Control unit for electrical circuit breaker and associated electrical circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a control unit that ensures protection of people and allows installation of a connection module without interruption of operation while remaining compact.SOLUTION: A control unit (20) presents a front face (22) extending in a front plane (P22) configured to receive a connection module (300) in an assembled position, in which a closable connection housing (301) is open by a cover (308). A contact pad (36) is located at a bottom part of the housing. The connection module presents a front face (311A) with an output connector (316). In the assembled position, the closed cover increases a creepage distance between an output connector and the front plane beyond a Class 1 isolation distance under a voltage of 690 V or less. In the absence of the connection module, the closed cover increases a spatial distance between each contact pad and the front plane (P22) beyond a Class 2 isolation distance under a voltage above 690 V.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 comprising such a control unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 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, allowing a user to read and / or adjust certain operating parameters of the electric circuit breaker. The control unit is detachable, 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.

[0003] According to the present application, electric 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 electric circuit breaker operates. In the context of this specification, two main voltage ranges are considered: the first range corresponds to voltages up to 690 V, and the second range corresponds strictly to voltages above 690 V. For voltages above 690 V, Class 1 isolation requires a clearance distance, or air 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 an air distance of more than 10mm.

[0004] EP 3290935-A1 describes a control unit with a casing made of insulating material, in which several components, such as a printed circuit board, voltage dividing components, etc., are received. As technology and needs evolve, it is advantageous to propose a wired connection interface, if necessary, to allow the user to transfer data to and / or from the control unit. The connection interface is connected on the one hand to the printed circuit board of the control unit and, on the other hand, provides the user with a connector, such as a USB connector, in particular USB-C, or a connector of another format, to which the user can connect an electronic device capable of communicating with the control unit.

[0005] We are concerned here with connection interfaces that are modular, i.e. are part of a connection module that can be connected to or disconnected from a control unit.

[0006] It is known to connect a connection module comprising a connection cable with an input connector and a casing with an output connector to a control unit. To ensure the isolation distance, the connection cable is connected to the control unit from the rear, while the casing is fixed to the front of the circuit breaker. Such a solution is impractical, since it is necessary to remove the control unit from its housing to make the connection. Furthermore, the casing fixed to the circuit breaker is bulky and there is a risk of it being damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] EP-0843332-A1 [Patent Document 2] EP3290935-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 control unit that allows the installation of connection modules without interrupting service, while guaranteeing the protection of people and remaining compact. [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 face, the front face being generally flat in shape and geometrically carried by a front plane, the front face being orthogonal to a depth axis and defining a forward direction that is oriented towards a user when the control unit is in a normal use configuration, the control unit comprising: a casing made of insulating material and provided with a connection housing, the connection housing being recessed from a front surface and opening into the front surface; - a printed circuit board comprising a connection area associated with a connection housing, the connection area being located at the bottom of the connection housing and comprising several electrical contact pads; - a connection module configured to be received in the connection housing at an assembly position of the connection module, the control unit then being in the assembly configuration, the connection module comprising: a main body made of an electrically insulating material and comprising attachment means for holding the connection module in an assembled position, the main body comprising a rear surface that is positioned facing the connection area when the control unit is in the assembled configuration, and a front surface that is oriented opposite to the rear surface; an input connector, the input connector opening to the rear face and configured to be connected to one or more of the contact pads of the connection area; an output connector connected to the input connector and opening to a front face of the connection module, the output connector being capable of receiving a complementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit; - the contact pad is recessed from the front plane and spaced 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; - the control unit also includes a cover, the cover articulated relative to the remainder of the control unit and movable between a closed position in which the cover closes the connection housing and a rear face of the cover is oriented towards the connection housing, and an open position in which the cover does not prevent access to the connection housing; - When the connection module is in the assembled position, the output connector is recessed from the front plane, whereby a front surface of the cover is substantially aligned with the front plane, and the front surface of the cover is oriented opposite to a rear surface of the cover; The cover in the closed position prevents access to the output connector, so that the creepage distance between the output connector and the front plane is greater than the Class 1 separation distance under voltages up to 690V, and the creepage distance complies with the IEC947-1:2019 standard.

