WO2017020100A1

WO2017020100A1 - Improvements to sealed circuit-breakers

Info

Publication number: WO2017020100A1
Application number: PCT/BR2015/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wadi Nicola MANSOUR
Original assignee: Mansour Wadi Nicola
Priority date: 2015-08-06
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2017-02-09
Also published as: CN107615430A; BR212018002148Y1; BR212018002148U2

Abstract

Improvements are proposed to sealed circuit-breakers, more specifically to circuit-breakers for medium-voltage or low-voltage electrical installations of the DIN or NEMA type, either unipolar circuit-breakers (D1) (optionally bipolar or tripolar circuit-breakers) or differential circuit-breakers (D2) (D3) (residual differential), which generally comprise a body (10) formed by a usually parallelepipedal element, the front face of which has regions (R1) and (R2) for screws (P) for mounting and dismounting the circuit-breaker (D1)/(D2)/(D3) in an electrical panel (not illustrated); the front face of the circuit-breaker further includes a central region (R3) in which the actuation lever (11) is located; the regions (R1) and (R2) of each circuit-breaker (Dl)/(D2)/(D3) are provided with support assemblies (12) for a plate (13) covering at least one screw (P); said support assembly (12) includes a hinge element (14) for opposite end shafts (13a) of the plate (13) and elements (15) that extend through respective apertures (13b) in the plate (13) and can house the strip (16a) of a seal (16).

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN BREAKER BREAKERS".

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements made to DtN or NEMA type circuit breakers or to differential devices / circuit breakers, more specifically pertaining to the field of residential, building and other electrical installation, such as panels, machine controls and equipments; the improved circuit breakers, whether unipolar, bipolar or three-pole, which are provided with means of protection of the fixing screws and coupling of cables and / or terminals, as well as external seals, whose purpose is to prevent a user, electricians or unauthorized maintenance personnel have access to the wiring installation of one or more circuit breakers installed in a power cabinet previously assembled by an authorized builder or wiring installation team.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Low voltage building electrical installations represent, from the point of view of end uses of electric energy, the means of connection between the supply source and the final equipment. Its correct design and the use of technically compliant products must be employed by qualified and authorized persons when building the project, be it a house, one or more buildings, a factory, among other establishments.

[003] Namely, the D1N or NEMA type circuit breaker is an electromechanical device that acts as an automatic switch designed to protect a given wind system against possible damage from short circuits and electrical overloads. Its basic function is to detect surges of current that exceed the circuit's proper, interrupting it immediately before its thermal and mechanical effects can cause damage to the protected electrical installation.

[004] There are also residual current circuit breakers or residual current circuit breakers that are protective devices used in electrical installations, allowing to disconnect a circuit whenever a leakage current greater than the nominal value is detected. It serves to protect people from direct contact directives with live parts (electric shocks) and protection of installations against risk of fire due to insulation failures.

[005] Some problems may arise with OIN or NEMA circuit breakers and also with differential circuit breakers, such as when the circuit is left unprotected and the high voltage wire tends to heat to a melting point causing damage and fire. .

Another problem is the known short circuit, which occurs when one hot wire touches another neutral wire. This leads to the circuit breaker tripping due to overload of electric current. Short circuits can be a serious problem. The main problem is with the electrical wiring, so it is advisable to follow the specified standards to avoid even more serious damage.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that even though the original installation was performed by authorized and authorized professionals and that all components were used correctly, it is not sufficient to ensure the safety of its users or the efficiency of its components. processes involved. This is because, if the wiring board, its circuit breakers, cabling and other components are accessed by unqualified, unauthorized persons or by improper techniques, the entire installation originally performed is strongly compromised, generating uncertainty regarding the operational criteria of the installation and its efficiency.

Regarding the regulation on the subject, it can be stated that the level of requirements of the Brazilian technical standards is adequate, coherent and adjusted to the international standards International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), but there is no regulated mechanism in Brazil that guarantees the compliance with the rules and enabling a systematic assessment of building installations. This disconnect between the existence of appropriate technical standards and any regulations requiring compliance, puts the life, health and safety of people and property at grave risk.

TECHNICAL STATE ANALYSIS

[009] In research conducted in national and international databases, it was allowed to know some solutions for the protection of electrical panels and their components. The North American document of n. US 20140220802 (Dte Electric Co.) is concerned with locking, tagging and mounting a selectable energy isolation device such as a terminal block. This document shows the current need, not only Brazilian _/ worldwide, to find solutions to isolate the electrical assembly circuit, but the solution presented differs from the model proposed here.

{0101 US 4882456 (Cooper Industries, Inc.) deals with a circuit breaker locking device, more particularly for locking the electrical switch handle, and to this end includes a support element disposed in the front of the circuit breaker, this element which is associated with a surrounding ring with holes in the side walls and a support also with side holes that can be pierced by a locking pin which, after traversing the holes, lodges below the switch handle, preventing movement of the switch. The document cited, despite having a locking pin, differs from the model now proposed as it is much more complex in relation to the number of parts, and has the primary function of locks the activation of a single switch.

