Temperature measuring device in a three-pole fuse socket and three-pole fuse socket with this device

Abstract

Device for temperature measurement in three-pole fuse sockets, characterized in that it comprises the following: a holder made of electrically insulating material, designed for attachment to a three-pole fuse base, the holder having three receptacles which are open to the outside of the holder by means of an opening, a temperature measuring device for each receptacle, such that each temperature measuring device has a part arranged inside the receptacle and a part that protrudes through the opening of the receptacle in order to take temperature measurements, and an elastic element for each temperature measuring device, wherein the elastic element is located in the holder so that it pushes the corresponding temperature measuring device towards the outside of the holder.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] One object of the invention is to provide a temperature monitoring system that can be easily installed in existing three-phase or three-pole fuse sockets, requires little space and does not require interrupting the power supply. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Energy monitoring devices are known to enable the monitoring of currents, voltages, power calculations, etc., thus facilitating better management of the distribution network. These modules are already widely used in distribution networks and are familiar to installers, who are already acquainted with them, their installation, and their use.

[0003] The main cause of fires in low voltage (LV) installations is a faulty electrical connection with poor electrical contact, which becomes a hotspot and can lead to a fire if flammable material is present nearby.

[0004] One of the most critical work processes is the connection of the output cables of the distribution lines, for example, when connecting to the output cables of a vertical fuse base, as described in Spanish patent ES-2,875,027 (T3). These connections are made on-site (in an uncontrolled environment), which is why an incorrectly made connection can lead to a hotspot and potentially a fire.

[0005] Furthermore, the overload of the distribution network due to increasing electricity demand means that the fuse holders are operating at or near their maximum capacity. If this condition persists, it can lead to undesirable situations such as fires. In other words, the fuses are operating at their rated current or with a slight overload, which, while still outside their melting point, nevertheless damages the system.

[0006] On the other hand, installing sensors in an existing fuse socket, i.e., a fuse socket already installed in a distribution box, presents the following difficulties: - there is little space available for the installation of sensors or other elements; - It may be necessary to disassemble some components of the fuse holder in order to install the sensor; - As a rule, the output cables must be disconnected, thus interrupting the power supply; The sensor to be connected to the fuse socket must be perfectly electrically insulated. The purpose is to monitor the temperature of conductors that are exposed live parts. If the temperature sensor touches the conductor, the sensor itself becomes live and would create an unsafe situation. However, materials that provide electrical insulation are generally poor heat conductors and thus contradict the functionality of the device. A balance must be found between electrical insulation and heat transfer. Temperature sensors have a shorter lifespan than the switch they are installed on, so they will most likely need to be replaced during the switch's lifetime. Handling must be carried out using personal protective equipment and electrically insulated tools. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a device for measuring temperature in three-phase or three-pole fuse bases, wherein the device comprises: a holder made of electrically insulating material, which is designed for attachment to a fuse base, preferably a three-pole fuse base, wherein the holder has at least one receptacle which is open to the outside of the holder by means of an opening, and a temperature measuring device arranged in the receptacle and projecting through the opening in order to be able to carry out temperature measurements.

[0008] The device also has an elastic element in the holder, which is, for example, located inside the holder and presses the temperature measuring device towards the outside of the holder, thus allowing the temperature measuring device to be pressed against the component on which the temperature is to be measured in order to ensure optimal contact with it.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the device is configured to be mounted on a three-phase or three-pole fuse base and to measure the temperature at each of the three output terminals. For this purpose, the bracket has three receptacles, each equipped with a temperature measuring device arranged within the receptacle and protruding through an opening in this device, and an elastic element that presses the temperature measuring device towards the outside of the bracket.

[0010] Preferably, the recordings are elongated and extend along the respective axes, such that the three axes run parallel to each other and two of them are arranged in the same plane.

[0011] The temperature measuring device includes the following: a tubular body with a free end, having a part arranged inside the recording and a part protruding beyond the outside of the recording, a temperature sensor contained within the tubular body and in contact with the free end to measure the temperature, and an electrical cable connected to the temperature sensor.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic element is a compression spring.

