Protection device for alternating current electrical equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device for an alternating current electrical installation, equipped with a compact element comprising a magnetic tripping coil and a protection relay coil and an electronic circuit connected to the protection relay coil, characterized in that said electronic circuit comprises an assembly for determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in said magnetic tripping coil as a function of the signal present at the end of said protection relay coil, this assembly being implemented by an analog-digital converter (71), a calculation unit (72) and an interface (70), said calculation unit (72) being configured to produce a digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current, being connected to a communication element (96) and being configured to transmit said digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current to said communication element (96).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection device for an alternating-current electrical installation. BACKGROUND

[0002] From the prior art, and in particular from French patent application No. 2 846 289, it is known that a protection device for an alternating-current electrical installation is as shown in the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 3 in which:

[0003] Figure 1 is a perspective view of such a known protection device, taken from the top, front and right side of the device;

[0004] Figure 2 the circuit of a first embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact comprised in this circuit are shown in a very diagrammatic manner; and

[0005] Figure 3 the circuit of a second embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact comprised in this circuit are shown in a very diagrammatic manner.

[0006] Figure 1 The electrical device 10 shown has a substantially parallelepiped shape.

[0007] It has two main faces, respectively a left face 11 and a right face 12, and sides extending from one of the main faces 11 and 12 to the other, namely a back face 13, an upper face 14, a front face 15 and a lower face 16.

[0008] The back face 13 has a recess 17 which is intended for mounting the device 10 on a standard support rail having an omega profile (not shown).

[0009] The front face 15 has, at a central location, at a location approximately halfway along its length, a nose 18 with a joystick 19.

[0010] Here, the device 10 is of the modular type, that is to say, in addition to its overall parallelepiped shape, its width (the distance between the two main faces 11 and 12) is a multiple of a standardized value called "module", which is approximately 18 mm.

[0011] Here, the device 10 has a width which is a multiple of the module.

[0012] The device 10, according to the modular form, is configured to belong to a row of modular devices arranged side by side by being secured from behind to a support rail arranged horizontally.

[0013] The upper face 14 has two introduction holes 20 and 21, which give access respectively to a connection terminal 22 and to a connection terminal 23. The introduction hole 20 and the terminal 22 are located on the left. The introduction hole 21 and the terminal 23 are located on the right.

[0014] Likewise, the lower face 16 has two introduction holes, a first hole and a second hole giving access to the connection terminals 26 and 27 respectively. The first introduction hole and the terminal 26 are located on the left. The second introduction hole and the terminal 27 are located on the right.

[0015] Each of the connection terminals 22, 23, 26 and 27 is designed to receive the bare end portion of an electrical cable or the teeth of a horizontal distribution comb, the pitch of which (center distance between two successive teeth) is the module.

[0016] Here, the terminals 22 and 23 located at the top are designed to be connected to two poles of an electricity distribution network, while the two terminals 26 and 27 located at the bottom are designed to be connected to the electrical circuit of an electrical installation to be protected.

[0017] The device 10 is a differential circuit breaker with protected poles, that is to say, with a circuit for detecting short circuits and overcurrents in the power circuit of the protected poles (circuit breaker function) and with a differential function for detecting the difference in intensity of the currents flowing in the power circuit of the protected poles and in the power circuit of the unprotected poles.

[0018] Here, the terminals 22 and 26 located on the left are designed for the poles of a protected electrical installation, which is a phase, while the terminals 23 and 27 located on the right are designed for the poles of an unprotected electrical installation, which is neutral.

[0019] The current power circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 located on the left comprises, in series, a magnetic circuit breaking element 30, a fixed contact 31, a movable contact 32, a thermal circuit breaking element 33 and a winding 34 forming part of a differential fault detection transformer 35.

[0020] The current power circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 located on the right comprises, in series, a fixed contact 36, a movable contact 37 and a winding 38 forming part of the differential fault detection transformer 35.

[0021] The transformer 35 comprises, in addition to the windings 34 of the current power circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 located on the left and the windings 38 of the current power circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 located on the right, forming the primary windings, a secondary winding 39 and a toroidal armature (magnetic circuit) 40 in the periphery of which the secondary winding 39 and the primary windings 34 and 38 are implemented.

[0022] The secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 is connected to an electronic card 43 by two electrical conductors 41 and 42.

[0023] Here, the magnetic tripping element 30 is part of a compact element 44 which also comprises a protection relay 45. The electronic card 43 is connected to the terminals 22 and 23 by two conductors 28 and 29, respectively, on the one hand, and to the protection relay 45 by two conductors 46 and 47, on the other hand.

[0024] In order to control the movable contacts 32 and 37, the device 10 comprises a mechanism 50, commonly known as a lock.

[0025] The joystick 19, which is located outside the device 10, allows manual operation of the lock 50.

[0026] The magnetic tripping element 30, the thermal tripping element 33 and the assembly constituted by the protection relay 45 connected to the electronic card 43 are configured to act on the lock 50 when necessary.

[0027] The lock 50 has two stable positions, respectively, a disengaged position in which the two movable contacts 32 and 37 are respectively distant from the corresponding fixed contacts 31 and 36 and an engaged position in which each of the two movable contacts 32 and 37 is abutted against the corresponding fixed contact 31 and 36.

[0028] The joystick 19, which protrudes from the front face 15, allows manual operation of the lock 50 to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position and vice versa.

[0029] The magnetic tripping device 30, the thermal tripping device 33 and the protection relay 45 are configured to automatically act on the lock 50 to switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position when a predetermined current delivery condition occurs.

[0030] The magnetic tripping device 30 acts on the lock 50 in the event of a short circuit, the thermal tripping device 33 acts in the event of an overcurrent and the protection relay 45 acts in the event of a differential fault.

[0031] In practice, the magnetic tripping element 30 is constituted by a coil which is arranged around a core which controls a striker acting on the lock 50 when a short circuit occurs. The thermal tripping device 33 is constituted by a bimetallic strip which deforms in the event of an overcurrent for a long time and acts on the lock 50 as a result of its deformation. The protection relay 45, which is part of the compact element 44 as is the magnetic tripping element 30, is constituted by another coil which is arranged around the same movable core. This other coil is powered by the electronic card 43 which reacts to the voltage provided by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 in the event of a difference between the current flowing in the winding 34 and the current flowing in the winding 38, that is to say, in the event of a differential fault. When the protection relay 45 is thus powered, it drives the movable core which controls the striker acting on the lock 50 to trigger the switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0032] Figure 3 The embodiment of the device 10 shown is similar to that shown in Figure 2 The embodiment shown is similar to that shown in

[0033] The transformer 202 comprises a toroidal armature 203 surrounding the electrically conductive element of the current-carrying circuit between the terminals 22 and 26, and comprises a winding 204 surrounding the toroidal armature 203.

