Electrical cut-off equipment with current measurement

Abstract

Electrical switching apparatus with current measurement The invention relates to an electrical switching apparatus comprising: a phase current line (L) comprising a phase metallic conductor (1), a switching unit (2), a measuring unit (6) comprising a current sensor (7) and a current measuring circuit (8), characterized in that: the current sensor (7) integrates a segment (9) of said phase metallic conductor (1) located between a first connection point (P1) and a second connection point (P2) spaced from each other by a predefined distance (D) and in that the measuring unit (6) comprises a first conductor (10) and a second conductor (13), a temperature sensor (16) and a temperature measuring circuit (17) and a thermocouple cable (18), said measuring unit (6) is configured to measure the value of the voltage difference (Vshunt) between the first conductor (10) and the second conductor (13),the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable (18) (VthC) and the value of the absolute temperature (VΘRef) near the so-called cold junction using the temperature sensor (16), so as to determine the value of the current flowing in the metallic phase conductor (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical cut-off device with current measurement

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical cut-off devices with current measurement.

[0002] In the field of electrical switching and protection devices such as, for example, circuit breakers requiring tripping electronics, it is common to find current sensors of the current transformer or Rogowski torus type arranged around the phase current line to measure the current flowing in the phase current line.

[0003] This type of sensor has two advantages in particular: they have low impedance from the point of view of the phase current line and have galvanic isolation. However, they also have the disadvantages of being bulky, difficult to implement in electrical protection equipment, and complex to produce with good repeatability, which implies high production costs. In addition, these sensors are well suited for electrical switching and protection equipment operating on alternating current but not for those operating on direct current.

[0004] It is known to replace this type of sensor with a shunt to enable current measurement. However, the use of a shunt in a circuit breaker is not without its difficulties. Indeed, a shunt has the disadvantage of inserting an additional resistive part on the phase current line, which necessarily increases dissipation. In addition, another disadvantage of using a shunt is that it complicates the arrangement of the phase current line. All these disadvantages do not encourage the person skilled in the art to remedy this solution to measure the current on the phase current line.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of these drawbacks and in particular to propose a current measurement solution which is compact and easy to implement in said electrical cut-off equipment.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical cut-off device comprising at least:

[0007] - a phase current line comprising at least one metallic conductor of phase,

[0008] - a switching unit comprising at least one switching element on the line phase current,

[0009] - a measuring unit comprising at least one current sensor and a circuit current measurement,

[0010] electrical cut-off apparatus characterized in that:

[0011] the current sensor integrates a segment of said metallic phase conductor located between a first connection point and a second connection point distant from each other by a predefined distance and in that the measuring unit comprises a first conductor connected by a first end to the first connection point and by a second end to the current measuring circuit and a second conductor connected by a first end to the second connection point and by a second end to the current measuring circuit and

[0012] the measuring unit further comprises a temperature sensor and a temperature measuring circuit and at least one thermocouple cable comprising a third conductor and a fourth conductor connected to each other at a so-called cold junction and a so-called hot junction, the third conductor comprising a first end and a second end, and the fourth conductor comprising a first end and a second end, which are respectively connected by their first end to a third connection point coincident with or close to the second connection point and being in the vicinity of the hot junction and at their second end, being close to the so-called cold junction, to the temperature measuring circuit,

[0013] said measuring unit is configured at least to measure the value of the voltage difference between the first conductor and the second conductor, the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable and the value of the absolute temperature near the so-called cold junction using the temperature sensor, so as to determine the value of the current flowing in the phase metal conductor.

[0014] 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:

[0015] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a partial side view of an electrical apparatus of cut according to a first variant embodiment according to the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a partial side and perspective view of a electrical cut-off apparatus according to a second variant embodiment according to the invention, and

[0017] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic and partial view of a measuring unit according to one possibility of the invention.

[0018] An electrical cut-off device comprises at least:

[0019] - a phase current line L comprising at least one metallic conductor of phase 1,

[0020] - a switching unit 2 comprising at least one switching element 3a, 3b on the phase current line L,

[0021] - a measuring unit 6 comprising at least one current sensor 7 and a circuit current measurement 8.

