Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection
The modular electrical switchgear design with a common protection subassembly addresses inefficiencies in existing switchgear by allowing neutral connections on either side, ensuring consistent performance and reduced part complexity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AU · AU
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HAGER ELECTRO SAS
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrical switchgear designs for neutral phase protection require separate architectures for neutral connections on the left and right, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to differing protection functions and current path configurations.
A modular electrical switchgear design with a common protection subassembly that can accommodate neutral connections on either the left or right, using identical protection components and avoiding the crossing of neutral and phase current paths, while maintaining insulation and standard terminal connections.
This design simplifies manufacturing and ensures identical performance regardless of neutral connection orientation, reducing part complexity and facilitating standardization across different connection types.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection
[0001] The present invention concerns the field of electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection.
[0002] In electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection there are currently two types of connection. In the first connection type the neutral current path is positioned on the right relative to the phase current path and in the second connection type the neutral current path is positioned on the left relative to the phase current path. At present the architecture of the current paths and the protection functions is systematically different between the two connection types.
[0003] In the first connection type with the neutral current path on the right the neutral current path and its protection functions are most often located in the right-hand part of the housing relative to the phase. Reciprocally, in the second connection type with the neutral current path on the left the neutral current path and its protection functions are located in the left-hand part of the housing relative to the phase. This architecture difference implies the development and adjustment of two different protection functions that do not necessarily offer the same performance.
[0004] Some known architectures produce switchgear with 180 degrees rotation of the current paths between the two connection types and switchgear exhibiting symmetry with respect to the vertical plane between the two connection types. Although some sharing of some components is seen, the positions of the current paths and the protection functions differ between the two connection types because of the transformation of the architecture.
[0005] The document EP1962320 discloses switchgear that includes central blocks with standard dimensions effecting the differential and disconnection functions and having faces perpendicular to the junction sides. The central blocks have electrical terminals of circuits implementing the functions of the central blocks and situated at standard locations with different widths. The end blocks are fixed to the central blocks and are selected from a range of predetermined end blocks to complete the switchgear module, thereby enabling integration and connection of the module. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 This invention consists in a product providing the phase and neutral protection functions with no rail-mounted system or connection. The latter are added in the form of blocks in interface zones provided for this purpose. Differential elements in terms of rail mounting and connection can be added at the end of the process but are in the form of distinct blocks.
[0006] The document DE102023104115 discloses an electrical protection device including a first modular subunit including: - a phase current line including a first pair of contacts, - a neutral current line including a second pair of contacts, - a switching unit, - a magnetic tripping unit, - a differential tripping unit, wherein the first modular subunit extends over a width in a first direction less than the value of a module and the first modular subunit further extends longitudinally over a length in a second direction, - a partition wall. The electrical protection device has the particular feature that the partition wall extends in the second direction over a separation length less than the overall length in order to separate a first compartment on the phase side including the first pair of contacts from a second compartment on the neutral conductor side including the second pair of contacts, the first compartment being separate from the second compartment, the magnetic tripping unit and the differential tripping unit extending over substantially the entire width in the first direction and each being located outside the first compartment and the second compartment. In said device the phase and neutral current paths are caused to cross in order to make the connections upstream and downstream of the product.
[0007] The present invention has for object alleviating at least one of these disadvantages and is aimed at providing at least common protection functions of electrical protection switchgear with a neutral connection on the left and electrical protection switchgear with a neutral connection on the right.
[0008] To this end the invention concerns electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claim 1.
[0009] The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description relating to preferred embodiments specified by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings, in which: 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0010] [Fig. 1] figure 1 is a partial view from the right of a first embodiment of electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection including a common so-called neutral protection assembly on the right associated with a neutral input connection subassembly on the left and a neutral output connection subassembly on the left,
[0011] [Fig. 2] figure 2 is a partial perspective view from the right of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection depicted in figure 1,
[0012] [Fig. 3] figure 3 is a partial perspective view from the right of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection depicted in figure 1,
[0013] [Fig. 4] figure 4 is a partial view from the left of the first embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection,
[0014] [Fig. 5] figure 5 is a partial perspective view from the left of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection depicted in figure 4,
[0015] [Fig. 6] figure 6 is a partial perspective view from the left of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection depicted in figure 4,
[0016] [Fig. 7] figure 7 represents a perspective view from the left of the first embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection,
[0017] [Fig. 8] figure 8 is a perspective view from the right of the first embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection,
[0018] [Fig. 9] figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection,
[0019] [Fig. 10] figure 10 is a partial view from the right of a second embodiment of electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection including a common so-called neutral on the right protection subassembly associated with a neutral input connection subassembly on the right and a neutral output connection subassembly on the right, and
[0020] [Fig. 11] figure 11 is a partial view from the left of the second embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection.
