Electrical protection device
The compact modular design of differential circuit breakers with phase and neutral separation addresses non-standard height and compatibility issues, achieving standard dimensions and modular integration with the German connection system.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022001952
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing differential circuit breakers are non-standard in height and incompatible with the German connection system, with a height of 90 millimeters instead of the standard 83 millimeters, and lack compatibility with modular power distribution systems.
A compact differential circuit breaker design with modular subassemblies, featuring a partition wall to separate phase and neutral current lines, with magnetic and differential trip units outside the compartments, allowing integration into standard housings and compatibility with the German connection system.
The design achieves standard height compatibility and modular integration, enabling efficient phase and neutral disconnection within a 18 millimeter module width, while maintaining functional integrity and system compatibility.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Electrical protection device
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical protection devices, for example molded case differential circuit breakers.
[0002] Publication EP2048685A2 discloses a differential circuit breaker comprising a switching device for switching an electrical contact. It further comprises a short-circuit tripping device for tripping the switching device in the event of a short circuit. It further comprises a fault current tripping device for tripping the switching device in the event of a fault current and / or differential current. The switching device, the short-circuit tripping device and the short-circuit tripping device are arranged consecutively in a longitudinal alignment. The differential circuit breaker is narrow in shape so that it is arranged in a housing of a power circuit breaker with a maximum width of 18 millimeters, i.e. a module. A phase separating element divides the interior of the differential circuit breaker into a phase side and a neutral side.The fault current tripping device is on the neutral conductor side, while the short-circuit tripping device, an overload tripping device and a test circuit device are arranged on the phase side. The height of this residual current circuit breaker has the disadvantage of not being standard, since its height is 90 millimeters, while standard residual current circuit breakers, although not standardized, from most manufacturers generally have a height of 83 millimeters. In addition, the connection of this residual current circuit breaker is not compatible with the so-called German connection system, in which a phase or neutral potential is distributed per module. On the contrary, in the so-called French connection system, the phase and neutral potentials are distributed in the same module. The power distribution pitch is modular in the so-called German system.
[0003] The aim of the present invention is to propose an electrical protection device of the compact differential circuit breaker type and of alternative design.
[0004] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical protection device, preferably a differential circuit breaker in modular format comprising at least a first modular subassembly comprising:
[0005] a phase current line comprising at least a first pair of contacts,
[0006] a neutral current line comprising at least a second pair of contacts,
[0007] a switching unit arranged to switch said first pair of contacts and said second pair of contacts,
[0008] a magnetic trigger unit arranged to trigger said unit of switching in case of short circuit,
[0009] a differential trip unit arranged to trip said switching unit in the event of a differential fault,
[0010] said first modular subassembly extending over a width in a first direction less than the value of a module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters,
[0011] said first modular subassembly further extending longitudinally over a length in a second direction,
[0012] a partition wall,
[0013] said electrical protection device is characterized in that:
[0014] said separation wall extends in the second direction over a delimitation length less than said length, so as to delimit a first compartment on the phase side comprising at least the first pair of contacts from a second compartment on the neutral side comprising at least the second pair of contacts, the first compartment being distinct from the second compartment,
[0015] said magnetic trigger unit and said differential trigger unit extend in the first direction each substantially over the entirety of said width and are each located outside the first compartment and the second compartment.
[0016] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:
[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a front view of a second modular subassembly of an electrical protection device according to the invention,
[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a front view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,
[0019] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a rear view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,
[0020] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a front view of a first modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,
[0021] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the first modular subassembly of the electrical protection apparatus according to the invention illustrated in [Fig.4],
[0022] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection apparatus according to the invention illustrated in [Fig.1],
[0023] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a perspective view of an electrical protection apparatus according to the invention comprising the first modular subassembly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and comprising the second modular subassembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6,
[0024] [Fig-8] [Fig.8] represents a perspective view of the electrical protection apparatus according to the invention comprising the first modular subassembly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and comprising the second modular subassembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6,
[0025] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents a perspective and exploded view of the device electrical protection according to the invention illustrated in figures 7 and 8 comprising the first modular subassembly and the second modular subassembly,
[0026] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents a sectional view of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 comprising the first modular subassembly and the second modular subassembly,
[0027] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] represents a perspective view of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 with the first modular subassembly and the second modular subassembly attached.
