CONTROL CABINET WITH AN ELECTRICALLY INSULATING ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical cabinet.

[0002] As is known, electricity distribution installations include electrical cabinets, or electrical boxes, in which electrical devices are placed, such as electrical protection devices or electrical switching devices and / or electrical interconnection elements, such as connection bars.

[0003] Electrical cabinets must meet sometimes significant electrical safety requirements. For example, "Class II" electrical cabinets, as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission's IEC 61140 standard, must have reinforced electrical insulation and are typically configured so that no conductive element likely to be crossed by the electrical current distributed by the installation is accessible to a user.

[0004] To achieve this, existing electrical cabinets provide for separating the electrically powered elements from the elements accessible to a user opening the cabinet by means of separate compartments, or even by using two separate boxes. However, this solution has the disadvantage of being particularly bulky, in addition to being expensive and taking longer to install.

[0005] Indeed, in many cases, the electrical cabinet must now be custom-built and assembled by an installer. Standardized solutions sold in kit form are not always appropriate, as they do not always natively provide Class II electrical protection.

[0006] DE 10 2018 106252 A1 and DE 10 2016 202212 A1 each describe an electrical cabinet with wiring trays that are closed, at an end opening, by closing pieces received in the wiring tray. US 2009 / 025957 A1 describes a wiring tray with a space-saving end cover. US 5326934 A describes a computer work door base intended to allow cables to pass through.

[0007] It is these drawbacks that the invention more specifically intends to remedy by proposing an electrical cabinet having class II electrical insulation.

[0008] For this purpose, one aspect of the invention relates to an electrical cabinet according to claim 1.

[0009] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects, such an electrical cabinet may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination: the connecting piece comprises fixing claws configured to exert a force on the column when the connecting piece is inserted into the column. the fixing claws are configured to protrude at least partly from an upper end of the column to bear on an upper edge of the column. the connecting piece is a single-piece part constructed as a single piece. the connecting piece is constructed of plastic, for example by molding or injection.

[0010] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of an electrical cabinet given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 schematically represents, in an exploded view, an electrical cabinet conforming to embodiments of the invention; [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 schematically represents the electrical cabinet of the figure 1 shown in an assembled configuration; [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a detailed view of Zone III of the figure 2 , illustrating part of a separation element used in the electrical cabinet of figures 1 And 2 ; [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 schematically represents the separating element of the figure 3 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0011] There figure 1 and the figure 2 represent an electrical cabinet 2 comprising walls 4 forming an external frame and delimiting an interior volume.

[0012] For example, the walls are formed from a metallic material. For example, they may be metal panels fixed together by any suitable means, in particular by screwing, or by bolting, or by means of fixing elements integrated into the plates and having complementary shapes.

[0013] In the example illustrated, the electrical cabinet 2 has the shape of a rectangular base block.

[0014] The electrical cabinet 2 may be configured to be mounted on a support, such as a wall, or to be placed on the floor or fixed to the floor.

[0015] In the following, the electrical cabinet 2 may also be referred to as an “electrical box”.

[0016] Preferably, the interior of the electrical cabinet 2 is shared between a first compartment 6 and a second compartment 8. For example, the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 may be in communication with each other. In other words, the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8 are not necessarily completely isolated from each other by an internal wall or partition.

[0017] For example, the first compartment 6 may comprise one or more fixing bars 10 which make it possible to mount one or more electrical devices inside the electrical cabinet 2. In the example illustrated, the fixing bars 10 are arranged horizontally.

[0018] Thus, the electrical devices can be arranged in the electrical cabinet 2 in the form of rows superimposed on each other. For example, the number of rows is greater than or equal to 2. The number of rows is, for example, less than or equal to 10.

[0019] According to embodiments, given as an illustrative example, the electrical devices may be electrical protection devices, such as circuit breakers, or electrical switching devices, such as contactors, or relays, or any equivalent device, these examples not being limiting.

[0020] One or more holes may be provided in one or more of the walls 4 of the electrical cabinet 2 in order to allow the passage of electrical cables towards the interior of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0021] The electrical cabinet 2 here comprises front panels which allow a user, such as a maintenance operator or an installer, to access the interior of the electrical cabinet 2, for example to install or work on electrical devices in the electrical cabinet 2. These front panels are preferably mounted on a front face of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0022] For example, the first compartment 6 is closed by at least one first front panel 12 and the second compartment 8 is closed by at least one second front panel.

[0023] According to embodiments, the facade panels may each comprise a door or a removable panel, for example mounted pivoting or sliding, these examples not being limiting.

[0024] For example, as illustrated in the figure 1 by the front panel 12, at least part of the front panels may include an opening allowing access to the interior of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0025] The front panels can extend over the entire height of the electrical cabinet 2, or only over part of this height.

