WO2008052813A1

WO2008052813A1 - Switchgear cabinet with temperature monitoring

Info

Publication number: WO2008052813A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/055580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Neumann
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2006-10-30
Filing date: 2007-06-06
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: DE102006052039A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a switchgear assembly having a conductor arrangement having a plurality of conductors; having one or a plurality of modules (7) electrically connected to the conductor arrangement and/or one or a plurality of module interfaces (10) electrically connected to the conductor arrangement and serving for the connection of modules (7); having at least one temperature sensor (13) assigned to each module (7) and/or one temperature sensor (13) assigned to each module interface (10) and/or one temperature sensor which can be connected via each module interface (10) and serves for monitoring a temperature at the corresponding module (7); and having a temperature interface, which is connected or can be connected to the temperature sensors (13) in order to provide a temperature information item detected by the temperature sensors (13) at the modules (7) or via the module interfaces (10).

Description

description

Switchgear with temperature monitoring

The invention relates to a switchgear for receiving Mo ^¬ dulen with a temperature monitoring. The invention further relates to a temperature monitoring system for switchgear.

Temperature increases on components in electrical equipment, such. Switchgear, are often the cause of failures and malfunctions and can therefore reduce the reliability of the equipment.

In electrical circuits, a portion of the transmitted or absorbed electrical power is converted into heat output. This is particularly true for circuits in which high operating currents routed, processed and / or Ge are ^¬ on. This causes temperature increases, which generally represent losses that are generated in the energy transport in conductors.

Furthermore, especially in control cabinets high temperatures on electrical contacts, such as protective contacts, sliding contacts and the like. occur because there often results in the smallest effective conductor cross-section, when the contact is not conductive over the entire surface or is corroded due to environmental influences or contact corrosion. Thus, especially in switchgear in which removable modules can be used or removed via detachable module interfaces in control cabinets, the danger of localized strong heating at the Kontaktierungsschnitt- point between control cabinet and module due to a mögli ^¬ cherweise increased contact resistance. Therefore, it is expedient to detect elevated temperatures in Schaltanla ^¬ gene early.

Arrangements for monitoring the temperature of busbars, such as e.g. of busbars in a switchgear are known from the publications DE 692 12 594 T2 and US 5,319,356. There, the temperature is placed directly on the common bus bar of a conductor arrangement in the control cabinet with the aid of temperature sensors in order to detect the temperature. However, locally occurring temperature increases or deviations can not be detected. Also, the temperature sensor arranged on the busbar may possibly be relatively far away from the location of the temperature increase, so that a temperature increase by the temperature sensor is not at all or possibly u. can be recognized too late.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switchgear in which the occurrence of an undesired temperature deviation can be detected quickly and reliably and which has a simple construction.

This object is achieved by the switchgear according to claim 1 so ^¬ as the temperature ^{monitoring systems} of claims 20 to 23.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a switchgear is provided which comprises a conductor arrangement with a plurality of conductors and one or more modules electrically connected to the conductor arrangement and / or one or more module interfaces electrically connected to the conductor arrangement for connecting modules includes. Furthermore, at least one each module supplied arrange ^¬ ter temperature sensor and / or each module interface associated temperature sensor and / or can be connected across each module interface temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the corresponding module is provided. Using a temperature interface that is communicably connected with the temperature ^¬ sensors or one or more suitable provided in the module or the system evaluation units or is a detected by the temperature sensors in the modules or via the module interface temperature information provided. The detected temperature ^¬ information can be an electrical variable or an evaluation ^¬ nal, which is generated depending on the detected temperature.

The switchgear has the advantage that the temperature at each ^¬ the modules therein, ie at different locations within the switchgear, especially at positions where heating occurs with increased probability, can be monitored and a corresponding Tempera ^¬ turinformation is provided for further evaluation at a temperature interface of the switchgear so that it can be detected and evaluated for example by a central processing unit.

The modules are either fixedly arranged in the switchgear or used as needed in the switchgear and / or removably formed from the switchgear.

Furthermore, the respective temperature sensor can be arranged on the corresponding module and can be electrically connected to one or more conductors of the conductor arrangement via a module interface. In this way, a temperature information from the temperature sensors on the in detect the switchgear used modules via the conductor of the conductor arrangement.

Alternatively or additionally, the respective temperature sensor can be arranged at the module interface between the conductor arrangement and the module in order to detect the temperature at the module assigned to the module interface as temperature information. In this way, increases in temperature due to increased Kontaktierungswiderständen can be detected, in particular if it is at the module interface ^¬ a detachable contact-making in particular.

Preferably, the module interface comprises a switching contact element and a electrically couplable on insertion of the module, module contact element, wherein the supplemental ^¬ associated temperature sensor even with removal of the module to the switching contact element, and between the switchgear ^¬ lay-contact element and the Module contact element remains. In this way it can be avoided to provide a temperature sensor on the module, if the reliability of Kon ^¬ taktierungen the modules should be ensured.

The temperature sensor is preferably coupled with the ^¬ directly connected to the conductor arrangement switching contact element ge so that remains with removal of the module the temperature ^¬ sensor in the switchgear. In this way, such a temperature monitoring can be provided without having to provide changes to the modules.

