Electrical protection device, associated distribution assembly and electrical panel

Abstract

Electrical protection device, distribution assembly, and associated electrical panel. This electrical protection device (300) is configured for reversible mounting on a distribution unit (110) comprising a power bus (124). The protection device includes incoming terminals (302) that can be connected to the power bus, and a switching mechanism (310) with a moving contact (370) and a trip unit (372). The protection device includes a safety mechanism (500), which comprises a movable support portion (502) configured to be pushed back against a return element (504) into a retracted position when the protection device is mounted on the distribution unit.During dismantling of the protective device, the support portion moves and the safety device activates the release (372), switching the switching mechanism into an isolation configuration before each incoming terminal is disconnected from the power bus. (See Figure 7b for abbreviation.)

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical protection device, associated distribution assembly and electrical panel

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical protection device, a distribution assembly comprising such a protection device, and an electrical panel comprising such a distribution assembly.

[0002] An electrical installation generally includes an electrical panel, or electrical cabinet, connecting this electrical installation to an electricity distribution network and comprising various devices for protecting, controlling, and monitoring the electrical installation. Among the electrical protection devices, we consider here protective devices, such as circuit breakers, which include contacts separable by a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is generally operated manually by means of a lever and also includes a trip unit, also called a trip bar, which is configured to switch the switching mechanism to the tripped position when the trip unit is energized by an electrical fault of a predetermined type. The trip unit is energized, for example, by moving the trip unit. EP-4 064 317-A1 describes an example of such a protective device.

[0003] For ease of installation and maintenance of electrical installations, the protection devices are modular, i.e., mounted on a distribution device comprising a power bus, which jointly provides mechanical support and electrical power supply. When a protection device is removed from the distribution device while current is still flowing, electrical arcs may form and damage the protection device and / or the distribution device, which is undesirable.

[0004] It is these problems that the invention intends to remedy in particular, by proposing a protection device that is both modular and has improved safety.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical protection device, comprising: • a housing, which is configured to be mounted, reversibly and according to a mounting movement, on a distribution device comprising a power bus with at least one phase and optionally a neutral, the protection device then being in a mounted position, in which a rear face of the housing is oriented towards the distribution device, • a first conduction path, comprising: • a first arrival terminal, which is configured to be connected to the power bus, • a first starting point, which is configured to be connected to an electrical load, and • a first movable contact, which is movable relative to the housing, between a conduction position, in which the first movable contact electrically connects the first arrival terminal to the first departure terminal, and an isolation position, in which the first arrival terminal and the first departure terminal are electrically isolated from each other; • a switching mechanism, which is housed in the casing and is configured to switch between: • an armed configuration, in which the switching mechanism places the first moving contact in the conduction position, and • a triggered configuration, in which the switching mechanism puts the first moving contact in the isolation position;

[0006] in which: • the switching mechanism includes a trigger, which is movable between a neutral position and an excited position, the trigger being configured to switch the switching mechanism into the triggered configuration when the trigger is in the excited position; • The electrical protection device includes a safety mechanism, which comprises: • a support portion, which is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the support portion being accessible through a light provided in the housing and being configured to be pushed back into the retracted position by the distribution device when the protective device is mounted on the distribution device according to the mounting movement, • a return mechanism, which tends to return the support portion to the forward position, • a trigger portion, which is movable between an activation position, in which the trigger portion pushes the trigger from the neutral position to the excited position, and a retraction position, in which the trigger portion does not push the trigger, • a transmission device, which connects the support portion to the triggering portion, so that when the support portion is in the retracted position, the triggering portion is in the of withdrawal, the safety mechanism being in a withdrawal configuration, while when the support portion is in the forward position, the tripping portion is in the activation position, the safety mechanism being in an activation configuration, • the safety mechanism is in the withdrawal configuration when the protection device is in the mounted position on the distribution device, • the safety mechanism is configured so that, during a dismantling movement, opposite to the mounting movement, the safety device passes from the withdrawal configuration to the tripping activation configuration before the incoming terminal is disconnected from the power bus.

[0007] Thanks to the invention, each conduction circuit is opened before the corresponding incoming terminal is disconnected from the power bus, thus preventing the occurrence of any electrical arcs between the incoming terminal and the power bus. Disassembly of the protective device is safe, even if the protective device was initially "hot," that is, in the armed configuration and an electric current was flowing through the conduction paths. Such a "hot-swap" disassembly capability is also called "hotswap." When the protective device is removed from the distribution device, the return element maintains the safety device in the activated configuration; in other words, the trip unit is held in the energized position, which prevents manual resetting of the switching mechanism.It is therefore impossible to reinstall on the distribution system a protection device that is already in the armed configuration, which contributes to improved safety during hot mounting of the protection device, i.e. when mounting the protection device on a power bus that is already energized.

[0008] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a protective device may incorporate one or more of the following features taken individually or in any technically permissible combination: • Light is provided in the rear face of the case. • The housing includes fixing elements, which are configured to cooperate, in particular by complementary shapes, with the distribution device, so that the mounting movement is a rotational movement around a mounting axis located near a first edge of the rear face, while the light is provided at a distance from the first edge. • The case provides internal volume, while the switching mechanism and the safety mechanism are jointly received in the internal volume. • The protective device housing is a modular housing, which includes: • a first housing, which receives the safety mechanism and which has a first opening, through which an extension of the triggering portion protrudes, • a second housing, which is different from the first housing and which houses the switching mechanism,

[0009] whereas the first housing provides a cavity for receiving the second housing, the first housing and the second housing being configured to be assembled together to form the housing of the protection device, in an assembled configuration of the housing,

[0010] that the first housing has a first orifice, which opens into the cavity, while the safety mechanism includes an extension, which is activatable by a triggering portion and which extends, through the first orifice, into the cavity, the extension being mobile between a first position and a second position when the triggering portion moves between the activation position and the withdrawal position, • that the second housing has a second opening, which is located opposite the first opening when the housing is in its assembled configuration, • and that when the case is in its assembled configuration, the extension extends inside the second case, so that: • When the trigger portion moves from the retraction position to the activation position, the trigger portion activates the extension, the extension moving from the first position to the second position. • the extension pushes the trigger from the neutral position to the excited position. • The first casing includes an auxiliary mechanism, which is a mechanical energy accumulation mechanism, which is switchable between an armed configuration and a triggered configuration, the extension being in the first position when the auxiliary mechanism is in the armed configuration, and in the second position when the auxiliary mechanism is in the triggered configuration, while the auxiliary mechanism is configured to switch from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration when the trigger portion moves from the retracted position to the activated position, and that the auxiliary mechanism is configured to transmit to the extension a force sufficient to switch the switching mechanism from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration.

[0011] The invention also relates to a distribution set comprising: • a copy of the protective device as described above, and • a distribution device, configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source comprising at least one phase and optionally a neutral,

[0012] wherein: • The distribution system includes a power bus, which comprises several conductor bars, which include at least one phase bar and optionally one neutral bar, the neutral bar being associated with the neutral of the power source, each phase bar being associated with a respective phase of the power source, • The protection device is mounted on the distribution device, the support portion being pushed back into a rearward position by the distribution device, each input terminal being connected to the corresponding conductor bar.