[0034] The winding 204 is connected to the electronic card 43 by two electrical conductors 205 and 206. The card 43 reacts not only to the voltage supplied by the winding 39 of the transformer 35, but also to the voltage supplied by the winding 204 of the current-measuring transformer 202.

[0035] Like the thermal cut-off element 33, the transformer 202 is arranged between the movable contact 32 and the terminal 26, but, whereas the thermal cut-off element 33 is arranged between the movable contact 32 and the winding 34, the transformer 202 is arranged between the winding 34 and the terminal 26.

[0036] Here, the electronic card 43 reacts not only to the voltage supplied by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35, but also to the voltage supplied by the winding 204 of the transformer 202.

[0037] In the event of a long-duration overcurrent, the electronic card 43 supplies the protection relay 45, which drives a movable core that controls a striker acting on the lock 50 to trigger the switching from the engaged position to the disengaged position. SUMMARY

[0038] The invention aims to provide, in a simple, convenient and economical manner, information about the current flowing in an electrical protection device for an alternating-current electrical installation, or information that can be derived therefrom, such as the electrical energy consumption of the part of the electrical installation connected to the output terminals of the protection device.

[0039] The invention provides, for this purpose, a protection device for an alternating-current electrical installation, having a first input connection terminal for a first pole, a second input connection terminal for a second pole different from the first pole and a first output connection terminal for the first pole, each of the connection terminals being configured to receive an end portion of a cable bare end or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb, the device comprising:

[0040] - a first current-carrying circuit between the first input connection terminal and the first output connection terminal, comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact;

[0041] - a control mechanism of the movable contact, having two stable positions, respectively a disengaged position of the movable contact from the fixed contact and an engaged position of the movable contact against the fixed contact;

[0042] - a lever for manually operating the control mechanism to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position or vice versa;

[0043] - a compact element comprising a magnetic disconnection element consisting of a magnetic disconnection coil arranged around a movable core which controls a striker acting on the control mechanism in the event of a short circuit and forming part of a first current-carrying circuit, and a protection relay consisting of a protection relay coil surrounding the movable core, the magnetic disconnection coil and the protection relay coil being arranged around each other;

[0044] - an electronic circuit connected to the protection relay coil;

[0045] characterized in that said electronic circuit comprises an assembly for determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic disconnection coil as a function of the signal present at the ends of the protection relay coil, implemented by an analog-digital converter, a calculation unit and an interface arranged between the ends of the protection relay coil and the converter, said interface being configured to supply to the input port of the converter an analog signal available to the converter and corresponding to the voltage present between the two ends of the protection relay coil, said converter being configured for generating a digital value representative of the analog signal supplied by the interface; said calculation unit being configured for generating a digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic disconnection coil as a function of said digital value representative of the analog signal supplied by the interface; said calculation unit being further connected to a communication element and configured for transmitting to said communication element said digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current.

[0046] The communication element allows the protection device, simply by means of components already present, i.e. the compact element, and an appropriate electronic circuit, to provide the value of the intensity of the current flowing through it, which is particularly simple, convenient and economical.

[0047] The present invention is based on the observation that the protection relay coil, in addition to being used to drive the striker, can also sense the current flowing in the magnetic disconnection coil and therefore in the first current-carrying circuit.

[0048] In fact, the signal supplied by the protection relay coil is representative of the current flowing in the magnetic disconnection coil, since the magnetic disconnection coil and the protection relay coil are arranged around each other and therefore interact like the windings of a transformer, including the fact that the coupling between the two coils can only take place through the surrounding air, in the absence of specific coupling elements such as electromagnetic armatures.

[0049] According to advantageous features:

[0050] - the analog-to-digital converter and the calculation unit are implemented in a microcontroller;

[0051] - said device is configured so that the protection relay coil is used only to supply said signals present at its ends to said assembly determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in said magnetic tripping coil;

[0052] - said device is configured so that the protection relay coil is used to supply said signals present at its ends to said assembly determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in said magnetic tripping coil and to drive said movable core, which controls said striker acting on said control mechanism to trigger the switching from said engaged position to the disengaged position, said electronic circuit comprising a switching circuit and being configured to generate a detection signal when a predetermined current condition occurs, said electronic circuit being configured so that, in the absence of said detection signal, the switching circuit connects the protection relay coil to the interface while isolating the coil of the protection relay from each of said input connection terminals, and, in the presence of said detection signal, the switching circuit isolates the protection relay coil from the interface and then connects the protection relay coil to each of said input connection terminals

[0053] - said device has a second output connection terminal for a second electrode, said output connection terminal being configured for receiving the end portion of the cable exposed or the teeth of the horizontal distribution comb; said device comprises a second current delivery circuit between the second input connection terminal and the second output connection terminal, and in that it comprises a differential fault detection transformer configured to generate a differential fault signal when a differential fault occurs between the first current delivery circuit and the second current delivery circuit, said transformer being connected to the switching interface of said electronic circuit, which is configured to generate said detection signal in the presence of said differential fault signal;

[0054] said switching circuit comprises:

[0055] - a first switching element comprising a control connection point and being connected on the one hand to the first input connection terminal and on the other hand to the first end of the protection relay coil, allowing a blocking configuration when there is no predetermined signal at said control connection point, in which the first switching element isolates the first end of the protection relay coil from the first input connection terminal, and allowing an on configuration when said predetermined signal is present at said control connection point, in which the first switching element causes the first end of the protection relay coil to be connected to the first input connection terminal;

[0056] - a second switching element comprising a control connection point and being connected on the one hand to the second input connection terminal and on the other hand to the second end of the protection relay coil, allowing a blocking configuration in which the second switching element isolates the second end of the protection relay coil from the second input connection terminal when no predetermined signal is present at the control connection point, and allowing a closing configuration in which the second switching element connects the second end of the protection relay coil to the second input connection terminal when said predetermined signal is present at the control connection point;