[0010] The present invention makes it possible to equip a control unit with a connection module while ensuring user safety with sufficient separation distance, whether the connection module is present and the separation distance is measured from the output connector, or the connection module is not present and the separation distance is measured from the contact pads, when the intended operating voltage is 690 V or less. The connection module is loaded from the front and is received in the casing of the control unit without the need to remove the control unit, thereby keeping the control unit 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 connection housing is delimited towards the rear by a bottom wall, the bottom wall being part of the casing, the bottom wall being recessed relative to a front plane following the front direction, the bottom wall being provided with an opening, the opening opening into the connection housing; The electrical contact pads are located on the rear side of the bottom wall and are accessible from the connection housing through an opening. - Each opening is contoured to comply with the IP3x protection index as defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. - the input connector comprises telescopic pins, each telescopic pin configured to be connected to a respective contact pad; On the other hand, in the assembled configuration of the connection module, the rear face of the connection module is pressed against the bottom wall. - the casing has a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall dividing the connection housing in a radial direction relative to the depth axis; On the other hand, the casing has a groove recessed in the peripheral wall, opening into the connection housing, and extending parallel to the depth axis; the body includes a protrusion configured to be received in the groove when the connection module is in the assembled position; The protrusion and groove cooperate to form a keying member for the control unit. - the control unit comprises a second housing in addition to the connection housing, the second housing being provided in the casing and opening onto the front face of the control unit, while the groove opens into the second housing; The control unit also includes a wedge configured to be inserted into the second housing in the insertion position, the wedge including a second protrusion, preferably a tongue, that at least partially closes the groove when the wedge is in the insertion position to prevent assembly of the connection module within the connection housing. - The wedge in the inserted position is non-removable. The wedge is advantageously deployed when the intended operating voltage is above 690V and prevents installation of the connection module in the control unit, thus ensuring user safety by a sufficient separation distance from the contact pads.

[0012] The present invention also relates to an electric circuit breaker, comprising: - a breaker unit comprising at least one breaker device and an 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, whereby a front face of the control unit is substantially aligned with a front face of the breaker unit.

[0013] 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]

[0014] [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] 3A and 3B are perspective views of the control unit of FIG. 2 in two different configurations, shown in two inserts a) and b), with a connection module in insert a) and without a connection module in insert b); [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are perspective views of the connection module of FIG. 3, viewed according to two opposite directions, respectively represented in two inserts a) and b). [Figure 5] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of a housing provided on a control unit, represented in three inserts a), b), and c), configured to receive a connection module, the control unit being represented in three different configurations. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control unit of FIG. 2 according to the plane VI-VI, with the connection module hidden. [Figure 7] 3 is a perspective view of the control unit and an element of the control unit of FIG. 2, represented in three inserts a), b), and c). [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are perspective and cross-sectional views of the control unit, shown in two inserts a) and b), respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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 devices and associated actuators.

[0018] The electrical circuit breaker 10 advantageously comprises a cover 18, which is removable from the breaker unit 16. The cover 18 is made of an electrically insulating material and extends generally according to a front plane P14, which defines part of the front face 14 of the electrical circuit breaker 10 and, more particularly, of the breaker unit 16. The cover 18 therefore serves to protect the user of 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The breaker unit 16 provides a receptacle that opens onto the front face 14 of the breaker unit 16 and in which the control unit 20 is received, whereby 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.

[0024] The control unit 20 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0025] 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 specifically houses a printed circuit board 32, which is partially visible in Figure 3. The printed circuit board 32 comprises a printed circuit and several electronic components such as a microprocessor, light emitting diodes, etc.

[0026] 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. Alternatively, printed circuit board 32 is monolithic.