[0028] An electrical protection device, preferably a differential circuit breaker in modular format, comprises at least a first modular subassembly 1 comprising:
[0029] a phase current line comprising at least a first pair of contacts 2,
[0030] a neutral current line comprising at least a second pair of contacts 3,
[0031] a switching unit 4 arranged to switch said first pair of contacts 2 and said second pair of contacts 3,
[0032] a magnetic trigger unit 5 arranged to trigger said switching unit 4 in the event of a short circuit,
[0033] a differential trip unit 6 arranged to trip said switching unit 4 in the event of a differential fault,
[0034] said first modular subassembly 1 extending over a width L1 in a first direction Y less than the value of a module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters,
[0035] said first modular subassembly 1 further extending longitudinally over a length L2 in a second direction X,
[0036] a partition wall 7.
[0037] In accordance with the invention and as illustrated by the figures and in particular the [Fig. 10], said electrical protection device is characterized in that:
[0038] said separation wall 7 extends along the second direction X over a delimitation length L3 less than said length L2, so as to delimit a first compartment 8 on the phase side comprising at least the first pair of contacts 2 from a second compartment 9 on the neutral side comprising at least the second pair of contacts 3, the first compartment 8 being distinct from the second compartment 9,
[0039] said magnetic trigger unit 5 and said differential trigger unit 6 extend along the first direction Y each substantially over the entirety of said width L1 and are each located outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.
[0040] Advantageously, the separating wall 7 makes it possible to separate at least the first pair of contacts 2 of the phase current line from the second pair of contacts 3 of the neutral current line, so as to electrically isolate them from each other. In other words, the separating wall 7 makes it possible to separate the phase breaking chamber and the neutral breaking chamber from the first modular subassembly 1. The separating wall 7 does not provide a separation over the entire length L2 of the first modular subassembly 1, but on the contrary only over the delimitation length L3 which is less than the length L2.Thus, the separating wall 7 does not extend in length along the second direction X where this is not necessary, that is to say that the separating wall 7 extends only along the second direction X for the purpose of electrically isolating the first pair of contacts 2 of the phase current line from the second pair of contacts 3 of the neutral current line. Furthermore, the magnetic trip unit 5 which performs the magnetic function occupies substantially the entirety of said width L1. In the same way, the differential trip unit 6 which performs the differential function occupies substantially the entirety of said width L1. The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention can advantageously be contained in a modular volume, for example a first housing 31, having a width which is equal to one module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters.The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention makes it possible to integrate the magnetic function and the differential function in a modular volume the width of a module and to allow a phase and neutral cut-off.
[0041] Preferably, the electrical protection device further comprises at least one thermal trip unit 10 arranged to trip said switching unit 4 in the event of an overload and said thermal trip unit 10 is arranged in the second compartment 9 on the neutral side.
[0042] Advantageously, thanks to the separation wall 7, the thermal trigger unit 10 which performs the thermal function is placed in the second compartment 9 on the neutral side. The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention makes it possible to integrate the thermal function in a modular volume the width of a module in addition to making it possible to integrate the magnetic function and the differential function and to allow a phase and neutral cut-off.
[0043] Preferably, the thermal trigger unit 10 comprises at least one bimetallic strip 11 and the phase current line comprises said at least one bimetallic strip 11.
[0044] Preferably, the first compartment 8 on the phase side extends along said first direction Y over a first width L4 less than or equal to the value of a half-module.
[0045] Preferably, the second compartment 9 on the neutral side extends along said first direction Y over a second width L5 less than or equal to the value of a half-module.
