WO2021122051A1

WO2021122051A1 - Electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021122051A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/084600
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Baudou; Laurent Janicot
Original assignee: Legrand France; Legrand Snc
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: CN114830475B; FR3105616A1; CN114830475A; FR3105616B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical apparatus provided with: - a terminal box provided with a body comprising a rear part (12) having a back wall provided with means for fastening to a receiving support and a side wall (13) bordering the back wall, the side wall having a front edge (13C) to which a rear edge of a side wall of a front part is attached such that the side wall of the front part extends in the continuation of the side wall of the rear part to form, with the latter, the side wall of the body which defines a receiving cavity suitable for receiving an electrical apparatus mechanism (20), - an electrical apparatus mechanism accommodated in the cavity and provided with access openings (25, 26) to electrical connection terminals. According to the invention, part of the front edge of the side wall of the rear part, which extends along the rear edge of the front part, is situated at a predetermined height (H1) relative to the back wall, set back a minimum distance (d) from the access openings.

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical equipment

The present invention relates generally to the field of sealed electrical equipment which comprises an insulating electrical box in two parts for housing an electrical equipment mechanism (typically socket or electrical switch mechanisms).

It relates more particularly to electrical equipment in which it is provided:

- an electrical box provided with a body comprising a rear part comprising a bottom wall provided with means for fixing to a receiving support and a side wall bordering said bottom wall, said side wall having a front edge on which is attached a rear edge of a side wall of a front part so that the side wall of said front part extends in the extension of the side wall of said rear part to form with the latter the side wall of the body which defines a housing receiving device adapted to receive an electrical switchgear mechanism,

- An electrical equipment mechanism housed in said housing and provided with access openings to electrical connection terminals.

In particular, document DE19540681 discloses an electrical apparatus of the aforementioned type comprising an electrical box in two parts.

In this electrical box, the body of the electrical box comprises a rear part and a front part, the side walls of which have an identical height equal to 50% of the total height of the side wall of the body.

The rear part generally carries the means for mounting the electrical switchgear mechanism. These mounting means are such that the access openings to the connection terminals of the electric wires (generally neutral, phase, earth or even phase cut or shuttle) are oriented towards the cable entries provided in the back. However, when the electrical equipment mechanism is attached to said mounting means and an installer makes its electrical connection, the height of the side wall of the rear part hinders access to the access openings.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an electrical apparatus in which access to the access openings to the connection terminals is facilitated.

More particularly, according to the invention, an electrical apparatus as defined in the introduction is proposed, in which the entirety of said front edge of the side wall of the rear part, which along said rear edge of the front part, is located at a determined height relative to the bottom wall, set back a minimum distance from said access openings, said predetermined distance being greater than or equal to the diameter of the openings d 'access.

Thus, advantageously according to the invention, access to the openings of the electrical connection terminals is facilitated because the height of the side wall of the rear part is determined so as to position these openings set back in height relative to this side wall. The electrical connection of the switchgear mechanism is therefore easy for the installer.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the electrical equipment according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination, are as follows:

- the front edge of the side wall of the rear part, which runs along said rear edge of the front part, is included in a plane parallel to said bottom wall, said plane being located at a predetermined distance from another plane parallel to the bottom wall which passes through the center of said access openings closest to said bottom wall;

- The side wall of the rear part has a maximum height less than or equal to 50%, preferably less than or equal to 40%, of the maximum total height of the side wall of the body;

- The bottom wall of the rear part of said body carries uprights for mounting the base of the electrical equipment mechanism which extend forwards from said bottom wall, perpendicularly thereto;

- each upright comprises, at a predetermined distance, a stop means for the base of the electrical equipment mechanism so as to position said access openings above the front edge of the side wall of said rear part;

- Said predetermined distance is such that said base of the electrical equipment mechanism attached to said uprights is positioned above the bottom wall;

- Each upright comprises latching means which receive additional latching means provided on the base of the electrical equipment mechanism;

- There is provided at least four uprights arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to a center of the bottom wall;

- the uprights are formed in one piece with the rear part of molded plastic material;

- the rear part is formed from a single piece of molded plastic material; and

- A cover is attached to the front of said electrical box to close the reception housing. The description which will follow with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

In the accompanying drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic assembled perspective view of an electrical device comprising an electrical box according to the invention and a cover,

- Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the electrical equipment of Figure 1,

- Figure 3A is a schematic assembled perspective view of the electrical box according to the invention,

- Figure 3B is a schematic assembled perspective view of part of the electrical box according to the invention,

- Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the electrical box of Figure 3,

- Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the rear part of the electrical box according to the invention,

- Figure 6 is a schematic front view of the rear part of the electrical box of Figure 5 in which is mounted an equipment mechanism, and

- Figure 7 is a schematic side view of Figure 6 in the y direction.

