NL1027343C2 - Switch is for breaking current circuit and comprises housing with mechanical switch assembly for operation of contacts, short circuit current protection device for breaking current circuit in event of sudden very high circulating current - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch (50) is for breaking a current circuit and comprises a housing (31) with a mechanical switch assembly (3-7) for operation of contacts (7,35) and a short circuit current protection device (2) for breaking the current circuit in the event of sudden very high circulating current. It has an excess current protection device (11) which breaks the current circuit after a current above the normal value has circulated through the circuit during a predetermined period. An earth leak protection device (9,10,26) detects an earth leak current and breaks the current circuit when such a too high current is detected. The housing contains the mechanical switch assembly, the short circuit current protection device, the excess current protection device and the earth leak protection device. The housing has a predetermined standardized height and depth and its width has a maximum of 18 mm.

Description

Security vsslha Vftlflar

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a switch, such as a safety switch, for establishing or breaking a power circuit comprising at least one phase conductor, the switch comprising a housing in which a (electro) mechanical switch assembly (or drive mechanism) can be placed ) for driving contacts with which the current circuit is established or broken, a short-circuit current protection device which is arranged to break the current circuit in the event of a sudden very high current flowing through the phase conductor, an overcurrent protection device which is arranged to break the current circuit disconnect after a current above the nominal value has passed through the current circuit for a predetermined time and an earth leakage protection device which is arranged to detect an earth leakage current and to disconnect the current circuit in the case of an excessively detected earth leakage current.

Since the said safety devices and the electromechanical switch assembly cooperate with each other, they must be properly coordinated to ensure proper operation.

20 State of the art

For connecting electrical home installations, electrical installations in offices, companies, etc. to the (public) electricity grid, in practice use is made of electrical distribution boxes, also referred to as installation or switch boxes to which on the one hand the supply line of the electricity grid is connected and on the other hand the wiring of the electrical installation concerned. As an electrical installation becomes more extensive, it is divided into several, separate groups. For protecting the electrical installations in question against fire, dangerously contactable voltages, etc., short-circuit, overload and earth-fault current protections are used, which are preferably all accommodated in the installation cabinet 30. These protections can be provided as separate units, such as, for example, fuses, but also in combination with a switch, included in the installation cabinet, for example, double-pole switch, for separating the phase and neutral conductor of the electrical installation from the electricity grid, or a group of 1027343 2 installation concerned, whereby the switch can be operated manually or automatically under the influence of a fault current.

Since the number of electrical energy consuming equipment as well as the total decreased electrical power is constantly increasing and, in addition, the need for protection has also increased, not only has the number of switches per control cabinet increased, but the number of protection functions per switch has also increased.

Such a switch with several safety functions, as described in the preamble of claim 1 defined above, is known from the publication US-A-10 5,293,142. This document discloses a safety switch in which the various safety functions are accommodated in a casing with relatively small dimensions (DIN module) that are determined by the standardized dimensions of the installation or switch boxes. Due to the small dimensions of the switch housing, the possibilities for accommodating the required components are limited and special measures are required to avoid having to make the switch housing larger. In the switch shown here, no space is available within the standard size housing, so that there is no possibility of adding further elements. This housing is also larger than desired.

Another switch is known from the publication DE-A-101 02 708 with a mechanical operation of the switch contacts, the mechanical operation being energized by an overcurrent protection (in the form of a bimetal, or by a short-circuit current protection in the form of a magnetic actuator (or short-circuit current protection) .The elements of this protection switch are built into a single housing (or DIN module). Since these DIN modules have 25 standardized dimensions, there is no room for an earth leakage protection in the housing and the mechanism of this switch arranged so that this protection function is placed next to the module with the protection switch by means of a separate module and can intervene on the mechanism of that protection switch.

Another example in which a desired function is accommodated not in the switch housing but in the immediate vicinity is shown in the publication EP-A-0769197.

