Protective devices for AC 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 the electronic circuit comprises a long-time overcurrent detector (60) and a switching circuit (61) configured such that, in the absence of a detection signal, the switching circuit connects the protection relay coil to the long-time overcurrent detector (60) and isolates the protection relay coil from the input connection terminals of the device, and in the presence of a detection signal, the switching circuit (61) isolates the protection relay coil from the long-time overcurrent detector (60) and then connects the protection relay coil to the input connection terminals (22, 23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a protection device for AC electrical equipment. Background Art

[0002] From the prior art, in particular from French patent application 3046289, it is known that a protective device for AC electrical equipment is shown in the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, where:

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

[0004] Figure 2 shows in a very schematic manner the circuit of a first embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact included in the circuit; and

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

[0006] Figure 1 The illustrated electrical device 10 has a generally parallelepiped shape.

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

[0008] The rear face 13 has a recess 17 for mounting the device 10 on a standard support rail (not shown) having an Ω profile.

[0009] The front surface 15 has a nose 18 with an operating lever 19 in the center, approximately halfway along its length.

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

[0011] In this case, the device 10 has a width of the module.

[0012] The device 10 , according to the modular form, is constructed to belong to a row of modular devices arranged side by side by being fixed from the rear to horizontally arranged support rails.

[0013] The upper surface 14 has two lead-in holes 20 and 21, which lead to the connection terminals 22 and 23, respectively. The lead-in hole 20 and the terminal 22 are located on the left side, while the lead-in hole 21 and the terminal 23 are located on the right side.

[0014] Likewise, the lower surface 16 has two lead-in holes, a first hole and a second hole, which respectively lead to the connection terminal 26 and the connection terminal 27. The first lead-in hole and the terminal 26 are located on the left side, and the second lead-in hole and the terminal 27 are located on the right side.

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

[0016] Here, the terminals 22 and 23 situated at the top are designed for connection to two poles of the power distribution network, whereas the two terminals 26 and 27 situated at the bottom are designed for connection to a circuit of the electrical equipment to be protected.

[0017] The device 10 is a differential circuit breaker with a protected pole, that is, it has a circuit for detecting short circuits and overcurrents in the transmission circuit of the protected pole (circuit breaker function) and detects the difference in the intensity of the current flowing in the transmission circuit of the protected pole and the transmission circuit of the unprotected pole (differential function).

[0018] Here, the left-hand terminal 22 and the terminal 26 are designed for the pole of the electrical device to be protected, which is a phase, while the right-hand terminal 23 and the terminal 27 are designed for the pole of the unprotected electrical device, which is neutral.

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

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

[0021] In addition to the winding 34 constituting the primary winding for the current transmission circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 on the left and the winding 38 constituting the current transmission circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 on the right, the transformer 35 also includes a secondary winding 39 and a ring-shaped armature (magnetic circuit) 40 around 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 disconnect element 30 is part of a compact element 44 which also includes a protective relay 45. The electronic card 43 is connected to the terminals 22 and 23 by two conductors 28 and 29 and to the protective relay 45 by two conductors 46 and 47.

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

[0025] An operating lever 19 located on the exterior of the device 10 allows manual operation of the lock 50 .

[0026] The assembly consisting of the magnetic disconnect element 30 , the thermal disconnect element 33 and the protection relay 45 connected to the electronic card 43 is configured to act on the lock 50 when necessary.

[0027] The lock 50 has two stable positions, namely a disconnected position in which the two movable contacts 32 and 37 are separated from the corresponding fixed contacts 31 and 36 and an engaged position in which each of the two movable contacts 32 and 37 abuts against the corresponding fixed contact 31 and 36 .

[0028] An operating lever 19 protruding 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 disconnect device 30, the thermal disconnect 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 predetermined current delivery conditions occur.

[0030] The magnetic disconnect device 30 acts on the lock 50 in the event of a short circuit, the thermal disconnect 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 disconnect element 30 consists of a coil arranged around a core that controls a striker that acts on the lock 50 in the event of a short circuit. The thermal disconnect device 33 consists of a bimetallic strip that deforms in the event of a prolonged overcurrent, causing it to act on the lock 50. The protective relay 45, which forms part of a compact component 44 along with the magnetic disconnect element 30, consists of another coil arranged around the same movable core. This coil is powered by an electronic card 43, which responds to the voltage provided by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 when there is a difference between the current flowing in the winding 34 and the current flowing in the winding 38, that is, when a differential fault occurs. When the protective relay 45 is energized, it actuates the movable core, which controls the striker that acts on the lock 50, triggering the switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0032] Figure 3 The embodiment of the device 10 shown is similar to Figure 2 The embodiment shown is similar, except that it does not include the thermal cut-out element 33 , and the protection against prolonged overcurrents involves the current measuring transformer 202 .

[0033] The transformer 202 includes an annular armature 203 surrounding the conductive elements of the current carrying circuit between the terminals 22 and 26 , and includes windings 204 surrounding the annular armature 203 .