The temperature sensor can be glued to the switching contact element, be secured by means of a shrink hose or ähnli ^¬ chen fastening device to the switchgear contact element or in a suitable manner with be coupled between a switchgear contact element and module contact element provided intermediate element.

In particular, the temperature sensor can be attached to a cable shoe or a ring cable lug, the cable lug or the ring cable lug being fixedly connected to the switchgear contact element, e.g. screwed, or is provided between the switchgear contact element and the module contact element provided intermediate element, so that an induced at the respective module interface by a current flow extraordinary temperature increase by the corresponding temperature sensor is detected.

According to a further embodiment, multiple modules are seen upstream, at which the respective temperature sensors are arranged, wherein the respective temperature sensors are constructed as resistive temperature sensors, in particular as a PTC sensors and the temperature sensors are connected in series over the conductors of the Leiteranord ^¬ voltage and are connected to the temperature interface to provide a tempera ^¬ turin formation a resistance value of the serially boarded ^¬ th temperature sensors. In this way, it is possible to detect the exceeding of a critical temperature predetermined by the respective PTC sensor by detecting the resistance value via the temperature interface.

In this regard, according to a further aspect, a temperature monitoring system is provided with a central unit and with one or more such switchgear, wherein the

Switchgear several modules have, where the corresponding temperature sensors are arranged, wherein the ent ^¬ speaking temperature sensors are designed as PTC sensors, wherein via the conductor of the conductor arrangement, the temperature tursensoren are connected in series and are connected to the temperature ^¬ interface to provide a temperature value of a resistance value of the serially connected temperature sensors. The central unit is adapted to determine the resistance value of the temperature interface and to compare the determined resistance value with a threshold value, wherein a temperature alarm is triggered, if the resistance value indicates a temperature above ^¬ underrange.

According to a further embodiment of the switchgear two temperature sensors can be provided on two associated modules with different transition temperatures. This makes it possible to define different critical temperatures for different modules, in which exceeding a temperature limit can be detected via the temperature interface. In addition, when the temperature sensors are provided with different jump resistances, a distinction can be made on which of the modules the temperature increase has occurred.

According to a further embodiment, the switchgear can have at least one module on which one or more switching devices are provided. The switching device comprises one or more temperature sensors and a ^{Detektorschnittstel ¬} le for external connection of the temperature sensors. The detector interface is connected to one or more further temperature sensors in another of the switching devices and / or on the module and / or on the module interface and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear. As a result, the temperature of contact points in switchgear mounted on a module can be monitored. The switching device may comprise a temperature sensor or a plurality of temperature sensors connected in series, which are designed as PTC sensors, wherein the temperature sensor (s) are connected in series with other temperature sensors formed as PTC sensors in a further one of the switching devices and / or on the module and / or or are connected to the module interface and / or to the conductor arrangement of the switchgear. Such an arrangement offers the possibility of a blank ^¬ limited number of temperature sensors in a switching device with further temperature sensors in further switching devices to connect the o- in any other arrangement, to perform a temperature control at various points in a switchgear.

The switching device comprises a contact web, which can be contacted via an on terminal ^¬ terminal and a contact bridge, wherein a temperature sensor near the terminal or near the contact point with the contact bridge or centrally between the terminal or the contact point is arranged with the contact bridge. These arrangements offer advantages in the detection of temperature rise is at a ver ^¬ worse loaded contact point.

Furthermore, one of the conductors of the conductor arrangement may be coupled to another one of the conductors of a further conductor system of a corresponding contact point, wherein a Tempe ^¬ ratursensor is provided at the contact point. The temperature sensor may be connected at the point of contact with one or more further temperature sensors in another of the switching devices and / or on the module and / or on the module interface and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear. As a result, current conductor rails, which are provided either within a switchgear or several switchgear connect systems with each other, also monitored in terms of their temperature.

At a plurality of contact points of the conductors of the conductor arrangement, each with further conductors of a further conductor arrangement, temperature sensors, which are designed as mutually connected in series PTC sensors, may be provided. The Rei ^¬ henschaltung of temperature sensors advantageously allows easy detection when a temperature exceeds a threshold temperature (trip temperature).

According to a further embodiment, the temperature sensor or sensors may be connected in series with other temperature sensors configured as PTC sensors in a further one of the switching devices and / or on the module and / or on the module interface and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear.

Based on such a switching system, a temperature monitoring system may be provided according to another aspect, wherein the central unit is adapted to determine the Wi ^¬ derstandswert about the temperature interface and comparable to the determined resistance value with a first threshold value and a second higher threshold value same, wherein a temperature alarm is triggered when the resistance exceeds the first threshold but not the second threshold, wherein on the basis of exceeding the second threshold, a temperature exceeded at a certain module is detectable. The central unit can be provided either outside the plant, in the plant or on a module in the plant.

Furthermore, an evaluation unit in the switchgear au ^¬ ßerhalb of the module may be provided and with the Temperatursen- sensors be connected to animals to be detected, a temperature deviation and to output a temperature warning about a the corresponding module associated output element, which is arranged either on the module or in the übri ^¬ gene system.