[0021] The electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection is preferably of modular format and includes: 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0022] - a phase current line including at least one first fixed and mobile contact 1,2 assembly between a phase input connection terminal 3 and a phase output connection terminal 4,
[0023] - a neutral current line including at least one second fixed and mobile contact 5, 6 assembly between a neutral input connection terminal 7 and a neutral output connection terminal 8,
[0024] the phase and neutral input connection terminals 3, 7 forming an input connection subassembly 9a, 9b and the phase and neutral output connection terminals 4, 8 forming an output connection subassembly 10a, 10b,
[0025] - a protection subassembly 11a including the first and second fixed and mobile contact 1, 2, 5, 6 assemblies, a switching unit 12 including a manoeuvring member 13, at least one latch 14 connected to the mobile contacts 2, 6 and a tripping device 15 configured to actuate the latch 14 in the event of detection of a fault to separate the fixed and mobile contacts 1, 2, 5, 6 of the first and second assemblies.
[0026] According to the invention the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection is characterised in that:
[0027] - the input connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the right 9a and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 on the right of the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral output connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the right 10a and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 on the right of the phase output connection terminal 4, associated with the protection subassembly 11a, or
[0028] - the neutral input connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the left 9b and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 on the left of the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral output connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the left 10b and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 on the left of the phase output connection terminal 4, associated with the protection subassembly 11a, and
[0029] - the protection subassembly 11a is referred to as common and is identical whether it is associated with the specific neutral on the right input connection subassembly 9a and the specific neutral on the right output connection 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 subassembly 10a or it is associated with the specific neutral on the left input connection subassembly 9b and the specific neutral on the left output connection subassembly 10b.
[0030] The proposed solution advantageously makes it possible to propose a common protection subassembly 11a whatever the connection type, either neutral on the left or neutral on the right, and to the contrary to differentiate the connection zone of the protection electrical switchgear by means of the input connection subassembly 9a, 9b and the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b that are specific either to the neutral connection on the left type or the neutral connection on the right type. At present there is no technical solution proposing a protection subassembly architecture that can be strictly common to the current paths 16, 17 and the protection functions between protection electrical switchgear with neutral connection on the left and protection electrical switchgear with neutral connection on the right. This solution also avoids crossing the neutral and phase current paths 16, 17 in the common protection subassembly 11a, which simplifies the design. In the protection subassembly 11a according to the invention at least the first and second fixed and mobile contact assemblies 1, 2, 5, 6, the switching unit 12, the tripping device 15 and where applicable an electrical arc extinction unit 42, 43, 44 are identical and positioned in the same manner relative to one another regardless of which of the input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b or the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b it is associated. Furthermore the two types therefore perform identically.
[0031] In a first variant embodiment of the invention depicted in the figures referring to the first and second embodiments the common protection subassembly is preferably referred to as neutral on the right 11a and includes a neutral current path 16 including the second fixed and mobile contact 5, 6 assembly disposed on the right of a phase current path 17 including the first fixed and mobile contact 1, 2 assembly, the protection subassembly referred to as neutral on the right 11a being associated either with the specific input and output connection subassemblies with neutral on the right 9a, 10a or the specific input and output connection subassemblies with neutral on the left 9b, 10b.
[0032] In a second variant embodiment of the invention that is not depicted in the figures the common protection subassembly is preferably referred to as neutral on 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 the left and includes a neutral current path 16 including the second fixed and mobile contact 5, 6 assembly on the left of a phase current path 17 forming part of the phase current line including the first fixed and mobile contact 1, 2 assembly, the protection subassembly referred to as neutral on the left being associated either with the specific input and output connection subassemblies with neutral on the right 9a, 10a or with the specific input and output connection subassemblies with neutral on the left 9b, 10b.
[0033] Two common protection subassembly 11a variants are advantageously possible because the neutral current path 16 can be either on the right or on the left of the phase current path 17. In the figures that depict the first variant of the first embodiment the common protection subassembly 11a has the neutral on the right and the neutral current path 16 is on the right of the phase current path 17 and is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b. 10b. In the figures that depict the first variant of the second embodiment the common protection subassembly 11a has the neutral on the right and the neutral current path 16 is on the right of the phase current path 17 and associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connections subassemblies 9a, 10a.