[0026] For example, each front panel has a height corresponding to the height of a row of electrical devices installed in the electrical cabinet 2. Thus, the panels can be opened independently of each other to access only part of the electrical devices.

[0027] The electrical cabinet 2 also comprises a column 20 allowing the passage of one or more electrical cables in the electrical cabinet 2, or even a bundle of electrical cables. The column 20 here corresponds to an interface zone between the first compartment 6 and the second compartment 8. For example, the electrical cable(s) are intended to be connected to one or more of the electrical devices in the cabinet.

[0028] The column 20 is arranged vertically inside the electrical cabinet. For example, the column 20 extends over at least a portion of the internal height of the electrical cabinet 2, for example over more than 50% or more than 75% of the internal height (i.e. measured inside) of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0029] In the illustrated example, the column 20 at least partially separates the first compartment 6 from the second compartment 8 (the latter can also be called a “sheath”).

[0030] For example, the column 20 can be closed on its front face by a front part 22, such as a spar 22, preferably made of metal material.

[0031] The front piece 22 has a shape complementary to that of column 20.

[0032] For example, the column has a tubular shape with a cross-section in the shape of a quadrilateral, such as a rectangle.

[0033] In embodiments, the part 22 has an elongated shape with a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.

[0034] Part 22 is configured to be rigid and to allow space to be provided at the rear (in the bottom of the electrical cabinet 2) to allow the passage of electrical cables.

[0035] Particularly advantageously, the column 20 is a single-piece construction, i.e. it is made from a single piece, a single mechanical part. Thus, it is not necessary to assemble several separate parts to obtain the column 20 when installing the electrical cabinet 2. There is therefore no need to manage several separate part references, which simplifies the logistics and construction of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0036] Column 20 is configured so as to allow class II electrical insulation within the meaning of the IEC 61140 standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission (for example in its “2016” version of January 2016), that is to say so as to prevent a user from accidentally coming into contact with an electrical conductor exposed inside column 20, in particular through the use of a junction piece, as will be understood from reading the description which follows.

[0037] There figure 3 is a detailed view of zone III visible in dotted lines on the figure 2 , which illustrates in more detail an upper end of the column 20 when the column is installed in the operating position in the electrical cabinet 2.

[0038] In this description, the terms defining a position, such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", are preferably defined with reference to an operating position of the electrical cabinet 2, that is to say a position in which the electrical cabinet 2 is installed when it is in operation.

[0039] The operating position can be a position fixed to a wall or a bracket or fixed to the floor. Generally, the electrical cabinet 2 is installed vertically, so that the side posts of the electrical cabinet 2 are oriented vertically.

[0040] As illustrated on the figure 3 , the electrical cabinet 2 comprises a junction piece 26 which is inserted into the upper part of the column 20, so as to close the upper end of the column 20 and mechanically connect the column 20 with front uprights 24 of the electrical cabinet 2 (such as upper uprights of the frame of the electrical cabinet 2).

[0041] There figure 4 shows in more detail an example of the connecting piece 26.

[0042] The joining piece 26 comprises a longitudinal body 30 in the form of a blade which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis X34 of the piece.

[0043] The joining piece 26, when inserted into the column 20, extends such that the longitudinal axis X34 is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the column 20.

[0044] For example, the junction piece 26 is made of plastic, for example polyamide PA 6.6 or any equivalent material.

[0045] Preferably, the length of the joining piece 26 is at least greater than 20% of the length of the column 20. In some embodiments, the piece 26 may extend the entire length of the column 20.

[0046] The junction piece also comprises, on one of the edges of the blade-shaped body 30, lips 32 which delimit a central groove 34.

[0047] The lips 32 extend here parallel to the longitudinal axis X34, on either side of said edge of the blade-shaped body 30, over at least part of the length of the body 30, but not necessarily over the entire length of said edge of the body 30.

[0048] The lips 32 here extend from a first end of the body 30 towards an opposite second end of the body 30.

[0049] As visible in the illustrated example, the lips 32 have a rounded shape and are arranged symmetrically on either side of said edge of the blade-shaped body 30.

[0050] For example, the rounded shape of the lips 32 is more particularly visible on the side of the first end of the body 30.

[0051] Thus, the groove 34 is arranged in a central position, for example along the edge of the longitudinal base part 40, and extends along the joining piece 26. The lips 32 are here arranged on either side of the groove 34, at least along part of the length of the groove 34.

[0052] Optionally, the joining piece 26 may also comprise complementary portions extending in projection from the lips 32 on either side of said edge of the body 30, being arranged symmetrically on either side of said edge of the body 30.

[0053] Alternatively, the complementary portions could be omitted.

[0054] The joining piece 26 also comprises, on its second end, an end portion 36 comprising fixing claws 38.

[0055] For example, the end portion 36 comprises a base portion and side walls. The base portion is arranged in line with the risers 32, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X34 while being arranged perpendicular to the plate-shaped body 30. The side walls 36 are arranged parallel to the plate-shaped body 30, extending from outer edges of the base portion.