[0027] The casing 30 includes a front subassembly 100. More specifically, the subassembly 100 belongs to the control unit 20. The front subassembly 100 includes a central portion 102, which is generally flat and presents a front side 102A and a rear side 102B opposite the front side 102A. The central portion 102 is configured to receive at least one human-machine interface element 104, as used herein. The front side 102A of the central portion 102 is preferably oriented in a forward direction D22. Human-machine interfaces are also referred to by their acronym, HMI. The human-machine interface elements 104 are also simply referred to as "HMI elements" 104. In the illustrated example, the central portion 102 includes several HMI elements 104. HMI elements 104 herein include three indicator lights 104A, a transparent portion 104B through which the screen can be viewed, and four buttons 104C. These examples are not limiting, and the type, number, and placement of HMI elements 104 may be varied during the design of front subassembly 100.

[0028] The front subassembly 100 is 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.

[0029] The control unit 20 includes a connection module 300, which is received in an attachment position of the connection module 300 in a connection housing 301 provided in the remainder of the control unit 20. Furthermore, the control unit 20 has a so-called attachment configuration. The connection housing 301 is recessed from the front plane P22 and opens to the front surface 22.

[0030] The connection module 300 is configured to be reversibly received in the connection housing 301, and the connection module 300 is configured to be inserted into the connection housing 301 according to an insertion movement, which is a translational movement parallel to the depth axis A22 and oriented according to a rearward direction, i.e., a direction opposite to the forward direction D22.

[0031] The control unit 20 comprises a cover 308, which is articulated to the casing 30 and closes the connection housing 301. The cover 308 is shown in a closed position in Fig. 2 and in an open position in Fig. 3, revealing the connection housing 301. In Fig. 3a) the connection module 300 is depicted within the connection housing 301, while in Fig. 3b) the connection module is absent and the connection housing 301 is revealed.

[0032] In this specification, the cover 308 is rotatably connected to the casing 30 about a hinge axis A308 parallel to the front plane P22. Therefore, the cover 308 is not removable. The cover 308 has a generally flat shape and includes a front surface 309A and a rear surface 309B oriented opposite to the front surface 309A. When the cover 308 is in the closed position, the front surface 309A is oriented according to the front direction D22, while the rear surface 309B is oriented toward the bottom wall 304.

[0033] The connection module 300 and the associated connection housing 301 are described below. The connection housing 301 is shown in perspective view in Figure 3b) and in cross section in Figure 5. The second connection module 300 is shown in isolation in Figure 4 and in an assembled configuration in Figures 5b) and 5c).

[0034] The connection housing 301 has a substantially cylindrical shape following an axis parallel to the depth axis A22. The connection housing 301 is delimited by a peripheral wall 302, which delimits the connection housing 301 radially relative to the depth axis A22. In the example shown, the connection housing 301 also comprises a bottom wall 304, which delimits the connection housing 301 towards the rear. In a non-depicted alternative, the bottom wall is absent. Thus, in this specification, the peripheral wall 302 and the bottom wall 304 are part of the casing 30. The bottom wall 304 is disposed recessed with respect to a front plane P22 following the front direction D22 and opens into the front plane P22.

[0035] A portion of the printed circuit board 32, here located on the rear side of the bottom wall and recessed from the connection housing 301, comprises a connection area 34, which comprises at least one contact pad 36. Each contact pad 36 comprises a generally flat conductive element located on the surface of the printed circuit board 32, which can be electrically connected to a respective complementary connector belonging to the connection module 300, each complementary connector being in contact with a corresponding contact pad 36. 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. In the example shown, the connection area 34 comprises five contact pads 36.

[0036] Here, the connection housing 301 comprises an opening 306 in the bottom wall 304 that opens into the connection housing 301. The connection section 34 and associated contact pads 36 are located on the rear side of the bottom wall 304 and are accessible from the connection housing 301 through the opening 306. Thus, five contact pads 36 and, more specifically, the second connection section 34B are associated with the second connection housing 301.

[0037] In the example shown, the second connection section 34B has five contact pads 36, which are located on the rear side of the bottom wall 304 and are accessible from the connection housing 301 through openings 306.

[0038] Each opening 306 presents a contour with an inscribed circle diameter strictly less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 2.0 mm, to comply with the IP3x protection index defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard. In the example shown, for each of the openings 306, the inscribed circle diameter is equal to 1.9 mm. This therefore reduces the risk of accidental introduction of an object through the opening and reduces the risk of electrical accidents. Each of the openings 306 is preferably circular.

