Remote driver, device and test method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a remote driver for coupling with a fault current protection switch device to operate the fault current protection switch device by means of a controllable drive device of the remote driver. The remote driver has a control device, which has at least two electrical connections on the output side. The two electrical connections can be connected to the fault current protection switch device to trigger the fault current protection switch device in a test mode by generating a fault current. The remote driver has an input interface for receiving a trigger signal of the fault current protection switch device. The control device of the remote driver is connected to the input interface on the input side and to the drive device on the output side, and the drive device is controlled by the control device to reconnect the fault current protection switch device only after receiving the trigger signal. The functionality of the fault current protection switch device can be checked by manually operating a test button arranged on the operating side of the fault current protection switch device, eliminating the need to perform a manual on-site test.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a remote driver for use with a residual current protection switchgear The invention also relates to a device comprising a remote driver and a residual current protection switch coupled to the remote driver, and to a test method for performing an FI test of a residual current protection switch by means of a remote driver coupled to the residual current protection switch. Background Art

[0002] The term “protective switchgear” which can in principle be coupled to a remote drive includes, for example, line circuit breakers (LS switches), residual current circuit breakers (FI switches), fire protection switches, and combination devices such as FI-LS circuit breakers or load disconnectors.

[0003] A residual current circuit breaker is a switching device used to detect a ground fault current when a current "flows in the wrong path" in a circuit protected by the switching device, such as through a person's body, to the ground. When such a ground fault current occurs, the circuit protected by the residual current circuit breaker will be interrupted in the shortest possible time and thus separated from the rest of the power grid. To this end, the current intensity of the current flowing to the consumer is compared with the current intensity of the current flowing back from the consumer with a positive or negative sign by means of a summing current transformer. When a fault current, such as a ground fault current, occurs, the currents flowing back and forth through the summing current transformer have different magnitudes. As a result, a magnetic field is generated in the magnetic core of the summing current transformer, thereby inducing a secondary current in the secondary coil wound around the magnetic core. This secondary current ultimately causes the switch contacts arranged in the protected circuit to be disconnected, thereby interrupting the circuit in question. In this way, personal protection can be achieved, and property protection or fire prevention of electrical devices or equipment can also be achieved. Such residual current circuit breakers are known in principle, for example, from EP 0 957 558 A2, DE 10 2014 208 036 A1 or DE 10 2014 202 485 A1.

[0004] A remote drive enables the remote operation of a low-voltage protection switchgear. Such a low-voltage protection switchgear is also referred to as a series-mounted device. Here, a remote drive that can be controlled remotely is mechanically coupled to the protection switchgear and can be used to disconnect and connect the coupled protection switchgear. Such a remote drive is in principle known from the prior art, for example from German patent document DE 102 16 055 B4.

[0005] Furthermore, the remote driver has the function of automatically reclosing the coupled protective switchgear after it has been triggered or disconnected due to a fault. Remote drivers with such an automatic reclosing function are also referred to in English as "automatic reclosing devices", or ARD for short. Problems that may arise here are that, when the reclosing process has been initiated with the aid of the ARD remote driver, there are still operating states that lead to the triggering of the protective switchgear, such as short circuits or ground fault currents. This can lead to undesirable consequences, such as damage to the device or even danger to health or life due to the current, and must therefore be avoided under all circumstances. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a remote driver, a device consisting of a remote driver and a residual current protection switch device coupled thereto, and a test method for performing FI testing of a residual current protection switch device, which have improved functionality and overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0007] According to the present invention, the above technical problem is solved by the remote driver, device and test method according to the present invention. Advantageous embodiments of the remote driver, device and test method according to the present invention are also the content of the present invention.

[0008] The remote driver according to the present invention is configured to be coupled (or coupled) to a residual current protection switch device so as to operate the coupled residual current protection switch device by means of a controllable drive device of the remote driver. To this end, the remote driver has a control device, which has at least two electrical connectors on the output side for performing the FI test. The two connectors can be connected to the residual current protection switch device so as to trigger the residual current protection switch device in a test manner (or test-wise) by generating a fault current. In addition, the remote driver has an input interface for receiving a trigger signal of the residual current protection switch device coupled to the remote driver. Here, the control device of the remote driver is connected to the input interface on the input side and to the drive device on the output side, wherein the drive device is controlled by the control device to reconnect the residual current protection switch device (only) after receiving the trigger signal.

