Electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device and electrical protection device comprising at least one such arc extinguishing chamber

Abstract

[0003] The present invention relates to an electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device and an electrical protection device comprising at least one such arc extinguishing chamber. The present invention relates to an electric arc extinguishing chamber comprising juxtaposed metal separator plates (1) spaced apart from one another and at least two flanges (2) disposed on either side of the separator plates to hold the separator plates in place. The arc extinguishing chamber further comprises at least one reinforcing member (3) disposed on the inner surface (2a) of each flange (2) extending along the juxtaposed metal separator plates, each side (1a) of the separator plates comprising at least one notch (10a) with at least one retaining element (100a) protruding from the notch (10a). Each reinforcing member (3) is inserted into the notch, and the retaining element passes through the reinforcing member and the flange to reinforce the maintenance of the spacing between the separator plates. The present invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising such an arc extinguishing chamber.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical protection circuits, more particularly to electrical protection devices such as circuit breakers comprising an electric arc extinguishing chamber, to an electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device, and to an electrical protection device comprising at least one such extinguishing chamber. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that electrical protection devices, such as circuit breakers, are capable of interrupting the flow of electric current in an electrical circuit, for example in a domestic or industrial power grid, to protect electrical lines, equipment and / or persons by being triggered by the electrical protection device upon detecting a fault or accident, such as a short circuit or an overload, in said electrical circuit.

[0003] These electrical protection devices comprise a connector for connection to an electrical circuit, a protection mechanism (generally of the bimetallic plate and / or thermal relay and / or electronic circuit type) for detecting faults, at least one pair of electrical contacts that can be separated to allow interruption of the current, a tripping mechanism capable of separating said contacts, and a protection mechanism for detecting faults and controlling the separation of the contacts upon detection of a fault. These electrical protection devices also generally comprise a lever that serves to manually disconnect or reset the electrical protection device and to specify its state.

[0004] A known problem with these electrical protection devices is that in the presence of electric current, electric arcs form at the contacts when they are separated, allowing current to pass between the contacts. Furthermore, when the energy or temperature of the electric arc is high, especially at the core of the electric arc, the core being an ionized gas or plasma, can cause degradation of the contacts by evaporation of metal and protrusion of molten material.

[0005] To overcome this drawback, the electrical protection device further comprises at least one arc-extinguishing chamber for extinguishing the electric arc. Such an arc-extinguishing chamber comprises juxtaposed flat metal plates that are held together in parallel and vertically form a stack of plates spaced apart from one another by side walls (also called end plates or flanges) that define two opposite sides of the arc-extinguishing chamber. These plates, also called separators or platelets, make it possible to divide the electric arc into as many electric arcs as there is space between the two plates, lengthening the electric arc. The plates also make it possible to absorb or store at least a part of the energy generated by the electric arc. The plates thus make it possible to extinguish the electric arc or to contribute to its extinguishing and thus to the final interruption of the current by opening the contacts.

[0006] However, these arc-extinguishing chambers are not always satisfactory since the electric arc tends to remain for a long time at the inlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber, at the joint between the plate of the arc-extinguishing chamber and the flange, resulting in corrosion of the flange, which leads to premature wear of the arc-extinguishing chamber and reduces the effectiveness and reliability of the electrical protection device.

[0007] The subject of document EP 3236482 A1 is an electrical protection device of the circuit breaker type, which comprises an arc extinguishing chamber for extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation of separable electric contacts connected to the input and output terminals of the current, and which makes it possible to overcome this drawback as well. The electric arc extinguishing chamber has high durability and better wear resistance when the circuit breaker is used for low voltage and high intensity currents. The arc extinguishing chamber comprises a stack of separator plates spaced apart from one another and side walls (flanges) arranged on both sides of the stack. The separator plates are fixed to the side walls by being joined to the side walls by their side faces. The arc extinguishing chamber further comprises protective elements arranged inside the arc extinguishing chamber along the side walls on both sides of the stack at the junction between the side walls and the separator plates at the front of the arc extinguishing chamber facing the electric contacts. These protective elements cover the corners of the front separator plates adjacent to the side walls and separate them from the electric contacts. The protective elements therefore prevent the electric arc from damaging the flange of the arc-extinguishing chamber, especially when the electric arc remains at the inlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber for an extended period of time. Furthermore, the concave shape of one side of each protective element acts to guide the arc towards the central region of the arc-extinguishing chamber. The arc-extinguishing chamber also includes a filtration system provided with a discharge orifice formed at the rear of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