[0022] According to the invention, the electrical cut-off apparatus is characterized in that:

[0023] - the current sensor 7 integrates a segment 9 of said metallic phase conductor 1 located between a first connection point PI and a second connection point P2 distant from each other by a predefined distance D and in that the measuring unit 6 comprises a first conductor 10 connected by a first end 11 to the first connection point PI and by a second end 12 to the current measuring circuit 8 and a second conductor 13 connected by a first end 14 to the second connection point P2 and by a second end 15 to the current measuring circuit 8 and

[0024] - the measuring unit 6 further comprises a temperature sensor 16 and a circuit temperature measuring circuit 17 and at least one thermocouple cable 18 comprising a third conductor 19 and a fourth conductor 20 connected to each other at a so-called cold junction and a so-called hot junction, the third conductor 19 comprising a first end 21 and a second end 22, and the fourth conductor 20 comprising a first end 23 and a second end 24, which are connected respectively by their first end 21, 23 to a third connection point P3 coincident with or close to the second connection point P2 and being in the vicinity of the hot junction and at their second end 22, 24, being close to the so-called cold junction, to the temperature measuring circuit 17,

[0025] -said measuring unit 6 is configured at least to measure the value of the voltage difference Vshunt between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 13, the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and the value of the absolute temperature V0Ref near the so-called cold junction using the temperature sensor 16, so as to determine the value of the current flowing in the phase 1 metal conductor.

[0026] Advantageously, the configuration according to the invention makes it possible to use a portion of the phase 1 metal conductor of the phase L current line existing in the electrical switching apparatus as a shunt, i.e. by using the low resistance of a metal part to measure the voltage drop due to the primary current. This avoids the addition of a resistive part. More precisely, it It is sufficient to carry out a measurement of the voltage between two first and second connection points PI, P2 on the phase 1 metal conductor, and which are sufficiently spaced by the distance D on the phase 1 metal conductor to obtain a voltage drop Vshunt which is measurable. This approach is however complicated by various effects, the most important being heating of the phase 1 metal conductor. Therefore, the configuration according to the invention comprises, in addition to the measurement of the voltage drop Vshunt, a measurement of the voltage drop of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC at the third connection point P3 and an absolute temperature measurement V0Ref near the so-called cold junction.Thanks to the invention, a very precise measurement of the temperature of the phase 1 metal conductor can be obtained, which makes it possible to carry out suitable compensation for the voltage drop Vshunt in order to deduce therefrom a measurement of the current flowing in the phase 1 metal conductor with optimal accuracy. This solution also has the advantage of being inexpensive, compact, and offering better linearity and therefore better performance, particularly compared to existing current measurement means for electrical switching and protection devices operating in alternating current such as Rogowski toroids. Furthermore, this solution is suitable for measuring the current for electrical switching devices operating in alternating current but also in direct current.

[0027] Preferably, the phase current line L comprises an upstream connection terminal 25 and a downstream connection terminal 26, said cut-off unit 2 being located between the upstream connection terminal 25 and the downstream connection terminal 26.

[0028] According to the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the phase 1 metal conductor is located between the upstream connection terminal 25 and the downstream connection terminal 26.

[0029] Advantageously, in this configuration which is illustrated by [Fig. 1] a conductive metal part of the phase current line L which is located between the upstream connection terminal 25 and the downstream connection terminal 26 is selected to measure the voltage drop due to the primary current. This avoids the addition of a resistive part. This solution has the advantage of being compact.

[0030] In this case, said at least one phase 1 metal conductor may consist of a metal bar, preferably made of copper.

[0031] The choice of a metal bar makes it easier to assemble, avoids mechanical aging, particularly because it is a fixed part, and has a sufficient length to produce a measurable signal.

[0032] According to the second embodiment, the phase 1 metal conductor corresponds to the upstream connection terminal 25 or to the downstream connection terminal 26.

[0033] Advantageously, in this configuration which is illustrated by [Fig.2] the upstream connection terminal 25 or the downstream connection terminal 26 is selected to measure the voltage drop due to the primary current. This avoids the addition of a resistive part. This solution has the advantage of being compact. In addition, the upstream connection terminal 25 or the downstream connection terminal 26 is, like the metal bar described previously, a fixed part which also has the advantages of being easily accessible, which facilitates assembly, and of having around it a free space of sufficient dimensions to receive the measuring unit 6.