[0034] The input connection subassembly 9a, 9b preferably includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 and a first connection member 18 connecting it to the neutral current path 16 and the phase input connection terminal 3 and a second connection member 19 connecting it to the phase current path 17 and the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b preferably includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 and a third connection member 20 connecting it to the neutral current path 16 and includes the phase output connection terminal 4 and a fourth connection member 21 connecting it to the phase current path 17.
[0035] The specific connection subassemblies 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b include connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 that have the particular function of electrically connecting the connecting terminals 3, 4, 7, 8 to the current paths 16, 17 and the particular feature of being specific to the type of connection, either neutral on the left or neutral on the right. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0036] In accordance with one possibility of the first variant embodiment that is depicted in the figures referring to the second embodiment the protection subassembly 11a referred to as neutral on the right is preferably associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection assemblies 9a, 10a and the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a respectively include the first connection member 18 that does not cross the second connection member 19 and the third connection member 20 that does not cross the fourth connection member 21.
[0037] In accordance with another possibility of the first variant that is depicted in the figures referring to the first embodiment the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection assemblies 9b, 10b and the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b respectively include the first connection member 18 that crosses the second connection member 19 and the third connection member 20 that crosses the fourth connection member 21.
[0038] In accordance with one possibility of the second variant embodiment that is not depicted the neutral on the left protection subassembly is preferably associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b and the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b respectively include the first connection member 18 that does not cross the second connection member 19 and the third connection member 20 that does not cross the fourth connection member 21.
[0039] In accordance with another possibility of the second variant embodiment that is not depicted the neutral on the left protection subassembly is preferably associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a and the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a respectively include the first connection member 18 that does not cross the second connection member 19 and the third connection member 20 that does not cross the fourth connection member 21. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0040] The connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 differ depending on the connection type and the variant of the protection subassembly 11a. The connection subassemblies 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b that are specific to the connection type if necessary allow crossing of the neutral and phase current lines at the level of the connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 and outside the protection subassembly 11a. This is the case in particular if the protection subassembly 11a and the connection subassembly 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b do not have the phase and the neutral on the same side, that is to say if the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b or if the neutral on the left protection subassembly is associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a. The connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 preferably cross in distinct planes to comply with the insulation distances between the phase potential and the neutral potential.
[0041] As depicted in figures 1 to 3 and 9 the first connection member 18 is preferably incorporated in line with a first end 22 of the neutral current path 16 and the third connection member 20 is preferably incorporated in line with a second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.
[0042] In this configuration the incorporation of the first / third connection member 18, 20 in line with the neutral current path 16 at its respective opposite first and second ends 22, 23 makes it possible to avoid increasing the number of parts and having to execute welds to make the connections. Furthermore, this architecture enables the use of standard neutral input and output connection terminals 7, 8 because they do not incorporate a connection member. However, in other variants that are not depicted the first / third connection member 18, 20 could be a part independent of the neutral current path 16.
[0043] As figures 4 to 6 and 9 depict the second connection member 19 and the fourth connection member 21 are distinct parts separate from the phase current path 17 and the phase output and input connections 3, 4 and the second connection member 19 is welded to a first end 24 of the phase current path 17 and the fourth connection member 21 is welded to a second end 25 of the phase current path 17. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0044] In this configuration the second and fourth connection members 19, 21 are advantageously not incorporated in the phase current path 17 or the phase output and input connection terminals 3, 4 but are independent parts. This architecture enables use of standard phase input and output connection terminals 3, 4 because it does not incorporate connection members.
[0045] As depicted in the figures the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection preferably includes an insulating material separation wall 26 separating at least the phase current path 17 from the neutral current path 16, the phase input connection terminal 3 from the neutral input connection terminal 7, and, preferably, the phase output connection 4 from the neutral output connection 8.
[0046] The separation wall 26 forms a spacer that creates an insulating barrier in particular between the phase line and the neutral line that enables them to be electrically insulated from one another.
[0047] The separation wall 26 preferably has an upper end 27 including first zones 28, 29 for the first and second connection members 18, 19 to pass through and a lower end 30 including second zones 31, 32 for the third and fourth connection members 20, 21 to pass through.
[0048] The first zones 28, 29 and the second zones 31, 32 advantageously enable localised crossing of the phase and neutral current lines to enable the connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 to cross. These crossings are respectively localised at the upper end 27 and at the lower end 30 of the separation wall 26. The proposed solution allows a common protection subassembly 11a and differentiation of only the input connection subassembly 9a, 9b, the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b and the separation wall 26 of the protection electrical switchgear.
