Switch with position indicator

Abstract

To provide a position display that enables visual inspection so that it can be confirmed that a vacuum breaker and a changeover switch are in correct positions.SOLUTION: A switch comprises: a vacuum breaker having a fixed contact 4 and a movable contact 5, and a drive rod 6 for moving the movable contact 5 between a closed position and an open position; and a changeover switch having a first terminal body 7, a second terminal body 8, a pole body 9 comprising a first end and a second end, and an operation rod 11 hinge-fixed to the pole body 9 at one end, and extending substantially in a first direction, in which a main marker 20 is provided to one of the drive rod 6 and operation rod 11, at least two auxiliary markers 14, 15 of two sets are provided to the other of the drive rod 6 and operation rod 11, the auxiliary markers of the two sets are apart from each other in a first direction at a first pitch distance, and two auxiliary markers of each set are apart from each other in the first direction at a second pitch distance, which is smaller than the first pitch distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch for medium voltage applications, the switch comprising: A fixed contact; a movable contact that is movable in a first direction between a closed position and an open position so as to approach and move away from the fixed contact; a drive rod provided on the movable contact for moving the movable contact between a closed position and an open position; a vacuum circuit breaker having a first terminal body; a second terminal body; an elongated pole body having a first end and a second end, the pole body being hinged at the first end to the first terminal body and rotatable between a connected position in which the second end of the pole body is in direct electrical contact with the second terminal body and a disconnected position in which the second end is disconnected from the second terminal body; an operating rod hinged at one end to the elongated pole body and extending substantially in a first direction; and a changeover switch having The first terminal body is fixedly mounted and in electrical contact with the movable terminal. The position of such switches is dependent on the position of the vacuum interrupter and the position of the change-over switch. It is desirable, particularly for medium-voltage switches, for users of the switchgear, such as maintenance personnel, to be certain of the switch's position. While the switchgear control panel provides switch position indications, it is desirable to be able to visually inspect the switches to ensure that the vacuum interrupter and change-over switch are in the correct positions. However, because two positions of separate components must be inspected and the switch position derived from them, there is ample opportunity for a human to make a mistake.

[0002] Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to reduce or eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages. According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a switch as described in the preamble, characterized in that a main marker is provided on one of the drive rod and the operating rod, and two sets of at least two auxiliary markers are provided on the other of the drive rod and the operating rod, The two sets are spaced apart in a first direction by a first pitch distance, and at least two auxiliary markers in each set are spaced apart in the first direction by a second pitch distance, the second pitch distance being smaller than the first pitch distance.

[0003] The combination positions of the vacuum circuit breaker and the changeover switch can be four: closed-connect, closed-disconnect, open-connect, and open-disconnect. Because the drive rod and operating rod are directly connected to the positions of their respective components, there are four different relative positions for the relative movement between the drive rod and operating rod. By providing a main marker on one of the drive rod and operating rod and two sets of at least two auxiliary markers on the other of the drive rod and operating rod, i.e., at least four auxiliary markers, it is possible to clearly indicate which of the four positions the switch is in with the main marker.

[0004] The stroke of a vacuum circuit breaker is usually different from the stroke of a change-over switch, so the two sets provided are provided with a pitch distance corresponding to the larger of the two strokes, while the pitch distance between the auxiliary markers within one set corresponds to the smaller of the two strokes.

[0005] The pitch distance can be different between different sets of auxiliary markers depending on whether the operating rod moves perfectly parallel in the first direction and whether the primary marker can be viewed along a virtual single angle regardless of the switch position, or whether the primary marker needs to be viewed along two different angles depending on the switch position.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the switch according to the present invention, the change-over switch further comprises an earth contact with which the second end of the pole body comes into direct electrical contact in the disconnected position.

[0007] Connecting the transfer switch to earth ensures that no dangerous voltage levels are present, so that maintenance personnel can safely maintain the switch according to the present invention.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment of the switch according to the present invention, the main marker is provided on the drive rod and the two sets of at least two auxiliary markers are provided on the operating rod, and the two sets of at least two auxiliary markers are notches or openings arranged in the operating rod.

[0009] In this embodiment, existing switches can be easily retrofitted by providing a modified operating rod with a notch or opening, using the vacuum interrupter drive rod feature as the primary marker, which can also be applied as a sticker or dot of paint, for example.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a combination of a housing and a switch according to any of the preceding aspects housed in the housing, wherein the housing is provided with a viewing window, the viewing window having at least one viewing line directed toward the primary marker, and at least one secondary marker is located in a position where the at least one viewing line is clearly visible.

[0011] Usually, the housing in which the switch according to the present invention is accommodated is provided with a viewing window for checking the position of the vacuum interrupter and the position of the change-over switch. By using the provided main and auxiliary markers, the positions can be determined more easily and reliably.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is also possible to provide a third set of auxiliary markers to indicate intermediate positions of the changeover switch in combination with the open and closed positions of the vacuum interrupter.

