Control unit for electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a modular control unit that allows installation of a communication module without needing to withdraw the control unit from a container.SOLUTION: A control unit (20) comprises a casing (30) defining a front plane (P22) in which a housing (401) is open, which is configured to receive a communication module (400) in an assembled position. A contact pad (36) is recessed from the front plane and located at a bottom of the housing, so that a spatial distance between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than a Class 2 isolation distance under a voltage above 690 V, according to the IEC947-1:2019 standard. The communication module comprises a jacket (410) delimiting a cavity (411) configured to receive a wireless communication card (414) and closing the housing in the assembled position of the casing. Thus, a creepage distance between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than a Class 2 isolation distance under a voltage above 690 V according to said standard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control unit for an electric circuit breaker, and to an electric circuit breaker including such a control unit.

[0002] The present invention relates to a control unit for an electric circuit breaker, and to an electric circuit breaker including such a control unit. [Background technology]

[0003] An electric circuit breaker including a breaker unit and an electronic control unit is known, in particular from EP-0843332-A1. Such a control unit is typically configured to measure the operating state of the circuit breaker in real time and to command the opening of the breaker unit in the event of a malfunction of the circuit breaker. The control unit is reversibly received in a receptacle provided in the breaker unit and positioned on the front of the circuit breaker, thereby allowing a user to read and / or adjust certain operating parameters of the electric circuit breaker. The control unit is detachable, thereby allowing a user to replace the control unit in the event of a malfunction without having to disconnect the breaker unit from the rest of the electrical installation.

[0004] According to the present application, electrical circuit breakers operate under voltages of hundreds or even thousands of volts and currents of up to thousands of amperes. Electrical circuit breakers in general, and their control units in particular, must provide sufficient electrical isolation to ensure the safety of people. For example, Tables 13 and 15 of the IEC 947-1:2019 standard define isolation classes, which correspond to the minimum distances that must be observed between a charged point or a point likely to be charged and the user. The isolation distance depends, inter alia, on the required isolation class and the voltage at which the electrical circuit breaker operates. The IEC 947-1:2019 standard considers two main voltage ranges: the first range corresponds to voltages up to 690 V and the second range corresponds to voltages strictly above 690 V. As an example, for voltages above 690 V, Class 1 isolation requires a clearance distance of more than 7 mm and a creepage distance of more than 10 mm. Class 2 isolation doubles these distances. For voltages below 690V, Class 2 isolation requires a clearance distance greater than 10mm.

[0005] As technology and needs evolve, it is advantageous to propose a communication interface, in particular a wired or wireless interface, if necessary, to allow the user to transfer data to and / or from the control unit.

[0006] However, the wireless communication interface requires the presence of an antenna, which must be placed in front of the circuit breaker to operate satisfactorily. It is known to connect an external communication unit to a control unit, which comprises a casing for receiving the antenna and a connection cable that connects to the control unit from the rear, but whose casing is fixed to the front of the circuit breaker. Such a solution is impractical because the control unit needs to be removed from its housing to make the connection. Furthermore, the casing that is fixed to the circuit breaker is bulky and runs the risk of being damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] EP-0843332-A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention aims in particular to meet these needs by proposing a modular control unit that allows the installation of a communication module, if necessary, without the need to remove the control unit from the container provided in the control unit, while guaranteeing the protection of people. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a control unit for an electric circuit breaker, the control unit comprising: - a front surface, the front surface being generally flat and geometrically supported by a front plane, the front surface being orthogonal to the depth axis and defining a front direction oriented towards a user when the control unit is in a normal use configuration; - a casing made of insulating material, delimiting an enclosure, the enclosure being recessed from a front surface and open to the front; a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprising at least one connection area with one or more juxtaposed electrical contact pads, the connection area being located within a housing; a communications module comprising an envelope defining a cavity, the cavity configured to receive a wireless communications card comprising an antenna and a complementary connector, the envelope being made from an electrically insulating material and configured to be reversibly received within the housing, the envelope of the communications module being in an assembled configuration; - each contact pad is recessed from the front plane and spaced apart from the front plane by a distance measured along a depth axis that is greater than a predetermined first threshold; - The first threshold value is selected so that the clearance between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than the Class 2 separation distance under voltages above 690V, and the clearance and Class 2 separation distance are in accordance with the IEC947-1:2019 standard; - when the casing is in the assembled position, it at least partially closes the housing, so that the creepage distance between each contact pad and the front plane is greater than a second predetermined threshold value, the second threshold value being equal to the Class 2 separation distance at voltages above 690 V in accordance with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard.

