputer 9 selects the model of the circuit breaker as in the first embodiment. Information on the selected product model is stored in the nonvolatile memory 13.
Note that the nameplate 23 and the substrate are fixed by bonding or screws.
As described above, in the second embodiment, the circuit breaker operates according to the product model set on the nameplate. Furthermore, compared to the first embodiment, the number of connections by signal lines between the model reading unit 25 and the microcomputer 9 can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a name plate of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, (a) shows the front surface of the nameplate 26, (b) shows the back surface of the nameplate 26, and (c) shows the side surface of the nameplate 26. The material of the nameplate 26 may be either conductive or non-conductive, but a hard material (such as iron) that hardly changes over time is selected. As in the first embodiment, the shape (number of slits 29) of the slits 29 in the model setting area 28 is changed according to the product model of the circuit breaker. Reference numeral 27 denotes a hole through which a screw passes, and a total of six holes are provided on the name plate 26.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit breaker substrate according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, (a) is the front surface of the substrate 30, and (b) is the back surface of the substrate 30. FIG. 8B shows the components at positions viewed from the surface of the substrate for convenience of explanation. The difference from the model reading unit 12 of the substrate 19 in FIG. 3 is that the electrodes b0 to b7 of the model reading unit 31 have a switch function. For example, a compression connector. Reference numeral 32 denotes six holes through which the screw passes.

FIG. 9 is a diagram in which the nameplate and the substrate of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention are combined. In the figure, (a) shows the surface and (b) shows the side surface. The electrodes (switches) b <b> 3 to b <b> 7 of the model reading unit 31 are pushed by a portion of the model setting unit region 28 of the nameplate 26 where the slit 29 is not provided, and become conductive. The electrodes (switches) b <b> 0 to b <b> 2 of the model reading unit 31 are not pushed due to the presence of the slit 29 in the model setting unit region 28, and become non-conductive. Based on the open / close state of the switches of the electrodes b0 to b7 according to the product model, the microcomputer 9 reads the signal generated by the model reading unit 31 and selects the model.
The six screws 33 are for fixing the nameplate 26 and the substrate 30. In order to prevent non-contact between the model setting section area 28 and the model reading section 31, as much as possible. It is arranged near the model reading unit 31 or the model setting unit area 28.
As described above, in the third embodiment, the circuit breaker operates according to the product model set on the nameplate.

It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the nameplate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the board | substrate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure with which the nameplate and board | substrate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 1 of this invention were combined. It is a figure which shows the nameplate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the nameplate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the board | substrate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the figure which the nameplate and board | substrate of the circuit breaker in Embodiment 3 of this invention combined.

Explanation of symbols

1 Wiring circuit, 2 contacts, 3 current transformer, 4 zero phase current transformer, 5 burden circuit, 6 burden circuit, 7 waveform shaping circuit, 8 A / D conversion circuit, 9 microcomputer, tripping circuit, 11 alarm Output circuit, 12 Model reading section, 13 Non-volatile memory, 14 Load, 15 Name plate, 16 holes, 17 Model setting section area, 18 Slit, 19 Substrate, 20 Electronic circuit section, 21 holes, 22 Screws, 23 Name plate, 24 models Setting section area, 25 Model reading section, 26 Name plate, 27 holes, 28 Model setting section area, 29 Slit, 30 Substrate, 31 Model reading section, 32 holes, 33 Screws.

Claims (11)

In a circuit breaker having a nameplate and a board provided with an electronic circuit part that opens a contact based on a current value in a wiring circuit,
The nameplate includes a model setting area having a shape corresponding to the product type of the circuit breaker,
The board includes a model reading unit that generates a first signal according to a conduction state based on the shape of the model setting unit region, in combination with the nameplate,
The circuit breaker, wherein the electronic circuit unit provided on the substrate selects a product model of the circuit breaker based on the first signal from the model reading unit.   2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the model setting section area is a slit provided according to the product model.   3. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the model reading unit includes an electrode, and generates the first signal based on a conduction state of the electrode according to presence or absence of the slit.   The said electrode has a switch part, The said 1st signal is produced | generated based on the conduction | electrical_connection state of the said electrode by the said switch part being opened and closed according to the presence or absence of the said slit. Circuit breaker.   2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the nameplate is made of a non-conductive material, and the model setting portion region is a conductive material having a shape corresponding to the product model.   The circuit breaker according to claim 5, wherein the model reading unit includes an electrode, and generates the first signal based on a conduction state of the electrode according to a shape of the conductive material.   The electronic circuit unit includes an A / D conversion circuit that performs A / D conversion on the first signal, and a microcomputer that selects a product model based on an output from the A / D conversion circuit. The circuit breaker according to claim 6.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit unit includes a memory for storing information on a product model of the selected circuit breaker. The electronic circuit unit detects a difference between the product model information stored in the memory and the product model information based on the first signal from the model reading unit;
9. The circuit breaker according to claim 8, further comprising an alarm output circuit for notifying an error under the control of the microcomputer.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the model reading unit is provided on a main surface of the substrate, and the electronic circuit unit is provided on a back surface of the main surface. 2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the nameplate and the board have holes, and the nameplate and the board are combined by screwing the holes to the holes.

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