[0008] However, despite the presence of these protective elements, there are still reliability problems in circuit breakers of the type disclosed in document EP 3236482 A1, particularly with regard to the metallic separators and their retention of distance when an electric arc occurs. This is because, when an electric arc occurs during separation of the electrical contacts, said metallic separators are subjected to a magnetic field that attracts them to one another, which causes them to deform or twist, which has the effect of bringing them into contact with one another or even welding them together, rendering them ineffective for a secondary or further interruption of the current. Furthermore, the protective elements are exposed to a powerful blast when the fragmentation of the electric arc is formed, which can result in the protective elements being deteriorated or even torn apart.

[0009] Moreover, as regards the filtering system, it is generally incorporated into the assembly in the form of a cover that is fixed to the rear face of the side wall of the arc extinguishing chamber by means of metal screws, which have the drawback of reducing the dielectric strength. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device, the extinguishing chamber being capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation / opening of electric contacts, the extinguishing chamber comprising: juxtaposed metallic separator plates having front and rear parts intended to face the electric contacts, spaced apart from each other and extending along a juxtaposition axis; and at least two flanges facing each other, each having an inner surface, arranged on either side of the separator plate and holding them in a position transverse to the juxtaposition axis, thereby defining two sides of the extinguishing chamber, each separator plate having two opposing sides fixed respectively to the inner surfaces of the flanges, and at least two flanges arranged respectively at the rear and front of the extinguishing chamber, the at least two flanges facing each other, each having an inner surface, each flange having an inner surface and a flange located respectively at the rear and front of the extinguishing chamber. An electric arc extinguishing chamber is provided, essentially characterized in that the arc extinguishing chamber has a rear surface and a front surface facing each other, the arc extinguishing chamber further comprising at least one reinforcing member arranged on an inner surface of each flange with the formation of a thickened portion extending along the juxtaposition direction, and each side surface of the separator plate further comprises at least one slot with at least one retaining element protruding from the slot, each reinforcing member being inserted or press-fit into the slot on the corresponding side surface of the separator plate, the retaining element of the slot penetrating both the corresponding reinforcing member and the corresponding flange so as to enhance maintenance of the spacing between the separator plates when an electric arc occurs.

[0012] The present invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising a connector for connection to an electric circuit, at least one pair of electrical contacts capable of separating from each other to interrupt the flow of current between the electrical contacts, at least one trigger mechanism capable of separating the electrical contacts, at least one protection mechanism for detecting a fault and controlling the separation of the electrical contacts, and at least one arc-extinguishing chamber capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation of the electrical contacts and having a front part facing the electrical contacts and a rear part for discharging an arc-extinguishing gas and / or a material protrusion resulting from the generation of an electric arc during the separation of the electrical contacts, wherein the or at least one arc-extinguishing chamber is essentially composed of the arc-extinguishing chamber according to the present invention.

[0013] The invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments given as non-limiting examples and illustrated with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a three-quarter perspective view of an arc-extinguishing chamber according to the invention in a preferred embodiment with a protective element and a filtering cover with a spacer element. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the arc-extinguishing chamber shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the arc extinguishing chamber shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the arc extinguishing chamber shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arc-extinguishing chamber in the separation plate of the arc-extinguishing chamber shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view between two separation plates in a spacer element array. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the filtering cover showing the inner surface with the spacer elements gathered on a portion of the inner surface. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of an electrical protection device including an arc extinguishing chamber according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The drawing shows an electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device according to the invention, capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation / opening of electrical contacts, said chamber having a front part A intended to face said electrical contacts and a rear part A' (opposite said front part A).

[0016] - juxtaposed metallic separation plates 1, preferably of flat form, spaced apart from one another and extending along a juxtaposition axis X;

[0017] and at least two flanges 2, facing each other, each having an inner surface 2a (i.e., the surface facing the inside of the arc-extinguishing chamber), and arranged on either side of the separating plate 1 so as to hold the separating plate 1 in a position transverse to the juxtaposition axis X, thereby defining two side surfaces of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

[0018] Each separator plate 1 has two opposing side faces 1a respectively fixed to the inner face 2a of the flange 2, and a rear face 1b and a front face 1c respectively located at the rear part A' and the front part A of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

[0019] According to the invention, such an arc-extinguishing chamber further comprises at least one reinforcing element 3, which allows to enhance the holding of the separator plates 1 and the maintenance of the distance between them when an electric arc occurs, and which is arranged on the inner surface 2a of each flange 2 with the formation of a thickening extending along the juxtaposition direction, i.e. in the assembled state of the arc-extinguishing chamber, between the rear face 1a and the front face 1b of the separator plate 1. Furthermore, each side 1a of the separator plate 1 comprises at least one slot 10a, which has at least one holding element 100a, for example of the lug or pad type, protruding from the slot 10a, preferably in the plane of the corresponding separator plate 1.

