Rotary electrical switch

Abstract

A rotary electrical switch (10a, 10b) comprising a switching box (1 la, 11b) overlying one or more modular contact boxes (12a, 12b), each including at least one movable electrical contact and a plurality of fixed electrical contacts. The switch further includes a transmission box (15a, 15b) which lies on top of the switching box (Ila, 11b). A particularity of the invention resides in that it comprises: - a readout box (25a, 25b) which lies on top of the transmission box (15a, 15b) along the axis of rotation (14a, 14b) on the opposite side with respect to said the box (Ila, 11b), the readout box comprising means (17a, 17b) for indicating the electrical state of the switching box (Ila, 11b) and - operating means (18a, 18b) associated with a rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) of the switching box and shaped for their engagement with at least one external tool (101, 102) so as to enable the manual switching of the switching box (Ila, 11b).

Description

[0001] ROTARY ELECTRICAL SWITCH

[0002] The present invention relates to a rotary electrical switch, more particularly to a DC disconnect switch, or more simply a “disconnect switch,” preferably of the motorized type.

[0003] Currently, rotary switches are widely used to switch electrical connection states by means of a mechanical rotary motion, which allows one or more circuits to be electrically coupled or decoupled simultaneously.

[0004] In particular, for example, rotary switches are used in the photovoltaic sector and allow the electrical communication between the components of the photovoltaic system and a downstream inverter to be established or deactivated.

[0005] Rotary switches of the known type, and in particular disconnect switches, comprise a plurality of modular contact boxes, stacked one on top of the other and located below a switching box, typically of the snap-acting type.

[0006] Moreover, these rotary switches comprise a knob which is fixed to a control rod which protrudes from the switching box and whose rotary motion allows the movable contacts and the fixed contacts included in the contact boxes to be electrically coupled or decoupled.

[0007] In some types of known disconnect switches, also termed "motorized", the control rod, which is associated with the knob as described above, is also associated with an electric motor via a gear transmission: for example, the gear transmission may have two gears, one of which is keyed to the motor shaft and the other is keyed to the control rod of the switching box.

[0008] The motorized disconnect switch also comprises a control board between the AC mains supply and the motor, which is set according to the following conditions. When the electric motor of the disconnect switch is powered by AC voltage, for example 220-230 volts in the case of a typical domestic mains supply, it acts so that the movable contacts of the contact boxes are oriented so as to always maintain or restore an electrical connection with the respective fixed contacts; when the electric motor is not powered by the mains, there is instead an electrical decoupling between the movable contacts and the fixed contacts and an interruption of the DC power supply downstream of the disconnect switch. The rotation of the control rod imposed by the motor entails not only the rotation of the movable contacts but also the rotation of the control knob which is fixed to the control rod.

[0009] However, these motorized rotary switches of the known type are not free from drawbacks.

[0010] If work needs to be carried out on the electrical network, for example for maintenance, the AC mains power supply must be deactivated in order to work safely.

[0011] An operator who needs to deactivate the DC power supply at a motorized disconnect switch may have an incentive to turn the knob manually so as to electrically decouple the movable contacts from the fixed contacts. However, such a manual intervention on the disconnect switch, which forces the decoupling of the moving and fixed contacts, would only generate a momentary interruption of the DC power supply, specifically lasting a few seconds. In fact, as mentioned, if the motor is not decoupled from the AC mains power supply, it tends to restore the electrical connection between the movable and fixed contacts of the contact boxes.

[0012] In order to correctly suspend the power supply, it is necessary to decouple the motor from the AC mains power supply, typically by acting manually on an emergency button (for example, shaped like a mushroom), which is electrically connected to the disconnect switch and can be located in a remote position with respect to it, between the AC distribution network and the control board.

[0013] Nevertheless, the fact that the presence of the knob encourages an operator to think that he / she can turn it manually to deactivate the power supply entails a risk for his / her safety and for that of other operators who may come into contact with the DC power supply generated by the photovoltaic modules.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to provide a rotary electrical switch, particularly of the motorized type, which is capable of obviating the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0015] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a rotary electrical switch, particularly of the motorized type, which improves and increases the safety of operators working on the electrical network.

