Electrical assembly and circuit breaker

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical assembly (2) for a circuit breaker (1). The assembly (2) comprises: an interruption unit (10) having at least two electrical connections (12 to 15), each of which is designed as a plug or a socket of a plug connection (19 to 22); and a solid insulator (11) into which the interruption unit (10) including the electrical connections (12 to 15) is embedded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical assembly for a circuit breaker and to a circuit breaker. BACKGROUND

[0002] Circuit breakers are implemented in different construction forms. For example, a distinction is made between circuit breakers of the so-called dead-tank construction and circuit breakers of the so-called live-tank construction.

[0003] Circuit breakers of the dead-tank construction are to be understood as circuit breakers in which the interrupting unit is arranged in a housing made of an electrically conductive material, usually metal. In the operation of such circuit breakers, the housing is usually grounded, that is to say, the housing is placed at ground potential. In order to avoid voltage flashovers between the housing of the circuit breaker and the live parts of the interrupting unit, a minimum distance needs to be maintained between the housing and the live parts. This minimum distance depends on the voltage applied between the housing and the live parts and increases with increasing voltage. Furthermore, this minimum distance depends on the dielectric properties of the medium used to fill the housing. Such circuit breakers are often implemented to be gas-insulated, and in the operation of the circuit breaker, the housing of the circuit breaker is filled with an insulating gas. In the past, the so-called F gas, that is to say, a fluorine-containing gas, in particular sulfur hexafluoride, was often used as insulating gas, which has a particularly high dielectric strength and thus enables a compact construction of the circuit breaker. However, F gas, in particular sulfur hexafluoride, is a potent greenhouse gas and is therefore environmentally harmful. Therefore, environmentally friendly insulating gases, for example synthetic air or nitrogen, are increasingly being used instead of these gases. However, because these insulating gases have a lower dielectric strength compared to F gas, they require a greater distance between the housing wall of the housing and the live parts of the interrupting unit of the circuit breaker. This has a particularly negative effect in the case of circuit breakers designed for high voltages, because the size of the circuit breaker is thereby increased.

[0004] Circuit breakers of the live-tank construction are to be understood as circuit breakers in which the interrupting unit is electrically insulated from the ground potential by an insulator. Here, the live connections of the circuit breaker are usually insulated by air in the circuit breaker's surroundings. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem addressed by the present application is to specify an electrical assembly for a circuit breaker having an interrupting unit which is suitable for use in circuit breakers of different construction forms, for example not only for circuit breakers of the dead-tank construction but also for circuit breakers of the live-tank construction.

[0006] According to the application, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the assembly having the features of claim 1 and the circuit breaker having the features of claim 7.

[0007] An advantageous design of the application is the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The electrical assembly for a circuit breaker according to the application comprises

[0009] - an interrupting unit having at least two electrical terminals which are respectively configured as plug or socket of a plug-in connection, and

[0010] - a solid insulation into which the interrupting unit including the electrical terminals is embedded.

[0011] The term "solid insulation" comprises that the solid insulation is solid, i.e. in particular neither a gas nor a liquid, under the operating conditions of the circuit breaker. Furthermore, it comprises that the solid insulation is made at least predominantly of an electrically insulating insulation material.

[0012] The embodiment of the assembly according to the application having a solid insulation into which the interrupting unit including the electrical terminals is embedded provides the advantage that the solid insulation can have a significantly higher dielectric strength (which is also called breakdown strength) than, for example, an insulating gas. Thus, in the case that the interrupting unit is arranged in an electrically conductive housing of a circuit breaker, by embedding the interrupting unit into the solid insulation, for example, the distance between the interrupting unit of the circuit breaker and the housing wall of the housing can be greatly reduced compared to a circuit breaker in which the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall is filled with an insulating gas. Thus, the application advantageously enables a significant reduction in the volume of such a circuit breaker and thus in the structural size of the circuit breaker compared to a circuit breaker in which the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall is filled with an insulating gas.

[0013] The embodiment of the interrupting unit having at least two electrical terminals and the electrical terminals respectively configured as plug or socket of a plug-in connection makes it possible for these terminals to be mechanically and electrically connected to electrical conductors in a simple manner. This advantage of the assembly according to the application exists regardless of whether the assembly is arranged in a housing of a circuit breaker or not, and regardless of whether the circuit breaker has a housing or not.

[0014] Furthermore, the embodiment of the interrupting unit having at least two electrical terminals and the electrical terminals respectively configured as plug or socket of a plug-in connection makes it possible for the terminals of the interrupting unit which are not used for electrical connections to be used for a purely mechanical connection of the electrical assembly to other components of the circuit breaker, for example for fixing the assembly in a housing of the circuit breaker.