1027343 3

Because the number of electrical energy-consuming equipment in homes, offices and the like is constantly increasing, more and more groups are required per installation, while in addition the standardized dimensions of the installation or switch boxes remain the same. This means that there is not only a need for adaptation and arrangement of the protection functions such that they fit into the standardized switch envelopes, but there is also a tendency to further reduce the switch envelopes.

Summary of the invention The present invention seeks to provide an improved safety switch, in which both the primary function to be able to close or disconnect a circuit as desired as well as the protection functions against a short-circuit current, an overcurrent and an earth fault current are combined in a safety switch and in a housing is accommodated as compact as possible and whereby the primary function and the protection functions are optimally matched to each other so that correct operation of the protection switch is guaranteed under all circumstances. The invention also seeks to provide a switch that can be assembled more easily and quickly and which has a high degree of reliability.

According to the present invention, a safety switch of the type defined in the preamble is provided, wherein the mechanical switching assembly, short-circuit current protection device, overcurrent protection device and earth leakage protection device are included in one housing with a predetermined standardized (DIN) height (90 mm) and depth (50 mm), wherein the width is 18 mm. This makes it possible to place all the required parts of a switch 25 that are required for the extensive set of functionalities as described above in a single housing that occupies very little space.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the safety switch is provided with a support element which is placed in the housing, wherein parts of the mechanical switching assembly, short-circuit current protection device, overcurrent protection device and earth leakage protection device can be placed on the support element. This support element is designed in such a way that it serves in a simple manner as a mounting body, electrical and mechanical separation barrier between the phase and the zero part and also as a contact body 1027343 4 with which the various electrical connections between the components can be easily established.

It is noted that a mounting body is also known from EP 405 688 on which the various switch parts are mounted. However, this known mounting body 5 does not also serve as a contact body with which the electrical connections between switch parts can be established

From FR 2 752 479 a carrier element is furthermore known which also comprises electrical connections between different switch parts. However, this known support element does not contain a combination of connection areas and contact springs or clamp connections with which good and simple and quick electrical connections can be made. Furthermore, this known support element also does not contain the simultaneous function of electrical and mechanical separation barrier between the phase and the zero part.

In an embodiment of the invention, the current circuit further comprises a neutral conductor, and the parts associated with a phase side of the switch and the parts associated with a neutral side of the switch are placed on either side of the support element. As a result, the phase part and the zero part of the switch can be placed very close to each other, so that less volume is required for the switch. By placing "thick" parts and common parts in a recess or opening of the support element (for example a detection coil, an operating button, etc.), the depth of the switch can nevertheless remain small. The housing can also be split into two halves (zero side and phase side), which makes a very simple assembly of the switch possible.

Both the overcurrent protection device and the earth leakage protection device are coupled in one embodiment to a trip lever which powers the mechanical switch assembly for breaking the electrical circuit. Because functionally separated parts of the switch use a common part for energizing the switch assembly, the number of parts is limited, so that less space is required for the switch and proper operation can be better guaranteed.

A further space-saving measure is formed in that in one embodiment the switch comprises height-displaced connection terminals. The phase output and zero output and / or phase input and zero input lie diagonally above each other, whereby less width is required for the connections (for example screw terminal connections) of the switch.

In a further embodiment, the earth leakage protection circuit comprises a detection coil, an actuator and electronic components placed on a printed circuit board, and connections are made between detection coil, printed circuit board and actuator 10 with the aid of contacts and springs. Because no wire connections are required, the switch becomes more reliable and is easier to assemble.

By forming one or more electrical connections between parts of the switch by clamping metal parts in the support element, it is prevented that wires have to be used in the switch which have to be attached to the different parts (for example by soldering). For example, in the most extreme case only (soldered) wires may be required to the moving contacts of the switch, whereby the assembly of the switch can take place faster and more reliably.

In a further embodiment of the present switch, the shape of a printed circuit board with the earth leakage circuit breaker is such that it fits on the support element (for example on the zero side) on a space that is released by a detection coil associated with the earth leakage circuit breaker, an extinguishing chamber | and the short-circuit current protection.

