Phase neutral protective electrical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a phase-neutral electrical protection device, preferably in modular format, comprising phase and neutral input connection terminals (3) forming an input connection sub-assembly (9b) and phase and neutral output connection terminals (4, 8) forming an output connection sub-assembly (10b), a protection sub-assembly (11a), characterized in that the input connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right and is specific and the neutral output connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right and is specific,which are associated with the protection sub-assembly (11a) or the neutral inlet connection sub-assembly is said to be left-hand neutral (9b) and is specific and the neutral outlet connection sub-assembly is said to be left-hand neutral (10b) and is specific which are associated with the protection sub-assembly (11a) and the protection sub-assembly (11a) is said to be common and is identical whether it is associated with the specific right-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly and the specific right-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly, or whether it is associated with the specific left-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly (9b) and the specific left-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly (10b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of phase-neutral electrical protection equipment.

[0002] In phase-to-neutral electrical protection switchgear, there are currently two connection configurations. In the first configuration, the neutral current path is positioned to the right of the phase current path, and in the second configuration, the neutral current path is positioned to the left of the phase current path. Currently, the configuration of the current paths and protection functions differs significantly between these two configurations.

[0003] In the first connection configuration, with the neutral conductor on the right, the neutral conductor and its protective functions are typically located on the right side of the enclosure relative to the phase conductor. Conversely, in the second connection configuration, with the neutral conductor on the left, the neutral conductor and its protective functions are located on the left side of the enclosure relative to the phase conductor. This difference in architecture necessitates the development and implementation of two distinct protective functions that do not necessarily offer the same performance levels.

[0004] In some known architectures, devices with a 180-degree rotation of the current paths between the two connection versions and devices with symmetry about the vertical plane between the two connection versions are known. Although some component sharing may be observed, the position of the current paths and protection functions differs between the two connection versions due to the architectural transformation.

[0005] Document EP1962320 discloses a device comprising standard-sized central blocks performing differentiation and disconnection functions and having faces perpendicular to the connecting sides. The central blocks have electrical terminals from circuits providing the central block functions, located in standard positions and of varying widths. The end blocks are attached to the central blocks and are selected from a range of predetermined end blocks to complete a device housing, thus enabling the housing's integration and connection. This invention consists of a product containing phase and neutral protection functions without the need for connections or a rail mounting system. These are added as blocks in the interface areas provided for this purpose.Differentiating elements in terms of connection and rail mounting at the end of the process can be added, but in the form of separate blocks.

[0006] Document DE102023104115 discloses an electrical protection device, comprising a first modular subunit which includes: - a phase current line, comprising a first pair of contacts, - a neutral conductor current line, comprising a second pair of contacts, - a switching unit, - a magnetic tripping unit, - a differential tripping unit, where the first modular subunit extends over a width in a first direction less than the value of one module, where the first modular subunit further extends longitudinally over a length in a second direction, - a partition.The electrical protection device is unique in that the partition extends in the second direction over a separation length shorter than the length required to separate a first compartment on the phase side, containing the first pair of contacts, from a second compartment on the neutral conductor side, containing the second pair of contacts. The first compartment is separated from the second compartment. The magnetic trip unit and the differential trip unit each extend in the first direction over virtually the entire width and are each located outside the first and second compartments. In this device, the phase and neutral current paths are required to cross in order to make the upstream and downstream connections of the product.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of these drawbacks and seeks to combine at least the protection functions of an electrical protective device with a neutral connection on the left and an electrical protective device with a neutral connection on the right.

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical protection device for phase and neutral according to claim 1.

[0009] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1represents a partial view of the right side of a phase-neutral electrical protection device comprising a common protection sub-assembly called the neutral on the right associated with a neutral input connection sub-assembly on the left and a neutral output connection sub-assembly on the left according to a first example of embodiment, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a partial perspective view of the right side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment illustrated in the figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 represents a partial perspective view of the right side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment illustrated in the figure 1 , [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a partial view of the left side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the first embodiment, [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5represents a partial perspective view of the left side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment illustrated in the figure 4 , [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a partial perspective view of the left side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment illustrated in the figure 4 , [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents a perspective view of the left side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the first embodiment example, [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents a perspective view of the right side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the first embodiment example, [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a perspective and exploded view of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the first embodiment example, [ Fig. 10 ] there Figure 10represents a partial view of the right side of a phase-neutral electrical protective device comprising a common protection sub-assembly referred to as the right-hand neutral, associated with a right-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly and a right-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly according to a second embodiment, and [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents a partial view of the left side of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the second embodiment example.

