Busbar adapter

Abstract

The present invention discloses a bus adapter (10) comprising a housing (100, 102) adapted for attachment to a bus, a printed circuit board (104), and at least one current sensor (106, 106', 106") electrically connected to the printed circuit board (104), wherein the printed circuit board (104) and at least one current sensor (106, 106', 106") are arranged within the housing (100, 102), wherein the housing (100, 102, 102'; 100, 102, 102"; 114, 102, 102') includes an upper housing portion (114, 102, 102"). The upper housing portion (102, 102', 102, 102") and the lower housing portion (102, 102', 102") are adapted to attach one or more devices connected to the bus via a bus adapter, and the lower housing portion is adapted to house a printed circuit board (104) and at least one current sensor (106, 106', 106"), wherein the lower housing portion includes a first portion (102) adapted to house the printed circuit board (104) and at least one current sensor (106, 106', 106") and a second portion (102', 102") adapted to attach to the bus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a bus adapter and the arrangement of the bus adapter with one or more devices. Background Technology

[0002] A busbar system is used instead of specific wires for wiring electrical equipment in electrical switchgear. The electrical equipment to be wired is connected to the busbar via a busbar adapter. The electrical equipment is mounted on an adapter, which is installed on the current-carrying busbar.

[0003] European patent application EP 0 455 100 A2 discloses a bus adapter comprising a housing and an electronic transformer disposed within the housing. The electronic transformer is at least partially immersed in the bus and is constructed of two circuit boards connected to each other in a T-shape.

[0004] International patent application WO2020 / 114579A1 and German utility model DE202018106893U1 disclose a bus adapter for connection to a multiphase bus system, wherein the bus adapter includes a top cover element and a bottom cover element, as well as contact devices and contact wires. The bus adapter also includes a current measuring device designed such that current measurement of each phase of the bus adapter can be performed within the bus adapter.

[0005] US Patent Application US2015 / 0301111 A1 relates to a module for fuse switch arrangements, particularly for fuse switch arrangements in busbar systems. The module can take the form of a busbar adapter, which can be positioned on the busbar system and subsequently attached to built-in equipment, particularly rail-mounted equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This specification describes a bus adapter and an electrical device, namely an arrangement of the bus adapter with one or more electromechanical switching devices.

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a bus adapter comprising a housing adapted for attachment to a bus, a printed circuit board (PCB), and at least one current sensor electrically connected to the PCB, wherein the PCB and the at least one current sensor are arranged within the housing. The bus adapter can be used to implement various functions related to current measurement results, such as power and energy metering and / or overcurrent protection. The PCB may include wires for connecting the at least one current sensor to a circuit and / or one or more contactors. The housing includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the upper housing portion being adapted for attaching one or more devices connected to the bus via the bus adapter, and the lower housing portion being adapted to house the PCB and the at least one current sensor. The bus adapter housing has at least two portions, namely the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, enabling a modular approach to the bus adapter. In particular, the bus adapter can be adapted for use with different bus systems by using separately adapted lower housing portions and for attaching different devices by using separately adapted upper housing portions. The lower housing portion includes a first portion adapted to house the PCB and the at least one current sensor and a second portion adapted for attachment to the bus. This allows for a modular concept for the lower housing portion of the bus adapter, as well as the universal use of the adapter with different bus systems. For example, the first portion can be implemented with a fixed-mount printed circuit board and at least one current sensor, while the second portion may include one or more connectors and means for attaching the adapter to a particular bus system. Thus, the bus adapter can be adapted for use with different bus systems by replacing the appropriate second portion of the lower housing portion.

[0008] The at least one current sensor may include a Rogowski coil wound around an electrical conductor carrying current from a busbar. The Rogowski coil may be positioned below, above, or beside a printed circuit board and held by the circuit board in the position where the electrical conductor is wound.