[0013] Advantageously, the conductive bars extend parallel to each other along a main axis of the distribution device, and the conductive bars are provided for the simultaneous mounting of several copies of the protection device, aligned next to each other along the main axis.

[0014] The invention also relates to an electrical panel comprising: - a box, defining an enclosure and having a base, - the distribution assembly as described above,

[0015] in which the distribution device is fixed to the base of the box.

[0016] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will become clearer in light of the following description of two embodiments of a protection device, a distribution assembly, and an electrical panel, conforming to its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] - [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a partially exploded perspective view of a painting electrical according to a first embodiment of the invention, the electrical panel comprising a distribution assembly, also according to the invention;

[0018] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partially exploded perspective view of the entire assembly distribution of the [Fig.1];

[0019] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents, respectively, on two inserts a) and b), a view in perspective of the distribution assembly [Fig. 1], some parts being hidden, and a perspective view of a transfer bus of the distribution assembly,

[0020] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a partially exploded perspective view of the entire assembly distribution of [Fig.1], some pieces being hidden;

[0021] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the distribution set of the [Fig.l];

[0022] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents, on two insets a) and b), a perspective view and a cross-section of the distribution device of [Fig.1], some parts being hidden, the distribution device being shown in a first configuration;

[0023] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a view analogous to [Fig.6] b), the distribution device being in two other different configurations;

[0024] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a view analogous to [Fig.6] b), the distribution device being in two other different configurations;

[0025] - [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents, on two inserts a) and b), a protective device belonging to a distribution assembly conforming to a second embodiment of the invention, the protection device being represented respectively in perspective and in side view;

[0026] - [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents respectively, on two inserts a) and b), two elements of the protection device [Fig.9], and

[0027] - [Fig. 11] and a side view of an element of the protection device of the [Fig.9], some rooms are hidden.

[0028] An electrical panel 10, according to the invention, is shown in [Fig. 1]. The electrical panel 10 comprises a box 12, which delimits an enclosure V12 and which has a base 14. The base 14 extends globally in a plane orthogonal to an axis of depth A14. The enclosure V12 is advantageously closed by a door, which is not shown.

[0029] The electrical panel 10 includes a distribution assembly 100. The distribution assembly 100 is fixed to the base 14 of the housing 12. 1. The distribution assembly 100 is configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source comprising a neutral and at least one phase. In the illustrated example, the power source is a three-phase source, comprising a neutral and three phases. In a variant not shown, the power source is single-phase, comprising a neutral and a single phase. According to another variant, the power source comprises three phases and no neutral. The power source and the electrical load, which are not shown, are not part of the invention but serve to explain its operating context.

[0030] The distribution assembly 100 comprises a distribution device 110, by which the distribution assembly 100 is fixed to the base 14, a main housing 200, which is assembled to the distribution device 110, preferably reversibly, and at least one protection device 300. In the illustrated example, the distribution assembly 100 comprises seven protection devices 300, which are here starting housings. The following description assumes that the protection devices 300 are starting housings, the principles of the invention being applicable to other types of protection devices. Each protection device 300 is assembled to the distribution device 110 reversibly, in a mounted position of the starting device 300.It is therefore possible to replace, if necessary, the main control box 200 in case of malfunction, while retaining the other components of the distribution assembly 100, the distribution device 110, and the starting box(es) 300, which is economical. Similarly, it is possible to replace, if necessary, one or more of the protection devices 300, for example, in case of malfunction, while retaining the other components, the distribution device 110, and the main control box 200, which is economical.

[0031] The distribution device 110 has an elongated shape, extending along a principal axis Al 10. When the distribution assembly 100 is in its normal operating configuration, the principal axis Al 10 is parallel to the bottom 14, that is, orthogonal to the depth axis A14. Preferably, the principal axis Al 10 is horizontal, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. A height axis H110 is defined as an axis orthogonal to both the depth axis A14 and the principal axis Al 10. The description is given with regard to the orientation of the various elements as shown in the figures, bearing in mind that this may be different in reality.

[0032] In the example of [Fig.1], the main box 200 is located on the left of the distribution assembly 100, the protection devices 300 being located on the right of the main box 200.

[0033] When the distribution assembly 100 is fixed to the base 14, a rear portion 112 of the distribution device 110 is oriented towards the base 14, in other words, oriented towards a rear direction of the distribution assembly 100. The rear direction is thus parallel to the depth axis A14. A front direction is also defined as a direction opposite to the rear direction.

[0034] The distribution device 110 thus has a mounting face 114, which is generally oriented towards the front and which is intended for the mounting of the main housing 200 and each protection device 300.

[0035] The rear portion 112 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example a synthetic polymer. The rear portion 112 here has a generally rectangular shape, which extends in its longest dimension parallel to the axis main Al 10. The shorter sides of the rectangle are thus parallel to the height axis H110. The distribution device 110 here comprises two flanges 116, which are made of an electrically insulating material. The two flanges 116 are assembled to the shorter sides of the rear portion 112 so as to form a basket,

[0036] The distribution device 110 here includes an insulating wall 118, which is made of an electrically insulating material and which is assembled to the rear portion 112 and to the flanges 116, so as to form a cavity V110, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0037] In the illustrated example, the distribution device 110 advantageously includes a cooling device 400, which is housed in cavity VI10 and is designed to dissipate some of the heat generated by the main housing 200 when the distribution assembly 100 is in operation. The cooling device 400 is thus located on one rear side of the insulating wall 118, while on one front side of the insulating wall 118, the front side being oriented opposite to the rear side, the insulating wall 118 provides grooves 120 designed to receive several conductive bars 122, here four conductive bars 122. The conductive bars 122 together form a power bus 124 of the distribution device 110 and, by extension, of the distribution assembly 100. The distribution device 110 is thus a power distribution device.The rear portion 112 is preferably perforated to promote convective cooling of the cooling device 400. The distribution device 110 thus forms a cage around the cooling device 400. The rear portion 112 is configured to ensure an IP20 protection rating, as defined by IEC 60529 - incorporated into EP 60529:1992 - i.e. to prevent any direct contact between a user and the various parts of the cooling device 400, which tend to heat up.

[0038] The conductive bars 122 extend parallel to each other along the main axis Al 10 of the distribution assembly 100 and are aligned along the height axis H110. The conductive bars 122 together define a connection plane P124, which is a plane orthogonal to the depth axis A14, in other words parallel to the height axis H110 and to the main axis Al 10. The mounting face 114 is globally parallel to the connection plane P124.

[0039] The cooling device 400 includes a contact plate 410, which is intended to capture some of the heat emitted by the main housing 200, a radiator 420, which is intended to dissipate heat into the ambient air, and at least one heat pipe 430, here three heat pipes, which connects the contact plate 410 to the radiator 420 and which is configured to transfer to the radiator 420 some of the heat captured by the contact plate 410.

[0040] The contact plate 410 here has a parallelepiped shape and has a contact face 412, which extends parallel to the connection plane P124. The contact face 412 is configured to cooperate, in particular by complementary shapes, with a rear face 230 of the main housing 200 in the configuration mounted on the distribution device 110, so as to promote heat transfer between the contact plate 410 and the main housing 200.

