Electrical protection device and associated method for automatically determining cause of circuit disconnection

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical protection device comprising a movable contact (11) connected to an electrical circuit, a switching handle (50) and an electronic control unit. The device (1) further comprises an electrical link element (60) connecting the movable contact (11) and the electronic control unit (90), a switch (70), a mechanical link element (80) connected to the switching handle (50). The electronic control unit is configured to measure a first voltage and a second voltage, compare the first voltage and the second voltage to determine a cause of circuit disconnection between a manual disconnection and a faulty disconnection, send a first signal if the disconnection cause is a manual disconnection, and send a second and / or a third signal if the disconnection cause is a faulty disconnection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical protection device and an associated method configured to automatically determine the cause of a circuit opening. Background Art

[0002] The present invention is particularly applicable to the field of miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) for protecting low voltage electrical equipment.

[0003] In addition to being disconnected upon detection of an electrical fault that causes disconnection of the circuit to which the electrical protection device is connected, many electrical protection devices can also be disconnected manually by a user, for example by actuation of a handle. It would be advantageous to distinguish between a disconnection by a user and a disconnection caused by an electrical fault. To this end, it is known to add additional accessories (e.g. additional modules) to an already existing protection device, thereby allowing the disconnection cause to be distinguished.

[0004] However, this increases the bulk of the electrical protection device and complicates the installation of the device, since the module must be mounted and connected to the rest of the electrical protection device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to propose an electrical protection device which enables differentiation of the causes of disconnection and which is compact and easy to install.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to an electrical protection device designed to be connected between an input conductor and an output conductor of an electric circuit and to disconnect the circuit upon manual command or after the detection of an electrical fault, the device being further configured to automatically determine the cause of the disconnection of the circuit, the device comprising:

[0007] - a movable contact connected to the circuit and capable of moving between:

[0008] o a conducting position, in which the movable contact closes the circuit; and

[0009] oIsolated position, in which the movable contact opens the circuit;

[0010] - a switching handle, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and moving the switching handle to the open position by manual control causes the movable contact to be placed in the disconnecting position;

[0011] a switching mechanism configured to switch between an armed configuration in which the movable contact is in a conducting position and the switching handle is in a closed position and a tripped configuration in which the movable contact is in a disconnecting position and the switching handle is in an open position;

[0012] - a trip device configured to actuate a switching mechanism to command a trip configuration in the event of a detected electrical fault;

[0013] -Electronic control unit.

[0014] According to the present invention, the device also includes:

[0015] an electrical linking element connecting the movable contact and the electronic control unit and configured so that a first current flows through the electrical linking element to the electronic control unit and a first voltage indicates that the position of the movable contact is in the conducting position or the isolating position;

[0016] a switch connected to the electronic control unit and movable between a depressed position and a free position and configured such that a second current flows through the switch to the electronic control unit and a second voltage represents a position of the switch between the depressed position and the free position;

[0017] - a mechanical linking element connected to the switching handle and capable of moving between:

[0018] oDepressed position, the mechanical link element then presses the switch and holds it in the pressed position, and

[0019] o release position, the mechanical linking element then releases the switch, the switch is converted to the free position, and the electronic control unit is configured to measure the first voltage and the second voltage, compare the first voltage and the second voltage to determine the cause of the circuit disconnection between manual disconnection and fault disconnection, send a first signal if the disconnection cause is manual disconnection, and send a second and / or third signal if the disconnection cause is fault disconnection.

[0020] By means of the invention, the electrical protection device integrates the ability to determine the cause of disconnection of the circuit and distinguishes manual disconnection from disconnection caused by an electrical fault without adding an additional module, this function being directly integrated into the housing of the device. Thus, the invention makes it possible to reduce the volume of the device integrating the ability to determine the cause of disconnection. By means of the invention, there is also no need to install or connect additional modules to the electrical protection device, which facilitates installation.

[0021] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the electrical protection device comprises one or more of the following features, alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0022] - The movable contact is a movable phase contact.

[0023] When the switch handle is in the closed position, the mechanical linking element is in the depressed position, and when the switch handle is in the open position, the mechanical linking element is in the released position.