[0057] - a third switching element comprising a control connection point and being connected on the one hand to the first end of the protection relay coil and on the other hand to the interface, allowing a closing configuration in which the first end of the protection relay coil is connected to the interface when no predetermined signal is present at the control connection point, and allowing a blocking configuration in which the first end of the protection relay coil is isolated from the interface when said predetermined signal is present at the control connection point;

[0058] - a fourth switching element comprising a control connection point and being connected on the one hand to the second end of the protection relay coil and on the other hand to the interface, allowing a closing configuration in which the second end of the protection relay coil is connected to the interface when no predetermined signal is present at the control connection point, and allowing a blocking configuration in which the second end of the protection relay coil is isolated from the interface when said predetermined signal is present at the control connection point;

[0059] - the switching interface is configured for generating a start signal at the end of a predetermined time from the generation of the detection signal, the electronic circuit being configured for applying the detection signal to the control connection point of the third switching element and to the control connection point of the fourth switching element, and for applying the start signal to the control connection point of the first switching element and to the control connection point of the second switching element;

[0060] - the first switching element and the second switching element each comprise a transistor and a thyristor;

[0061] - the third switching element and the fourth switching element each comprise a transistor;

[0062] - the communication element is a radio frequency communication element;

[0063] - the device is in the form of a module, of substantially parallelepiped shape, with two main faces, respectively a left face and a right face, and lateral faces extending from one main face to the other, with a width, i.e. a distance between the left face and the right face, equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance, called module, and / or

[0064] - the ratio between the number of turns of the relay coil and the number of turns of the magnetic circuit breaker coil is between 100 and 500. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0065] The present introduction will now continue with the description of an embodiment, given by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0066] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 , already described, is a perspective view of a known protection device, obtained from the right side, top and front of the device;

[0067] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 , already described, very schematically shows the circuit of a first embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact comprised in the circuit;

[0068] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 , already described, very schematically shows the circuit of a second embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact comprised in the circuit;

[0069] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 in a manner similar to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , shows the circuit of the device according to the present application and the control mechanism of the movable contact comprised in the circuit.

[0070] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit comprised in the circuit.

[0071] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 detailed Figure 5 the first switching element and the second switching element of the electronic circuit shown in

[0072] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 detailed Figure 5 the third switching element and the fourth switching element of the electronic circuit shown in

[0073] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 detailed Figure 5 the interface comprised in the electronic circuit shown in

[0074] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring unit implemented in the microcontroller comprised in the electronic circuit shown in Figure 5 ​

[0075] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the compact element and the electromechanical connection included in the device;

[0076] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the compact element and the connection;

[0077] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 is a front sectional view of the compact element and the connection;

[0078] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 is a left side sectional view of the device according to the present application, in which the left side panel of the casing has been removed;

[0079] [ Figure 14 ] Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 , only taken from the right side.

[0080] [ Figure 15 ] Figure 15 in a manner similar to Figure 4 , shows a variant of the circuit of the device according to the present application, and the control mechanism of the movable contact included in the circuit;

[0081] [ Figure 16 ] Figure 16 is a schematic view of the electronic circuit included in the Figure 15 circuit;

[0082] [ Figure 17 ] Figure 17 in a manner similar to Figure 4 , shows a variant of the circuit of the device according to the present application, which includes a thermal cut-out element and a corresponding modified electronic circuit;

[0083] [ Figure 18 ] Figure 18 is a schematic view of the electronic circuit included in the Figure 17 circuit; and

[0084] [ Figure 19 ] Figure 19 in a manner similar to Figure 18 , shows a variant of the electronic circuit included in the Figure 4 circuit, which device constitutes a part of the electronic circuit includes a differential fault measuring transformer and a thermal cut-out element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] The protection device 100 of an alternating current electrical installation in the general way is similar to that by means of Figure 1 and Figure 2The described device 10, except that it does not comprise a thermal cut-out element 33 and does not comprise a differential fault detection transformer 35, and that the electronic card 43 is replaced by an electronic circuit 43a which is connected, through a conductor 48, to the first current-carrying circuit between the movable contact 32 and the connection terminal 26 and through a conductor 49 to the second current-carrying circuit between the movable contact 37 and the connection terminal 27.

[0086] For the sake of simplicity, for the elements similar to the device 10, we have kept the same numerical reference for the device 100.

[0087] The device 100 comprises a first input connection terminal 22 for a first electrode, a second input connection terminal 23 for a second electrode different from the first electrode, a first output connection terminal 26 for the first electrode and a second output connection terminal 27 for the second electrode.

[0088] Each of the connection terminals 22, 23, 26, 27 is configured to receive an end portion of a cable bare end or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb.

[0089] As Figure 4 indicated, the device 100 comprises a first current-carrying circuit between the first input connection terminal 22 and the first output connection terminal 26.

[0090] The first current-carrying circuit comprises a fixed contact 31 and a movable contact 32.

[0091] The device 100 furthermore comprises a second current-carrying circuit between the second input connection terminal 23 and the second output connection terminal 27.

[0092] The second current-carrying circuit comprises a fixed contact 36 and a movable contact 37.

[0093] The control mechanism 50 of the movable contact 32 and of the movable contact 37 has two stable positions, respectively a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0094] In the disengaged position, the movable contact 32 is distant from the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 37 is distant from the fixed contact 36.

[0095] In the engaged position, the movable contact 32 is resting on the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 37 is resting on the fixed contact 36.

[0096] The device 100 comprises a joystick 19 configured for manually operating the mechanism 50 in order to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position or vice versa.

[0097] The protection device 100 comprises a compact element 44.

[0098] The compact element 44 comprises the magnetic circuit element 30 and the protection relay 45.

[0099] The compact element 44 is configured to act on the lock 50 in order to switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position in the event of a short circuit or long time overcurrent.

[0100] As shown in Figures 10 to 14 the magnetic circuit element 30 is constituted by a magnetic circuit coil 51 arranged around a movable core 103 which controls the action of the striker 102 on the control mechanism 50 in the event of a short circuit.

[0101] The magnetic circuit coil 51 constitutes part of the first current delivery circuit. The magnetic circuit coil 51 is located between the input connection terminal 22 and the fixed contact 31.

[0102] The protection relay 45 is constituted by a protection relay coil 52 arranged around the movable core 103.