Alternatively, an evaluation unit on each module be vorgese ^¬ hen, which is connected to the corresponding temperature sensor to detect a temperature difference and to associated Ausgabeele- ment over a the corresponding module, which is arranged either on the module or in the other system, to issue a temperature warning. In this way, if, for example via the central station, the temperature interface, a temperature deviation, for example ent ^¬ neither in the form of a temperature signal or in the form of an already preprocessed evaluation signal that signals a certain temperature deviation occurred has detected a field service technician At the switchgear on the output of the output element immediately recognize on which of the modules the temperature increase has occurred, so that the search for the cause of the temperature increase can be simplified.

According to a further aspect is a temperature monitor ^¬ system provided in a central unit with one or more switchboards.

According to a further aspect, a temperature monitor ^¬ system with a central unit and having a first and ei ^¬ ner second switchgear is provided, the second in the first switchgear first PTC sensors with a first jump Tempe ^¬ temperature and a first crack resistance and in the second switching PTC Sensors with a second transition temperature different from the first one and with a second jump resistance which differs from the first one in each case. are connected and connected to the corresponding temperature interface. The first and second Schaltan ^¬ location are further interconnected so that the ers ^¬ th and the second PTC sensors are connected to each other in series. The central unit is adapted to determine a total resistance value information on the temperature interface, resulting from the series connection of the first and second PTC thermistors, and by the determined ge ^¬ entire resistance value of information to be compared with a first threshold and a second threshold value. By the central unit, a temperature alarm for the first switching ^¬ system is triggered when the total resistance information exceeds the first threshold but not the second threshold ü- and a temperature alarm for the second Schaltan- leashable triggered when the total resistance value information exceeds the second threshold.

According to a further aspect, a switching device is provided, in particular for use on a module in a switchgear above. Includes the switching device one or more Tem ^¬ temperature sensors in a detector interface for external connection of the temperature sensors, and a contact web which kontak- via a terminal and via a contact bridge is tierbar, wherein the one or more temperature sensors, either close to the terminal and / or near ^¬ the contact point with the contact bridge or in the middle between the on ^¬ connecting terminal and the contact point with the contact bridge are arranged at ^¬.

Furthermore, the switching device can be connected in series

Include temperature sensors, which are designed as PTC sensors, wherein the series circuit of the PTC sensors via the detector interface is electrically contacted. Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a temperature monitoring system with a switchgear according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment; FIG.

3 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment;

4 shows a characteristic of a PTC sensor;

FIGS 5A and 5B show variants of mounting the temperature ^¬ tursensors at the module interface between the module and Lei ^¬ teranordnung;

6 shows the attachment of the temperature sensor to a Ka ^¬ belsteckschuh;

7 shows a temperature monitoring system with two switchgear according to a further embodiment;

8 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment;

9 shows possible arrangements of temperature sensors in a module with a plurality of assemblies;

10 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment; 11 shows an arrangement of the overall system according to a further embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a switching device for switching an electrical current; FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of the interior of a housing of the switching device; FIG.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the switching ^device ; FIG. and

FIG. 15 shows a switchgear connected to conductor rails outside the switchgear.

1 shows a temperature monitoring system 1 with a switchgear 2 and with a central unit 3. For communication with the central processing unit 2 2, the switching ^¬ plant to an interface 4 connected to the central processing unit 3 via a data bus of a suitable protocol USAGE ^¬ det, or via simple signal lines 5, which are used for a non-protocol-bound signal transmission can, communicate.

The switchgear 2 has a housing 17 and a number of modules 7. In the ^exemplary embodiment shown, the switchgear 2 supplies the modules 7 with electrical power. The modules 7 can include any electrical and electronic radio ^¬ functions and therefore perceive both switching functions for cur- rents and signals, power distribution functions, signal processing functions and the like.

In the housing 17, a conductor arrangement 6 is provided, in the current conductor rails 8 for supplying the modules 7 with one or more supply voltages or for the conduction of switched currents (if one of the modules 7 performs a switching function) are provided. The current conductor rails 8 can carry high current strengths and, in the event that they carry a supply voltage, can be electrically connected to individual or all of the modules 7 located in the switchgear 2 in order to provide a voltage supply for the corresponding modules 7. Furthermore, the conductor arrangement 6 may contain signal lines and / or measuring lines 14.

The modules 7 can be electrically connected to the conductors in the conductor arrangement 6, the current conductor rails 8 and the signal lines 14 either hardwired or module interfaces 10, ie for example a releasable contacting device, releasably connected to the switchgear 2. The module ^¬ interface 10 can in addition supply conductor connections 11 for guiding the power supply and for carrying the switched currents and signal conductor connections sen aufwei- 12th Via the signal conductor connections 12, a communication of the modules 7 via a data bus located in the conductor arrangement 6 or data signal lines and the like. respectively .