[0034] Preferably, the measuring unit 6 comprises at least one electronic measuring module 27 and one electronic control module 28, the electronic measuring module 27 being configured to measure the value of the voltage difference Vshunt, the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and the value of the absolute temperature V0Ref, and the electronic control module 28 being configured at least to control said electronic measuring module 27 and to process said values ​​measured by the electronic measuring module 27.

[0035] Advantageously, thanks to this configuration which is illustrated by [Fig. 3] the different functions performed by the measuring unit 6 are assigned at least on the one hand to the electronic measuring module 27 and on the other hand to the electronic control module 28. The electronic measuring module 27 has the function of measuring at least three measurements namely the value of the voltage difference Vshunt, the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and the value of the absolute temperature V0Ref which can consist of analog data. The electronic control module 28 has the function at least of controlling said electronic measuring module 27 and of processing the measurement data coming from the electronic measuring module 27.Furthermore, the electronic control module 28 implements the association of these three measurements to determine the value of the current flowing in the phase 1 metallic conductor consisting of a compensated measurement of the primary current, and this can then be used for protection and / or measurement purposes.

[0036] The measuring unit 6 may comprise an analog-digital digitizing module 29 electrically connected to the electronic measuring module 27 and to the electronic control module 28 to digitize an analog value of the voltage difference Vshunt, an analog value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and an analog value of the absolute temperature V0Ref coming from the electronic measuring module 27.

[0037] Advantageously, thanks to this configuration which is illustrated by [Fig.3], in the measurement unit 6 the analog-digital digitization module 29 has the function of transforming an analog value of the voltage difference Vshunt, a analog value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and an analog value of the absolute temperature V0Ref coming from the electronic measurement module 27 respectively into a digital value of the voltage difference Vshunt, a digital value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and a digital value of the absolute temperature V0Ref. Thus this conversion makes it possible to facilitate the processing of the data which are received in digital form by the electronic control module 28.

[0038] Preferably, said electronic measurement module 27, the electronic control module 28 and the analog-digital digitization module 29 and the temperature sensor 16 are integrated on at least one electronic card.

[0039] This design makes it possible to miniaturize the measuring unit 6.

[0040] Preferably and as shown in the figures, the second conductor 13 and the fourth conductor 20 are merged into a single electrical conductor, preferably a metal wire, and the second connection point P2 and the third connection point P3 are merged into a single connection point.

[0041] Advantageously, this configuration makes it possible to simplify manufacturing by limiting the number of conductors and connection points on the phase 1 metal conductor and therefore, where appropriate, welding.

[0042] Preferably, the first conductor 10, the second conductor 13, the fourth conductor 20 each consist of a metal wire, preferably copper.

[0043] Preferably, the fourth conductor 20 and the third conductor 19 are respectively a first metal wire and a second metal wire made of different materials, the first metal wire preferably being made of copper and the second metal wire preferably being a copper nickel alloy wire called constantan.

[0044] Advantageously, a thermocouple cable 18 called type T is obtained.

[0045] Preferably, said at least one phase 1 metal conductor is made of a material rigid metal.

[0046] Advantageously, this configuration makes it possible to facilitate manufacturing and in particular the connection of the conductors 10, 13, 19, 20 to the connection points PI, P2, P3 by means of durable electrical and thermal connection, for example by crimping, riveting, soldering, welding or the like.

[0047] Preferably, the electrical switching apparatus further comprises a fault detection unit 4, 5 and tripping on the phase current line L configured to cause the opening of said switching element 3 a, 3 b in the event of detection of at least one fault.

[0048] Advantageously, the electrical cut-off apparatus makes it possible to perform a cut-off and protection function against at least one fault.

[0049] The phase 1 metal conductor is an electrically conductive element located on the phase L current line and forming part of the current path of the electrical switching apparatus. It is not a shunt connected to the current path. The phase 1 metal conductor comprises at least one metal part or is made of metal.

[0050] The function of the switching unit 2 is to open and close the phase current line L using the switching element 3a, 3b. The switching unit 2 may be electromechanical or electronic.

[0051] The switching element 3a, 3b is preferably in the form of at least one set of fixed contact 3a and movable contact 3b which are separable and can thus adopt a closed position in which they are in contact and an open position in which they are at a distance. The switching element could also consist of a FET type semiconductor switch.

[0052] The fault detection unit 4, 5 which is optional has the function of detecting the presence of at least one fault and the function of causing the opening of said switching element 3a, 3b in the event of the appearance of said at least one fault.

