CH719476B1 - Electrical protective device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical protection device consisting of a residual current circuit breaker comprising a first modular sub-assembly (1) comprising: - a phase current line comprising a first pair of contacts, - a neutral current line comprising a second pair of contacts, - a switching unit, - a magnetic tripping unit, - a differential tripping unit, - said first modular sub-assembly (1) extending over a width (L1) in a first direction (Y) less than the value of one module, - said first modular sub-assembly (1) extending longitudinally further over a length (L2) in a second direction (X), - a separating wall (7), said electrical protection device is characterized in that: said separating wall (7) extends in the second direction (X) over a boundary length (L3) less than said length (L2) of the first modular sub-assembly (1), so as to delimit a first compartment (8) on the phase side comprising the first pair of contacts from a second compartment (9) on the neutral side comprising the second pair of contacts, the first compartment (8) being distinct from the second compartment (9), said magnetic tripping unit and said differential tripping unit extend along the first direction (Y) each substantially over the whole of said width (L1) of the first modular sub-assembly (1) and each being situated outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical protection devices, for example molded case residual current circuit breakers.

[0002] A residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) comprising a switching device for switching an electrical contact is known from publication EP2048685A2. It further comprises a short-circuit tripping device for tripping the switching device in the event of a short circuit. It further comprises a fault current tripping device for tripping the switching device in the event of a fault current and/or a residual current. The switching device, the short-circuit tripping device, and the fault current tripping device are arranged consecutively in a longitudinal alignment. The RCCB is narrow in shape so that it fits within the housing of a power circuit breaker with a maximum width of 18 millimeters, i.e., one module. A phase separator divides the interior of the RCCB into a phase side and a neutral side. The fault current tripping device is on the neutral conductor side, while the short-circuit tripping device, an overload tripping device, and a test circuit device are arranged on the phase side. The height of this residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) is a disadvantage, as it is 90 millimeters, whereas standard RCCBs from most manufacturers, although not standardized, are generally 83 millimeters high. Furthermore, the connection of this RCCB is incompatible with the so-called German connection system, in which a phase or neutral potential is distributed per module. In contrast, in the so-called French connection system, the phase and neutral potentials are distributed within the same module. The power distribution pitch is modular in the so-called German system.

[0003] The present invention aims to provide an electrical protection device of the type of compact differential circuit breaker and of alternative design.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical protection device consisting of a modular residual current circuit breaker comprising at least a first modular sub-assembly comprising:

a phase current line comprising at least one first pair of contacts,

a neutral current line comprising at least a second pair of contacts,

a switching unit arranged to switch said first pair of contacts and said second pair of contacts,

a magnetic trip unit arranged to trip said switching unit in the event of a short circuit,

a differential tripping unit arranged to trip said switching unit in the event of a differential fault,

said first modular sub-assembly extending over a width in a first direction less than the value of one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters,

said first modular sub-assembly extending longitudinally further along a length in a second direction,

a partition wall,

said electrical protective device is characterized in that:

said separating wall extends along the second direction over a boundary length shorter than said length of the first modular sub-assembly, so as to delimit a first phase-side compartment comprising at least the first pair of contacts from a second neutral-side compartment comprising at least the second pair of contacts, the first compartment being distinct from the second compartment,

said magnetic tripping unit and said differential tripping unit extend along the first direction each substantially over the entire width of said first modular sub-assembly and each being situated outside the first compartment and the second compartment.

[0005] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[Fig. 1]

Figure 1 shows a front view of a second modular subassembly of an electrical protective device according to the invention,

[Fig. 2]

Figure 2 shows a front view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,

[Fig. 3]

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,

[Fig. 4]

Figure 4 shows a front view of a first modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention,

[Fig. 5]

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the first modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figure 4,

[Fig. 6]

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the second modular subassembly of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figure 1,

[Fig. 7]

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an electrical protective device according to the invention comprising the first modular sub-assembly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and comprising the second modular sub-assembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6,

[Fig. 8]

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the electrical protection device according to the invention, comprising the first modular sub-assembly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and comprising the second modular sub-assembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6,

[Fig. 9]

Figure 9 shows a perspective and exploded view of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, comprising the first modular sub-assembly and the second modular sub-assembly.