[0010] The phase-neutral electrical protection equipment, preferably in modular format, includes: a phase current line comprising at least one first set of fixed and movable contacts 1, 2 between a phase input connection terminal 3 and a phase output connection terminal 4, a neutral current line comprising at least one second set of fixed and movable contacts 5, 6 between a neutral input connection terminal 7 and a neutral output connection terminal 8, the phase and neutral input connection terminals 3, 7 forming an input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b and the phase and neutral output connection terminals 4, 8 forming an output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b, a protection sub-assembly 11a comprising the first and second sets of fixed and movable contacts 1, 2, 5, 6, a switching unit 12 comprising an operating element 13 and at least one lock 14 connected to the movable contacts 2, 6,a trigger unit 15 configured to actuate the lock 14 in case of fault detection to separate the fixed and moving contacts 1, 2, 5, 6 of the first and second sets.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment is characterized in that: The input connection sub-assembly is referred to as neutral right 9a and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 arranged to the right of the phase input connection terminal 3, and the neutral output connection sub-assembly is referred to as neutral right 10a and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 arranged to the right of the phase output connection terminal 4, which are associated with the protection sub-assembly 11a or the neutral input connection sub-assembly is referred to as neutral left 9b and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 arranged to the left of the phase input connection terminal 3, and the neutral output connection sub-assembly is referred to as neutral left 10b and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 arranged to the left of the phase output connection terminal 4,which are associated with the protection sub-assembly 11a and in that the protection sub-assembly 11a is said to be common and is identical whether it is associated with the specific right-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly 9a and the specific right-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly 10a, or whether it is associated with the specific left-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly 9b and the specific left-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly 10b. ,

[0012] Advantageously, the proposed solution allows for a common protection sub-assembly 11a regardless of whether the connection is neutral on the left or right. Conversely, the connection zone of the protective electrical equipment is differentiated by means of the input connection sub-assemblies 9a and 9b and the output connection sub-assemblies 10a and 10b, which are specific to the left- or right-neutral connection. Currently, no technical solution offers a protection sub-assembly architecture that is strictly common to both left- and right-neutral-connected protective electrical equipment in terms of current paths 16 and 17 and protection functions. This solution also avoids crossing the neutral and phase current paths 16 and 17 within the common protection sub-assembly 11a, thus simplifying the design.In the protection subassembly 11a according to the invention, at least the first and second sets of fixed and moving contacts 1, 2, 5, 6, the switching unit 12 and the tripping unit 15, and optionally an arc-quenching unit 42, 43, 44, are identical and positioned in the same way relative to each other, regardless of the input connection subassembly 9a, 9b and the output connection subassembly 10a, 10b with which it is associated. Furthermore, the performance of the two versions is thus identical.

[0013] Preferably, according to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures in relation to the first and second embodiment examples, the common protection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right 11a and comprises a neutral current path 16 having the second set of fixed and movable contacts 5, 6, arranged to the right of a phase current path 17 having the first set of fixed and movable contacts 1, 2, the protection sub-assembly said to be neutral on the right 11a being associated either with the specific neutral on the right input and output connection sub-assemblies 9a, 10a, or with the specific neutral on the left input and output connection sub-assemblies 9b, 10b.

[0014] Preferably, according to a second embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the figures, the common protection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the left and includes a neutral current path 16 comprising the second set of fixed and movable contacts 5, 6, arranged to the left of a phase current path 17 forming part of the phase current line comprising the first set of fixed and movable contacts 1, 2, the protection sub-assembly said to be neutral on the left being associated either with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the right 9a, 10a, or with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the left 9b, 10b.

[0015] Advantageously, two variants of the common protection subassembly 11a are possible because the neutral current path 16 can be located to the right or left of the phase current path 17. In the figures of the first embodiment, which illustrate the first variant, the common protection subassembly is neutral on the right 11a, with the neutral current path 16 to the right of the phase current path 17, and is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b, which are neutral on the left. In the figures of the second embodiment, which illustrate the first variant, the common protection subassembly is neutral on the right 11a, with the neutral current path 16 to the right of the phase current path 17, and is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection subassemblies 9a, 10a, which are neutral on the right.

[0016] Preferably, the input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b includes the neutral input connection terminal 7 and a first connecting member 18 connecting it to the neutral current path 16 and includes the phase input connection terminal 3 and a second connecting member 19 connecting it to the phase current path 17, and the output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b includes the neutral output connection terminal 8 and a third connecting member 20 connecting it to the neutral current path 16 and includes the phase output connection terminal 4 and a fourth connecting member 21 connecting it to the phase current path 17.

[0017] The specific connection sub-assemblies 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b include connecting elements 18, 19, 20, 21 which have the particular function of electrically connecting the connection terminals 3, 4, 7, 8 to the current paths 16, 17 and which have the particularity of being specific to the type of connection either neutral on the left, or neutral on the right.

