Auxiliary device with various installation options

Abstract

An auxiliary device (1) with various installation options comprises a housing (10), wherein the housing (10) has a terminal (20) being configured for inserting an installation wire (3) or a stiff bar (4) and for electrically coupling the installation wire (3) or the stiff bar (4) to the auxiliary device (1).

Description

[0001] P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] AUXILIARY DEVICE WITH VARIOUS INSTALLATION OPTIONS

[0005] Technical field

[0006] The disclosure relates to an auxiliary device with various installation options, for example for coupling to a circuit breaker. The disclosure further relates to a connector assembly having various installation options, for example for coupling an auxiliary device to a circuit breaker.

[0007] Background

[0008] An auxiliary device for electrically coupling to a circuit breaker can be configured as an energy sensor device or a power monitoring device, for example a clip-on power monitoring device. In the configuration as an energy sensor device or a power monitoring device, the auxiliary device is used for monitoring energy management in buildings or industrial applications so that energy consumption in an electric circuit can be recorded or monitored. Furthermore, the auxiliary device, for example, enables unusual conditions, such as a voltage loss, current peaks, etc., to be detected.

[0009] For this purpose, the auxiliary device includes measurement modules to measure, for example, voltage, current, power and energy in an electric power circuit. For real-time measurement of voltages and currents, the auxiliary device can be connected to a circuit breaker, such as a miniature circuit breaker (MCB) , for example. P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0010] 2

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of an auxiliary device 1 being configured, for example, as a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device which is electrically connected to an external electrical device 2, for example a circuit breaker. The auxiliary device 1 may be mounted on the top side of the circuit breaker, as illustrated in Figure 2, or on the bottom side of the circuit breaker.

[0012] To fulfil the various customer requirements with respect to coupling techniques, current auxiliary devices, for example (clip-on) power monitoring devices, are built with either a fixed / stiff connection to the circuit breaker using some bar or a flexible connection using wires. These different installation methods are usually supported only by separate variants of auxiliary devices. However, the provision of various auxiliary devices with different connection options requires expensive production tools, which leads to increased costs and involves extra logistical effort.

[0013] There is a desire to provide an auxiliary device with various installation options so that the provision of a plurality of different variants of auxiliary devices with individual installation options can be avoided.

[0014] An embodiment of an auxiliary device that provides to be electrically coupled to an external device, for example a circuit breaker, by using different installation techniques is specified in claim 1.

[0015] According to the proposed approach, the auxiliary device with various installation options comprises a housing, wherein the housing has a terminal being configured for inserting an installation wire or a stiff bar and for electrically P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0016] 3 coupling the flexible installation wire or the stiff bar to the auxiliary device.

[0017] Since the terminal is configured for inserting both of an installation wire, for example a flexible installation, and a stiff bar, the auxiliary device can be electrically coupled to an electrical device, for example a circuit breaker, by a plurality of installation options, such as a flexible wire connection, a prewired flexible wire connection or a stiff direct connection. It is thus not necessary to provide separate auxiliary devices to serve the different customer requirements, for example an auxiliary device having a bar for a fixed / stiff connection to an electrical device and another auxiliary device being configured for a flexible connection to the electrical device using wires.

[0018] According to a possible embodiment of the auxiliary device, the terminal is embodied as a push-in terminal. The push-in terminal is configured for inserting the installation wire, for example a flexible installation wire. The push-in terminal is further configured for electrically coupling the installation wire to the auxiliary device. This means that the push-in terminal alone can be used for a flexible wiring using standard installation wires, for example from 0.85 to 1.5 mm^. flexible wire can thus be connected to an electrical device, for example a circuit breaker, such as a miniature circuit breaker (MCB) , directly or via additional c 1 amp s .

[0019] Additionally, the push-in terminal is configured for inserting the stiff bar, such as a metal bar, and for electrically coupling the stiff bar to the auxiliary device. P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0020] 4

[0021] The housing of the auxiliary device, particularly an outer surface of the housing of the auxiliary device is formed in a way that the stiff bar, for example a metal bar, can be fixed to the housing. In the fixed position, at least a portion of the stiff bar is inserted into the push-in terminal. This enables a stiff contacting to an external electrical device, such as a circuit breaker, using the circuit breaker terminals .