[0041] The radiator 420 is formed here of a set of metal fins, which are positioned parallel to each other and aligned along the main axis Al 10. The heat pipes 430 connect the fins to the contact plate 410. Preferably, the heat pipes 430 are two-phase heat pipes. For example, the two-phase heat pipes 430 comprise two coaxial tubes, which are arranged to promote the circulation within them of a heat transfer fluid that changes phase, liquid or gas, depending on its temperature. Preferably, the heat pipes 430 are straight and are arranged horizontally when the distribution assembly 100 is in its normal operating configuration. In other words, the main axis Al 10 is preferably horizontal.

[0042] Thus, the heat sink 420 extends along the connection area of ​​the power bus 124, on one rear side of the connection plane P124. In particular, the heat sink 420 is located on the rear side of the insulating wall 118, the heat sink 420 being received in the cavity V110, while the insulating wall 118 is open towards the front of the contact plate 410. In other words, the insulating wall 118 is interposed between the power bus 124 and the heat sink 420. The portion of the insulating wall 118 that supports the conductive bars 122 is preferably continuous, so as to reduce the risk of electrical contact between the conductive bars 122 and the heat sink 420.

[0043] The conductor bars 122 include at least one phase bar and, optionally, one neutral bar, the neutral bar being associated with the neutral of the power source, each phase bar being associated with a respective phase of the power source. In the illustrated example, the power bus 124 comprises four conductor bars 122, the power source being a three-phase source with a neutral. The distribution assembly 100 here has a so-called "3P+N" configuration, or simply 3PN.

[0044] In an alternative configuration not shown, the power source is three-phase, with or without a neutral, while the distribution assembly does not include a busbar associated with the neutral. In other words, the distribution assembly comprises only three phase busbars, each associated with a respective phase of the power source. The distribution assembly is then in a so-called 3P configuration.

[0045] The principles of the invention are applicable regardless of the number of phases in the power source. According to another, unillustrated, embodiment, the power source is single-phase, meaning it only includes the neutral and a single phase. The busbars then include a single phase busbar and the neutral busbar. The distribution system is then in a configuration called P+N, or simply PN. Regardless of the configuration, there are always several busbars, which include at least one phase busbar, and possibly a neutral busbar.

[0046] The main housing 200 is now described, in particular with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In [Fig.5], the single-phase circuit is shown, the three phases being represented, according to a known convention, by three parallel lines across the circuit.

[0047] The main housing 200 comprises input terminals 202, which are configured to be connected to the neutral and each phase of the power source, and output terminals 204, which are configured to be connected to the busbars, each output terminal being associated with a respective busbar and an input terminal. The input terminals 202 are screw terminals. Advantageously, the output terminals 204 are connecting clamps, each of which is designed for reversible connection to a respective busbar 122, according to a connection movement oriented towards the rear of the distribution assembly 100. Thus, during the movement to connect the output terminals 204 to the busbars 122, the rear face of the main housing 200 comes into contact with the contact face 412.

[0048] For each input terminal 202, the main housing has a corresponding input line 203, which is connected to the corresponding input terminal 202, and an output line 205, which is connected to the associated output terminal 204.

[0049] The main box 200 includes static switching means 210, which are switchable between a forward configuration, in which each input terminal 202 associated with a phase of the power source is electrically connected to the associated output terminal 204, the main box 200 being in a forward configuration, and a cut-off configuration, in which the passage of an electric current between the input terminal 202 and the associated output terminal 204 is prevented, the main box 200 being in a cut-off configuration.

[0050] The static switching means 210 are power switches based on semiconductor components, preferably insulated-gate field-effect transistors, known as JFETs or MOSFETs, and are thus called "static" in contrast to switching means with moving contacts. The static switching means 210 are connected in series between the input line 203 and the associated output line 205. The static switching means 210 are shown schematically in Figures 4 and 5.

[0051] In operation, the 210 switching means release heat, on the order of a few tens of watts. The 210 switching means are advantageously arranged so as to promote the transfer of at least some of the heat released to the cooling device 400.

[0052] In particular, the switching means 210 are advantageously arranged against a rear wall 231 of the main housing 200, preferably in surface contact with the rear wall 231. The rear wall 231 is present, for example, when the main housing 200 is removable from the contact plate 410. The rear wall 231 protects the rear face 230, the rear face 230 being oriented opposite to the switching means 210. The rear wall 231 is thus interposed between the switching means 210 and the contact plate 410 when the main housing 200 is mounted on the distribution device 110, so that part of the heat generated by the switching means 210 in operation is transferred to the contact plate 410 through the rear wall.

[0053] The rear wall 231 is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. In the illustrated example, the rear wall 231 is formed by an assembly of an electrically insulating insulating element 232, made of a synthetic polymer material, and a copper plate 233, which provides rigidity to the assembly while promoting thermal conductivity. The copper plate 233 protects the rear face 230 and rests against the contact plate 410 when the main housing 200 is mounted on the distribution device 110. In an alternative not shown, the copper plate 233 is omitted, and the rear face 230 is formed directly by the insulating element 232.

[0054] The main housing 200 includes main detection means 212, which are configured to measure electrical quantities at the output terminals and to detect an electrical fault based on the measured values. The main detection means 212 are schematically represented here by measuring loops, which are arranged on the output lines 205. The schematic representation of the main detection means does not limit the type of electrical faults that the main detection means 212 are capable of detecting.

[0055] The main box 200 is configured to switch from the pass-through configuration to the cut-off configuration when the main detection means 212 detect a first electrical fault, in particular a short-circuit fault.

[0056] The main housing 200 includes a control unit 214, or ECU for Electronic Control Unit, which is configured to control the static switching means 210, that is, to switch the static switching means 210 between the conducting and breaking configurations. The control unit 214 is also configured to analyze the values ​​measured by the main sensing means 212 and to determine, based on predefined criteria corresponding to a predetermined type of electrical fault, the presence of a fault electrical of the predetermined type. In [Fig.5], the use of predefined criteria is schematically represented by the presence of a so-called "primary" filter 222, the primary filter 222 being interposed between the main detection means 212 and the control unit 214.

[0057] Thus, the main detection means 212 are configured to detect electrical faults of the short-circuit type. For example, the main detection means 212 include current sensors, in particular one current sensor per phase, while the control unit 214 is configured to analyze the measurements taken by the current sensors and to detect a short circuit.

[0058] Preferably, the main detection means 212 also include a differential current detection device. There are several types of differential faults, which are defined in particular in IEC 60755:2017. In particular, electrical fault types include whether the electrical signal is rectified, whether the signal includes a high-frequency component, the current rating – for example, 30 mA or 300 mA – etc. It is understood that the primary filter 222 defines criteria for the detection of electrical faults by the control unit 214 of the main housing 200. Preferably, the primary filter 222 defines criteria for the detection of a predetermined type of differential fault, the preferred predetermined fault being chosen from among the faults defined in IEC 60755:2017.

