Plug-In Circuit Breaker Bridging Slots for Safe Potential Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermomagnetic circuit breakers are limited in distributing protected potentials to multiple consumers and require costly or time-intensive solutions for safe maintenance due to the need for de-energized terminals during connection, with previous solutions only allowing input potential supply through a bridge, not output potential reproduction.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in circuit breaker with a base element and a plug that allows for series mounting, featuring bridging slots for safe electrical connections and isolation, enabling the distribution of protected potentials using standard products and ensuring safety during handling by requiring the circuit breaker to be unplugged for jumper access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard material is used to forward protected potential to adjacent terminals, then cost is reduced, but safety during maintenance is compromised due to energized terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging slots are designed to only provide electrical connection when the plug is fully inserted into the base element. Before the plug is inserted, the bridging slots are electrically isolated, allowing safe handling and installation of jumpers. This preliminary isolation action ensures safety during maintenance while still enabling cost-effective distribution of protected potentials using standard jumpers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging slots act as an intermediary mechanism that conditionally provides electrical connection. They serve as isolated connection points that only become conductive when the plug is properly inserted, mediating between the need for safe handling during installation and the need for electrical connection during operation, thus resolving the safety-cost contradiction.
2Reliability
If terminals are de-energized during connection work, then safety is improved, but this requires costly or time-intensive solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging slots are designed to provide electrical isolation before the plug is inserted, eliminating the need to de-energize terminals during connection work. This preliminary isolation action allows safe handling of jumpers without requiring costly specialized wiring or time-intensive procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a plug-in circuit breaker for series mounting, having a base element and a plug. The plug may include a circuit breaker, where it is possible to plug the plug into the base element in a detachable manner. The base element may include mounting elements for mounting on a mounting rail. The base element may also include at least one first electrical connector and at least one second electrical connector. The plug-in circuit breaker may also include at least one first bridging slot for a bridging plug being arranged in a plug-in region.