[0009] The housing may include a surface suitable for attaching one or more devices (e.g., switchgear) connected to a busbar via a busbar adapter. The dimensions of this surface may be configured such that several devices, particularly switchgear, can be arranged side-by-side. Specifically, the surface may be suitable for attaching motor starter assemblies of devices. For attaching devices, the surface may include means for securing the devices in a desired position, such as clamps and / or grooves for clamps and / or at least one rail. At least one rail may be provided for attaching one or more devices to the surface. On the surface, contacts are configured to electrically connect one or more electrical contacts of the device to one or more electrical conductors disposed within the housing and are configured to connect the device to one or more rods of the busbar.

[0010] The upper housing portion may include one or more contacts electrically connected to the busbar and provided as corresponding contacts electrically connected to one or more devices attached to the busbar adapter. Therefore, no wires can be routed from the lower housing portion to the one or more devices attached to the upper housing portion.

[0011] The bus adapter may also include electronics configured to implement one or more energy metering-related functions based on measurements taken using at least one current sensor. The electronics may include, for example, dedicated circuitry and / or a processor or microcontroller configured by software such as firmware to implement one or more energy metering-related functions. The one or more energy metering-related functions implemented by the electronics may include generating data, particularly power and energy data, based on measurements taken using at least one current sensor, and providing this data for further processing. Voltage measurements may also be performed to generate the power and energy data, particularly within the bus adapter. Furthermore, the electronics may include wired and / or wireless interfaces for providing data, particularly the power and energy data, to external devices. The electronics may include a controller for processing the data (such as power and energy data), particularly for analyzing and / or evaluating the power and energy data. The controller may be specifically configured to detect overload conditions and / or short circuits based on the processing of the data, and to generate signals for activating protective devices based on the detection of overload conditions or short circuits. For example, the controller may generate a signal to activate motor starter protection devices upon detection of a short circuit.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an electrical device, particularly an electrically operated switching device, adapted to be attached to a bus adapter as disclosed herein, wherein the device includes means for securing the device to a surface, particularly on at least one rail provided on that surface, and at least one of: an undervoltage release; a shunt release; an auxiliary switch. Further functionality may be implemented in the device depending on the application.

[0013] Other aspects of this disclosure relate to arrangements including bus adapters as disclosed herein and at least one device attached to the bus adapter for connection to a bus.

[0014] In this arrangement, the motor starter assembly of the equipment can be attached to the bus adapter.

[0015] This arrangement may specifically include: a bus adapter with electronics comprising a controller for processing data (such as power and energy data), particularly for analyzing and / or evaluating the power and energy data; and a relay controlled by the controller based on the data processing, wherein the controller is configured to detect overload conditions and / or short circuits based on the data processing, and to activate the relay upon detection of an overload condition or a short circuit. Specifically, overload conditions and / or short circuits can be derived from current measurements using at least one current sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the electronics may also provide signals for switching relays, which may be attached to the bus adapter. For example, when a short circuit is detected, the electronics may provide a signal to a protective relay in a motor starter assembly.

[0016] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth below in the accompanying drawings and description. Further features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 An exploded side view of a first embodiment of the bus adapter is shown;

[0018] Figure 2A It shows Figure 1 An exploded side view of an embodiment of the bus adapter arrangement, wherein the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is used for attachment to the surface of the bus adapter, and Figure 2B Shown in exploded perspective view Figure 2A The arrangement;

[0019] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Shown in perspective Figure 2A and Figure 2B The arrangement in which the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is attached to the surface of the bus adapter;

[0020] Figure 4 An exploded side view of a second embodiment of the bus adapter is shown;

[0021] Figure 5A It shows Figure 4 An exploded side view of an embodiment of the bus adapter arrangement, wherein the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is used for attachment to the surface of the bus adapter, and Figure 5B Shown in exploded perspective view Figure 5A The arrangement;

[0022] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Shown in perspective Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe arrangement in which the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is attached to the surface of the bus adapter;

[0023] Figure 7 An exploded side view of a third embodiment of the bus adapter is shown;

[0024] Figure 8A It shows Figure 7 An exploded side view of an embodiment of the bus adapter arrangement, wherein switching equipment is used for attachment to the surface of the bus adapter, and Figure 8B Shown in exploded perspective view Figure 8A The arrangement;