[0049] As figures 1 to 3 and 9 depict the neutral current path 16 preferably includes a first portion 33 of the neutral current path 16 electrically connected at least to the first connection member 18 and to the fixed contact 5 of the second contact assembly and a second portion 34 of the neutral current path 16 electrically connected at least to the mobile contact 6 of the second contact assembly and to the third connection member 20. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0050] As figures 4 to 6 and 9 depict the phase current path 17 preferably includes a first portion 35 of the phase current path 17 electrically connected at least to the second connection member 19 and to the fixed contact 1 of the first contact assembly and a second portion 36 of the phase current path 17 electrically connected at least to the mobile contact 2 of the first contact assembly and to the fourth connection member 21.
[0051] The electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection includes at least one phase current line and one neutral current line. As the figures show in one example the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection includes only one phase current line and only one neutral current line.
[0052] The electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection can for example be a differential interrupter or a circuit-breaker or a differential circuit-breaker, these examples not being limiting on the invention. The figures depict circuitbreaker type electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection.
[0053] The electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection is preferably modular in format, which is to say that it preferably includes a housing 37 the width of which is a multiple of a module that is a standardised value that is preferably substantially equal to 18 millimetres. The figures depict electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection of circuit-breaker type of modular format with a width equal to one module.
[0054] The housing 37 can include a first shell 38 and a second shell 39 which when assembled together form a housing. The housing 37 preferably has a height of 83 millimetres or 87 millimetres. The internal faces 38a of the first and second shells 38, 39 preferably have part-locating imprints, which facilitates assembly during manufacture. The first shell 38 and the second shell 39 preferably also differ as a function of the connection type.
[0055] The phase input connection terminal 3, the phase output connection terminal 4, the neutral input connection terminal 7 and the neutral output connection terminal 8 are for example of the screw cage and / or insulation displacement type, preferably the standard type. The figures depict electrical switchgear in which the connecting terminals 3, 4, 7, 8 are standard screw cage terminals. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0056] The input connection subassembly 9a, 9b includes at least the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral input connection terminal 7. The input connection subassembly 9a, 9b can further include the first connection member 18 and the second connection member 19.
[0057] The input connection subassembly 9a, 9b enables electrical connection of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection to the electrical mains or to an electrical power supply and electrical connection of the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral input connection terminal 7 to the protection subassembly 11a.
[0058] The output connection subassembly 10a, 10b includes at least the phase output connection terminal 4 and the neutral output connection terminal 8. The output connection subassembly 10a, 10b can further include the third connection member 20 and the fourth connection member 21.
[0059] The output connection subassembly 10a, 10b enables electrical connection of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection to at least one load of an electrical installation to be protected and electrical connection of the phase output terminal 4 and the neutral output connection terminal 8 to the protection subassembly 11a.
[0060] The first connection member 18, the second connection member 19, the third connection member 20 and the fourth connection member 21 are preferably electrically conductive elements such as for example one or more preferably metal conductive plates and / or one or more electrical cables. In the examples depicted in the figures the connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 are conductive metal plates.
[0061] The first connection member 18 and the second connection member 19 respectively have the function of electrical connection of the neutral input connection terminal 7 to the neutral current path 16 and of the phase input connection terminal 3 to the phase current path 17.
[0062] The third connection member 20 and the fourth connection member 21 respectively have the function of making the electrical connection of the neutral output connection terminal 8 to the neutral current path 16 and of the phase output connection terminal 4 to the phase current path 17. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0063] The protection subassembly 11a preferably includes the first and second fixed and mobile contact assemblies 1, 2, 4, 6, the switching unit 12, the tripping device 15, the neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17.
[0064] The protection subassembly 11a does not include the connection terminals 3, 4, 7, 8 and does not include the connection members 18, 19, 20, 21.
[0065] The protection subassembly 11a provides at least one protection function in the event of the occurrence of at least one fault on the phase current line and / or the neutral current line. The at least one fault can be a fault of overload and / or short circuit and / or differential current and / or electrical arcing, etc. type. The tripping device unit 15 can be adapted as a function of the fault or faults to be detected.
[0066] As the figures depict the tripping device 15 can for example include a magnetic tripping device 40 electrically connected to the phase current path 17 configured to actuate the latch 14 in the event of a short-circuit type fault.
[0067] As the figures depict the tripping device 15 can for example include on its own or in combination with the magnetic tripping device 40 a thermal tripping device 41 electrically connected to the phase current path 17 and configured to actuate the latch 14 in the event of an overload type fault.
[0068] The protection subassembly 11a can further include an electrical arc extinction unit including at least one arc control chamber 42 and one or more arc plates 43a, 43b, 44a, 44b.