[0024] The electrical link element is a spring that contacts the movable contact when the movable contact is in the conducting position and is separated from the movable contact when the movable contact is in the disconnecting position, one of the ends of the electrical link element being connected to the electronic control unit.

[0025] The mechanical linking element is a linking rod connected to the switching handle, and one end of the mechanical linking element is configured to press or release the switch.

[0026] The device further comprises a thermal trip device and / or a magnetic trip device configured to switch the movable contact from the conducting position to the isolating position when the thermal trip device and / or the magnetic trip device is activated by an electrical fault of the short circuit or overload type.

[0027] The device is integrated into a housing having a width, measured in width direction, less than 20 mm, preferably equal to or less than 18 mm.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for automatically determining the cause of circuit disconnection, which is implemented by the above device and comprises:

[0029] - measuring a first voltage and a second voltage;

[0030] - comparing the first voltage to a first voltage threshold;

[0031] - when the first voltage drops below the first voltage threshold, measuring the duration between the moment when the first voltage drops below the first voltage threshold and the moment when the second voltage drops below the second voltage threshold;

[0032] - comparing the duration to a duration threshold;

[0033] - when the duration is less than the duration threshold, sending a first signal, the first signal corresponding to a manual disconnection;

[0034] - When the duration is greater than or equal to a duration threshold, sending a second signal and / or a third signal, the second signal and / or the third signal corresponding to a fault disconnection.

[0035] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following features, alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0036] -The method includes: sending a second signal when the duration is greater than or equal to the duration threshold and when the intensity value of the current is less than the current threshold, and the method further includes: sending a third signal when the duration is greater than or equal to the duration threshold and when the intensity value of the current is greater than or equal to the current threshold.

[0037] - The duration threshold is less than 10 ms, preferably equal to 6 ms.

[0038] The current threshold is equal to the rated current flowing through the circuit multiplied by a predetermined value, for example multiplied by three.

[0039] - The method further comprises: sending a fourth signal when the duration is greater than or equal to a network failure duration threshold, the network failure duration threshold being greater than the duration threshold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will become more apparent from reading the following description, given purely as a non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 is a view of an electrical protection device according to the present invention from a first angle, the electrical protection device being shown in a closed configuration;

[0042] Figure 2 From the second angle Figure 1 View of the electrical protection device;

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 View of detail III;

[0044] Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 The electrical protection device is in the disconnected configuration;

[0045] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0046] Figure 6 The two illustrations a) and b) show a graph which shows the relationship between the load in the case of manual disconnection and in the case of fault disconnection. Figure 1 The change of the first voltage and the second voltage in the protection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Will be referenced below Figures 1 to 4 Install electrical protection devices.

[0048] Figure 1 A first angled view of an electrical protection device 1 according to the present invention is shown, which is also referred to as device 1. Figure 1In the present invention, the electrical protection device 1 is a circuit breaker, in this case a miniature circuit breaker (MCB), but the invention can also be applied to other types of circuit breakers, or other electrical devices for protecting electrical equipment and / or people. In this case, the device 1 protects the electrical equipment from abnormal conditions, in particular short circuits and current overloads. The device 1 is more particularly intended for protecting electrical equipment at low voltages, for example voltages less than or equal to 1000V AC. To this end, when the device 1 is in operation, it is connected to an electrical circuit, more precisely between an input conductor and an output conductor of the circuit, not shown in the figure. The input conductor is, for example, a busbar, while the output conductor is, for example, a cable.

[0049] A width direction X, a depth direction Y and a height direction Z are defined, which are perpendicular to each other and fixed relative to the device 1. The width direction X is horizontal and perpendicular to Figures 1 to 4 plane.

[0050] The device 1 comprises a housing 2 which is substantially closed and houses most of the other elements of the device 1. The housing 2 is formed of an electrically insulating material. The directions X, Y and Z are fixed relative to the housing 2.

[0051] exist Figure 1 In the figure, only a part of the housing 2 is visible, namely the half-shell. The housing 2 comprises another half-shell 3, which is Figure 2 and is substantially symmetrical to the half-shell shown with respect to a plane P2 which delimits the half-shell 2 laterally.