[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary electrical switch that discourages careless manual interventions by the operator on the knob of a motorized rotary electrical switch, but at the same time allows said manual interventions in the event of malfunctions.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary electrical switch that is capable of informing an operator about the operating state of the switch itself.

[0018] Moreover, an object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

[0019] Not least object of the invention is to provide a rotary electrical switch that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and at competitive costs.

[0020] This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a rotary electrical switch according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the rotary electrical switch according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rotary electrical switch according to the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary electrical switch shown in Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of the rotary electrical switch shown in Figure 1, taken along the plane III-III;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the switch shown in Figure 1, in which the operating means are engaged with a first external tool;

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the switch shown in Figure 1, in which the operating means are engaged with a second external tool which is alternative to the first external tool;

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a variation of the rotary electrical switch shown in the previous figures;

[0028] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the switch shown in Figure 6;

[0029] Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the rotary electrical switch shown in Figure 6, taken along the plane VIII- VIII.

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the rotary electrical switch is generally designated by the reference numeral 10a and, in the case shown and described hereinafter, is a DC disconnect switch of the motorized type. This switch 10a comprises a switching box Ila which lies above one or more modular contact boxes 12a, each of which comprises at least one movable electrical contact and a plurality of fixed electrical contacts that can be electrically connected to each other by the movable electrical contact. The modular contact boxes 12a are stacked one on top of the other. The switching box 1 la is preferably a snap-acting switching box.

[0031] The modular contact boxes 12a and the switching box Ila may be of a per se known type, for example from international PCT applications published under number W02023 / 006574 or WO2014 / 095431, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] The switching box Ila comprises a rod-like operating member 13a which can rotate about an axis of rotation 14a which substantially coincides with its longitudinal axis.

[0033] The rod-like operating member 13a partially protrudes outside the switching box Ila along the axis of rotation 14a and is adapted to generate a relative movement between the movable electrical contacts (which can rotate about the same axis 14a) and the fixed electrical contacts as a result of a rotation thereof about the axis of rotation 14a.

[0034] A transmission box 15a (for the motorized actuation of the rod-like operating element) is furthermore comprised in the switch 10a and is located on top of the switching box Ila along the axis of rotation 14a, on the opposite side with respect to said one or more modular contact boxes 12a. The transmission box comprises a gear transmission, described hereinafter and per se of a known type.

[0035] Said transmission box 15a comprises a rod-like extension 16a that protrudes outside it on the opposite side with respect to the switching box Ila and rotates integrally with the rod-like operating member 13a about the axis of rotation 14a.

[0036] The switching box Ila, the modular contact box(es) 12a, and the transmission box 15a are known per se and therefore not described in detail.

[0037] According to the invention, the switch 10a comprises means 17a for indicating the electrical state of the switch (open / closed or OFF / ON) located on top of a readout box 25a which lies on top of the transmission box 15a along the axis of rotation 14a on the side opposite the switching box Ila.

[0038] Furthermore, also according to the invention, the switch 10a comprises operating means 18a which are associated with the rod-like operating member 13a and are shaped for their engagement with at least one external tool 101 (of the male type, for example, an Allen key or a screwdriver) or 102 (of the female type, for example, a wrench or pliers) so as to allow switching of the switching box 1 la by an operator through such external tool 101 or 102. The switch 10a is accordingly devoid of a knob. The external tool 101 or 102 is not a knob, either. The operator should look for such an external tool 101 or 102 before rotating the operating means 18a, since the external tool is not part of and is not already mounted on the switch 10a. Easy and quick manual switchings are accordingly prevented and careless manual rotations of the rod-like operating member 13a are made less likely.

[0039] The operating means 18a cannot be operated directly by an operator's hand and, to this end, either do not protrude outward from the readout box or protrude by an extent (for example, less than 5 mm) and / or with a surface geometry (for example, prismatic) that is insufficient to make the means 18a graspable and operable by the operator's hand.