[0013] The tubular body has a ring on its outer surface that serves as a stop to limit its protrusion from the receptacle, so that the spring is arranged around the part of the tubular body inside the receptacle and presses the tubular body so that the ring is in contact with a constriction of the receptacle internally.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a fuse base having at least one output terminal consisting of a metal plate, and the device described above, which is detachably attached to the fuse base, so that the temperature measuring device is in contact with the metal plate and is pressed by the elastic element to measure the temperature on the metal plate in order to detect hotspots that may occur at the connection between the plate and the output cables of the fuse base.

[0015] Preferably, the fuse base is a vertical three-phase or three-pole fuse base, which has three output terminals, each in the form of a metal plate, and three corresponding output cables, each individually connected to one of the plates. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1. Shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for temperature measurement in a fuse socket. Fig. 2. Shows a cross-section of a temperature measuring device of the apparatus shown in the previous figures. Fig. 3. Shows a perspective view of the fuse base to which the temperature measuring device shown in the previous figure is attached. PREFERRED EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device (1) for temperature measurement in three-phase or three-pole fuse bases, comprising a holder (3) made of electrically insulating material, which has three recesses (4a, 4b, 4c) in each of which a temperature measuring device (5a, 5b, 5c) is received, which has a part protruding from the holder (3).

[0017] In a front view, the bracket (3) has the shape of an inverted ‘U’, consisting of two lateral bodies (3a, 3b) and a bridge (3c) connecting the two lateral bodies (3a, 3b).

[0018] More precisely, the images (4a, 4b, 4c) are elongated and extend along the respective axes (Xa, Xb, Xc), such that the three axes run parallel to each other and two of them (Xa, Xc) have the same position and are arranged in the same plane.

[0019] The temperature measuring devices (5a, 5b, 5c) are arranged according to the position of the three output terminals of the three-phase or three-pole fuse base, as shown in the Fig. Figure 3 shows each of them consisting of a metal plate (6a, 6b, 6c) with a hole (7a, 7b, 7c). In other embodiments of the invention, the output terminals can be of a different type, for example, direct connection terminals.

[0020] More precisely, the free ends of the temperature measuring devices (5a, 5c), which extend along parallel axes (Xa, Xc), are arranged at the same height or dimension, while the temperature measuring device (5b), which is located on the axis (Xb) parallel to the previous axes, is offset to the rear of the aforementioned axes or is arranged at a different dimension.

[0021] Furthermore, the device (1) is designed so that when the temperature measuring devices (5a, 5b, 5c) are attached to a fuse base, the connection area of ​​the distribution cables is left clear in order not to obstruct the connection of these cables.

[0022] As will be discussed below in the Fig. As shown in more detail in Figure 2, each temperature measuring device (5a, 5b, 5c) consists of a tubular body (10a, 10b, 10c), for example, a cylindrical tubular body with a free end, which has a part of the holder (3) arranged inside a receptacle (4a, 4b, 4c) and another part that projects through an opening (8a, 8b, 8c) to the outside of the holder. Each temperature measuring device (5a, 5b, 5c) further comprises a temperature sensor (11a, 11b, 11c) which is received in the tubular body and is in contact with the free metal end in order to measure the temperature.

[0023] An electrical cable (12a, 12b, 12c) connects each temperature sensor (11a, 11b, 11c) internally via the holder (3) to a single connector, namely the connector (13), which the holder (3) has for connection to an external electronic device and is therefore independent of the sensors. In particular, when implementing the Fig. 1, the connector (13) is arranged in one of the lateral bodies (3b) of the holder (3).

[0024] An elastic element is arranged around the part of the temperature measuring device located inside the holder, in this embodiment a compression spring (9a, 9b, 9c) which pushes the temperature measuring device (5a, 5b, 5c) towards the outside of the holder.

[0025] The tubular body (10a, 10b, 10c) has a stop (14a, 14b, 14c) which consists of a ring formed on its outer surface, which is in internal contact with a narrowing of the opening (8a, 8b, 8c) and limits the extent to which the tubular body (10a, 10b, 10c) can protrude from the receptacle (4a, 4b, 4c).