[0039] Each contact pad 36 of the second connection area 34B is recessed from the front plane P22 and spaced from the front plane P22 by a distance such that the clearance between each contact pad 36 and the plane P22 is greater than a predetermined first threshold value S1 when the cover 308 is in the closed position. 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 distance and Class 2 separation distance complying with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. The first threshold value S1 is advantageously selected to be greater than or equal to 14 mm.

[0040] The connection module 300 will now be described. The connection module 300 includes a main body 310, which is made of an electrically insulating material. Herein, the main body 310 has a generally parallelepiped shape and includes a front side 311A ​​oriented toward the user when the connection module 300 is in the assembled position, and a rear side 311B oriented oppositely, i.e., facing the second connection section 34B when the control unit 20 is in the assembled configuration. The main body 310 also includes two side surfaces 311C oriented oppositely to each other and connecting the front surface 311A ​​to the rear surface 311B. The main body 310 also includes an upper surface 311D and a lower surface 311E oriented oppositely to each other, connecting the front surface 311A ​​to the rear surface 311B on the one hand and connecting the side surfaces 311C to each other on the other hand.

[0041] The body 310 comprises attachment means 312 for holding the connectivity module 300 in an assembled position. In this description, the attachment means 312 are two elastic clips, one extending from each of the side surfaces 311C. The attachment means 312 are advantageously reversible, allowing a user to extract the connectivity module 300 from the connection housing 301, for example to replace the connectivity module 300 in the event of a malfunction.

[0042] The connection module 300 also includes an input connector 314 that opens to the rear side 311B and is configured to connect to one or more of the contact pads 36 of the second connection section 34B.

[0043] The input connector 314 advantageously comprises pins 315, preferably telescopic pins, also called "pogo-pins", each configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36 according to a translational movement. Each pin 315 is therefore a complementary connector of the connection module 300, configured to be connected to a respective contact pad 36. In the assembled configuration of the connection module 300, the rear face 311B preferably contacts the bottom wall 304. The telescopic pins 315 allow dimensional variations to be accommodated when the connection module 300 is in the assembled position. This therefore reduces the footprint of the control unit 20 while ensuring good electrical contact between the input connector 314 and the associated contact pads 36.

[0044] The connection module 300 also comprises an output connector 316. The output connector 316 is connected to the input connector 314 through the body 310 and opens to the front, the output connector 316 being able to receive a complementary connector to enable a user to exchange data with the control unit 20. The complementary connector is not depicted. The connection module 300 is therefore a wired connection module. In the example shown, the output connector is advantageously in the so-called USB Type-C format. Naturally, other types of connectors are possible, as long as spatial constraints are respected.

[0045] When the connection module 300 is in the assembled position, the cover 308 in the closed position prevents access to the output connector 316 and the rear face 309 B of the cover 308 is positioned facing the output connector 316 .

[0046] The output connector 316 is recessed from the front plane P22, so that when the cover 308 is in the closed position, the front surface 309A is geometrically supported by the front plane P22. The creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than the Class 1 separation distance at voltages of 690 V or less, and the creepage distance complies with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. Therefore, the creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than 10 mm. When the cover 308 is closed, the clearance distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than the Class 1 separation distance at voltages of 690 V or less, and the clearance distance complies with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard. Therefore, the clearance distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is greater than 8 mm.

[0047] In the example shown, the creepage distance between the output connector 316 and the front plane P22 is equal to 11.5 mm, while the clearance distance is equal to 11.5 mm, with the cover 308 closed.

[0048] When the connection module 300 is not present, with the cover 308 in the closed position, the clearance between the contact pads 36 of the second connection area 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 14 mm, while the creepage distance between the contact pads 36 of the second connection area 34B and the front plane P22 is greater than 20 mm.

[0049] In the example shown, the connection housing 301 is bounded by a bottom wall 304 , while the printed circuit board 32 is located behind the bottom wall 304 .