[0053] For example, the detection unit 4, 5 may be of an electromechanical nature and comprise a thermal actuator 4 of the bimetallic strip type and / or an electromagnetic actuator 5 of the magnetic coil type which respectively enable the detection of an overload type fault and / or a short-circuit type fault. Alternatively or additionally, the detection unit 4, 5 may be of an electronic nature and enable the detection of an overload type fault and / or a short-circuit type fault from the measurement of the current flowing in the phase 1 metal conductor by the measurement unit 6. In this case, the detection unit 4, 5 and the measurement unit 6 are electrically connected for this purpose.

[0054] The measuring unit 6 has the function of providing a value of the current flowing in the phase current line L at least using the current sensor 7 associated with the current measuring circuit 8 and the temperature sensor 16 and the thermocouple cable 18 associated with the temperature measuring circuit 17. The value of the current flowing in the phase current line L thus measured can be used for measurement, communication and / or protection purposes.

[0055] The segment 9 is at least a part of the phase 1 metal conductor located between the first connection point PI and the second connection point P2 which are separated by the distance D. The third connection point P3 is also located on the phase 1 metal conductor and is either coincident with the second connection point P2 or in the immediate vicinity of it., it is simply necessary that the temperature at this third connection point P3 is representative of the temperature of the phase 1 metal conductor between the measurement points of Vshunt, namely the first connection point PI and the second connection point P2. Moreover, in the event that the thermocouple cable 18 is dissociated, it is preferable to connect it substantially in the middle of the segment 9 between the voltage tapping points, that is to say between the first connection point PI and the second connection point P2.

[0056] The distance D depends on the linear resistance of the phase 1 metallic conductor, the expected current and the associated measuring means.

[0057] The first conductor 10 makes it possible to connect the first connection point PI on the phase 1 metal conductor to the current measuring circuit 8.

[0058] The first end 11 of the first conductor 10 is preferably connected by crimping and / or riveting and / or soldering or the like to the first connection point PL

[0059] The second end 12 of the first conductor 10 is preferably electrically connected to the current measuring circuit 8.

[0060] The second conductor 13 makes it possible to connect the second connection point P2 on the phase 1 metal conductor to the current measuring circuit 8.

[0061] The first end 14 of the second conductor 13 is preferably connected by crimping and / or riveting and / or soldering or the like to the second connection point P2.

[0062] The second end 15 of the second conductor 13 is preferably electrically connected to the current measuring circuit 8.

[0063] When the current flows on the phase current line a potential difference exists between the first connection point PI and the second connection point P2 and thus the value of the voltage difference Vshunt can be determined by the measuring unit 6.

[0064] The temperature sensor 16 associated with the temperature measuring circuit 17 makes it possible to measure the value of the absolute temperature V0Ref near the so-called cold junction.

[0065] The temperature sensor 16 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the cold junction. Indeed, the cold junction has little temperature variation and can thus serve as a reference value. This is due to the fact that the environment of the cold junction is relatively homogeneous in terms of temperature since there is no heating produced locally. The need for proximity of the temperature sensor 16 to the cold junction depends on the local temperature gradient; however, it is preferable to place it as close as possible to the cold junction.

[0066] The thermocouple cable 18 comprises the third conductor 19 and the fourth conductor 20 or the third conductor 19 and the second conductor 13. The third conductor 19 and the fourth conductor 20 / second conductor 13 are connected on the one hand by the so-called cold solder and on the other hand by the so-called hot solder.

[0067] The hot junction corresponds to the point where the two metals of the third conductor 19 and the fourth conductor 20 / second conductor 13 are in direct contact under the influence of the temperature to be measured, i.e. near the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3.

[0068] The cold junction corresponds to the point where the two metals of the third conductor 19 and the fourth conductor 20 / second conductor 13 are brought into contact through a certain impedance in order to measure the voltage drop.

[0069] The thermocouple cable 18 associated with the temperature measuring circuit 17 makes it possible to measure the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC.

[0070] From the absolute temperature V0Ref and the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC, it is possible to deduce the temperature value in the phase 1 metal conductor. The voltage difference measured across the thermocouple is the image of the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction. It is therefore necessary to add the absolute temperature measured at the cold junction in order to obtain the temperature at the hot junction.