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

[0035] Like the thermal disconnect element 33 , the transformer 202 is arranged between the movable contact 32 and the terminal 26 , but whereas the thermal disconnect 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] In this case, the electronic card 43 reacts not only to the voltage provided by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 , but also to the voltage provided by the winding 204 of the transformer 202 .

[0037] In the event of a prolonged overcurrent, the electronic card 43 energizes a protection relay 45 which actuates a movable core which controls a striker acting on the lock 50 to trigger switching from the engaged position to the disengaged position. Summary of the Invention

[0038] The present invention aims to provide a protective device for AC electrical equipment which is similar but more convenient and economical to manufacture.

[0039] To this end, the present invention provides a protection device for AC electrical equipment, comprising a first input connection terminal for a first electrode, a second input connection terminal for a second electrode different from the first electrode, and an output connection terminal for the first electrode, each connection terminal being configured to receive a bare end portion of a cable or teeth of a horizontally distributed comb; the device comprising:

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

[0041] A control mechanism for the movable contact having two stable positions, namely, an open position in which the movable contact is away from the fixed contact and an engaged position in which the movable contact abuts against the fixed contact;

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

[0043] A compact component comprising a magnetic disconnect element and a protective relay, the magnetic disconnect element consisting of a magnetic disconnect coil arranged around a movable core controlling a striker, the striker acting on a control mechanism in the event of a short circuit and forming part of a first current transmission circuit, the protective relay consisting of a protective relay coil arranged around the movable core, the magnetic disconnect coil and the protective relay coil being arranged around each other;

[0044] an electronic circuit connected to a protection relay coil, the electronic circuit being configured to energize the protection relay coil when a predetermined current delivery condition indicative of a prolonged overcurrent condition occurs;

[0045] It is characterized in that the electronic circuit includes a long-term overcurrent detector, which is configured to determine the occurrence of the current delivery condition based on the signal appearing at the end of the protection relay coil, and to generate a detection signal when the predetermined current delivery condition occurs; and also includes a switching circuit, the long-term overcurrent detector and the switching circuit are configured so that when there is no detection signal, the switching circuit connects the protection relay coil to the long-term overcurrent detector and isolates the protection relay coil from each of the input connection terminals, and when there is a detection signal, the switching circuit isolates the protection relay coil from the long-term overcurrent detector and then connects the protection relay coil to each of the input connection terminals.

[0046] The invention is based on the observation that the protection relay coil can be used to sense the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil and therefore in the first current loop, and that, moreover, this current-sensing function of the protection relay coil does not prevent the protection relay coil from being used to drive a striker comprised by the compact element, once the protection relay coil is supplied with mains voltage for driving the striker, the protection relay coil being first isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector in order not to destroy the latter.

[0047] The signal provided by the protection relay coil is representative of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil, since the magnetic trip coil and the protection relay coil are arranged around each other and thereby interact like windings of a transformer, including in the absence of a specific coupling element such as an electromagnetic armature, the coupling between the two coils being able to occur solely through the surrounding air.

[0048] Unlike existing devices including the above-mentioned devices, the device according to the present invention can perform protection against long-term overcurrent by including neither a thermal disconnect element such as a bimetallic strip nor a specific current capture element such as an amperage measuring transformer.

[0049] The device according to the invention is therefore particularly simple, convenient and economical to produce.

[0050] According to favorable features:

[0051] - the long-term overcurrent detector is implemented by an analog-to-digital converter, a calculation unit, and an interface arranged between the switching circuit and the converter, the switching circuit connecting the interface to the two ends of the protection relay coil when the detection signal is absent, and isolating the interface from the two ends of the protection relay coil when the detection signal is present, the interface being configured to provide an analog signal to an input port of the converter that is usable by the converter and corresponds to a voltage existing between the two ends of the protection relay coil;

[0052] - the overcurrent detector comprises, in the microcontroller, an analog-to-digital converter connected to the analog port and configured to generate a digital value representing an analog signal provided by the interface, a calculation unit configured to generate a digital value representing a root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil based on the digital value representing the analog signal provided by the interface; and a monitoring unit for the root mean square value of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil, configured to compare the digital value representing the root mean square value of the intensity of the current with a current intensity threshold value and to generate the detection signal if the current intensity threshold value is exceeded during a predetermined time period;

[0053] - said microcontroller is furthermore connected to a communication unit and is configured to transmit to said communication unit said digital value representative of the root mean square value of the intensity of the electric current generated by said calculation unit;

[0054] - the communication unit is a radio frequency communication unit;

[0055] -The switching circuit comprises:

[0056] 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 protective relay coil, allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point, a blocking configuration in which the first switching element isolates the first end of the protective relay coil from the first input connection terminal, and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point, a switching configuration in which the first switching element connects the first end of the protective relay coil to the first input connection terminal;

[0057] 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, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point, a blocking configuration in which the second switching element isolates the second end of the protection relay coil from the second input connection terminal, and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point, a switching configuration in which the second switching element connects the second end of the protection relay coil to the second input connection terminal;

[0058] 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 long-term overcurrent detector, allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point, a switching configuration in which the first end of the protection relay coil is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector, and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point, a blocking configuration in which the first end of the protection relay coil is isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector;

