AU2017200005A1 - Protective electrical apparatus of modular configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE of the INVENTION "Protective electrical apparatus of modular configuration" TEXT of the This apparatus comprises: - an actuating mechanism (50) of a mobile contact (32); and - an arc quenching chamber (51) with a first conductive horn (52) bearing a fixed contact (31) and with a second conductive horn (53) electrically connected to the mobile contact (32); characterized in that at least part of an annular armature (40) of an electrical transformer (35) sensitive to predetermined conveying conditions is situated, in relation to a section (60) of the second conductive horn (53) that is inclined towards the back face (13) of the apparatus and towards the arc quenching chamber (51): - towards the back face (13); and - opposite said inclined section (60) of the second conductive horn (53), in a front-to-back direction (55). (Fig. 3) @o O>O o '_O - o0 co -o0 om 2 - E0o .a>... v

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns protective electrical apparatuses of modular configuration.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

It is known that electrical apparatuses of modular configuration are parallelepiped in general shape with two main faces and with lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces, the width of such an apparatus, that is to say the spacing between its two main faces, being equal to an integer multiple of a basic width, called "module", which is of the order of 18 mm.

It is also known that the modular apparatuses are provided for belonging to a row in which they are disposed side by side whiie being fastened at the back to a horizontally disposed support rail.

In general, the electrical apparatuses of modular configuration which are bi-poiar comprise an upper part and a lower part each provided with two connection terminals, respectively a first terminal for a first electrical pole and a second terminal for a second electrical pole different from the first electrical pole.

Each connection terminal is configured to receive a stripped end section of an electrical cable or a tooth of a horizontal comb-like busbar. The lateral face of the upper part (upper face) and the lateral face of the lower part (lower face) in general each have two insertion apertures giving access respectively to the first terminal and to the second terminal.

When the modular electrical apparatus has to fulfill several functions simultaneously, for example at the same time a circuit breaker function for protection against short-circuits and overcurrents and a differential protection function, the number of components to arrange inside the apparatus is relatively high and the apparatus may thus become relatively bulky, that is to say have a width of a high number of modules.

In order for the modular electrical apparatus to have a reduced bulk in terms of width, it has already been proposed, in particular in European patent application EP 2 073 240, to increase the height of the casing of the apparatus in order to create sufficient volume to add a differential protection function or another complementary electrical function. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTi»

The invention aims to provide an electrical apparatus of modular configuration that is similar but compact while remaining convenient and more economic.

To that end, the invention provides a protective electrical apparatus in modular format, of parallelepiped general shape with two main faces, respectively a left face and a right face, and lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces, respectively a back face, an upper face, a front face and a lower face, with a width, that is to say the spacing between the left face and the right face, equal to an integer number of times a predetermined distance, called module, the back face being configured to be fastened to a support rail disposed horizontally, the upper face having two insertion apertures giving access respectively to a first upper terminal for a first electrical pole and a second upper terminal for a second electrical pole different from the first electrical pole, the lower face having two insertion apertures giving access respectively to a first lower connection terminal for the first electrical pole and to a second lower connection terminal for the second electrical pole, each said connection terminal being configured to receive a stripped end section of an electric cable or a tooth of a horizontal comb-like busbar; which apparatus comprises; - a first circuit for conveying current between the first upper terminal and the first lower terminal, comprising a fixed contact and a mobile contact; - a second circuit for conveying current between the second upper terminal and the second lower terminal; - an actuating mechanism of the mobile contact having two stable positions, respectively a cutting-off position in which the mobile contact is away from the fixed contact and an engaging position in which the mobile contact bears against the fixed contact; - a lever, projecting from the front face, to manually act on the actuating mechanism in order to pass from the cutting-off position to the engaging position or from the engaging position to the cutting-off position; - at least one triggering member configured to act automatically on the actuating mechanism in order to pass from the engaging position to the cutting-off position when predetermined current conveying conditions occur; and - an arc quenching chamber associated with the first current conveying circuit 'with a first conductive horn bearing the fixed contact and with a second conductive horn electrically connected to the mobile contact, disposed opposite the first conductive horn; characterized in that at least part of an annular armature of an electrical transformer sensitive to said predetermined conveying conditions is situated, in relation to a section of the second conductive horn that is inclined towards the back face and towards the arc quenching chamber; - towards the back face; and - opposite said inclined section of the second conductive horn, in a front-to-back direction, that is to say a direction which is parallel to the main faces as well as to the upper face and the lower face.