[0071] The third conductor 19 makes it possible to connect the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3 on the phase 1 metal conductor to the temperature measuring circuit 17.

[0072] The first end 21 of the third conductor 19 is preferably connected by crimping and / or riveting and / or soldering or the like to the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3.

[0073] The second end 22 of the third conductor 19 is preferably electrically connected to the temperature measuring circuit 17.

[0074] The fourth conductor 20 makes it possible to connect the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3 on the phase 1 metal conductor to the temperature measuring circuit 17.

[0075] The first end 23 of the fourth conductor 20 is preferably connected by crimping and / or riveting and / or soldering or the like to the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3.

[0076] The second end 24 of the fourth conductor 20 is preferably electrically connected to the temperature measuring circuit 17.

[0077] The upstream connection terminal 25 and downstream connection terminal 26 may be a screw cage terminal ([Fig.l]) or self-tightening or a receiving area for screw terminals ([Fig.2]).

[0078] The electronic measuring module 27 is part of the measuring unit 6 and makes it possible to measure the value of the voltage difference Vshunt, the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and the value of the absolute temperature V0Ref. It corresponds to the current measuring circuit 8 and to the temperature measuring circuit 17.

[0079] The electronic control module 28 is part of the measuring unit 6 and makes it possible to control said electronic measuring module 27 and to process said values ​​measured by the electronic measuring module 27 in particular to deduce therefrom the value of the current flowing in the phase 1 metal conductor.

[0080] The digital analog digitizing module 29 is part of the measuring unit 6 for digitizing an analog value of the voltage difference Vshunt, an analog value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable 18 VthC and an analog value of the absolute temperature V0Ref coming from the electronic measuring module 27.

[0081] The electronic control module 28 makes it possible to control the analog-digital digitization module 29 and to process said measured values ​​converted into digital data by the analog-digital digitization module 29, in particular to deduce therefrom the value of the current flowing in the phase 1 metal conductor.

[0082] The measuring unit 6 is preferably surrounded by a housing containing the temperature sensor 16, the electronic measuring module 27, the electronic control module 28 and the analog-digital digitization module 29.

[0083] The electrical cut-off device can be a contactor, a switch, a controlled switch.

[0084] The electrical switching apparatus may further perform a protective function and in this case may be a circuit breaker, a differential switch, a differential circuit breaker or the like.

[0085] [Fig. 1] partially illustrates the electrical switching and protection apparatus according to the first embodiment variant according to the invention which is of the circuit breaker type. In this example, the phase 1 metal conductor is located between the upstream connection terminal 25 and the downstream connection terminal 26. The phase 1 metal conductor is in the form of the rigid copper metal bar of the phase current line L. The segment 9 is a part of the metal bar.

[0086] The phase current line L comprises upstream the upstream connection terminal 25 electrically connected to the electromagnetic actuator of the magnetic coil type for the detection of short-circuit type faults via the phase 1 metal conductor in the form of the metal bar, preferably made of copper and rigid. The segment 9 is a part of the metal bar. The first point connection point PI is near the upstream connection terminal 25, while the second connection point P2 is near the electromagnetic actuator 5. In this example, the second conductor 13 and the fourth conductor 20 are merged into a single electrical conductor in the form of a metal wire and the second connection point P2 and the third connection point P3 are merged into a single connection point. The breaking unit 2 comprises a fixed contact 3a and a movable contact 3b. The electromagnetic actuator 5 is electrically connected to the fixed contact 3a. The movable contact 3b is connected to the thermal actuator 4 of the bimetallic strip type for the detection of overload type faults via a first flexible conductor 30 of the braid type. The thermal actuator 4 is electrically connected to the downstream connection terminal 26 by a second flexible conductor 31 of the braid type.

[0087] [Fig. 2] partially illustrates an electrical switchgear according to the second embodiment according to the invention. In this example, the phase 1 metal conductor corresponds to the downstream connection terminal 26. Consequently, the segment 9 is a part of the downstream connection terminal 26. The first connection point PI, the second connection point P2 / third connection point P3 are all on the downstream connection terminal 26. The second conductor 13 and the fourth conductor 20 are merged into a single electrical conductor in the form of a metal wire and the second connection point P2 and the third connection point P3 are merged into a single connection point.