[0052] The device 1 includes a movable contact 11 and a fixed contact 12, the movable contact 11 is generally referred to as a movable phase contact 11, and the fixed contact 12 is generally referred to as a fixed phase contact 12. The fixed contact 12 is fixed relative to the housing 2 and connected to the input conductor of the circuit. The movable contact 11 is connected to the output conductor of the circuit and faces the fixed contact 12 in the height direction Z. The movable contact 11 preferably includes a conductive end 13, performing the function of electrical contact. The movable contact 11 preferably includes a contact carrier 15 carrying the conductive end 13. The movable contact 11 is capable of pivoting relative to the housing 2 around a movable contact axis X11 parallel to the width direction X by means of the contact carrier 15. Figure 1 The conduction position shown and Figure 4 The movable contact 11 is pivoted between the isolated positions shown. In the conducting position of the movable contact 11, the conducting end 13 is in electrical contact with and bears against the fixed contact 12, thereby allowing current to flow between the input conductor and the output conductor of the circuit. In other words, in the conducting position, the movable phase contact 11 closes the circuit. In the isolated position, the conducting end 13 of the movable contact 11 is spaced apart from the fixed contact 12, thereby being electrically isolated from the fixed contact 12. In other words, in the isolated position, the movable phase contact 11 opens the circuit.

[0053] The electrical protection device 1 advantageously comprises Figure 2 2 and 3. A second movable contact 21 and a second fixed contact 22 are visible in the figure. The second movable contact 21 is generally referred to as a movable neutral contact 21, and the second fixed contact 22 is generally referred to as a fixed neutral contact 22. The fixed neutral contact 22 is connected to an input conductor of the circuit. The movable neutral contact 21 is connected to an output conductor of the circuit. The movable neutral contact 21 preferably comprises a conducting end 23 and a contact carrier 25 in a manner similar to that described for the movable phase contact 11. The movable neutral contact 21 is capable of pivoting relative to the housing 2 about an axis X11, that is to say about the same axis as the axis of the movable contact 11. However, in a variant, pivoting about two different, preferably mutually parallel axes may be provided for the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21. The pivoting of the movable neutral contact 21 is achieved between a conducting position and an isolating position. Similar to the movable phase contact 11, in the conducting position of the movable neutral contact 21, the conducting end 23 is in electrical contact with and bears against the fixed neutral contact 22. In other words, in the conducting position, the movable neutral contact 21 closes the circuit. In the isolating position, the conducting end 23 of the movable neutral contact 21 is spaced apart from the fixed neutral contact 22, thereby being electrically isolated from the fixed neutral contact 22. In other words, in the isolating position, the movable neutral contact 21 opens the circuit.

[0054] The movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 are advantageously able to pivot independently relative to the housing 2. When they move from their respective isolation positions to their respective conduction positions, the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 advantageously rotate in the same direction. In particular, the conducting ends 13 and 23 are then substantially displaced in a direction opposite to the Z direction. When the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 are in the conduction position, the circuit is closed and the current flows to the movable phase contact 11 through the fixed phase contact 12 and to the movable neutral contact 21 through the fixed neutral contact 22.

[0055] The electrical protection device 1 further comprises at least one tripping device. In the example shown, two tripping devices are shown, which are configured to be each excited by a different respective predetermined type of electrical fault. Each tripping device is designed to trip the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 individually to the isolation position when one of the tripping devices is excited. In this case, one of the tripping devices is a thermal tripping device 30 and is designed to be excited by a predetermined electrical fault of the current overload type. The other tripping device is a magnetic tripping device 35 and is designed to be excited by a short circuit. Such tripping devices 30 and 35 are known per se and are not described in more detail.

[0056] As an option (not shown), the device 1 comprises an additional tripping device configured to be activated by another predetermined type of electrical fault, namely an electrical fault of the differential type.The device 1 is then called a RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) circuit breaker.

[0057] The electrical protection device 1 further includes a switching mechanism 40 .

[0058] The switching mechanism 40 is accommodated in the housing 2. The switching mechanism 40 is configured to Figure 1 The equipment structure shown and part of the Figure 4 The switching mechanism 40 can be switched between the tripping structures in the equipment structure, in which the switching mechanism 40 places the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 in the conducting position, and in the tripping structure, the switching mechanism 40 places the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 in the isolation position.