The invention is based on the observation that rather than minimizing the space situated to the back and at the same height as the arc guiding conductive horn electrically connected to the mobile contact, which is in genera! close to the back face of the apparatus, In order to save space to place the components, it was in fact possible to obtain a more compact apparatus by providing that the space situated to the back and at the same height as the inclined section of that conductive horn Is sufficiently large to receive an annular armature of an electrical transformer sensitive to the predetermined current conveying conditions, such an annular armature being a relatively voluminous component.

The Invention makes it possible to have, In a conventional volume of a modular apparatus, a protective function in relation to predetermined current conveying conditions of which the detection is made by virtue of an electrical transformer having an annular armature, in particular a transformer for differential fault detection.

In particular, it is for example possible by virtue of the invention to have a differential circuit breaker with a protected pole having a width of one module with the conventional height (distance between the lower face and the upper race) of 83 mm.

What is more, this location of the annular armature of the electrical transformer involves a certain proximity between the conductive horn and the electrical transformer, which is favorable to the convenience of the electrical connection to make between the conductive horn and the mobile contact, since at least one 'winding of this transformer Is electrically connected to the mobile contact.

The apparatus according to the invention may thus be partic ulari> compact while remaining convenient and economic to manufacture.

According to advantageous features: - the apparatus further comprises an electronic card connected to a winding of said electrical transformer and to a triggering relay forming said triggering member; - said horn comprises, in addition to said inclined section, an upright section to which the inclined section connects by its end that is the most remote from the arc quenching chamber, said annular armature further comprising a part which, in relation to the upright section, is situated: - towards the back face; and - opposite said upright section of the second conductive horn, in a fronl-to-back direction; - the annular armature has an axial orientation situated in a plane oriented in a front-to~back direction and in a top-to-bottom direction, that is to say an axial orientation parallel to the left face and to the right face; - the axial orientation of the annular armature is inclined towards the arc quenching chamber and towards the front; - the apparatus comprises an insulating partition between said first current conveying circuit and said second current conveying circuit, said annular armature straddling said insulating partition; - the annular armature has an axial orientation in a left-to-right direction, that is to say an axial orientation transverse to the left face and to the right face; - the apparatus comprises an insulating partition between said first current conveying circuit and said second current conveying circuit, said annular armature being entirely situated to a same side of said insulating partition; - said electrical transformer is a differential fault detection transformer for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a differential fault: and it further comprises a magnetic triggering member and a thermal triggering member; and/or - the apparatus comprises two said electrical transformers, respectively a first said electrical transformer which is a differential fault detection transformer for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a differential fault, and a second said electrical transformer which is a current measuring transformer for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a prolonged overcurrent; and It further comprises a magnetic triggering member,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure of the invention will now be continued with the detailed description of embodiments, given below by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical apparatus according to the invention, taken from the right, above and from the front of that apparatus; - Figure 2 shows very diagrammaticaily the electrical circuit of that electrical apparatus and the actuation mechanism for the mobile contacts comprised by that electrical circuit; - Figures 3 and 4 are elevation views taken respectively from the left and from the right of that apparatus from which the left cheek and the right cheek of the casing have been removed; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of that apparatus of which the casing has not been shown, this view being taken from the left, from below and from the back of the apparatus; - Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, but taken from the right, from below and from the back of that apparatus; - Figures 7 and 8 are elevation views similar to Figures 3 and 4 but only showing the components of the electrical apparatus involved in conveying the current between the mobile contacts and the terminals of the lower part, the differential fault detection transformer and the conductive horns that are connected to the mobile contacts; - Features 9 and 10 are similar views to Figures 7 and 8, but in perspective; - Figures 11 to 18 are similar views to Figures 3 to 10 for a second embodiment of the electrical apparatus according to the invention, similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 apart from the fact that the differential fault detection transformer is disposed differently; and - Figures 19 and 20 are similar views to Figures 2 and 3 for a third embodiment of the invention similar to the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 18 apart from the fact that it does not comprise the thermal triggering member 33, the protection against prolonged overcurrents involving a current measuring transformer 102.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The electrical apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1 has a parallelepiped general shape.

It has two main faces, respectively a left face 11 and a right face 12, and lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces 11 and 12, i.e. a back face 13, an upper face 14, a front face 15 and a lower face 16.