[0103] The protection relay coil 52 is equipped with a first end 110 and a second end 110a.

[0104] The magnetic circuit coil 51 and the protection relay coil 52 are arranged around each other.

[0105] Here, the magnetic circuit coil 51 is arranged around the protection relay coil 52.

[0106] The fact that the two windings constituting the coil 51 and the coil 52 are arranged around each other produces a transformer effect, that is to say, due to the electromagnetic coupling of the two coils through the air, the current flowing in the coil 51 induces a current in the coil 52.

[0107] The transformation ratio is the ratio between the number of turns of the two windings.

[0108] Here, the coil winding of the protection relay 52 has two thousand turns, while the magnetic circuit coil 51 has five turns, so the transformation ratio is 400.

[0109] In general, it is advantageous for the ratio between the number of turns of the protection relay coil 52 and the number of turns of the magnetic circuit coil 51 to be comprised between 100 and 500.

[0110] In fact, within this range, it is easy to have a suitable number of turns, for example 1000-1500 turns, for the protection relay coil to be able to perform both the role of sensor and the role of actuator, and a number of turns, for example 3-10 turns, for the magnetic circuit coil to perform both the role of excitation of the protection relay coil and the role of actuator.

[0111] The electronic circuit 43a of the device 100 is connected to the protection relay coil 52 through the conductor 46 and the conductor 47.

[0112] More specifically, asFigure 6 As shown, conductor 46 is connected to end 110 and conductor 47 is connected to end 110a.

[0113] Electronic circuit 43a is configured to supply power to protection relay coil 52 when a predetermined current delivery circuit condition indicative of a long time overcurrent occurs.

[0114] As Figure 5 It can be seen that electronic circuit 43a comprises a long time overcurrent detector 60 and a switching circuit 61.

[0115] Long time overcurrent detector 60 is configured to determine the presence of a current delivery condition indicative of a long time overcurrent from signals occurring at ends 110 and 110a of protection relay coil 52.

[0116] Long time overcurrent detector 60 is furthermore configured to generate a detection signal when the predetermined current delivery condition is present, i.e. in case of a long time overcurrent, and subsequently to generate an activation signal at the end of a predetermined time from the generation of the detection signal.

[0117] Long time overcurrent detector 60 and switching circuit 61 are configured such that, in the absence of the detection signal, switching circuit 61 connects protection relay coil 52 to long time overcurrent detector 60 and isolates protection relay coil 52 from each input connection terminal 22, 23.

[0118] In the presence of the detection signal, switching circuit 61 isolates protection relay coil 52 from long time overcurrent detector 60 and subsequently connects protection relay coil 52 to each input connection terminal 22 and 23 when the activation signal occurs.

[0119] Long time overcurrent detector 60 is implemented by microcontroller 95 and interface 70.

[0120] Interface 70 is arranged between switching circuit 61 and analog input port 67 of microcontroller 95.

[0121] Switching circuit 61 connects interface 70 to both ends 110 and 110a of protection relay coil 52 in the absence of the detection signal and isolates interface 70 from both ends 110 and 110a of relay coil 52 when the detection signal occurs.

[0122] Interface 70 has two input connection points 74 and 75 which are connected or not connected by switching circuit 61 to ends 110 and 110a of coil 52, respectively, and an output connection point 76 which is connected to analog input port 67 of microcontroller 95.

[0123] As Figure 5It can be seen that the input connection point 75 is connected to the reference pole of the direct current part of the electronic circuit 43a. Thus, when the switching circuit 61 connects the input connection point 75 to the end 110a of the coil 52, this end is brought to this reference pole.

[0124] The interface 70 is configured to supply to the analog input port 67 an analog signal that can be used by the microcontroller 95 and that corresponds to the voltage present between the two ends 110 and 110a of the protection relay coil 52.

[0125] As shown in Figure 8 the interface 70 comprises an amplifier 114 whose output is connected to the output connection point 76. Between the input connection point 74 and the + input of the amplifier 114, two resistors 116 and 117 are arranged in series. Between the reference pole (to which the input connection point 75 is connected) and the - input of the amplifier 114, a resistor 118 is placed. A capacitor 115 is arranged between the input connection point 75 and one side of the resistors 116 and 117, which are connected to each other. A resistor 119 is arranged between the output of the amplifier 114 and its - input. The resistors 120 and 121 are connected to each other. The + input of the amplifier 114 is connected to one side of the resistors 120 and 121, which are connected to each other. The other side of the resistors 120 and 121 is connected to the + pole and to the reference pole of the power supply of the electronic circuit 43a, respectively.

[0126] The resistor 116 and the capacitor 115 allow converting the current flowing through the coil 52 into a voltage and performing a low-pass filtering.

[0127] The resistors 117, 120 and 121 allow polarizing the amplifier 114.

[0128] The resistors 118 and 119 allow fixing the gain of the amplifier 114.

[0129] The long-time overcurrent detector 60 comprises in the microcontroller 95 a converter 71, a calculation unit 72 and a monitoring unit 73.

[0130] The converter 71 is connected to the analog port 67 of the microcontroller 95 and is configured to generate a digital value representative of the analog signal supplied by the interface 70.

[0131] The calculation unit 72 is configured to generate, from the digital value representative of the analog signal supplied by the interface 70, a digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil 51.

[0132] In practice, the calculation unit 72 is implemented by means of a conventional technique for calculating the root mean square value of a sinusoidal signal and by means of a calibration.

[0133] As shown in Figure 9The monitoring unit 73 is configured to compare the digital value I representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic tripping coil 51 with a current intensity threshold value "threshold I" and to generate a detection signal if this threshold is exceeded during a predetermined period of time "threshold t".

[0134] The monitoring unit 73 is here in compliance with the French standard NF C 15-100, largely in line with the European standard HD 384, which describes the tripping time of a circuit breaker, but uses a bimetallic strip technology.

[0135] The monitoring unit 73 must not generate a detection signal when the value of the root mean square value I representative of the intensity of the current is less than or equal to 1.13 times the current intensity threshold value in a period of less than one hour.

[0136] The monitoring unit 73 must generate a detection signal when the value of the root mean square value I representative of the intensity of the current is greater than or equal to 1.45 times the current intensity threshold value in one hour.