[0020] Each reinforcing member 3 is inserted or press-fit into a slot 10a in a corresponding side 1a of the separator plate 1, and a retaining element 100a in said slot 10a retains the corresponding reinforcing member 3 and the corresponding flange 100b to enhance the maintenance of the spacing between the separator plates 1. 2It penetrates both.

[0021] On both sides of the juxtaposition direction, the slots 10a form at least a series of slots 10a extending parallel to the juxtaposition axis X. Likewise, the wall thicknesses thus formed extend along the juxtaposition direction, preferably parallel to the juxtaposition axis X.

[0022] The thickened portion has a thickness that is increased by the thickness of the flange 2 over a portion of the surface of the corresponding inner surface 2a, and each retaining element 100a is connected to the corresponding reinforcing member 3 and the corresponding flange 2. 2 It should be understood that the conductor passes through both of the conductors through their thickness.

[0023] Preferably, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, each holding element 100a is connected to a corresponding reinforcing member 3 and a corresponding flange. 2 and projects from its slot 10a so as to project outwardly beyond said flange 1.

[0024] Reinforcing member according to the present invention 3 This is because each reinforcing member forms a thickened portion on the inner surface 2a of each flange 2. 3 and the retaining elements 100a penetrating both the thickness of the reinforcing member 3 and the thickness of the flange 2 make it possible to have the effect of retaining the separation plate 1 at the reinforcing member 3 over a greater thickness (for example over a thickness of about 3 mm) rather than the 1.5 mm not including said reinforcing member 3. Furthermore, preferably, if each retaining element 100a is provided so that it can protrude outwardly beyond the flange 2, said protruding parts can be flattened or flattened and spread out so as to secure the whole together in a riveting manner and thus further strengthen the retention of the separation plate 1.

[0025] Preferably, each reinforcing member 3may have an elongated form, e.g. rectangular, extending along the juxtaposition direction, preferably parallel to the juxtaposition axis X, as shown in more detail in Fig. 3, and may be made in a single piece or integrally. In another form, in an embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, each reinforcing member 3 may consist of several elementary reinforcing elements 1, each inserted or press-fitted into one or more slots 10a.

[0026] The flange 2 (preferably flat) is provided with openings 2d (preferably through openings) for receiving the retaining elements 100a, and the retaining member 3 may be provided with through openings 3a for receiving the retaining elements 100a and allowing each of the retaining elements 100a to penetrate both the retaining member 3 and the flange 2, if necessary by protruding outwardly beyond the flange 2. The openings 3a of the retaining member 3 are thus made opposite the openings 2d of the flange 2 (see in particular Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5).

[0027] Furthermore, the separator plate 1 may be provided with retaining pads 11a protruding from the sides 1a of the separator plate 1 and preferably extending parallel to the plane of said separator plate 1, as known for example from document EP 3236482 A1 (European Patent Application Publication No. 3236482).

[0028] Furthermore, the flange 2 may comprise openings 2e capable of receiving one of the retaining pads 11a respectively, so as to securely fix the separation plate 1 to the flange 2. Each retaining pad 11a of one side 1a of the separation plate 1 may be arranged between the slot 10a of said separation plate and the rear face 1b of said separation plate. Each opening 2e capable of receiving one of the retaining pads 11a of the flange 2 may be arranged between the retaining member 3 and the rear face 2b of said flange 2. The retaining elements 100a protruding from the slots 10a, together with the thickening formed by the member 3 through which said retaining elements 100a pass, make it possible to ensure further maintenance of the position of the separation plates 1 and the spacing between them.

[0029] Preferably, as shown in particular in figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, such an arc-extinguishing chamber may further comprise at least two protective elements 4 positioned respectively between one of the flanges 2 and the separator plate 1 and extending along the juxtaposition direction at the front face 1c of said separator plate 1. Such protective elements 3 may be of the type described in document EP 3236482 A1 (European Patent Application Publication No. 3236482) and will not be described in further detail in the present application. Each protective element 3, preferably made of an electrically insulating material, allows good resistance to the blast caused by the electric arc and allows protecting the separator plate 1 by electrically insulating its front face 1c.

