Circuit Breaker Phase Segregation for Arc Gas Discharge Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low voltage circuit breakers face challenges in effectively segregating phases and preventing discharge issues when ionized gases are vented off from the arc chamber, leading to potential problems between adjacent phases and between phases and the front door of the panel.
Innovation Solution
A device for door and phase segregation in low voltage circuit breakers, comprising a conductive element with a first insulating element covering it and a second insulating element interposed between adjacent phases, effectively segregating phases and preventing discharge issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If venting openings are provided in the arc chamber to discharge hot gases, then cooling and pressure relief are improved, but discharge problems occur between adjacent phases and between phases and the front door of the panel
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating partition is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent phases and between phases and the front door. This partition acts as a mediator that allows the venting function to operate while preventing harmful discharge, thereby resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and discharge prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc chamber is segmented into multiple isolated compartments by insulating partitions. Each compartment can vent hot gases independently through its own opening, while the partitions prevent the ionized gases from one phase from affecting adjacent phases or the front door, thus maintaining cooling effectiveness while preventing discharge problems.
2Reliability
If a filtering system is added to cool and reduce gas velocity, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating partition is implemented as a thin wall structure that provides effective isolation between phases. This thin film approach achieves the safety function of preventing discharge while maintaining simplicity in construction, avoiding the need for complex filtering systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides effective segregation between phases and between phases and the front door of the panel, reducing discharge problems and ensuring safe operation of low voltage circuit breakers.
Implementation Method 1
a first insulating element covering said conductive element and a second insulating element adapted to be interposed between two adjacent phases of said circuit breaker
Implementation Method 2
the pressure in the contact zone, and in particular in the arc chamber, can reach very high values, e.g. as high as 30-40 bars
Implementation Method 3
The arc is propelled by electromagnetic and fluid-dynamics effects inside a series of arc-breaking metal plates arranged in the chamber, which are meant to extinguish said arc by cooling and splitting actions
Implementation Method 4
During arc formation, the energy released by Joule effect is very high and causes thermal and mechanical stresses inside the plate containment region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A device for door and phase segregation in low voltage circuit breakers, in particular in molded case circuit breakers, having a plurality of phases each provided with a lug for electrical connection of said circuit breaker and a venting aperture for venting off gases, said device comprising a conductive element adapted to be fixed to a corresponding lug of said circuit breaker and provided with electrical connection means for electrical connection of said circuit breaker, characterized in that it comprises a first insulating element covering said conductive element and/or a second insulating element adapted to be interposed between two adjacent phases of said circuit breaker.