In the description which follows, the terms “front” and “rear” will be used with respect to the direction of gaze of a person on the element described. The front of this element designates the side facing the person looking at it while the rear designates the side facing the support on which said element is attached.

The terms “inside” and “outside” will be used with reference to the electrical box itself, to denote respectively the side of an element facing the center of the electrical box and the side of an element facing outwards. of this box.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an electrical device 1 comprising an electrical box 10 according to the invention, an electrical device mechanism 20 received in a housing delimited in the electrical box 10 and a cover 30 which closes the front opening of the electrical box 10 through which one accesses the interior of said housing and which confers its function on the electrical apparatus 1.

The electrical box 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a sealed electrical box protruding from a wall and arranged to internally receive the electrical equipment mechanism 20. This electrical equipment mechanism 20 is here a gripping mechanism. current (Figure 2) but it could similarly be an electrical switch mechanism or even a detection mechanism.

The hubcap 30 has a shape associated with the electrical equipment mechanism 20. Here, this hubcap 30 comprises, inside a structural part 31 in the form of a frame, an insertion hole 32 for an electrical plug. This trim 30 also carries a hinged cover 35 for protecting the insertion hole 32 (FIG. 2).

As a variant (not shown), in the case of an electrical switch mechanism, the hubcap comprises one or more control keys adapted to snap onto receiving means provided on a wall which closes the structural part in the form of a frame. These reception means are provided to provide the control key with tilting mobility.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3A, the electrical box 10 comprises a body 15 which here has a generally parallelepipedal shape. It could have a different shape, for example cylindrical.

This body 15 comprises a side wall 16, of height H3, which is closed at the rear by a bottom wall 11. The side wall 16 and the bottom wall 11 define a receiving housing suitable for receiving the fitting mechanism. electrical 20. This receiving housing is open at the front to allow access to the electrical equipment mechanism 20 attached to said housing.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the body 15 is in practice made in two distinct main parts: a rear part 12 called in the remainder of the text “support plate 12” and a front part 17 called “frame 17” below. ". The support plate 12 is designed to be fixed to the partition or wall wall and to support the electrical equipment mechanism 20, while the frame 17 has a function of protecting this electrical equipment mechanism 20 and of supporting means of 'interface (in particular the cover 30) allowing the user to interact with the electrical equipment mechanism 20.

The support plate 12 is here made in a single piece of molded plastic, while the frame 17 is produced by clipping two pieces to simplify the production of the frame 17 by molding.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support plate 12 comprises the bottom wall 11 bordered by a side wall 13 which rises from the bottom wall 11, substantially perpendicular to the latter. The side wall 13 of the support plate 12 follows a generally rectangular, in particular square, contour with straight panels 13A, 13B connected by angled portions forming corners with cut angles. The bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 is provided with means for fixing to a receiving support, here the partition or wall wall (not shown). These means of attachment to a receiving support are therefore bordered here by the side wall 13 of the support plate 11.

For attachment to a receiving support, the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 has circular orifices 12A here closed by pierceable sealing caps (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). These circular holes 12A can be crossed by screws (not shown) in order to fix the support plate 12 on the partition or wall wall.

As shown in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 also has holes 12C of oblong shape (whose main axes are perpendicular). These oblong-shaped orifices 12C can also be crossed by screws (not shown) in order to fix the support plate 12 on the partition or wall wall. The oblong shape of these orifices 12C makes it possible to adjust the mounting orientation of the support plate 12 on the partition or wall.

The bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 also comprises a central opening 12B, closed here by a tear-off sealing cap for the passage for example of an electric cable (of the U1000R02V or H07RNF type) or of a tube. IRL type or an ICTA type electrical sheath.