{011] The documents cited in the paragraphs above, although belonging to the same field of application, do not have any of the characteristics of the object now refined, thus ensuring that it meets the legal requirements of patentability.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

Knowing the state of the art and the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary for the building electrical installation to include means that ensure full safety not only in connection with the wiring and electrical distribution, but also present means that identify any violation or access. unauthorized to the switchgear and / or electrical panel where the circuit breakers are mounted. As will be seen below, the present invention provides for one or more circuit breakers to be provided with a special configuration on the face corresponding to the fixing and coupling screws of the cables and / or connecting terminals which, together with an identifier clamp type seal, prevent unauthorized persons have access to the electrical cabinet and change any unauthorized connection or connection, such violation being immediately identified, thus allowing it to be! action is remedied to avoid compromising the electrical system, such as a short circuit or other damage, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[013] In order to achieve the above objectives the Applicant has developed improvements to standard DIN or NAM MA circuit breakers, more especially the improvements are related to the inclusion of at least one set of four triphoses on the front face of the circuit breaker, either unipolar, bipolar. These are eyelets that surround the region of the fixing screw and coupling of the cables and / or connecting terminals and of which a pair of these screws serve as the support for the articulation of a cover plate of said fixing screws, while the other pair of holes, after being housed in corresponding holes provided in said cover plate, are pierced by a clamp type seal, causing said cover plate to prevent access to the fastening screws.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

(014) Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical component, in particular a standard DIN or NEMA circuit breaker, or a differential circuit breaker which now adopts a certain constructive characteristic which allows the inclusion of a clamp type seal which is applied upon completion of the wiring installation. {015 | Another objective is to provide that the upgraded circuit breaker model will continue to fully comply with current technical standards, whether in terms of dimensions or mounting configuration with wires and cables, ie there is no change that could compromise current standards and / or the electrical operation of the circuit breaker and yes, uncle only, there is the addition of external elements to the same that allow the application of a cover plate on each fixing screw and a respective clamp type seal with means of identification upon completion of the wiring installation.

[016] It is another object of the present invention that the elements to be added to the circuit breaker to enable the installation of the seal are of low cost, ie, do not influence the circuit breaker value. [017] One of the advantages achieved with the breaker improvements is that, in addition to the visual evidence of the integrity of the seal and, consequently, the preservation of the electrical assembly, the seal has an area to identify the date of installation and / or sector to which the breaker (s) is related, facilitating future maintenance.

(018] Another advantage is that the seal, which is part of the present invention, has alphanumeric numbering, whereby the responsible builder or installer will write down the installation number in the owner's manual (eg in case of building development, with several units of houses or apartments), thus ensuring the integrity of the facility provided, avoiding questions and legal demands, expert opinion in case of fire, ie, ensures the characteristics of the protective circuit provided.

Another advantage is that the market can choose between conventional circuit breakers and now improved circuit breakers, since the changes now applied are of small spatial volume, but of great importance and efficiency, whether for builders and professionals in the field. as it ensures the preservation of the electrical assembly as authorized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In addition to the present description in order to gain a better understanding of the features of the utility model and according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, accompanying the accompanying description is a set of drawings, in which, by way of example, although not limiting, the following was represented:

Figure 1 illustrates the perspective of prior art unipolar and bipolar type circuit breakers to assist in visualization of the improvements illustrated in the following figures;

Figure 2 is a unipolar circuit breaker provided with the innovations now shown, illustrating the front face of the circuit breaker with two bracket assemblies for receiving corresponding cover and coupling bolts for cable clamping and / or connection terminals. illustrated in exploded view;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of the previous figure;

Fig. 4 is the circuit breaker of Fig. 2 with the cover plates properly mounted on the support assemblies and the innovative seal illustrated in an exploded position;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of differential type circuit breakers with at least one cover plate exploded relative to each circuit breaker; Figures 7, 7A and 7B illustrate, respectively, the perspective clamp seal with enlarged details thereof; an enlarged detail view of the elements preferably comprising the seal lock and the seal lock, with the seal strap in side view in section; and

Figure 8 shows the perspective view of a single-circuit breaker array and a differential circuit breaker, where all are sealed according to the features of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the illustrations, the present invention deals with "PERFORMANCE INTRODUCED IN LACRE CIRCUIT BREAKERS", which circuit breakers are more specifically in the field of medium or low voltage DIN or NEMA type wiring harness and are in unipolar form. (Dl) (may be of the Bipolar or Tripolar type) or of the Differential (02) / (D3) (Residual Differential) type, each generally comprising body (10) configured by an ordinarily paraleiepipedal part whose front face has with regions (R1) and (R2) for installing breaker (D1) / (D2) / (03) mounting and dismounting screws (?) on an electrical panel (not shown); The front face of the circuit breaker further includes a central region (R3) where the drive lever (11) is housed.

According to the present invention, the regions (R1) and (R2) of each circuit breaker (D1) / (D2) / (D3) are provided with support assemblies (12) for a cover plate (13) of at least at least one screw (P); said support assembly (12) includes a pivot member (14) of opposite and opposite axes (13a) of the plate (13) and through members (IS) of respective holes (13b) practiced in the said plate (13), through members (15) which are capable of housing the strap (16a) of a clamp-type seal (16) (Figure 4).