The back face 13 has a cut-out 17 for the mounting of the apparatus 10 on a standard support rail with an Ω -shaped profile (not shown).

The front face 15 has, in central position, ever approximately half its length, a nose 18 presenting a lever 19.

Here, the apparatus 10 is of the modular type, that is to say that in addition to its parallelepiped general shape, its width (distance between the two main faces 11 and 12) is a multiple of a standardized value, known by the name “module”, which is of the order of 18 mm.

Here, the apparatus 10 has a width of one module.

The apparatus 10 is configured, in accordance with the modular format, to belong to a row of modular apparatuses disposed side by side and which are fastened by the back on the support rail that Is disposed horizontally.

The upper face 14 has two insertion apertures 20 and 21 giving access respectively to a connection terminal 22 and to a connection terminal 23, The aperture 20 and the terminal 22 are situated to the left. The aperture 21 and the terminal 23 are situated to the right.

Similarly, the lower face 16 has two insertion apertures 24 and 25 (Figures 3 and 4) giving access respectively to a connection terminal 26 and to a connection terminal 27. The aperture 24 and the terminal 26 are situated to the left. The aperture 25 and the terminal 27 are situated to the right.

Each of the connection terminals 22, 23, 26 and 27 is provided to receive a stripped end section of an electrical cable or a tooth of a horizontal comb-like electricity busbar of which the pitch (the axial spacing between two successive teeth) is one module.

Here, the terminals 22 and 23 situated at the top are provided to be connected to the two poles of an electricity distribution network while the two terminals 26 and 27 situated at the bottom are provided to be connected to an electrical installation circuit to protect.

The apparatus 10 is a differential circuit breaker with one protected pole that is to say having an electrical circuit performing short-circuit and overcurrent detection in the conveying circuit of the protected pole (circuit breaker function) and performing difference detection in the current passing in the conveying circuit of the protected pole and in the conveying circuit of the nonprotected pole (differential function).

Here, the terminal 22 and the terminal 26 situated to the left are provided for the pole of the electrical installation to protect, which is a live pole, while the terminal 23 and the terminal 27 situated to the right are provided for the unprotected pole of the electrical installation, which is the neutral pole.

The circuit for conveying current between the terminals 22 and 26 situated to the left comprises in series a magnetic triggering member 30, a fixed contact 31, a mobile contact 32, a thermal triggering member 33 and a winding 34 forming part of a differential fault detection transformer 35.

The conveying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 situated to the right comprises in series a fixed contact 36, a mobile contact 37 and a winding 38 forming part of the differential fault detection transformer 35.

The transformer 35 comprises, in addition to the winding 34 of the circuit for conveying between the terminals 22 and 26 situated on the left and in addition to the winding 38 of the circuit for conveying between the terminals 23 and 27 situated on the right, which form the primary windings, a secondary winding 39, and an annular armature (magnetic circuit) 40 around which the secondary winding 39 and the primary windings 34 and 38 are made.

The secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 is connected by two electrical conductors 41 and 42 to an electronic card 43.

The electronic card 43 is connected by two conductors 28 and 29 respectively to the terminal 22 and the terminal 23.

Here, the magnetic triggering member 30 forms part of a compact member 44 further comprising a triggering relay 45. The electronic card 43 is connected by two conductors 46 and 47 to the triggering relay 45.

To actuate the mobile contacts 32 and 37, the apparatus 10 comprises a mechanism 50, in general called latch.

The lever 19 situated on the exterior of the apparatus 10 enables the latch 50 to be acted upon manually.

The magnetic triggering member 30, the thermal triggering member 33 and the assembly formed by the triggering relay 45 connected to the electronic card 43 are configured to act if necessary on the latch 50.

The latch 50 has two stable positions, respectively a cutting-off position in which the two mobile contacts 32 and 37 are each away from the corresponding fixed contact 31 or 36, and an engaging position in which each of the two mobile contacts 32 and 37 bears on the corresponding fixed contact 31 or 36.

The lever 19, projecting from the front face15, makes it possible to act on the latch 50 manually to pass from the cutting-off position to the engaging position or vice-versa.

It will be noted that in Figures 3 to 10, the latch 50 is shown in a position close to the engaging position: the mobile contacts 32 and 37 each bear on the corresponding fixed contact 31 or 36, but the lever 19 must still be a little displaced upwardly in order for the latch 50 to be locked in engaging position.