Furthermore, via the signal conductor connections 12 measurements of electrical quantities, e.g. Resistors are made of located on the module 7 electrical components. The data bus or data signal lines in the conductor arrangement 6 are connected to the central unit 3 via the interface 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, in each case a temperature sensor 13 is provided in the modules 7, which has a temperature at the corresponding module 7, preferably at a position. on, at which a heat development is to be expected, detected, and a corresponding temperature information, for example in the form of an electrical variable, such as an ohmic resistance, via the module interface 10, via the signal and measurement lines 14 of the conductor assembly 6, via the interface 4 of Central Office 3 provides. In this way, it is mög ^¬ Lich, to obtain a more detailed temperature ^¬ information of a switchgear 2, which indicates whether a Temperaturerhö ^¬ hung has occurred at one of the modules therein 7 and depending on the width and design of the provided in the circuit arrangement of the data bus or the data signal lines also beyond information on which of the modules 7, the temperature deviation has occurred. It is of course possible to provide more than one temperature sensor 13 on the module 7, as the electric quantity can be read out in each case via the module interface 10, a ^¬ individually or in a suitable interconnection, for example.

2 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment. For these and nachfol ^¬ quietly embodiments described elements correspond with like reference numerals elements of the same or similar function.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the temperature sensors 13 provided in the modules 7 are designed as PTC sensors 13. The PTC sensors 13 are connected via the corresponding module interface 10 with designated signal conductors in the conductor arrangement 6, which ensure that the PTC sensors of the modules 7 are connected in series with each other and the arrangement of the temperature sensors 11 of the modules connected in series 7 via the one temperature interface 19 provided for this purpose, which in the sectional 4 is provided, with the central unit 3 is connectable. The central unit 3 can now sen a Widerstandsinformati ^¬ on over the total resistance of the series connected Tempe ^¬ ratursensoren 11 erfas- about the temperature interface 19th

In order to ensure series connection of the insertable or removable modules 7, the module interfaces 10, in particular the contacting elements which are connected to the temperature sensor 11 in the module 7, can be short-circuited with the module removed, this short circuit being opened again when the module 7 is inserted and instead of the two contacting elements of the PTC sensor 13 are applied.

The PTC sensor is a resistance temperature sensor in the form of a so-called PTC thermistor whose characteristic is shown by way of example in FIG. A PTC sensor generally has a transition temperature at which the ohmic resistance of the PTC sensor increases by orders of magnitude. The size of the increase of the ohmic resistance is crack resistance ge ^¬ Nannt herein. In the arrangement of the PTC sensors connected in series, exceeding a temperature threshold value on one of the PTC sensors can therefore be detected by the total resistance of the series-connected PTC sensors correspondingly increasing. For multiple Temperatursenso ^¬ ren 13 on a module 7, this may be provided with different transition temperatures, to take account of such different heating of individual components on the module and whose temperature tolerance.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 2 in that the temperature sensor is not arranged on the module 7, but on the module interface 10. The module interface 10 comprises a switchgear contact element 15 and a module contact element 16, which are coupled together when the module is inserted. In order to avoid having to provide a temperature sensor in the module 7 and corresponding connecting lines between the module 7 and conductor arrangement 6 for the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor 13 is arranged on the switchgear contact element 15. In this way, temperature increases due to a worsening contact resistance at the module interface 10 can be detected, namely at each of the modules 7, which are used with a module interface 10 in the switchgear 2. When permanently installed in the switchgear 2 modules 7 deterioration of contacts or the connecting lines between the conductor assembly and module 7 is not expected, so that the temperature sensor 13 as may be provided there on the module 7 itself.

Also in the embodiment of FIG 3, the temperature sensors for the various detachable module interfaces are connected together in series, so that the corresponding centering ^¬ raleinheit 3 can determine a possible deviation temperature by measuring the resistance value of the Rei ^¬ henschaltung. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of the plug-in or removable modules, since they allow a fixed wiring of the temperature sensors 13.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show possible types of connection of the temperature sensor to the module interface 10, wherein a contactor 30 is used as the module 7 or a contactor 30 is arranged on a module 7 next to further modules. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the temperature sensor 13 may be attached to a cable plug shoe 25 (or a ring cable lug). be clamped, and be surrounded with a shrink tube 26. If the connection between the conductor arrangement 6 and the corresponding module 7 is made via a connection clamping element 27 (eg a cage connection terminal), the cable connection shoe (ring cable lug) 25 can be inserted between the wire connected to the conductor arrangement 6 and the connection ^element 27, so that a contact deterioration occurring in the form of a temperature increase can be detected there.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor 13, as shown in FIG. 5B, can also be attached to the connecting line between the conductor arrangement 6 and the module interface 10, so that the heat arising in the module interface 10 is conducted to the temperature sensor 13 via heat conduction of the connecting line.

The insertion of the temperature sensor 13 into the cable plug shoe (ring cable lug) is shown schematically in FIG. For this purpose, the temperature sensor is inserted into a clamping section of the cable ^¬ plug shoe (ring cable lug) 25 and there ver ^¬ clamped so that this intimately connects as possible with the cable plug shoe (Ringkabelschuh) 25 receives, in which the heat transfer resistance is minimized. In order to minimize external influences, the clamping portion of the cable ^¬ plug shoe (ring cable lug) 25, in which the temperature sensor is located, with a shrink tube 26 is surrounded. It is also possible for the sensor to be cast with the ring cable lug, for example using an epoxy resin.