[0009] The test line can be connected to two electrical connections of the control device, and the remote driver can be electrically connected to the coupled fault current protection switch device via the test line, so that a fault current can be induced in the fault current protection switch device via the test line, so as to cause the triggering of the fault current protection switch device in this way. Alternatively, the electrical connection can also be led out of the remote driver as a test line. Since the FI test can be started (automatically) by the coupled remote driver, it is no longer necessary to test the functionality of the fault current protection switch device on site by manually operating a test button arranged on the operating side of the fault current protection switch device. Therefore, the corresponding manual device inspection that needs to be carried out regularly can be omitted.

[0010] By means of the input interface of the remote driver, the triggering signal of the coupled residual current protection switch device is mechanically or electrically transmitted to the remote driver. Since the triggering of the residual current protection switch device is close in time to the FI test initiated by the remote driver, the triggering of the residual current protection switch device is recognized by the control device of the remote driver connected to the input interface. Here, the automatic reconnection of the residual current protection switch device initiated by the remote driver is carried out (only) when it is determined that the triggering of the residual current protection switch device is caused by the FI test and not by the detected fault current. In this way, the residual current protection switch device is effectively avoided from being reconnected when the fault current is still present. This significantly improves the personal safety and the safety of the electrical equipment protected by the residual current protection switch device.

[0011] In an advantageous further development of the remote drive, the control device has a measuring device for measuring the potential of the electrical connection lines of the residual current protection switch device between each other and to ground. Here, the measuring device can be connected to each connection line of the residual current protection switch device via a plurality of measuring lines and to the ground contact.

[0012] The term "electrical connection line" includes the phase lines and the neutral conductor of the coupled residual current protection switchgear. The measurement of the potential of the electrical connection line to ground is also referred to as insulation resistance measurement or discharge current measurement. The measuring line required for this purpose can be connected directly to the measuring device and led out of the remote drive; as an alternative to this, the measuring device can also have an electrical connection, via which the measuring line can be connected to the measuring device in an electrically conductive manner if necessary.

[0013] By means of a measuring device, the potential of an electrical connection line of a residual current protection switch device coupled to a remote driver and assigned to a corresponding measuring line can be measured relative to the ground potential to determine whether a ground fault current that causes the residual current protection switch device to be triggered continues to exist. If this is the case, the reconnection of the residual current protection switch device initiated by the remote driver is effectively prevented. Only when the faulty operating state no longer exists can it be reconnected by the remote driver. This effectively prevents access to the existing fault state. Therefore, the harm of the current to health or life and damage to the electrical device are effectively avoided. This significantly improves the safety of the electrical device.

[0014] Furthermore, the voltage or potential difference between the two connecting lines can be determined by measuring the potential between each of the two connecting lines. In this way, for example, it can be determined whether the upstream (or preceding) main switch is open, so that there is no voltage between the individual phase lines.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the remote drive, the control device has a communication device for receiving a control command for initiating the FI test.

[0016] The communication device can be used to enable the remote drive to communicate with a superordinate unit, such as a control center or a control room, and is advantageously designed to be bidirectional. For example, critical operating states can be transmitted from the remote drive to the superordinate location. On the other hand, data and information, such as control data for controlling the remote drive or reference data related to the coupled protective switchgear, can be transmitted from a superordinate, possibly spatially remote location to the control device of the remote drive. In addition, the communication device can also be used for the input of data by an operator on site, such as parameterization data transmitted from a mobile device to the remote drive. The control data that can be transmitted to the remote drive via the communication device also include control commands, which are used, for example, to disconnect or connect the protective switchgear connected to the remote drive, but also to start FI tests or to measure the insulation resistance of the electrical connection lines of the fault current protection switchgear.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the remote drive, the communication device is designed for wireless communication and / or wired communication.

[0018] Wired communication offers a higher degree of security, while wireless communication requires less installation effort. For wireless data exchange via the communication device, known transmission standards such as ZigBee, Bluetooth or IR (infrared) are advantageously used. However, the invention is not limited to the standards mentioned.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the remote drive, the FI test can be automatically initiated by the control unit after expiration of a predefinable time interval.