[0025] Figure 9A and Figure 9B Shown in perspective Figure 8A and Figure 8B The arrangement in which the switchgear is attached to the surface of the bus adapter;

[0026] Figure 10A An exploded side view of another embodiment of the bus adapter arrangement is shown, wherein the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is used for attachment to the surface of the bus adapter; and

[0027] Figure 10B Shown in side view Figure 10A The arrangement in which the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is attached to the surface of the bus adapter. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In the following text, functionally similar or identical elements may have the same reference numerals. Absolute values ​​are shown below by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0029] Figure 1 An exploded side view shows a bus adapter 10 for connecting a combination of several devices, such as motor starters, to a busbar.

[0030] The adapter 10 has a housing including an upper housing portion 100 and a lower housing portion 102. The upper housing portion 100 includes a surface 100' on which at least one device can be attached. On its underside, the upper housing portion 100 includes a plurality of protrusions 100'' for clamping the upper housing portion 100 onto the lower housing portion 102. One or more rails 100''' may be provided on the surface 100' for securing the attached device, such that the device can only move along one or more rails 100'''. On the left side of the upper housing portion 100, an inverted L-shaped structure 100'''' is provided for receiving one or more contacts of an electrical contact and / or wired interface for contacting a device attached to the bus adapter 10, the bus adapter having internal electrical conductors 107-107''.

[0031] The lower housing portion 102 can be attached to another housing portion 102', which forms a connector portion for connecting the entire bus adapter 10 to the bus. The additional housing portion 102' can also be replaced by another housing portion 102''. Figure 4 This allows the bus adapter to be attached to another bus system. Therefore, the bus adapter can be used with bus systems from different manufacturers by replacing another housing portion 102', which is a housing portion adapted for attachment to a particular bus system.

[0032] The lower housing portion 102 has a cuboid shape and is sized to accommodate a printed circuit board 104 and Rogowski coils 106, 106', and 106'' electrically connected to the circuit board 104 on its underside. Coils 106-106'' serve as current sensors for measuring the current from the busbar rod carried by internal conductors 107, 107', and 107''. In addition to Rogowski coils, other current sensors, such as current transformers or magnetic field sensors, such as Hall effect sensors, fluxgate sensors, or magnetoresistive current sensors, can also be used. Each of conductors 107-107'' terminates at the underside of the lower housing portion 102 in connector contacts 108, 108', and 108'', each of which is provided for contacting the busbar rod when the adapter 10 is attached to the busbar.

[0033] Specifically, the lower housing portion 102 and / or structure 100'''' may also house electronics (not shown) configured to implement one or more energy metering-related functions based on measurements taken using current sensors 106-106''. This electronics may include integrated circuits, such as processors or microcontrollers, configured to implement energy metering functions, for example, via firmware. Energy metering functions may be specifically implemented to generate power and energy data based on measurements taken using current sensors 106-106'', and to provide this power and energy data for further processing by the electronics themselves or externally. To generate the power and energy data, voltage measurements may be performed. For example, voltage taps may be positioned at a safe separation distance on / to the printed circuit board 104 for performing voltage measurements per phase.

[0034] Furthermore, one or more temperature sensors can be installed, specifically arranged on printed circuit board 104. Measurement data from these sensors can then be processed by electronics or provided via an interface to external devices for further processing. Temperature measurements can be processed to implement overload condition detection, for example, when a temperature signal indicates an overload current condition. Additionally, protection functions can be implemented based on temperature measurements, such as activating protective devices, like circuit breakers, to disconnect the bus adapter from one or more busbars.

[0035] Additional protection functions can be implemented by detecting short circuits, particularly by monitoring the measured current from the busbar rods carried by the internal conductors 107, 107', 107''. When the measured current exceeds a predefined threshold, an internal signal can be generated, which can be used to activate protective devices, such as motor protection devices in motor starter assemblies attached to the busbar adapter. Furthermore, temperature measurements can be processed to implement short circuit detection, for example, when a temperature signal indicates a potential short circuit due to an increase in temperature within the busbar adapter caused by a high current (which could be a typical cause of a short circuit, for example, in the motor windings).