[Fig. 10]

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, comprising the first modular sub-assembly and the second modular sub-assembly.

[Fig. 11]

Figure 11 represents a perspective view of the electrical protection device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 with the first modular sub-assembly and the second modular sub-assembly joined together.

[0006] An electrical protective device consisting of a modular residual current circuit breaker comprises at least a first modular sub-assembly 1 comprising:

a phase current line comprising at least one first pair of contacts 2,

a neutral current line comprising at least a second pair of contacts 3,

a switching unit 4 arranged to switch said first pair of contacts 2 and said second pair of contacts 3,

a magnetic trip unit 5 arranged to trip said switching unit 4 in case of a short circuit,

a differential tripping unit 6 arranged to trip said switching unit 4 in the event of a differential fault,

said first modular sub-assembly 1 extending over a width L1 along a first direction Y less than the value of one module, the value of said module preferably being equal to 18 millimeters,

said first modular sub-assembly 1 extending longitudinally further over a length L2 along a second direction X,

a partition wall 7.

[0007] In accordance with the invention and as illustrated in the figures, and in particular Figure 10, said electrical protection device is characterized in that:

said separating wall 7 extends along the second direction X over a boundary length L3 less than said length L2 of the first modular sub-assembly 1, so as to delimit a first compartment 8 on the phase side comprising at least the first pair of contacts 2 from a second compartment 9 on the neutral side comprising at least the second pair of contacts 3, the first compartment 8 being distinct from the second compartment 9,

said magnetic release unit 5 and said differential release unit 6 extend along the first direction Y each substantially over the whole of said width L1 first modular sub-assembly 1 and each being situated outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.

[0008] Advantageously, the separating wall 7 allows at least the first pair of contacts 2 of the phase current line to be separated from the second pair of contacts 3 of the neutral current line, so as to electrically isolate them from each other. In other words, the separating wall 7 allows the phase breaking chamber and the neutral breaking chamber of the first modular sub-assembly 1 to be separated. The separating wall 7 does not create a separation over the entire length L2 of the first modular sub-assembly 1, but rather only over the delimitation length L3 which is less than the length L2 of the first modular sub-assembly 1. Thus, the separating wall 7 does not extend in length along the second direction X where it is not necessary, that is to say, the separating wall 7 only extends along the second direction X in order to electrically isolate the first pair of contacts 2 of the phase current line from the second pair of contacts 3 of the neutral current line. Furthermore, the magnetic trip unit 5, which performs the magnetic function, occupies substantially the entire width L1 of the first modular subassembly 1. Similarly, the differential trip unit 6, which performs the differential function, occupies substantially the entire width L1 of the first modular subassembly 1. The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention can advantageously be contained within a modular volume, for example, a first housing 31, having a width equal to one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters. The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention makes it possible to integrate the magnetic function and the differential function within a modular volume the width of one module and to allow for the interruption of the phase and neutral conductors.

[0009] Preferably, the electrical protection device further comprises at least one thermal trip unit 10 arranged to trip said switching unit 4 in case of overload and said thermal trip unit 10 is disposed in the second compartment 9 on the neutral side.

[0010] Advantageously, thanks to the partition wall 7, the thermal tripping unit 10, which performs the thermal function, is located in the second compartment 9 on the neutral side. The first modular subassembly 1 according to the invention allows the thermal function to be integrated into a modular volume with the width of one module, in addition to allowing the integration of the magnetic and differential functions and enabling phase and neutral disconnection.

[0011] Preferably, the thermal tripping unit 10 includes at least one bimetallic strip 11 and the phase current line includes said at least one bimetallic strip 11.

[0012] Preferably, the first compartment 8 on the phase side extends along said first direction Y over a first width L4 less than or equal to the value of half a module.

[0013] Preferably, the second compartment 9 on the neutral side extends along said first direction Y over a second width L5 less than or equal to the value of half a module.