[0018] Preferably, according to a possibility of the first embodiment which is illustrated in the figures in relation to the second embodiment example, the so-called neutral right protection sub-assembly 11a is associated with the specific neutral right input and output connection sub-assemblies 9a, 10a and the specific neutral right input and output connection sub-assemblies 9a, 10a comprise respectively the first connecting element 18 not crossing the second connecting element 19 and the third connecting element 20 not crossing the fourth connecting element 21.

[0019] Preferably, according to another possibility of the first variant of embodiment which is illustrated in the figures in relation to the first example of embodiment, the so-called neutral protection sub-assembly on the right 11a is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the left 9b, 10b and the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the left 9b, 10b comprise respectively the first junction member 18 crossing the second junction member 19 and the third junction member 20 crossing the fourth junction member 21.

[0020] Preferably, according to a possibility of the second embodiment which is not illustrated, the protection sub-assembly referred to as neutral left is associated with the specific neutral left input and output connection sub-assemblies 9b, 10b and the specific neutral left input and output connection sub-assemblies 9b, 10b comprise respectively the first connecting element 18 not crossing the second connecting element 19 and the third connecting element 20 not crossing the fourth connecting element 21.

[0021] Preferably, according to another possibility of the second variant embodiment which is not illustrated, the so-called neutral protection sub-assembly on the left is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the right 9a, 10a and in that the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the right 9a, 10a comprise respectively the first connecting element 18 crossing the second connecting element 19 and the third connecting element 20 crossing the fourth connecting element 21.

[0022] The connecting elements 18, 19, 20, 21 are distinct depending on the connection version and the variant of the protection sub-assembly 11a. The connection sub-assemblies 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, which are specific to the connection version, allow, if necessary, the crossing of the neutral and phase current lines at the level of the connecting elements 18, 19, 20, 21 and outside the protection sub-assembly 11a. This is particularly the case when the protection sub-assembly 11a and the connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b do not have the phase and neutral on the same side, i.e. if the protection sub-assembly known as neutral on the right 11a is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies 9b, 10b or if the protection sub-assembly known as neutral on the left is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies 9a, 10a.The crossing at the level of the junction members 18, 19, 20, 21 is preferably done in separate planes to respect isolation distances between the phase potential and the neutral potential.

[0023] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 1 to 3 And 9 , the first junction member 18 is integrated into the extension of a first end 22 of the neutral current path 16 and the third junction member 20 is integrated into the extension of a second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.

[0024] In this configuration, integrating the first / third connecting element 18, 20 into the extension of the neutral current path 16 at its respective first and second opposite ends 22, 23 avoids multiplying the number of parts and the need for soldering to form connections. Furthermore, this architecture allows the use of standard neutral input and output connection terminals 7, 8, since these do not incorporate a connecting element. However, in other, unillustrated variants, the first / third connecting element 18, 20 could be a component independent of the neutral current path 16.

[0025] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 4 to 6 And 9, the second connecting member 19 and the fourth connecting member 21 are separate and distinct parts from the phase current path 17 and the phase output and input connection terminals 3, 4 and the second connecting member 19 is welded to a first end 24 of the phase current path 17 and the fourth connecting member 21 is welded to a second end 25 of the phase current path 17.

[0026] Advantageously, in this configuration, the second and fourth connecting elements 19, 21 are neither integrated into the phase current channel 17 nor into the phase input and output connection terminals 3, 4, but are independent components. This architecture allows the use of standard phase input and output connection terminals 3, 4, since these do not incorporate connecting elements.

[0027] Preferably and as illustrated in the figures, the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment includes a separating wall 26 made of insulating material separating at least the phase current path 17 from the neutral current path 16, the phase input connection terminal 3 from the neutral input connection terminal 7 and preferably the phase output connection terminal 4 from the neutral output connection terminal 8.

[0028] The separating wall 26 forms a spacer which creates an insulating barrier in particular between the phase line and the neutral line and allows them to be electrically isolated from each other.

[0029] Preferably, the separating wall 26 includes an upper end 27 comprising first passage zones 28, 29 of the first and second connecting members 18, 19 and a lower end 30 comprising second passage zones 31, 32 of the third and fourth connecting members 20, 21.

[0030] Advantageously, the first passage zones 28, 29 and second passage zones 31, 32 allow for localized crossings of the phase and neutral current lines, enabling the junction elements 18, 19, 20, 21 to cross. These crossings are located respectively at the upper end 27 and the lower end 30 of the separating wall 26. The proposed solution allows for the sharing of the common protection sub-assembly 11a and differentiates only the input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b, the output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b, and the separating wall 26 from the electrical protection equipment.

[0031] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 1 to 3 And 9, the neutral current path 16 includes a first portion 33 of neutral current path 16 connected at least to the first connecting element 18 and to the fixed contact 5 of the second set of contacts and includes a second portion 34 of neutral current path 16 electrically connected at least to the moving contact 6 of the second set of contacts and to the third connecting element 20.