[0036] The electronic device can also implement wired and / or wireless interfaces for providing power and energy data to external devices. These interfaces may include, for example, Bluetooth. ® ZigBee ™ Wi-Fi ™ NFC (Near Field Communication) or any other type of wireless data interface and / or Ethernet interface, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or any other type of wired data interface for providing power and energy data to external devices.

[0037] Figure 2AAn exploded side view shows the arrangement of devices 200, 202, 204 of the bus adapter 10 and motor starter combination, connector device 206 and interface device 112. Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A perspective view of the layout.

[0038] Devices 200 and 202 can be components of, for example, Eaton Corp's motor starter assembly MSC-D. Device 200 can be, for example, the standard device PKZM0 from Eaton Corp, and device 202 can be, for example, a contactor DIL from Eaton Corp. However, other assemblies can also be attached to the bus adapter.

[0039] Devices 200 and 202 can be attached to surface 100' of the upper housing portion 100. Both devices 200 and 202 can be pushed onto track 100''' on surface 100', such that they can only move along track 100''' (in... Figure 1 (From left to right and vice versa in section B) Devices 200 and 202 may each include means 200' and 202' respectively for securing devices 200 and 202 to track 100''' at sides provided for attachment to surface 100', such that devices 200 and 202 can only be removed from track 100''' by moving them along track 100''' to the right. Figure 3B The perspective side view provides a better view of device 202 being secured to track 100'''. Structure 100'''' may include one or more electrical connections to the internal wiring (not shown) of device 200 and bus adapter 10. Structure 100'''' may also serve as a stop for devices 200 and 202 sliding on track 100'''.

[0040] On top of structure 100'''', an interface device 112, which may include, for example, an Ethernet interface and / or a USB interface, can be attached and connected to the interface connector of the bus adapter 10 disposed on top of structure 100''''. Measurement data and / or control signals can be transmitted via interface device 112 to external devices, such as computers configured to analyze the received measurement values ​​and / or dedicated devices such as overcurrent protection devices.

[0041] Wiring device 204 electrically connects two devices 200 and 202 together and interconnects them to the motor starter assembly. Connector device 206 may be attached to device 202 to provide a connector for wiring the motor starter assembly to one or more other devices. Connector device 206 may specifically include connection terminals.

[0042] Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe assembly state is shown. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The arrangement is such that when devices 200 and 202 are attached to and mounted on the surface of bus adapter 10, it can be seen that device 200, such as a PKZM0 device, slides on a track 100''' provided on surface 100' until it reaches its adjacent structure 100''''. Then, the second device 202, such as a contactor DIL, slides on track 100''' until it reaches its adjacent device 200.

[0043] Rail 100''' holds devices 200 and 202 on bus adapter 10. Latch 100''''' can be set at rail 100''', such as... Figure 3B As shown, devices 200 and 202, which prevent sliding on track 100''', can easily slide off track 100'''.

[0044] As in Figure 3A and Figure 3B As can be seen, track 100''' is at least partially covered by the (particularly electrically isolated) housing of devices 200 and 202 in the assembled state.

[0045] Figure 4 Another embodiment of bus adapter 10' is shown in an exploded side view. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The arrangement of the bus adapter 10' is shown in exploded side and exploded perspective views, wherein the motor starter assembly of the switchgear is used for attachment to the surface of the bus adapter, and Figure 6A and Figure 6B A perspective view of the arrangement in its assembled state is shown. Bus adapter 10' and from... Figure 4 The bus adapter 10 differs in that the lowest additional housing portion 102'' is adapted to be attached to different bus systems.

[0046] Figure 7 Another embodiment of bus adapter 10'' is shown in an exploded side view. Bus adapter 10'' differs from bus adapter 10 in the upper housing portion 114 in that it includes a slidably attached top-cap rail adapter 116. The top-cap rail adapter 116 allows attachment of a standard switchgear 208 (Figures 8 and 9), wherein the top-cap rail fixing device is attached to bus adapter 10''.