[0059] The first contact spring 45 bears against the first movable contact 11, in particular against the contact carrier 15, and against the switching mechanism 40. The second contact spring 46 bears against the second movable contact 21, in particular against the contact carrier 25 and against the switching mechanism 40. The contact springs 45 and 46 are helical torsion springs. The first and second contact springs 45 and 46 apply a torque about the axis X11 to the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21, respectively, which tends to bear the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 against the fixed phase contact 12 and the fixed neutral contact 22.

[0060] The electrical protection device 1 further comprises a switching handle 50, which is designed to be actuated by a user between an open position and a closed position, and vice versa. Figures 1 to 3 The closed position shown and Figure 4 Between the disconnected positions shown, there is pivoting relative to the housing 2 about a handle axis X50 parallel to the direction X.

[0061] In this case, the switch handle 50 comprises a base 51 by which the switch handle 50 is mounted on the housing 2 so as to be pivotable. The switch handle 50 comprises a crank pin 52, which is carried by the base 51 and by means of which the user can actuate the rotation of the switch handle 50 by applying a torque about the handle axis X50. For the convenience of the user, the crank pin 52 is at least partially arranged outside the housing 2.

[0062] The switching mechanism 40 advantageously comprises a spring, which is called a control spring and is not shown. The control spring applies a torque about the handle axis X50 to the switching handle 50 by being supported on the housing 2, which torque tends to bring the switching handle 50 from its closed position to its open position. For example, the control spring is a helical torsion spring, which is housed in the base 51 about the handle axis X50, and one branch of the helical torsion spring is supported on the switching handle 50, while the other branch is supported inside the housing 2.

[0063] The switching handle 50, from a position visible from outside the housing 2, visually indicates to the user the current configuration instructions for the electrical protection device 1, i.e., placing the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 in the isolation position when the switching handle 50 is in the disconnected position, and placing the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 in the conduction position when the switching handle 50 is in the closed position.

[0064] The switching mechanism 40 advantageously includes a connecting rod 42. Figure 2 The connecting rod 42 connects the switching handle 50 to the rest of the switching mechanism 40. Therefore, when the switching mechanism 40 is in the tripped position, the switching handle 50 is in the open position, and when the switching mechanism 40 is in the armed position, the switching handle 50 is in the closed position.

[0065] After one of the tripping devices 30 or 35 detects an electrical fault of the overload or short-circuit type, one of the tripping devices 30 or 35 commands the switching mechanism 40 to enter the tripping configuration, the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 are placed in the isolation position, and the switching handle 50 is switched to the disconnected position. Thus, the device 1 disconnects the circuit. The duration T or delay T between the moment when the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 are switched to the isolation position and the moment when the switching handle 50 is switched to the disconnected position is greater than the duration threshold T. s The duration threshold T s Advantageously, it is of the order of a few milliseconds, for example between 4 ms and 8 ms, for example equal to 6 ms. This delay T is due in particular to the time required to move the movable contacts 11 and 21, the switching mechanism 40 and the switching handle 50 after the trip device 30 or 35 detects a fault, and to the torque of the spring (in particular the control spring).

[0066] By actuating the crank pin 52 , the user can then switch the switching handle 50 from the open position to the closed position, thereby moving the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 from the isolating position to the conducting position in order to re-arm the device 1 and close the circuit.

[0067] Conversely, by actuating the crank pin 52, the user can switch the switching handle 50 from the closed position to the open position, thereby moving the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 from the conducting position to the isolating position, for example, to perform an operation on the circuit, or to check that the device 1 is operating correctly. In this case, the switching handle 50 is transferred from the closed position to the open position almost simultaneously with the transfer of the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 into the isolating position. Almost simultaneously is understood to mean that the duration T between the transfer of the switching handle 50 from the closed position to the open position and the transfer of the movable phase contact 11 and the movable neutral contact 21 into the isolating position is less than the duration threshold T. s .

[0068] The device 1 also includes an electrical linking element 60, a switch 70, a mechanical linking element 80, a current sensor 85 and an electronic control unit 90, which advantageously interact with each other, as described in more detail below, to determine the position of the movable contacts 11 and 21 and the switching handle 50, and to determine the reason for the circuit being opened by the device 1.