[0014] Preferably, said differential tripping unit 6 comprises at least one measuring toroid 12, through which said phase current line and said neutral current line pass, and configured to measure the differential current, said measuring toroid 12 extending along the first direction Y over the entire width L1 of the first modular subassembly 1 and being located outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.

[0015] Preferably, said differential tripping unit 6 comprises at least one electromagnetic relay 13, said electromagnetic relay 13 extending along the first direction Y over the entire width L1 of the first modular subassembly 1 and being located outside the first compartment 8 and the second compartment 9.

[0016] Preferably, the first phase-side compartment 8 preferably includes a first arc-extinguishing chamber 33.

[0017] Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 7 to 11, said electrical protection device further comprises at least a second modular subassembly 14 comprising:

an additional phase current line comprising at least a third pair of contacts 15,

an additional neutral current line comprising at least a fourth pair of contacts 16,

an additional switching unit 17 arranged to switch said third pair of contacts 15 and said fourth pair of contacts 16,

an additional magnetic trip unit 18 arranged to trip said additional switching unit 17 in the event of a short circuit,

an additional differential tripping unit 19 arranged to trip said additional switching unit 17 in the event of a differential fault,

said second modular sub-assembly 14 extending over a width L6 along the first direction Y less than the value of one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters,

said second modular sub-assembly 14 extending longitudinally further over a length L7 along the second direction X,

an additional separating wall 20 which extends along the second direction X over a boundary length L8 less than said length L7 of the second modular subassembly 14, so as to delimit a third compartment 21 on the phase side comprising at least the third pair of contacts 15 from a fourth compartment 22 on the neutral side comprising at least the fourth pair of contacts 16, the third compartment 21 being distinct from the fourth compartment 22,

said additional magnetic trip unit 18 and said additional differential trip unit 19 extend along the first direction Y each over the entire width L6 of said second modular sub-assembly 14 and are each located outside the third compartment 21 and the fourth compartment 22.

[0018] Advantageously, the additional separating wall 20 allows at least the third pair of contacts 15 of the phase current line to be separated from the second pair of contacts 16 of the neutral current line, so as to electrically isolate them from each other. In other words, the additional separating wall 20 allows the phase breaking chamber and the neutral breaking chamber of the second modular subassembly 14 to be separated. Thus, the additional separating wall 20 does not extend lengthwise in the second direction X where this is not necessary; that is, the additional separating wall 20 extends only in the second direction X for the purpose of electrically isolating the third pair of contacts 15 of the phase current line from the fourth pair of contacts 16 of the neutral current line. Furthermore, the additional magnetic trip unit 18, which performs the additional magnetic function, occupies substantially the entire width L6 of the second modular subassembly 14. Similarly, the additional differential trip unit 19, which performs the additional differential function, occupies substantially the entire width L6 of the second modular subassembly 14. The first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14 according to the invention can advantageously each be contained within a modular volume, for example, respectively, the first housing 31 and a second housing 32 described below, having a width L31, L32 equal to one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters. The first modular subassembly 1 and the second modular subassembly 14 each allow the integration of the magnetic function and the differential function within a modular volume the width of one module and allow for the interruption of the phase and neutral conductors.

[0019] Preferably, the third compartment 21 on the phase side includes a second arc extinguishing chamber 34.

[0020] In the example illustrated in figures 7 to 11, the electrical protection device is in modular format with a total width Lt which is equal to two modules and thus comprises two modular subsets, namely the first modular subset 1 and the second modular subset 14, as described previously.

[0021] The magnetic trigger unit 5 and/or the additional magnetic trigger unit 18 preferably include a magnetic actuator.

[0022] The additional differential tripping unit 19 preferably comprises the same means as the differential tripping unit 6 which have been described above.

[0023] The second modular subassembly 14 preferably includes, just like the first modular subassembly 1, at least one additional thermal trip unit 35 arranged to trip said additional switching unit 17 in case of overload and said additional thermal trip unit is disposed in the fourth compartment 22 on the neutral side.