[0050] 6, the casing 30 advantageously comprises an intermediate wall 38 that is generally parallel to and recessed from the front plane P22, the printed circuit board 32 being located behind the intermediate wall 38. A bottom wall 304 that delimits the connection housing 301 is advantageously part of the intermediate wall 38. If it is necessary to provide an opening through part of the intermediate wall 38 for connecting other functional modules different from the connection module 300 to other connection areas provided on the printed circuit board 32, this part of the intermediate wall 38 is preferably recessed from the front plane P22 and spaced apart from the front plane P22 by a distance measured along a depth axis A22 that is greater than the first threshold value S1, thereby ensuring a sufficient separation distance between the connection area and the user.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, the casing 30 advantageously comprises a groove 320 recessed in the peripheral wall 302 and opening into the connection housing, the groove 320 extending parallel to the depth axis A22.

[0052] The body 310 of the connectivity module 300 includes a protrusion 322, e.g., a tongue-like projection, configured to be received in the groove 320 when the connectivity module is in the assembled position, as shown in FIG. 3 a). The protrusion 322 extends as a raised portion on the body 310, here on the top surface 311D of the body 310. The protrusion 322 and the groove 320 cooperate to form a keying member of the control unit 20, the keying feature being configured to allow the connectivity module 300 to be inserted into the connectivity housing 301 in only one position.

[0053] Advantageously, the control unit 20 comprises, in addition to the connection housing 301, a second housing 324 which is recessed from the front plane P22 in the casing 30 and opens onto the front face 22 of the control unit 20. The groove 320 further opens into the second housing 324. In other words, the groove 320 forms a passage between the connection housing 301 and the second housing. The control unit 20 also comprises a wedge 340 which is configured to be received in the second housing 324 in the insertion position.

[0054] The wedge 340 has a second protrusion 342, preferably a tongue-like protrusion, which at least partially closes the groove 320 when the wedge is in the inserted position so as to prevent assembly of the connection module 300 within the connection housing 301 when the wedge 340 is previously received in the second housing 324.

[0055] When the wedge 340 is in the inserted position, the wedge 340 is advantageously non-detachable, i.e. it is not possible to remove the wedge 340 from the second housing 324 without damaging the wedge 340 or dismantling the control unit 20 after removing it from its receptacle in the breaker unit 16. To achieve this, the wedge 340 is provided with clipping means 344, here two resilient tabs, which cooperate with recesses 326 recessed in the second housing 324. The insertion of the wedge 340 into the second housing 324 is advantageously performed by hand without tools.

[0056] Therefore, if the control unit 20 is intended to operate at voltages above 690 V, the prior installation of the wedge 340 in the second housing 324 makes it possible to prevent any subsequent attempts to install the connection module 300 in the connection housing 301, which would entail the risk of exposing the user to risk since the distance and / or isolation class would no longer be respected.

[0057] The above-described embodiments and alternatives may be combined with each other to produce new embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 Electrical Circuit Breaker 14 Front 16 Breaker Unit 20 Control Unit 22 Front 30 Casing 32 Printed Circuit Board 34 Connecting Area 36 Electrical contact pads, contact pads 300 Connection Modules 301 Connection housing 302 Peripheral wall 304 Bottom wall 306 Opening 308 Cover 309A Front 309B Rear 310 Main Unit 311A Front 311B Rear 314 input connector 315 Telescopic Pin 316 output connector 320 Groove 322 Protrusion 324 Second Enclosure 340 Wedge 342 Second protrusion A22 Depth axis D22 Forward P22 Front plane S1 First threshold