[0022] According to a possible embodiment of the auxiliary device, the auxiliary device comprises a fixing element being configured for detachably fixing the stiff bar on an outer surface of the housing of the auxiliary device. The fixing element can be designed as one or more clamps or clips, for example. For example, they can protrude from the housing as hooks or mechanical noses.

[0023] The fixing element or the one or more clamps can be flexible. The stiff bar can be mechanically fixed to the housing of the auxiliary device by bending the fixing elements or the one or more clamps. The terminal, in particular the push-in terminal, is used for electrically contacting of the stiff bar, when the stiff bar is fixed to the housing of the auxiliary device by the fixing element.

[0024] According to a possible embodiment of the auxiliary device, the outer surface of the housing has a recess for inserting at least a portion of the stiff bar. The fixing element or the one or more clamps or noses may protrude from a side wall of the recess into the recess. By bending the fixing element or the one or more clamps, a portion of the stiff bar can be mechanically fixed in the recess and is thus held securely on the housing of the auxiliary device. By bending the fixing P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0025] 5 element or the one or more clamps, the stiff bar can be easily detached from the housing again if the auxiliary device is to be electrically contacted with an electrical device in another way, for example using installation wires.

[0026] A connector assembly for easily coupling an auxiliary device to an electrical device, for example a circuit breaker, with several possible installation options is specified in claim 12.

[0027] The connector assembly comprises an auxiliary device with various installation options, as described above. Furthermore, the connector assembly comprises a stiff bar being configured to be fixed and electrically coupled to the auxiliary device.

[0028] According to the proposed approach of the connector assembly, the stiff bar contained in the connector assembly and the housing of the auxiliary device are adapted to each other for electrically coupling the stiff bar to the auxiliary device and for securely fixing the stiff bar to the auxiliary device. For example, the housing may comprise a terminal, for example a push-in terminal, for electrically coupling the stiff bar to the auxiliary device. Furthermore, a portion of an outer surface of the housing may be formed, for example as a recess with fixing elements, for receiving the stiff bar and mounting the stiff bar to the auxiliary device. The stiff bar may have several portions, one of which is configured or specially shaped, for example, for electrical contacting with the auxiliary device and another for mechanical fixing the stiff bar to the housing of the auxiliary device. P2024 , 0789 WO N / P24- 1134WO01 September 5 , 2025

[0029] 6

[0030] According to a proposed embodiment , the sti f f bar may comprise a first portion being formed to be insertable in the terminal , particularly the push-in terminal , of the auxiliary device . The sti f f bar may comprise a second portion being formed to be fixable to the housing of the auxiliary device , for example to be insertable and fixable in the recess of the outer surface of the housing of the auxiliary device . The at least one portion of the sti f f bar that is inserted into the recess in the outer surface of the housing of the auxiliary device is , for example , formed as a flat plate that is held in the recess by the fixing element . The sti f f bar may comprise a third portion being formed as a contact to electrically couple the sti f f bar to an electrical device , for example a circuit breaker .

[0031] Additional features and advantages are set forth in the detailed description that follows . It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims .

[0032] Brief Description of the Drawing

[0033] The accompanying figures are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of the speci fication . As such, the proposed configuration of an auxiliary device with various installation options and a connector assembly will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conj unction with the accompanying figures of which P2024 , 0789 WO N / P24- 1134WO01 September 5 , 2025

[0034] 7

[0035] Figure 1 shows an auxiliary device , particularly a power monitoring device , being mounted on an electrical device ;

[0036] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an auxiliary device with various installation options for electrically coupling to an electrical device ;

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an auxiliary device with installation wires electrically coupled to push-in terminals of the auxiliary device ;

[0038] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an auxiliary device with an installation wire inserted in a push-in terminal of the auxiliary device ;

[0039] Figure 5 illustrates an assembly process of a connector assembly by inserting a sti f f bar in a push-in terminal of an auxiliary device ;

[0040] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly comprising an auxiliary device and sti f f bars electrically coupled to the auxiliary device ; and

[0041] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly comprising an auxiliary device and sti f f bars electrically coupled to the auxiliary device .