[0024] The additional thermal tripping unit preferably comprises the same means as the thermal tripping unit 10 described above. Preferably, the additional thermal tripping unit comprises at least one bimetallic strip 36 and the additional phase current line comprises said at least one bimetallic strip 36.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 7 to 11, said electrical protective device preferably also comprises:

a single neutral input connection terminal 23 forming part of the first modular sub-assembly 1,

a single phase 24 input connection terminal forming part of the second modular sub-assembly 14,

a first phase output connection terminal 25 connected to the phase current line forming part of the first modular sub-assembly 1,

a first neutral output connection terminal 26 connected to the neutral current line forming part of the first modular sub-assembly 1,

a second phase output connection terminal 27 connected to the additional phase power line forming part of the second modular sub-assembly 14,

a second neutral output connection terminal 28 connected to the second additional neutral current line forming part of the second modular sub-assembly 14,

The first phase output connection terminal 25 and the second phase output connection terminal 27 are each connected to said single phase input connection terminal 24 at a first common node forming part of the second modular subset 14, and

the first neutral output connection terminal 26 and the second neutral output connection terminal 28 are each connected to said single neutral input connection terminal 23 at a second common node forming part of the first modular subset 1.

[0026] Advantageously, the electrical protection device comprises, on the one hand, a single neutral input connection terminal 23 which allows the first modular sub-assembly 1 and the second modular sub-assembly 14 to be connected to a neutral potential, and on the other hand, a single phase connection terminal 24 which allows the first modular sub-assembly 1 and the second modular sub-assembly 14 to be connected to a phase potential. By means of the first phase output connection terminal 25 and the first neutral output connection terminal 26, the phase potential and the neutral potential can be distributed at the level of the first modular sub-assembly 1. By means of the second phase output connection terminal 27 and the second neutral output connection terminal 28, the phase potential and the neutral potential can be distributed at the level of the second modular sub-assembly 14. This advantageous configuration ensures compatibility of the electrical protection device according to the invention with the so-called German connection system.

[0027] The single phase input connection terminal 24 of the second modular sub-assembly 14 is connected to the second phase output connection terminal 27 of the second modular sub-assembly 14, as well as to the first phase output connection terminal 25 of the first modular sub-assembly 1 (Figures 7 to 11).

[0028] The single neutral input connection terminal 23 of the first modular subassembly 1 is connected to the second neutral output connection terminal 28 of the second modular subassembly 14, as well as to the first neutral output connection terminal 26 of the first modular subassembly 1 (Figures 7 to 11).

[0029] Preferably and as illustrated in the figures, the first modular sub-assembly 1 is contained in the first modular housing 31 and the second modular sub-assembly 14 is contained in the second modular housing 32, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 being joined together.

[0030] Preferably, the width L31 of the first housing 31 along the first direction Y is one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters.

[0031] Preferably, the width L32 of the second housing 32 along the first direction Y is one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters.

[0032] Preferably, the width Lt of the electrical protection device and therefore of the first box 31 and the second box 32 joined together is equal to two modules.

[0033] Preferably, the height H31 of the first housing 31 along a third direction Z is 83 millimeters. The third direction Z is orthogonal to the first and second directions X, Y.

[0034] Preferably, the height H32 of the second housing 32 along a third direction Z is 83 millimeters.

[0035] Preferably, the height of the electrical protection device is 83 millimeters.

[0036] Preferably, the electrical protection device is a modular molded case residual current circuit breaker of the RCBO type, as illustrated in figures 7 to 11.

[0037] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (10)

