A device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors in an electrical installation.

Abstract

TITLE. Device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors of an electrical installation. The invention relates to a device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") of an electrical installation (1). This device (6) comprises a clamping system (7) having, on the one hand, a first jaw (8) configured to bear against a first side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), on the other hand, a second jaw (9) configured to bear against a second side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), and on the other hand, mounting means (10) for the first jaw (8) and the second jaw (9) in a movable manner, one (8; 9) relative to the other (9;8), and, on the other hand, also means for driving the displacement (11) of the first jaw (8) and the second jaw (9) relative to each other (9; 8). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2;

Description

Title of the invention: Device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors in an electrical installation

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors of an electrical installation.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices used in the maintenance of electrical installations, more particularly to the field of manufacturing devices designed to ensure the grounding of electrical conductors in a medium or high voltage electrical installation.

[0003] Without being limited to it, this invention will find a particularly suitable application when it comes to grounding a plurality of electrical conductors, which comprise an electrical installation (in particular medium or high voltage), and which take the form of flat and parallel bars.

[0004] Grounding devices for the electrical conductors of such an electrical installation are already known. Such grounding devices comprise a plurality of clamps, each of which, on the one hand, is intended to ground one of the electrical conductors of this electrical installation, on the other hand, has two jaws intended to be tightened on one of the electrical conductors and, on the other hand, is connected, directly or via another clamp, to a grounding clamp, by means of an electrical cable.

[0005] When an electrical installation comprises three electrical conductors extending substantially parallel to each other (particularly when they extend in the same plane), the spacing between two adjacent electrical conductors does not always allow the jaws of an earthing device clamp to be engaged. This prevents the clamp from being tightened on one of the electrical conductors (particularly on an intermediate conductor in the case of conductors extending in the same plane), and therefore prevents grounding that conductor with such a clamp. To ground this electrical conductor (particularly an intermediate one), it is then necessary to use another earthing tool, which is not always available on a worksite or must be planned for when preparing such a worksite, thus complicating the preparation and execution of the electrical installation's earthing.

[0006] The present invention is intended to remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks of prior art grounding devices.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a device for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors of an electrical installation. This device comprises a clamping system configured to be clamped simultaneously on the two adjacent electrical conductors and comprising, on the one hand, a first jaw configured to be positioned on a first side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors and to bear against this first side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors; on the other hand, a second jaw configured to be positioned on a second side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors and to bear against this second side (opposite to the first side) of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors; and furthermore,mounting means configured to mount the first and second jaws in a movable manner relative to each other, and, on the other hand, also drive means configured to drive the first and second jaws in a movable manner relative to each other.

[0008] According to another feature, the first jaw adopts an elongated shape and has, on the one hand, a width which is less than a defined spacing between the two adjacent electrical conductors and, on the other hand, a length which is greater than said defined spacing between the two adjacent electrical conductors.

[0009] Another feature relates to the fact that the first jaw has rotation-locking means which are configured to lock said first jaw in rotation relative to the two adjacent electrical conductors.

[0010] Yet another characteristic is that the second jaw has dimensions which are greater than the defined spacing between the two adjacent electrical conductors.

[0011] An additional feature relates to the fact that the mounting means comprise, on the one hand, a rod which is movable relative to the first jaw and relative to the second jaw, on the other hand, a first through opening, which comprises the first jaw, and which is traversed by said rod and, on the other hand, a second through opening, which comprises the second jaw, and which is traversed by said rod.

[0012] Yet another characteristic consists in the fact that the means of driving movement comprise, on the one hand, the rod which is threaded and, on the other hand, the first through opening which is tapped, which is traversed by said threaded rod, and which cooperates with said threaded rod.

[0013] The invention also relates to an electrical assembly comprising, on the one hand, an electrical installation comprising at least two adjacent parallel electrical conductors, and having a defined spacing between two conductors adjacent electrical connections, on the other hand, a grounding device which has the characteristics described above.