[0059] The following description corresponds to the preferred case where the electrical fault considered is a short circuit, the principles of the invention being applicable to other types of electrical faults. An AC break-up delay is defined as a time interval between the moment of detection of the electrical fault and the switch-to-break configuration. The AC break-up delay thus includes the time required to analyze the measurements taken by the main detection means, the time required to send an opening command to the static breaking means 210, and the break-up time of the static breaking means 210 once the opening command is sent. The break-up time of the static breaking means 210 depends on the structure of the static breaking means and is less than 1 microsecond. Thus, the AC break-up delay is essentially related to the operation of the control unit 210.Typically, the AC cutoff delay is on the order of microseconds or a few tens of microseconds, for example between 5 iis and 500 lis.

[0060] Preferably, the main housing 202 also includes, for each input terminal 202, a main disconnect device 216, which is a disconnect device with separable contacts, here a disconnect switch. The main disconnect device 216 is controlled by the electronic control unit 214 and allows the power source to be electrically disconnected from the distribution assembly 100, for example in the event of a malfunction static switching means 210. The general switching device 216 is interposed at each input terminal 202 and the static switching means 210.

[0061] Advantageously, the distribution device 110, and by extension the distribution assembly 100, also includes a transfer bus 150. The transfer bus 150, which is shown separately in [Fig. 3]#b), is designed to supply power to each protective device 300 in the mounted position, i.e., connected to the conductor bars 122. The transfer bus 150 is therefore a power transfer bus, in other words, a supply bus, which is separate from the power bus 124. By way of illustration, the transfer bus 150 operates at a voltage of a few tens of volts, for example, 50 V DC, while the power bus 124 operates at a voltage of 400 V AC three-phase. The transfer bus 150 is a separate component, which is assembled to the rest of the distribution device 110.

[0062] The transfer bus 150 includes a body 152, which is made of an electrically insulating material, which has an elongated shape extending along the power bus 124. Thus the transfer bus 150 extends along the main axis Al 10.

[0063] The transfer bus 150 defines several mounting zones 154, which are intended to be connected to each protective device in the mounted position. The mounting zones 154 are distributed, preferably regularly, along the main axis Al 10 and each is associated with a unique position along the main axis Al 10. The transfer bus 150 preferably comprises fifteen mounting zones 154, which are here spaced 18 mm apart. Other spacings are, of course, possible. In an alternative configuration not shown, the mounting zones 154 are spaced 9 mm apart.

[0064] The transfer bus 150 comprises at least two transfer lines 156, which extend along the body 152 and are configured to be electrically connected to each protective device 300 in the mounted position. The transfer lines 156 are here power supply lines.

[0065] The transfer bus 150 also includes a connection zone 158, which is intended for connecting the main box 200 in the mounted position on the distribution device 110. For example, the main box 200 includes an additional terminal block 250, which is configured to cooperate with the connection zone 158, so that the main box is electrically connected to the transfer lines 156. In the preferred example shown, the main box 200 draws the electrical energy required to supply the transfer bus 150 from the neutral and phases of the power source, between the static switching means 210 and the main switching device 216, the electrical energy thus supplied being available to the protection devices 300 for their operation.

[0066] The transfer bus 150 is implemented here by a printed circuit board, the transfer lines 156 being conductive tracks formed on the surface of the board, while the mounting areas 154 and the connection area 158 are pins formed in the substrate of the board. In the illustrated example, the transfer bus 150 advantageously incorporates a communication bus between the main housing 200 and each protection device 300.

[0067] The protection devices 300 are now described.

[0068] Each protective device 300 thus comprises an incoming terminal block that is reversibly connectable to the busbars 122 and includes at least two incoming terminals 302, each incoming terminal 302 being configured to be electrically connected to a respective busbar 122. For each protective device 300, the incoming terminals 302 include a neutral incoming terminal, which is configured to be electrically connected to the neutral busbar, and between one and three other incoming terminals, each of which is configured to be connected to a respective phase busbar. Each protective device 300 is configured to be mounted reversibly on the power bus 114, so that each incoming terminal 302 is electrically connected to the corresponding busbar 122.

[0069] Each protection device 300 also includes a starting terminal block, which is configured to be connected to an electrical load and which includes starting terminals 304, each starting terminal 304 being respectively associated with a respective arrival terminal 302. The starting terminals 304 are shown schematically in [Fig. 5].

[0070] In the non-limiting example shown, the protective devices 300 have different widths, the width being measured along the main axis Al 10. Thus, the protective devices 300 are divided here into two subgroups, corresponding to two different widths: narrow protective devices 300 and wide protective devices 300, which are approximately three times wider than the narrow protective devices 300. Other widths of protective devices 300 are, of course, possible. The width of the protective devices 300 is preferably a multiple of the pitch between each mounting zone 154 of the transfer bus 150, i.e., 18 mm in this case. In an alternative not shown, the protective devices 300 have a width equal to a multiple of 9 mm.

[0071] In the illustrated example, a protection device 300 configured to supply a single-phase electrical load advantageously has a width of 18 mm, while a protection device 300 configured to supply a three-phase electrical load has a width of three times 18 mm, i.e. 54 mm.

[0072] The thinnest protective devices 300 are configured to be connected to two conductor bars 122, including a neutral bar and a phase bar, while the wide protective devices 300 are configured to be connected to four conductor bars 122. The principles of the invention are applicable regardless of the number of phases to which each of the protective devices 300 is connected.

[0073] Preferably, the distribution device 110 is designed to receive five protection devices 300, each comprising four inlet terminals, i.e., five wide protection devices 300. According to an example not shown, the distribution assembly 100 comprises five protection devices 300, each comprising four inlet terminals 302. As a corollary, the distribution device 110 is also designed to receive fifteen narrow protection devices 300, each comprising two inlet terminals 302.

[0074] The conductive bars 122 each comprise: - a power supply portion 126, which is configured to be connected to an associated output terminal 204 of the main enclosure 200 in a mounted configuration of the main enclosure, and - a connection portion 128, which extends on the same side of the power supply portion 126. The connection portions 128 are geometrically located on one front side of the connection plane P124 and together define a connection area of ​​the power bus 124.

[0075] In [Fig. 4], only the power supply portions 126 of the conductive bars 122 are visible, the connection portions 128 being hidden. The connection area is configured to receive at least one protection device 300, so that the protection device is connected to the power bus 124. The protection device 300 is then suitable for connection to an electrical load, so as to supply the electrical load with electrical power.

[0076] Each protective device 300 includes a switching mechanism 310. The switching mechanism is an electromechanical mechanism, which is analogous to the switching mechanism described in EP-4 064 317-A1. Each switching mechanism 310 is interposed between each input terminal 302 and the corresponding output terminal 304. The switching mechanism 310 is described further, with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0077] Each protection device 300 includes secondary detection means 312, which are configured to measure electrical quantities at the corresponding output terminals and to detect at least one electrical fault of a predetermined type, i.e., corresponding to predetermined detection criteria. The secondary detection means 312 are schematically represented here by measuring loops, which are arranged on the wires connecting the input terminals 302 to the terminals of Departure 304. The schematic representation of the secondary detection means 312 does not limit the type of electrical faults that the secondary detection means are capable of detecting. Thus, the secondary detection means 312 are configured to detect short-circuit type electrical faults.