[0137] As a variant, the monitoring unit 73 meets a single criterion, for example, when the value of the root mean square value I representative of the intensity of the current is equal to 1.2 times the current intensity threshold value, the monitoring unit 73 generates a detection signal in a few milliseconds, allowing the tripping of the device.

[0138] The detection signal generated by the monitoring unit 73 is available on a port 68 of the microcontroller 95.

[0139] At the end of a predetermined period of time after the start of the generation of the detection signal, the monitoring unit 73 also generates an activation signal available on a port 69 of the microcontroller 95.

[0140] This predetermined period of time depends on the assembly used and its reaction time, and is between 1 millisecond and 10 milliseconds.

[0141] The microcontroller 95 also comprises a port 66 on which the value generated by the calculation unit 72 is available.

[0142] The port 66 is connected to a communication element 96, here a radio frequency, the value generated by the calculation unit 72, i.e. the value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic tripping coil 51, is thus transmitted to this communication element. This current is the current flowing in the electrical equipment or in the part of the electrical equipment located between the output terminals 26 and 27 of the device 100.

[0143] Radio frequency communication element 96 allows, for example via a mobile application, remote tracking of the current, or the value derived therefrom, particularly the power consumption of the device or portion of the device located between output terminals 26 and 27 of device 100. For example, device 100 communicates with a gateway, making it possible to locate current consumption information in the cloud accessible via a mobile application.

[0144] As a variant, the radio frequency communication element 96 is replaced with a different communication element, such as wired or infrared, and the device 100 is equipped with a corresponding port.

[0145] The switching circuit 61 includes a first switching element 79, a second switching element 80, a third switching element 81, and a fourth switching element 82.

[0146] The first switching element 79 includes a control connection point 87, a first connection point 83 connected to the output connection terminal 26 via a trace of conductor 48 and electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 84 connected to the first end 110 of the protective relay coil 52 via a trace of conductor 46 and electronic circuit 43a. Figure 6 ).

[0147] When there is no predetermined signal at control connection point 87, the first switching element 79 adopts a blocking configuration, wherein the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the output connection terminal 26.

[0148] Control connection point 87 is connected to port 69 of microcontroller 95 via traces of electronic circuit 43a, where a start signal may or may not appear.

[0149] When a predetermined signal is present at control connection point 87, in the case of a start signal, the first switching element 79 enables the configuration to be turned on, wherein the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the output connection terminal 26.

[0150] In the blocking configuration, the first connection point 83 is isolated from the second connection point 84, while in the connecting configuration, the first connection point 83 is connected to the second connection point 84.

[0151] like Figure 6 As seen, the first switching element 79 includes a transistor 97 and a thyristor 98.

[0152] Control connection point 87 is connected to the base of transistor 97, the collector of which is connected to the power supply positive terminal of electronic circuit 43a, and its emitter is connected to one side of the first resistor and the second resistor. The other side of the first resistor is connected to the reference terminal of the power supply and the other side of the second resistor is connected to the gate of thyristor 98. The anode of the thyristor is connected to the first connection point 83 and its cathode is connected to the second connection point 84.

[0153] In the absence of a start signal at the connection point 87, the transistor 97 is blocked, as is the thyristor 98.

[0154] In the presence of a start signal at the connection point 87, the transistor 97 is conducting between its collector and its emitter, thus causing a signal to appear at the gate of the thyristor 98, which is conducting between its anode and its cathode.

[0155] The second switching element 80 comprises a control connection point 88, a first connection point 85 connected to the second output connection terminal 27 via the conductor 49 and the trace of the electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 86 connected to the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 via the conductor 47 and the trace of the electronic circuit 43a. Figure 6 ).

[0156] In the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 88, the second switching element 80 allows a blocking configuration in which the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the output connection terminal 27.

[0157] The control connection point 88 is connected to the port 69 of the microcontroller 95 via the trace of the electronic circuit 43a, on which a start signal appears or does not appear.

[0158] In the presence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 88, in the case of a start signal, the second switching element 80 allows an on configuration in which the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the output connection terminal 27.

[0159] In the blocking configuration, the first connection point 85 is isolated from the second connection point 86, while in the on configuration, the first connection point 85 is connected to the second connection point 86.

[0160] As can be seen, the second power switching element 80 comprises a transistor 97 and a thyristor 98. Figure 6 The control connection point 88 is connected to the base of the transistor 97, the collector of which is connected to the supply + of the electronic circuit 43a, while its emitter is connected to one side of a first resistor and of a second resistor, the other side of the first resistor being connected to the reference of the supply and the other side of the second resistor being connected to the gate of the thyristor 98, the anode of which is connected to the first connection point 85 and its cathode to the second connection point 86.

[0161] In the absence of a start signal at the connection point 88, the transistor 97 is blocked, as is the thyristor 98.

[0162]

[0163] ​When a start signal is present at connection point 88, transistor 97 is turned on between its collector and its emitter, thus causing a signal to appear on the gate of thyristor 98, which becomes turned on between its anode and its cathode.

[0164] The fact that thyristor 98 is on causes the end of protection relay coil 52 to be connected to the network voltage, plunger 102 is driven, lock 50 causes movable contacts 32 and 37 to move away from fixed contacts 31 and 36, which simultaneously isolates protection relay coil 52 from the network.

[0165] Third switching element 81 comprises a control connection point 93, a first connection point 89 connected to a first end 110 of protection relay coil 52 through conductor 46 and a trace of electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 90 connected to input connection point 74 of interface 70 through a trace of electronic circuit 43a.

[0166] When a predetermined signal is not present at control connection point 93, third switching element 81 allows an on configuration in which first end 110 of protection relay coil 52 is connected to long time overcurrent detector 60, here to input connection point 74.

[0167] Control connection point 93 is connected to port 68 of microcontroller 95 through a trace of electronic circuit 43a, on which a detection signal appears or not.

[0168] When a predetermined signal is present at control connection point 93, in the case of a detection signal, third switching element 81 takes a blocking configuration in which first end 110 of protection relay coil 52 is isolated from long time overcurrent detector 60.

[0169] In the on configuration, first connection point 89 is connected to second connection point 90, and in the blocking configuration, first connection point 89 is isolated from second connection point 90.

[0170] As seen in Figure 7 Third switching element 81 comprises a transistor 99.