By allowing the operating direction of the short-circuit current protection to be perpendicular to a contact surface between the fixed and the moving phase contact in the housing of the switch in a further embodiment, when the contacts are broken only an arc will occur with a minimum of energy, so that also an extinguishing chamber required for extinguishing that bow can be sized smaller.

In one embodiment, the short-circuit current protection comprises a coil whose ends form terminals of the short-circuit current protection, a core around which the coil is located, a yoke forming a magnetic circuit with the core, and an anchor movable in the core, which is held in the core by a spring, the anchor moving out of the core in the event that a current passes through the coil that is above a predetermined threshold value, wherein the excitation characteristic of the short-circuit current protection is determined by the characteristics of the coil and the characteristics of the coil feather. In this way, when assembling the switch, a suitable characteristic of the short-circuit current protection can be chosen, which makes a series of different products with largely the same components and structure possible. In a further embodiment, an assembly of core, spring, anchor and coil can be clicked into the yoke.

In a still further embodiment the switch further comprises an extinguishing chamber for extinguishing any arc occurring between the contacts, and discharging associated gases. The extinguishing chamber can be formed by a part of the housing, a part of the supporting element, and additional parts, such as a number of stacked parallel conducting plates with a special shape that split the arc into a number of sub-arcs that extinguish more easily.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to j

15 of a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached I

drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a phase side of a safety switch i according to an embodiment of the present invention; j

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a zero side of the protection switch I

20 of FIG. 1; ! i

FIG. 3 shows a detail view of a short-circuit current protection that can be used in the protection switch of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the safety switch of FIG. 1.

25

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a safety switch 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The safety switch 50 combines four functions in one: - The primary switch function to create or break a circuit; - Protection against short-circuit current; 1027343 7 - Flood protection; and - Protection against earth fault currents.

These functions are combined in a switch 50 suitable for mounting by means of a universal mounting rail, such as a DIN rail. As a result, for individual functions no separate elements or modules (switch, earth leakage protection, etc.) need to be placed side by side and electrically connected. Due to the special design and construction of the various components of the switch 50 according to the present invention, it is not only possible to realize the above functions within the standardized DIN-module housing with a height of 90 mm and a depth of 50 mm, but is it is even possible to further reduce the width of the switch 50, certainly in comparison with existing products. In one embodiment, the height of the switch is 90 mm and the width is 18 mm, with a total volume of 87 cm. Existing switches, such as the Alamat III series of two-pole switches with earth leakage circuit breaker from the applicant, have a total volume of 168 cm 3. Another type of single-pole circuit breaker of a known manufacture and type has a volume of 106 cm 3.

The safety switch 50 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 31 in two parts. In the top view of FIG. 1, a portion of the housing on the phase side of the switch 50 is omitted. In the top view of FIG. 2, which shows the zero side of the switch 50, the part of the housing 31 on the zero side is omitted. A supporting element 32 is placed on the inside of the housing 31. The various parts of the switch 50 are mounted on the support element 32. The support element 32 also forms a separation (electric and mechanical) between the phase side and the zero side of the switch 50. Only at the places where relatively thick elements are present, or elements that are present on both the phase and the zero side (such as detection coil 9 and on and off button 4 (see below), there is a recess in the support element. If relatively thick elements are present on, for example, only the phase side, such as short-circuit current protection 2 or extinguishing chamber 15 (see below), a recess may be provided in the support element 32. The support element also comprises contact areas where, with the aid of a compression spring or a clamping connection easily connectable and releasable electrical connections between the various components can be established as will be described in more detail below.