[0040] Advantageously, the indicator means 17a comprise:

[0041] - an indicator disk 19a, which is integral in rotation with the rod-like operating member 13a and is divided into n circular sectors 21a that correspond to the number of switchings of the switching box Ila;

[0042] - pointer means 20a of the indicator disk 19a, which are integral with the readout box 25a and are configured to indicate a fixed area of the readout box 25a occupied by the indicator disk 19a so as to indicate one of the circular sectors 21a.

[0043] In greater detail, each of the circular sectors 21a reproduces a graphic sign 23a that identifies a state of the switching box Ila, which corresponds to an open / closed (OFF / ON) state of the rotary electrical switch 10.

[0044] In greater detail, the readout box 25a is configured, and the indicator disk 19a is associated with said readout box 25a, so as to expose to view at least one portion of the indicator disk 19a that corresponds to the fixed area.

[0045] Conveniently, the indicator disk 19a is accommodated at least partially in the readout box 25a, which has, at the fixed area, a first opening 24a adapted to allow visual checking of the state of the switching box Ila.

[0046] The readout box 25a comprises a first half-box 125a which is adapted to interface with the transmission box 15a and a second half-box 225a which, once associated with the first half-box 125a, closes the readout box 25a and encloses what it comprises.

[0047] The first half-box 125a and the second half-box 225a are associable, for example, by snap-fit coupling, which can be provided by means of teeth 30a adapted to engage longitudinal openings 31a with flexible edges, provided on the lateral faces of the second half-box 225a.

[0048] The first opening 24a comprises a window formed on a face of the readout box 25a that is opposite the one directed toward the transmission box 15a, i.e., on the second half-box 225a.

[0049] Advantageously, the window has a geometric shape substantially in the form of a circular sector, substantially congruent with the shape of each of the n circular sectors formed on the indicator disk 19a, so as to completely show the graphic sign 23a representing the state of the switching box Ila.

[0050] Moreover, the indicator disk 19a conveniently comprises four circular sectors 21a, which correspond to four switchings of the switching box Ila (two OFF states and two ON states, as shown in figure 2).

[0051] In particular, therefore, each circular sector 21a covers an angular region of the indicator disk 19a with a width substantially equal to 90°.

[0052] The graphic sign 23a represents the words “ON” and / or “OFF,” indicating two operating states of the switching box Ila which correspond respectively to an electrical coupling and an electrical decoupling between the movable electrical contacts and the fixed electrical contacts, i.e., to a closed and open state of the switch 10a, respectively.

[0053] In particular, the words “ON” and “OFF” on the circular sectors 21a are alternated along the circumference of the indicator disk 19a to represent four switchings of the switching box Ila which, alternately, establish electrical communication between the fixed electrical contacts and the movable electrical contacts and their electrical isolation.

[0054] Conveniently, the operating means 18a pass through the readout box 25a along the axis of rotation 14a so as to protrude with respect to the readout box 25a on the opposite side with respect to the transmission box 15a. The axial extent of the protrusion of the operating means 18a is preferably so small as to prevent an operator from directly grasping the operating means 18a with his / her hand in order to rotate it. For example, the protrusion may be less than 5 mm.

[0055] In greater detail, the operating means 18a comprise a substantially cylindrical body 40a which has a first portion 41a, contoured and geometrically shaped for engagement with the external tool 101 or 102, and a second portion 42a, which is associated in rotation with the rod-like extension 16a and consequently with the rod-like operating member 13a. For example, the first portion 41a may have a prismatic shape with a hexagonal base.

[0056] Moreover, advantageously, the indicator disk 19a is fitted onto the first portion 41a through a contoured central hole 26a which substantially reproduces, in complementary shape, the external geometry of the first portion 41a. The central hole 26a advantageously comprises a notch 27a for the unique angular coupling of the indicator disk 19a with the substantially cylindrical body 40a, i.e., adapted to prevent, during construction, incorrect misalignments between the graphic signs on the disk and the angular position of the movable contacts with respect to their respective fixed contacts.