[0171] Control connection point 93 is connected to one side of a first resistor and to one side of a second resistor, the other side of the first resistor being connected to the reference pole of the power supply and the other side of the second resistor being connected to the base of transistor 99. Connection point 89 is connected to the collector of transistor 99 and connection point 90 is connected to the emitter of transistor 99.

[0172] When a detection signal is not present at connection point 93, transistor 99 is turned on, a detection signal not being present being a high voltage level at connection point 93.

[0173] When a detection signal is present at connection point 93, transistor 99 is blocked, and the presence of a detection signal is indicated by a low voltage level at connection point 93.

[0174] The fourth switching element 82 includes a control connection point 94, a first connection point 91 connected to the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 via a trace of conductor 47 and electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 92 connected to the input connection point 75 of the interface 70 via a trace of electronic circuit 43a.

[0175] When no predetermined signal is present at control connection point 94, the fourth switching element 82 enables the configuration, wherein the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector 60, which is connected to the input connection point 75.

[0176] Control connection point 94 is connected to port 68 of microcontroller 95 via traces of electronic circuit 43a, where the presence or absence of a signal is detected.

[0177] When a predetermined signal is present at control connection point 94, in the case of a detection signal, the fourth switching element 82 allows a blocking configuration, wherein the second end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector 60.

[0178] In the connected configuration, the first connection point 91 is connected to the second connection point 92, while in the blocked configuration, the first connection point 91 is isolated from the second connection point 92.

[0179] like Figure 7 As seen, the fourth switching element 82 includes transistor 99.

[0180] Control connection point 94 is connected to one side of the first resistor and one side of the second resistor. The other side of the first resistor is connected to the reference terminal of the power supply, and the other side of the second resistor is connected to the base of the transistor 99. Connection point 91 is connected to the collector of the transistor 99, and connection point 92 is connected to the emitter of the transistor 99.

[0181] When there is no detection signal at connection point 94, transistor 99 is turned on.

[0182] When a detection signal is present at connection point 94, transistor 99 is blocked.

[0183] like Figures 10 to 12 As seen, in addition to the magnetic circuit breaker coil 51, the protective relay coil 52, the striker 102 and the movable core 103, the compact element 44 also includes a tube 101, a guide 107, a spring 108, an insulating sheath 111 and connecting rods 125 and 125a that serve as conductors 46 and 47.

[0184] The protection relay coil 52 is wound on a bobbin 101 of insulating plastic material, generally tubular, with a flange visible at the bottom end in the figure, and a flange visible at the top, which is associated with a seat in the housing, each of which seats one end of the coil 52 and one of the connecting rods 125 and 125a.

[0185] An insulating sheath 111 is arranged between the magnetic blowout coil 51 and the protection relay coil 52.

[0186] The core 103, the striker 102, the spring 108 and the guide 107 are housed in the internal space of the bobbin 101.

[0187] The core 103 is generally cylindrical. The housing 104 is provided in one of its ends. The core 103 is slidably mounted in the bobbin 101.

[0188] The guide 107 is fixedly mounted on one end of the bobbin 101. A through hole 113 is provided in the guide 107.

[0189] The striker 102 is formed by a rod-shaped body 106 and a head 105 located at one end of the rod and projecting from one end of the rod.

[0190] The seat 104 is provided to house the head 105 of the striker 102. The hole 113 of the guide 107 is provided to house the rod 106.

[0191] The spring 108 is arranged around the rod 106 of the striker 102.

[0192] The connecting rod 125 is arranged between the end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 and the electronic circuit 43a (see in particular Figure 13 ). Similarly, the connecting rod 125a is arranged between the end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 and the electronic circuit 43a.

[0193] A mechanical and electrical connector 112, made of a relatively rigid electrically conductive material, is used to mount the compact element 44 on the housing of the device 100 and to achieve the electrical connection between the magnetic blowout coil 51 and the fixed contact 31.

[0194] In the absence of any fault (long-time overcurrent or short circuit), the core 103 is held away from the guide 107 by the spring 108.

[0195] When a fault occurs, the magnetic flux generated by the coil 51 or by the coil 52 acts on the core 103, driving it to slide in the hole 113 against the spring 108 towards the guide 107, by extending its rod 106, which then acts on the control mechanism 50 to drive the striker 102.

[0196] When the magnetic flux stops, the spring 108, the core 103 and the striker 102 return to the initial position shown in Figure 12

[0197] As shown in Figure 13 and 14 the compact element 44 and the lock 50 straddle an insulating partition 109. This partition 109 is arranged between the circuit of the protected pole (between the terminals 22 and 26) and the circuit of the unprotected pole (between the terminals 23 and 27).

[0198] In the variant shown in Figure 15 , the device 100 moreover comprises a differential fault detection transformer 35, the electronic circuit 43a being replaced by an electronic circuit 43d, and moreover the assembly constituted by the protection relay 45 connected to the electronic circuit 43d is also configured to act on the lock 50 not only in the case of long-time overcurrent but also in the case of differential fault.

[0199] In this variant, the current-carrying circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 comprises, in series, the magnetic circuit-breaking element 30, the fixed contact 31, the movable contact 32 and the winding 34 constituting the transformer 35, and the current-carrying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 comprises, in series, the fixed contact 36, the movable contact 37 and the winding 38 constituting the differential fault detection transformer 35.

[0200] The transformer 35, in addition to the winding 34 and the winding 38, comprises a secondary winding 39 and, around it, an annular armature 40 constituting the secondary winding 39 and the primary windings 34 and 38.

[0201] The secondary winding 39 is connected to the electronic circuit 43d by two conductors 41, 42, which, in addition to processing the signal representative of the intensity of the current supplied by the coil 52, also process the differential fault signal supplied by the transformer 35.

[0202] In general, the electronic circuit 43d is similar to the electronic circuit 43a, except that the long-time overcurrent detector 60 is replaced by an assembly constituted by an interface 70, a converter 71, a calculation unit 72, a monitoring unit 73 for determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit-breaking coil 51; and also except that it moreover comprises a switching interface 63 which generates a signal to which the switching circuit 61 is responsive.

[0203] The switching interface 63 comprises two connection points 170 and 171 connected to the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 by the conductors 42 and 41, respectively, and two output connection points 168 and 169 each connected to the switching circuit 61.