[0047] The upper housing portion 114 also includes a wired interface 114' for connecting interface devices 112, such as an Ethernet interface adapter. The wired interface 114' can be internally connected to the printed circuit board 104 and the Rogowski coils 106, 106', 106'' and / or electronic devices (not shown), if configured and mounted on the circuit board 104. Data, such as measurement data from the Rogowski coils 106-106'', can be provided via the wired interface 114' for further processing. If the electronic devices are comprised of the adapter 10'', data provided by the electronic devices, such as energy and power-related data, can also be provided via the interface 114'.

[0048] Figure 7 The lower housing portion 102 and another housing portion 102' of the bus adapter 10'' in a disassembled state are shown, along with a wire 118 connected to electrical conductors 107, 107', and 107'' to conduct current from the bus. The wire 118 can be connected to one or more switching devices, such as switching device 208 attached to the bus adapter 10'' and / or other switching devices. The wire 118 is guided through openings (not shown) on the sides of the lower housing portion 102 and the other housing portion 102' of the bus adapter 10'', as shown. Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, it is a perspective view of the arrangement of bus adapter 10'' and switchgear 208 attached to adapter 10''.

[0049] Figure 10A An exploded side view of another arrangement of a further embodiment with bus adapter 10''' is shown. This arrangement includes switchgear 208, 210 for motor starter assemblies, and devices 212, 212', 214 and 216.

[0050] Device 214 is a modular block that may include internal conductors for supplying current to the internal electrical rails of bus adapter 10''' for switchgear 210, and / or may include at least one of the following: one or more communication interfaces, particularly wired and / or wireless interfaces; a display; an undervoltage release; a shunt release; an auxiliary switch. Further functionality may be implemented in the device depending on the application. Devices 212, 212' are wiring modules for connecting switchgear 208 to the connector of bus adapter 10'''.

[0051] Device 216 is also a wiring device for electrically connecting two switchgear devices 208 and 210 together and interconnecting them to the motor starter assembly. Switchgear 210 is attached to bus adapter 10''' via top-cap rail adapter 116. Switchgear 208 is attached via another top-cap rail adapter 116' (only when...) Figure 10B(As shown in the image) Attached to bus adapter 10'''.

[0052] Device 214 may also include electronic components that implement one or more functions, such as implementing one or more communication interfaces, such as a wireless interface (WiFi). ™ Bluetooth ® ZigBee ™ NFC and / or wired interfaces (USB, Ethernet), displays, such as LCD or OLED displays for displaying information such as status and power-related information.

[0053] In addition, device 214 may include an undervoltage release, a shunt release, and / or an auxiliary switch. Therefore, the functionality of the motor starter assembly attached to the bus adapter can be further extended, for example, through additional protection functions (undervoltage release, shunt release) and communication functions (auxiliary switch).

[0054] In principle, further functionality can be implemented by device 214 by integrating additional electronics and / or adding them, along with additional software, to firmware implemented by, for example, a controller integrated in device 214. For example, device 214 may include a controller and rewritable non-volatile memory, such as flash programmable memory. The memory may store firmware implementing the functionality of device 214, such as controlling the integrated display and communication via an integrated communication interface. The firmware can be updated via bus adapter 10''' or via the interface of device 214.

[0055] The bus adapter 10''' includes connector contacts 108, 108', 108'' on its bottom side, each of which is provided for contacting a lever of the bus when the adapter 10''' is attached to a bus. In addition to the connector contacts 108, 108', 108'', further contacts 109 are provided. These contacts 109 are used to transmit and / or receive control current to and from the bus to which the bus adapter 10''' is attached, and to transmit and / or receive one or more data signals containing information to and / or from the bus. For example, a measurement performed using at least one current sensor of the bus adapter 10''' can be transmitted as a data signal via the contacts 109 to a device connected to the bus and configured to receive the data signal and process the measured value contained in the received data signal. Furthermore, one or more control currents can be generated by a device connected to the bus and transmitted to the bus adapter 10''' via the bus and contacts 109. One or more control currents can be processed by the electronics of bus adapter 10''' and / or transmitted to devices attached to bus adapter 10''', such as to control switches or relays.