In the embodiments described above, the temperature sensors in the respective modules may be provided as PTC sensors having different transition temperatures be, depending on at which temperature a critical limit for the respective module 7 is exceeded.

FIG. 7 shows a temperature monitoring system according to a further embodiment. The central ^¬ unit 3 is connected to a first and a second switchgear 21, 22, in each of which modules are provided. 7 The temperature sensors 13 are arranged either on the modules 7 in the switchgear 21, 22 and / or at their module interfaces 10 in the ways previously described or in any other distributed manner.

The temperature sensors 13 of each switchgear are each connected in series and via a temperature interface in the interface 4, the total resistance of the arrangement via two measuring lines can be tapped. The central station 3 is connected to the two switchgear 21, 22 in such a way that the temperature sensors 13 of the first and the second switchgear 21, 22 are connected in series via the corresponding temperature interfaces, so that all the temperature sensors 13 of both switchgears 21, 22 are connected in series are connected in series. As a result, the total resistance of the arrangement can be detected by the central unit 3. If now the PTC sensors 13 in the first switchgear 21 with a first jump temperature and with a first jump resistance and the PTC sensors 13 of the second switchgear 22 with a second of the first different transition temperature and with a second of the first different jump resistance are provided, it can be detected by occurrence of a change in resistance that an error has occurred in one of the switchgear 21, 22. Furthermore, it can be determined via the extent of the change in resistance in which the switchgear 21, 22, the temperature change has occurred. For more than two switchgear, in the above-mentioned manner with the center 3, it is generally the case that the PCT sensors are provided with different resistance changes occurring at different transition temperatures.

To detect the switchgear 21, 22, in which the temperature increase has occurred, the central office must poll the electrical resistance of the entire arrangement continuously or at predetermined times or intervals and detect the change in resistance when changing, e.g. by a difference of the measured resistance before and after the occurrence of the resistance change.

In all embodiments, evaluation may be in the switchgear may be provided 19, which len either the mod- 7 or viewed from outside of the modules 7 in the switchgear 2 before ^¬ are and associated with the respective module 7 output element 18, such as a light indicator, ge ^¬ are coupled, so that the temperature sensor 13 teeinheit in addition to the reading by the central unit 3 and from the evaluation can be read 19 and a Temperaturerhö ^¬ hung or an exceeding of a maximum temperature by means of the output member 18 can be output. This makes it possible that a service technician who examines a switchgear concerned in response to a detected in the central unit 3 overtemperature, immediately recognize the location of the temperature exceeded based on the output of the dispensing member, ie indicating the module 7, the Tempe ^¬ raturüberschreitung has occurred.

As shown in FIG 8 based on the dashed blocks, the evaluation units 19, 19 'can be angeord ^¬ net either on the modules 7 or outside of the modules 7 in the substation 2. The output elements 18, 18 'can be arranged either on the modules 7 or outside the modules 7 be. In particular, when the temperature sensors 13 are arranged on the modules 7, evaluation units 19 and output units 18 to the respective modules 7, and when the temperature sensor is arranged on the module interface 10 13, the evaluation unit 19 'and the Ausgabeein ^¬ units 18' can be provided outside of the modules 7. If the evaluation unit 19 is provided on the corresponding module 7, this can also include a triggering device (not shown) with which a circuit can be interrupted if the evaluation unit 19 detects an inadmissible increase in temperature at the position assigned to the (one of) the temperature sensor 13 Has.

9 shows a module 7 with a plurality of assemblies 40. The individual assemblies are connected to each other via lines. Appropriate temperature sensors 13 are provided at the contacting positions of the assemblies 40 with the individual lines, so that temperature increases occurring there can be detected. The connection of the individual temperature sensors with the module interface 10 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of the overall system according to a further embodiment. A plurality of temperature sensors 13, and the evaluation unit are fixedly mounted on the jewei ^¬ time modules 7 nineteenth When removing the module 7, these are therefore also removed. The temperature sensors 13 (three per module are shown) are on the one hand to the modules 40 in the module 7 itself and at the module interface 10. The interface 4 is connected to the off ^¬ value units 19 and transmits only information about the switching or the triggering of the corresponding evaluation units 19, the central unit 3 indicating depending on this information generates a suitable alarm signal.

In FIG 11, the arrangement of the overall system is shown according to a further embodiment. In contrast to the ^embodiment of FIG. 10, at least one of the temperature sensors 13 is arranged in a switching device 50 which is located on at least one of the modules 7. The provision of the Tem ^¬ peratursensors 13 in the switching device 50 is substantially independent of the provision of one or more other temperature sensors 13 on the module interface 10, directly on the module 7 or in any other position in the switchgear assembly 2, that is, the temperature sensor 13 can be used alone or be provided in addition to other temperature sensors 13.