[0088] [Fig.3] illustrates the measuring unit 6 according to one possibility of the invention which comprises the temperature sensor 16, the electronic measuring module 27, the electronic control module 28 and the analog-digital digitizing module 29. The electronic measuring module 27 is connected to the first conductor 10 and to the thermocouple cable 18.

[0089] 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 cut-off equipment comprising at least: - a phase current line (L) comprising at least one phase metallic conductor (1), - a switching unit (2) comprising at least one switching element (3a, 3b) on the phase current line (L), - a measuring unit (6) comprising at least one current sensor (7) and a current measuring circuit (8), electrical cut-off apparatus characterized in that: - the current sensor (7) integrates a segment (9) of said phase metallic conductor (1) located between a first connection point (PI) and a second connection point (P2) distant from each other by a predefined distance (D) and in that the measuring unit (6) comprises a first conductor (10) connected by a first end (11) to the first connection point (PI) and by a second end (12) to the current measuring circuit (8) and a second conductor (13) connected by a first end (14) to the second connection point (P2) and by a second end (15) to the current measuring circuit (8) and - the measuring unit (6) further comprises a temperature sensor (16) and a temperature measuring circuit (17) and at least one thermocouple cable (18) comprising a third conductor (19) and a fourth conductor (20) connected to each other at a so-called cold junction and a so-called hot junction, the third conductor (19) comprising a first end (21) and a second end (22), and the fourth conductor (20) comprising a first end (23) and a second end (24), which are respectively connected by their first end (21, 23) to a third connection point (P3) merged with or close to the second connection point (P2) and being in the vicinity of the hot junction and at their second end (22, 24), being close to the so-called cold junction, to the temperature measuring circuit (17), - said measuring unit (6) is configured at least to measure the value of the voltage difference (Vshunt) between the first conductor (10) and the second conductor (13), the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable (18) (VthC) and the value of the absolute temperature (VORef) near the so-called cold junction using the temperature sensor (16), so as to determine the value of the current flowing in the phase metal conductor (1).

2. Electrical switching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the phase current line (L) comprises an upstream connection terminal (25) and a downstream connection terminal (26), said switching unit (2) being located between the upstream connection terminal (25) and the downstream connection terminal (26).

3. Electrical switching apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the metallic phase conductor (1) is located between the upstream connection terminal (25) and the downstream connection terminal (26).

4. Electrical switching apparatus according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said at least one metallic phase conductor (1) consists of a metallic bar, preferably made of copper.

5. Electrical switching apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the phase metal conductor (1) corresponds to the upstream connection terminal (25) or to the downstream connection terminal (26).

6. Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measuring unit (6) comprises at least one electronic measuring module (27) and one electronic control module (28), the electronic measuring module (27) being configured to measure the value of the voltage difference (Vshunt), the value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable (18) (VthC) and the value of the absolute temperature (VORef), and the electronic control module (28) being configured at least to control said electronic measuring module (27). and to process said values ​​measured by the electronic measuring module (27).

7. Electrical switching apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the measuring unit (6) comprises an analog-digital digitizing module (29) electrically connected to the electronic measuring module (27) and to the electronic control module (28) for digitizing an analog value of the voltage difference (Vshunt), an analog value of the voltage difference of the thermocouple cable (18) (VthC) and an analog value of the absolute temperature (V0Ref) coming from the electronic measuring module (27).

8. Electrical switching apparatus according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said electronic measurement module (27), the electronic control module (28) and the analog-digital digitization module (29) and the temperature sensor (16) are integrated on at least one electronic card.

9. Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second conductor (13) and the fourth conductor (20) are combined into a single electrical conductor, preferably a metal wire, and in that the second connection point (P2) and the third connection point (P3) are combined into a single connection point.

10. Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first conductor (11), the second conductor (13), the fourth conductor (20) each consist of a metal wire, preferably copper.

11. Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the fourth conductor (20) and the third conductor (19) are respectively a first metal wire and a second metal wire made of different materials, the first metal wire preferably being made of copper and the second metal wire preferably being a copper nickel alloy wire called constantan.

12. Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said at least one metallic phase conductor (1) is made of a rigid metallic material.

13. 15 Electrical switching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises a fault detection and tripping unit (4, 5) on the phase current line (L) configured to cause the opening of said switching element (3a, 3b) in the event of detection of at least one fault.

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