[0030] 1, 3, 5 and 7, it can be seen that each slot 10a may be preferably formed in a central portion of the side surface 1a for more effective retention.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, each reinforcing member 3 has the overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending parallel to the juxtaposition axis X, and each slot 10a has a complementary U-shape, in which case the retaining element 100a of each slot 10a projects from the base of the U outwardly of the slot 10a.

[0032] Each flange 2 has a rear face 2b located at the rear part A' of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

[0033] Each separator plate 1 is in contact with an inner surface 2a of a flange 2 at its side 1a.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the arc-extinguishing chamber further comprises a filter cover 5 for filtering and discharging an arc-extinguishing gas generated by the occurrence of an electric arc passing through the rear part A' of the arc-extinguishing chamber, and the filter cover 5 can comprise a filter chamber 5' and, on both sides thereof, inner surfaces 5b facing the inside of the arc-extinguishing chamber and allowing the arc-extinguishing gas and material protrusion generated by the occurrence of an electric arc to enter the filter chamber 5', and outer surfaces 5a for discharging the arc-extinguishing gas and / or the material protrusion. The filter cover 5 is fixed to the rear surface 2c of the flange 2, preferably removably.

[0035] 4, 6 and 7, it can be seen that according to the present invention, the inner surface 5b of the filtering cover 5 further comprises spacer elements 5c, respectively inserted between two adjacent separating plates 1 at the rear part A' of the arc-extinguishing chamber, so as to enhance the maintenance of the interval between the separating plates 1 at the rear part A' when an electric arc occurs. The spacer elements 5c are arranged in / on the inner surface 5b of the filtering cover 5 so as to be distributed over the whole or part of the length in the juxtaposition direction.

[0036] The filter cover 5 may comprise a number of inlet orifices 5d penetrating the inner surface 5b to allow the arc-extinguishing gas and / or the protrusions to enter the filter chamber 5'. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the spacer elements 5c may be arranged on the inner surface 5b, preferably distributed only over a part of the length in the juxtaposition direction to optimize the number of said inlet orifices 5d, while still optimizing the further maintenance of the spacing between the separation plates 1 formed by the spacer elements 5c. In particular, the presence of the spacer elements 5c may reduce the amount of the spacer elements 5c in the inner surface 5b. 5b It should be understood that the filter cover 5 occupies a surface area of ​​5 a and is devoid of inlet orifices 5 d in this occupied surface area. The filter cover 5 may further comprise exhaust orifices 5 e penetrating the upper surface 5 a and intended to allow the arc-extinguishing gas and the protrusions to be exhausted to the outside after they have passed through the filter system 5 ′.

[0037] In a preferred form of assembly or connection, the filtering cover 5 is secured to the rear surface 2b of the flange 2 by a snap-fit / resilient push-fit assembly, which is preferably reversible and comprises a first snap-fit / resilient push-fit means 20b disposed or formed on the rear surface 2b of the flange 2 and a second snap-fit / resilient push-fit means 5f disposed or formed on an inner surface 5b of the filtering cover 5 so as to interact with the second snap-fit / resilient push-fit means to form the snap-fit / resilient push-fit assembly.

[0038] The first snap-fit / elastic push-fit means 20b may consist of at least two male members, e.g. T-shaped, protruding from the rear face 2b of each flange 2, preferably in the plane of the flange 2, and the second snap-fit / elastic push-fit means 5f may consist of at least two receiving cavities formed in the inner face 5b of the filtering cover 5 to respectively receive one of said male members by snap-fit / elastic push-fit. The flexible or elastically deformable vertical branch of the T allows elastic deformation of the male member 20b when it is pushed by a movement in one direction into the corresponding receiving cavity 5f, during assembly, and the horizontal branch of the T is accommodated in a recess 50f of said receiving cavity 5f configured to prevent a movement in the opposite direction (Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7).