If a plurality of temperature sensors 13 are provided on the module interface 10 on the module 7 and in one or more switching devices 50, they may preferably, if they are designed as PTC sensors 13, be connected in series with one another. The series connection of the temperature sensors 13 on the module can be connected to an evaluation unit 19, which generates an alarm signal depending on the total resistance of the series circuit ^¬ tion of the PTC sensors, which is transmitted via the module interface 10. Alternatively, all the temperature sensors 13 on the module 7, ie, the temperature sensors 13 on the module interface 10 on the module 7 itself as well as in the one or more switching devices 50 may be connected in a series circuit and the thus formed series ^¬ circuit via the module interface 10 with corresponding test leads be connected to the ladder assembly in the switchgear 2. There, the corresponding series circuit can be connected in series with other series circuits, for example, of further modules 7. FIG. 12 shows such a switching device 50 for switching an electric current. As a switching device 50 insbe ^¬ special devices are understood here that close and interrupt electrical circuits, ie in particular circuit breakers, contactors, load switches, disconnectors, switch disconnectors, relays, overcurrent relays, multi-function switching devices, switch ^¬ fuse units, etc. The switching device 50 includes a Ge ^¬ housing 51 and terminals 52 to 57, which are connected depending on a switching position in the switching device 50 in a defined manner or not. The switching may either be manually using a gear lever 64 or gesteu ^¬ ert via a control signal, which is applied to a control terminal 58 is performed. Furthermore, a sensor interface 59 is provided, via which a detection value can be detected via a respective temperature at one or more points in the switching device 50.

In FIG. 13, a plan view of the interior of the housing 51 is shown. One recognizes the switching bridges 60, which connect depending on the switching position contact webs 61, which are respectively connected via the corresponding terminals 52 to 57, with each other or not. For this purpose, the switching bridges 60 are pressed onto open ends of the contact webs 61 when the switching state of the switching device 50 is "closed". Due to the fact that the contact webs 61, whose ends are connected to the switching bridge 60 for closing or opening the switch, can heat up, in particular if the contact points are faulty, aged or corroded and thus the contacting area becomes too small, it can be conditional by a current flow to a heating of the contact webs 61 in the switching device 10 come. Preferably, therefore, each of the contact lands 61 is provided with a temperature sensor 63 to monitor the temperature of the respective contact land 61. As a temperature increase, especially at the contact points occurs between two conductors are at some contact webs 61, preferably connected to all the contact bars 61, Temperatursenso ^¬ ren 63rd Such contact points occur in the switching device 50 between the contact bridge 60 and the contact web 61 as well as at the respective terminals 52-57, at which also erroneous or deteriorating contacts can be present. The temperature sensors 63 may be located near the contact points with the contact bridge 60 or centrally between the corresponding contact point with the contact bridge 60 and the respective terminal 52-57. It is also conceivable, two temperature sensors 63 on at least one of the contact bars 61 near the connection terminal ^¬ 52-57 and to provide at the contact point to the contact bridge 60th

The temperature sensors 63 may suitably be designed to allow the best possible heat transfer, e.g. by surface probes, such as a ring cable lug to be connected to the corresponding contact web 61. The ring cable lug can be screwed on or otherwise secured with a bandage or adhesive.

The temperature sensors 63 in the switching device 50 are preferential ^{¬, designed} as PTC sensors, and interconnected in series, so that the series connection via the sensor ^¬ interface 59 can be connected. By providing PTC sensors connected in series, a plurality of such switching devices 50 can be interconnected in such a way that the PTC sensors of all switching devices 50 are connected in series with each other, so that by increasing the electrical resistance through the PTC sensors to an exceeding of a limit temperature can be closed on at least one of the PTC sensors. Furthermore, such a switching device 50 can be connected in a wei ^¬ tere arrangement of PTC sensors, which is arranged on the module interface 10 or otherwise on the module 7, to a series circuit, so that when exceeding a limit temperature at one of PTC sensors 13, 63, the resistance of the overall circuit (the entire series circuit) increases, whereby a triggering case can be detected.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment in which the

Series connection of the PTC sensors 63 of an evaluation unit 19, which is arranged in the switching device 50, is supplied. The evaluation unit 19 generates an alarm signal when the reflection ^¬ resistor value of the series circuit of the trained than PTC sensors Deten temperature sensors 63 is increased significantly, thereby indicating that the limit temperature has been exceeded at at least one of the temperature sensors 63rd The alarm signal is transmitted via the detector interface 59 to the module 7 and can be evaluated there or dulschnittstelle on Mo- 10 and transmitted to the central unit 3 via the conductor arrangement 6 and through the interface 4 ^¬ the.

The temperature monitoring can continue to be performed within the switchgear with respect to the conductor rail or even applied to a switching system in which several switchgear are interconnected via their respective busbars. In this case, current conductor ^{rails are} neither connected to one another by a corresponding contacting device in a switchgear or when interconnecting switchgear installations. Frequently, conductor rails are connected together by screws, clamps or other subsequent connection method. At the junction of the conductor rails can be from above causes Contact losses occur, which can lead to an increase in the prevailing electrical resistance. This can occur locally at a high current flow, a temperature increase, in which a limit temperature can be exceeded. In the worst case, this can lead to a plant fire.