[0057] The substantially cylindrical body 40a also comprises a flanged edge 43a which protrudes radially along the substantially cylindrical body 40a at least with respect to the first portion 41.

[0058] Conveniently, the substantially cylindrical body 40a is hollow and has a first seat 141a that extends along the axis of rotation 14a at the first portion 41a, designed to be engaged by the external tool 101.

[0059] The substantially cylindrical body 40a may also comprise a second seat 142a, which extends along the axis of rotation 14a at the second portion 42a, in form-fit engagement with the rod-like extension 16a which, for example, may end with a quadrangular section equipped with a pin 50a.

[0060] Conveniently, in this case the second seat 142a is provided internally with a longitudinally extended cavity 45a, contoured so as to accommodate the pin 50a that protrudes transversely from the rod-like extension 16a.

[0061] The seats 141a and 142a are separated from each other by a separating element 92a which has a planar extension, lies on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 14a, and is adapted to function as a supporting abutment for the rod-like extension 16a and for the external tool 101.

[0062] In particular, the first portion 41a has a transverse cross-section with substantially polygonal external and internal profiles.

[0063] Preferably, the external profile is of the hexagonal type, so that the first portion 41a can be engaged by an external tool 102 such as a wrench or pliers, while the internal profile is of the quadrangular type so that the first seat 141a can be engaged by a lever 101 having a quadrangular crosssection.

[0064] Alternatively, the internal profile of the first portion 41a could also be hexagonal, for example, and engageable with an Allen key.

[0065] The second section 42a instead has a circular cross-section.

[0066] With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, in the specific case of the embodiment of the switch shown therein, the flanged edge 43 a extends along the substantially cylindrical body 40a at the first portion 41a, so as to divide the first portion 41a into an upper portion 90a, intended to be engaged by the external tool 101 or 102, and a lower portion 91a, engaged by form fitting with the indicator disk 19a.

[0067] The rotary electrical switch 10a also comprises a threaded shank 60a which protrudes outside the transmission box 15a, specifically from its face directed toward the readout box 25a.

[0068] The threaded shank 60a has a longitudinal extension substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation 14a and is internally perforated so as to centrally accommodate the rod-like extension 16a, which protrudes partially with respect to it.

[0069] In a direction perpendicular to and protruding from the outer surface of the transmission box 15a which is opposite with respect to the switching box Ila, the rotary electrical switch 10a comprises, in the following order:

[0070] - a spacer plate 65a, fitted externally to the threaded shank 60a;

[0071] - the first half-box 125a, which faces the transmission box 15a with its outer surface and is fitted externally to the threaded shank 60a thanks to a substantially central contoured opening that reproduces the complementary shape of the threaded shank 60a;

[0072] - a ring 61a, which provides a threaded connection with the threaded shank 60a so as to fix the first half-box 125a with respect to the transmission box 15 a;

[0073] - the indicator disk 19a;

[0074] - the substantially cylindrical body 40a, whose flanged edge 43a acts as a supporting abutment for the indicator disk 19a and whose second portion 42a provides a coupling on the rod-like extension 16a that protrudes from the threaded shank 60a; and

[0075] - the second half-box 225a, which closes the readout box 25 and has a second opening 62a that allows passage of the substantially cylindrical body 40a, so that it protrudes with respect to the outer surface of the second halfbox 225a and can be engaged with the external tool 101 or 102.

[0076] The rotary electric switch 10a furthermore comprises an electric motor 95a which is kinematically associated with the rod-like operating member 13a in a per se known manner.

[0077] In particular, the rod-like operating member 13a and the electric motor 95a are associated by means of a gear transmission, which may be, for example, with two gears with a transmission ratio of 1 : 1 , as shown and visible in Figure 3. The transmission box 15a comprises respectively a first gear 150a, which is keyed to and integral with the shaft 160a of the electric motor 95a, and a second gear 151a, which is instead keyed to and integral with the rod-like operating member 13a of the switching box Ila.