[0032] Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures 4 to 6 And 9 , the phase current track 17 includes a first portion 35 of phase current track 17 electrically connected at least to the second connecting element 19 and to the fixed contact 1 of the first set of contacts and includes a second portion 36 of phase current track 17 electrically connected at least to the moving contact 2 of the first set of contacts and to the fourth connecting element 21.

[0033] Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment includes at least one phase current line and one neutral current line. In one example, the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment includes only one phase current line and one neutral current line, as illustrated in the figures.

[0034] Phase-neutral electrical protection devices can include, for example, a residual current device (RCD), a circuit breaker, or a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB); these examples are not exhaustive. The figures illustrate a phase-neutral electrical protection device of the circuit breaker type.

[0035] Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment is preferably modular, meaning it preferably comprises a housing 37 forming an enclosure whose width is a multiple of one module, a standardized value preferably of approximately 18 millimeters. The figures illustrate phase-neutral electrical protection equipment of the circuit breaker type in a modular format with a width of one module.

[0036] The housing 37 may comprise a first shell 38 and a second shell 39 which, when assembled, form an envelope. The housing 37 preferably has a height of 83 millimeters or 87 millimeters. The inner faces 38a of the first and second shells 38, 39 preferably have part positioning indentations, which facilitates assembly during manufacturing. Preferably, the first shell 38 and the second shell 39 also differ depending on the connection configuration.

[0037] The phase input terminal 3, the phase output terminal 4, the neutral input terminal 7, and the neutral output terminal 8 are, for example, of the standard screw-cage and / or self-locking type. The figures illustrate electrical equipment in which the connection terminals 3, 4, 7, and 8 are standard screw-cage terminals.

[0038] The input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b includes at least the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral input connection terminal 7. The input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b may further include the first junction member 18 and the second junction member 19.

[0039] The input connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b allows on the one hand the electrical connection of the phase neutral electrical protection equipment to the electrical network or to an electrical power supply source and on the other hand the electrical connection of the phase input connection terminal 3 and the neutral input connection terminal 7 to the protection sub-assembly 11a.

[0040] The output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b includes at least the phase output connection terminal 4 and the neutral output connection terminal 8. The output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b may further include the third junction member 20 and the fourth junction member 21.

[0041] The output connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b allows on the one hand the electrical connection of the phase neutral electrical protection equipment to at least one load of an electrical installation to be protected and on the other hand the electrical connection of the phase output connection terminal 4 and the neutral output connection terminal 8 to the protection sub-assembly 11a.

[0042] The first connecting element 18, the second connecting element 19, the third connecting element 20, and the fourth connecting element 21 are preferably electrically conductive elements such as, for example, one or more conductive plates, preferably made of metal, and / or one or more electrical cables. In the example illustrated in the figures, the connecting elements 18, 19, 20, and 21 are metallic conductive plates.

[0043] The first junction member 18 and the second junction member 19 have the function of operating the electrical connection of the neutral input connection terminal 7 to the neutral current path 16 and of the phase input connection terminal 3 to the phase current path 17 respectively.

[0044] The third connecting element 20 and the fourth connecting element 21 have the function of operating the electrical connection of the neutral output connection terminal 8 to the neutral current path 16 and of the phase output connection terminal 4 to the phase current path 17 respectively.

[0045] The protection sub-assembly 11a preferably includes the first and second sets of fixed and moving contacts 1, 2, 4, 6, the switching unit 12 and the tripping unit 15, the neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17.

[0046] The protection sub-assembly 11a does not include the connection terminals 3, 4, 7, 8 and does not include the junction members 18, 19, 20, 21.

[0047] The protection sub-assembly 11a provides at least one protection function in the event of at least one fault occurring on the phase current line and / or the neutral current line. This at least one fault may be an overload, short circuit, residual current, arc flash, etc. The tripping unit 15 can be adapted according to the fault(s) to be detected.

[0048] For example, as illustrated in the figures, the release unit 15 may include a magnetic release 40 electrically connected to the phase current path 17, configured to actuate the lock 14 in the event of a short-circuit type fault.

[0049] For example, as illustrated in the figures, the triggering unit 15 may include, alone or in combination with the magnetic trigger 40, a thermal trigger 41 electrically connected to the phase current path 17 configured to actuate the lock 14 in the event of an overload-type fault.

[0050] The protection sub-assembly 11a may further include an arc extinguishing unit comprising at least one breaking chamber 42 and one or more arc plates 43a, 43b, 44a, 44b.

[0051] The switching unit 12 includes the operating member 13 and the lock 14.

[0052] The neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17 each preferably comprise several electrically connected conductive elements such as, for example, one or more conductive plates preferably made of metal and / or one or more electrical cables.