[0059] 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 long-term overcurrent detector, allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point, a switching configuration in which the second end of the protection relay coil is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector, and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point, a blocking configuration in which the second end of the protection relay coil is isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector;

[0060] - the long-term overcurrent detector is configured to generate a start signal at the end of a predetermined period of time from the generation of the detection signal, the electronic circuit is configured to apply the detection signal to the control connection point of the third switching element and the control connection point of the fourth switching element, and to apply the start signal to the control connection point of the first switching element and the control connection point of the second switching element;

[0061] - the first switching element and the second switching element each comprise a transistor and a thyristor;

[0062] - the third switching element and the fourth switching element each include a transistor;

[0063] the protective device is in modular form, having a substantially parallelepiped shape, with two main surfaces, namely a left surface and a right surface, and a lateral surface extending from one main surface to the other, the width of said lateral surface, that is to say the distance between the left surface and the right surface, being equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance known as the module;

[0064] - the ratio of the number of turns of the protection relay coil to the number of turns of the magnetic disconnect coil is between 100 and 500; and / or

[0065] The device has a second output connection terminal for a second electrode, the output connection terminal being configured to receive a bare end portion of a cable or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb; the device comprises a second current conveying circuit between the second input connection terminal and the second output connection terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The description of the invention will now continue with the following description of embodiments given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 , which has been described, is a perspective view of a known protective device, taken from the right side, top and front of the device;

[0068] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 , having described, very schematically shows the circuit of a first embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact that this circuit comprises;

[0069] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 , having described, very schematically shows the circuit of a second embodiment of the known device and the control mechanism of the movable contact that this circuit comprises;

[0070] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 With similar Figure 2 and Figure 3 Detailed description of the invention showing the circuit of the device and the control mechanism of the movable contact included in the circuit;

[0071] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit included in the circuit;

[0072] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 Shown in detail Figure 5 a first switching element and a second switching element of the electronic circuit;

[0073] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 Shown in detail Figure 5 a third switching element and a fourth switching element of the electronic circuit;

[0074] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 Shown in detail Figure 5The electronic circuit shown includes an interface;

[0075] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 It shows Figure 5 A flow chart showing the operation of the monitoring unit implemented in the microcontroller included in the electronic circuit;

[0076] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the compact components and electromechanical connections included in the device;

[0077] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the compact element and the connector;

[0078] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the compact element and the connector;

[0079] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 is a left side cross-sectional view of the device according to the present invention, wherein the left side panel of the housing has been removed;

[0080] [ Figure 14 ] Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13 The view is only taken from the right side;

[0081] [ Figure 15 ] Figure 15 With similar Figure 4 A variant of the circuit of the device according to the invention and the control mechanism of the movable contact included in the circuit are shown in FIG.

[0082] [ Figure 16 ] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the electronic circuitry included in the circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] In a conventional manner, the protection device 100 for AC electrical equipment is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device 10 is described except that it does not comprise the thermal disconnect element 33 and does not comprise the differential fault detection transformer 35 and that the electronic card 43 is replaced by an electronic circuit 43 a which is connected to a first current conveying circuit between the movable contact 32 and the connection terminal 26 via a conductor 48 and to a second current conveying circuit between the movable contact 37 and the connection terminal 27 via a conductor 49.

[0084] For simplicity, we have retained the same numerical reference numerals for the device 100 for similar elements to the device 10 .

[0085] 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.

[0086] Each of the connection terminals 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 is configured to receive a bare end portion of a cable or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb.

[0087] like Figure 4 As shown, the device 100 comprises a first current conveying circuit between the first input connection terminal 22 and the first output connection terminal 26 .

[0088] The first current transmission circuit includes a fixed contact 31 and a movable contact 32 .

[0089] The device 100 further comprises a second current supply circuit between the second input terminal 23 and the second output terminal 27 .

[0090] The second current transmission circuit includes a fixed contact 36 and a movable contact 37 .

[0091] The control mechanism 50 of the movable contact 32 and the movable contact 37 has two stable positions, namely, a disconnected position and an engaged position.

[0092] In the open position, the movable contact 32 is away from the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 37 is away from the fixed contact 36 .

[0093] In the engaged position, the movable contact 32 rests on the fixed contact 31 and the movable contact 37 rests on the fixed contact 36 .

[0094] The device 100 includes an operating lever 19 configured to manually operate the operating mechanism 50 to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position or vice versa.

[0095] The protection device 100 comprises a compact element 44 .

[0096] The compact component 44 comprises the magnetic disconnect element 30 and a protective relay 45 .

[0097] The compact element 44 is configured to act on the lock 50 so as to switch from the engaged position to the disengaged position in the event of a short circuit or a prolonged overcurrent.

[0098] like Figures 10 to 14 As shown, the magnetic interruption element 30 is constituted by a magnetic interruption 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.

[0099] The magnetic breaking coil 51 forms part of the first current supply circuit and is located between the input connection terminal 22 and the fixed contact 31 .

[0100] The protection relay 45 is composed of a protection relay coil 52 arranged around the movable core 103 .