[0039] The present invention can provide a configuration of receiving cavities 5f in the inner surface 5b that allows for the exit of the horizontal branch of the T to form a reversible assembly and allow removal of the filtering cover 5. For example, the filtering cover 5 can have two opposing outer surfaces 5g perpendicular to the inner surface 5a, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, with each receiving cavity 5f extending from the inner surface 5a to one of the outer surfaces 5g. 5b 50f of said receiving cavity 5f, thereby allowing the vertical branch of the T to be moved outwardly of the outer surface 5g by elastic deformation of the vertical branch of the T in order to cause the horizontal branch of the T to exit the recess 50f of said receiving cavity 5f. Naturally, other embodiments of the male member 20b may be envisaged to obtain similar effects and results without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, each receiving cavity 5f may be provided with one or more inclined surfaces 51f, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7, particularly in the portion of the receiving cavity 5f facing the recess 50f, to facilitate the insertion and / or guiding of the male member 20b into said receiving cavity 5f until the horizontal branch of the T is snapped / press-fitted into the recess 50f.

[0041] The snap-fit ​​means or the elastic press-fit means snap-fit / elastic press-fit are considered to be two similar expressions.

[0042] Such a snap-fit / elastic press-fit assembly makes it possible to use plastic parts instead of the metal screws (which have the drawback of reducing the dielectric strength) commonly used in current arc extinguishing chambers.

[0043] With more detailed reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the arc-extinguishing chamber may further comprise a known arcing horn C making it possible to promote the movement of the electric arc from the inlet to the arc-extinguishing chamber at the front part A' of the arc-extinguishing chamber towards the internal space of the arc-extinguishing chamber occupied by the juxtaposed separating plates 1. Such an arcing horn C is described, for example, in document EP 3 236 482 A1 (European Patent Application Publication No. 3 236 482).

[0044] The present invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising a connector for connection to an electric circuit, at least one pair of electrical contacts capable of separating from each other to interrupt the flow of current between the electrical contacts, at least one trigger mechanism capable of separating the electrical contacts, at least one protection mechanism for detecting a fault and controlling the separation of the electrical contacts, and at least one arc-extinguishing chamber capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation of the electrical contacts, the arc-extinguishing chamber having a front portion facing the electrical contacts and a rear portion A' for discharging an arc-extinguishing gas and / or material protrusion resulting from the generation of an electric arc during the separation of the electrical contacts.

[0045] According to the invention, in an electrical protection device as shown in Fig. 8, the arc extinguishing chamber or at least one of the arc extinguishing chambers consists of an arc extinguishing chamber according to the invention as described above. In particular in Fig. 8 it is possible to see such an electrical protection device with a number of arc extinguishing chambers according to the invention (for example three arc extinguishing chambers) shown with a filtering cover 5. Each arc extinguishing chamber may be arranged such that its front part faces one of the pairs of electrical contacts of the electrical protection device, which may comprise a number of pairs of electrical contacts.

[0046] Such an arc-extinguishing chamber according to the invention, or an electrical protection device comprising such an arc-extinguishing chamber, therefore enables in particular the following improvements with respect to known arc-extinguishing chambers, or known electrical protection devices comprising such an arc-extinguishing chamber:

[0047] The reinforcing element 3 forming a thickened section pierced through the flange 2 by a retaining element protruding from the side of the separating plate 1 makes it possible to improve the maintenance of their distance when an electric arc occurs following the opening / separation of the electrical contacts, and, if necessary, the spacer element 5c makes it possible to further strengthen the maintenance of this distance between the separating plates 1 in the rear part A' of the arc-extinguishing chamber.

[0048] The snap-fit / elastic push-fit assembly that secures or connects the filtering cover 5 and the flange 2 allows for the use of non-metallic components to enhance electrical strength and optimize filtering surface area.

[0049] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings: modifications are still possible, particularly in terms of the configuration of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An electric arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical protection device, capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during the separation / opening of electric contacts, said chamber having a front part (A) and a rear part (A') intended to face said electric contacts, The arc extinguishing chamber is juxtaposed metal separator plates (1) spaced apart from one another and extending along a juxtaposition axis (X); at least two flanges (2) facing each other, each having an inner surface (2a), disposed on either side of the separating plate (1) and holding it in a position transverse to the juxtaposition axis (X) thereby defining two sides of the arc-extinguishing chamber; Equipped with Each of the separation plates (1) has two opposing side surfaces (1a) fixed to the inner surface of the flange (2), and a rear surface (1b) and a front surface (1c) located at the rear part (A') and the front part (A) of the arc extinguishing chamber, respectively. It is an arc extinguishing chamber, the arc extinguishing chamber further comprises at least one reinforcing member (3) arranged on an inner surface (2a) of each flange (2) with the formation of a thickened portion extending along the juxtaposition direction, each side (1a) of the separation plate (1) comprises at least one slot (10a) provided with at least one retaining element (100a), the retaining element (100a) protruding from the at least one slot (10a), each reinforcing member (3) being inserted or press-fitted into the slot (10a) of the corresponding side (1a) of the separation plate (1), the retaining element (100a) of the slot (10a) penetrating both the corresponding reinforcing member (3) and the corresponding flange (2) to enhance the maintenance of the spacing between the separation plates (1) when an electric arc occurs.