[0020] In this way, the functionality of the residual current device coupled to the remote drive can be checked regularly (or at regular intervals), thereby further improving the safety of the electrical installation protected by the residual current device.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the remote drive, the control unit has a memory device for recording the FI test.

[0022] By means of the storage device, the FI test initiated by the remote driver can be recorded with respect to various parameters, such as the time of the test, the time interval between two tests, the result, etc., and, if necessary, transmitted to a superordinated unit via the communication device. Likewise, corresponding data / parameters about the fault-induced triggering of the coupled residual current protection switchgear or about the insulation measurement performed can be stored in the storage device or transmitted to the superordinated unit. This further simplifies and improves the monitoring of the electrical installation.

[0023] The device according to the invention comprises a remote drive of the type described above and a residual current protection switch device coupled to the remote drive. In this case, two electrical connections of a control device of the remote drive are electrically conductively connected to the residual current protection switch device so that a residual current can be induced in the main circuit of the residual current protection switch device.

[0024] With regard to the advantages of the remote drive according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements. With the aid of the device according to the invention, improved monitoring of an electrical installation protected by a residual current circuit breaker device can be achieved.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement, the residual current circuit breaker device has a communication interface for data communication with a remote drive.

[0026] For example, the trigger signal can be transmitted to the remote driver via the communication interface of the residual current protection switch device. Furthermore, within the scope of the installation of the device, the communication interface can be used to parameterize the remote driver in such a way that the type-related reference data of the residual current protection switch device to be coupled to the remote driver do not have to be downloaded from a database, but are transmitted from the residual current protection switch device to the remote driver via direct communication. In this way, different device configurations can be flexibly implemented with little installation effort. If a current measuring device for measuring the current in the connecting line is integrated into the residual current protection switch device, an enabling signal (Freigabesignal, or permission signal) for performing the FI test can also be transmitted from the residual current protection switch device to the remote driver by means of the communication interface as soon as no current is detected in the connecting line.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, the communication interface of the residual current circuit breaker device is designed to be wireless.

[0028] The advantage of reduced installation effort becomes even more pronounced when using a wireless communication interface.

[0029] The testing method according to the invention for FI testing of a residual current circuit breaker device by means of a remote driver of the type described above, which is coupled to the residual current circuit breaker device, comprises the following steps:

[0030] a) Start the FI test via the remote drive control device,

[0031] b) Inducing a fault current in the main circuit of the fault current protection switchgear,

[0032] c) receiving a triggering signal of the residual current protection switchgear via an input interface of the coupled remote driver, which is connected to the control device, and

[0033] d) The control device outputs a control command to control the drive device so as to reconnect the residual current protection switch device.

[0034] By means of the test method according to the invention, the FI test which needs to be performed at predefined intervals on the residual current protection switch device can be automatically carried out by the coupled remote driver at configurable or preset time intervals or also by corresponding control commands from a distance, without the need for manual operation of the test button on the residual current protection switch device. As a result, the corresponding manual device inspection which needs to be performed regularly on site can be omitted, thereby significantly reducing the maintenance expenditure. In addition, the parameters of the FI test, such as the time point, the measured values, etc., can be recorded, stored and thus archived. In addition, the automatic reconnection of the residual current protection switch device by the remote driver improves the device availability.

[0035] In an advantageous development of the test method, before the FI test is initiated, an enabling signal is sent from the residual current protection switchgear to the remote driver.

[0036] If the residual current protection switch device has a current measuring device for measuring the current in the connection line, an enable signal for performing the FI test can be transmitted from the residual current protection switch device to the remote driver as soon as no current flows through the connection line. In this way, it is ensured that the FI test is performed without current flow and therefore without interruption. Although this is not a mandatory provision, it allows both to avoid damage to the electrical equipment and to improve the availability of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments of a remote driver, a device consisting of a remote driver and a fault current protection switchgear coupled thereto, and a test method for performing a FI test are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a remote driver is shown in perspective view;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the conceptual structure of a remote drive in side view;

[0040] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a remote driver / device;

[0041] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a remote driver / device;

[0042] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a testing method according to the present invention is shown.