Claims

1. 1. A control unit (20) for an electric circuit breaker (10), said control unit (20) comprising a front surface (22), said front surface (22) being generally flat and geometrically supported by a front plane (P22), said front surface (22) being orthogonal to a depth axis (A22) and defining a forward direction that is oriented towards a user when said control unit (20) is in a normal use configuration, said control unit (20) comprising: a casing (30), said casing (30) being made of insulating material and provided with a connection housing (301), said connection housing (301) being recessed from said front plane (P22) and opening into said front plane (P22); a printed circuit board (32) comprising a connection area (34) associated with the connection housing (301), the connection area (34) being located at the bottom of the connection housing (301) and comprising several electrical contact pads (36); a connection module (300) configured to be received in the connection housing (301) in an assembly position of the connection module (300), the control unit (20) then being in an assembly configuration, the connection module (300) comprising: a body (310) made of an electrically insulating material and comprising attachment means (312) for holding the connection module (300) in the assembled position, the body (310) comprising a rear face (311B) that is positioned facing the connection area (34) when the control unit (20) is in the assembled configuration, and a front face (311A) that is oriented opposite to the rear face (311B); an input connector (314), the input connector (314) opening to the rear face (311B) and configured to connect to one or more of the contact pads (36) of the connection area (34); a control unit (20) comprising an output connector (316) connected to the input connector (314) and opening to the front face (311A) of the connection module (300), the output connector (316) being capable of receiving a complementary connector so that a user can exchange data with the control unit (20); said contact pads (36) are recessed from said front plane (P22) and 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; the control unit (20) also comprises a cover (308), the cover (308) being articulated relative to the rest of the control unit (20) and movable between a closed position in which the cover (308) closes the connection housing (301) and a rear face (309B) of the cover is oriented towards the connection housing (301), and an open position in which the cover (308) does not prevent access to the connection housing (301); when said connection module (300) is in said assembly position, the output connector (316) is recessed from the front plane (P22), whereby the front surface (309A) of the cover (308) is substantially aligned with the front plane (P22) and the front surface (309A) of the cover (308) is oriented opposite to the rear surface (309B) of the cover (308); - A control unit (20) characterized in that the cover (308) in the closed position prevents access to the output connector (316), whereby the creepage distance between the output connector (316) and the front plane (P22) is greater than the Class 1 separation distance at voltages of 690 V or less, and the creepage distance complies with the IEC 947-1:2019 standard.

2. the connection housing (301) is delimited towards the rear by a bottom wall (304), the bottom wall (304) being part of the casing (30), the bottom wall (304) being recessed relative to the front plane (P22) according to the front direction (D22), the bottom wall (304) being provided with an opening (306) which opens into the connection housing (301), A control unit (20) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contact pads (36) are located on the rear side of the bottom wall (304) and are accessible from the connection housing (301) through the opening (306).

3. A control unit (20) according to claim 2, wherein each opening (306) presents a contour that complies with the IP3x protection index defined in the IEC 60529:2013 standard.

4. said input connector (314) comprises retractable pins (315), each retractable pin being adapted to be connected to a respective contact pad (36); A control unit (20) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the assembled configuration of the connection module (300), the rear face (311B) of the connection module (300) is in contact with the bottom wall (304).

5. - said casing (30) comprises a peripheral wall (302) which delimits said connection housing (301) radially relative to said depth axis (A22); - the casing (30) comprises a groove (320) recessed in the peripheral wall (302) and opening into the connection housing (301), the groove (320) extending parallel to the depth axis (A22); - said body (310) comprises a protrusion (322) adapted to be received in said groove (320) when said connection module (300) is in said assembled position; A control unit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said protrusion (322) and said groove (320) cooperate to form a keying feature of said control unit (20).

6. the control unit (20) comprises, in addition to the connection housing (301), a second housing (324), which is provided in the casing (30) and opens onto the front face (22) of the control unit (20); - said groove (320) opens into said second housing (324); - A control unit (20) as described in claim 5, wherein the control unit (20) also comprises a wedge (340), the wedge (340) being configured to be inserted into the second housing (324) in an insertion position, the wedge (340) comprising a second protrusion (342), the second protrusion (342) at least partially closing the groove (320) when the wedge (340) is in the insertion position to prevent assembly of the connection module (300) in the connection housing (301).

7. A control unit (20) according to claim 6, wherein said wedge (340) in said inserted position is non-detachable.

8. The control unit (20) of claim 6, wherein the second protrusion (342) is a tongue.

9. An electric circuit breaker (10), comprising: a breaker unit (16) comprising at least one breaker device and an actuator; - an example of the control unit (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, - 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 the control unit (20) is received in the receptacle such that the front face (22) of the control unit (20) is aligned with the front face (14) of the breaker unit (16).

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