[0101] The protection relay coil 52 is provided with a first end portion 110 and a second end portion 110 a .

[0102] The magnetic trip coil 51 and the protection relay coil 52 are arranged around each other.

[0103] In this case, the magnetic disconnection coil 51 is arranged around the protective relay coil 52 .

[0104] 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, a current flowing in the coil 51 induces a current in the coil 52 due to electromagnetic coupling of the two coils through the air.

[0105] The turns ratio is the ratio between the number of turns in the two windings.

[0106] Here, the coil winding of the protection relay 52 has two thousand turns, and the magnetic trip coil 51 has five turns, so the transformation ratio is 400.

[0107] Generally, it is advantageous if the ratio of the number of turns of the protection relay coil 52 to the number of turns of the magnetic trip coil 51 is comprised between 100 and 500.

[0108] In fact, within this range, it is easy to have a suitable number of turns, such as 1000 to 1500 turns, so that the protection relay coil can act as both a sensor and an actuator, and the number of turns suitable for the magnetic circuit breaker coil to simultaneously act as both the excitation of the protection relay coil and the actuator is, for example, 3 to 10 turns.

[0109] The electronic circuit 43 a of the device 100 is connected to the protective relay coil 52 via a conductor 46 and a conductor 47 .

[0110] More specifically, if Figure 6 As shown, conductor 46 is connected to terminal 110 and conductor 47 is connected to terminal 110a.

[0111] The electronic circuit 43a is configured to energize the protective relay coil 52 when a predetermined current carrying circuit condition indicative of a prolonged overcurrent condition occurs.

[0112] like Figure 5 It can be seen that the electronic circuit 43 a includes a long-term overcurrent detector 60 and a switching circuit 61 .

[0113] The long-term overcurrent detector 60 is configured to determine the presence of a current delivery condition indicative of a long-term overcurrent based on signals appearing at the ends 110 and 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 .

[0114] The long-time overcurrent detector 60 is further configured to generate a detection signal when a predetermined current delivery condition exists, ie, in the event of a long-time overcurrent, and then generate a start signal at the end of a predetermined time from the generation of the detection signal.

[0115] The long-time overcurrent detector 60 and the switching circuit 61 are configured so that when there is no detection signal, the switching circuit 61 connects the protection relay coil 52 to the long-time overcurrent detector 60 and isolates the protection relay coil 52 from each input connection terminal 22 , 23 .

[0116] The switching circuit 61 isolates the protection relay coil 52 from the long-time overcurrent detector 60 when the detection signal is present, and then subsequently connects the protection relay coil 52 to each of the input connection terminals 22 and 23 when the start signal appears.

[0117] The long-time overcurrent detector 60 is implemented by the microcontroller 95 and the interface 70 .

[0118] The interface 70 is provided between the switching circuit 61 and the analog input port 67 of the microcontroller 95 .

[0119] The switching circuit 61 connects the interface 70 to both ends 110 and 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 when there is no detection signal and isolates the interface 70 from both ends 110 and 110 a of the relay coil 52 when a detection signal is present.

[0120] The interface 70 has two input connection points 74 and 75 which the switching circuit 61 connects or disconnects respectively to the ends 110 and 110 a of the coil 52 , and an output connection point 76 which is connected to the analog input port 67 of the microcontroller 95 .

[0121] like Figure 5 It can be seen that the input connection point 75 is connected to the reference pole of the DC part of the electronic circuit 43a. Therefore, 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.

[0122] The interface 70 is configured to provide an analog signal to the analog input port 67 that is usable by the microcontroller 95 and corresponds to the voltage present between the two ends 110 and 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 .

[0123] like Figure 8As shown, interface 70 includes an amplifier 114 whose output is connected to output connection point 76. Two resistors 116 and 117 are arranged in series between input connection point 74 and the + input of amplifier 114. Resistor 118 is placed between the reference pole (to which input connection point 75 is connected) and the - input of amplifier 114. Capacitor 115 is arranged between input connection point 75 and one side of resistors 116 and 117 connected to each other. Resistor 119 is arranged between the output of amplifier 114 and its - input. Resistors 120 and 121 are connected to each other. The + input of amplifier 114 is connected to one side of resistors 120 and 121 connected to each other. The other sides of resistors 120 and 121 are connected to the + pole and reference pole of the power supply of electronic circuit 43a, respectively.

[0124] Resistor 116 and capacitor 115 allow the current flowing through coil 52 to be converted into a voltage and perform low-pass filtering.

[0125] Resistors 117 , 120 , and 121 allow amplifier 114 to be polarized.

[0126] Resistors 118 and 119 allow the gain of amplifier 114 to be fixed.

[0127] The long-time overcurrent detector 60 includes a converter 71 , a calculation unit 72 , and a monitoring unit 73 in a microcontroller 95 .

[0128] Converter 71 is connected to analog port 67 of microcontroller 95 and is configured to generate a digital value representative of the analog signal provided by interface 70 .

[0129] The calculation unit 72 is configured to generate, from the digital value representing the analog signal provided by the interface 70 , a digital value representing the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil 51 .