As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 has, on two opposite straight panels 13A, a determined and uniform maximum height H1. This maximum height H1 is for example here between 20 and 23 millimeters (mm). When the support plate 12 and the frame 17 are assembled (as shown in FIG. 1), the maximum height H1 is of the order of 20 mm.

On the two other opposite right panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, the height of this side wall 13 decreases locally, from the maximum height Hl, to a minimum height hl (FIG. 7). This minimum height h1 is for example less than or equal to 10% of the maximum total height H3 of the side wall 16 of the body 15 (FIG. 3B).

This local decrease in height, from the maximum height Hl to the minimum height hl, forms a first entry opening part 14A inside the body 15 of the electrical box 10 in each corresponding straight panel 13B of the wall. side 13 of the support plate 12. Here, two first parts 14A of inlet openings are therefore formed on the corresponding opposite straight panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

As also shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, a front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 has a particular shape which defines a groove open towards the front. This groove extends along the front edge 13C of this side wall 13, including along the first portions 14A of openings formed in the opposite straight panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

Outside the part which runs along each first entry opening part 14A, there is provided in the groove, a seal (here not shown) positioned between the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the plate. support 12 and a rear edge 18C of a side wall 18 of the frame 17. The seal provides a sealed assembly between the support plate 12 and the frame 17.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the portion of the groove extending along each first entry opening portion 14A is intended to receive, by sliding, a cable gland 50.

Here, two cable entry tips 50 are mounted on the support plate 12, in the two first inlet opening portions 14A formed on the corresponding opposite straight panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

As shown in Figure 2, each cable gland 50 has a support plate 52 provided with an inner peripheral edge which delimits an opening 50A for the passage of an electric cable or an electrical sheath of ICTA type or an IRL tube. Each cable gland 50 also includes a flexible and perforable waterproofing membrane 54, molded at least partially on the support plate 52, which closes said opening 50A and which is suitable for being traversed by the electric cable or the IRL-type tube. or the ICTA type electrical sheath.

Thus, it is a part of the support plate 52 of each cable gland 50 which is slid in the groove of a first entry opening part 14A formed in the corresponding right panel 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

To allow the assembly of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 in the electrical box 10, the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 carries uprights 200 (Figures 2, 3A, 3B, 4 and 5). These uprights 200 extend forward from the bottom wall 11. They extend perpendicularly thereto.

The uprights 200 are formed integrally, in molded plastic material, with the support plate 12.

As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, there are provided here four uprights 200 arranged, in pairs, symmetrically with respect to a center O of the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12.

The center O of the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 is therefore a center of symmetry for the positioning of the uprights 200. This central symmetry in the positioning of the uprights 200 of the support plate 12 allows the mounting of the electrical switchgear mechanism 20 in the electrical box 10 in different positions offset from each other by rotation around an axis Z (FIG. 5) orthogonal to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 and passing through the center O of this bottom wall 11.

Here, the uprights 200 of the support plate 12 are arranged in areas located opposite the angled portions forming the corners of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, orthogonally to the diagonals Dl, D2 of the wall of bottom 11 (figure 6).

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each upright 200 here has a front part 200A and a rear part 201A.

Each rear part 201A is attached to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12. It has an overall rectangular outline with a slightly curved shape convex outwardly. The side edges of each rear part 201A form ribs.

As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the front portion 200A of each post 200 extends forward from the rear portion 201A.

The front part 200A has an inverted U shape defined by two side branches 200B and a branch 200D parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 and joining the two side branches 200B at their end remote from the rear part 201A ( this branch 200D corresponds to the base of the inverted U). The side branches 200B also form ribs. The ribs of the side branches 200B here allow the sliding of the mounting means 21 of the base of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 during the assembly of the latter in the electrical box 10.

The set of side branches 200B, of the branch 200D and of the upper part of the rear part 201A defines a window 200C in each upright 200.

As also shown in Figures 4 and 5, the front part 200A has a smaller thickness than the rear part 201A, then forming a hook 202. This hook 202 allows the formation of a stop rim 202 which extends between the front 200A and rear 201A parts of each upright 200. This formed stop rim 202 then makes it possible, when mounting the electrical equipment mechanism 20 in the electrical box, to position the base of the electrical device mechanism 20 in the electrical box 10 at a determined distance from the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 so as to leave a free space for easily placing the electrical connection wires.