1027343 8

On the phase side (see Fig. 1) there is an incoming phase connection 1 for the provision of an electrical conductor. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this connection 1 has the form of a screw terminal connection, in which a connecting wire can be fixed electrically and mechanically. A conductor 60 (see description 5, Fig. 3 below) connects the connection 1 to a short-circuit current protection 2. The other connection 61 of the short-circuit current protection 2 carries the fixed contact 35 of the switch 50. The movable contact 7 (or phase contact) is via a wire 36 connected to an overcurrent protection 11 in the form of a bimetallic strip. If too long a current flows through the bimetallic strip 11 (for example in the case of a long-term current above the nominal value), it will bend due to the heat generated and activate a trip mechanism (see below). From the bimetallic strip, the phase is further led to an outgoing phase connection 12, to which an electrical conductor can be connected analogously to input phase connection 1.

On the zero side (see Fig. 2) there is an input zero connection 17 for the provision of an electrical conductor. This zero connection 17 is connected via a conductor to a fixed zero contact 37. The movable zero contact 19 is connected via a conductor 38 to an outgoing zero connection 21, to which again an electrical conductor can be connected. The zero connections 17.21 are, just like the 20 phase connections 1.12, designed as screw terminal connections.

The overcurrent protection 11 of the switch 50 can be adapted to different nominal current values by placing a bimetallic strip 11 with other properties. All other components (connecting conductors, mechanical bimetal setting 13) remain identical. This makes it possible to select a specific desired overcurrent protection when assembling the switch 50. The overcurrent protection is placed at the top of the switch 50 (in the installed state) because then the slightest influence through heat transfer or heat development on other components inside the switch itself takes place in the event of a (too) large current. As a result of the chosen configuration, much heat 30 is dissipated via the output phase connection 12 and the conductors connected thereto.

The short-circuit current protection 2 is of a conventional type with an anchor and a coil. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the short-circuit current protection 2. This comprises a conductor 60 which, when assembled, is electrically connected to the input phase connection 1, a coil-shaped conductor 62 and a conductor 61. These components are electrically connected to each other, for example by solder or welding connections. The fixed phase contact 35 is arranged on the conductor 61 at the correct position. The short-circuit current protection further comprises a core 64, around which the coil-shaped conductor 62 is placed and a yoke 63 which closes a magnetic circuit between the ends of the core 64. Inside the core an anchor 65 is placed which with a spring (located within the core) 64, not shown) is held in its normal position. As soon as the current through the switch 50 suddenly rises very high as a result of a short-circuit, the anchor 65 will move out of the core 64 depending on the switch-off characteristic of the short-circuit current protection 2, which is determined by the characteristics of the coil 62 and the spring. against the phase trip lever 5 (see below), whereby the moving phase contact 7 is pushed away from the fixed phase contact 35.

Only when assembling the final trip characteristic of the short-circuit current protection 2 need be selected, by choosing the shape of the coil 62 and spring. As a result, a large range of short-circuit current protection can also be achieved with a minimum number of basic components. In practice, short-circuit current protections are used with a range between 6 and 32 A, and with several types of trip characteristics (B, C or D, each slow or fast). With the present short-circuit current protection 2, all of these types can be manufactured by one of six types of coils. The short-circuit current protection 2 is constructed in such a way that it is possible by adapting the current-time characteristic to make the short-circuit current protection insensitive to high inrush currents of connected devices occurring in practice.

The short-circuit current protection 2 is arranged obliquely in the switch 50, so that optimum coordination takes place with the phase contacts 7.35 and an extinguishing chamber 15 (see below) for switching off. Due to the chosen orientation obliquely in the housing, the energizing direction of the core of the crust closing current protection 2 is perpendicular to the moving contact 7, the switch-off time is minimal and the force on the trip lever 30 is maximized so that a good operation is guaranteed. This also means that the energy released in the event of an arc is minimal, so that the requirements for the extinguishing chamber 15 can also be lower.