[0056] In embodiments, the base portion has a width greater than the width of the lips 32. For example, the smallest distance measured between a side wall and the median geometric plane of the junction piece 26 (this plane comprising the longitudinal axis X34) is greater by at least two times, or even at least three times, the comparable distance between the distal edge of a lip 32 and said plane.

[0057] Advantageously, the groove 34 extends inside the end portion 36, preferably as far as the second end of the joining piece 26, that is to say over the entire length of the joining piece 26.

[0058] The fixing claws 38, the part of which is visible on the figure 3 , are configured to hold the joining piece 26 in position and to close the upper end of the column 20.

[0059] In many examples, once the connecting piece 26 is inserted into the column 20, the fixing claws 38 exert pressure against the column 20, in particular against the walls of the column 20, so as to prevent any unauthorized movement of the connecting piece 26 relative to the column 20, such as a slipping of the connecting piece 26 or an unexpected removal of the connecting piece 26.

[0060] For example, the fixing claws 38 may partly rest on an upright of the electrical cabinet 2 (such as the upper upright of the cabinet).

[0061] According to one example, the fixing claws 38 may protrude at least partially from the upper end of the column 20 and may thus bear on the upper edge of the column 20 and / or on the upper edge of the spar 22.

[0062] It is understood that, when the junction piece 26 is inserted into the column 20, the first end of the junction piece 26 is turned towards the bottom of the electrical cabinet 2, while the second end of the junction piece 26 corresponds to an upper end turned towards the top of the electrical cabinet 2.

[0063] The junction piece 26 thus makes it possible, thanks to its shape and the presence of the fixing claws 38, to ensure mechanical rigidity which reinforces the mechanical strength of the column 20, in particular to reduce the mechanical play between the column 20 and the electrical cabinet 2.

[0064] The junction piece 26 also provides class II electrical insulation, preventing a user (or a user's tool) from entering the column 20 when the junction piece 26 is inserted into the column 20.

[0065] Finally, the junction piece 26 provides a seal against liquids by collecting water that could enter the electrical cabinet 2, for example resulting from condensation or a flow of external origin. The groove 34 allows this water to be evacuated from the column, towards the rear of the electrical cabinet 2. The lips 32 facilitate the collection of the water as well as its evacuation from the column 20.

[0066] For example, the junction piece 26 makes it possible to obtain a moisture seal corresponding to a protection index at least equal to the IPX1 index, as defined by standard EN 60529.

[0067] Finally, the joining piece 26 is constructed in one piece (for example by molding or injection) so that its assembly is simplified, compared to the case where the fixing piece 26 would have to be mechanically assembled from a plurality of individual components.

[0068] Thanks to the invention, the construction of the electrical cabinet 2, and in particular the association of the fixing part 26 with the column 20 makes it possible to obtain class II electrical insulation in the cabinet, while having an electrical cabinet 2 which is simple to manufacture, in particular thanks to the fact that the number of parts required to assemble the electrical cabinet 2 is particularly reduced.

[0069] By offering a part that replaces an ad hoc assembly of several parts as known in existing situations, this facilitates production management, as well as inventory management, and makes the construction of the electrical cabinet 2 easier for an installer.

[0070] Many other embodiments are possible.

[0071] Any feature of one of the embodiments or variants described above may be implemented in the other embodiments and variants described, always within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electrical cabinet (2) comprising walls (4) which delimit an interior volume configured to receive at least one electrical appliance, the electrical cabinet also comprising a column (20) for receiving at least one electrical cable, the column being arranged vertically inside the electrical cabinet, in which the electrical cabinet also comprises a junction piece (26) inserted into an upper end of the column into an upper end of the column (20), so as to close the upper end of the column, the junction piece (26) has a longitudinal shape and comprising a body (30), the joining piece extending orthogonally to the column when the joining piece is inserted in the column, the joining piece (26) comprising a central groove (34) extending along the junction piece lips (32) arranged on either side of the groove (34), at least along part of the length of the groove, characterised in that: the electrical cabinet (2) has Class II insulation within the meaning of the IEC standard 61140:2016 of the International Electrotechnical Commission, the central groove (34) is configured to drain water out of the column towards the rear of the switchgear cabinet, and the lips (32) are configured to facilitate the collection of water and its evacuation from the column (20).

2. An electrical cabinet (2) according to claim 1, in which the junction piece (26) comprises fixing claws (38) configured to exert a force on the column (20) when the junction piece is inserted into the column.

3. An electrical cabinet (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing claws (38) are configured to project at least in part from the upper end of the column (20) to bear on an upper edge of the column.

4. An electrical cabinet (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the junction piece (26) is a monobloc built in one piece.

5. An electrical cabinet (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the junction piece (26) is made of plastic, for example by moulding or injection moulding.