[0053] The neutral current path 16 may include, for example, a first portion 33 and a second portion 34 in the form of metal plates and / or conductor cables as illustrated in the figures.

[0054] The phase current path 17 may include, for example, a first portion 35 and a second portion 36 in the form of metal plates and / or conductive cables as illustrated in the figures.

[0055] The first end 22, the second end 23, the first end 24, and the second end 25 are electrically connected to the first connecting member 18, the second connecting member 19, the third connecting member 20, and the fourth connecting member 21, for example by welding if they are formed from separate parts, or by contact support, or by extension.

[0056] The partition wall 26 is preferably made of electrically insulating material, for example plastic.

[0057] The right face 26a and the left face 26b of the partition wall 26 preferably have part positioning impressions, which facilitates assembly during manufacturing.

[0058] The upper end 27 of the separating wall 26 is preferably located near the inlet connection sub-assembly 9a, 9b.

[0059] The lower end 30 of the separating wall 26 is preferably located near the outlet connection sub-assembly 10a, 10b.

[0060] The partition wall 26 also allows the interior of the case 37 to be divided into two sections, on either side of it, a first section being delimited by the inner face 38a of the first shell 38 and a second section being delimited by the inner face of the second shell 39.

[0061] The first compartment and the second compartment allow the parts of the electrical protective equipment that are connected to the phase potential and the parts of the electrical protective equipment connected to the neutral potential to respect isolation distances.

[0062] Part of the lock 14, the operating member 13, and part of the magnetic trigger 40 may not be contained in the first compartment and in the second compartment.

[0063] The first and second passage zones 28, 29 31, 32 are dimensioned and positioned in the separation wall 26 to allow the passage of the first, second, third, fourth connecting elements 18, 19, 20, 21.

[0064] The first and second passage areas 28, 29, 31, 32 may include one or more slots and / or one or more cutouts and / or one or more windows or similar.

[0065] THE figures 1 to 9They illustrate a phase-neutral electrical protection device with a single phase current line and a single neutral current line, according to a first example of a circuit breaker-type embodiment, and which is in a modular format with a modular width equal to one module. Furthermore, the phase-neutral electrical protection device includes the so-called right-hand neutral protection subassembly 11a, which is associated with the specific left-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies 9b and 10b.

[0066] THE figures 1 to 3 partially show the phase and neutral electrical protection equipment seen from its right side and in particular the second compartment.

[0067] The second compartment, which is delimited by the separating wall 26 and the inner face of the second shell 39, which is not visible in this figure, includes part of the specific left-side neutral input and output connection subassemblies 9b, 10b and part of the right-side neutral protection subassembly 11a.

[0068] Regarding the input connection sub-assembly 9b, the second compartment includes, near the upper end 27, the phase 3 input connection terminal, which is in the form of a screw cage, a portion of the second connecting member 19, which is connected to the phase 3 input connection terminal, and a portion of the first connecting member 18. The first and second connecting members 18, 19 also pass through the separating wall 26 at the first passage zones 28, 29. The first connecting member 18 extends the first end 22 of the neutral current path 16.

[0069] Regarding the output connection subassembly 10b, the second compartment includes, near the lower end 30, the phase output connection terminal 4, which is in the form of a screw cage, part of the fourth connecting element 21, which is connected to the phase output connection terminal 4, and part of the third connecting element 20. The third and fourth connecting elements 21 also pass through the partition wall 26 at the level of the second passage zones 31, 32. Furthermore, outside the second compartment and behind the phase output connection terminal 4, the neutral output connection terminal 8, in the form of a screw cage, and the other part of the third connecting element 20 are also visible through the second passage zone 32. The third connecting element 20 extends the second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.

[0070] Regarding the neutral protection subassembly on the right 11a, the second compartment includes the neutral current path 16 comprising the first portion 33 and the second portion 34 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 5 and the moving contact 6 of the second contact set, a portion of the lock 14 connected to the moving contact 6, and the first and second neutral arc plates 44a, 44b. The first portion 33 is electrically connected to the first junction member 18 by the first end 22, to the first neutral arc plate 44a, and to the fixed contact 5. The second portion 34 is electrically connected to the moving contact 6 of the second contact set by a braided flexible electrical cable 45, to the second neutral arc plate 44b, and to the third junction member 20 by the second end 23.

[0071] In this example, the first section 33, the first connecting element 18, the fixed contact 5, and the first neutral arc plate 44a form a single, integrated part P1, which facilitates industrialization. Similarly, the second section 34, the second neutral arc plate 44b, and the third connecting element 20 form a single, integrated part P2, which also facilitates industrialization.

[0072] The right face 26a of the partition wall 26 has positioning impressions of complementary shapes to the first part P1, the second part P2 and the phase input and output connection terminals 3, 4 which facilitates assembly during manufacturing.