[0078] Moreover, the electric motor 95a is electrically connected to an AC power supply network, with the interposition of an electrical safety release (not shown) adapted to decouple it, for example manually, from said power supply network.

[0079] Moreover, an electrical control board, of a per se known type, is advantageously provided and electrically interposed between the electric motor 95a and a mains power supply (AC or alternating current) and configured to supply DC power and drive the electric motor 95a in order to force the OFF angular position of the rod-like operating member 13a, via the gear transmission, in the event of disconnection or interruption of the (AC) power supply of the motor 95a. Optionally, an emergency disconnection device (e.g., a button) may be interposed between the electrical control board and the mains power supply, preferably to be operated manually (for example, in the event of a fire) to interrupt the mains power supply to the electrical control board and therefore to the motor 95a.

[0080] The embodiment of the rotary electrical switch 10a described so far has parts, elements, and characteristics that are common or similar to a constructive variation, generally designated by the reference numeral 10b.

[0081] For this reason, in the figures cited above, these common or similar parts, elements, and characteristics, if shown, are designated by the same reference numerals used for the embodiment 10a, replacing the subscript “a” with the subscript “b.”

[0082] The constructive variation is also provided with an electric motor 95b to drive the rod-like operating member 13b and uses a gear transmission, for example, such as the one of the first embodiment of Figure 3. An electrical control board (not shown and per se of a known type) is moreover advantageously provided and is configured to drive the electric motor 95b so as to force the OFF angular position of the rod-like operating member 13b, via the gear transmission, in the event of disconnection or interruption of the (AC) electrical power supply of the motor 95b.

[0083] The constructive variation provides that the second portion 42b is diametrically larger with respect to the first portion 41b, in such a way as to form the flanged edge 43b straddling the first portion 41b and the second portion 42b.

[0084] As can be clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8, moreover, in the variation 10b the substantially cylindrical body 40b comprises an additional flanged edge 143b which is radially wider with respect to the second portion 42b, which extends proximate to / at one end of the latter which is opposite its end that is contiguous to the first portion 41b, again along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 14b.

[0085] In this constructive variation, the connection between the readout box 25b and the transmission box 15b is provided by virtue of screw means 70b, specifically four screws, which couple the transmission box 15b and the first half-box 125b substantially at the vertices of the latter.

[0086] In this case, the first half-box 125b is provided centrally with a substantially circular hole around which an annular protrusion 80b extends towards the inside of the first half-box 125b, is conveniently contoured and comprises an end portion that acts as a supporting abutment for the indicator disk 19b.

[0087] The constructive variation 10b also comprises a gasket 81b, which is provided centrally with a through hole with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the substantially cylindrical body 40b, so as to be fitted externally to the latter.

[0088] Moreover, the gasket 81b has four through holes that allow the passage of the four screws used to connect the first half-box 125b to the transmission box 15b.

[0089] In this case, in a direction which is perpendicular to and extends out from the outer surface of the transmission box 15b that is opposite with respect to the switching box 11b, the rotary electrical switch 10b in its constructive variation comprises, in the following order:

[0090] - the substantially cylindrical body, whose second portion 42b is engaged with the rod-like extension 16b that protrudes from the transmission box 15b;

[0091] - the gasket 81b;

[0092] - the first half-box 125b, fixed to the transmission box 15b by means of the four screws and fitted externally to the substantially cylindrical body 40b, so that the second portion 42b is adjacent to the internal surface of the annular protrusion 80b;

[0093] - the indicator disk 19b;

[0094] - the second half-box 225b, from which the first portion 41b of the substantially cylindrical body 40b partially protrudes, substantially in the same manner as in the embodiment presented earlier.

[0095] The rotary electrical switch thus provided, in the embodiment and in its variation shown in Figures 1 to 8, can be mounted on an electrical cabinet and / or on a panel.

[0096] In particular, it can for example be fixed to an omega-shaped rail (commonly known as DIN rail), as shown by way of example in the above-mentioned Figures; said omega-shaped rail is designated by the reference numeral 100.