[0046] Preferably, said differential trip unit 6 comprises at least one measuring torus 12, crossed by said phase current line and said neutral current line, and configured to measure the differential current, said measuring torus 12 extending in the first direction Y over the entirety of said width L1 and being located outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.
[0047] Preferably, said differential trip unit 6 comprises at least one electromagnetic relay 13, said electromagnetic relay 13 extending in the first direction Y over the entirety of said width L1 and being located outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.
[0048] Preferably, the first phase-side compartment 8 preferably comprises a first arc extinguishing chamber 33.
[0049] Preferably and as illustrated in Figures 7 to 11, said electrical protection device further comprises at least one second modular subassembly 14 comprising:
[0050] an additional phase current line comprising at least a third pair of contacts 15,
[0051] an additional neutral current line comprising at least a fourth pair of contacts 16,
[0052] an additional switching unit 17 arranged to switch said third pair of contacts 15 and said fourth pair of contacts 16,
[0053] an additional magnetic trigger unit 18 arranged to trigger said additional switching unit 17 in the event of a short circuit,
[0054] an additional differential trip unit 19 arranged to trip said additional switching unit 17 in the event of a differential fault,
[0055] said second modular subassembly 14 extending over a width L6 in the first direction Y less than the value of a module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters,
[0056] said second modular subassembly 14 further extending longitudinally over a length L7 along the second direction X,
[0057] an additional separation wall 20 which extends along the second direction X over a delimitation length L8 less than said length L7, so as to delimit a third compartment 21 on the phase side comprising at least the third pair of contacts 15 of a fourth compartment 22 on the neutral side comprising at least the fourth pair of contacts 16, the third compartment 21 being distinct from the fourth compartment 22,
[0058] said additional magnetic trigger unit 18 and said additional differential trigger unit 19 extend along the first direction Y each over the entirety of said width L6 and are each located outside the third compartment 21 and the fourth compartment 22.
[0059] Advantageously, the additional separating wall 20 makes it possible to separate at least the third pair of contacts 15 of the phase current line from the second pair of contacts 16 of the neutral current line, so as to electrically isolate them from each other. In other words, the additional separating wall 20 makes it possible to separate the phase breaking chamber and the neutral breaking chamber from the second modular subassembly 14. Thus, the additional separating wall 20 does not extend lengthwise along the second direction X where this is not necessary, that is to say that the additional separating wall 20 extends only along the second direction X for the purpose of electrically isolating the third pair of contacts 15 of the phase current line from the fourth pair of contacts 16 of the neutral current line.Furthermore, the additional magnetic trip unit 18 which performs the additional magnetic function occupies substantially the entire width L6. In the same way, the additional differential trip unit 19 which performs the additional differential function occupies substantially the entire width L6. The first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14 according to the invention can advantageously each be contained in a modular volume, for example respectively the first housing 31 and a second housing 32 described below, having a width L31, L32 which is equal to one module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters. The first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14 each make it possible to integrate the magnetic function and the differential function in a modular volume the width of one module and to allow a phase and neutral disconnection.
[0060] Preferably, the third compartment 21 on the phase side comprises a second arc extinguishing chamber 34.
[0061] In the example illustrated in Figures 7 to 11, the electrical protection device is in modular format with a total width Lt which is equal to two modules and thus comprises two modular sub-assemblies, namely the first modular sub-assembly 1 and the second modular sub-assembly 14, as described previously.
[0062] The magnetic trigger unit 5 and / or the magnetic trigger unit additional 18 preferably include a magnetic actuator.
[0063] The additional differential trigger unit 19 preferably comprises the same means as the differential trigger unit 6 which have been described above.
[0064] The second modular subassembly 14 preferably comprises, like the first modular subassembly 1, at least one additional thermal trip unit 35 arranged to trip said additional switching unit 17 in the event of an overload and said additional thermal trip unit is arranged in the fourth compartment 22 on the neutral side.