[0069] As an example, Figures 1 to 4 The electrical link element 60 shown in FIG. 1 is a spring and includes an end 61 and an end 63 opposite to the end 61. Figure 2 The end 61 of the electrical link element 60 visible in the figure is connected to the electronic control unit 90. When the movable phase contact 11 is in the conducting position, the end 63 contacts the movable phase contact 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, when the movable phase contact 11 is in the isolated position, the end 63 is separated from the movable phase contact 11, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0070] A first voltage V1 may be measured at the electrical linking element 60. If the first voltage V1 is non-zero, this indicates that the movable phase contact 11 is in a closed state. Conversely, when the movable phase contact 11 is in an open state, the first voltage V1 is zero. In other words, when the movable phase contact 11 is in a conducting position, the first voltage V1 is non-zero, and current flows from the movable phase contact 11 to the electrical linking element 60. When the movable phase contact 11 is in an isolated position, the first voltage V1 is zero, and no current flows through the electrical linking element 60. Therefore, the first voltage V1 represents the position of the movable phase contact 11 in the conducting or isolated position.

[0071] According to a variant that is not shown, when the movable neutral contact 21 is in the conducting position, the end of the electrical linking element 60 is in contact with the movable neutral contact 21 instead of with the movable phase contact.

[0072] The switch 70 is connected to the electronic control unit 90, for example, via a wired link. The second voltage V2 can be measured at the switch 70. The switch 70 can be Figure 3 The visible pressing positions and Figure 4 The second voltage V2 varies depending on the free or pressed position of the switch 70.

[0073] For example, in the pressed position, the second voltage V2 is non-zero, that is, it has a value greater than a predetermined threshold, for example equal to a few millivolts, and in the free position, the second voltage V2 is zero, that is, it has a value less than said predetermined threshold.

[0074] Alternatively, when the switch 70 is in the pressed position, the second voltage V2 is zero, and when the switch 70 is in the free position, the second voltage V2 is non-zero. Advantageously, this alternative embodiment enables a reduction in energy consumption. Therefore, the second voltage V2 represents the position of the switch 70 between the pressed position and the free position. Preferably, the switch 70 is in the free position by default, so that when no stress is applied to the switch 70, the switch 70 remains in the free position.

[0075] The mechanical link element 80 is Figure 1 , 3 and 4 . The mechanical linking element 80 is connected to the switch handle 50 , more precisely to the base 51 , so as to move simultaneously with the switch handle 50 .

[0076] In one embodiment, as shown, the mechanical linking element 80 is a linking rod. In a variation, the mechanical linking element 80 can be formed in another form, such as a rotating plate, a translating slider, or a belt. One end 81 of the mechanical linking element 80 faces the switch 70 along the Y axis and is movable between a depressed position and a released position. Figure 3 In the visible depressed position, the end 81 presses the switch 70 in a direction opposite to the Y direction and holds it in the depressed position. Figure 4 In the release position visible in FIG. 8 , the end 81 no longer presses the switch 70 , and the switch 70 is in a free position.

[0077] Therefore, when the switch handle 50 is closed, the mechanical linking element 80 is in the depressed position, and when the switch handle 50 is open, the mechanical linking element 80 is in the released position. In an alternative (not shown), when the switch handle is open, the mechanical linking element is in the depressed position, and when the switch handle is closed, the mechanical linking element is in the released position. Therefore, the second voltage V2 represents the position of the switch handle 50 between the closed position and the open position.

[0078] The current sensor 85 is accommodated inside the housing 2. The current sensor 85 is configured to measure the intensity I of the current flowing through the device 1.

[0079] The electronic control unit 90 is housed in the housing 2, and a portion of the electronic control unit is Figure 1, while the other part is Figure 2 . In the embodiment shown in the figure, the electronic control unit 90 is an electronic card. In a variant, the electronic control unit 90 can be manufactured in a form other than an electronic card, for example in the form of dry contacts connected to a wired data concentrator. The electronic control unit 90 is configured to determine the cause of the circuit disconnection between a manual disconnection (i.e. a manual disconnection caused by the user switching the switching handle 50 from the closed position to the open position) and a fault disconnection (caused by one of the tripping devices 30 or 35). Advantageously, the electronic control unit 90 includes a memory configured to continuously record the value of the intensity I of the current, and in particular to record the value of the intensity I of the current before any disconnection of the circuit. In other words, the electronic control unit 90 makes it possible to store the value of the current I just before any disconnection of the device.