[0014] The invention also relates to a method for simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors in an electrical installation comprising a plurality of connectors extending parallel to each other in the same plane, and having a determined spacing between the two adjacent electrical conductors. This method is characterized by the fact that, firstly, it is implemented by means of the grounding device having the characteristics described above and, secondly, that it comprises:

[0015] - a step which consists of connecting the grounding device to earth;

[0016] - a step which consists of pushing back the first jaw of the clamping system of the grounding device through the determined spacing between the two adjacent electrical conductors;

[0017] - a step which consists of ensuring a rotation of the first jaw relative to to the two adjacent electrical conductors;

[0018] - a step which consists of applying traction to the first jaw, this in order to to make this first jaw rest against one side of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors;

[0019] - a step which consists of moving the second jaw of the system clamping of the grounding device in relation to the first jaw, this in order to ensure a bearing, on the one hand, of the first jaw against the first side of the two adjacent electrical conductors and, on the other hand, of the second jaw against a second side of the two adjacent electrical conductors and, thus, a clamping of these jaws on the two adjacent electrical conductors.

[0020] Thus, the invention relates to an earthing device comprising a clamping system configured to be tightened simultaneously on two adjacent electrical conductors. This earthing device advantageously allows both adjacent electrical conductors to be earthed simultaneously in a single operation and with a single earthing device, unlike prior art devices which require an earthing device for each electrical conductor and the individual clamping of one of these earthing devices onto each of these electrical conductors.

[0021] Furthermore, in the case of an electrical installation comprising three electrical conductors, the grounding of these three electrical conductors can advantageously be achieved by grounding them two by two, using only two grounding devices according to the invention, and no longer three (one per electrical conductor) as with the devices grounding of the state of the art.

[0022] Also, in the case of an electrical installation which has three electrical conductors, the grounding of these three electrical conductors is carried out, on the one hand, by means of two grounding devices according to the invention, on the other hand, by tightening a first grounding device on a first end electrical conductor as well as on an intermediate electrical conductor and, on the other hand, by tightening a second grounding device on the intermediate electrical conductor as well as on a second end electrical conductor.By proceeding in this way, the three electrical conductors are immediately electrically connected to each other so that it is advantageously possible to connect only one of the grounding devices to a grounding clamp, this by means of a single electrical cable, unlike prior art devices which require connecting all the grounding devices to such a grounding clamp, each by an electrical cable.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following description relating to embodiments which are given only by way of indicative and non-limiting examples.

[0024] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the drawings attached in the appendix, in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic and cross-sectional view of an earthing device according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] represents a schematic top view of an earthing device, which is in accordance with the invention, and which is clamped onto two adjacent electrical conductors.

[0027] [Fig.3], [Fig.4], [Fig.5], [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] represent schematic and top views of the different stages of a method for grounding an electrical installation which comprises three parallel electrical conductors, this grounding being carried out by means of grounding devices according to the invention.

[0028] [Fig.8] represents a schematic and perspective view of the grounding of an electrical installation comprising three electrical conductors, this by means of grounding devices according to the invention.

[0029] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices used in the maintenance of electrical installations, more particularly to the field of manufacturing devices designed to ensure the grounding of electrical conductors in a medium or high voltage electrical installation.

[0030] In this regard, it will be noted that such an electrical installation 1 comprises at least two parallel and adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2', 2"), or even three parallel and adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2', 2"), as seen in the figures in the appendix.

[0031] Such an electrical installation 1 then has a defined spacing (3; 3”) between two of said adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0032] In such an electrical installation 1, these electrical conductors (2, 2', 2") can extend along the same plane. Therefore, and without being limited to it, the present invention will find a particularly suitable application when it comes to grounding such electrical conductors (2, 2', 2").

[0033] According to another feature, in such an electrical installation 1, the electrical conductors (2, 2', 2") may be flat and / or may be in the form of a strip or a blade. Again, and without being limited to this, the present invention will find a particularly suitable application when it comes to grounding such electrical conductors (2, 2', 2").

[0034] In any case, these electrical conductors (2, 2', 2") have, on the one hand, a first side 4 and, on the other hand, a second side 5 which is opposite to the first side 4.

[0035] The invention relates, then, to a device for grounding 6, simultaneously, of two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") which comprise such an electrical installation 1.