FIG. 15 shows a switchgear 2 in which current conductor rails 8 are provided, which are electrically connected to current conductor rails 70 outside the switchgear 2 via a connection point 71. The connection point 71 is provided with temperature ^¬ sensors 72, which in particular by cable ties, bandages and the like. are attached to the connection point 71. In particular, the temperature sensor in the form of a Ringka- belschuhs, as explained above, be provided, which is attached or screwed to the connection points 71.

As temperature sensors 72 PTC sensors can be used. The PTC sensors are arranged at the joints of the conductor rails 8, 70, to one another can be connected in series, and the series circuit may be connected to an evaluation unit 73, which supplies an alarm signal to ei ^¬ ne central unit. 3 The temperature sensors 72 or, in the case of a plurality of series circuits, may also be connected in series with temperature sensors 13 connected in series to the module interface 10, on the modules 7 or otherwise in the temperature sensors 13, 63 provided in the switchgear, provided that the temperature sensors are exclusively PTC sensors. An increase in the resistance of the entire series connection can then be considered as a tripping case in which a limit temperature has been exceeded on at least one of the PTC sensors. The evaluation unit 73 can detect the occurrence of a resistance increase ^¬ in the series circuit of the PTC sensors and store the triggering case as a state, for example in a latch. When the tripping event occurs, the power supply can then be interrupted, for example controlled by the central unit 3, and after correcting the error that has occurred, the evaluation unit can be returned to a normal state by a corresponding actuation of the evaluation unit and reset of the latch by re-using the PTC sensors can detect whether a trigger case occurs.

The embodiment of FIG. 15, in which connecting points 71 of the current conductor rails 8 with the further current conductor rails 70 are optionally monitored, can be combined with all arrangements of temperature sensors 13, 63, 72 of the previously described embodiments, in particular in a series connection, if these are known as PTCs. Sensors are formed, kombi ^¬ ned.

Instead of using series-connected PTC sensors, the arrangements described above can also be implemented with parallel connections of NTC sensors (NTC: negative temperature coefficient).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 temperature monitoring system

2 switchgear 3 central unit

4 interface

6 conductor arrangement

7 module

8 conductor rails 10 module interface

11 supply line connections

12 signal conductor connections

13 temperature sensor

14 test leads 15 switchgear contact element

16 module contact element

17 housing

18 output element

19 Evaluation unit 25 Cable plug shoe

26 shrink tubing

27 Contactor 30 Contactor

40 Module 50 Switchgear

51 housing

52 - 57 terminals

58 control connection

59 detector interface 60 switching bridge

61 contact bridge

63 temperature sensor

64 shifter

70 more conductor rail 71 contact point

72 temperature sensor

Claims

claims

1. Switchgear comprising:

a conductor arrangement with several conductors; - One or more electrically connected to the conductor assembly modules (7) and / or one or more electrically connected to the conductor assembly module interfaces (10) for connecting modules (7);

- at least one each module assigned (7) temperature sensor (13) and / or each module interface (10) to be ^¬ parent temperature sensor (13) and / or on each module interface (10) connectable temperature sensor for Ü monitoring a temperature the corresponding module (7);

a temperature interface which is connected or connectable to the temperature sensors (13) in order to provide temperature information detected by the temperature sensors (13) on the modules (7) or via the module interfaces (10).

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the module interface is formed from ^¬ to use a module (7) as needed in the switchgear (2) and / or from the switchgear (2) increase out.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the respective Tempe ^¬ ratursensor (13) on the corresponding module (7) is arranged and electrically via a fixed contact means or via the module interface (10) with one or more conductors (8, 14 ) of the conductor arrangement (6) is connected.

4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of temperature sensors (13) respectively on the corresponding module (7) is arranged and electrically via a fixed Kontaktie ^¬ tion device or via the module interface (10) with one or more conductors (8, 14) of the conductor arrangement (6) are connected.

5. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the jewei ^¬ lige temperature sensor (13) on the module interface (10) is arranged to detect as temperature information, the temperature at the module interface (10) of the associated module (7) ,

6. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the module-cut parts (10) has a switchgear contact element and a so that upon insertion of the module (7) electrically coupled module contact element (16), wherein the associated temperature sensor (13) is arranged on the switchgear contact element (15) that the corresponding module (7) with the module contact element (16) as needed in the switchgear (2) used and / or from the switchgear (2) is removable.

7. Plant according to claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor (13) is glued, plugged or screwed to the switchgear contact element (15).

8. Plant according to claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor (13) is attached to the switchgear contact element (15) by means of a shrink tubing.

9. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the temperature Tempe ^¬ sensor (13) is attached to a cable plug shoe, wherein the cable plug shoe with the switchgear contact element (15) is connected, so that at the module interface (10) by a Stromaburch caused temperature ^{Abwei ¬} chung by the corresponding temperature sensor (13) can be detected.

10. Plant (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein several ^¬ re modules (7) are provided, on which the corresponding temperature sensors (13) are arranged, wherein the corre ^¬ ting temperature sensors (13) sensors as resistance temperature sensors, are formed in particular as PTC sensors, wherein the temperature sensors (13) are connected in series via the conductors of the conductor arrangement and are connected to the temperature ^{interface ¬} (4) to provide a temperature value of a resistance value of the serially connected temperature sensors (13).