[0042] Detailed Description

[0043] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an auxiliary device 1 having various installation options for electrically coupling the auxiliary device to an external electrical device . According to a possible embodiment , the auxiliary device 1 can be P2024 , 0789 WO N / P24- 1134WO01 September 5 , 2025

[0044] 8 configured as a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device for mounting onto a circuit breaker, as illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0045] The auxiliary device 1 comprises a housing 10 having terminals 20 for electrically coupling respective contacting devices to the auxiliary device 1 . According to the proposed approach of the auxiliary device 1 , the terminals 20 are configured for inserting contacting devices of di f ferent installation or contacting types . The terminals 20 are configured for respectively inserting an installation wire . The terminals 20 are further configured for respectively inserting a sti f f or rigid (metal ) bar, for example a flat contact . Each of the terminals 20 is further configured for electrically coupling the installation wire or the sti f f or rigid bar to the auxiliary device 1 .

[0046] According to the proposed approach of the auxiliary device , it is thus possible to electrically couple the auxiliary device , for example a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device , to an electrical device , for example a circuit breaker, by di f ferent installation options . In conclusion, only one auxiliary device provides di f ferent contacting techniques for being coupled to an electrical device , such as a circuit breaker, so that di f ferent variants of auxiliary devices using individual installation techniques are no longer necessary .

[0047] Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the auxiliary device 1 is embodied as a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device . The auxiliary device comprises feed-throughs 30 for current conductors , a current measurement module 50 , and a voltage measurement module 60 . The current measurement module P2024 , 0789 WO N / P24- 1134WO01 September 5 , 2025

[0048] 9

[0049] 50 and the voltage measurement module 60 are placed in the housing 10 . The current measurement module 50 is configured for measuring a current value of a current flowing in a current conductor when the current conductor is arranged in one of the feed-throughs 30 . The voltage measurement module 60 is configured for measuring a voltage value of an installation wires when the installation wire is inserted in one of the terminals 20 , or for measuring a voltage value of the sti f f bar when the sti f f bar is inserted in one of the terminals 20 .

[0050] According to an embodiment of the auxiliary device 1 , each of the terminals 20 is configured as a push-in terminal for inserting the installation wire or the sti f f bar . Each of the terminals 20 extends from an outer surface 11 of the housing 10 to the interior of the housing .

[0051] Figure 3 illustrates the auxiliary device 1 in a perspective view, wherein the auxiliary device 1 provides one of the possible installation options using installation wires 3 . The installation wires 3 are inserted in the terminals 20 , particularly the push-in terminals . The terminals 20 are configured to securely fix the installation wires 3 at the auxiliary device and for electrically coupling the installation wires 3 to the auxiliary device 1 , for example to the electrical components located in the housing 10 , such as the current measurement module 50 and / or the voltage measurement module 60 .

[0052] Figure 4 shows the auxiliary device 1 in a cross-sectional view with an installation wire 3 inserted in the terminal 20 , particularly the push-in terminal , of the auxiliary device . P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0053] 10

[0054] As explained above, according to the proposed approach, the auxiliary device 1 is configured for inserting stiff or rigid (metal) bars in the terminals 20 and for electrically coupling the stiff or rigid (metal) bars, for example flat contacts, to the auxiliary device 1, in addition to its configuration for inserting the installation wires 3 in the terminals 20 and for electrically coupling the installation wires 3 to the auxiliary device 1.

[0055] Figure 5 illustrates an assembly process of a connector assembly 5 shown in Figures 6 and 7 for fixing a stiff or rigid bar 4, for example a flat contact, to the auxiliary device 1. The auxiliary device 1 comprises a fixing element

[0056] 40 being configured for detachably fixing the stiff bar 4 on the outer surface 11 of the housing 10 of the auxiliary device. The fixing element 40 may be formed as a hook-shaped projection element 41, for example as clamps / clips or noses, being flexible for clamping the stiff bar 4 to the housing 10 of the auxiliary device. The hook-shaped projection element

[0057] 41 may be formed from a material of the housing 10.