[0013] These and other features of the present invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 shows a side view of a combination according to the invention in a service position. [Figure 2] 2A and 2B show side and top views, respectively, of the operating rod of the combination switch of FIG. [Figure 3] Figures 3-5 show the combination of Figure 1 in three different positions. [Figure 4] Figures 3-5 show the combination of Figure 1 in three different positions. [Figure 5] Figures 3-5 show the combination of Figure 1 in three different positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a combination 1 according to the invention. The combination 1 has a housing 2 with a viewing window 3. A switch according to the invention is arranged in the housing 2. The switch has a vacuum interrupter with a fixed contact 4 and a movable contact 5 with a drive rod 6. A flange 20 is arranged on the drive rod 6, which flange serves as a main marker.

[0016] The switch further comprises a changeover switch comprising a first terminal body 7, a second terminal body 8 and an elongated pole body 9. The pole body 9 is hinged to the first terminal body 7 and is rotatable from a connected position shown in Figures 1 and 3 to a disconnected position shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the elongated pole body 9 is connectable to an earth contact 10.

[0017] Furthermore, an operating rod 11 is connected to the elongated pole body 9 for moving the elongated pole body 9 from the connecting position to the disconnecting position.

[0018] 2A and 2B show the operating rod 11 in more detail. The operating rod 11 has a generally plus sign shaped cross section for rigidity and is provided with two openings 12, 13. Along its longitudinal edge are a first set of notches 14, 15 that form auxiliary markers, and a second set of notches 16, 17.

[0019] Notches 14 and 15 are spaced at a pitch distance p2, notches 16 and 17 are spaced at a pitch distance p2, while two pairs of notches, 14, 15 and 16, 17, are spaced at a pitch distance p1.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, when the operating rod 9 is in the connected position, i.e., when it connects the first terminal body 7 to the second terminal body 8, and when the driving rod 6 is in the connected position, i.e., when it connects the movable contact 5 to the fixed contact 4, the notch 15 is located in the line of sight 18 so as to indicate the closed position of the vacuum circuit breaker in combination with the connected position of the change-over switch.

[0021] 3 shows that the operating rod 9 is still in the connected position and the drive rod 6 has moved the movable contact 5 to the open position. In this configuration, the line of sight 18 is aligned with the notch 14 and flange 20.

[0022] In Figure 4 the operating rod 9 is in the disconnected position, i.e. connecting the first terminal body 7 to the earth contact 10. The vacuum interrupter contacts 4 and 5 are still in the open position. In this configuration the notch 16 is aligned with the line of sight 18 so that the closed and open positions of the vacuum interrupter can be shown in combination with the disconnected position of the changeover switch.

[0023] 5 shows the configuration with the vacuum interrupter again in the closed position while the transfer switch is in the open position. In this configuration, the notch 17 is aligned with the flange 20 on the line of sight 18.

Claims

1. A switch for medium voltage, A fixed contact (4), a movable contact (5) movable in a first direction between a closed position and an open position so as to approach and move away from the fixed contact (4); a drive rod (6) provided on the movable contact (5) for moving the movable contact (5) between the closed position and the open position; a vacuum circuit breaker having A first terminal body (7); A second terminal body (8); an elongated pole body (9) having a first end and a second end, the pole body (9) hinged to the first terminal body (7) at the first end and rotatable between a connected position in which the second end of the pole body (9) is in direct electrical contact with the second terminal body (7) and a disconnected position in which the second end is disconnected from the second terminal body (8); an operating rod (11) hinged at one end to the elongated pole body (9) and extending substantially in the first direction; and a changeover switch having The first terminal body (7) is fixedly provided and is in electrical contact with the movable contact (4), a main marker (20) is provided on one of the drive rod (6) and the operating rod (11), and two sets of at least two auxiliary markers (14, 15, 16, 17) are provided on the other of the drive rod (6) and the operating rod (11); The two sets have a first pitch distance (p １ ) spaced apart in said first direction, and each set of said at least two auxiliary markers (14, 15, 16, 17) are spaced apart in said first direction by a second pitch distance (p ２ ) spaced apart by the second pitch distance (p ２ ) is the first pitch distance (p １ ) is smaller than

2. 2. The switch according to claim 1, further comprising an earth contact (10) in direct electrical contact with the second end of the pole body (9) in the disconnected position.

3. 3. The switch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main marker (20) is provided on the drive rod (6), the two sets of at least two auxiliary markers (14, 15, 16, 17) are provided on the operating rod (11), and the two sets of at least two auxiliary markers (14, 15, 16, 17) are notches or openings provided in the operating rod (11).

4. A combination of a housing (2) and a switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3 housed in the housing (2), characterized in that a viewing window (3) is provided in the housing, the viewing window (3) has at least one viewing line (18, 19) directed towards the main marker (20), and at least one auxiliary marker (14, 15, 16, 17) is positioned so that the at least one viewing line (18, 19) is clearly visible.

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