[0056] Contacts 109 may be arranged at the bottom of bus adapter 10''' such that they contact one or more other rods different from the rod itself, which contact contactor contacts 108, 108', 108'', for example, one or more rods disposed in the busbar to transmit control current and / or data signals. For example, the busbar may have different rows of sockets for inserting connector contacts 108, 108', 108''. One or more other rows of sockets may be provided for inserting contacts 109. The rows of sockets may be arranged in parallel on the busbar such that connector contacts 108, 108', 108'', offset from the bottom side of bus adapter 10''', can each be inserted into sockets in different rows, and contacts 109 may also be arranged to be offset from contacts 108, 108', 108'' at the bottom side of bus adapter 10'''.

Claims

1. A bus adapter, comprising - A housing adapted to be attached to a busbar. -Printed circuit boards, and - At least one current sensor, said at least one current sensor being electrically connected to the printed circuit board. - wherein the printed circuit board and the at least one current sensor are arranged inside the housing. The housing comprises an upper housing portion and a lower housing module, the upper housing portion being adapted to attach one or more devices connected to the busbar via the busbar adapter, and the lower housing module being adapted to house the printed circuit board and the at least one current sensor. -The lower housing module includes a first portion adapted to accommodate the printed circuit board and the at least one current sensor, and a second portion adapted to be attached to the busbar; the second portion can be replaced by another second portion to attach the busbar adapter to another busbar system.

2. The bus adapter of claim 1, wherein the at least one current sensor comprises a Rogowski coil wound on an electrical conductor carrying current from the rod of the bus.

3. The bus adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing includes a surface adapted to attach one or more devices connected to the bus via the bus adapter.

4. The bus adapter of claim 3, wherein the surface includes at least one rail for attaching one or more devices to the surface.

5. The bus adapter of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion includes one or more contacts electrically connected to the bus and provided as one or more corresponding contacts electrically connected to a device attached to the bus adapter.

6. The bus adapter of claim 1 further includes electronics configured to implement one or more energy metering-related functions based on measurements performed using the at least one current sensor.

7. The bus adapter of claim 6, wherein the energy metering function implemented by the electronics includes generating power and energy data based on the measurement performed using the at least one current sensor, and providing the power and energy data for further processing.

8. The bus adapter of claim 7, wherein the electronics include wired and / or wireless interfaces for providing the power and energy data to external devices.

9. The bus adapter according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the electronics include a controller for processing the power and energy data, wherein the controller is configured to detect overload conditions and / or short circuits based on the processing of the power and energy data, and to generate a signal for activating protection devices based on the detection of the overload condition or short circuit.

10. The bus adapter of claim 1, wherein the upper housing portion includes a plurality of protrusions for clamping the upper housing portion onto the lower housing module.

11. An electrical device adapted to be attached to a bus adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes means for securing the device to a surface, and at least one of: an undervoltage release device; a shunt release device; an auxiliary switch.

12. The electrical equipment according to claim 11, wherein the means is used to fasten the equipment to at least one track provided on the surface.

13. An electrical device comprising - Bus adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and - At least one device according to claim 11, said device being attached to the bus adapter for connection to a bus. -The motor starter assembly of the device is attached to the bus adapter.

14. The electrical device of claim 13, comprising the bus adapter of claim 9 and a relay controlled by the controller according to the processing of the power and energy data, wherein the controller is configured to detect overload conditions and / or short circuits according to the processing of the power and energy data, and to activate the relay in the event of an overload condition or a short circuit.

15. An electrical device comprising - The bus adapter according to claim 9 - At least one device according to claim 11, said device being attached to the bus adapter for connection to the bus, and - A relay controlled by the controller based on the processing of the power and energy data, wherein the controller is configured to detect overload conditions and / or short circuits based on the processing of the power and energy data, and to activate the relay in the event of an overload condition or a short circuit.

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