[0204] ​More precisely, the output connection point 168 is connected to the control connection points 93 and 94 of the third and fourth switching elements 81 and 82, respectively; and the output connection point 169 is connected to the control connection points 87 and 88 of the first and second switching elements 79 and 80, respectively.

[0205] When the transformer 35 provides a differential fault signal on the conductors 41 and 42, the interface 63 generates in response a detection signal which is transmitted to the third and fourth switching elements 81 and 82, which in turn generate an activation signal which is transmitted to the first and second switching elements 79 and 80.

[0206] Figure 17 It is shown Figures 4 to 14 Another variant of the present device is shown.

[0207] In this variant, the device 100 moreover comprises a thermal cut-out element 33, and the electronic circuit 43a is replaced by an electronic circuit 43b.

[0208] The electronic circuit 43b, in the same way as the electronic circuit 43a of the embodiment shown, is connected to the protection relay coil 52 via the conductors 46 and 47. Figure 4

[0209] The current-carrying circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 here comprises in series the magnetic cut-out element 30, the fixed contact 31, the movable contact 32 and the thermal cut-out element 33. The current-carrying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 remains unchanged.

[0210] The thermal cut-out element 33 is configured to act automatically on the lock 50 to switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position when a long-time overcurrent is generated.

[0211] In practice, the thermal cut-out element 33 is formed by a bimetallic strip which deforms in the case of a long-time overcurrent and acts on the lock 50 as a result of its deformation.

[0212] In general, the electronic circuit 43b is similar to the electronic circuit 43a, except that it does not comprise either the switching circuit 61 or the monitoring unit 73, the long-time overcurrent detector 60 being replaced by a combination of an interface 70, a converter 71 and a calculation unit 72 for determining the root-mean-square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic cut-out coil 51.

[0213] The calculation unit 72 provides the value representing the root-mean-square value of the intensity of the current only to the radio-frequency communication element 96 via the port 66.

[0214] The interface 70 is connected directly to the conductors 46 and 47.

[0215] The combination of Figure 18 ​The device of the electronic circuit 43b shown is arranged to protect the relay coil 52 from supplying the signals present at its ends 110 and 110a only to the assembly consisting of the interface 70, the converter 71 and the calculation unit 72, and not to drive the movable core 103 of the striker 102.

[0216] Figure 19 A further variant of the device shown is illustrated. Figures 4 to 14 The device shown is a further variant of the device shown.

[0217] In this variant, the circuit of the device is similar to the one shown in Figure 2 except that the electronic card 43 is replaced by an electronic circuit 43c.

[0218] Thus, in the variant of the device shown in Figure 19 the device comprises a thermal disconnection element 33 and a differential fault detection transformer 35, the electronic circuit 43c being connected to the protection relay coil through the conductor 46 and the conductor 47. The current-carrying circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 comprises, in series, the magnetic disconnection element 30, the fixed contact 31, the movable contact 32, the thermal disconnection element 33 and the winding forming part of the transformer 35, and the current-carrying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 comprises, in series, the fixed contact 36, the movable contact 37 and the winding 38 forming part of the differential fault detection transformer 35.

[0219] Generally, the electronic circuit 43c is similar to the electronic circuit 43a except that it does not comprise the monitoring unit 73, the long-time overcurrent detector 60 being replaced by the assembly consisting of the interface 70, the converter 71 and the calculation unit 72 for determining the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic disconnection coil 51; and also except that it comprises, in addition, a switching interface 63 generating a signal to which the switching circuit 61 is responsive.

[0220] The switching interface 63 comprises two connection points 170 and 171 connected to the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 through the conductors 42 and 41 respectively, and two output connection points 168 and 169 connected to the switching circuit 61 respectively.

[0221] More precisely, the output connection point 168 is connected to the control connection points 93 and 94 of the third switching element 81 and of the fourth switching element 82 respectively; and the output connection point 169 is connected to the control connection points 87 and 88 of the first switching element 79 and of the second switching element 80 respectively.

[0222] The interface 63 is configured to generate a detection signal, followed by a start signal at the end of a predetermined time after the start of the generation of the detection signal.

[0223] The interface 63 transmits the detection signal to the switching circuit 61 through its output connection point 168 and the start signal through its output point 169.

[0224] When the differential fault signal is provided on the conductors 41 and 42 by the transformer 35, the interface 63 generates in response a detection signal which is transmitted to the third switching element 81 and to the fourth switching element 82, which in turn generate a start signal which is transmitted to the first switching element 79 and to the second switching element 80.

[0225] In a variant not shown:

[0226] - the protection relay coil 52 is arranged around the magnetic trip coil 51 instead of vice versa;

[0227] - the implementation of the switching circuit is different from that shown in the embodiments of Figure 6 and 7 , for example with optocouplers instead of transistors and thyristors;

[0228] - the implementation of the long-time overcurrent detector is different from that shown in the embodiments of Figure 5 , 8 and 9, for example in a completely analog manner;

[0229] - the start signal generated at the end of a predetermined time after the generation of the detection signal is not provided by the long-time overcurrent detector, for example by a switching circuit similar to the circuit 61, but is configured to receive only the detection signal;

[0230] - the current-carrying circuit of the protected pole is on the right instead of on the left, while the current-carrying circuit of the non-protected pole is on the left instead of on the right;

[0231] - the protection device does not comprise a second output connection terminal 27 for the second pole, and therefore does not comprise a second current-carrying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27; and / or

[0232] - the electronic circuit, in addition to being connected to the first current-carrying circuit through the conductor 48 and to the second current-carrying circuit through the conductor 49, is also connected to the first current-carrying circuit through a conductor connected to the connection terminal 22 and to the second current-carrying circuit through another conductor connected to the connection terminal 23, so that the electronic circuit is still powered when the lock switch is in the open position, or in any case a communication element such as 96 is able to allow monitoring whether there is an absence of current in the magnetic trip coil or a value derived therefrom, in particular the power consumption of the device or part of the device located between the output terminals 26 and 27 of the device 100.

[0233] In a variant not shown, the protection device has a different width and / or a different number of poles, for example a four-pole device with a four-pole width, comprising four terminals in the upper part and four terminals in the lower part.

[0234] More generally, the application is not limited to the examples described and illustrated.