[0065] The additional thermal trip unit preferably comprises the same means as the thermal trip unit 10 which have been described above. Preferably, the additional thermal trip unit comprises at least one bimetallic strip 36 and the additional phase current line comprises said at least one bimetallic strip 36.
[0066] As illustrated in Figures 7 to 11, said electrical protection apparatus preferably further comprises:
[0067] a single neutral input connection terminal 23 forming part of the first modular subassembly 1,
[0068] a single phase input connection terminal 24 forming part of the second modular subassembly 14,
[0069] a first phase output connection terminal 25 connected to the first phase current line forming part of the first modular subassembly 1,
[0070] a first neutral output connection terminal 26 connected to the first neutral line forming part of the first modular subassembly 1,
[0071] a second phase output connection terminal 27 connected to the second phase current line forming part of the second modular subassembly 14,
[0072] a second neutral output connection terminal 28 connected to the second neutral line forming part of the second modular subassembly 14,
[0073] the first phase output connection terminal 25 and the second phase output connection terminal 27 are each connected to said single phase input connection terminal 24 at a first common node forming part of the second modular subassembly 14, and
[0074] the first neutral output connection terminal 26 and the second neutral output connection terminal 28 are each connected to said single neutral input connection terminal 23 at a second common node forming part of the first modular subassembly 1.
[0075] Advantageously, the electrical protection device comprises on the one hand a single neutral input connection terminal 23 which makes it possible to connect to a neutral potential the first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14 and on the other hand a single phase connection terminal 24 which makes it possible to connect to a phase potential the first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14. Thanks to the first phase output connection terminal 25 and the first neutral output connection terminal 26, the phase potential and the neutral potential can be distributed at the level of the first modular subassembly 1. Thanks to the second phase output connection terminal 27 and the second neutral output connection terminal 28, the phase potential and the neutral potential can be distributed at the level of the second modular subassembly 14. This advantageous configuration allows compatibility of the electrical protection device according to the invention with the so-called German connection system.
[0076] The single phase input connection terminal 24 of the second modular subassembly 14 is connected to the second phase output connection terminal 27 of the second modular subassembly 14, as well as to the first phase output connection terminal 25 of the first modular subassembly 1 (Figures 7 to 11).
[0077] The single neutral input connection terminal 23 of the first modular subassembly 1 is connected to the second neutral output connection terminal 28 of the second modular subassembly 14, as well as to the first neutral output connection terminal 26 of the first modular subassembly 1 (Figures 7 to 11).
[0078] Preferably and as illustrated in the figures, the first modular subassembly 1 is contained in the first housing 31 in modular format and the second modular subassembly 14 is contained in the second housing 32 in modular format, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 being joined together.
[0079] Preferably, the width L31 of the first housing 31 in the first direction Y is equal to one module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters.
[0080] Preferably, the width L32 of the second housing 32 along the first direction Y is equal to one module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters.
[0081] Preferably, the width Lt of the electrical protection device and therefore of the first housing 31 and of the second housing 32 attached is equal to two modules.
[0082] Preferably, the height H31 of the first housing 31 in a third direction Z is 83 millimeters. The third direction Z is orthogonal to the first and second directions X, Y.
[0083] Preferably, the height H32 of the second housing 32 in a third direction Z is 83 millimeters.
[0084] Preferably, the height of the electrical protection device is 83 millimeters.
[0085] Preferably, the electrical protection device is a differential circuit breaker with modular format molded case of the RCBO type, as illustrated in figures 7 to 11.