1027343 10

The extinguishing chamber 15 comprises the specially shaped connection 61 of the short-circuit current protection and an extinguishing element 33. The extinguishing element 33 comprises a number of conducting plates of special shape arranged parallel to each other. In the event of a circuit interruption, an arc will initially arise between the moving phase contact 7 and the fixed phase contact 35. A conductor 45, which is electrically connected to the overcurrent protection (bimetallic strip 11) and therefore at the same potential as the moving phase contact 7, ensures that the arc jumps and is then located between conductor 45 and terminal 61. From terminal 61, the arc passes to the extinguishing element 33, where it will split into the drawing to the right 10 into a number of arcs between the plates of the extinguishing element 33, after which the arcs will extinguish. The extinguishing element 33 is provided at the rear with a closing plate 34 which is provided with one or more passage openings. A blow-off opening 44 is present in the housing 31, through which hot gases caused by a formed arc can flow away from the housing 31. As a result of this gas flow, the arc will also be forced into the extinguishing chamber 15. The closing plate 34 is adaptable for different nominal currents, and can be easily arranged at the right place in the housing 31, so that the switch 50 can also be easily assembled in this respect for different types of nominal currents.

For the earth leakage protection use is made of a detection coil 9 which is connected to an earth leakage protection circuit on a printed circuit board 26. Both the conductor 36 from the phase circuit and the conductor 38 from the zero circuit run through the detection coil 9. If it is detected that the magnitude of the current through the phase circuit differs from that the zero circuit assumes that an earth leakage current exists, and the earth leakage protection circuit 26 drives an actuator 10 (trip system) that pushes a trip lever 14 away, causing the fixed and moving phase contact 7, 35 can be moved apart. Connection contacts 24 are provided on the support element 32, with which the detection coil 9 can be connected to the printed circuit board 26 on which the earth leakage protection circuit is arranged. Connection contacts 23 are also present which connect the earth leakage circuit breaker on the printed circuit board 26 to the trip system 10. This makes it possible to place the printed circuit board 26 on the zero side of the support element 32, and to place the trip system 10 on the phase side of the support element 32. .

1027343 11

The earth leakage protection circuit is located on the printed circuit board 26, which is shaped so that it fits into a flat space on the support element 32 that remains next to the spaces occupied by the relatively thick elements, such as the detection coil 9 (in an open space of the support element 32), the short-circuit current protection 2 (in a recessed space on the phase side of the carrier element 32) and the extinguishing chamber 15 (in a recessed space on the phase side of the carrier element 32). The printed circuit board 26 is preferably placed on the zero side of the support element 32.

The printed circuit board 26 can be fixed by means of holes and corresponding pins in the supporting element 32 or housing 31. Alternatively, the printed circuit board 26 can also be fixed with a clamping piece that can be placed in the housing 31, with which the printed circuit board 26 can the support element 32 is held. The clamping piece is preferably shaped such that between the clamping piece and the housing 31 a quenching chamber is formed for the zero contacts. In the case of the occurrence of an arc between the zero contacts 19, 37, the arc will then be pushed away and extinguished by the formation of hot gases and a flow thereof induced by the shape of the extinguishing chamber. For the sake of clarity, the clamping piece is not shown in FIG. 2, but the clamping piece covers the major part of the printed circuit board 26, and also a part of the support element 32 at the level of the zero contacts 19.37.

The electrical connections between the parts of the switch 50 are (as far as possible) formed by a combination of connection areas and contact springs, or by clamping connections in the support element 32. This makes it possible to establish a good electrical connection, and at the same time assembly of the switch 50 is very easy to keep as well as to avoid wiring that would otherwise require additional space in the housing.

The earth leakage protection can be tested with a test button 8, which causes a controlled fault current when it is operated.

The mechanism for operating the switch 50 is designed so that it optimally fits into a small space with a minimum of parts. The 30 most important parts are the on and off button 4, with which the switch 50 can be operated manually. Via a mechanism consisting of the phase trip lever 5, spring 3 and moving contact 7, the rotating contact 7 is brought into contact with the fixed phase contact when turning the on and off button 4 counterclockwise (in Fig. 1). The spring 3 also ensures that a contact force is exerted on the moving phase contact 7 when it contacts fixed phase contact 35. Similarly, the on and off button 4 operates on the zero side of the switch 50 (see FIG.

2) a zero trip lever 18 and moving zero contact 19. This allows a connection to be established between the moving zero contact 19 and the fixed zero contact 37.