[0080] When the device 1 is running, the electronic control unit 90 measures the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2, and compares the first voltage V1 with the first voltage threshold V s1 , the second voltage V2 and the second voltage threshold V s2 The comparison is performed to determine whether the circuit is disconnected by manual disconnection or fault disconnection. The electronic control unit 90 is also configured to send a first signal if the disconnection is caused by manual disconnection, and send a second signal and / or a third signal if the disconnection is caused by fault disconnection.

[0081] It is particularly advantageous if the electronic control unit 90 is designed to send the second signal when the tripping device 30 is responsible for opening the circuit and to send the third signal when the tripping device 35 is responsible for opening the circuit.

[0082] The signal is for example a signal that is sent wirelessly to a human-machine interface (not shown) and the signal displays to the user the reason for disconnection of the circuit by the device 1. Advantageously, additional information related to the disconnection reason is also displayed. For example, if the first signal is sent, the human-machine interface simply displays manual disconnection, but if the second or third signal is sent, the human-machine interface displays for example the type of electrical fault and / or steps to be taken to check that the electrical fault is not present in the circuit.

[0083] Refer to the following Figure 5 The method for automatically determining the cause of the circuit opening is described in more detail. The method comprises a step 201 of measuring the first and second voltages V1 and V2. The measurement is performed by the electronic card 90. This measurement step 201 is performed, for example, at a frequency equal to or greater than the frequency of the input current of the device 1 (for example 50 HZ in France).

[0084] The method further includes comparing the first voltage V1 with the first voltage threshold V s1 A comparison is performed 202. If the first voltage V1 has a value greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold Vs1 If the value of , then return to step 201. This corresponds to the situation where the circuit is closed.

[0085] If the first voltage V1 has a value lower than the first voltage threshold V s1 If the value of V1 is 0, this means that the movable phase contact 11 is in the isolation position, so the device 1 has disconnected the circuit. Then step 203 is performed, and includes measuring the first voltage V1 falling to the first voltage threshold V s1 The following moment (corresponding to the moment when the movable phase contact 11 is switched to the isolation position) and the second voltage V2 drops to the second voltage threshold V s2 The duration T between the following moments (corresponding to the moments when the switch handle 50 is switched to the off position).

[0086] The method further comprises comparing the duration T measured in step 203 with a duration threshold T s A comparison is performed 204. If the duration T is less than the duration threshold T s , the switching handle 50 and the phase contact 11 move almost simultaneously, which corresponds to manual disconnection.

[0087] In this case, step 205 is performed in which the electronic control unit 90 sends a first signal. This first signal is advantageously received by the human-machine interface in order to generate a display indicating to the user that the reason for the disconnection is a manual disconnection.

[0088] If the duration T is greater than or equal to the duration threshold T s , then after the movable phase contact 11 is transferred into the isolation position, the switching handle 50 is moved, which corresponds to the fault disconnection.

[0089] In this case, advantageously, step 206 is performed in which the intensity I of the current measured by the current sensor 85 before the device 1 is disconnected and recorded by the memory of the electronic card 90 is compared with the current threshold I S For comparison. Current threshold I S It is advantageously calculated as a function of the rated current of the circuit and is equal to the rated current flowing through the circuit multiplied by a predetermined value, which is equal to 3, for example. If the rated current of the circuit is 32 A, the current threshold I S For example, 96 A.

[0090] If the intensity I of the current before the device 1 is disconnected is less than the current threshold I S , then step 207 is executed, which comprises the electronic control unit 90 sending a second signal. The second signal is advantageously received by the human-machine interface in order to generate a display indicating to the user that the cause of the disconnection is a fault disconnection following a current overload in the circuit.