[023] In a preferred option, the covering plate (13) presents ^s is made in the form of a plastic foil, metal or other rigid material, provided with a central area (13c) dimensioned to cover the head of the screw (P) (D1} / (D2) / (D3) circuit breaker (13) includes two oppositely positioned extreme axes (13a).

Still considering as a preferred option, the pivot members (14) comprise two projecting bearings (14a), each with central bore (14b) for accommodating the extreme axes (13a) of the plate (13), allowing their assembly and articulation with respect to the external surface of the corresponding region (Al) or <R2).

Preferably, the bypass members (15) may be in the form of projecting eyelets (15a) with central holes (15b) aligned with each other on the transverse axis (E1) through which the strip (16a) of the housing is traversed. seal (16).

The seal (16), in turn, according to illustration figures 7, 7a and 7B, comprises a flexible strip (16a) provided with small retainers (16b) distributed equidistantly along said strip (16a); At one of the distal ends a plate (16c) is inserted so that the electrician / assembler can manually enter in writing or otherwise the circuit breaker or circuit breaker identification (see figure 8). At the opposite end to the nameplate (16c) is inserted the locking element (16d) configured by a longitudinally sectional quadrangular piece (16e) within which is a locking tab (16f) of the retainers (16b) ), which is assisted by a reinforcement piece (16g).

[027] Thus having defined the preferred constructivity of the sealed circuit breaker, it is clear that mounting the cover plate (13) on respective screw (s) (P) of each region (RI) and (R2) prevents access The same by unauthorized persons, while the seal, being positioned on one or more cover plates, inhibits and prevents any attempt to change the eietric frame without prior authorization.

[028] The cover plate (13) can be made in lengths. that meet the dimensions of the regions (RI) and (82) of each circuit breaker (D1), (D2) and (03), to cover one or more screws (P).

It is certain that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be made with respect to certain details of construction and form without departing from the fundamental principles which are clearly substantiated in the claim framework. It is thus understood that the terminology employed was not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1) "PERFORMANCE INTRODUCED IN LACRE CIRCUIT BREAKERS" means circuit breakers which are more specifically in the field of medium or low voltage DÈN or NEMA building wiring and which are unipolar (Dl) {which may be Bipolar or triple ) or of the differential type (D2) / (D3) (Differential residual}, each generally comprising body (10} configured per ordinarily parallelepiped part whose front face has regions (R1) and (R2) for installing breaker (D1) / (D2) / (D3) mounting and dismounting screws (P) on an electrical panel (not shown), the front face of the circuit breaker also includes a central region (R3) where it is housing the drive lever (11), characterized in that the regions {RI} and (R2) of each circuit breaker (D1) / {D2) / (D3) are provided with support assemblies (12) for a cover plate (13). ) of at least one screw (P); said support assembly (12) includes a pivot member (14) of opposite and opposite axes (13a) of the plate (13) and transfer members (15) from respective holes (13b) in said plate (13), transfer members (15) which are capable of housing the strip (16a) of a seal (16), 2) "BREAKER BREAKERS" according to claim 1 and in a preferred option, characterized in that the cover plate (13) is made of a plastic blade; metal or other rigid material, provided with a central area (13c) dimensioned to cover the brake head minus one screw (P) of corresponding model (D1) / (D2) / (D3) circuit breaker.

3) "BREAKER BREAKERS" according to claim 1 and in a preferred option wherein the pivot members (14) comprise two thrust bearings (14a) each with central bore (14b) for accommodating the extreme axes. (13a) of plate (13); the plate (13) has pivoting movement in the bearings (14a) relative to the outer surface of corresponding region (R1) or (R2).

A "BREAKER BREAKER" according to claim 1 and in a preferred option, characterized in that the through members (15) are in the form of projecting eyelets (iSa) with central holes (15b) aligned with each other according to transverse axis (E1) through which the seal strip (16a) is pierced,

5. "LACRE BREAKERS" according to claim 1 and in a preferred option, characterized in that the seal (16) is of the clamp type.

"LACRE BREAKERS" according to claims 1 and 5 and in an alternative constructivity, characterized in that the iacre (16) comprises a flexible strip (16a) provided with small retains (16b) distributed equidistantly along said circuit. strip (16a); At one of the distal ends is a nameplate (16c) inserted, while at the opposite end of the nameplate (16c) is inserted the locking element (16d) configured by a longitudinal bore square section (16e) inside. which is ^s is a latch bolt (16f) of the detents (16b), that this locking is supported by a reinforcing piece (16g).

"LACRE BREAKERS" according to the preceding claims, characterized in that unauthorized access to the screw (s) (P) is prevented by positioning and locking the cover plate (13) over respective regions ( R1) and (R2).

8. "LACRE BREAKERS" according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover plate (13) can be made in varying lengths that meet the dimensions of the regions (R1) and (R2) of each circuit breaker (D1), ( D2) and (D3) to coat one or more screws (P).