TRIGGERING DEVICE FOR A POWER SWITCH

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tripping device for a circuit breaker, comprising a tripping element and a tripping coil configured to cause the tripping element to move when energized. Furthermore, the invention relates to a circuit breaker having such a tripping device and a method for increasing the tripping time of a tripping device for a circuit breaker, comprising a tripping element and a tripping coil configured to cause the tripping element to move when energized.

[0002] The tripping device, as known, for example, from US 1 695 885 A and CN 206 727 049 U, is designed to trigger a switching operation of the circuit breaker. A current flowing in the trip coil generates a magnetic field that causes the movement of the tripping element. For this purpose, the tripping element has, for example, a ferromagnetic magnet armature. For example, the tripping element, moved by the magnetic field, unlocks a switch drive, which then drives at least one switching contact element of the circuit breaker.

[0003] For a circuit breaker, there are specific requirements for the time interval between the start of current flow in the tripping circuit and the closing or opening of the circuit breaker contacts. This time interval is referred to as the breaker operating time. The time interval between the start of current flow in the tripping circuit and the end of a travel stroke of the tripping element is referred to as the tripping time. The tripping time thus constitutes a first part of the breaker operating time. During the remaining part of the breaker operating time, the actual switching operation is carried out by moving at least one switching contact element.The requirements for the switch operating time can, for example, arise for a circuit breaker with a common drive for several switch poles from the requirements of the electrical switching capacity or, in the case of a circuit breaker with one or more drives for each individual switch pole, from the requirement that all switch poles of the circuit breaker must open or close in a certain time interval or that the interrupter units of an individual switch pole, which are operated by different drives, must open or close in a certain time interval.

[0004] It is often required that the circuit breaker's operating time be as short as possible so that the flow of an alternating current in the circuit breaker can be interrupted quickly, for example within two current cycles of the alternating current. In addition, it may be required, for example, that the power consumption of the tripping device is limited, meaning that the tripping device cannot simply be made faster by appropriate design. However, the power consumption of the tripping device must have a certain minimum value so that the force exerted on the tripping element is sufficient to unlock the breaker drive, especially when the voltage supply to the tripping device is undervoltage. The power consumption of the tripping device cannot therefore be reduced arbitrarily.In addition, the actual switching speed, i.e. the speed of the moving switching contact elements, must generally not be changed, since this switching speed influences the electrical switching capacity.

[0005] For a circuit breaker with a separate operating mechanism for each breaker pole or multiple operating mechanisms per breaker pole, the opening and / or closing times of the breaker poles or the interrupter units of the individual breaker poles must also be within a specific time window, meaning these times must be synchronized. For this purpose, for example, the operating mechanisms of the breaker poles or interrupter units can be changed without changing the actual switching speed by changing the tripping time and thus the breaker operating time for the slowest or fastest breaker pole.

[0006] Reducing the breaker operating time by shortening the tripping time for the slowest breaker pole through increased power consumption is often not possible due to the required limited power consumption and / or the tripping systems are already exhausted in terms of achievable short tripping times, so that further reduction for synchronization within the requirements is not possible. In such a case, a delay in the switching of the fastest breaker pole may be necessary. This delay should be as simple and finely adjustable as possible on an assembled circuit breaker, since this adjustment process must be performed during routine testing after the circuit breaker's production.

[0007] For a circuit breaker with a common operating mechanism for multiple breaker poles, for example, the breaker operating time must be extended by a specific, relatively large time interval of up to approximately 20 ms. For synchronization in a circuit breaker with single-pole operating mechanisms, however, the breaker operating time must be adjustable by a relatively small time interval of a few ms, without changing the actual switching speed after the start of movement. Furthermore, both the tripping process and the synchronization in a circuit breaker with single-pole operating mechanisms must function within the required limits even when the voltage supply to the tripping devices changes.