[0091] If the current intensity I is greater than or equal to the current threshold I S , then step 208 is performed, which includes the electronic control unit 90 sending a third signal. The third signal is advantageously received by the human-machine interface in order to generate a display indicating to the user that the cause of the disconnection is a fault disconnection following a short circuit in the circuit.

[0092] Thus, recording the intensity I of the current by means of the memory of the electronic card 90 makes it possible, in the event of a faulty disconnection of the device 1 , to determine the cause of the fault between a current overload and a short circuit.

[0093] In a variant not shown, if the duration T is greater than or equal to the duration threshold T s , steps 206 and 207 are not performed, but the step corresponding to sending the second signal is performed. In this case, the second signal corresponds to a fault disconnection without specifying the nature of the fault.

[0094] Figure 6 The changes of the first and second voltages V1 and V2 in the case of manual disconnection and in the case of fault disconnection are shown. Figure 6 In the illustration a), manual disconnection is indicated, and voltages V1 and V2 decrease simultaneously. Therefore, the first voltage V1 drops to the first voltage threshold V s1 At the moment when the second voltage V2 drops to the second voltage threshold V s2 The duration T between the following moments is less than the duration threshold T s .exist Figure 6 In the illustration b), corresponding to the fault disconnection, the first voltage V1 drops to the first voltage threshold V s1 At the moment when the second voltage V2 drops to the second voltage threshold V s2 The duration T between the following moments is greater than the duration threshold T s .

[0095] exist Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the first voltage V1 is shown to be greater than the second voltage V2. According to other variants not shown, the first voltage V1 is lower than the second voltage V2, or is equal to the second voltage V2.

[0096] Alternatively, the electronic control unit 90 does not measure the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 and compares them with the first voltage threshold V s1 and the second voltage threshold V s2 Instead of comparing, the first current and the second current are measured and compared to the first current threshold and the second current threshold.

[0097] According to a variant not shown, a fourth signal corresponding to the absence of current upstream of the device 1 is transmitted when the first voltage is less than a first voltage threshold and the second voltage remains greater than a second voltage threshold for a duration greater than a network fault duration threshold greater than a duration threshold T s Specifically, when there is no current upstream of the device, the first voltage becomes zero, but this is not caused by the movable phase contact moving to the disconnected position. Therefore, the handle is not switched to the disconnected position. This makes it possible to distinguish the absence of current due to an interruption upstream of the device from the absence of current due to an electrical fault in the circuit.

[0098] It is particularly advantageous to send the second and / or third signal only when the network fault duration threshold is reached, so as to avoid sending the second and / or third signal as soon as the duration threshold is reached, and sending the fourth signal as soon as the network fault duration threshold is reached, which may lead to confusion about the nature of the fault detected by the device.

[0099] The electrical linking element 60, the switch 70, the mechanical linking element 80, the current sensor 85 and the electronic control unit 90 together perform a function called "opening and closing fault signal", which allows the user to identify the cause of the circuit opening between manual reasons and fault reasons, and advantageously, in the case of an electrical fault, also know which type of electrical fault of the circuit has produced the circuit opening. This facilitates remote control of the device 1, in particular to determine whether intervention is required after the electrical fault.

[0100] Advantageously, the elements for automatically determining the cause of disconnection and their arrangement make it possible to maintain the compactness of the protection device 1 , in particular in the width direction X. In particular, the housing 2 may have a width measured in the width direction X less than 20 mm, preferably a width measured in the width direction X equal to 18 mm.

[0101] Any feature described for one embodiment or one variation in the above text may be implemented for the other embodiments and variations described above, as long as it is technically feasible.