For the zero side, a separate spring 3 'is provided which engages with the zero trip lever 18. Both the phase trip lever 5 and the zero trip lever 18 are rotatable about a respective slidable pin 6, 6', which can slide over a small distance, for example through in the housing 31 slots (not shown). The mechanism is designed such that the zero contact 19.37 when switched on leads the phase contact 7.35 and that when switched off the phase contact 7.35 opens first. As a result, it will always be prevented that the phase side of the switch 50 has to switch a coupled voltage on and off, as a result of which shut-off arrangements, such as the extinguishing chamber 15, are only necessary on the phase side. This is made possible by the mechanical coupling of the zero trip lever 18 and phase trip lever 5 via a mechanical connection in the form of a coupling slide 30. This coupling slide 30 can move in a slot in the support element 32 and is driven by a protrusion on the phase trip lever 5 ( and / or zero trip lever 18). The coupling slide 30 also enables an external coupling of the switch 50 with other switch 50 (for example in a boiling circuit) via an opening in the housing 31.

As stated above, when the short-circuit current protection 2 is triggered, the phase contact 7.35 will be broken immediately. The zero contact is then also interrupted by the mechanism via the phase trip lever 5 (albeit a little later).

The mechanism is designed in such a way that the contacts can be broken by the shape and mounting of the phase trip lever 5. This tripping is done by a movement of a trip lever 14, which is moved by either the trip system 10 (following detection of an earth leakage fault) or through the overcurrent protection 30 (bimetallic strip 11) via a pawl 39. The trip lever 14 pushes against a protruding leg of the trip lever 5, causing it to move clockwise around the slidable pin 6. Because both for an earth leakage fault and in the case of an earth fault Overflow error, use is made of the same mechanism for switching the switch 50 off, fewer parts are required and the construction of the switch 50 can be made very compact and efficient, while also ensuring proper operation.

The above-described parts of the switch 50 make it possible to assemble the switch 50 with a simple and cost-efficient stack assembly. This, together with the special design of the support element 32 and the placement and design of the various components and the mutual electrical connections, makes automated assembly (for example with the aid of a robot) possible. A small number of parts of the switch 50 determine the switching and protection characteristics of the switch 50, such as the coil 62 and spring of the short-circuit current protection 2, the bimetallic strip 11 of the overcurrent protection and the earth leakage protection circuit 26. This makes logistically a simple control of the assembly process. Only a limited number of conductors are present which must be connected to the different components, namely only the conductors 36 and 38 in the current-carrying circuit of the switch 50. This also considerably reduces the efficiency and costs of assembly.

In the manner described above, a number of embodiments are possible that are specifically adapted to specific applications or (legal) requirements. For example, it is possible to make an embodiment in which the earth leakage protection (detection coil 9, actuator 10 and circuit board 26 with circuit) is not present, such as with small circuit breakers or MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers).

An embodiment is also possible in which no zero circuit is interrupted, whereby the operating mechanism can be simpler (fixed zero contact 37, moving zero contact 19, zero-trip lever 18, spring 3 'and input zero connection 17 can then be omitted). The earth leakage protection circuit naturally needs a fixed reference to be able to detect an earth leakage current. This can then be provided by a functional earth connection 22 (see Fig. 2), to which an external earth line can be connected. The functional ground connection 22 is then connected, for example with a resilient contact, to the printed circuit board 26, for supplying the circuit (s) arranged thereon. This type of switch is also referred to as 'solid neutral'. This embodiment can also be applied when there is a potential difference between the zero circuit and the (external) ground. In some applications, this difference can amount to more than 50 V. With functional electronics, suitable earth connection 22 can also be used for detection of a zero break in the circuit.