1. Electrical protective device consisting of a modular residual current circuit breaker comprising at least one first modular subassembly (1) comprising: – a phase current line comprising at least one first pair of contacts (2), – a neutral current line comprising at least one second pair of contacts (3), – a switching unit (4) arranged to switch said first pair of contacts (2) and said second pair of contacts (3), – a magnetic tripping unit (5) arranged to trip said switching unit (4) in the event of a short circuit, – a residual current tripping unit (6) arranged to trip said switching unit (4) in the event of a residual current fault, – said first modular subassembly (1) extending over a width (L1) in a first direction (Y) less than the value of one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters, – said first modular subassembly (1) extending longitudinally in addition over a length (L2) in a second direction (X), – a separation wall (7), said electrical protection device is characterized in that: said separation wall (7) extends along the second direction (X) over a boundary length (L3) less than said length (L2) of the first modular subassembly (1), so as to delimit a first phase-side compartment (8) comprising at least the first pair of contacts (2) from a second neutral-side compartment (9) comprising at least the second pair of contacts (3), the first compartment (8) being distinct from the second compartment (9), said magnetic tripping unit (5) and said differential tripping unit (6) extend along the first direction (Y) each substantially over the entire width (L1) of the first modular subassembly (1) and each being located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9). 2. Electrical protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one thermal tripping unit (10) arranged to trip said switching unit (4) in case of overload and in that said thermal tripping unit (10) is disposed in the second compartment (9) on the neutral side. 3. Electrical protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the thermal tripping unit (10) comprises at least one bimetallic strip (11) and in that the phase current line comprises said at least one bimetallic strip (11). 4. Electrical protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first phase-side compartment (8) extends along said first direction (Y) over a first width (L4) less than or equal to the value of half a module. 5. Electrical protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second compartment (9) on the neutral side extends along said first direction (Y) over a second width (L5) less than or equal to the value of half a module. 6. Electrical protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said differential tripping unit (6) comprises at least one measuring toroid (12), through which said phase current line and said neutral current line pass, and configured to measure the differential current, said measuring toroid (12) extending along the first direction (Y) over the entire width (L1) and being located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9). 7. Electrical protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said differential tripping unit (6) comprises at least one electromagnetic relay (13), said electromagnetic relay (13) extending along the first direction (Y) over the entire width (L1) and being located outside the first compartment (8) and the second compartment (9). 8. An electrical protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one second modular subassembly (14) comprising: – an additional phase current line comprising at least one third pair of contacts (15), – an additional neutral current line comprising at least one fourth pair of contacts (16), – an additional switching unit (17) arranged to switch said third pair of contacts (15) and said fourth pair of contacts (16), – an additional magnetic trip unit (18) arranged to trip said additional switching unit (17) in the event of a short circuit, – an additional differential trip unit (19) arranged to trip said additional switching unit (17) in the event of a differential fault, – said second modular subassembly (14) extending over a width (L6) in the first direction (Y) less than the value of one module, the value of said module being equal to 18 millimeters, - said second modular subassembly (14) extending longitudinally further over a length (L7) along the second direction (X), - an additional separating wall (20) extending along the second direction (X) over a boundary length (L8) shorter than said length (L7) of the second modular subassembly (14), so as to delimit a third phase-side compartment (21) comprising at least the third pair of contacts (15) from a fourth neutral-side compartment (22) comprising at least the fourth pair of contacts (16), the third compartment (21) being separate from the fourth compartment (22), said additional magnetic trip unit (18) and said additional differential trip unit (19) extending along the first direction (Y) each over the entire width (L6) of the second modular subassembly (14) and each being located outside the third compartment (21) and the fourth compartment (22). 9. Electrical protective device according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises: - a single neutral input connection terminal (23) forming part of the first modular subassembly (1), – a single phase input connection terminal (24) forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), – a first phase output connection terminal (25) connected to the phase current line forming part of the first modular subassembly (1), – a first neutral output connection terminal (26) connected to the neutral current line forming part of the first modular subassembly (1), – a second phase output connection terminal (27) connected to the additional phase current line forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), – a second neutral output connection terminal (28) connected to the additional neutral current line forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), – the first phase output connection terminal (25) and the second phase output connection terminal (27) are each connected to said single phase input connection terminal (24) at a first common node forming part of the second modular subassembly (14), and – the first connection terminal of neutral output (26) and the second neutral output connection terminal (28) are each connected to said single neutral input connection terminal (23) at a second common node forming part of the first modular subset (1). 10. Electrical protection device according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the first modular sub-assembly (1) is contained in a first modular-format housing (31) and in that the second modular sub-assembly (14) is contained in a second modular-format housing (32), the first housing (31) and the second housing (32) being joined together.