[0036] Such an earthing device 1 includes a clamping system 7 which is configured to be clamped simultaneously on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2").

[0037] This clamping system 7 comprises, on the one hand, a first jaw 8 which is configured to be positioned on the first side 4 which has each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") and to bear against this first side 4 of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2").

[0038] On the other hand, this clamping system 7 includes a second jaw 9 which is configured to be positioned on the second side 5 of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and to bear against this second side 5 of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0039] Furthermore, this clamping system 7 includes mounting means 10 which are configured to mount the first jaw 8 and the second jaw 9 in a movable manner relative to each other (8; 9).

[0040] On the other hand, this clamping system 7 also includes displacement drive means 11 which are configured to drive the first jaw 8 and the second jaw 9 in displacement relative to each other (8; 9), this in view of clamping these jaws (8; 9) simultaneously on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0041] As mentioned above, the clamping system 7 includes a first jaw 8.

[0042] This first jaw 8 adopts an elongated shape and has, on the one hand, a width which is less than a spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, a length which is greater than said spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0043] This feature advantageously allows, on the one hand, when this first jaw 8 extends parallel to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2"), for this first jaw 8 to be engaged through the gap (3 ; 3') defined between these two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, when this first jaw 8 extends at a non-zero angle (in particular a right angle) with these two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2"), for this first jaw 8 to be prevented from being engaged through this gap (3 ; 3') defined between these two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2"), as will be described in more detail below.

[0044] In fact, and as can be seen in the figures in the appendix, this first jaw 8 comprises a bar 80 which has a width and a length as defined above. In particular, such a bar 80 has the shape of a parallelepiped, more specifically a rectangle.

[0045] According to another feature, the first jaw 8 has rotation blocking means 81 which are configured to lock said first jaw 8 in rotation with respect to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2").

[0046] In this regard, it will be observed that these rotation blocking means 81 are configured to block the said first jaw 8 in rotation, this around an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to a plane along which the two adjacent electrical conductors extend (2, 2', 2").

[0047] According to a particular embodiment, these rotation blocking means 81 comprise a stud which has a shape and / or dimensions which are configured, on the one hand, to allow its engagement inside (or even through) the spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, once positioned inside this spacing (3; 3') and in case of rotation, to bear against these two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, thus, at least limit (or even prevent) its rotation.

[0048] In this regard, it will be observed that such a stud is fitted to the bar 80 (which comprises the first jaw 8) and extends laterally in relation to this bar 80.

[0049] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, this plot has a polygonal shape, preferably a square.

[0050] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, this pad has dimensions, more particularly a length and / or a width slightly less than the spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0051] As mentioned above, the clamping system 7 includes a second jaw 9.

[0052] This second jaw 9 has dimensions (more particularly a diameter, a width and / or a length) which are greater than the spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

[0053] As can be seen in the figures in the appendix, the second jaw 9 may have the shape of a disc.

[0054] As mentioned above, the clamping system 7 includes means for mounting the first jaw 8 and the second jaw 9 in a movable manner, one (8; 9) relative to the other (9: 8).

[0055] These mounting means 10 comprise, on the one hand, a rod 100 which is movable relative to the first jaw 8 (this in rotation and in translation) as well as relative to the second jaw 9 (this in rotation), on the other hand, a first through opening 101, which comprises the first jaw 8, and which is traversed by said rod 100 and, on the other hand, a second through opening 102, which comprises the second jaw 9, and which is traversed by said rod 100.

[0056] As mentioned above, the clamping system 7 includes means for driving the displacement 11 of the first jaw 8 and the second jaw 9, this one (8; 9) relative to the other (9; 8).

[0057] These displacement drive means 11 comprise, on the one hand, the rod 100, which is mentioned above, and which is threaded and, on the other hand, the first through opening 101, which is mentioned above, which is tapped, which is traversed by said threaded rod 100, and which cooperates with said threaded rod 100.

[0058] Yet another feature relates to the fact that the clamping system 7 also includes coupling means 12 which are configured to couple the displacement drive means 11 (more particularly the threaded rod 100) with a control tool 13 (more particularly a screwdriver or similar) of these displacement drive means 11.