[0010] According to the present invention, the communication module can be easily installed from the front of the control unit without the need to remove the control unit from the breaker unit. All electrical contact pads are recessed from the front, which ensures sufficient separation distance when the communication module housing is mounted on the control unit casing, with or without a communication card. Therefore, once installed, the communication module does not increase the footprint of the control unit, and the control unit remains compact.

[0011] According to advantageous but non-essential aspects of the invention, such a control unit may incorporate one or more of the following features, either in isolation or in any technically permissible combination: - The first threshold is 14mm or more. - each outer shell comprises a proximal wall generally perpendicular to the major axis and a peripheral wall extending upright from the proximal wall and presenting a continuous contour around the major axis, the proximal and peripheral walls together defining a cavity in the outer shell, the cavity opening from the outer shell through a distal opening, the distal opening being located on the opposite side of the major axis from the proximal wall. In contrast, when the communication module is in an assembled configuration, the main axis is parallel to the depth axis, while the distal opening is oriented toward the corresponding connection area, and the cavity shields the contact pads according to the depth axis. - The second threshold is equal to 20 mm. The communication module comprises a communication card received in the cavity. - the communication module includes at least one complementary contact, the at least one complementary contact being metallic and partially received in the cavity and projecting outside the housing by a distal opening; In contrast, when the communications module is in an assembled configuration, each complementary contact is configured to reversibly connect to a respective electrical contact pad on the housing.

[0012] The present invention also relates to an electric circuit breaker, comprising: - a breaker unit comprising at least one breaker device and an actuator, the breaker device being actuatable by the actuator; - an example of a control unit as described above, - the breaker unit provides a receptacle, the receptacle opening to the front of the breaker unit; The control unit is received in the receptacle of the breaker unit so that the front face of the control unit is substantially aligned with the front face of the breaker unit.

[0013] Advantageously, The breaker unit includes a cover, the cover being removable from the remainder of the breaker unit, the cover being made from an electrically insulating material, and the cover defining a portion of a front surface of the breaker unit. The communication housing is a front housing arranged on the edge of the front face, while the communication module presents a recess that is recessed from the front plane. - When the control unit is received in the receptacle of the breaker unit and the cover is mounted on the breaker unit, the cover at least partially covers the recess so as to prevent removal of the communication module from the remainder of the control unit.

[0014] The invention will be better understood and other advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of one embodiment of a control unit and electric circuit breaker according to the principles of the invention, given by way of example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective and partially exploded perspective views of an electric circuit breaker according to the invention, respectively represented in two inserts a) and b), and further comprising a control unit according to the invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are partially exploded perspective views of the control unit of FIG. 1 viewed under two different angles of view, represented in two inserts a) and b). [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the control unit of FIG. 1 shown in two different configurations, shown in two inserts a) and b). [Figure 5] 2A and 2B are perspective and cross-sectional views of the electrical circuit breaker of FIG. 1 with some parts hidden, shown in two inserts a) and b), respectively; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An electric circuit breaker 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The electric circuit breaker 10, also referred to simply as circuit breaker 10, is a multi-pole circuit breaker, specifically a three-pole circuit breaker. The number of poles of the circuit breaker 10 is not limited. In a known manner, a multi-pole electric circuit breaker includes, for each pole, input and output power terminals that are connected to or electrically isolated from each other by a breaker device of the circuit breaker. The breaker device includes, for example, a separable movable contact, which is received in a breaker chamber of the electric circuit breaker 10, and whose movement is controlled by an actuator. Thus, the breaker device can be activated by the actuator. The breaker chamber is realized here by three grids 12 visible on the top surface of the circuit breaker 10; other elements of the breaker device are not depicted.

[0017] The electrical circuit breaker 10 is intended for use in electrical installations, for example to control the power supply of machine tools. In its normal use configuration, the electrical circuit breaker 10 is typically located in an electrical cabinet, with the electrical circuit breaker 10 presenting a front face 14 that is oriented towards a user standing in front of the electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet is not depicted.

[0018] The electrical circuit breaker 10 comprises a breaker unit 16 which includes, among other things, each of the breaker chambers as well as the breaker device and associated actuator.