The arrangement of the ribs of the side branches 200B and of the window 200C of the front part 200A of each upright 200, combined with the stop rim 202 formed at the junction of the front parts and rear 200A, 201A of each upright 200, constitutes a snap-fit mounting means of the base of the fitting mechanism 20.

As shown more particularly in Figure 2, the base of the fitting mechanism 20 comprises at its four corners, four identical latching means 21 adapted to cooperate with the snap-fit mounting means, described above, of the four uprights 200. Each latching means 21 essentially comprises a part which slides on the ribs of the lateral branches 200B and a protruding tooth which hooks into the window 200C. Each latching means 21, when it is latched, then bears on the corresponding stop rim 202.

Remarkably, the maximum height H1 of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is less than or equal to 50% of the maximum total height H3 of the side wall 16 of the body 15. Preferably, this maximum height H1 of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is less than or equal to 40% of the maximum total height H3 of the side wall 16 of the body 15. More preferably, this maximum height H1 of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is strictly less than 40% of the maximum total height H3 of the side wall 16 of the body 15. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, this proportion is of the order of 37%. Thus, as the height of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is lower, access to the interior of the support plate 12, for example for an installer during the electrical connection, is facilitated.

More generally, advantageously, the maximum height H1 of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is determined so that part of the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, which runs along the rear edge 18C of the side wall 18 of the frame 17, is located at a determined height, here the maximum height Hl, relative to the bottom wall 11, set back a minimum distance, here a predetermined distance d, by compared to the access openings 25, 26 to electrical connection terminals of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 attached to the uprights 200 of said support plate 12 (see FIG. 7). By withdrawal is meant here a withdrawal in height, that is to say that the height of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 is partly less than the height at which the access openings 25 are positioned, 26 to the electrical connection terminals of the electrical equipment mechanism 20.

More precisely here, as can be seen in FIG. 7, the access openings 25, 26 are located above the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, thus making it possible to facilitate the electrical connection of the device. electrical gear mechanism 20. As shown in Figure 7, here, the entire front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, along the rear edge 18C of the frame 17, is set back from the access openings 25, 26.

As shown in Figure 7, there are provided here six access openings 25, 26, grouped in pairs, of generally circular shape. In each pair of access openings 25, 26, one of the access openings 25, 26 gives access, from the outside of the electrical equipment mechanism 20, to a compartment for the electrical supply of a device. electrical connection terminal housed in this compartment while the other access opening is used for a possible transplanting of the electrical connection terminal.

For each pair of access openings 25, 26, a plane is defined parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 and passing through the center of the access openings 25, 26. The access openings 25 , 26 have a cylindrical shape. The axis of the cylinder of each access opening (therefore passing through the center of the corresponding access opening 25, 26) is therefore included in the associated plane, parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 The access openings 25, 26 are then oriented towards the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

According to Figure 7, here two pairs of access openings 26 are aligned, those positioned outermost of the electrical equipment mechanism 20, and the plane PI parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the plate -support 12 goes through their centers. The pair of central access openings 25 is located between the two other pairs of access openings 26 and the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12, and the plane P2, parallel to this bottom wall 11, passes through the center of these access openings 25.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, advantageously here, the planes PI and P2 passing through the center of the access openings 25, 26 are located at a distance from a plane P, parallel to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 and comprising the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate

12 which runs along the rear edge 18C of the frame 17.

According to the invention, the base of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 is positioned in the electrical box 10, attached to the uprights 200 of the support plate 12, such that the plane P2 passing through the access openings 25 them. closest to the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12 is located at a predetermined distance d from the plane P including the front edge 13C of the side wall

13 of the support plate 12, which runs along the rear edge 18C of the frame 17. This predetermined distance d is for example here greater than or equal to the diameter of the access openings 25, 26.

For this, the stop rim 202 which extends between the front 200A and rear 201A parts of each upright 200 of the support plate 12 is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12, from so that the access openings 25, 26 (and more particularly those closest to this bottom wall 11) are located above the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12. The stop rim 202 of each upright 200 of the support plate 12 also constitutes a means stop for the base of the electrical switchgear mechanism 20 so as to position it above the bottom wall 11.