[0078] For example, the secondary detection means 312 include current sensors, in particular a current sensor per phase, while the protection device 300 includes a microcontroller 320, which receives the measurements from the current sensors and is capable of determining whether the measured current(s) exceed a short-circuit threshold.

[0079] The microcontroller 320 is powered via the transfer bus 150. For this purpose, each protection device 300 includes a transfer terminal block 350, which comprises transfer terminals (not shown). The transfer terminal block 350 is configured to be connected to the transfer bus 150 so that each transfer terminal is electrically connected to a respective transfer line 156. The transfer terminal block 350 is therefore a power supply terminal block. The transfer terminals are distinct from the input terminals 302 or the output terminals 304.

[0080] Preferably, the secondary detection means 312 also include a differential current detection device. Preferably, the microcontroller 320 is also configured to evaluate the differential current measurement using a so-called "secondary" filter 322, the secondary filter 322 being previously stored in a memory of the microcontroller 320 of the protection device 300 and being adapted for the detection of a differential fault.

[0081] It is understood that the secondary filter 322 defines the criteria for detecting electrical faults detected by the microcontroller 320 of the protection device 300. Preferably, the secondary filter 322 defines criteria for detecting a predetermined type of differential fault, which is chosen from the faults defined in the IEC 60755:2017 standard.

[0082] Each microcontroller 320 is supplied with operating electrical energy via the transfer bus 150, regardless of the configuration, armed or unarmed, of the switching mechanism 310 of the starting box 300.

[0083] Each protection device 300 here includes an actuator 324, which is configured to move the switching mechanism 310 into the open position when the actuator receives a trip signal, the microcontroller 320 being configured to send the trip signal to the actuator 324 upon detection of an electrical fault, in particular a short-circuit fault or a differential fault. More generally, each protection device 300 is configured to switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration when the means of secondary detection 312 - and by extension the microcontroller 320 - detect an electrical fault.

[0084] The operation of the protection assembly 100 in the event of a short-circuit fault is described, and this operation can be applied to other types of electrical faults, particularly differential faults. An opening delay AO is defined as a time interval between the moment the electrical fault is detected by the microcontroller 320 and the start of the movement of the moving contacts of the switching mechanism 310, from the closed position to the open position. In the illustrated example, the opening delay AO therefore includes the time for the microcontroller 320 to send the switching command to the actuator 324. Typically, the opening delay AO is on the order of milliseconds, for example, from 2 ms to 9 ms.

[0085] In a minimal configuration of the distribution assembly 100, the distribution assembly includes the distribution device 110, on which are mounted the main box 200 and a single protection device 300. It is assumed that the distribution assembly 100 is connected to a power source, via the input terminals 202, while an electrical load is connected to the output terminals 304.

[0086] In a normal operating configuration, the main unit 200 is initially in the conducting configuration, while the protective device 300 is initially in the closed configuration. Thus, the outgoing terminals 304 are each electrically connected to a respective output terminal 204 via the associated conductor busbar 122. When an electrical fault occurs, for example, in the case of a short circuit due to a failure of the electrical load, the electrical fault is detectable both by the main unit 200, by means of the primary detection means 212, and by the protective device 300, by means of the secondary detection means 312.

[0087] In other words, the electrical fault detection criteria used by the main box 200 are identical to the electrical fault detection criteria used by the protection device 300 under consideration.

[0088] Many types of electrical faults are possible. For example, in the case of a short circuit, a short-circuit current can reach several times, for example, 5 times, the value of a rated operating current. Other examples of electrical faults include overcurrents, differential current faults, etc. Compared to short-circuit faults, the electrical currents involved in overcurrents or differential faults are much lower, for example, less than 1.2 times the value of the rated operating current.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the detection criteria are defined by the detection filters, namely the primary filter 222 for the main housing 200, and the secondary filter 322 for the protection device 300. It is assumed that the primary filter The primary filter 222 and the secondary filter 322 functionally define the same detection criteria; in other words, the primary filter 222 and the secondary filter 322 are functionally identical, so the main unit 200 and the protection device 300 are configured to detect short-circuit electrical faults according to the same criteria. The main unit 200 and the secondary unit 300 are thus naturally synchronized with regard to the detection of short-circuit electrical faults.

[0090] The distribution assembly 100 is configured so that, when an electrical fault corresponding to the criteria of the primary filter 222 and the secondary filter 322 occurs: - the protection device 300 detects the electrical fault by means of the secondary detection means 312, then the microcontroller 320 of the protection device commands the switching mechanism 310 to open position, - while the main box 200 detects the same electrical fault by means of the main detection means 212, then the control unit 214 of the main box 200 commands the switching of the breaking means 210 into the breaking configuration.

[0091] Given the proximity of the main box 300 to the protection device 300, the detection of the same electrical fault by the main box 200 and by the protection device 300 is considered to be simultaneous.

[0092] The distribution assembly 100 is configured so that the main box 200 enters the switching configuration before the first box changes from the closed to the open configuration. In other words, the switching delay AC is shorter than the opening delay AO, so that when the moving contacts of the switching mechanism 310 begin to move from the closed to the open position, no current flows in the power bus 114. The moving contacts of the switching mechanism 310 open without generating an electric arc, which reduces wear on the moving contacts and contributes to the durability of the protective devices 300. Thanks to the invention, the protective devices 300 are protected by the main box 200 in the event of electrical faults, particularly short circuits.Consequently, the protective devices 300, and in particular the switching mechanism 310, do not need to be sized to withstand short-circuit current interruptions, which involve the highest energies among the various types of electrical faults considered. This makes it possible to manufacture less expensive protective devices 300, which are also easy to replace thanks to the modular structure of the distribution assembly 100.

[0093] In an alternative not shown, the master unit 200 includes independent protection against overcurrent and / or differential electrical faults. For example, an overcurrent threshold as defined in the main unit is equal to the sum of the rated currents of each slave device.

[0094] Once the protection device 300 is in open configuration, the main housing 200 is configured to switch from the cut-off configuration to the pass-through configuration after a predetermined waiting time AW, the waiting time AW being greater than the opening delay.

[0095] Consider the case where the distribution assembly comprises two or more protective devices 300, each protective device 300 including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, which are jointly connected to the conductor bars 122. In other words, the two protective devices 300 are mounted on the same distribution device 110. In normal operation of the distribution assembly 100, the main enclosure 200 is initially in the conducting configuration, while the first and second enclosures 300 are each initially in the closed configuration. It is assumed that the first and second enclosures 300 are each connected to a respective electrical load.

[0096] When an electrical fault occurs at the starting terminals 300 of the first box 300, for example following a failure of the electrical load connected to the first box 300, the first starting box 300 detects this electrical fault by means of the secondary detection means 312 of the first box 300 and, simultaneously, the main box 200 also detects this electrical fault by means of the main detection means 212. As before, the main box 200 goes into the cut-off configuration before the first box 300 goes from the closed configuration to the open configuration, while the second box 300 remains in the closed configuration.