[0019] The electrical circuit breaker 10 advantageously comprises a cover 18, which is detachable from the rest of the breaker unit 16. The cover 18 is made of an electrically insulating material and extends generally according to a front plane P14, which delimits a portion of the front face 14 of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and, for that matter, of the breaker unit 16. The cover 18 therefore serves to protect the user from the circuit breaker 10. In FIG. 1a), the cover 18 is shown assembled to the breaker unit 16, which corresponds to the normal use configuration of the circuit breaker 10. In FIG. 1b), the cover 18 is spaced apart from the breaker unit 16, which may be seen, for example, during maintenance of the breaker unit 16.

[0020] The electrical circuit breaker 10 also includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is configured to analyze the condition of the breaker unit 16 and, based on the results of these analyses, is configured to activate the actuator, thereby separating the separable contacts.

[0021] The control unit 20 has a front surface 22. The front surface 22 has a generally flat shape and is geometrically supported by a front plane P22, which is perpendicular to a depth axis A22 of the control unit 20. When the control unit 20 is in a normal use configuration, the front surface 22 is oriented toward the user. The front surface 22 therefore defines a forward direction D22, which is parallel to the depth axis A22. The forward direction D22 is represented by an arrow. Concepts of directions such as "forward," "backward," "up," and "down" are defined with respect to the elements as represented in the drawings, with the understanding that these may differ in practice.

[0022] The cover 18 includes a window 19 through which the front face 22 of the control unit 20 is visible. The window 19 is preferably closed by a transparent flap, which is not depicted.

[0023] The control unit 20 is reversibly assembled to the breaker unit 16. In the examples of Figures 1a) and 1b), the control unit 20 is shown in an assembled configuration to the breaker unit 16. The control unit 20 is shown in isolation in Figure 2.

[0024] The breaker unit 16 provides a receptacle which opens onto the front face 14 of the breaker unit 16 and in which the control unit 20 is received, such that the front face 22 of the control unit 20 is substantially aligned with the front face 14 of the breaker unit 16, as specifically shown in Figure 1a). The receptacle is not depicted.

[0025] The control unit 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0026] The control unit 20 comprises a casing 30, which is made of an insulating material and forms a receiving volume for the various components of the control unit 20. The casing 30 houses, in particular, a printed circuit board 32, which is partially visible in Figures 3 and 4. The printed circuit board 32 comprises, in particular, a printed circuit and several electronic components, such as a microprocessor.

[0027] In the illustrated example, printed circuit board 32 comprises several portions connected to each other by a communication bus, which is not depicted herein. Optionally, one or more portions of printed circuit board 32 are flexible. Alternatively, printed circuit board 32 includes several portions that are not connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0028] Herein, the casing 30 includes a front subassembly 100. Moreover, the front subassembly 100 belongs to the control unit 20. The front subassembly 100 includes a central portion 102, which is configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element 104. Human-machine interface is also referred to by its acronym, HMI. The human-machine interface element 104 is also simply referred to as "HMI element" 104. In the illustrated example, the central portion 102 includes several HMI elements 104. The HMI elements 104 include, here, three indicator lights 104A, a transparent portion 104B through which a screen can be observed, and four buttons 104C. These examples are not limiting, and the type, number, and arrangement of the HMI elements 104 may be varied during the design of the front subassembly 100.

[0029] The front subassembly 100 is advantageously reversibly assembled to the rest of the control unit 20, in particular to the casing 30, so that it is possible to replace the front subassembly 100 in the event of a malfunction. The central portion 102 therefore forms part of the front face 22 of the control unit 20.

[0030] The casing 30 comprises at least one housing 98, here three housings, each recessed from the front plane P22 and opening to the front face 22.

[0031] The control unit 20 also includes at least one functional module 99, here three functional modules 99, with each housing associated with a respective functional module, such that each functional module 99 is configured to be reversibly received in an associated housing, with the functional module 99 under consideration being in an assembled configuration.

[0032] Preferably, the control unit 20 includes several functional modules 99. In the illustrated example, the control unit 20 includes three functional modules 99, which are distinct from one another and include a first module 200, herein a battery module, a second module 300, herein a wired connection module, and a third module 400, herein a wireless communication module. The second functional module 300 is herein concealed by a cover 308. Each functional module 99 is associated with a respective housing 98. Each functional module 99 is configured to be reversibly received in the associated housing 98, where the functional modules 99 are in an assembled configuration. In the illustrated example, each functional module 99 is configured to be inserted into the corresponding housing 98 according to an insertion motion, which is a translational motion parallel to the depth axis A22 and oriented in a rearward direction, i.e., opposite to the forward direction D22.