Claims

1. A protection device for an AC electrical device, comprising a first input connection terminal (22) for a first electrode, a second input connection terminal (23) for a second electrode different from the first electrode, and a first output connection terminal (26) for the first electrode, each connection terminal (22, 23, 26) being configured to receive an exposed end portion of a cable or the teeth of a horizontally distributed comb; the device comprising: The first current delivery circuit between the first input connection terminal (22) and the first output connection terminal (26) includes a fixed contact (31) and a movable contact (32). The control mechanism (50) of the movable contact (32) has two stable positions: the open position where the movable contact (32) is away from the fixed contact (31) and the engaged position where the movable contact (32) abuts against the fixed contact (31). A lever (19) for manual operation of the control mechanism (50) to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position or from the engaged position to the disengaged position; The compact element (44) includes a magnetic circuit breaker element (30) and a protective relay (45). The magnetic circuit breaker element (30) is composed of a magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) arranged around a movable core that controls the striker. When a short circuit occurs, the striker acts on the control mechanism (50) and forms part of a first current delivery circuit. The protective relay (45) is composed of a protective relay coil arranged around the movable core. The magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) and the protective relay coil are arranged around each other. The electronic circuit connected to the protective relay coil; The electronic circuit is characterized by comprising a combination (70-72; 63, 70-72) of components (70-72; 63, 70-72) that determines the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) based on a signal appearing at the end (110, 110a) of the protective relay coil (52). 63, 70-73), which is implemented by an analog-to-digital converter (71), a computing unit (72), and an interface (70) arranged between the ends (110, 110a) of the protective relay coil (52) and the converter (71), the interface (70) being configured to provide an analog signal to the input port of the converter (71) that is available to the converter (71) and corresponds to the voltage appearing between the two ends (110, 110a) of the protective relay coil (52), the converter (71) being configured to generate a digital value representing the analog signal provided by the interface (70); the computing unit (72) being configured to generate a digital value representing the root mean square value of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) based on the digital value representing the analog signal provided by the interface (70); the computing unit (72) is also connected to a communication element (96) and configured to transmit the digital value representing the root mean square value of the current intensity to the communication element (96); and The magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) and the protective relay coil (52) are electromagnetically coupled only through the surrounding air to provide the analog signal corresponding to the voltage appearing between the two ends (110, 110a) of the protective relay coil (52).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that... The analog-to-digital converter (71) and the computing unit (72) are implemented in the microcontroller (95).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... It is configured to protect the relay coil (52) only for providing the signal appearing at its ends (110, 110a) to the assembly (70-72) that determines the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit breaker coil (51).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... It is configured to protect the relay coil (52) from being used to provide the signal appearing at its ends (110, 110a) to the assembly (63, 70-72) that determines the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit breaker coil (51). The electronic circuitry includes a switching circuit (61) and a movable core (103) for driving the control action on the control mechanism (50) to trigger a switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The electronic circuitry includes a switching circuit (61) and is configured to generate a detection signal when a predetermined current delivery condition occurs. The electronic circuitry is configured such that when the detection signal is absent, the switching circuit (61) connects the protection relay coil (52) to the interface (70) to isolate the protection relay coil (52) from each of the input connection terminals (22, 23), and when the detection signal is present, the switching circuit (61) isolates the protection relay coil (52) from the interface (70) and then connects the protection relay coil (52) to each of the input connection terminals (22, 23).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that... The device has a second output connection terminal (27) for a second electrode, the output connection terminal (27) being configured to receive the exposed end portion of a cable or the teeth of a horizontally distributed comb; the device includes a second current delivery circuit between a second input connection terminal (23) and a second output connection terminal (27), and the device includes a differential fault detection transformer (35) configured to generate a differential fault signal when a differential fault occurs between the first current delivery circuit and the second current delivery circuit, the transformer being connected to a switching interface (63) of the electronic circuit, the switching interface (63) being configured to generate the detection signal when the differential fault signal occurs.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that... The switching circuit (61) includes: - A first switching element (79) includes a control connection point (87) and is connected on one side to a first input connection terminal (22) and on the other side to a first end (110) of a protection relay coil (52). It allows a blocking configuration when there is no predetermined signal at the control connection point (87), in which the first switching element (79) isolates the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) from the first input connection terminal (22). It also allows an enabling configuration when the predetermined signal is present at the control connection point (87), in which the first switching element (79) connects the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) to the first input connection terminal (22). - A second switching element (80) includes a control connection point (88) and is connected on one side to a second input connection terminal (23) and on the other side to a second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52). It allows a blocking configuration when there is no predetermined signal at the control connection point (88), in which the second switching element (80) isolates the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) from the second input connection terminal (23). It also allows an enabling configuration when the predetermined signal is present at the control connection point (88), in which the second switching element (80) connects the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) to the second input connection terminal (23). - A third switching element (81) includes a control connection point (93) and is connected on one side to a first end (110) of a protection relay coil (52) and on the other side to an interface (70). It allows an on configuration when there is no predetermined signal at the control connection point (93), in which the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) is connected to the interface (70). It also allows a blocking configuration when the predetermined signal is present at the control connection point (93), in which the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) is isolated from the interface (70). - A fourth switching element (82) includes a control connection point (94) and is connected on one side to the second end (110a) of a protection relay coil (52) and on the other side to an interface (70). It allows an on configuration when there is no predetermined signal at the control connection point (94), in which the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) is connected to the interface (70). It also allows a blocking configuration when the predetermined signal is present at the control connection point (94), in which the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) is isolated from the interface (70).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that... The switching interface (63) is configured to generate a start signal at the end of a predetermined time from the generation of the detection signal. The electronic circuit is configured to apply the detection signal to the control connection point (93) of the third switching element (81) and the control connection point (94) of the fourth switching element (82), and to apply the start signal to the control connection point (87) of the first switching element (79) and the control connection point (88) of the second switching element (80).

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that... The first switching element (79) and the second switching element (80) each include a transistor (97) and a thyristor (98).

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that... The third switching element (81) and the fourth switching element (82) each include a transistor (99).

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... The communication element (96) is a radio frequency communication element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... It is in the form of a module, roughly in the shape of a parallelepiped, with two main surfaces, namely the left surface (11) and the right surface (12), and a side surface extending from one main surface to the other. The width of the side surface, that is, the distance between the left surface (11) and the right surface (12), is equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance called the module.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... The ratio between the number of turns of the protection relay coil (52) and the number of turns of the magnetic circuit breaker coil (51) is between 100 and 500.

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