[0008] In order to delay the switching of a switch pole, it is therefore advisable to increase the tripping time of the associated tripping device. To increase the tripping time, for example, an additional mass that must be moved during tripping, or a spring that counteracts the movement of the tripping element during tripping, can be arranged on the tripping element. However, if the voltage of the tripping device's power supply is too low, the tripping process can be made more difficult or even completely prevented by such a component. In addition, the synchronization of the tripping of several drives, which is achieved by such components at the nominal voltage of the tripping devices' power supply, can be negatively affected by these components in the event of undervoltage or overvoltage of the tripping devices' power supply, so that the synchronization may even be worse than when operating without these components.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of increasing, by simple means, a tripping time of a tripping device for a circuit breaker, which has a tripping element and a tripping coil which causes a movement of the tripping element when energized.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by a tripping device having the features of claim 1, a circuit breaker having the features of claim 12.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] A tripping device according to the invention for a circuit breaker comprises a tripping element, a tripping circuit with a tripping coil configured to cause movement of the tripping element when energized, and at least one electrical delay element connectable to the tripping circuit, which reduces the steepness of a current rise in the current flowing in the tripping coil after the tripping circuit has closed and / or delays the current rise in the current flowing in the tripping coil after the tripping circuit has closed. The movement of the tripping element is caused by a magnetic field generated by a current flowing in the tripping coil. The tripping element has, for example, a ferromagnetic magnet armature.

[0013] The slope of the current rise of the current flowing in the trip coil after the closure of the trip circuit is understood here as the slope of the current flowing in the trip coil as a function of time, or the first derivative of the current flowing in the trip coil with respect to time in a time interval immediately following the closure of the trip circuit. According to the invention, an electrical delay element can be connected to the trip circuit of the tripping device, which reduces this slope and / or delays a current rise of a current flowing in the trip coil after the closure of the trip circuit.As a result, the rise of the magnetic field generated by the trip coil is delayed, and the acceleration of the tripping element moved by this magnetic field is reduced and / or delayed in the time interval after the tripping circuit is closed compared to the case where the at least one electrical delay element is not connected to the tripping circuit. By reducing and / or delaying the acceleration of the tripping element immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, the tripping time of the tripping device is increased. The tripping device according to the invention thus enables an increase in the tripping time by connecting at least one electrical delay element to the tripping circuit.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one electrical delay element is further configured and connected in such a way that it noticeably influences the current flowing in the trip coil only during a switch-on phase immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, while later having a negligible effect on this current. As a result, the at least one electrical delay element merely increases the tripping time of the tripping device, but noticeably reduces neither the force acting on the tripping element after the switch-on phase nor the travel of the tripping element compared to the case where the at least one electrical delay element is not connected to the tripping circuit. In other words, connecting the at least one electrical delay element does not impair the functionality of the tripping device, but merely increases its tripping time.