This makes it possible to facilitate access to the interior of the support plate 12 and therefore to facilitate the electrical connection of the electrical supply wires to the electrical terminals of the electrical equipment mechanism 20.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 3B and 4, the frame 17 comprises the side wall 18 which is in the form of a sleeve having a central opening of a given section S. This side wall 18 of the frame 17 is intended to be attached to the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 to extend in the extension thereof so as to form the side wall 16 of the body 15. More particularly, the side wall 18 of the frame 17 is designed to be attached to the mounting means provided in the side wall 13 of the support plate 12. In addition, the major part of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 is an extension of the wall side 13 of the support plate 12. The side wall 18 of the frame 17 follows a generally rectangular outline, in particular square, with straight panels 18A, 18B connected by angled portions forming corners with cut angles, in correspondence with the contour of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

As shown in Figure 3B, at the front, the side wall 18 of the frame 17 detaches so as to form a sidewalk 18A, extending perpendicular to the major part of the side wall 18 of the frame 17.

The front part 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 extends concentrically to the major part of the side wall 18 of the frame 17. This front part 18B defines a reduced section SI of the central opening (FIG. 3B). Unhooking the side wall 18 of the frame 17 then makes it possible to reduce the front section of this central opening.

The hook of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 is shaped to receive an extension 19 in the form of a frame of lower height H4 (Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4). The height H4 is for example here of the order of 10.4 mm. This extension is fixed to the frame 17 by clipping. For this, the extension 19 comprises four clips arranged at the four corners of this extension 19, which are received in correspondingly shaped housings provided at the four corners of the frame 17. In addition, as shown in Figure 3B, the front part 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 comprises, along its periphery, ribs 18C for centering the extension 19. The extension 19 is therefore intended to be attached to these ribs 18C on an outer part of the front part 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 and fixed by clipping to the frame 17. Thus, the frame 17 is produced by the association by clipping of the sleeve formed by the side wall 18 and the extension 19. The use of two sub-parts for the realization of the frame 17 makes it possible to simplify the design by molding. The extension 19 has an aesthetic role and is designed to hide the front part of the frame 17.

As a variant, the frame could be made in one piece, for example in molded plastic.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4, the frame 17 is designed, on the hook formed by the front part of the side wall 18 of the frame 17, to receive the hubcap 30. For this, the frame 17 comprises , on the front part 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17, holes 30A for fixing the cover 30. These holes 30A are adapted to receive elements allowing the mounting of the cover 30 on the frame 17. These elements (not visible) assembly are for example quarter-turn elements, operable from the front face of the cover 30.

Similarly to the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the side wall 18 of the frame 17 has, on two opposite straight panels 18A extending in the extension of the opposite straight panels 13A of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, a determined and uniform maximum height H2 (FIG. 3B).

On the two other opposite right panels 18B, extending themselves in the extension of the opposite right panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, the height of this side wall 18 decreases locally, from the maximum height H2, up to 'at a minimum height h2 (FIG. 3B). This minimum height h2 is for example less than or equal to 20% of the maximum total height H3 of the side wall 16 of the body 15. This local reduction in height in the side wall 18 forms a second entry opening portion 14B. Here, two second inlet opening portions 14B are formed on the opposite straight panels 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17. Each second inlet opening portion 14B is intended to come into correspondence with one of the. first entry opening portions 14A formed on one of the other opposite straight panels 13B of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12.

Thus, the combination of a first entry opening part 14A of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 with a second entry opening part 14B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17, during the The assembly of the support plate 12 and the frame 17 described below, forms a complete entry opening. Here, as shown in Figures 1-6, two full inlet openings are formed on two opposing panels of the side wall 16 of the body 15. Alternatively, the inlet openings could be formed on two adjacent panels of the wall. side of the body. Similarly to the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, the rear edge 18C of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 has, along each second entry opening portion 14B formed in each corresponding right panel 18B, a particular shape which delimits a groove open towards the rear. This groove is also intended to receive, by sliding, a cable gland 50, and more precisely a part of the support plate 52 thereof.

Apart from the part which runs along each second entry opening part 14B, the rear edge 18C of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 has a rib adapted to insert or fit into the groove formed along the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, when assembling the support plate 12 and the frame 17.