[0097] Alternatively, a back-panel fixing can be provided, for example on a panel 200.

[0098] In greater detail, the readout box 25a or 25b is placed on one side of the panel 200 exposed to view and is fixed to the rest of the components of the rotary electrical switch 10a or 10b that are located on the other side of the panel 200 and are instead hidden.

[0099] The operation of the rotary electrical switch 10a or 10b according to the invention can be easily understood from what has been described so far. In particular, the indicator means 17a or 17b show an operator the operating state of the switch 10a or 10b, by means of the graphic signs 23a or 23b “ON” and “OFF” provided on the indicator disk 19a or 19b, which correspond respectively to a coupling and a decoupling of the movable electrical contacts and of the fixed electrical contacts.

[0100] This coupling and / or decoupling is achieved by means of a rotation of the rod-like operating member 13a or 13b, driven by the electric motor 95a or 95b which, when powered by electrical voltage, acts so as to maintain said electrical contacts in electrical coupling.

[0101] In practice it has been found that the improved rotary electrical switch according to the present invention achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to discourage an operator from manually operating the switch to deactivate the electric power supply, putting their safety at risk.

[0102] In fact, the characteristics of the switch according to the present invention that have been described so far allow to improve and increase the safety of an operator who wishes to deactivate the power supply downstream of a disconnect switch of interest, discouraging them from intervening manually and forcing the rotation of the operating means thanks to their shape and the possibility to directly see the actual operating state of the disconnect switch.

[0103] Such a shape of the operating means still allows manual intervention in the event of, for example, malfunctions of the electric motor.

[0104] In fact, even if, after the electric power supply has been interrupted by activating the emergency button, the electric motor does not generate a rotation of the rod-like operating element such as to decouple the movable electrical contacts from the fixed electrical contacts, it is possible to use an external tool, such as those mentioned above, engaging it with the operating means so as to manually rotate the rod-like operating member.

[0105] One advantage of the invention resides in that the switch thus provided allows its operating state to be directly displayed. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the accompanying claims.

[0106] For example, the shape of the indicator means and of the operating means may differ depending on the requirements of use.

[0107] Moreover, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0108] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0109] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000025677 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0110] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rotary electrical switch (10a, 10b), particularly of the motorized type, comprising a switching box (Ila, 11b) overlying one or more modular contact boxes (12a, 12b), each modular contact box (12a, 12b) comprising at least one movable electrical contact and a plurality of fixed electrical contacts, said switching box (Ila, 11b) comprising a rod-like operating member (13 a, 13b) which can rotate about an axis of rotation (14a, 14b) that substantially coincides with its longitudinal axis, said rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) being adapted to generate a relative movement between said at least one movable electrical contact and said plurality of fixed electrical contacts as a result of a rotation of said rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) about said axis of rotation (14a, 14b);said rotary electrical switch further comprising a transmission box (15a, 15b) which lies on top of said switching box (Ila, 1 lb) in the direction of the axis of rotation (14a, 14b) and comprises a rod-like extension (16a, 16b) which protrudes outside said transmission box (15a, 15b) on the opposite side with respect to said switching box (Ila, 1 lb) and is integral in rotation with said rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) about said axis of rotation (14a, 14b);said switch being characterized in that it comprises:- a readout box (25a, 25b) which lies on top of said transmission box (15a, 15b) along said axis of rotation (14a, 14b) on the opposite side with respect to said switching box (Ila, 11b), said readout box comprising means (17a, 17b) for indicating the electrical state of said switching box (Ila, 11b) and- operating means (18a, 18b) associated with said rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) and shaped for their engagement with an external tool (101, 102) so as to enable the switching of said switching box (Ila, 11b).