[0033] Although the present specification discusses the third communication module 400, the present invention may of course be implemented without other functional modules. The third communication module 400 may also be referred to simply as the "communication module 400." The housing 98 associated with the third communication module 400 may also be referred to as a communication housing 401.

[0034] The casing 30 defines a communication housing 401, which is recessed from the front plane P22 and opens to the front face 24. In other words, the communication housing 401 opens in the front direction D22. In the example shown, the communication housing 401 is arranged on an edge of the front face 24, which means that the communication housing 401 also opens in a radial direction relative to the front direction D22. In the example shown, the communication housing 401 opens towards the top of the control unit 20. Therefore, the communication housing 401 is referred to as a "front housing".

[0035] The printed circuit board 32 comprises a connection area 34, which comprises a number of juxtaposed electrical contact pads 36. In this embodiment, the connection area 34 comprises five aligned contact pads 36. The connection area 34 is located in a communication housing 401, and in this embodiment, the printed circuit board 32 forms the bottom of the communication housing 401.

[0036] Each contact pad 36 comprises a flat conductive element located substantially on the surface of the printed circuit board 32, and each contact pad 36 can be electrically connected to a respective complementary connector 417 belonging to the communication module 400, each complementary connector 417 contacting a corresponding contact pad 36. The complementary connectors 417 will be described in more detail below. Advantageously, the contact pads 36 are part of the printed circuit of the printed circuit board 32, in other words, the contact pads 36 are manufactured at the same time as the printed circuit board 32.

[0037] Each contact pad 36 of the connection area 34 is recessed from the front plane P22 and separated from the front plane P22 by a distance measured along the depth axis that is greater than a predetermined first threshold value S1. The first threshold value S1 is selected so that the clearance between each contact pad 36 and the front plane P22 is greater than a Class 2 separation distance under voltages above 690 V, with the clearance and Class 2 separation distance complying with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. Roughly speaking, the clearance between two points is the shortest path between these two points, bypassing any obstacles.

[0038] Preferably, the first threshold value S1 is equal to or greater than 14 mm.

[0039] The communication module 400 is described below.

[0040] The communication module 400 is configured to be received in the communication housing 401 at an assembly position of the communication module 400, with the control unit 20 then being in the assembly configuration. The communication module 400 comprises a body 410, which is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0041] The body 410 is shown in isolation in FIG. 3 and in an assembled configuration in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 4, in which the body 410 is visible in cross section, the body 410 comprises a main portion defining a cavity 411, the cavity 411 being open according to a rearward direction of the body 410, which is opposite to the forward direction D22 when the communications module 400 is assembled in the casing 30. Optionally, the communications module 400 also advantageously comprises a communications card 414 configured to be received in the cavity 411. The communications card advantageously comprises an antenna 416 and one or more instances of complementary contacts 417. In this specification, the complementary contacts 417 are pins, preferably telescopic pins also referred to as "pogo-pins," each configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36 according to a movement having a translation component.

[0042] 5, the body 410 has an elongated shape and extends parallel to a transverse axis T410 of the body 410. When the body 410 is assembled to the casing 30, the transverse axis T410 is parallel to the transverse axis of the casing 30 and, for that matter, the control unit 20, and the transverse axis is parallel to the front plane P22.

[0043] The body 410 has a substantially constant cross section in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis T410, i.e., in a transverse plane. The body 410 includes a proximal wall 411A that faces the user when the communications module 400 is in the assembled position, and two side walls 411C that extend perpendicular to the transverse axis T410 and are connected to each other by the proximal wall 411A. The body 410 further includes an upper wall 411D and a lower wall 411E that are parallel to each other and connected to each other by the proximal wall 411A on the one hand and the side wall 411C on the other hand. In this specification, the proximal wall 411A is a plane that is generally perpendicular to the major axis A411. When the communications module 400 is assembled in the casing 30, the major axis A411 is parallel to the depth axis A22. The proximal wall 411A, the side wall 411C, the top wall 411D, and the bottom wall 411E together form a housing that defines a cavity 411. The side wall 411C, the top wall 411D, and the bottom wall 411E together form a peripheral wall of the housing, which protrudes from the proximal wall 411A. The cavity 411 opens from the housing of the communications module 400 through a distal opening 418, which is located in the proximal wall according to a major axis A411.