[0015] Thus, in summary, the electrical assembly according to the application makes it possible, in the case of a circuit breaker having a housing, to achieve a more compact design of the circuit breaker by means of solid insulation, to achieve a simple connection of the interrupter unit to the electrical conductor, and to achieve a simple mechanical fixing of the electrical assembly in the housing of the circuit breaker by means of the electrical terminals of the interrupter unit, which are not used for electrical connection but only for mechanical plug-in connection.

[0016] In one design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application, the interrupter unit has a switching chamber and two contact elements arranged in the switching chamber, wherein the contact elements are movable relative to one another between a first switching position, in which the contact elements are in close proximity to one another, and a second switching position, in which the contact elements are separated from one another, and wherein each contact element is in electrical connection with an electrical terminal of the interrupter unit. This design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application makes it possible for the contact elements of the interrupter unit to be electrically contacted by means of the electrical terminals of the interrupter unit.

[0017] In another design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application, each electrical terminal of the interrupter unit is configured as part of a cable terminal assembly. Here, a cable terminal assembly is to be understood as meaning an assembly which makes it possible to connect a cable to the electrical terminal of the interrupter unit.

[0018] In another design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application, the solid insulation is made at least predominantly from silicone or epoxy resin. Silicone or epoxy resin is suitable as an insulator material for the solid insulation on account of its dielectric properties and the advantageous production thereof, for example by injection of the silicone or epoxy resin into the solid insulation around the interrupter unit.

[0019] In another design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application, the solid insulation has ribs on the outside, which extend in a ring around the longitudinal axis of the solid insulation. This design variant of the assembly according to the application advantageously makes it possible to lengthen the creepage distances, through which a creepage current can flow on the outside of the solid insulation. This is particularly advantageous when the electrical assembly according to the application is used in open-air applications without a housing surrounding it.

[0020] In another design variant of the electrical assembly according to the application, the interrupter unit has a vacuum interrupter.

[0021] The vacuum interrupter has a switching chamber, which is evacuated when the circuit breaker is operated, so that a (technical) vacuum is formed in the switching chamber. A vacuum interrupter is particularly advantageous because, when the contact elements are separated in the switching chamber, no gas discharge occurs between the contact elements and the so-called switching arc between the contact elements is thus reduced.

[0022] The circuit breaker according to the application has an electrical assembly according to the application.

[0023] The advantages of the circuit breaker according to the application result from the advantages of the electrical assembly according to the application mentioned above.

[0024] In one design variant of the circuit breaker according to the application, the circuit breaker has a housing in which the electrical assembly is arranged.

[0025] In another design variant of the circuit breaker according to the application, the housing is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular of a metallic material. Alternatively, the housing is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0026] The design variants of the circuit breaker according to the application mentioned above, in the case of a housing made of an electrically conductive material, are directed to circuit breakers in a housing- grounded design or in a gas-insulated switchgear, and in the case of a housing made of an electrically insulating material, are directed to circuit breakers in a housing- live design with a housing for the interrupter unit.

[0027] In a further design variant of the design variants of the circuit breaker according to the application mentioned above, the electrical assembly is supported on a housing wall of the housing by means of a support unit made of an electrically insulating material. For example, the electrical assembly is mechanically connected to the support unit by means of a plug-in connection by means of which an electrical connection of the interrupter unit is mechanically connected to the support unit.

[0028] The design variants of the circuit breaker according to the application mentioned above are in particular directed to the possibility already mentioned above of using a connection of the interrupter unit that is not used for an electrical connection for mechanically fixing the electrical assembly in the housing of the circuit breaker.

[0029] In another design variant of the circuit breaker according to the application, the circuit breaker has an electrical conductor that is electrically and mechanically connected to an electrical connection of the interrupter unit by means of a plug-in connection. For example, the electrical conductor is embedded in a solid insulation made of an electrically insulating material. Furthermore, if the circuit breaker has a housing for the interrupter unit, the electrical conductor can be arranged inside the housing of the circuit breaker.

[0030] The design variants of the circuit breaker according to the application mentioned above are directed to an electrical and mechanical connection of the electrical conductor to the interrupter unit of the circuit breaker already mentioned above by means of plug-in connections by means of which an electrical connection of the interrupter unit is used. Here, in particular, it can be provided that the conductor connected to the electrical connection of the interrupter unit is embedded in a solid insulation. Thereby, the electrical conductor can advantageously be shielded, in particular when the housing is made of an electrically conductive material, for example with respect to the housing of the circuit breaker. Thereby, in particular, a distance of the electrical conductor from a housing wall of the housing can be reduced and the size of the housing, and thus also of the circuit breaker, can be further reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The features, characteristics, advantages, and implementations of the present invention described above will become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Herein, in the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the circuit breaker is shown in cross-section.