[0043] In the various figures of the drawings, identical parts are always provided with the same reference numerals. This description applies to all figures in which corresponding parts can also be identified. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a remote actuator 1 with an automatic reclosing function (ARD) is shown in a perspective view. The remote actuator 1 has an insulating material housing 2, which has a front side 4, a fastening side 5 opposite the front side 4, and a narrow side 6 and a wide side 7 connecting the front side 4 and the fastening side 5. An operating element 3 is arranged on the front side 4, which can be connected to a residual current protection switch device 100 (see Figure 2 ) so that it can be operated, i.e. switched on and off, by means of the remote drive 1 in the coupled state. The remote drive 1 can be fixed by its fixing side 5 on a support rail or mounting rail (not shown), which is mainly used for device fixing in the electrical installation distributor.

[0045] On the broad side 7 facing the residual current protection switchgear 100 to be coupled, the remote driver 1 also has an input interface 9 for receiving a trigger signal of the coupled residual current protection switchgear 100. Figure 1 In the illustration of , the input interface 9 is designed mechanically; however, it is also possible that the triggering signal is transmitted electrically from the residual current protection switch device 100 to the remote drive 1. The mechanical triggering signal can be realized, for example, via an auxiliary switch integrated in the residual current protection switch device 1 to be coupled.

[0046] exist Figure 2 The conceptual structure of a remote drive 1 according to the invention is schematically shown in a side view. The remote drive 1 has a drive device 20 for remote operation of an operating element 3. For this purpose, the operating element 3 is arranged protrudingly on the meshing roller 11, so that when the operating element 3 is operated, the meshing roller 11 rotates about its rotation axis 12. In the example shown, the drive device 20 has, in addition to an electric motor (not shown), a transmission with a gear 21, which meshes with teeth 13 designed on the circumference of the meshing roller 11. With the help of this motor-transmission unit, the rotational speed of the electric motor can be matched to the torque required for operating the protective switch device 100 coupled to the remote drive 1 and thus to the mechanical load coupled to the operating element 3 via the meshing connector 8. However, for the sake of clarity, in Figure 3 The motor and the transmission are not shown or not shown completely. In addition, the drive device 20 can also be designed as a transmission-free device: in this case, the motor is speed-controlled and acts directly, that is, without transmission through one or more gear stages, on the teeth 13 designed on the meshing roller 11.

[0047] In order to control the drive device 20, the remote driver 1 has a control device 30 arranged and designed on the circuit board 10. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the control device comprises at least one processor or microcontroller 31 and a memory device 32. Although it is advantageous to arrange the individual components of the control device using a common circuit board due to the modular design of the individual components of the control device and the associated low assembly effort, this is not critical to the present invention. It is also possible to connect the individual electronic components to each other in an electrically conductive manner without using a common circuit board.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 30 has two output connections 33 and 34 which, in the example shown, are arranged on one of the narrow sides 6 of the housing 2 and can be electrically conductively connected to the residual current protection switch device 100 by inserting an electrical connecting line (see Figure 3 ). In order to carry out the FI test initiated by the remote driver 1 , a fault current is generated in the residual current protection switch device 100 via the two output connections 33 and 34 in order to trigger the residual current protection switch device for the test.

[0049] The control device 30 also has a communication device 50, which is also arranged on the circuit board 10 and by means of which communication with a superordinate unit, for example a control center or a control room, or also with a protective switchgear to be coupled or coupled. The communication device 50 is advantageously designed wirelessly. For example, ZigBee, Bluetooth or infrared can be considered as transmission standards; however, this is not critical to the invention. The wireless interface can be arranged directly on the circuit board 10; on the other hand, for a wired interface, a suitable connection possibility is provided in the area of ​​the housing surface.

[0050] Furthermore, a measuring device 40 is arranged on the circuit board 10, which is used to measure the potential of the electrical connection line of the protection switch device 100 connected to the remote driver 1. For this purpose, the measuring device 40 has a plurality of measuring lines 41, which are led out of the housing 2 of the remote driver 1 and can be electrically conductively connected to corresponding contact positions on the residual current protection switch device 100. However, the manner in which the measuring device 40 is electrically connected to the contact position is not critical to the present invention. Therefore, it is also possible to provide an electrical connector in the area of ​​the housing surface of the remote driver 1, into which the electrical connection line can be inserted, so as to electrically conductively connect the remote driver 1 to the connection line of the residual current protection switch device 100.