[0015] In the tripping device according to the invention, a delay element is a delay coil that can be connected in series with the tripping coil. When the delay coil is connected into the tripping circuit, the inductive resistance of the delay coil acts during a time interval in which the current in the tripping circuit increases immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, while the inductive resistance of the delay coil later plays hardly any role when the current in the tripping circuit no longer changes significantly. The inductive resistance of the delay coil thus reduces the current flowing in the tripping coil immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, thereby increasing the tripping time of the tripping device compared to the case where the delay coil is not connected into the tripping circuit.If, according to the invention, the delay coil has a particularly significantly smaller ohmic resistance than the tripping coil, the delay coil further influences the current intensity in the tripping circuit after the switch-on phase only slightly compared to the case in which the delay coil is not switched on, and thus essentially only causes an increase in the tripping time of the tripping device.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the triggering device according to the invention, the triggering device has a magnetic core around which a winding of the delay coil runs. The magnetic core can advantageously increase the inductance of the delay coil.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, the magnetic core is arranged so that it can be moved relative to the delay coil, so that the inductance of the delay coil can be changed. By changing the inductance of the delay coil, the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device can also be changed compared to the case where the delay coil is not connected to the tripping circuit, and thus can be flexibly and continuously adjusted within certain limits.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, the number of turns of the delay coil through which electrical current flows when the tripping circuit is closed is adjustable. For example, the delay coil has multiple taps or an adjustable tap for adjusting the number of turns. The inductive resistance of the delay coil, and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device compared to the case where the delay coil is not connected to the tripping circuit, can also be adjusted by changing the number of turns of the current-carrying turns of the delay coil.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, a delay element is an electrical resistor that can be connected in series with the tripping coil and the delay coil, in particular an electrical resistor with an adjustable ohmic resistance. By connecting an electrical resistor in series with the tripping coil and the delay coil, the current in the tripping coil is reduced compared to the case where the electrical resistor is not connected in the tripping circuit, thus increasing the tripping time of the tripping device. An electrical resistor with an adjustable ohmic resistance enables an adjustable increase in the tripping time.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, a delay element is a capacitor that can be connected in parallel with the tripping coil. When the capacitor is connected in parallel with the tripping coil, an electric current flows into the capacitor in a time interval immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, charging the capacitor. This reduces the current flowing in the tripping coil compared to when the capacitor is not connected in the tripping circuit, thus increasing the tripping time of the tripping device.When the capacitor is charged, its DC resistance is virtually infinite, and the current in the tripping circuit flows almost exclusively in the current path with the trip coil, so that the trip coil generates the same magnetic field and thus exerts the same force on the tripping element as if the capacitor were not connected to the trip circuit. Therefore, connecting the capacitor increases the tripping time of the tripping device, but barely changes the force on the tripping element caused by the magnetic field generated by the trip coil compared to if the capacitor were not connected to the trip circuit.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, one delay element is a capacitor and another delay element is an electrical resistor, wherein a series circuit of the capacitor and the electrical resistor can be connected in parallel to the tripping coil. For example, the electrical resistor has an adjustable ohmic resistance. Compared to the aforementioned embodiment, in this embodiment of the tripping device according to the invention, instead of just one capacitor, a series circuit of a capacitor and an electrical resistor can be connected in parallel to the tripping coil. The electrical resistance increases the charging time for the capacitor after the tripping circuit is closed and thus the tripping time of the tripping device compared to the case in which only the capacitor is connected in parallel to the tripping coil.By means of an electrical resistor with an adjustable ohmic resistance, the charging time for the capacitor after the tripping circuit is closed and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device can also be advantageously adjusted.

[0022] In a further development of the aforementioned embodiments of the tripping device according to the invention, the capacitor has an adjustable capacitance. The adjustability of the capacitor's capacitance allows the capacitive resistance of the capacitor, and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device, to be advantageously adjusted by connecting the capacitor to the tripping circuit.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the triggering device according to the invention, the triggering coil and at least one delay element are arranged in a common housing. The arrangement of a delay element in the same housing as the triggering coil enables a space-saving and compact design of the delay device.

[0024] A circuit breaker according to the invention has a tripping device according to the invention, which is configured to trigger a switching operation of the circuit breaker. In a circuit breaker according to the invention with several separately driven switch poles, the opening or closing times of the switch poles can be advantageously synchronized by increasing the switch operating time of at least one switch pole. This is achieved by using a tripping device according to the invention for driving this switch pole, the tripping time of which is increased by connecting at least one delay element.

[0025] A method is used to increase the tripping time of a tripping device for a circuit breaker, which has a tripping element and a tripping circuit with a tripping coil configured to cause movement of the tripping element when energized. In the method, at least one electrical delay element is connected to the tripping circuit, which reduces the steepness of a current rise in the current flowing in the tripping coil after the tripping circuit is closed and / or delays the current rise in the current flowing in the tripping coil after the tripping circuit is closed.

[0026] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. FIG 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a triggering device, FIG 2 a circuit diagram of the Figure 1 shown triggering device, FIG 3 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a triggering device, FIG 4 a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a triggering device, FIG 5 a schematic representation of a fourth example of a triggering device, the FIG 6 does not fall under the subject matter of the protection request, a circuit diagram of the in Figure 5shown triggering device, FIG 7 a schematic representation of a fifth example of a triggering device which does not fall under the subject matter of the protection request, FIG 8 a circuit diagram of a sixth example of a triggering device which does not fall under the subject matter of the protection request, FIG 9 a circuit diagram of a seventh example of a triggering device which does not fall under the subject matter of the protection request, FIG 10 a circuit diagram of an eighth embodiment of a triggering device.