The peripheral seal described above and making it possible to establish a sealed junction between the front edge 13C of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 and the rear edge 18C of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 is therefore positioned between the faces of said throat and said rib.

The interlocking of the rib of the frame 17 in the groove of the support plate 12 ensures a relative blocking of the frame 17 with respect to the support plate 12 in a plane (x, y) parallel to the plane of the partition or wall wall . On the other hand, this interlocking does not make it possible to block the frame 17 with respect to the support plate 12 along an axis z orthogonal to the plane of said partition or wall wall.

To ensure this locking, the support plate 12 and the frame 17 comprise complementary attachment means intended to lock the assembly of the frame 17 on the support plate 12. These complementary attachment means are here snap-fastening means. unlockable.

There are provided here four sets of complementary attachment means respectively located at the four corners of the electrical box 10. This ensures a robust fixing of the frame 17 on the support plate 12 while freeing space to the inside the electrical box 10 to allow an optimized arrangement of the electrical cables.

As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, each attachment means provided on the support plate 12 is in the form of a notch 100A formed integrally with the support plate 12, here by molding of 'a plastic material.

Each notch 100A projects from the inside face of each angled portion of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 and has a pointed profile facing inwards.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, each attachment means provided on the frame 17 and intended to cooperate with each notch 100A of the support plate 12 is carried by a lever 110. Each lever 110 is formed in one piece. with the side wall 18 of the frame 17 and protrudes from the inside face of each angled portion of this side wall 18. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, each lever 110 is in the form of a rectangular plate 111 bordered by two stiffening flanks 112.

Each lever 110 is attached to the side wall 18 of the frame 17 only by its front end. It is elastically deformable at its junction with the side wall 18 of the frame 17, which then forms a hinge.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, each lever 110 has an opening 115 adapted to engage on the corresponding notch 100A of the support plate 12. This opening 115 has in particular an edge 115A (Figure 4) adapted to hook. on a rear face of the notch 100A so as to lock the frame 17 on the support plate 12.

The rear end of each lever 110 is bent towards the inside of the frame 17 so as to form a flange 116. This flange 116 comprises a slot 117 into which the end of a tool such as a screwdriver can be inserted, for example to disengage the notch 100A of the lever 110 in order to release the lever 110 (and therefore detach the attachment means of the frame 17 from that of the support plate 12).

It will be noted that when the frame 17 provided with its extension 19 is fitted onto the support plate 12, the electrical box 10 has a side wall of total height H (FIGS. 1 and 2). This total height H is for example between 54 and 57 mm. Preferably here, when the support plate 12, the frame 17 and the extension 19 are assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the total height H is of the order of 54 mm.

When mounting the electrical switchgear 1 projecting on a wall partition, the installer first fixes the support plate 12 on the wall by inserting screws into the oblong holes 12C and adjusting this fixing in forward rotation. insert screws into the circular holes 12A (figures 2, 4, 5 and 6).

Then, the installer introduces an electric cable or an electric tube or sheath through the waterproofing membrane 54 of a cable gland 50.

According to a first mounting alternative, the installer inserts the support plate 52 of this cable gland 50 in the groove formed in the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, along a first opening part 14A. entry.

The installer then positions the electrical equipment mechanism 20 on the uprights 200 of the support plate 12. As shown in Figure 4, the cable gland 50, when it is introduced into the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 has a height greater than that of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 and could interfere with the electrical connection of the mechanism of electrical equipment 20 (that is to say the insertion of each electrical connection wire into each electrical terminal, via each corresponding access opening 25, 26 of the electrical equipment mechanism 20). But, advantageously here, the installer takes advantage, on the one hand, of the low height of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 (apart from the cable gland ends) in order to access the interior. of the support plate 12, and, on the other hand, that the access openings 25, 26 to the electrical terminals of the base of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 attached to the uprights 200 of the support plate 12, are positioned in withdrawal in height (therefore above) of this side wall 13 to very easily achieve this electrical connection.

As the stop means present on the uprights 200 make it possible to position the base of the fitting mechanism 20 at a distance from the bottom wall 11 of the support plate 12, the installer can arrange the electrical connection wires so that they are not pinched and to limit the bulk in the electrical box 10.