[0033] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the circuit breaker is shown in cross-section.

[0034] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the circuit breaker is shown in cross-section.

[0035] Figure 4 A fourth embodiment of the circuit breaker is shown in cross-section.

[0036] In the accompanying drawings, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figure 1 (Appendix) Figure 1 A first embodiment of the circuit breaker 1 according to the present invention is shown in cross-section. The circuit breaker 1 includes an electrical component 2, a housing 3, a first support unit 4, and a second support unit 5 according to the present invention.

[0038] The housing 3 comprises a generally hollow cylindrical main body section 6 and two cylindrical sections 7 and 8 extending from the main body section 6 in a leg-like shape. The housing 3 is made of a conductive material, such as a metallic material, and is grounded during the operation of the circuit breaker 1, that is, it is at ground potential during the operation of the circuit breaker 1. Support units 4 and 5 are correspondingly arranged on opposite sides of the housing 3 inside the housing wall 9, and are correspondingly made of an electrically insulating material.

[0039] Electrical component 2 includes an interruption unit 10, a solid insulator 11, and four electrical connectors 12 to 15. The interruption unit 10, including its electrical connectors 12 to 15, is embedded in the solid insulator 11.

[0040] Interruption unit 10 has a switch chamber 16 and two contact elements 17, 18 arranged in the switch chamber 16, wherein the contact elements 17, 18 are movable relative to each other between a first switch position and a second switch position, in which the contact elements 17, 18 are in contact with each other, and in which the contact elements 17, 18 are separated from each other. For example, interruption unit 10 has a vacuum switch tube, and when circuit breaker 1 is in operation, the switch chamber 16 of the vacuum switch tube is evacuated, thereby creating a (technical) vacuum in the switch chamber 16. Each contact element 17, 18 of interruption unit 10 is electrically connected to two electrical terminals 12 to 15 of interruption unit 10.

[0041] Each electrical connector 12 to 15 of the interrupt unit 10 is configured as a plug or socket of a connector and is part of a cable connector assembly. A first connector 12 and a second connector 13 are arranged on a first side of the switch chamber 16. Here, the first connector 12 extends along the longitudinal axis of the interrupt unit 10 to the first support unit 4. The second connector 13 extends perpendicularly thereto to the first columnar section 7. The first connector 12 is mechanically connected to the first support unit 4 via a first plug-in connector 19. The second connector 13 is electrically and mechanically connected to a first electrical conductor 23 via a second plug-in connector 20, which extends through the first columnar section 7 to the end of the main body section 6 of the first columnar section 7, away from the housing 3, and is led out of the housing 3 at this end via a first insulating sleeve 25. Furthermore, the first electrical conductor 23 is embedded in a first solid insulation 27.

[0042] The third connector 14 and the fourth connector 15 are arranged on the second side of the switch chamber 16 opposite to the first side. Here, the third connector 14 extends along the longitudinal axis of the interruption unit 10 to the second support unit 5. The fourth connector 15 extends perpendicularly to the second columnar section 8. The third connector 14 is mechanically connected to the second support unit 5 via a third plug-in connector 21. The fourth connector 15 is electrically and mechanically connected to the second electrical conductor 24 via a fourth plug-in connector 22. The second electrical conductor 24 extends through the second columnar section 8 to the end of the main body section 6 of the second columnar section 8 away from the housing 3, and at this end is led out of the housing 3 via a second insulating sleeve 26. Furthermore, the second electrical conductor 24 is embedded in a second solid insulation 28.

[0043] The solid insulator 11 is made primarily of an electrically insulating insulating material, such as silicone or epoxy resin. Furthermore, conductive attachments for electric field control of the electric field within the housing 3 can be embedded in the insulating material of the solid insulator 11. For example, micro-rheostats and / or carbon black particles can be embedded as attachments in the insulating material of the solid insulator 11. These attachments are arranged, for example, in regions of the solid insulator 11 adjacent to the interruption unit 10, and / or in regions of the solid insulator 11 where electrical conductors 23 and 24 extend accordingly. The solid insulator 11 has ribs 29 on its outer side, which extend in a ring around the longitudinal axis of the solid insulator 11.