[0097] Next, the main unit 200 switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration after the waiting time AW, while the second unit 300 remains in the closed configuration. The waiting time AW is sufficiently short so that the power interruption experienced by the electrical load associated with the second unit 300 does not have a negative impact. In practice, the waiting time AW is less than 20 ms, preferably less than 15 ms, and even more preferably less than 10 ms.

[0098] In the illustrated example, each protection device 300 includes a microcontroller 320, which analyzes the measurements from the secondary detection means 312 and determines the presence of an electrical fault, in particular a differential fault. This requires that the microcontroller be powered by an electrical power source, here via the transfer bus 150. The principles of the invention are applicable to cases where the protection devices 300 do not include microcontroller, the actuator 324 being for example directly powered by the current differential measured by the secondary detection means 312.

[0099] In the illustrated example, the transfer bus 150 is a power bus, configured to supply operating power to each protection device 300, specifically to power the microcontroller 320 of each protection device 300. In a variant not shown, the transfer bus 150 also serves to transfer data between each microcontroller 320 and the control unit of the main housing 200. For example, information transfer occurs via the same transfer lines 156 used for power transfer. In an alternative variant not shown, the transfer bus 150 includes additional information transfer lines, distinct from the transfer lines 156, which are provided on the transfer bus 150.

[0100] The mounting and dismounting of the protective devices 300 on the distribution device 110 is now described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Only one protective device 300, conforming to a first embodiment, is shown in the figures. What applies to this protective device 300 can be applied to other protective devices 300 or to other electrical protective devices, in particular to protective devices having a different width or comprising a different number of incoming terminals 254.

[0101] The protection device 300 comprises a housing 360, which is configured to be mounted, reversibly and in a mounting motion, on the distribution device 110. The protection device 300 is then in a mounted position, in which a rear face 361 of the housing 360 is oriented towards the distribution device 110, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The incoming terminals 302 protrude from the rear face 361 and are electrically connected to the conductor bars 122.

[0102] Along a first edge 362 of the rear face 361, the housing 360 includes a fastening member 364, which here includes a curved portion 365, preferably in the shape of an arc. The fastening member 364 is designed to cooperate, particularly through complementary shapes, with the distribution device 110, so that the mounting movement of the protective device 300 is a rotational movement about a mounting axis A362 located near the first edge 362, the rear face 361 of the protective device 300 being brought closer to the distribution device 110. In the illustrated example, the fastening member 364 has an arc-shaped form, with a substantially constant curvature, the mounting axis A362 being located substantially at the center of curvature of the fastening member. Other arrangements are, of course, possible. The A362 mounting axis is preferably parallel to the main axis Al 10.Preferably, the mounting axis A362 is located on the bottom of the distribution device 110 when the protection assembly 100 is in a normal operating configuration, fixed to the bottom 14 of an electrical panel 10.

[0103] Advantageously, the fastening member 364 also includes a retaining member 366, here a lug, which is spring-loaded and located at a distance from the first edge 362. The lug is located near a second edge 368 of the rear face 361, the second edge 368 being located opposite the first edge 362. The retaining member 366 is configured to cooperate, in particular by complementary shapes, with the distribution device 110, so as to maintain the protective device 300 in the mounted position. The retaining member 366 is advantageously reversible by hand and without tools, so that a user can easily remove the protective device 300 from the distribution device 110.Starting from the mounted position of the protective device 300, a dismantling movement is a movement opposite to the mounting movement, i.e. a rotational movement around the mounting axis A362, the rear face 361 of the protective device 300 being away from the distribution device 110.

[0104] In Figures 6 to 8, the housing 360 is partially omitted so as to reveal the interior of the protection device 300, in particular the switching mechanism 310. Each input terminal 302 is connected to the corresponding output terminal 304 by a conduction path 305. Only one conduction path 305 is shown in the figures, the principles of the invention, described in relation to this conduction path 305, being of course transposable to the other conduction paths of the protection device 300.

[0105] Thus, for at least one conduction path 305 of the protective device 300, the switching mechanism 310 includes a movable contact 370, which is interposed between the input terminal 302 and the output terminal 304 corresponding to this conduction path 305. By extension, the movable contact 370 forms part of the conduction path 305 and is thus part of the conduction path 305.

[0106] The movable contact 370 is movable relative to the housing 360 between a conduction position, in which the first movable contact 362 electrically connects the incoming terminal 302 to the corresponding outgoing terminal 304, and an isolation position, in which the incoming terminal 302 and the outgoing terminal 304 are electrically isolated from each other. When the movable contact 370 is in the conduction position, the protective device 300 is in a closed configuration, while when the movable contact 370 is in the isolation position, the protective device 300 is in an open configuration.

[0107] The switching mechanism 310 is configured to switch between: - an armed configuration, in which the switching mechanism 310 puts the moving contact 370 in the conduction position, and - a triggered configuration, in which the switching mechanism 310 puts the moving contact 370 in the isolation position.

[0108] In a known manner, as described in particular in EP-4 064 317-A1, the switching mechanism 310 includes a trigger 372, which is movable between a neutral position and an energized position, the trigger 372 being configured to switch the switching mechanism to the triggered configuration when the trigger is in the energized position. In [Fig. 6] b), the switching mechanism 310 is shown in the armed configuration, the trigger 370 being in the neutral position.

[0109] The switching mechanism 310 advantageously includes a lever 374, which is provided so that a user can manually trigger the switching mechanism 310, that is, switch the switching mechanism 310 from the armed position to the triggered position. The lever 374 also allows the switching mechanism 310 to be reset, that is, to switch the switching mechanism 310 from the triggered position to the armed position. Resetting the switching mechanism 310 is prevented when the trigger 372 is in the energized position.

[0110] The protective device 300 includes a safety mechanism 500, which includes: - a support portion 502, which is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the support portion being accessible through a light 376 provided in the housing 360 and being configured to be pushed back into the retracted position by the distribution device when the protective device 300 is mounted on the distribution device 110 according to the mounting movement, - a return element 504, which tends to return the support portion 502 to the forward position, - a trigger portion 506, which is movable between an activation position, in which the trigger portion 506 pushes the trigger 372 from the neutral position to the excited position, and a withdrawal position, in which the trigger portion 506 does not push the trigger, - a transmission device 508, which links the support portion 502 to the trigger portion 506, so that when the support portion 502 is in the retracted position, the trigger portion 506 is in the retracted position, the safety mechanism 500 being in a retracted configuration, while when the support portion 502 is in the advanced position, the trigger portion 506 is in the activated position, the safety mechanism 500 being in an activated configuration.

[0111] The safety mechanism 500 is in the retraction configuration when the protective device 300 is in the mounted position on the distribution device 110. The safety mechanism 500 is configured so that, during a movement of Upon dismantling the protective device 300, the safety device 300 switches from the disengaged to the activated configuration before the incoming terminal 302 is disconnected from the power bus 124. In other words, if the switching mechanism 310 is initially in the armed configuration, the safety device 500 switches the switching mechanism 310 to the triggered configuration, via the trip 372, before the incoming terminal 302 is disconnected from the power bus 124. The corresponding conduction circuit 305 is therefore opened before the incoming terminal 302 is disconnected from the power bus 124, thus preventing the occurrence of any electrical arcs between the incoming terminal 302 and the power bus 124.The dismantling of the protective device 300 is thus safe, even if the protective device 300 was initially "hot", i.e. in armed configuration and an electric current was flowing through the conduction path 305. Such a possibility of "hot" dismantling is also called "hotswap" in English.