Variations are also possible with regard to the incoming and outgoing phase and zero connections 1.12.17.21. In FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the input phase and zero connection 1.17 of the one shown in FIG. 1 and 2 of the switch 50. Dimensional requirements are imposed on the phase and zero connection (for example 1 and 17) which are placed side by side in the transverse direction of the switch 50. In order to nevertheless allow a small width of the switch 50 (for example 18 mm), the connections 1.17 are mounted staggered on the input side (and if present the connections on the output side 12.21). Because at the location of the input phase connection 1 which is placed more upwards, only space is required for the opening to the input zero connection 17 for a screwdriver which is narrower than for the connection itself, the width can be limited. The staggered placement of the terminals 1,12,17,21 also meets the requirements for electrical insulation between the respective zero and phase terminals.

Furthermore, variations are possible in the form factor of the housing 31 on the front (operating side) of the switch. For example, in one embodiment the surfaces on either side of the surface in which the on and off button 4 and test button 8 are placed can be placed at different depths.

1027343

Claims (12)

A switch for establishing or breaking a circuit comprising at least one phase conductor, the switch (50) comprising a housing (31) in which can be placed: - a mechanical switching assembly (3-7) for the drive of contacts (7.35) with which the electrical circuit is established or broken; - a short-circuit current protection device (2) which is arranged to break the current circuit in the event of a sudden very high current flowing through the phase conductor; - an overcurrent protection device (11) adapted to disconnect the current circuit after a current above the nominal value has passed through the current circuit for a predetermined time; - an earth leakage protection device (9,10,26) which is adapted to detect an earth leakage current and to break the current circuit in the case of an excessively detected earth leakage current, characterized in that the mechanical switching assembly (3-7), short-circuit current protection device ( 2), overcurrent protection device (11) and earth leakage protection device (9,10,26) are included in one housing (31) with a predetermined standardized height and depth, the width being a maximum of 18 mm. 2. Switch according to claim 1, further comprising a support element (32) placed in the housing (31), wherein parts of the mechanical switching assembly (3-7), short-circuit current protection device (2), over-current protection device (2) are arranged on the support element (32). 11) and earth leakage protection device (9,10,26) can be placed. The switch of claim 2, wherein the power circuit further comprises a neutral conductor 30, and the components associated with a phase side of the switch (50) and the components associated with a zero side of the switch (50) on either side of the support element (32) are placed. 1027343, 4 Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein both the overcurrent protection device (11) and the earth leakage protection device (9, 10, 26) are coupled to a trip lever (14) that powers the mechanical switch assembly (3-7) for breaking the power chain. 5 Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch (50) comprises height-displaced connection terminals (1.17; 12.21). 6. Switch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the earth leakage protection circuit comprises a detection coil (9), an actuator (10) and electronic components placed on a printed circuit board (26), and connections between detection coil (9), printed circuit board (26) and actuator (10) with the help of contacts (23,24) and springs. Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more electrical connections between parts of the switch (50) are formed by clamping metal parts in the support element (32). 8. Switch according to claim 7, wherein the shape of a printed circuit board (26) on which the earth leakage circuit breaker (9, 10, 26) is formed is such that it fits on the support element (32) in a space that is released by a detection coil (9) associated with the earth leakage protection circuit, an extinguishing chamber (15) and the short-circuit current protection (2). Switch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating direction of the short-circuit current protection (2) is perpendicular to a contact surface between the fixed and the moving phase contact (35.7). 10. Switch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the short-circuit current protection (2) comprises a coil (62) whose ends form connections of the short-circuit current protection (2), a core (64) around which the coil (62) is located, yoke (63) forming a magnetic circuit with the core (64), and an anchor (65) movable in the core (64), held in the core (64) by a spring, 1027343 with the anchor (65) moves out of the core (64) in the event that a current passes through the coil (62) that is above a predetermined threshold value, the excitation characteristic of the short-circuit current protection (2) being determined by the characteristics of the coil (62) and the properties of the spring. 5 The switch of claim 10, wherein an assembly of core (64), spring, anchor (65) and coil (62) is snap-in in the yoke (63). A switch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch 10 (50) further comprises an extinguishing chamber (15) for extinguishing any arc occurring between the contacts (7, 35), and discharging associated gases. 1027343