[0051] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 A first embodiment of a remote drive 1 according to the invention and a device according to the invention is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 3Schematically shows a front view of the device, which consists of a remote driver 1 and a residual current protection switch device 100 coupled thereto. The residual current protection switch device 100 is designed as a four-pole device, that is, it is connected to four electrical connection lines (three phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and a neutral conductor N). The first ends of two test lines T1 and T2 are connected to two electrical terminals 33 and 34 on the output side of the control device 30. The two test lines T1 and T2 are part of a test circuit for performing an FI test of the coupled residual current protection switch device 100. For this purpose, the second ends of the two test lines T1 and T2 are electrically conductively connected to the residual current protection switch device 100 via the connection lines L3 and N. However, it is also possible that the two test lines T1 and T2 are connected to two of the four connection lines, that is, two phase conductors of the three phase conductors L1, L2, L3, or to one phase conductor of the three phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N. By applying a test voltage to the two connections 33 and 34 , a test current flows between the connecting lines L3 and N via the two test lines T1 , T2 , which is interpreted by the residual current protection switch device 100 as a residual current, thereby triggering the residual current protection switch device 100 .

[0052] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 . A control command for starting the FI test can be transmitted to the control device 30 via a control interface 35. In the example shown, the control interface 35 is designed wired. However, it is also feasible that the control interface 35 is designed wirelessly and transmits the control command for starting the FI test to the control device 30 wirelessly. By means of the control command, the test circuit is switched on by closing the switch S1 to perform the FI test. A test resistor R1 is also arranged in the test circuit, which defines the magnitude of the test current fed into the main circuit of the fault current protection switch device 100 as a fault current. Here, the test resistor R1 can be implemented as a fixed resistor, or as a resistor that can be set variably or as a configurable resistor network. In the latter two cases, different fault current protection switch devices 100 can be checked with the help of the same remote driver 1, which are characterized by different rated fault currents.

[0053] The mechanical or electrical trigger signal of the residual current protection switch device 100 can be transmitted to the control device 30 of the remote drive 1 via the input interface 9 of the remote drive 1. With the aid of the microcontroller 31, it can be checked whether the trigger signal is related in time to the FI test previously started by the control device 30. The communication interface 36 (see Figure 2), for example, the test results and / or test records can be transmitted to the superior unit. Here, the communication interface 36 can be designed wirelessly or wired, but in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustration, the communication interface 36 is designed as a wired device. In addition, the test results can be provided to the on-site signal sensor via the signal contact in order to be able to identify the relevant circuit more quickly on site. In addition, the drive device 20 can also be controlled via the communication interface 36 in order to reconnect the residual current protection switch device 100 coupled to the remote drive 1.

[0054] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of a remote drive 1 according to the invention and of a device according to the invention is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 5 A front view of an alternative device is shown, Figure 6 , the corresponding parts of the associated control device 30 are schematically shown again. For the sake of clarity, the test circuit described in detail in the first exemplary embodiment is omitted in the illustration of the second exemplary embodiment. However, this does not mean that the exemplary embodiments cannot be combined in this connection: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The test circuit shown in the illustrated first exemplary embodiment can also be a component of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0055] The residual current protection switch device 100 is again designed as a four-pole device and is connected to four electrical connecting lines, namely three phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and a neutral conductor N. Four measuring lines 41 are led out of the remote driver 1 coupled to the residual current protection switch device 100 and are respectively connected in an electrically conductive manner to one of the connecting conductors L1, L2, L3, N. In this case, the measuring lines 41 can be directly connected in an electrically conductive manner to the connecting lines respectively assigned to them, or can also be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a contact point respectively assigned to the respective connecting line and provided on the residual current protection switch device 100, for example one of the two connecting terminals of the respective connecting line. On the part of the remote driver 1, the other end of the measuring line 41 is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the measuring device 40 of the control device 30. With the aid of the measuring line 41, a potential or voltage measurement can be performed between two of the connecting lines L1, L2, L3 and N. If the measured voltage, i.e. the potential difference between two connecting lines L1, L2, L3, N, i.e. the potential difference between two phase conductors L1, L2, L3, or the potential difference between one of the phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N, is very small or even zero, this indicates a short circuit between the corresponding connecting lines.