[0058] According to a proposed embodiment of the auxiliary device 1, the hook-shaped projection element 41 is configured as a flexible element having a restoring force when bent. This configuration of the hook-shaped projection element 41 allows, on the one hand, to securely fix the stiff bar 4 to the outer surface 11 of the auxiliary device. On the other hand, this configuration enables the stiff bar 4 to be released from the auxiliary device by bending the fixing element 40 or the hook-shaped projection element 41.

[0059] Referring to the embodiment of the auxiliary device 1 shown in Figure 5, the outer surface 11 of the housing 10 of the P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0060] 11 auxiliary device 1 has a recess 12 for inserting a portion of the stiff or rigid bar 4, for example a flat contact. The recess 12 has a bottom wall 13 and side walls 14. The hookshaped projection element 41 projects from at least one of the side walls 14 of the recess 12. The recess 12 is arranged above feed-through 30 and below terminal 20.

[0061] The recess 12 may comprise a fixed material protrusion 70. The stiff bar 4 may comprise an inversely formed material cut-out 71. When the stiff bar is correctly fixed to the housing 10, the material protrusion 70 in the recess engages in the material cut-out 71 of the stiff bar. The combination of the material protrusion 70 of the auxiliary device 1 and the material cut-out 71 of the stiff bar 4 enables the stiff bar 4 to be securely fixed to the housing 10 in the right position .

[0062] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 5 comprising the auxiliary device 1 with the stiff bar 4 being inserted in the terminal 20 of the auxiliary device. The terminal 20, particularly the push-in terminal, is configured for electrically coupling the stiff bar 4 to the auxiliary device 1, particularly to the current measurement module 50 and the voltage measurement module 60, when the auxiliary device 1 is configured as a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device.

[0063] Figure 7 shows the connector assembly 5 comprising the auxiliary device 1 and stiff bars 4 fixed and electrically coupled to the auxiliary device 1.

[0064] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the auxiliary device 1 and the stiff bars 4 are matched to each other so that the stiff P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0065] 12 bars 4 of the connector assembly can be securely fixed and electrically coupled to each other. As shown in Figure 5, the stiff bar 4 may comprise a portion 4a, a portion 4b and a portion 4c. The portion 4b is arranged between the portion 4a and the portion 4c. The portion 4a of the stiff bar 4 is formed to be insertable in the terminal 20, particularly the push-in terminal, of the auxiliary device 1. The portion 4b of the stiff bar 4 is formed to be insertable in the recess 12 of the outer surface 11 of the housing 10 of the auxiliary device 1. The portion 4c of the stiff bar 4 is formed as a contact to electrically couple the stiff bar 4 to an electrical device, for example a circuit breaker.

[0066] According to the proposed approach, the fixing element 40 of the auxiliary device 1 is configured for detachably fixing the portion 4b of the stiff bar 4 in the recess 12 of the outer surface 11 of the housing 10 of the auxiliary device 1.

[0067] The stiff bar 4 is Z-shaped. The portion 4a of the stiff bar 4 is formed as a pin being configured to be insertable in the terminal 20, particularly the push-in terminal, of the auxiliary device 1. The portion 4b of the stiff bar 4 may have a flat shape to be insertable in the recess 12 of the outer surface 11 of the housing 10 of the auxiliary device 1.

[0068] In the fixed state, the portion 4b is parallel to the outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The portion 4c of the stiff bar 4 is formed as a flat contact which protrudes at right angles from the portion 4b to electrically contact the portion 4c of the stiff bar 4 to an electrical device, for example a circuit breaker.

[0069] The proposed approach of the auxiliary device 1 and the connector assembly 5 covers a plurality of installation P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025

[0070] 13 variants with one housing and push-in terminals. In particular, the proposed approach of the auxiliary device 1 and the connector assembly 5 enables to electrically couple the auxiliary device, for example a power monitoring device or an energy sensor device, to an electrical device, such as a circuit breaker, by a stiff direct connection using stiff bars 4 or a wire connection, for example a flexible wire connection or a pre-wired flexible wire connection, using installation wires 3.