2. 2. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that each retaining element (100a) projects from its slot (10a) so as to penetrate the corresponding reinforcing member (3) and the corresponding flange (2) and project outward beyond said flange (2).

3. 3. The arc extinguishing chamber according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least two protective elements (4) positioned respectively between one of the flanges (2) and the separating plate (1) and extending along the juxtaposition direction on the front surface (1b) of the separating plate (1).

4. An arc-extinguishing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each slot (10a) is formed in a central portion of said side surface (1a).

5. The arc-extinguishing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each reinforcing member (3) has an overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending parallel to the juxtaposition axis (X), each slot (10a) has a complementary U-shape, and the retaining element (100a) of each slot (10a) protrudes from the base of the U outside the slot (10a).

6. Each flange (2) has a rear surface (2b) located at the rear part (A') of the arc-extinguishing chamber, the arc-extinguishing chamber further comprises a filtering chamber (5') and filtering covers (5) on both sides thereof, the filtering chamber having inner surfaces (5b) facing the inside of the arc-extinguishing chamber and allowing arc-extinguishing gas and material protrusions generated by the occurrence of an electric arc to enter the filtering chamber (5') and outer surfaces (5a) for discharging the arc-extinguishing gas and / or the material protrusions, the filtering covers (5) being preferably detachably attached to the flanges ( 6. The arc-extinguishing chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that the arc-extinguishing chamber is fixed to a rear surface (2b) of the separating plate (1) (2) and the inner surface (5b) is provided with spacer elements (5c) each inserted between two adjacent separating plates (1) at the rear part (A') of the arc-extinguishing chamber in order to enhance the maintenance of the spacing between the separating plates (1) at the rear part (A') when an electric arc occurs, the spacer elements (5c) being arranged on the inner surface (5b) so as to be distributed over the whole or part of the length in the juxtaposition direction.

7. 7. The arc-extinguishing chamber according to claim 6, characterized in that the filter cover (5) is fixed to the rear face (2b) of the flange (2) by a snap-fit / resilient push-fit assembly, which is preferably reversible and comprises a first snap-fit / resilient push-fit means (20b) arranged or formed on the rear face (2b) of the flange (2) and a second snap-fit / resilient push-fit means (5f) arranged or formed on an inner face (5b) of the filter cover (5) for interacting with the second snap-fit / resilient push-fit means to form a snap-fit / resilient push-fit assembly.

8. 8. The arc-extinguishing chamber according to claim 7, characterized in that the first snap-fit / resilient push-fit means (20b) consist of at least two T-shaped male members protruding from a rear face (2b) of each flange (2) and the second snap-fit / resilient push-fit means (5f) consist of at least two receiving cavities formed in an inner face (5b) of the filtering cover (5) for receiving one of the T-shaped male members respectively by a snap-fit / resilient push-fit.

9. 9. The arc-extinguishing chamber according to claim 8, characterized in that the filter cover (5) comprises two opposing outer faces (5g) perpendicular to the inner face (5a), each receiving cavity (5f) being formed in the inner face (5b) and continuing into one of the outer faces (5g).

10. An electrical protection device comprising: a connector for connecting to an electric circuit; at least one pair of electrical contacts capable of separating from each other to interrupt a flow of current between the electrical contacts; at least one trigger mechanism capable of separating the electrical contacts; at least one protection mechanism for detecting a fault and controlling the separation of the electrical contacts; and at least one arc-extinguishing chamber capable of extinguishing an electric arc formed during separation of the electrical contacts, the arc-extinguishing chamber having a front portion facing the electrical contacts and a rear portion (A') for discharging an arc-extinguishing gas and / or a material protrusion generated by the generation of an electric arc during separation of the electrical contacts, wherein the arc-extinguishing chamber or at least one of the arc-extinguishing chambers is comprised of the arc-extinguishing chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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