According to a second mounting alternative, once the electric cable or the electric tube or sheath has been introduced into the cable gland 50, the installer electrically connects the electrical equipment mechanism 20. Then he inserts the support plate 52 of this cable gland 50 in the groove formed in the side wall 13 of the support plate 12, along a first entry opening part 14A while positioning the electrical equipment mechanism 20 on the uprights 200 of the support plate 12. The installer also takes advantage here of the low height of the side wall 13 of the support plate 12 and of the distance between the base of the electrical equipment mechanism 20 and the back wall 11 of the support plate 12 to arrange the electrical connection wires.

Once the electrical switchgear mechanism 20 has been mounted and electrically connected, the installer assembles, on the support plate 12, the frame 17 provided with its extension 19, by interlocking thanks to the complementary assembly means and by snap-fastening thanks to the means of 'complementary attachment. The frame 17 provides mechanical and electrical protection of the electrical switchgear mechanism 20 as well as the electrical connection wires housed inside the electrical box 10. Finally, the installer mounts the cover 30 in the orifices 30A of the front part 18B of the side wall 18 of the frame 17 in order to hermetically close the front opening of the electrical box 10 and to give its function to the electrical equipment 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the various figures, the electrical box has a square-shaped section and it defines a single station making it possible to accommodate one or two electrical equipment mechanisms: it is said that this is a single-station box. As a variant, it could be a multi-station box, having a section of rectangular shape and defining two or three stations. In this variant, the electrical box will preferably include a frame defining several openings, each being intended to receive a station.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the various figures, but those skilled in the art will know how to make any variant in accordance with their spirit.

Claims

1. Electrical equipment (1) in which the following is provided:

- an electrical box (10) provided with a body (15) comprising a rear part (12) comprising a bottom wall (11) provided with means for fixing to a receiving support and a side wall (13) bordering said wall bottom (11), said side wall (13) having a front edge (13C) on which is attached a rear edge (18C) of a side wall (18) of a front part (17) so that the wall side (18) of said front part (17) extends in the extension of the side wall (13) of said rear part (12) to form with the latter the side wall (16) of the body (15) which defines a receiving housing adapted to receive an electrical equipment mechanism (20),

- an electrical equipment mechanism (20) housed in said housing and provided with access openings (25, 26) to electrical connection terminals, characterized in that the entirety of said front edge (13C) of the wall side (13) of the rear part (12), which runs along said rear edge (18C) of the front part (17), is located at a height (Hl) determined with respect to said bottom wall (11), set back a minimum distance (d) from said access openings (25, 26), said predetermined distance (d) being greater than or equal to the diameter of the access openings (25, 26).

2. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the front edge (13C) of the side wall (13) of the rear part (12), which runs along said rear edge (18C) of the front part (17) , is included in a plane (P) parallel to said bottom wall (11), said plane (P) being located at a predetermined distance (d) from another plane (P2) parallel to the bottom wall (11) which passes through the center of said access openings (25) closest to said bottom wall (11).

3. Electrical apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the side wall (13) of the rear part (12) has a maximum height (Hl) less than or equal to 50% of the maximum total height (H3) of the side wall (16) of the body (15).

4. Electrical apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom wall (11) of the rear part (12) of said body (15) carries uprights (200) for mounting the base of the electrical switchgear mechanism (20) which extend forward from said bottom wall (11), perpendicular thereto.

5. Electrical apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein each upright (200) comprises, at a predetermined distance, a stop means for the base of the electrical apparatus mechanism (20) so as to position said openings of. access (25, 26) above the front edge (13C) of the side wall (13) of said rear part (12).

6. Electrical equipment (1) according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined distance is such that said base of the electrical equipment mechanism (20) attached to said uprights is positioned above the bottom wall (11).

7. Electrical apparatus (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each upright (200) comprises latching means which receive additional latching means provided on the base of the electrical equipment mechanism (20). ).

8. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein there is provided at least four uprights (200) arranged in pairs symmetrically with respect to a center (O) of the bottom wall ( 11).

9. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the uprights (200) are formed integrally with the rear part (12) of molded plastic material.

10. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the rear part is formed in one piece of molded plastic material.

11. Electrical apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a cover (30) is fixed to the front of said electrical box (10) to close the receiving housing.