[0056] Furthermore, the measuring device 40 has a protective conductor PE, via which the measuring device can be conductively connected to the ground potential. For grounding, the protective conductor 40 can be conductively connected to a ground connection, for example, arranged in an electrical installation distributor. In this way, the insulation resistance of the corresponding connecting conductor to the ground can be measured by measuring the potential of one of the connecting conductors relative to the ground potential. If the measured potential value is below a predefined limit value, a ground fault, i.e. a ground fault current, can be inferred from this. Here, the predefined limit value can be stored in the storage element 32 of the control device 30 or can be called from a superordinate unit via the communication device 50.

[0057] The insulation resistance can be measured continuously or, after the fault has been disconnected, discontinuously before the enable signal is sent from the fault current protection switch device 100 to the remote driver 1, in order to ensure that there is no longer any earth fault current which caused the fault current protection switch device 100 to trigger. In this way, automatic reconnection to a fault state that still exists is effectively avoided.

[0058] Instead of the measuring lines 41 leading out of the remote driver, the remote driver 1 can also have suitable contacts into which, if necessary, separate measuring lines can be plugged in order to connect the measuring device 40 to the residual current protection switchgear 100 if necessary. This has the advantage that when using a remote driver 1 without a measuring function, unused measuring lines 41 do not hang loosely and unused outside the housing 2 of the remote driver 1.

[0059] Reference Figure 7 The test method according to the invention is briefly described below, which is used to perform an FI test on a residual current protection switch device 100 by means of a remote driver 1 of the aforementioned type coupled to the residual current protection switch device 100:

[0060] In a first method step 201, the FI test is initiated by the control device 30 of the remote drive 1. This can be done by a corresponding control command sent from a superordinated unit to the remote drive 1, by a time signal (when the FI test is automatically performed at predefined time intervals), or by an on-site operator (who transmits a control command to the remote drive 1 via a corresponding input device).

[0061] In a second method step 202 , a fault current is induced in the main circuit of the residual current protection switchgear 100 by the coupled remote driver 1 via the test circuit.

[0062] In a third method step 203, a trigger signal of the residual current circuit breaker device 100 is received by the control device 30 connected to the input interface 9 of the coupled remote drive 1. Only if the received trigger signal is temporally correlated with a FI test previously initiated by the control device 30, a control command for controlling the drive device 20 is output by the control device 30 in a fourth method step 204 in order to re-close the residual current circuit breaker device 100.

[0063] With the remote driver 1 according to the invention, an FI test required at certain time intervals, for example as specified by important standards for residual current circuit breakers, can be performed fully automatically by the installed remote driver 1, without having to operate a test button of the residual current circuit breaker 100 on site. In this case, the residual current circuit breaker 100 is triggered and automatically reconnected by the remote driver 1 coupled to the residual current circuit breaker 100.

[0064] Measuring the potential of the electrical connecting lines L1, L2, L3, N of the residual current protection switch device 100 by means of the measuring device 40 arranged in the remote drive 1 ensures that the automatic FI test is only carried out when there is no current flowing. It is also conceivable to send a query to the operator or a superordinate unit via the communication device 50 as to whether and, if necessary, when a FI test can be carried out.

[0065] Furthermore, the parameters of the automatic FI test can be determined via the communication device 50. Thus, for example, the execution can be stopped or activated. Furthermore, it can be determined at which time intervals the FI test should be performed. Likewise, the execution of the automatic FI test can also be recorded and / or transmitted to a superordinate unit.