[0086] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
1. Claims Electrical protection device, preferably a differential circuit breaker in modular format comprising at least a first modular subassembly (1) comprising: - a phase current line comprising at least a first pair of contacts (2), - a neutral current line comprising at least a second pair of contacts (3), - a switching unit (4) arranged to switch said first pair of contacts (2) and said second pair of contacts (3), - a magnetic trigger unit (5) arranged to trigger said switching unit (4) in the event of a short circuit, - a differential trip unit (6) arranged to trip said switching unit (4) in the event of a differential fault, - said first modular subassembly (1) extending over a width (L1) in a first direction (Y) less than the value of a module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters, - said first modular subassembly (1) further extending longitudinally over a length (L2) in a second direction (X), - a dividing wall (7), said electrical protection device is characterized in that: said separating wall (7) extends in the second direction (X) over a delimitation length (L3) less than said length (L2), so as to delimit a first compartment (8) on the phase side comprising at least the first pair of contacts (2) from a second compartment (9) on the neutral side comprising at least the second pair of contacts (3), the first compartment (8) being distinct from the second compartment (9), said magnetic trip unit (5) and said differential trip unit (6) extend in the first direction (Y) each substantially over the entirety of said width (L1) and are each located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9).
2. Electrical protection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one thermal trip unit (10) arranged to trip said switching unit (4) in the event of an overload and in that said thermal trip unit (10) is arranged in the second compartment (9) on the neutral side.
3. Electrical protection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermal trip unit (10) comprises at least one bimetallic strip (11) and in that the phase current line comprises said at least one bimetallic strip (11).
4. Electrical protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first compartment (8) on the phase side extends in said first direction (Y) over a first width (L4) less than or equal to the value of a half-module.
5. Electrical protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second compartment (9) on the neutral side extends in said first direction (Y) over a second width (L5) less than or equal to the value of a half-module.
6. Electrical protection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said differential tripping unit (6) comprises at least one measuring torus (12), crossed by said phase current line and said neutral current line, and configured to measure the differential current, said measuring torus (12) extending in the first direction (Y) over the entirety of said width (L1) and being located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9).
7. Electrical protection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said differential tripping unit (6) comprises at least one electromagnetic relay (13), said electromagnetic relay (13) extending in the first direction (Y) over the entirety of said width (L1) and being located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9).
8. Electrical protection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one second modular subassembly (14) comprising:
9. - an additional phase current line comprising at least a third pair of contacts (15), - an additional neutral current line comprising at least a fourth pair of contacts (16), - an additional switching unit (17) arranged to switch said third pair of contacts (15) and said fourth pair of contacts (16), - an additional magnetic trigger unit (18) arranged to trigger said additional switching unit (17) in the event of a short circuit, - an additional differential trip unit (19) arranged to trip said additional switching unit (17) in the event of a differential fault, - said second modular subassembly (14) extending over a width (L6) in the first direction (Y) less than the value of a module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters, - said second modular subassembly (14) further extending longitudinally over a length (L7) in the second direction (X), - an additional separating wall (20) which extends in the second direction (X) over a delimitation length (L8) less than said length (L7), so as to delimit a third compartment (21) on the phase side comprising at least the third pair of contacts (15) from a fourth compartment (22) on the neutral side comprising at least the fourth pair of contacts (16), the third compartment (21) being distinct from the fourth compartment (22), said additional magnetic trigger unit (18) and said additional differential trigger unit (19) extend in the first direction (Y) each over the entirety of said width (L6) and are each located outside the third compartment (21) and the fourth compartment (22). Electrical protection device according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises: a single neutral input connection terminal (23) making part of the first modular subassembly (1), - a single phase input connection terminal (24) forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), - a first phase output connection terminal (25) connected to the first phase current line forming part of the first modular subassembly (1), - a first neutral output connection terminal (26) connected to the first neutral line forming part of the first modular subassembly (1), - a second phase output connection terminal (27) connected to the second phase current line forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), - a second neutral output connection terminal (28) connected to the second neutral line forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), - the first phase output connection terminal (25) and the second phase output connection terminal (27) are each connected to said single phase input connection terminal (24) at a first common node forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), and - the first neutral output connection terminal (26) and the second neutral output connection terminal (28) are each connected to said single neutral input connection terminal (23) at a second common node forming part of the first modular subassembly (1).
10. Electrical protection apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the first modular subassembly (1) is contained in a first housing (31) in modular format and in that the second modular subassembly (14) is contained in a second housing (32) in modular format, the first housing (31) and the second housing (32) being joined together.