[0059] Such coupling means 12 can adopt the form of an operating member (more particularly an operating square) which comprises the threaded rod 100 or the form of a multi-sided end (in particular four-sided) which equips the threaded rod 100.

[0060] An additional feature relates to the fact that at least the first jaw 8, respectively the second jaw 9, has a surface which is oriented in direction of the second jaw 9, respectively of the first jaw 8, and which includes friction means 14.

[0061] Such friction means 14 may take the form of hooking means, ribs, grooves, studs, pins or the like.

[0062] According to another feature of the grounding device 6 and as seen [Fig.7], it may also include, on the one hand, a grounding clamp 15 which is configured to be clamped on a ground rod or on a ground rod (not shown) and, on the other hand, an electrical cable 16 which connects the clamping system 7 (more particularly the second jaw 9 of this clamping system 7) and the grounding clamp 15.

[0063] In this regard, it will be noted that the second jaw 9 can then include receiving means 17 which are configured to receive an electrical cable 16 which is configured to electrically connect this second jaw 9 and said grounding vise 15.

[0064] According to a particular embodiment, on the one hand, such receiving means 17 can adopt the form of a tapped hole and, on the other hand, the electrical cable 16 has a threaded end which is configured to cooperate with said tapped hole.

[0065] The invention also relates to an electrical assembly which comprises, on the one hand, an electrical installation 1, which has the characteristics described above, and which comprises at least two adjacent parallel (in particular flat) electrical conductors (2, 2', 2"), more particularly three adjacent parallel (in particular flat) electrical conductors (2, 2', 2") which extend along the same plane.

[0066] As mentioned above, this electrical installation 1 has a defined spacing (3; 3') between two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), more particularly between two (2, 2'; 2', 2") of the three electrical conductors (2, 2', 2") of this electrical installation 1.

[0067] On the other hand, this electrical assembly includes an earthing device 6 which has the characteristics described above.

[0068] The invention also relates to a method of simultaneously grounding two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") of an electrical installation 1 (in particular of medium or high voltage), which comprises a plurality of connectors (2, 2', 2") extending in parallel and in the same plane, and which has a determined spacing (3 ; 3') between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2").

[0069] In fact, this grounding method is characterized by the fact that it is implemented by the grounding device 6 which has the characteristics described above.

[0070] Furthermore, this grounding method comprises the following steps:

[0071] - a step which consists of connecting the grounding device 6 to earth, plus particularly by connecting to earth a grounding clamp 15 to which is connected an electrical cable 16 which is connected to the second jaw 9 of the grounding device 6;

[0072] - a step which consists of pushing back (more particularly according to a first direction) the first jaw 8 of the clamping system 7 of the grounding device 6, this through the spacing (3; 3') determined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2");

[0073] - a step which consists of ensuring a rotation (in particular around a non-zero angle, more particularly at an angle of 90°, this around an axis perpendicular to a plane along which the two adjacent electrical conductors 2, 2' ; 2', 2" extend) from the first jaw 8 with respect to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2");

[0074] - a step which consists of applying traction (more particularly according to a second direction which is opposite to the first direction) on the first jaw 8, this in order to make this first jaw 8 bear against the first side 4 of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2");

[0075] - a step which consists of training in motion (more particularly by via the moving drive means 11) the second jaw 9 of the clamping system 7 of the grounding device 6 relative to the first jaw 8, this in order to ensure a bearing, on the one hand, of the first jaw 8 against the first side 4 of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, of the second jaw 9 against the second side 5 (opposite to the first side 4) of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2") and, thus, a clamping of these jaws on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2").