[0073] THE figures 4 to 6 partially show the phase and neutral electrical protection equipment seen from its left side and in particular the first compartment.

[0074] The first compartment, which is delimited by the separating wall 26 and the inner face of the first shell 38, which is not visible in this figure, includes part of the specific left-side neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies 9b, 10b and part of the right-side neutral protection subassembly 11a.

[0075] Regarding the input connection sub-assembly 9b, the second compartment includes, near the upper end 27, the neutral input connection terminal 7, which is in the form of a screw cage, a portion of the first connecting member 18, which is connected to the neutral input connection terminal 7, and a portion of the second connecting member 19. The first and second connecting members 18, 19 also pass through the separating wall 26 at the first passage zones 28, 29. The second connecting member 19 is welded to the first end 24 of the phase current path 17.

[0076] Regarding the output connection sub-assembly 10b, the first compartment includes, near the lower end 30, the neutral output connection terminal 8, which is in the form of a screw cage, a portion of the third connecting member 20, which is connected to the neutral output connection terminal 8, and a portion of the fourth connecting member 21. The third and fourth connecting members 21 also pass through the separating wall 26 at the level of the second passage zones 31, 32. The fourth connecting member 21 extends the second end 25 of the phase current path 17.

[0077] Regarding the neutral protection subassembly on the right 11a, the first compartment comprises the phase current path 17, including the first portion 35 and the second portion 36 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 1 and the moving contact 2 of the first contact set, a portion of the lock 14 connected to the moving contact 2, the magnetic trip unit 40, the thermal trip unit 41, the breaking chamber 42, and the first and second phase arc plates 43a, 43b. The first portion 35 is electrically connected to the second junction element 19 via the first end 24, to the first neutral arc plate 43a, and to the fixed contact 1. The first portion 35 includes a winding of the magnetic trip unit 40.The second portion 36 is electrically connected to the moving contact 2 of the first set of contacts by a flexible electrical cable 45', to the second phase arc sheet 43b, to the thermal release 41 and to the fourth connecting element 21 by the second end 25.

[0078] In this example, the first section 35, the fixed contact 5, the magnetic trip 40, and the first phase arc plate 43a form a single, integrated third part P3, which facilitates industrialization. Similarly, the second section 36, the second phase arc plate 43b, and the thermal trip 43 form a single, integrated fourth part P4, which also facilitates industrialization. However, the second connecting element 19 and the fourth connecting element 21 are not part of the third and fourth parts P3 and P4, respectively.

[0079] The left face 26b of the partition wall 26 has positioning impressions of complementary shapes to the third part P3, the fourth part P4 and the neutral input and output connection terminals 7, 8 which facilitates assembly during manufacturing.

[0080] There figure 7 The diagram shows the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment viewed from its right side, with the housing 37 formed by the first and second shells 38 and 39, which are joined by the partition 26, which acts as a spacer. The housing 37 has a standard modular shape and is essentially a rectangular parallelepiped. The neutral input connection terminal 7 is to the left of the phase input connection terminal 3. The neutral and phase input connection terminals 7 and 3 emerge from the upper side face of the housing 37. The operating mechanism 13 protrudes from the front face of the housing 37.

[0081] There figure 8 The diagram shows the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment, viewed from its left side, with the housing 37 formed by the first and second shells 38 and 39, which are joined by the partition 26, which acts as a spacer. The neutral output connection terminal 8 is to the left of the phase output connection terminal 4. The neutral and phase input connection terminals 8 and 4 emerge from the lower side face of the housing 37. The operating mechanism 13 protrudes from the front face of the housing 37.

[0082] There figure 9 represents a perspective and exploded view of the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to the first embodiment variant, with all the parts just described in relation to the figures 1 to 8. This figure illustrates in particular the first, second, third and fourth pieces P1, P2, P3, P4 which are each of a single piece, which is of interest for manufacturing as it is facilitated.

[0083] THE Figures 10 to 11 illustrate a phase-neutral electrical protection device with a single phase current line and a single neutral current line, according to a second example of a circuit breaker-type embodiment, and which is in a modular format with a modular width equal to one module. Furthermore, the phase-neutral electrical protection device includes the so-called right-hand neutral protection subassembly 11a, which is associated with the specific right-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies 9a and 10a.

[0084] We observe from these Figures 10 to 11 that the so-called neutral right-hand protection subset 11a is identical to that of the first example of figures 1 to 9Only slight variations are observable on the neutral current path 16 and the phase current path 17.

[0085] There Figure 10 partially shows the phase and neutral electrical protection equipment seen from its right side and in particular the second compartment.