[0130] In practice, the calculation unit 72 is implemented by conventional techniques for calculating the root mean square value of the sinusoidal signal and by calibration.

[0131] like Figure 9 As can be seen, the RMS value monitoring unit 73 of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil 51 is configured to compare the digital value I representing the RMS value of the current intensity with a current intensity threshold value “Threshold I” and to generate a detection signal if the threshold value is exceeded during a predetermined time period “Threshold t”.

[0132] The monitoring unit 73 here complies with the French standard NF C15-100, which is largely consistent with the European standard HD 384 and describes the tripping time of circuit breakers, but uses bimetallic technology.

[0133] When the value of the root mean square value I representing the intensity of the current is less than or equal to 1.13 times the current intensity threshold value within a period of less than one hour, the monitoring unit 73 shall not generate a detection signal.

[0134] When the value of the root mean square value I representing the intensity of the current is greater than or equal to 1.45 times the current intensity threshold, the monitoring unit 73 should generate a detection signal within one hour.

[0135] As a variant, the monitoring unit 73 satisfies a single criterion, for example, when the value of the RMS value I representing the intensity of the current is equal to 1.2 times the current intensity threshold, the monitoring unit 73 generates a detection signal within a few milliseconds, allowing the device to be disconnected.

[0136] The detection signal generated by the monitoring unit 73 is available on port 68 of the microcontroller 95 .

[0137] The monitoring unit 73 also generates a start signal available on the port 69 of the microcontroller 95 at the end of a predetermined time after starting to generate the detection signal.

[0138] This predetermined time depends on the components used and their reaction times and is between 1 millisecond and 10 milliseconds.

[0139] The microcontroller 95 also comprises a port 66 at which the values ​​generated by the calculation unit 72 are made available.

[0140] Port 66 is connected to a communication element 96, in this case a radio frequency, to which the value generated by calculation unit 72 is transmitted, namely a value representing the RMS value of the intensity of the current flowing in magnetic trip coil 51. This is to say that this current is the current flowing in the electrical device or part of the electrical device located between output terminals 26 and 27 of device 100.

[0141] The radio frequency communication element 96 allows remote tracking of this current or a value derived therefrom, and in particular the energy consumption of the device or part of the device located between the output terminals 26 and 27 of the device 100, for example, via a mobile application. For example, the device 100 communicates with a gateway making the current consumption information available on the cloud accessed by the mobile application.

[0142] As a variant, the radio frequency communication element 96 is replaced by a different communication element, such as wired or infrared, and the device 100 is equipped with a corresponding port.

[0143] 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 .

[0144] The first switching element 79 comprises a control connection point 87, a first connection point 83 connected to the output connection terminal 26 via a conductor 48 and a trace of the electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 84 connected to the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 via a conductor 46 and a trace of the electronic circuit 43a. Figure 6 ).

[0145] In the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 87 , the first switching element 79 adopts a blocking configuration, in which the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the output connection terminal 26 .

[0146] The control connection point 87 is connected via a trace of the electronic circuit 43a to a port 69 of the microcontroller 95 at which the start signal is present or absent.

[0147] When a predetermined signal is present at the control connection point 87 , in the case of a start signal, the first switching element 79 allows a switch-on configuration in which the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the output connection terminal 26 .

[0148] In the blocking configuration, the first connection point 83 is isolated from the second connection point 84 and in the closing configuration, the first connection point 83 is connected to the second connection point 84 .

[0149] like Figure 6 As can be seen, the first switching element 79 includes a transistor 97 and a thyristor 98 .

[0150] The control connection point 87 is connected to the base of a transistor 97, the collector of which is connected to the power supply + pole of the electronic circuit 43a and the emitter of which is connected to one side of a first resistor and 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 gate of a thyristor 98, the anode of the thyristor being connected to the first connection point 83 and the cathode thereof being connected to the second connection point 84.

[0151] In the absence of an activation signal at the connection point 87 , the transistor 97 is blocked, as is the thyristor 98 .

[0152] In the presence of an activation signal at the connection point 87, the transistor 97 conducts between its collector and its emitter, causing the signal to appear at the gate of the thyristor 98, which conducts between its anode and its cathode.

[0153] 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 a conductor 49 and a 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 a conductor 47 and a trace of the electronic circuit 43a. Figure 6 ).

[0154] 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 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the output connection terminal 27 .

[0155] The control connection point 88 is connected via a trace of the electronic circuit 43a to the port 69 of the microcontroller 95 at which the start signal is present or absent.

[0156] When a predetermined signal is present at the control connection point 88 , in the case of a start signal, the second switching element 80 allows a switched-on configuration in which the second end 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the output connection terminal 27 .

[0157] In the blocking configuration, the first connection point 85 is isolated from the second connection point 86 and in the closing configuration, the first connection point 85 is connected to the second connection point 86 .

[0158] like Figure 6 As can be seen, the second power switching element 80 includes a transistor 97 and a thyristor 98 .

[0159] The control connection point 88 is connected to the base of a transistor 97, the collector of which is connected to the +pole of the power supply of the electronic circuit 43a and the emitter of which is connected to one side of the first resistor and the 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 gate of a thyristor 98, the anode of which is connected to the first connection point 85 and the cathode of which is connected to the second connection point 86.