[0066] Reference numerals list

[0067] 1 Remote Drive

[0068] 2 Insulating material housing

[0069] 3 Operating elements

[0070] 4 Front

[0071] 5 Fixed side

[0072] 6 Narrow side

[0073] 7 Broad side

[0074] 8 Engage the connector

[0075] 9 Input Interface

[0076] 10 Circuit Board

[0077] 11 Intermeshing roller

[0078] 12 Rotation axis

[0079] 13 teeth

[0080] 20 Drive equipment

[0081] 21 Gear

[0082] 30 Control Equipment

[0083] 31 Microcontroller

[0084] 32 Storage Devices

[0085] 33, 34 Output connector

[0086] 35 Control interface

[0087] 36 Communication Interface

[0088] 40 Measuring equipment

[0089] 41 Measurement lines

[0090] 50 Communication equipment

[0091] 100 Residual current protection switchgear

[0092] 201 First Method Step

[0093] 202 Second method step

[0094] 203 Third Method Step

[0095] 204 Fourth Method Step

[0096] L1, L2, L3 phase conductors

[0097] N Neutral conductor

[0098] PE protective conductor

[0099] T1, T2 test lines

[0100] R1 Test resistor

[0101] S1 switch

Claims

1. A remote driver (1) for coupling to a residual current protection switch device (100) in order to operate the coupled residual current protection switch device (100) by means of a controllable drive device (20) of the remote driver (1), - a control device (30) which, for carrying out the FI test, has at least two electrical connections (33, 34) on the output side, which are connectable to the residual current protection switch device (100) in order to trigger the residual current protection switch device (100) by generating a residual current, - having an input interface (9) for receiving a trigger signal of a fault current protection switchgear (100) coupled to the remote driver (1), - in, The control device (30) is connected to the input interface (9) on the input side and to the drive device (20) on the output side, and - wherein the drive device (20) is controlled by the control device (30) to reconnect the residual current protection switch device (100) only after receiving the trigger signal, In this case, a check is performed to determine whether the trigger signal is temporally correlated with a FI test previously initiated by the control device, wherein a control command for controlling the drive device in order to reclose the residual current protection switch device is output by the control device only if the received trigger signal is temporally correlated with a FI test previously initiated by the control device.

2. The remote driver (1) according to claim 1, in, The control device (30) has a measuring device (40) for measuring the potential between the electrical connecting lines (L1, L2, L3, N) of the residual current protection switch device (100) and the potential to the ground, wherein the measuring device (40) can be connected to the connecting lines (L1, L2, L3, N) and to the ground contact via a plurality of measuring lines (41).

3. The remote drive (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The control device (30) has a communication device (50) for receiving a control command for starting an FI test.

4. The remote driver (1) according to claim 3, in, The communication device (50) is designed for wireless and / or wired communication.

5. The remote driver (1) according to claim 1, in, The FI test can be automatically initiated by the control device (30) after the expiration of a predefinable time interval.

6. The remote driver (1) according to claim 1, in, The control device (30) has a storage device (32) for recording the FI test.

7. A device having - a remote actuator (1) designed according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and - a fault current protection switchgear (100) coupled to the remote drive (1), - in, The two electrical terminals (33, 34) of the control device (30) of the remote driver (1) are connected to a residual current protection switch device (100) so that a residual current can be induced in a main circuit of the residual current protection switch device (100).

8. The device according to claim 7, in, The residual current protection switch device (100) has a communication interface for data communication with the remote driver (1).

9. The device according to claim 8, in, The communication interface of the residual current protection switch device (100) is designed to be wireless.

10. A test method for performing an FI test on a residual current protection switch device (100) by means of a remote driver (1) coupled to the residual current protection switch device (100), the remote driver (1) being designed according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: a) starting the FI test via the control device (30) of the remote drive (1); b) inducing a fault current in a main circuit of a fault current protection switchgear (100); c) receiving a trigger signal of a residual current protection switch device (100) via an input interface (9) of the coupled remote driver (1) which is connected to a control device (30), d) the control device (30) outputs a control command to control the drive device (20) so as to re-close the residual current protection switch device (100), in, A check is performed to determine whether the trigger signal is temporally correlated with a FI test previously initiated by the control device, wherein the control device outputs a control command for controlling the drive device in order to reclose the residual current protection switch device only if the received trigger signal is temporally correlated with a FI test previously initiated by the control device.

11. The test method according to claim 10, in, Before initiating the FI test, an enable signal is sent from the fault current protection switchgear (100) to the remote driver (1).

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