[0069] The switching unit 12 includes the manoeuvring member 13 and the latch 14.
[0070] The neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17 preferably each include a plurality of electrically conductive elements electrically connected to one another such as for example one or more preferably metal conductive plates and / or one or more electrical cables.
[0071] As the figures show the neutral current path 16 can for example include a first portion 33 and a second portion 34 in the form of metal plates and / or conductive cables. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0072] As the figures show the phase current path 17 can for example include a first portion 35 and a second portion 36 in the form of metal plates and / or conductive cables.
[0073] The first end 22, the second end 23, the first end 24 and the second end 25 are electrically connected, for example welded, to the first connection member 18, to the second connection member 19, to the third connection member 20 and to the fourth connection member 21 if they are separate parts or by contact bearing or by lengthening.
[0074] The separation wall 26 is preferably made of electrically-insulating material, for example of plastic.
[0075] The right-hand face 26a and the left-hand face 26b of the separation wall 26 preferably have part-locating imprints that facilitate assembly during manufacture.
[0076] The upper end 27 of the separation wall 26 is preferably near the input connection subassembly 9a, 9b.
[0077] The lower end 30 of the separation wall 26 is preferably near the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b.
[0078] The separation wall 26 also enables compartmentalisation of the interior of the housing 37 to form two compartments on respective opposite sides thereof, a first compartment delimited by the internal face 38a of the first shell 38 and a second compartment delimited by the internal face of the second shell 39.
[0079] The first and second compartments enable compartmentalisation of the parts of the protection electrical switchgear that are connected to the phase potential and the parts of the protection electrical switchgear that are connected to the neutral potential, in order to comply with the insulation distances.
[0080] A part of the latch 14, the manoeuvring member 13 and a part of the magnetic tripping device 40 need not be contained in the first compartment and in the second compartment. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0081] The first and second passage zones 28, 29 31, 32 are sized and positioned in the separation wall 26 to enable the first, second, third and fourth connection members 18, 19, 20, 21 to pass through them.
[0082] The first and second passage zones 28, 29, 31, 32 can include one or more slots and / or one or more cutouts and / or one or more windows or the like.
[0083] Figures 1 to 9 depict electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection with only one phase current line and only one neutral current line in a first embodiment of circuit-breaker type of modular format with a modular width of one module. Furthermore, the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection includes the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a that is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b.
[0084] Figures 1 to 3 show part of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection as seen from the right and in particular the second compartment.
[0085] The second compartment is delimited by the separation wall 26 and the internal face of the second shell 39 which cannot be seen in this figure and includes some of the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b and a part of the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a.
[0086] Where the input connection subassembly 9b is concerned the second compartment includes near the upper end 27 the phase input connection terminal 3 in the form of a screw cage, a part of the second connection member 19 connected to the phase input terminal 3 and a part of the first connection member 18. The first and second connection members 18, 19 pass through the separation wall 26 in the first passage zones 28, 29. The first connection member 18 extends the first end 22 of the neutral current path 16.
[0087] Where the output connection subassembly 10b is concerned the second compartment includes near the lower end 30 the phase output connection terminal 4 in the form of a screw cage a part of the fourth connection member 21 connected to the phase output connection terminal 4 and a part of the third 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 connection member 20. The third and fourth connection members 21 pass through the separation wall 26 in the second passage zones 31, 32. Furthermore outside the second compartment and behind the phase output connection terminal 4 there can also be seen through the second passage zone 32 the neutral output connection terminal 8 in the form a screw cage and the other part of the third connection member 20. The third connection member 20 extends the second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.
[0088] Where the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is concerned the second compartment includes the neutral current path 16 including the first portion 33 and the second portion 34 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 5 and the mobile contact 6 of the second contact assembly, a part of the latch 14 connected to the mobile contact 6 and of the first and second neutral arc plates 44a, 44b. The first portion 33 is electrically connected to the first connection member 18 at the first end 22, to the first neutral arc plate 44a and to the fixed contact 5. The second portion 34 is electrically connected to the mobile contact 6 of the second contact assembly by a braided flexible electrical cable 45, to the second neutral arc plate 44b and to the third connection member 20 at the second end 23.
[0089] In this example the first portion 33, the first connection member 18, the fixed contact 5 and the first neutral arc plate 44a constitute a first one-piece part P1 that facilitates industrialisation. Similarly the second portion 34, the second neutral arc plate 44b and the third connection member 20 constitute a second one-piece part P2 that facilitates industrialisation.