[0160] In the absence of an activation signal at the connection point 88 , the transistor 97 is blocked, as is the thyristor 98 .

[0161] When an activation signal is present at the connection point 88, the transistor 97 is turned on between its collector and its emitter, so that a signal appears at the gate of the thyristor 98, which becomes conductive between its anode and cathode.

[0162] The fact that the thyristor 98 is turned on connects the ends of the protection relay coil 52 to the grid voltage, the striker 102 is driven, and the lock 50 causes the movable contacts 32 and 37 to move away from the fixed contacts 31 and 36, which simultaneously isolates the protection relay coil 52 from the grid.

[0163] The third switching element 81 includes a control connection point 93, a first connection point 89 connected to the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 through a trace of the conductor 46 and the electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 90 connected to the input connection point 74 of the interface 70 through a trace of the electronic circuit 43a.

[0164] In the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 93 , the third switching element 81 allows a switch-on configuration in which the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector 60 , here to the input connection point 74 .

[0165] The control connection point 93 is connected via the electronic circuit 43a trace to the port 68 of the microcontroller 95, at which the detection signal is present or absent.

[0166] When a predetermined signal is present at the control connection point 93 , in the case of a detection signal, the third switching element 81 assumes a blocking configuration in which the first end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the long-time overcurrent detector 60 .

[0167] In the switched-on configuration, the first connection point 89 is connected to the second connection point 90 , and in the blocked configuration, the first connection point 89 is isolated from the second connection point 90 .

[0168] like Figure 7 As seen in FIG. 8 , the third switching element 81 includes a transistor 99 .

[0169] Control connection point 93 is connected to one side of a first resistor and one side of a second resistor, the other side of the first resistor is connected to the reference of the power supply and the other side of the second resistor is 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.

[0170] When there is no detection signal at the connection point 93 , the transistor 99 is turned on, and the absence of the detection signal is a high voltage level at the connection point 93 .

[0171] When a detection signal is present at the connection point 93 , the transistor 99 is blocked and the detection signal is present at a low voltage level at the connection point 93 .

[0172] 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 conductor 47 and a trace of the electronic circuit 43a, and a second connection point 92 connected to the input connection point 75 of the interface 70 via a trace of the electronic circuit 43a.

[0173] In the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 94 , the fourth switching element 82 allows a switch-on configuration in which the second end 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector 60 , here to the input connection point 75 .

[0174] The control connection point 94 is connected via a trace of the electronic circuit 43a to the port 68 of the microcontroller 95, at which the detection signal is present or absent.

[0175] In the presence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point 94 , in the case of a detection signal, the fourth switching element 82 allows a blocking configuration in which the second end 110 a of the protection relay coil 52 is isolated from the long-time overcurrent detector 60 .

[0176] In the on configuration, the first connection point 91 is connected to the second connection point 92 , whereas in the blocking configuration, the first connection point 91 is isolated from the second connection point 92 .

[0177] like Figure 7 As can be seen, the fourth switching element 82 includes a transistor 99 .

[0178] Control connection point 94 is connected to one side of a first resistor and one side of a second resistor, the other side of the first resistor is connected to the reference of the power supply and the other side of the second resistor is connected to the base of transistor 99. Connection point 91 is connected to the collector of transistor 99 and connection point 92 is connected to the emitter of transistor 99.

[0179] In the absence of a detection signal at the connection point 94 , the transistor 99 is turned on.

[0180] When a detection signal is present at the connection point 94 , the transistor 99 is blocked.

[0181] like Figures 10 to 12 As can be seen, in addition to the magnetic disconnect coil 51, the protective relay coil 52, the striker 102 and the movable core 103, the compact element 44 also includes a bobbin 101, a guide 107, a spring 108, an insulating sheath 111 and connecting rods 125 and 125a which serve as conductors 46 and 47 here.

[0182] The protection relay coil 52 is wound on a bobbin 101 of insulating plastic material, which is generally tubular and has a flange visible at its bottom end and a flange visible at its top that is combined with a socket, each socket being used for one end of the coil 52 and one of the connecting rods 125 and 125a.

[0183] The insulating sheath 111 is arranged between the magnetic trip coil 51 and the protection relay coil 52 .

[0184] The core 103 , the striker 102 , the spring 108 , and the guide 107 are accommodated in the inner space of the bobbin 101 .

[0185] The core 103 is generally cylindrical. The housing 104 is disposed in one end thereof. The core 103 is slidably mounted in the barrel 101.

[0186] The guide member 107 is fixedly mounted on one end portion of the bobbin 101. A through hole 113 is provided in the guide member 107.

[0187] The striker 102 is formed of a rod-shaped body 106 and a head 105 located at one end of the rod and protruding from the one end of the rod.

[0188] The housing 104 is configured to receive the head 105 of the striker 102 . The hole 113 of the guide 107 is configured to receive the rod 106 .

[0189] A spring 108 is arranged around the rod 106 of the striker 102 .