[0044] Figure 2 (Appendix) Figure 2 A second embodiment of the circuit breaker 1 according to the present invention is shown in cross-sectional view. This embodiment is similar to... Figure 1 The differences in the illustrated embodiments are essentially limited to the arrangement of the support units 4 and 5 within the housing 3 and the arrangement of the first electrical connector 12 and the third electrical connector 14 of the interrupting unit 10. In this embodiment, the first support unit 4 is arranged opposite to the first columnar segment 7 on the housing wall 9. In this embodiment, the second support unit 5 is arranged opposite to the second columnar segment 8 on the housing wall 9. Correspondingly, the first electrical connector 12 and the third electrical connector 14 do not extend along the longitudinal axis of the interrupting unit 10, but rather extend perpendicularly to one of the support units 4 and 5. The first connector 12 is mechanically connected to the first support unit 4 via a plug-in connector 19, and the third connector 14 is mechanically connected to the second support unit 5 via a plug-in connector 21.

[0045] Figure 3 (Appendix) Figure 3 A third embodiment of the circuit breaker 1 according to the present invention is shown in cross-sectional view. This embodiment is similar to... Figure 1 The difference in the illustrated embodiment is that electrical connectors 12 and 14 of the interrupt unit 10 are omitted, so that the interrupt unit 10 only has electrical connectors 13 and 15. It is then mechanically and electrically connected to one of conductors 23 and 24 via plug-in connectors 20 and 22. Figure 1 Another difference in the illustrated embodiment is that, in this case, the electrical component 2 is suspended in the housing 3 by two suspension members 30, 31, which are respectively made of electrically insulating material, wherein the suspension members 30, 31 are respectively connected to the solid insulator 11 of the component 2.

[0046] Figure 4 (Appendix) Figure 4A fourth embodiment of the circuit breaker 1 according to the present invention is shown in cross-section. In this embodiment, the circuit breaker 1 is implemented in a so-called energized housing configuration, wherein the circuit breaker 1 does not have a conductive housing 3. However, the circuit breaker 1 also has the characteristics of... Figure 2 The electrical component 2 is implemented identically in the illustrated embodiment. This component 2 is not housed within a housing, but rather mounted on a support frame 32, for example, for outdoor use of the circuit breaker 1. Here, electrical connectors 12 to 15 are used to connect the interrupting unit 10 to electrical high-voltage terminal blocks 33 and 34. The connection between the high-voltage terminal blocks 33 and 34 and one of the connectors 12 to 15 is also a plug-in connector 20 or 21. Since the electrical component 2 has four connectors 12 to 15, different connector configurations can be achieved.

[0047] Although the invention has been shown and described in further detail through preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An electrical component (2) for a circuit breaker (1), the component (2) comprising: - An interruption unit (10) having at least two electrical connectors (12 to 15), the electrical connectors being configured accordingly as plugs or sockets for connecting fittings (19 to 22), and - A solid insulator (11) is in which the interruption unit (10), including the electrical connectors (12 to 15), is embedded.

2. The electrical component (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The interrupt unit (10) has a switch chamber (16) and two contact elements (17, 18) arranged in the switch chamber (16), wherein the contact elements (17, 18) are movable relative to each other between a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein in the first switch position the contact elements are close to each other and in the second switch position the contact elements are separated from each other, and wherein each contact element (17, 18) is electrically connected to an electrical connector (12 to 15) of the interrupt unit (10).

3. The electrical component (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each electrical connector (12 to 15) of the interrupt unit (10) is configured as part of a cable connector assembly.

4. The electrical component (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The solid insulator (11) is made primarily of silicone resin or epoxy resin.

5. The electrical component (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The solid insulator (11) has ribs (29) on its outer side, which extend in a ring around the longitudinal axis of the solid insulator (11).

6. The electrical component (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The interrupt unit (10) has a vacuum switch tube.

7. A circuit breaker (1) having an electrical component (2) constructed according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 7, wherein the circuit breaker has a housing (3) and the electrical components (2) are arranged in the housing.

9. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The housing (3) is made of conductive material, particularly metallic material.

10. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The housing (3) is made of an electrically insulating material.

11. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The electrical component (2) is supported on the housing wall (9) of the housing (3) by support units (4, 5) made of electrically insulating material.

12. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The electrical component (2) is mechanically connected to the support unit (4, 5) via a plug-in connector (19 to 22), and the electrical connector (12 to 15) of the interrupt unit (10) is mechanically connected to the support unit (4, 5) via the plug-in connector.

13. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, the circuit breaker having electrical conductors (23, 24, 33, 34) electrically and mechanically connected to the electrical terminals (12 to 15) of the interrupting unit (10) via plug-in connectors (19 to 22).

14. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The electrical conductors (23, 24) are embedded in solid insulation (27, 28) made of electrical insulating material.

15. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12 and any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein, The electrical conductors (23, 24) are arranged inside the housing (3).

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