[0044] Advantageously, the peripheral wall presents a continuous contour around the main axis A411.

[0045] When the communication module is in the assembled configuration, the distal opening 418 is oriented toward the connection area 34. The cavity 411 shields the contact pads 36 along the depth axis A22, while the creepage distance from each contact pad 36 to the front plane P22 is greater than a predetermined second threshold value S2, which is greater than the first threshold value S1. Preferably, the second threshold value S2 is greater than the Class 2 separation distance defined in the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. Preferably, the second threshold value S2 is equal to 20 mm.

[0046] The main body 410 also includes attachment means 412 for holding the communications module 400 in an assembled position. In this specification, the attachment means 412 are two elastic clips that extend from each of the side surfaces 411C toward the rear. The attachment means 412 are advantageously reversible, so that a user can remove the communications module 400 from the communications housing 401, for example, to replace the communications module 400 in the event of a malfunction.

[0047] Advantageously, the proximal wall 411A is recessed from the front plane P22, while the main body 410 further comprises a protrusion 413A extending from the proximal wall 411A according to the front direction D22, the proximal wall 411A and its protrusion together delimiting a recess 413B in the main body 410 and, therefore, in the third communications module 400. The recess 413B is therefore recessed from the front plane.

[0048] Here, the protrusion 413A presents a continuous L-shaped profile in cross section. The protrusion 413A is located away from the edge of the junction between the proximal wall 411A and the top wall 411D, such that the recess 413B is open towards both the front and the top of the control unit 20 when the main body 410 is in an assembled position in the casing 30.

[0049] When the control unit 20 is received in the enclosure of the breaker unit 16 and the cover 18 is mounted on the breaker unit, the cover 18 covers the recess 413B to prevent removal of the communications module from the rest of the control unit 20, as shown in Figure 5. More precisely, the edge 19A of the window 19 in the cover 18 cooperates with the recess 413B to limit movement of the body 410 relative to the casing 30 of the control unit 20, specifically translational movement towards the front or top. The communications module 400 is thereby held assembled to the enclosure 30.

[0050] It is therefore understood that when the control unit 20 is received in the receptacle of the breaker unit 16, as long as the cover 18 is assembled to the breaker unit 16, the cover will prevent both removal of the communication module 400 from the control unit 20 and removal of the control unit 20 from the breaker unit 16.

[0051] In this specification, the complementary contacts 417 are pins 417, preferably telescopic pins also known as "pogo pins," each configured to connect to a respective contact pad 36 according to a translational movement. Advantageously, when the communications card 414 is received in the cavity 411, the distal opening 418 allows only the complementary contacts 417 to protrude from the cavity 411 to the outside of the housing. The telescopic pins 417 allow dimensional variations to be accommodated when the communications module 400 is in the assembled position.

[0052] When the communication card 414 is received in the cavity 411, the antenna 416 is advantageously positioned facing the proximal wall 411A for convenient transmission of electromagnetic waves emitted or received by the antenna 416.

[0053] When the communication module 400 is received in the corresponding communication enclosure 401, the housing at least partially closes the associated communication enclosure 401, and therefore the creepage distance from each contact pad 36 to the front plane P22 is greater than the Class 2 separation distance under voltages above 690 V, in accordance with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. The Class 2 separation distance is obtained both when the communication card 414 is present and when it is not. Therefore, depending on the user's needs, it is possible to add a communication card to a control unit 20 that initially did not have one, even after commissioning of the control unit 20 and circuit breaker 10, without changing the safety level of the circuit breaker 10.

[0054] In particular, when the housing of the communications module 400 is in the assembled position, the bottom wall 411E extends toward the printed circuit board 32, and one end of the bottom wall 411E is positioned facing the printed circuit board.