[0112] In the illustrated example, the light 376 is advantageously provided on the rear face 361 of the housing 360, so that a user cannot interfere with the safety mechanism 500 when the protective device 300 is mounted on the distribution device 110 or during assembly or disassembly movements.

[0113] In the first embodiment, the housing 360 provides an internal volume V360, in which the switching mechanism 310 and the safety mechanism 500 are jointly received.

[0114] The support portion 502 is here a rod, which is advantageously made of an insulating material, for example, a polymer. The rod is guided in translation relative to the housing 360 and opens onto the rear face 361 through the opening 376. In the forward position, a first end 502A of the rod protrudes from the rear face 361, as illustrated in Figures 7b), 8a), and 8b). The return element 504 is here a spring, which exerts a force on a second end 502B of the rod tending to return the rod to the forward position. Thus, the rearward and forward positions of the support portion 502 are here two axial positions. The opening 376 is advantageously located at a distance from the first edge 362, so as to increase the amplitude of the axial movement of the support portion 502.The movement of the trigger portion 506 is thus also increased, which makes it possible to trigger the switching mechanism 310 before the arrival terminals 302 are disconnected from the conductive bars 122.

[0115] The transmission device 508 is here a lever, which is pivotally mounted relative to the housing 360 about a pivot axis A508, which is here an axis parallel to the main axis Al 10. The transmission device 508 comprises a first end 508A, by which the transmission device is connected to the support portion 502, and a second end 508B, which is located opposite the first end 508A with respect to the pivot axis A508 and which here has a hook shape preserving the triggering portion 506. Thus, the activation position and the neutral position of the triggering portion 506 are here two angular positions, around the pivot axis A508, of the second end 508B of the transmission device 508.

[0116] The operation of the safety mechanism 500 is now described.

[0117] In [Fig. 6], the protective device 300 is mounted on the distribution device 110. Each incoming terminal 302 is connected to the corresponding conductor busbar 122. The switching mechanism 310 is in the closed position. The support portion 502 is pushed back into the retracted position, so the safety mechanism 500 is in the neutral position and does not interfere with the operation of the switching mechanism 310, particularly if the user wishes to manually trigger the switching mechanism 310 using the handle 374.

[0118] In this way, the distribution assembly 100 is then in the configuration of [Fig. 7] a), in which the switching mechanism 310 is in the tripped position. The safety mechanism 500 is in the neutral position and does not interfere with the operation of the switching mechanism 310, in particular if the user wishes to manually reset the switching mechanism 310 using the handle 374 – provided that this is possible in the absence of electrical faults.

[0119] If, starting from the configuration of [Fig. 6], the operator initiates the dismantling movement while the switching mechanism 310 is still in the armed configuration, during the dismantling movement, the support portion 502 gradually moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, and the tripping portion 506 gradually moves from the retracted position to the activated position, pushing the trip 372 from the neutral position to the energized position, causing the switching mechanism 310 to trip. The distribution assembly 100 is then in the configuration of [Fig. 7] b), in which the switching mechanism 300 is already tripped, while the incoming terminals 302 are still connected to the power bus 124.

[0120] As the disassembly movement continues, the protective device 300 is in the configuration shown in [Fig. 8] a). From this position, the safety mechanism 500 remains in the activated position, pushing the trigger 372 into the energized position. It is then impossible to reset the switching mechanism 310, as illustrated in [Fig. 8] b), where the moving contact 370 is in the isolated position, even though the handle 374 is held in the closed position by a user.

[0121] It is therefore impossible to mount on the distribution device 100 a protection device 300 which would already be in armed configuration, unless of course one interferes with the safety mechanism, which contributes to the improvement of safety when the protection device 300 is hot-mounted, i.e. when the protection device 300 is mounted on a power bus 124 which is already energized.

[0122] A protective device 300' corresponding to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9 to 11. In the second embodiment, the elements analogous to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference numerals and function in the same way. The following mainly describes the differences between the first and second embodiments. If a reference numeral is mentioned in the description but not shown in a figure, or shown in a figure but not mentioned in the description, it designates the same element as that bearing the same reference numeral in the first embodiment.

[0123] One of the main differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the 360 ​​housing of the 300' protection device is a modular housing, which includes: - a first 360A housing, which receives the 500 safety mechanism, and - a second 360B box, which is different from the first 360B box, which receives the switching mechanism.

[0124] The first 360A housing provides a cavity V361 for receiving the second housing 360B, the first housing 360A and the second housing 360B being configured to be assembled together to form the housing 360 of the protective device 300', in an assembled configuration of the housing 360, as illustrated in [Fig. 9]. The rear wall 361 of the housing 360 advantageously belongs to the first housing 360A. Preferably, the fastening member 364 and the retaining member 366 are also carried by the first housing 360A.

[0125] The protection device 300' is shown in disassembled position, with only one end of the support portion 502 visible outside the first housing 360A, the rest of the safety mechanism 500 being hidden inside the first housing 360A.

[0126] The first 360A enclosure is shown in isolation in [Fig. 10]#a), while the second 360B enclosure is shown in isolation in [Fig. 10]b). The second 360B enclosure is, for example, part of a protective device such as a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), which is advantageously suited to operate independently of the first 360A enclosure, i.e., without the safety mechanism. As explained below, the modularity of the 360 ​​enclosure allows the "hot-disconnect" functionality to be safely added to an RCCB that initially lacks this feature.

[0127] The first housing 360A has a first orifice 381, which opens into the cavity V361, while the safety mechanism includes an extension 510, which is activatable by the trigger portion 506, which protrudes through the first orifice 381 into the cavity V361. The first orifice 381 has an oblong and curved shape. The extension 510, which is also called a "needle" or even a "finger," has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. Thus, when the trigger portion 506 moves between the retracted position and the activated position inside the first housing 360A, the extension 510 moves, through the first orifice 381, in the cavity, between a first position and a second position.

[0128] The second housing 360B has a second orifice 382, ​​which is located opposite the first orifice 381 when the housing is in its assembled configuration. As illustrated in [Fig. 10] a), the second orifice 382 advantageously has a shape similar to, or even identical to, that of the first orifice 381. When the housing 360 is in its assembled configuration, the extension 510 passes through both the first orifice 381 and the second orifice 382 and enters the second housing 360B. In other words, the extension 510 extends inside the second housing 360B, so that when the trigger portion 506, located inside the first housing 360A, moves from the retraction position to the activation position, the extension 510 moves from the first position to the second position and pushes the trigger 372, located inside the second housing 360B, from the neutral position to the excited position.