[0190] The connecting rod 125 is arranged between the end 110 of the protection relay coil 52 and the electronic circuit 43a (see Figure 13 ). Likewise, the connecting rod 125a is arranged between the end 110a of the protection relay coil 52 and the electronic circuit 43a.

[0191] The 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 an electrical connection between the magnetic trip coil 51 and the fixed contact 31 .

[0192] If any fault (long-term overcurrent or short circuit) does not occur, the core 103 is kept away from the guide 107 by the spring 108.

[0193] When a fault occurs, the magnetic flux generated by coil 51 or coil 52 acts on core 103, driving it to slide in hole 113 against spring 108 towards guide 107, by extending its rod 106, which then acts on control mechanism 50 to drive striker 102.

[0194] When the magnetic flux stops, the spring 108, the core 103 and the striker 102 return to Figure 12 The initial position shown in .

[0195] like Figure 13 and 14 As shown, the compact element 44 and the lock 50 straddle an insulating barrier 109. The barrier 109 is positioned between the protected polarity circuit (between terminals 22 and 26) and the unprotected polarity circuit (between terminals 23 and 27).

[0196] exist Figure 15 In the variant shown, the device 100 further comprises a differential fault detection transformer 35, the electronic circuit 43a is replaced by an electronic circuit 43d, and, moreover, the assembly consisting of a protection relay 45 connected to the electronic circuit 43d is also configured to act on the lock 50 not only in the event of a prolonged overcurrent but also in the event of a differential fault.

[0197] In this variant, the current transmission circuit between terminals 22 and 26 includes a magnetic circuit breaker element 30, a fixed contact 31, a movable contact 32 and a winding 34 constituting a transformer 35 connected in series, and the current transmission circuit between terminals 23 and 27 includes a fixed contact 36, a movable contact 37 and a winding 38 constituting a differential fault detection transformer 35 connected in series.

[0198] The transformer 35 includes, in addition to the windings 34 and 38 , a secondary winding 39 and an annular armature 40 around which the secondary winding 39 and the primary windings 34 and 38 are formed.

[0199] The secondary winding 39 is connected via two conductors 41 , 42 to an electronic circuit 43 d which processes, in addition to the signal representative of the current intensity supplied by the coil 52 , the differential fault signal supplied by the transformer 35 .

[0200] Generally, the electronic circuit 43d is similar to the electronic circuit 43a, except that the long-term overcurrent detector 60 is replaced by an assembly consisting of an interface 70, a converter 71, a calculation unit 72, and a monitoring unit 73, which is used to determine the root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic circuit breaker coil 51; in addition, it also includes a switching interface 63 for generating a signal to which the switching circuit 61 responds.

[0201] The switching interface 63 comprises two connection points 170 and 171 connected to the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 via conductors 42 and 41 , respectively, and two output connection points 168 and 169 , each connected to the switching circuit 61 .

[0202] More precisely, the output connection point 168 is connected to the control connection points 93 and 94 of the third switching element 81 and 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 the second switching element 80 , respectively.

[0203] When the transformer 35 provides a differential fault signal on the conductors 41 and 42 , the interface 63 responsively generates a detection signal that is transmitted to the third switching element 81 and the fourth switching element 82 , which then generates a start signal that is transmitted to the first switching element 79 and the second switching element 80 .

[0204] In a variant not shown:

[0205] - The protection relay coil 52 is arranged around the magnetic trip coil 51 instead of the other way around;

[0206] -Implementation of switching circuit and Figure 6 and 7 The illustrated embodiment differs, for example by utilizing optocouplers rather than transistors and thyristors;

[0207] - Implementation of long time overcurrent detector with Figure 5 、 8 Different from the embodiment shown in 9, for example, it is a completely analog manner;

[0208] - the start signal generated at the end of a predetermined time after the generation of the detection signal is not provided by a long-term overcurrent detector, for example by a switching circuit similar to circuit 61 but configured to receive only the detection signal;

[0209] - the current supply circuit for the protected pole is on the right side instead of the left side, and the current supply circuit for the unprotected pole is on the left side instead of the right side; and / or

[0210] The protection device does not comprise a second output connection terminal 27 for the second electrode and therefore does not comprise a second current conveying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 .

[0211] 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-module width, comprising four terminals in the upper part and four terminals in the lower part.