[0090] The right-hand face 26a of the separation wall 26 includes locatingimprints of complementary shape to the first part P1, the second part P2 and the phase input and output connection terminals 3, 4, which facilitates assembly during manufacture.
[0091] Figures 4 to 6 show part of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection seen from the left and in particular the first compartment.
[0092] The first compartment is delimited by the separation wall 26 and the internal face of the first shell 38 which cannot be seen in this figure and includes some of the specific neutral on the left input and output connection 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 subassemblies 9b, 10b and a part of the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a.
[0093] Where the input connection subassembly 9b is concerned the second compartment includes near the upper end 27 the neutral input connection terminal 7 in the form of a screw cage, a part of the first connection member 18 that is connected to the neutral input connection terminal 7 and a part of the second connection member 19. The first and second connection members 18, 19 pass through the separation wall 26 in the first passage zones 28, 29. The second connection member 19 is welded to the first end 24 of the phase current path 17.
[0094] Where the output connection subassembly 10b is concerned the first compartment includes near the lower end 30 the neutral output connection terminal 8 in the form of a screw cage, a part of the third connection member 20 that is connected to the neutral output connection terminal 8 and a part of the fourth connection member 21. The third and fourth connection members 21 pass through the separation wall 26 in the second passage zones 31, 32. The fourth connection member 21 extends the second end 25 of the phase current path 17.
[0095] Where the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is concerned the first compartment includes the phase current path 17 including the first portion 35 and the second portion 36 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 1 and the mobile contact 2 of the first contact assembly, a part of the latch 14 connected to mobile contact 2, the magnetic tripping device 40, the thermal tripping device 41, the cutoff chamber 42 and the first and second phase arc plates 43a, 43b. The first portion 35 is electrically connected to the second connection member 19 by the first end 24, to the first neutral arc plate 43a and to the fixed contact 1. The first portion 35 includes a winding of the magnetic tripping device 40. The second portion 36 is electrically connected to the mobile contact 2 of the first contact assembly by a flexible electrical cable 45’, to the second phase arc plate 43b, to the thermal tripping device 41 and to the fourth connection member 21 at the second end 25. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0096] In this example the first portion 35, the fixed contact 5, the magnetic tripping device 40 and the first phase arc plate 43a constitute a third one-piece part P3 which facilitates industrialisation. In the same manner the second portion 36, the second phase arc plate 43b, the thermal tripping device 43 are a fourth one-piece part P4 which facilitates industrialisation. On the other hand the second connection member 19 and the fourth connection member 21 do not form part of the third and fourth parts P3, P4.
[0097] The left-hand face 26b of the separation wall 26 includes locating imprints of complementary shape to the third part P3, the fourth part P4 and the neutral input and output connection terminals 7, 8, which facilitates assembly during manufacture.
[0098] Figure 7 shows the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection seen from the right with the housing 37 formed by the first and second shells 38, 39 which are assembled by means of the separation wall 26 that forms a spacer. The housing 37 has a standard modular shape, essentially that of a rectangular parallelepiped. The neutral input connection terminal 7 is on the left of the phase input terminal 3. The neutral and phase input connection terminals 7, 3 open onto the upper lateral face of the housing 37. The manoeuvring member 13 projects from the front face of the housing 37.
[0099] Figure 8 shows the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection seen from the left with the housing 37 formed by the first and second shells 38, 39 that are assembled by means of the separation wall 26, which forms a spacer. The neutral output connection terminal 8 is on the left of the phase output connection terminal 4. The neutral and phase input connection terminals 8, 4 open onto the lower lateral face of the housing 37. The manoeuvring member 13 projects from the front face of the housing 37.
[0100] Figure 9 represents an exploded perspective view of the first variant embodiment of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection with all of the parts that have just been described with reference to figures 1 to 8. This figure depicts in particular the first, second, third and fourth parts P1, P2, P3, P4 each of which is in one piece, which is of benefit for manufacture, which this facilitates. 2025267371 12 Nov 2025
[0101] Figures 10 and 11 depict electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection with a single phase current line and a single neutral current line in a circuit-breaker type second embodiment with a modular format and a modular width of one module. Furthermore, the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection includes the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a that is associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a.
[0102] It is seen in these figures 10 and 11 that the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is identical to that of the first embodiment from figures 1 to 9. Only slight variations can be seen on the neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17.
[0103] Figure 10 shows part of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection seen from the right and in particular the second compartment.
[0104] The second compartment is delimited by the separation wall 26 and the internal face of the second shell 39 which cannot be seen in this figure and includes some of the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a and a part of the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a.