[0027] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0028] The Figures 1 and 2 (FIG 1 and FIG 2 ) show a first embodiment of a tripping device 1 according to the invention for a circuit breaker. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the triggering device 1, Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram of the trigger device 1.

[0029] The tripping device 1 comprises a tripping element 3 and a tripping circuit with a tripping coil 5, which is designed to cause a movement of the tripping element 3 when energized, and a switching element 7, with which the tripping circuit can be opened and closed (the switching element 7 is in Figure 1 not shown). Furthermore, the tripping device 1 comprises a delay coil 9, which can be connected to the tripping circuit by a changeover switch 11. Figure 1 shows a first switching position of the changeover switch 11, in which the changeover switch 11 connects the delay coil 9 in series with the tripping coil 5. In a second switching position, the changeover switch 11 bridges the delay coil 9, so that the delay coil 9 is not in the current path of the tripping circuit.

[0030] A winding of the trip coil 5 runs around a first magnetic core 13. The first magnetic core 13 surrounds a section of the trip element 3 in a ring shape. The trip element 3 has a ferromagnetic magnet armature. When the tripping circuit is closed by the switching element 7, an electric current flowing in the trip coil 5 generates a magnetic field through which the trip element 3 is moved. The trip element 3, moved by the magnetic field, unlocks a switch drive, which, after unlocking, drives at least one switching contact element of the circuit breaker. For example, the trip element 3 releases a pawl element for this purpose, which inhibits movement of the at least one switching contact element.

[0031] The delay coil 9 has an ohmic resistance that is, for example, significantly lower than the ohmic resistance of the trip coil 5 if the total power in the trip circuit should be as low as possible. One winding of the delay coil 9 runs around a second magnetic core 15.

[0032] When the delay coil 9 is connected to the tripping circuit by the changeover switch 11, the inductive resistance of the delay coil 9 reduces the steepness of a current rise in the tripping coil 5 during a time interval in which the current in the tripping circuit increases immediately after the closure of the tripping circuit, compared to the case in which the delay coil 9 is bridged by the changeover switch 11. When the current in the tripping circuit stabilizes after a switch-on phase, the delay coil 9 influences the current intensity in the tripping circuit only slightly compared to the case in which the delay coil 9 is not connected, provided the ohmic resistance of the delay coil 9 is significantly smaller than the ohmic resistance of the tripping coil 5, because the inductive resistance of the delay coil 9 only has a significant effect when the current intensity in the tripping circuit changes.Therefore, the connection of the delay coil 9 increases the tripping time of the tripping device 1, but hardly changes the force on the tripping element 3 by the magnetic field generated by the tripping coil 5 compared to the case in which the delay coil 9 is not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0033] The trigger coil 5, the delay coil 9, the magnetic cores 13, 15 and the trigger element 3 are arranged in a common housing 17, wherein an end portion of the trigger element 3 protrudes from the housing 17 through a housing opening 19.

[0034] Figure 3 (FIG 3 ) shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a tripping device 1 according to the invention for a circuit breaker. This embodiment differs from the one shown in the Figures 1 and 2shown embodiment only in that the second magnetic core 15 is arranged displaceably relative to the delay coil 9, so that an inductance of the delay coil 9 can be changed. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the second magnetic core 15 is displaceable by an adjusting screw 21, which is connected to the second magnetic core 15, is guided on the housing 17, and protrudes from the housing 17. The displaceability of the second magnetic core 15 allows the inductive resistance of the delay coil 9 and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device 1 to be adjusted compared to the case where the delay coil 9 is not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0035] Figure 4 (FIG 4 ) shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a tripping device 1 according to the invention for a circuit breaker. This embodiment differs from the one shown in the Figures 1 and 2shown embodiment only in that the delay coil 9 has a plurality of taps 23 to 26, which can be selectively contacted by a changeover switch 11. When the changeover switch 11 contacts a first tap 23 of the delay coil 9, the delay coil 9 is bridged so that it is not located in the current path of the tripping circuit. When the changeover switch 11 contacts one of the other taps 24 to 26, a different number of turns of the delay coil 9, in which electrical current flows when the tripping circuit is closed, is set. In other words, the changeover switch 11 can set a number of turns of the delay coil 9, in which electrical current flows when the tripping circuit is closed.By changing this number of turns, an inductance of the delay coil 9 and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device 1 can be changed and adjusted compared to the case in which the delay coil 9 is not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0036] The Figures 5 and 6 (FIG 5 and FIG 6 ) show a fourth example of a tripping device 1 for a circuit breaker, which does not fall within the scope of the protection sought. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the triggering device 1, Figure 6 shows a circuit diagram of the trigger device 1.