2. The switch (10a, 10b) according to claim 1, characterized in that said indicator means (17a, 17b) comprise:- an indicator disk (19a, 19b), which is integral in rotation with said rod-like operating member (13a, 13b) and is divided into a plurality of circular sectors (21a, 21b) corresponding to a number of switchings of said switching box (Ila, 11b);- pointer means (20a, 20b) of said indicator disk (19a, 19b), which are integral with said readout box (25a, 25b) and are shaped so as to indicate a fixed area of said readout box (25a, 25b) occupied by said indicator disk (19a, 19b) so as to indicate one of said circular sectors (21a, 21b)each of said circular sectors (21a, 21b) reproducing a graphic sign (23a, 23b) that identifies a state of said switching box (Ila, 11b); said readout box (25a, 25b) being shaped, and said indicator disk (19a, 19b) being associated with said readout box (25a, 25b), so as to leave freely visible at least one portion of said indicator disk (19a, 19b) in a manner that corresponds to said fixed area, and corresponding to at least one of said circular sectors (21a, 21b).

3. The switch (10a, 10b) according to claim 2, characterized in that said indicator disk (19a, 19b) is accommodated at least partially in said readout box (25a, 25b) and in that said readout box (25a, 25b) has, at said fixed area, a first opening (24a, 24b) adapted to allow visual reading of the state of said switching box (Ila, 1 lb).

4. The switch (10a, 10b) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first opening (24a, 24b) comprises a window which is formed on a face of said readout box (25a, 25b) that is opposite with respect to the one directed toward said transmission box (15a, 15b).

5. The switch (10a, 10b) according to claim 4, characterized in that said window has a geometric shape substantially in the form of a circular sector.

6. The switch (10a, 10b) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said indicator disk (19a, 19b) comprises four circular sectors (21a, 21b), corresponding to four switchings of said18switching box (Ila, 11b).

7. The switch (10a, 10b) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said operating means (18a, 18b) pass through said readout box (25a, 25b) along said axis of rotation (14a, 14b) and protrude outward axially from said readout box (25a, 25b), with such an extent of axial extension, and / or surface geometry, as to prevent being grasped directly by an operator's hand to force a rotation thereof.

8. The switch (10a, 10b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said operating means (18a, 18b) comprise a substantially cylindrical body (40a, 40b) provided with a first portion (41a, 41b), which is contoured and geometrically shaped for its engagement with said at least one external tool (101, 102), and a second portion (42a, 42b), which is associated in rotation with said rod-like extension (16a, 16b); said indicator disk (19a, 19b) being coupled to said substantially cylindrical body (40a, 40b).

9. The switch (10a, 10b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said substantially cylindrical body (40a, 40b) is hollow and has a first seat (141a, 141b), extended along said axis of rotation (14a, 14b) at said first portion (41a, 41b), which is adapted to be engaged by said at least one external tool (101, 102), and a second seat (142a, 142b), extended along said axis of rotation (14a, 14b) at said second portion (42a, 42b), in a form-fit engagement with said rod-like extension (16a, 16b); said seats (141a, 141b, 142a, 142b) being mutually separated by a separating element (92a, 92b) that has a planar extension, lies on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation (14a, 14b), and is adapted to act as a supporting abutment for said rod-like extension (16a, 16b) and for said at least one external tool (101, 102).

10. The switch (10a, 10b) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a DC disconnect switch and comprises an electric motor (95a, 95b) coupled to the rod-like operating member (13a,13b) via said transmission box (15a, 15b), said transmission box (15a, 15b) comprising, respectively, a first gear (150a) which is integral with a shaft (160a) of the electric motor (95a, 95b) and a second gear (151a) which is integral with the rod-like operating member (13 a, 13b) of the switching box (Ila, 11b).

11. The switch according to claim 10, characterized in that said electric motor (95a, 95b) is coupled to an electric control board that is electrically interposed between said electric motor and an electric power supply, said electric control board being configured to actuate the electric motor (95a, 95b), in the event of disconnection or interruption of said power supply, so as to force a rotation of the rod-like operating member (13a, 13b), via said transmission box, toward an angular position in which, in each modular contact box, the movable electrical contact is not in contact with the fixed electrical contacts.

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