[0105] Where the input connection subassembly 9a is concerned the second compartment includes near the upper end 27 the neutral input connection terminal 7 in the form a screw cage and the first connection member 18, which does not pass through the separation wall 26. The first connection member 18 extends the first end 22 of the neutral current path 16.
[0106] Where the output connection subassembly 10a is concerned the second compartment includes near the lower end 30 the neutral output connection 8 in the form of a screw cage and the third connection member 20, which does not pass through the separation wall 26. The third connection member 20 extends the second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.
[0107] Where the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is concerned the second compartment includes the neutral current path 16 including the first portion 33 and the second portion 34 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 5 and the mobile contact 6 of the second contact assembly, a part of 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 the latch 14 connected to the mobile contact 6 and the first and second neutral arc plates 44a, 44b. The first portion 33 is electrically connected to the first connection member 18 at the first end 22, to the first neutral arc plate 44a and to the fixed contact 5. The second portion 34 is electrically connected to the mobile contact 6 of the second contact assembly by a braid-type flexible electrical cable 45, to the second neutral arc plate 44b and to the third connection member 20 at the second end 23.
[0108] In this example the first portion 33, the first connection member 18, the fixed contact 5 and the first neutral arc plate 44a are a first one-piece part P1, which facilitates industrialisation. In the same manner the second portion 34, the second neutral arc plate 44b and the third connection member 20 are a second one-piece part P2, which facilitates industrialisation.
[0109] The right-hand face 26a of the separation wall 26 includes locating imprints of complementary shape to the first part P1, the second part P2 and the neutral input and output connection terminals 7, 8, which facilitates assembly during manufacture.
[0110] Figure 11 shows part of the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection seen from the left and in particular the first compartment.
[0111] The first compartment is delimited by the separation wall 26 and the internal face of the first shell 38 which cannot be seen in this figure and includes some of the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a and a part of the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a.
[0112] Where the input connection subassembly 9a is concerned the second compartment includes near the upper end 27 the phase input connection terminal 3 in the form of a screw cage and the second connection member 19, which does not pass through the separation wall 26. The second connection member 19 is connected by welding to the first end 24 of the phase current path 17.
[0113] Where the output connection subassembly 10a is concerned the first compartment includes near the lower end 30 the phase output connection terminal 4 in the form of a screw cage and the fourth connection member 21, 2025267371 12 Nov 2025 which does not pass through the separation wall 26. The fourth connection member 21 extends the second end 25 of the phase current path 17 which in this example is in the form of a braid-type cable 45”.
[0114] Where the neutral on the right protection subassembly 11a is concerned the first compartment includes the phase current path 17 including the first portion 35 and the second portion 36, the fixed contact 1 and the mobile contact 2 of the first contact assembly, a part of the latch 14 connected to the mobile contact 2, the magnetic tripping device 40, the thermal tripping device 41, the cutoff chamber 42 and the first and second phase arc plates 43a, 43b. The first portion 35 is electrically connected to the second connection member 19 by the first end 24, to the first neutral arc plate 43a and to the fixed contact 1. The first portion 35 includes a winding of the magnetic tripping device 40. The second portion 36 that includes a braid-type cable 45’’ is electrically connected to the mobile contact 2 of the first contact assembly by a flexible electrical cable 45’, to the second phase arc plate 43b, to the thermal tripping device 41 and to the fourth connection member 21 at the second end 25.
[0115] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented in the appended drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without this departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
1. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection preferably of modular format comprising:- a phase current line comprising at least one first fixed and mobile contact (1,2) assembly between a phase input connection terminal (3) and a phase output connection terminal (4),- a neutral current line comprising at least one second fixed and mobile contact (5, 6) assembly between a neutral input connection terminal (7) and a neutral output connection terminal (8),- the phase and neutral input connection terminals (3, 7) forming an input connection subassembly (9a, 9b) and the phase and neutral output connection terminals (4, 8) forming an output connection subassembly (10a, 10b),- a protection subassembly (11a) including the first and second fixed and mobile contacts assemblies (1, 2, 5, 6), a switching unit (12) including a manoeuvring member (13) and at least one latch (14) connected to the mobile contacts (2, 6), a tripping device (15) configured to actuate the latch (14) in the event of detection of a fault to separate the fixed and mobile contacts (1, 2, 5, 6) of the first and second assemblies,the electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection is characterised in that:- the input connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the right (9a) and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) on the right of the phase input connection terminal (3), and the neutral output connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the right (10a) and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal (8) on the right of the phase output connection terminal (4), which are associated with the protection subassembly (11a) or- the neutral input connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the left (9b) and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) on the left of the phase input connection terminal (3) and the neutral output connection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the left (10b) and is specific and includes2025267371 12 Nov 2025the neutral output connection terminal (8) on the left of the phase output connection terminal (4), which are associated with the protection subassembly (11a), and- in that the protection subassembly (11a) is referred to as common and is identical whether it is associated with the specific neutral on the right input connection subassembly (9a) and the specific neutral on the right output connection subassembly (10a) or associated with the specific neutral on the left input connection subassembly (9b) and the specific neutral on the left output connection subassembly (10b).
2. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claim 1 characterised in that the common protection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the right (11a) and includes a neutral current path (16) including the second fixed and mobile contact (5, 6) assembly on the right of a phase current path (17) including the first fixed and mobile contact (1, 2) assembly, the protectionsubassembly referred to as neutral on the right (11a) being associated either with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) or with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b).
3. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claim 1 characterised in that common protection subassembly is referred to as neutral on the left and includes a neutral current path (16) including the second fixed and mobile contacts assembly (5, 6) on the left of a phase current path (17) forming part of the phase current line including the first fixed and mobile contact (1, 2) assembly, the protection subassembly referred to as neutral on the left being associated either with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) or with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b).
4. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to either one of claims 2 or 3 characterised in that the input connection subassembly (9a, 9b) includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) and a first connection member (18) connecting it to the neutral current path (16) and includes the phase input connection terminal (3) and a second connection member (19) connecting it to the phase current path (17), and the output connection subassembly (10a, 10b)includes the neutral output connection terminal (8) and a third connection member2025267371 12 Nov 2025(20) connecting it to the neutral current path (16) and includes the phase output connection terminal (4) and a fourth connection member (21) connecting it to the phase current path (17).
5. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claims 2 and 4 characterised in that the protection subassembly (11a) referred to as neutral on the right is associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection assemblies (9a, 10a) and the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) respectively include the first connection member (18) that does not cross the second connection member (19) and the third connection member (20) that does not cross the fourth connection member (21).
6. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claims 2 and 4 characterised in that the neutral on the right protection subassembly (11a) is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection assemblies (9b, 10b) and the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) respectively include the first connection member (18) that crosses the second connection member (19) and the third connection member (20) that crosses the fourth connection member (21).
7. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claims 3 and 4 characterised in that the neutral on the left protection subassembly is associated with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) and the specific neutral on the left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) respectively include the first connection member (18) that does not cross the second connection member (19) and the third connection member (20) that does not cross the fourth connection member (21).
8. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claims 3 and 4 characterised in that the neutral on the left protection subassembly is preferably associated with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) and the specific neutral on the right input and output connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) respectively include the first connectionmember (18) that does not cross the second connection member (19) and the third connection member (20) that does not cross the fourth connection member (21).
9. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to any one of claims 4 to 8 characterised in that the first connection member (18) is incorporated2025267371 12 Nov 2025in line with a first end (22) of the neutral current path (16) and the third connection member (20) is incorporated in line with a second end (23) of the neutral current path (16).
10. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to any one of claims 4 to 9 characterised in that the second connection member (19) and the fourth connection member (21) are distinct parts separate from the phase current path (17) and the phase output and input connections (3, 4) and the second connection member (19) is welded to a first end (24) of the phase current path (17) and the fourth connection member (21) is welded to a second end (25) of the phase current path (17).
11. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to any one of claims 2 to 10 characterised in that an insulating material separation wall (26) separates at least the phase current path (17) from the neutral current path (16), the phase input connection terminal (3) from the neutral input connection terminal (7) and the phase output connection (4) from the neutral output connection (8).
12. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to claims 11 and 6 or 11 and 8 characterised in that the separation wall (26) has an upper end (27) including first zones (28, 29) for the first and second connection members (18, 19) to pass through and a lower end (30) including second zones (31, 32) for the third and fourth connection members (20, 21) to pass through.
13. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to any one of claims 2 to 12 characterised in that the neutral current path (16) includes a first portion (33) of the neutral current path (16) connected at least to the first connection member (18) and to the fixed contact (5) of the second contact assembly and a second portion (34) of the neutral current path portion (16) electrically connected at least to the mobile contact (6) of the second contact assembly and to the third connection member (20).
14. Electrical switchgear for neutral phase protection according to any one of claims 2 to 13 characterised in that the phase current path (17) includes a first portion (35) of the phase current path (17) electrically connected at least to the second connection member (19) and to the fixed contact (1) of the first contact assembly and a second portion (36) of the phase current path (17) electrically2025267371 12 Nov 2025connected at least to the mobile contact (2) of the first contact assembly and to the fourth connection member (21).