[0055] The above-described embodiments and alternatives may be combined with each other to produce new embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Electrical Circuit Breaker 14 Front 16 Breaker Unit 18 Cover 20 Control Unit 22 Front 30 Casing 32 Printed Circuit Board 34 Connecting Area 36 Electrical contact pads, contact pads 400 Communication Module 401 Enclosure, communication enclosure 411 Cavity 411A Proximal wall 413B Recess 414 Wireless communication cards, communication cards 416 Antenna 417 Complementary connectors, complementary contacts 418 Distal Opening A22 Depth axis A411 main shaft D22 Forward P22 Front plane S1 First threshold

Claims

1. A control unit (20) for an electric circuit breaker (10), said control unit (20) comprising: a front surface (22) that is generally flat and geometrically supported by a front plane (P22), the front surface (22) being orthogonal to the depth axis (A22) and defining a front direction (D22) that is oriented towards the user when the control unit (20) is in its normal use configuration; a casing (30) made of insulating material and delimiting a housing (401), said housing (401) being recessed from said front plane (P22) and opening onto said front face (22); a printed circuit board (32) comprising at least one connection area (34) with one or more juxtaposed electrical contact pads (36), said connection area (34) being located within said housing (401); a control unit (20) comprising a communications module (400), the communications module (400) comprising an outer casing defining a cavity (411), the cavity (411) configured to reversibly receive a wireless communications card (414) comprising an antenna (416) and a complementary connector (417), the outer casing being made of an electrically insulating material and configured to be reversibly received in the housing (401), the communications module (400) being in an assembled position; each contact pad (36) is recessed from said front plane (P22) and is spaced from said front plane (P22) by a distance, measured along said depth axis (A22), that is greater than a predetermined first threshold value (S1); - said first threshold value (S1) is selected so that the clearance between each contact pad (36) and said front plane (P22) is greater than a Class 2 separation distance at voltages above 690V, said clearance and said Class 2 separation distance being in accordance with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard; a control unit (20) characterized in that, when said housing is in said assembled position, said housing at least partially closes said housing (401), so that a creepage distance between each contact pad (36) and said front plane (P22) is greater than a second predetermined threshold value, said second threshold value being equal to a Class 2 separation distance at voltages above 690 V in accordance with said IEC 947-1:2019 standard.

2. A control unit (20) according to claim 1, wherein said first threshold value (S1) is greater than or equal to 14 mm.

3. each outer shell comprises a proximal wall (411A) generally perpendicular to a major axis (A411) and a peripheral wall rising from said proximal wall (411A) and presenting a continuous contour around said major axis (A411), said proximal wall (411A) and said peripheral wall together delimiting said cavity (411) of said outer shell, said cavity (411) opening out from said outer shell through a distal opening (418) located on the opposite side of said major axis (A411) from said proximal wall (411A); A control unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the communication module (400) is in an assembled configuration, the main axis (A411) is parallel to the depth axis (A22), while the distal opening (418) is oriented towards the corresponding connection section (34), and the cavity (411) shields the contact pads according to the depth axis (A22).

4. A control unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second threshold value is equal to 20 mm.

5. A control unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said communication module (400) comprises said communication card (414), said communication card (414) being received in said cavity (411).

6. - said communication module (400) comprises at least one complementary contact (417), said at least one complementary contact (417) being made of metal and being partially received in said cavity (411) and projecting outside said housing through said distal opening (418); A control unit (20) according to claim 5, wherein when the communication module (400) is in an assembled configuration, each complementary contact (417) is configured to be reversibly connected to a respective electrical contact pad (36) associated with the corresponding housing (401).

7. An electric circuit breaker (10), comprising: a breaker unit (16) comprising at least one breaker device and an actuator, said breaker device being actuatable by said actuator; - an example of a control unit (20) according to claim 1 or 2, - said breaker unit (16) provides a container, said container opening onto the front face (14) of said breaker unit; an electric circuit breaker (10) in which said control unit (20) is received in said receptacle of said breaker unit so that said front face (22) of said control unit (20) is aligned with said front face of said breaker unit.

8. - said breaker unit (16) comprises a cover (18), said cover (18) being detachable from the rest of said breaker unit, said cover (18) being made of an electrically insulating material and defining a part of said front surface (14) of said breaker unit (16); the communication housing (401) is a front housing (401) arranged on the edge of the front surface (P22), while the communication module (400) presents a recess (413B) located behind the front surface (P22); 8. The electric circuit breaker (10) of claim 7, wherein when the control unit (20) is received in the container and the cover (18) is mounted on the breaker unit (16), the cover partially closes the recess (413B) to prevent the communication module (400) from being removed from the rest of the control unit (20).

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