[0212] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

1. A protection device for AC electrical equipment, 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 an output connection terminal (26) for the first electrode, each connection terminal (22, 23, 26) being configured to receive a bare end portion of a cable or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb; the device comprising: A first current transmission circuit between the first input connection terminal (22) and the output connection terminal (26), comprising a fixed contact (31) and a movable contact (32); A control mechanism (50) for the movable contact (32) has two stable positions, namely a disconnected position in which the movable contact (32) is away from the fixed contact (31) and an engaged position in which the movable contact (32) abuts against the fixed contact (31); a lever (19) for manually actuating the control mechanism (50) to switch from the disengaged position to the engaged position or vice versa; A compact component (44) comprising a magnetic disconnection element (30) and a protective relay (45), wherein the magnetic disconnection element (30) is formed by a magnetic disconnection coil (51) arranged around a movable core controlling a striker, the striker acting on a control mechanism (50) in the event of a short circuit and forming part of a first current transmission circuit, and the protective relay (45) is formed by a protective relay coil arranged around the movable core, the magnetic disconnection coil (51) and the protective relay coil being arranged around each other; an electronic circuit (43a, 43d) connected to the protection relay coil, the electronic circuit (43a, 43d) being configured to energize the protection relay coil when a predetermined current delivery condition indicative of a prolonged overcurrent condition occurs; The electronic circuit (43a, 43d) is characterized in that the electronic circuit (43a, 43d) includes a long-term overcurrent detector (60), the long-term overcurrent detector (60) is configured to determine the occurrence of the current delivery condition based on a signal appearing at the end (110, 110a) of the protection relay coil (52), and to generate a detection signal when the predetermined current delivery condition occurs; and further includes a switching circuit (61), the long-term overcurrent detector (60) and the switching circuit (61) are configured so that when there is no detection signal, the switching circuit connects the protection relay coil (52) to the long-term overcurrent detector (60) and isolates the protection relay coil (52) from each of the input connection terminals (22, 23), and when there is a detection signal, the switching circuit (61) isolates the protection relay coil (52) from the long-term overcurrent detector (60) and then connects the protection relay coil (52) to each of the input connection terminals (22, 23).

2. The protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The long-term overcurrent detector (60) is implemented by an analog-to-digital converter (71), a calculation unit (72), and an interface (70) arranged between the switching circuit (61) and the converter (71). The switching circuit (61) connects the interface (70) to the two ends (110, 110a) of the protection relay coil (52) when there is no detection signal, and isolates the interface (70) from the two ends (110, 110a) of the protection relay coil (52) when there is a detection signal. The interface (70) is configured to provide an analog signal to an input port of the converter (71) that is usable by the converter (71) and corresponds to a voltage between the two ends (110, 110a) of the protection relay coil (52).

3. The protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that The long-term overcurrent detector (60) comprises in the microcontroller (95): an analog-to-digital converter (71) connected to the analog port (67) and configured to generate a digital value representing an analog signal provided by the interface (70), a calculation unit configured to generate a digital value representing a root mean square value of the intensity of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil (51) based on the digital value representing the analog signal provided by the interface (70); and a monitoring unit (73) of the root mean square value of the current flowing in the magnetic trip coil (51), which is configured to compare the digital value representing the root mean square value of the intensity of the current with a current intensity threshold value and generate the detection signal if the current intensity threshold value is exceeded during a predetermined time period.

4. The protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that The microcontroller (95) is also connected to a communication element (96) and is configured to transmit to the communication element (96) the digital value representing the root mean square value of the intensity of the electric current generated by the calculation unit (72).

5. The protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that The communication element (96) is a radio frequency communication element.

6. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The switching circuit (61) comprises: - a first switching element (79), comprising a control connection point (87) and being connected on the one hand to the first input connection terminal (22) and on the other hand to the first end (110) of the protective relay coil (52), allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point (87), a blocking configuration in which the first switching element (79) isolates the first end (110) of the protective relay coil (52) from the first input connection terminal (22), and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point (87), a switching configuration in which the first switching element (79) connects the first end (110) of the protective relay coil (52) to the first input connection terminal (22); - a second switching element (80), comprising a control connection point (88) and being connected on the one hand to the second input connection terminal (23) and on the other hand to the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52), allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point (88), a blocking configuration 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), and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point (88), a switching configuration 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), comprising a control connection point (93) and being connected on the one hand to a first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) and on the other hand to a long-term overcurrent detector (60), allowing, in the absence of a predetermined signal at the control connection point (93), a switching configuration in which the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector (60), and allowing, in the presence of the predetermined signal at the control connection point (93), a switching configuration in which the first end (110) of the protection relay coil (52) is isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector (60); - a fourth switching element (82), comprising a control connection point (94) and being connected on the one hand to the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) and on the other hand to the long-term overcurrent detector (60), allowing, when a predetermined signal is absent at the control connection point (94), an on-configuration in which the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) is connected to the long-term overcurrent detector (60), and allowing, when the predetermined signal is present at the control connection point (94), a blocking configuration in which the second end (110a) of the protection relay coil (52) is isolated from the long-term overcurrent detector (60).

7. The protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that The long-term overcurrent detector (60) is configured to generate a start signal at the end of a predetermined time from the generation of the detection signal, and the electronic circuit (43a, 43d) 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 protection device 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 protection device 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 protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that It is in modular form, generally parallelepiped-shaped, with two main surfaces, namely a left surface (11) and a right surface (12), and side surfaces extending from one main surface to the other main surface, the width of the side surfaces, that is, the distance between the left surface (11) and the right surface (12), being equal to an integer multiple of a predetermined distance called the module.

11. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The ratio between the number of turns of the protection relay coil (52) and the number of turns of the magnetic trip coil (51) is comprised between 100 and 500.

12. The protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 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 a bare end portion of a cable or a tooth of a horizontal distribution comb; the device comprises a second current conveying circuit between the second input connection terminal (23) and the second output connection terminal (27).

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