[0071] P2024 , 0789 WO N / P24- 1134WO01 September 5 , 2025

[0072] 14

[0073] List of references

[0074] 1 auxiliary device

[0075] 2 circuit breaker

[0076] 3 installation wire

[0077] 4 sti f f bar

[0078] 5 connector assembly

[0079] 10 housing

[0080] 11 outer surface

[0081] 12 recess

[0082] 13 bottom wall

[0083] 14 side walls

[0084] 20 terminal / push-in terminal

[0085] 30 feed-through

[0086] 40 fixing element

[0087] 41 hook-shaped proj ection element

[0088] 50 current measurement module

[0089] 60 voltage measurement module

[0090] 70 material protrusion

[0091] 71 material cut-out

Claims

P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025- 15 -Claims1. An auxiliary device with various installation options, comprising :- a housing (10) ,- wherein the housing (10) has a terminal (20) being configured for inserting an installation wire (3) or a stiff bar (4) and for electrically coupling the installation wire(3) or the stiff bar (4) to the auxiliary device (1) .

2. The auxiliary device of claim 1, wherein the terminal (20) is embodied as a push-in terminal for inserting the installation wire (3) or the stiff bar (4) .

3. The auxiliary device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal (20) extends from an outer surface (11) of the housing (10) to the interior of the housing.

4. The auxiliary device of claim 3, comprising a fixing element (40) being configured for detachably fixing the stiff bar (4) on the outer surface (11) of the housing (10) .

5. The auxiliary device of claim 4, wherein the fixing element (40) is formed as a hook-shaped projection element (41) .

6. The auxiliary device of claim 5, wherein hook-shaped projection element (41) is formed from a material of the housing (10) .

7. The auxiliary device of claim 5 or 6,P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 202516 wherein the hook-shaped projection element (41) is configured as a flexible element having a restoring force when bent.

8. The auxiliary device of any of the claims 3 to 7, wherein the outer surface (11) of the housing (10) has a recess (12) for inserting a portion of the stiff bar (4) .

9. The auxiliary device of claim 8,- wherein the recess (12) has a bottom wall (13) and side walls (14) ,- wherein the hook-shaped projection element (41) projects from at least one of the side walls (14) of the recess (12) .

10. The auxiliary device of any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the auxiliary device (1) is configured as a power monitoring device for mounting onto a circuit breaker (2) .

11. The auxiliary device of any of the claims 1 to 10, comprising :- a feed-through (30) for a current conductor,- a current measurement module (50) being configured for measuring a current value of a current flowing in the current conductor, when the current conductor is arranged in the feed-through (30) ,- a voltage measurement module (60) being configured for measuring a voltage value of the installation wire (3) , when the installation wire (3) is inserted in the terminal (20) , or for measuring a voltage value of the stiff bar (4) , when the stiff bar (4) is inserted in the terminal (20) .

12. A connector assembly, comprising:- an auxiliary device (1) with various installation options as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 11,P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 202517- a stiff bar (4) being configured to be fixed and electrically coupled to the auxiliary device (1) .

13. The connector assembly of claim 12,- wherein the stiff bar (4) comprises a first portion (4a) , a second portion (4b) and a third portion (4c) , the second portion (4b) being arranged between the first portion (4a) and the third portion (4c) ,- wherein the first portion (4a) of the stiff bar (4) is formed to be insertable in the terminal (20) of the auxiliary device ( 1 ) ,- wherein the second portion (4b) of the stiff bar (4) is formed to be insertable in the recess (12) of the outer surface (11) of the housing (10) of the auxiliary device (1) ,- wherein the third portion (4c) of the stiff bar (4) is formed as a contact to electrically couple the stiff bar (4) to an electrical device.

14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the fixing element (40) of the auxiliary device (1) is configured for detachably fixing the second portion (4b) of the stiff bar (4) in the recess (12) of the outer surface (11) of the housing (10) of the auxiliary device (1) .

15. The connector assembly of claim 14,- wherein the first portion (4a) of the stiff bar (4) is formed as a pin being configured to be insertable in the terminal (20) of the auxiliary device (1) ,- wherein the second portion (4b) of the stiff bar (4) has a flat shape to be insertable in the recess (12) of the outer surface (11) of the housing (10) of the auxiliary device (1) ,P2024,0789 WO N / P24-1134WO01 September 5, 2025- 18 -- wherein the third portion (4c) of the stiff bar (4) is formed as a flat contact to electrically contact the auxiliary device (1) to the electrical device.

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