[0037] The triggering device 1 comprises, as in the Figures 1 to 4shown embodiments, a trigger element 3, a magnetic core 13, which surrounds a section of the trigger element 3 in a ring-like manner, a trigger circuit with a trigger coil 5, which has a winding running around the magnetic core 13 and is designed to cause a movement of the trigger element 3 when energized, and a switching element 7, with which the trigger circuit can be opened and closed (the switching element 7 is in Figure 5(not shown). Furthermore, the tripping device 1 comprises a capacitor 27, which can be connected to the tripping circuit in parallel with the tripping coil 5 by a switch 29. If the capacitor 27 is connected in parallel with the tripping coil 5, an electric current flows into the capacitor 27 in a time interval immediately after the tripping circuit is closed, charging the capacitor 27. As a result, the current flowing in the tripping coil 5 is reduced compared to the case where the capacitor 27 is not connected to the tripping circuit, and thus the tripping time of the tripping device 1 is increased.When the capacitor 27 is charged, the DC resistance of the capacitor 27 is practically infinite, and the current in the tripping circuit flows almost exclusively in the current path with the tripping coil 5, so that the tripping coil 5 generates the same magnetic field and thus exerts the same force on the tripping element 3 as if the capacitor 27 were not connected to the tripping circuit. Therefore, connecting the capacitor 27 increases the tripping time of the tripping device 1, but hardly changes the force on the tripping element 3 due to the magnetic field generated by the tripping coil 5 compared to if the capacitor 27 were not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0038] Figure 7 (FIG 7 ) shows a schematic representation of a fifth example of a tripping device 1 for a circuit breaker. This example, which is not covered by the subject matter of the protection sought, differs from the one in the Figures 5 and 6The embodiment shown is only different in that the capacitor 27 has an adjustable capacitance. Due to the adjustability of the capacitance of the capacitor 27, the capacitive resistance of the capacitor 27 and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device 1 can be adjusted compared to the case in which the capacitor 27 is not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0039] Figure 8 (FIG 8 ) shows a circuit diagram of a sixth example of a tripping device 1 for a circuit breaker. This example, which is not covered by the subject matter of the protection sought, differs from the one in the Figures 5 and 6The embodiment shown differs only in that, instead of just the capacitor 27, a series circuit of a capacitor 27 and an electrical resistor 31 can be connected in parallel to the trigger coil 5 by the switch 29. The electrical resistor 31 increases the charging time for the capacitor 27 after the trigger circuit is closed and thus the triggering time of the triggering device 1 compared to the case in which only the capacitor 27 is connected in parallel to the trigger coil 5.

[0040] Figure 9 (FIG 9 ) shows a circuit diagram of a seventh example of a tripping device 1 for a circuit breaker. This example, which is not covered by the subject matter of the protection sought, differs from that shown in Figure 8In the example shown, this is only possible because the electrical resistor 31 has an adjustable ohmic resistance. Due to the adjustability of the ohmic resistance of the electrical resistor 31, the charging time for the capacitor 27 after the tripping circuit is closed, and thus the increase in the tripping time of the tripping device 1, can be adjusted compared to the case where the capacitor 27 and the electrical resistor 31 are not connected to the tripping circuit.