[0076] In addition, this grounding method includes a further step which consists, after the step which consists of ensuring a rotation of the first jaw 8, of blocking the rotation of the first jaw 8 with respect to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2' ; 2', 2"), more particularly by means of the rotation blocking means 81 mentioned above.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (6) for simultaneously earthing two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") of an electrical installation (1), this earthing device (6) comprises a clamping system (7), which is configured to be clamped simultaneously on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), and which comprises, on the one hand, a first jaw (8) which is configured to be positioned on a first side (4) that each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") comprises and to bear against this first side (4) of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), on the other hand, a second jaw (9) which is configured to be positioned on a second side (5) that each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") comprises and to bear against this second side (5) of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2';2', 2"), on the other hand, mounting means (10) which are configured to mount the first jaw (8) and the second jaw (9) in a movable manner one (8; 9) relative to the other (9; 8), and, on the other hand, displacement drive means (11) which are configured to drive the first jaw (8) and the second jaw (9) in displacement one (8; 9) relative to the other (9; 8), this in order to clamp these jaws (8, 9) simultaneously on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").;

2. Earthing device (6) according to claim 1 characterized in that the first jaw (8) adopts an elongated shape and has, on the one hand, a width which is less than a spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, a length which is greater than said spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

3. Earthing device (6) according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the first jaw (8) comprises rotation locking means (81) which are configured to lock said first jaw (8) in rotation relative to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

4. Earthing device (6) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotation locking means (81) comprise a stud which has a shape and / or dimensions which are configured, in a on the one hand, to allow its engagement inside the spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, once positioned inside this spacing (3; 3') and in the event of rotation, to bear against these two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, thus, at least limit its rotation.

5. Earthing device (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second jaw (9) has dimensions which are greater than a spacing (3; 3') defined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

6. Earthing device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting means (10) comprise, on the one hand, a rod (100) which is movable relative to the first jaw (8) and relative to the second jaw (9), on the other hand, a first through opening (101), which the first jaw (8) comprises, and which is crossed by said rod (100) and, on the other hand, a second through opening (102), which the second jaw (9) comprises, and which is crossed by said rod (100).

7. Earthing device (6) according to claim 6, characterized in that the displacement drive means (11) comprise, on the one hand, the rod (100) which is threaded and, on the other hand, the first through opening (101) which is tapped, which is crossed by said threaded rod (100), and which cooperates with said threaded rod (100).

8. Grounding device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping system (7) further comprises coupling means (12) which are configured to couple the displacement drive means (11) with a control tool (13) of these displacement drive means (11).

9. Earthing device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first jaw (8), respectively the second jaw (9), has a surface, which is oriented in the direction of the second jaw (9), respectively of the first jaw (8), and which comprises friction means (14).

10. Earthing device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second jaw (9) comprises receiving means (17) which are configured to receive an electric cable (16) which is configured to electrically connect this second jaw (9) and a grounding vice (15).

11. Earthing device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises, on the one hand, an earthing clamp (15) and, on the other hand, an electric cable (16) which connects the second jaw (9) and the earthing clamp (15).

12. Electrical assembly which comprises, on the one hand, an electrical installation (1), which comprises at least two adjacent parallel electrical conductors (2, 2', 2"), and which has a spacing (3; 3') defined between two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), on the other hand, an earthing device (6) which is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

13. Method for simultaneously earthing two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") of a medium or high voltage electrical installation (1), which comprises a plurality of connectors (2, 2', 2") extending in parallel and in the same plane, and which has a determined spacing (3; 3') between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"), this method is characterized in that, on the one hand, it is implemented by means of the earthing device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and, on the other hand, it comprises: - a step which consists in connecting the earthing device (6) to the earth; - a step which consists in pushing back (in a first direction) the first jaw (8) of the clamping system (7) of the earthing device (6) through a spacing (3; 3') determined between the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2");- a step which consists in ensuring a rotation of the first jaw (8) relative to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") - a step which consists in exerting traction on the first jaw (8), this in order to make this first jaw (8) bear against the first side (4) of each of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2"); - a step which consists in driving the second jaw (9) of the clamping system (7) of the earthing device into movement; (6) relative to the first jaw (8), this in order to ensure a support grip, on the one hand, of the first jaw (8) against the first side (4) of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, on the other hand, of the second jaw (9) against the second side (5) of the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2") and, thus, a clamping of these jaws (8; 9) on the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

14. Earthing method according to claim 13, characterized in that, after the step of ensuring rotation of the first jaw (8), the method comprises a step of locking the first jaw (8) in rotation relative to the two adjacent electrical conductors (2, 2'; 2', 2").

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