[0026] Preferably, the device has a layer of electrically insulating material over each temperature measuring device to electrically insulate it when in contact with a metallic conductor.

[0027] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the device (1) is designed to be detachably attached to a three-pole fuse base (2), so that each of the temperature measuring devices (5a, 5b, 5c) is in contact with a metal plate (6a, 6b, 6c) against which it is pressed by the spring (9a, 9b, 9c) to ensure good thermal contact with the plates, to compensate for tolerances or deformations of the plates and to adapt to different plate thicknesses in order to reliably detect hotspots in the connection area of ​​the output cables.

[0028] For the mechanical fastening between the bracket (3) and the locking base (2), specifically in the space of the base where metal plates (6a, 6b, 6c) are usually arranged, the bracket (3) can have grooves and the locking base can have projections that can snap into the grooves. However, the invention also provides for other conventional fastening means between the bracket (3) and the locking base (2), which allow for easy fastening and unfastening between the device and the locking base.

[0029] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the device (1) according to the invention can be easily attached to or detached from a fuse holder (2) without having to disconnect the output cables, i.e., without interrupting the power supply. Furthermore, it requires very little space, does not protrude from the fuse holder, and adds no additional current-carrying parts.

[0030] Typically, the output terminals of a three-pole fuse base consist of two metal plates located in the same plane and a third metal plate located in a plane parallel to the first. According to the invention, the device is designed to be attached to and detached from the fuse base in a direction perpendicular to the planes in which the metal plates are located, in such a way that it does not interfere with the connection areas of the plates and the distribution cables connected to them.

[0031] For example, the bracket (3) can have straight and parallel channels and the safety base can have guides inserted into the channels that guide the displacement of the bracket (3). QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] ES 2.875.027

[0004]

Claims

[1] Device for measuring temperature in three-pole fuse sockets, characterized by , that it includes the following: a holder made of electrically insulating material, designed for attachment to a three-pole fuse base, the holder having three receptacles which are open to the outside of the holder by means of an opening, a temperature measuring device for each receptacle, such that each temperature measuring device has a part arranged inside the receptacle and a part that protrudes through the opening of the receptacle in order to be able to take temperature measurements, and an elastic element for each temperature measuring device, wherein the elastic element is located in the holder so that it pushes the corresponding temperature measuring device towards the outside of the holder. [2] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to claim 1, characterized bythat the images are elongated and extend along the respective axes, so that the three axes run parallel to each other and two of them are arranged in one plane. [3] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each temperature measuring device includes the following: a tubular body with a free end, having a part arranged inside the recording and a part protruding beyond the outside of the recording, a temperature sensor contained within the tubular body and in contact with the free end to measure the temperature, and an electrical cable connected to the temperature sensor. [4] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the elastic element is a compression spring. [5] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by , that the tubular body has a ring on its outer surface which serves as a stop to limit its protrusion from the receptacle. [6] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to claim 5, characterized by , that the spring is arranged around the part of the tubular body inside the receptacle and presses the tubular body so that the ring is in internal contact with the receptacle. [7] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by, that the free ends of the temperature measuring devices extending along axes parallel to each other are arranged at the same height or dimension, while the temperature measuring device located on the axis parallel to the aforementioned axes is offset to the rear or arranged at a different dimension. [8] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it has a layer of electrically insulating material over each temperature measuring device to electrically insulate it when in contact with a metallic conductor. [9] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bracket has a connector to which the temperature measuring devices are connected. [10] Device for temperature measurement in fuse sockets according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bracket has the shape of an inverted ‘U’, consisting of two lateral bodies and a bridge connecting the two lateral bodies. [11] Three-pole fuse base having three output terminals, each consisting of a metal plate, characterized by that it includes the device defined in one of the preceding claims, which is detachably attached to the fuse base, such that each temperature measuring device is in contact with a metal plate which is pressed by the elastic element to measure the temperature on the metal plate. [12] Three-pole fuse base according to claim 11, characterized bythat two metal plates lie in the same plane and the third metal plate lies in a plane parallel to the previous one, and by the fact that the device is designed to be attached to and detached from the locking base in a direction perpendicular to the planes in which the metal plates are located.

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