[0129] The first housing 360A includes an auxiliary mechanism 310B, which is a mechanical energy accumulation mechanism, including for example a spring, which is interposed between the safety mechanism 500 and the extension 510. The auxiliary mechanism 310B is switchable between an armed configuration, in which the extension 510 is in the first position, and a triggered configuration in which the extension 510 is in the second position.

[0130] The auxiliary mechanism 310B includes an auxiliary lever 375, which is intended to move the auxiliary mechanism 310B from the triggered to the armed position. Preferably, the auxiliary lever 375 and the lever 374 are joined together, so that the switching mechanism 310 and the auxiliary mechanism 310B move together from the armed to the triggered position, and vice versa. In the illustrated example, the auxiliary lever 375 and the lever 374 are joined by a pin 377.

[0131] The auxiliary mechanism is configured to switch from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration when the trigger portion 506 moves from the retracted position to the activated position. The auxiliary mechanism 310B is configured to transmit to the extension 510 sufficient force to switch the 310 switching mechanism from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration.

[0132] The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. Demands Electrical protection device (300; 300'), comprising: • a housing (360), which is configured to be mounted, reversibly and according to a mounting movement, on a distribution device (110) comprising a power bus (124) with at least one phase and optionally a neutral, the protection device (300; 300') then being in a mounted position, in which a rear face (361) of the housing (360) is oriented towards the distribution device (110), • a first conduction pathway (305), comprising: • a first arrival terminal (302), which is configured to be connected to the power bus (124), • a first starting terminal (304), which is configured to be connected to an electrical load, and • a first movable contact (370), which is movable relative to the housing, between a conduction position, in which the first movable contact (370) electrically connects the first incoming terminal (302) to the first outgoing terminal (304), and an isolation position, in which the first incoming terminal (302) and the first outgoing terminal (304) are electrically isolated from each other; • a switching mechanism (310), which is housed in the casing and which is configured to switch between: • an armed configuration, in which the switching mechanism (310) puts the first moving contact (370) in the conduction position, and • a tripped configuration, in which the switching mechanism (310) puts the first moving contact (370) in the isolation position; in which: the switching mechanism (310) includes a trigger (372), which is movable between a neutral position and an excited position, the trigger (372) being configured to switch the switching mechanism (310) into the triggered configuration when the trigger (372) is in the excited position; The electrical protection device (300; 300') includes a safety mechanism (500), which comprises: • a support portion (502), which is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, the support portion (502) being accessible through a light (376) provided in the housing (360) and being configured to be pushed back into the retracted position by the distribution device (110) when the protection device (300; 300') is mounted on the distribution device (110) according to the mounting movement, • a return element (504), which tends to return the support portion (502) to the forward position, • a trigger portion (506), which is movable between an activation position, in which the trigger portion (506) pushes the trigger (372) from the neutral position to the excited position, and a withdrawal position, in which the trigger portion (506) does not push the trigger (372), • a transmission device (508), which connects the support portion (502) to the trigger portion (506), such that when the support portion (502) is in the retracted position, the trigger portion (506) is in the retracted position, the safety mechanism (500) being in a retracted configuration, while when the support portion (502) is in the forward position, the trigger portion (506) is in the activated position, the safety mechanism (500) being in an activated configuration, • the safety mechanism (500) is in the withdrawal configuration when the protection device (300; 300') is in the mounted position on the distribution device (110), • the safety mechanism (500) is configured so that, during a dismantling movement, opposite to the mounting movement, the safety device changes from the withdrawal configuration to the trigger activation configuration (372) before the incoming terminal (302) is disconnected from the power bus (124).

2. Protective device (300; 300') according to claim 1, wherein: • the light (376) is provided in the rear face (361) of the housing (360).

3. Protective device (300; 300') according to claim 2, wherein: • the housing (360) includes fastening members (364), which are configured to cooperate, in particular by complementarity of shapes, with the distribution device (110), so that the mounting movement is a rotational movement about a mounting axis (A362) located near a first edge (362) of the rear face (361), • the light (376) is provided at a distance from the first edge (362).

4. Protective device (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: • the housing (360) provides an internal volume (V360), • the switching mechanism (310) and the safety mechanism (500) are jointly received in the internal volume (V360).

5. Protective device (300') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: • the housing (360) of the protective device (300') is a modular housing, which includes: • a first housing (360A), which receives the safety mechanism (500) and which has a first

6. orifice, through which protrudes an extension of the trigger portion (506), • a second housing (360B), which is different from the first housing (360A) and which receives the switching mechanism (310), • the first housing (360A) provides a cavity (V361) for receiving the second housing (360B), the first housing (360A) and the second housing (360B) being configured to be assembled together to form the housing (360) of the protection device (300'), in an assembled configuration of the housing, • the first housing (360A) has a first orifice (381), which opens into the cavity (V361), while the safety mechanism (500) includes an extension (510), which is activatable by a trigger portion (506) and which extends, through the first orifice (381), into the cavity (V361), the extension (510) being mobile between a first position and a second position when the trigger portion (506) moves between the activation position and the withdrawal position, • the second housing (360B) has a second orifice (382), which is located opposite the first orifice (381) when the housing (360) is in its assembled configuration, • When the housing (360) is in its assembled configuration, the extension (510) extends inside the second housing (360), such that: • when the trigger portion (506) moves from the retraction position to the activation position, the trigger portion (506) activates the extension (510), the extension (510) moving from the first position to the second position, • the extension pushes the trigger (372) from the neutral position to the excited position. Protective device (300') according to claim 5, wherein: • The first housing (360A) includes an auxiliary mechanism (310B), which is an accumulation mechanism

7. of mechanical energy, which is switchable between an armed configuration and a triggered configuration, the extension (510) being in the first position when the auxiliary mechanism (310B) is in the armed configuration, and in the second position when the auxiliary mechanism is in the triggered configuration, • The auxiliary mechanism (310B) is configured to switch from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration when the trigger portion (506) moves from the retracted position to the activated position, • The auxiliary mechanism (310B) is configured to transmit to the extension (510) sufficient force to switch the switching mechanism (310) from the armed configuration to the triggered configuration. Distribution set (100), comprising: • a copy of the protective device (300; 300') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and • a distribution device (110), configured to distribute electrical energy from a power source to at least one electrical load, the power source comprising at least one phase and optionally a neutral, in which: • the distribution device (110) includes a power bus (124), which includes several conductor bars (122), which include at least one phase bar and optionally one neutral bar, the neutral bar being associated with the neutral of the power source, each phase bar being associated with a respective phase of the power source, • the protection device (300; 300') is mounted on the distribution device (110), the support portion (502) being pushed back into a rearward position by the distribution device (110), each input terminal (302) being connected to the corresponding conductor bar (122).

8. Distribution assembly (100) according to claim 7, wherein: • the conductive bars (122) extend parallel to each other along a principal axis (Al 10) of the distribution device (110), • the conductive bars (122) are provided for the simultaneous mounting of several copies of the protection device (300; 300'), aligned side by side along the principal axis (Al 10).

9. Electrical panel (10), comprising: • a box (12), delimiting an enclosure (V12) and having a bottom (14), • the distribution assembly (100) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, in which the distribution device (110) is fixed to the bottom of the box (12).

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