11. Plant according to claim 10, wherein at least two temperature ^¬ tursensoren in two respective modules (7) are provided with different transition temperatures.

12. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein on each module (7) an evaluation unit (18) is provided, which is connected to the respective temperature sensor of the corresponding module (7) to detect a temperature deviation and via a corresponding Module (7) associated Ausga ^¬ beelement, which is arranged either on the module (7) or in the system to issue a temperature warning.

13. Plant according to claim 1 to 11, wherein an evaluation unit (19) in the switchgear outside of the module (7) is provided and is connected to the temperature sensors to detect a temperature deviation and a corresponding module (7) associated output unit ( 18), which is arranged either on the module (7) or in the rest of the system (2) to issue a temperature warning.

14. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 13, with at least one module (7) on which one or more switching devices (50) are provided, wherein the switching device (50) comprises one or more Temperatursen ^¬ sensors (63) and a detector interface (59) for external connection of the temperature sensors (63), wherein the detector interface (59) with one or more further temperature sensors (in another one of the switching devices 50 ) and / or on the module (7) and / or on the module interface (10) and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear is connected.

15. Plant according to claim 14, wherein the switching device (50) comprises a temperature sensor (63) or a plurality of series Tem ^¬ temperature sensors in (63), which are ausgebil ^¬ det than PTC sensors, wherein the or the temperature sensors (63) connected in series with other than PTC sensors formed temperature sensors in another of the switching devices (50) and / or on the module (7) and / or on the module interface (10) and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear.

16. Plant according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the switching device (50) comprises a contact web (61) which is contacted via a connecting ^¬ terminal (52-57) and a contact bridge (60), wherein a temperature sensor (63) near the terminal (52-57) or near the contact point with the contact bridge (60) or centrally between the terminal (52-57) or the contact point with the contact bridge (60) is arranged.

17. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein one of the conductors of the conductor assembly is coupled to another one of the conductors of another conductor assembly via a corresponding contact location, wherein a temperature sensor (72) is provided at the contact location, the temperature sensor ( 72) at the point of contact with one or more further temperature sensors in another of the switching devices (50) and / or on the module (7) and / or is connected to the module interface (10) and / or to the Leiteranord ^¬ tion of the switchgear.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at a plurality of contact points of the conductor of the conductor arrangement with further conductors of a further conductor arrangement temperature sensors (72), which are designed as mutually connected in series PTC sensors are provided.

19. Plant according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the temperature sensor or sensors (72) are arranged in series with further temperature sensors (13, 63) designed as PTC sensors in a further one of the switching devices (50) and / or on the module (7). and / or on the module interface (10) and / or on the conductor arrangement of the switchgear (2) are connected.

20. Temperature monitoring system with a central unit (3) and with one or more switchgear (2, 21, 22) according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Temperature monitoring system with a central unit (3) and with one or more switchgear (2, 21, 22) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the central unit (3) is adapted to the resistance value on the temperature-cut parts (4). and to compare the detected resistance value with a threshold, wherein a temperature alarm is triggered when the resistance signal indicates a temperature exceeded.

22 temperature monitoring system comprising a central unit (3) and with one or more switchgear (21, 22) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the central unit (3) is out ^¬ forms to determine the resistance value via the temperature ^¬ interface and around the determined resistance level value with a first threshold value and with a second threshold value, wherein a temperature alarm is triggered when the resistance value exceeds the first threshold, wherein on the basis of exceeding the second threshold value, a temperature exceeded at a certain module (7) is detectable.

23. Temperature monitoring system with a central unit (3) and with a first and a second switchgear (21, 22) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the PTC sensors

(13) of the first switchgear (21) have a first transition temperature and a first jump resistance and the PTC sensors (13) of the second switchgear (22) a second, from the first ver ^¬ different critical temperature and a second, different from the first jump resistance wherein the first and the second switchgear device (21, 22) are connected such that the PTC sensors (13) of the first and the second switchgear device (21, 22) to each other are connected in series, wherein the centering ^¬ raleinheit (3) is designed to determine a total resistance value information on the temperature interfaces (4) and to compare the determined resistance value information with a first threshold value and with a second threshold, wherein by the central unit (3) a Tempera ^¬ turalarm for the first switchgear (21) is triggered when the total resistance value information exceeds the first threshold and a temperature alarm for the second switchgear (2 2) can be triggered when the entire ^¬ resistance value information exceeds the second threshold.

24. Switching device (50), in particular for use on a module (7) in a switchgear according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: one or more temperature sensors (63); a detector interface (59) for externally connecting the temperature sensors (63); and a contact land (61) contactable via a terminal (52-57) and via a contact bridge (60), the one or more temperature sensors (63) being located either near the terminal (52-57) and / or near the terminal Contact ^{¬ point} with the contact bridge (60) or centrally between the terminal (52-57) and the contact point with the con ^¬ tact bridge (60) are arranged.

25. Switching device according to claim 24, wherein the switching device (50) comprises a plurality of series-connected temperature sensors (63), which are designed as PTC sensors, wherein the series ^{scarf ¬} tion of the PTC sensors via the detector interface is electrically contactable.