[0086] The second compartment, which is delimited by the separating wall 26 and the inner face of the second shell 39, which is not visible in this figure, includes part of the specific right-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies 9a, 10a and part of the right-hand neutral protection subassembly 11a.

[0087] Regarding the input connection sub-assembly 9a, the second compartment includes, near the upper end 27, the neutral input connection terminal 7, which is in the form of a screw cage, and the first junction member 18, which does not pass through the separating wall 26. The first junction member 18 extends the first end 22 of the neutral current path 16.

[0088] Regarding the output connection sub-assembly 10a, the second compartment includes, near the lower end 30, the neutral output connection terminal 8, which is in the form of a screw cage, and the third junction member 20, which does not pass through the separating wall 26. The third junction member 20 extends the second end 23 of the neutral current path 16.

[0089] Regarding the neutral protection subassembly on the right 11a, the second compartment includes the neutral current path 16 comprising the first portion 33 and the second portion 34 in the form of metal plates, the fixed contact 5 and the moving contact 6 of the second contact set, a portion of the lock 14 connected to the moving contact 6, and the first and second neutral arc plates 44a, 44b. The first portion 33 is electrically connected to the first junction member 18 by the first end 22, to the first neutral arc plate 44a, and to the fixed contact 5. The second portion 34 is electrically connected to the moving contact 6 of the second contact set by a braided flexible electrical cable 45, to the second neutral arc plate 44b, and to the third junction member 20 by the second end 23.

[0090] In this example, the first section 33, the first connecting element 18, the fixed contact 5, and the first neutral arc plate 44a form a single, integrated part P1, which facilitates industrialization. Similarly, the second section 34, the second neutral arc plate 44b, and the third connecting element 20 form a single, integrated part P2, which also facilitates industrialization.

[0091] The right face 26a of the partition wall 26 has positioning impressions of complementary shapes to the first part P1, the second part P2 and the neutral input and output connection terminals, 7, 8 which facilitates assembly during manufacturing.

[0092] There figure 11 partially shows the phase and neutral electrical protection equipment seen from its left side and in particular the first compartment.

[0093] The first compartment, which is delimited by the separating wall 26 and the inner face of the first shell 38, which is not visible in this figure, includes part of the specific right-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies 9a, 10a and part of the right-hand neutral protection subassembly 11a.

[0094] With regard to the input connection sub-assembly 9a, the second compartment includes, near the upper end 27, the phase input connection terminal 3, which is in the form of a screw cage, and the second junction member 19, which does not pass through the separating wall 26. The second junction member 19 is connected by welding to the first end 24 of the phase current path 17.

[0095] With regard to the output connection subassembly 10a, the first compartment includes near the lower end 30 the phase output connection terminal 4 which is in the form of a screw cage and the fourth junction member 21 which does not pass through the separating wall 26. The fourth junction member 21 extends the second end 25 of the phase current path 17 which in this example is in the form of a 45" braided type cable.

[0096] Regarding the neutral protection subassembly on the right 11a, the first compartment comprises the phase current path 17 including the first section 35 and the second section 36, the fixed contact 1 and the moving contact 2 of the first contact set, a portion of the lock 14 connected to the moving contact 2, the magnetic trip 40, the thermal trip 41, the breaking chamber 42, and the first and second phase arc plates 43a, 43b. The first section 35 is electrically connected to the second junction element 19 via the first end 24, to the first neutral arc plate 43a, and to the fixed contact 1. The first section 35 includes a winding of the magnetic trip 40.The second portion 36, which includes a 45" braided cable, is electrically connected to the moving contact 2 of the first set of contacts by a flexible electrical cable 45', to the second phase arc sheet 43b, to the thermal release 41 and to the fourth connecting member 21 by the second end 25.

[0097] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment, preferably in modular format, comprising: - a phase current line including at least one first set of fixed and movable contacts (1, 2) between a phase input connection terminal (3) and a phase output connection terminal (4), - a neutral current line including at least one second set of fixed and movable contacts (5, 6) between a neutral input connection terminal (7) and a neutral output connection terminal (8), - the phase and neutral input connection terminals (3, 7) forming an input connection sub-assembly (9a, 9b) and the phase and neutral output connection terminals (4, 8) forming an output connection sub-assembly (10a, 10b), - a protection sub-assembly (11a) comprising the first and second sets of fixed and movable contacts (1, 2, 5, 6),a switching unit (12) comprising an operating member (13) and at least one lock (14) connected to the moving contacts (2, 6), a tripping unit (15) configured to actuate the lock (14) in the event of a fault detection to separate the fixed and moving contacts (1, 2, 5, 6) of the first and second sets, the phase-neutral electrical protection equipment is, characterized in that- the input connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right (9a) and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) arranged to the right of the phase input connection terminal (3), and the neutral output connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right (10a) and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal (8) arranged to the right of the phase output connection terminal (4), which are associated with the protection sub-assembly (11a) or - the neutral input connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the left (9b) and is specific and includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) arranged to the left of the phase input connection terminal (3), and the neutral output connection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the left (10b) and is specific and includes the neutral output connection terminal (8) arranged to the left of the phase output connection terminal (4),which are associated with the protection subset (11a) and - , in that the protection sub-assembly (11a) is said to be common and is identical whether it is associated with the specific right-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly (9a) and the specific right-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly (10a), or whether it is associated with the specific left-hand neutral inlet connection sub-assembly (9b) and the specific left-hand neutral outlet connection sub-assembly (10b).

2. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in thatThe common protection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the right (1 1a) and includes a neutral current path (16) comprising the second set of fixed and movable contacts (5, 6) arranged to the right of a phase current path (17) comprising the first set of fixed and movable contacts (1, 2), the protection sub-assembly said to be neutral on the right (11a) being associated either with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the right (9a, 10a) or with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the left (9b, 10b).

3. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in thatThe common protection sub-assembly is said to be neutral on the left and includes a neutral current path (16) having the second set of fixed and movable contacts (5, 6) arranged to the left of a phase current path (17) forming part of the phase current line having the first set of fixed and movable contacts (1, 2), the protection sub-assembly said to be neutral on the left being associated either with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the right (9a, 10a) or with the specific neutral input and output connection sub-assemblies on the left (9b, 10b).

4. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in thatthe input connection sub-assembly (9a, 9b) includes the neutral input connection terminal (7) and a first connecting member (18) connecting it to the neutral current path (16) and includes the phase input connection terminal (3) and a second connecting member (19) connecting it to the phase current path (17), and the output connection sub-assembly (10a, 10b) includes the neutral output connection terminal (8) and a third connecting member (20) connecting it to the neutral current path (16) and includes the phase output connection terminal (4) and a fourth connecting member (21) connecting it to the phase current path (17).

5. Electrical protection equipment for phase and neutral according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that The so-called neutral right-hand protection subassembly (11a) is associated with the specific neutral right-hand inlet and outlet connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) and in thatthe specific right-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) respectively include the first junction member (18) not crossing the second junction member (19) and the third junction member (20) not crossing the fourth junction member (21).

6. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that The so-called neutral protection subassembly on the right (11a) is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection subassemblies on the left (9b, 10b) and in that the specific left neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) respectively comprise the first junction member (18) crossing the second junction member (19) and the third junction member (20) crossing the fourth junction member (21).

7. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in thatThe so-called neutral-on-the-left protection subassembly is associated with the specific neutral-on-the-left input and output connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) and in that the specific left neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies (9b, 10b) respectively include the first junction member (18) not crossing the second junction member (19) and the third junction member (20) not crossing the fourth junction member (21).

8. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that The so-called neutral protection subassembly on the left is associated with the specific neutral input and output connection subassemblies on the right (9a, 10a) and in thatthe specific right-hand neutral inlet and outlet connection subassemblies (9a, 10a) respectively comprise the first junction member (18) crossing the second junction member (19) and the third junction member (20) crossing the fourth junction member (21).

9. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first junction member (18) is integrated into the extension of a first end (22) of the neutral current path (16) and the third junction member (20) is integrated into the extension of a second end (23) of the neutral current path (16).

10. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in thatthe second junction member (19) and the fourth junction member (21) are separate parts and distinct from the phase current path (17) and the phase output and input connection terminals (3, 4) and in that the second connecting member (19) is welded to a first end (24) of the phase current path (17) and in that the fourth connecting member (21) is welded to a second end (25) of the phase current path (17).

11. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that it includes a separating wall (26) of insulating material separating at least the phase current path (17) from the neutral current path (16), the phase input connection terminal (3) from the neutral input connection terminal (7) and the phase output connection terminal (4) from the neutral output connection terminal (8).

12. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to claims 11 and 6 or 11 and 8, the separating wall (26) comprises an upper end (27) comprising first passage zones (28, 29) of the first and second connecting members (18, 19) and a lower end (30) comprising second passage zones (31, 32) of the third and fourth connecting members (20, 21).

13. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the neutral current path (16) includes a first portion (33) of neutral current path (16) connected at least to the first connecting element (18) and to the fixed contact (5) of the second set of contacts and includes a second portion (34) of neutral current path (16) electrically connected at least to the moving contact (6) of the second set of contacts and to the third connecting element (20).

14. Phase-neutral electrical protection equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the phase current path (17) includes a first portion (35) of phase current path (17) electrically connected at least to the second junction member (19) and to the fixed contact (1) of the first set of contacts and includes a second portion (36) of phase current path (17) electrically connected at least to the moving contact (2) of the first set of contacts and to the fourth junction member (21).

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