Claims

1. An electrical protection device (1) designed to be connected between an input conductor and an output conductor of an electric circuit and to disconnect the circuit upon manual command or after an electrical fault is detected, the device (1) being further configured to automatically determine the cause of disconnection of the circuit, the device (1) comprising: - a movable contact (11), connected to the circuit and movable between a conducting position and an isolating position: oIn the conducting position, the movable contact (11) closes the circuit; oIn the isolated position, the movable contact (11) disconnects the circuit; - a switching handle (50) capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, wherein manually moving the switching handle (50) to the open position causes the movable contact (11) to be placed in the disconnecting position; - a switching mechanism (40) configured to switch between an equipped configuration and a tripped configuration, wherein the movable contact (11) is in the conducting position and the switching handle (50) is in the closed position, and the movable contact (11) is in the disconnecting position and the switching handle (50) is in the disconnecting position; - a trip device (30, 35) configured to actuate said switching mechanism (40) to command said trip configuration in the event of a detected electrical fault; - Electronic control unit (90); Characterized in that the device (1) further comprises: - an electrical link element (60) connecting the movable contact (11) and the electronic control unit (90) and configured so that a first current flows through the electrical link element (60) to the electronic control unit (90), and a first voltage (V1) indicates that the position of the movable contact (11) is in the conducting position or the isolating position; - a switch (70) connected to the electronic control unit (90) and movable between a pressed position and a free position, and configured so that a second current flows through the switch (70) to the electronic control unit (90), a second voltage (V2) indicating the position of the switch (70) between the pressed position and the free position; - A mechanical linking element (80), connected to the switching handle (50) and movable between a pressed position and a released position: o In the depressed position, the mechanical linking element (80) depresses the switch (70) and holds it in the depressed position, and o In the release position, the mechanical linking element (80) releases the switch (70), and the switch (70) switches to the free position, And wherein the electronic control unit (90) is configured to measure the first voltage (V1) and the second voltage (V2), compare the first voltage (V1) and the second voltage (V2) to determine a disconnection cause of the circuit between manual disconnection and fault disconnection, send a first signal if the disconnection cause is manual disconnection, and send a second and / or third signal if the disconnection cause is fault disconnection.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact (11) is a movable phase contact (11).

3. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the switch handle (50) is in the closed position, the mechanical linking element (80) is in the depressed position, and when the switch handle (50) is in the open position, the mechanical linking element (80) is in the released position.

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical link element (60) is a spring that is in contact with the movable contact (11) when the movable contact (11) is in the conducting position and is separated from the movable contact (11) when the movable contact (11) is in the isolating position, and one of the ends (61) of the electrical link element (60) is connected to the electronic control unit (90).

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical linking element (80) is a linking rod connected to the switching handle (50), and one end (81) of the mechanical linking element (80) is configured to press or release the switch (70).

6. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a thermal trip device (30) and / or a magnetic trip device (35), wherein the thermal trip device (30) and / or the magnetic trip device (35) are configured to switch the movable contact (11) from the conducting position to the isolating position when the thermal trip device (30) and / or the magnetic trip device (35) are activated by an electrical fault of the short circuit or overload type.

7. The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the device (1) being integrated into the housing (2), the housing (2) having a width measured in the width direction (X) of less than 20 mm, preferably equal to or less than 18 mm.

8. A method for automatically determining a disconnection cause of a circuit, the method being implemented by a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: - measuring (201) a first voltage (V1) and a second voltage (V2); - The first voltage (V1) is compared with the first voltage threshold (V s1 ) for comparison (202); - When the first voltage (V1) drops to the first voltage threshold (V s1 ) is below, the first voltage (V1) is measured to drop to the first voltage threshold (V s1 ) and when the second voltage (V2) drops to the second voltage threshold (V s2 ) The duration between the following moments (T); - Compare the duration (T) with the duration threshold (T s ) for comparison; - When the duration (T) is less than the duration threshold (T s ), sending a first signal corresponding to manual disconnection; - When the duration (T) is greater than or equal to the duration threshold (T s ), a second signal and / or a third signal is sent, wherein the second signal and / or the third signal corresponds to a fault disconnection.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising: When the duration (T) is greater than or equal to the duration threshold (T s ) and when the current intensity value (I) is less than the current threshold value (I s ), sending the second signal, the method further comprising: when the duration (T) is greater than or equal to the duration threshold (T s ) and the current intensity value (I) is greater than or equal to the current threshold value (I s ), the third signal is sent.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the duration threshold (T s ) is less than 10ms, preferably equal to 6ms.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the current threshold (I s ) is equal to the rated current flowing through the circuit multiplied by a predetermined value, for example, multiplied by 3.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising: When the duration (T) is greater than or equal to the network fault duration threshold, a fourth signal is sent, and the network fault duration threshold is greater than the duration threshold (T s ).

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