[0041] Figure 10 (FIG 10 ) shows a circuit diagram of an eighth embodiment of a tripping device 1 according to the invention for a circuit breaker. This embodiment differs from that shown in the Figures 1 and 2 shown embodiment only in that an adjustable electrical resistor 31 is connected in series to the trigger coil 5.

[0042] The Figures 1 to 4 and 10shown embodiments of a triggering device 1 according to the invention and the Figures 5 to 9 The further examples of a triggering device shown can be modified in various ways to form further embodiments. For example, the delay coil 9 and the second magnetic core 15 can be arranged outside the housing 17 instead of as in the Figures 1 to 4 be arranged inside the housing 17. Accordingly, the capacitor 27 or the capacitor 27 and the electrical resistor 31 can be arranged outside the housing 17 instead of as in the Figures 5 to 9 be arranged within the housing 17. Furthermore, the second magnetic core 15 can be arranged in the Figures 1 and 4 The embodiments shown are omitted if the delay coil 9 has a sufficiently high inductance even without the second magnetic core 15. Figure 4The embodiment shown can also be modified, for example, in that the delay coil 9 has an adjustable tap instead of several discrete taps 23 to 26. Furthermore, the Figures 3 and 4 The embodiments shown can be combined with each other by making the second magnetic core 15 movable and also by making the number of turns of the current-carrying turns of the delay coil 9 adjustable. Analogously, the Figures 7 and 8 or 9 The examples shown can be combined with each other by the capacitor 27 having an adjustable capacitance and an additional electrical resistor 31, in particular with an adjustable ohmic resistance, being connectable to the triggering circuit. Furthermore, the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiments analogous to the one in Figure 10shown embodiment can be extended by an electrical resistor 31, which is connected in series with the delay coil 9. In addition, a Figures 1 to 4 or 10 shown embodiment with a Figures 5 to 9 shown example can be combined to form an embodiment which has both a delay coil 9 and a capacitor 27.

[0043] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Tripping device (1) for a circuit breaker, the tripping device (1) comprising - a tripping element (3), - a tripping circuit comprising a tripping coil (5) that is designed, upon being energized, to effect a movement of the tripping element (3), and - at least one electrical delay element (9, 27, 31) that is able to be connected to the tripping circuit and reduces a steepness of a current increase of a current flowing in the tripping coil (5) after the tripping circuit has been closed and / or delays a current increase of a current flowing in the tripping coil (5) after the tripping circuit has been closed, characterized in that the delay element is a delay coil (9) that is able to be connected in series with the tripping coil (5), wherein an ohmic resistance of the delay coil (9) is lower than an ohmic resistance of the tripping coil (5).

2. Tripping device (1) according to Claim 1 comprising a magnetic core (15) around which a winding of the delay coil (9) runs.

3. Tripping device (1) according to Claim 2, wherein the magnetic core (15) is arranged so as to be displaceable with respect to the delay coil (9), with the result that an inductance of the delay coil (9) is able to be changed.

4. Tripping device (1) according to either of Claims 2 and 3, wherein a number of turns of the delay coil (9), in which turns electric current flows when the tripping circuit is closed, is settable.

5. Tripping device (1) according to Claim 4, wherein the delay coil (9) has a plurality of taps (23 to 26) or an adjustable tap in order to set the number of turns.

6. Tripping device (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 5 comprising a delay element that is an electrical resistor (31) that is able to be connected in series with the tripping coil (5) and the delay coil (9).

7. Tripping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a delay element that is a capacitor (27) that is able to be connected in parallel with the tripping coil (5).

8. Tripping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a delay element that is a capacitor (27), and a delay element that is an electrical resistor (31), wherein a series connection of the capacitor (27) and the electrical resistor is able to be connected in parallel with the tripping coil (5).

9. Tripping device (1) according to Claim 6 or 8, wherein the electrical resistor (31) has a settable ohmic resistance.

10. Tripping device (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the capacitor (27) has a settable capacitance.

11. Tripping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tripping coil (5) and at least one delay element (9, 27, 31) are arranged in a common housing (17).

12. Circuit breaker comprising a tripping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims that is designed to trigger a switching process of the circuit breaker.