It will also be noted in Figures 11 to 18, which show an embodiment of the apparatus 10 in which the latch 50 and the fixed and mobile contacts 31, 32 and 36, 37 are Identical, the latch 50 is shown in cutting-off position.

The magnetic triggering member 30, the thermal triggering member 33 and the triggering relay 45 are configured to act automatically on the latch 50 to pass from the engaging position to the cutting-off position when predetermined current conveying conditions occur.

The magnetic triggering member 30 acts on the latch 50 in case of short-circuit, the thermal triggering member 33 acts in case of prolonged overcurrent and the triggering relay 45 acts in case of differential fault.

In practice, the magnetic triggering member 30 is formed by a coil disposed around a mobile core actuating a striker acting on the latch 50 in case of a short-circuit. The thermal triggering member 33 is formed by a bi-metai strip deforming in case of prolonged overcurrent and acting on account of its deformation on the latch 50. The triggering relay 45, which forms part of the same compact member 44 as the magnetic triggering member 30, is formed by another coil disposed around the same mobile core. This other coil is powered by the electronic card 43 which reacts to the voltage supplied by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35 in case of difference between the current flowing in the winding 34 and the current flowing in the winding 38, that is to say in case of differential fault. When the triggering relay 45 is thus powered. It drives the mobile core which actuates the striker acting on the latch 50 to trigger the passage from the engaging position to the cutting-off position.

The transformer 35 supplies a differential fault signal on the conductors 41 and 42, which is processed by the electronic card 43. The energy for activating the triggering relay 45 is supplied by the electricity supply network by virtue of the conductors 28 and 29. As the transformer 35 does not have to provide the energy for activating the triggering relay 45, the armature 40 can have quite small dimensions, in any case smaller than those of a transformer having to provide the energy for activating a sensitive relay.

As can be seen more particularly in Figures 3 and 5, to quench the arc liable to form between the fixed contact 31 and the mobile contact 32 when the latch 50 passes from the engaging position to the cutting-off position, the circuit breaker 10 comprises an arc quenching chamber 51 (not shown in Figure 2), associated with the circuit for conveying between the terminals 22 and 26 by virtue of the arc guiding conductive horns 52 and 53.

The conductive horn 52 carries the fixed contact 31,

The conductive horn 53 is electrically connected to the mobile contact 32 and is disposed opposite the conductive horn 52.

The conductive horns 52 and 53 are arranged in order for an arc that would be formed between the fixed contact 31 and the mobile contact 32 when the latch 50 passes from the engaging position to the cutting-off position, to be guided towards the arc quenching chamber 51. In particular, on the path of the arc towards the chamber 51, the horns 52 and 53 first of all converge then diverge. For more detail, reference may be made for example to European patent application EP 1 282 146.

The horn 53 comprises a section 60 which is inclined towards the back and towards the chamber 51. At its end that is the most remote from chamber 51, the inclined section 60 is connected to an upright section 61. At its closest end to the chamber 51. the inclined section 60 is connected to an upright section 64 which passes along the edge of the chamber 51 that is turned towards the back face 13.

Here, when the latch 50 is in cutting-off position, the inclined section 60 of the horn 53 is opposite the space between the mobile contact 32 and the fixed contact 31 whereas the mobile contact 32 is opposite the upright section 61 (see Figures 11 to 18 which show an embodiment of the apparatus 10 in which the latch 50 and the fixed and mobile contacts 31, 32 and 36, 37 are identical while the horns 52 and 53 are practically identical).

As can be seen more particularly in Figures 4 and 6, to avoid damaging the fixed contact 36 and the mobile contact 37 by the arc which is liable to form between them when the latch 50 passes from the engaging position to the cutting-off position, the circuit breaker 10 comprises arc guiding conductive horns 62 and 63.

The conductive horn 62 carries the fixed contact 36.

The conductive horn 63 is electrically connected to the mobile contact 37 and is disposed opposite the conductive horn 62.

The conductive horns 62 and 63 are arranged in order for an arc that would be formed between the fixed contact 36 and the mobile contact 37 when the latch 50 passes from the engaging position to the cutting-off position, to be guided away from the contacts 36 and 37 towards the back.

It will be noted that that the latch 50 Is configured such that, when it passes from the engaging position to the cutting-off position, the moment at which the moving apart between the mobile contact 37 and the fixed contact 36 begins takes place after the moment at which the moving apart between the mobile contact 32 and the fixed contact 31 begins.

Therefore, the arc liable to occur between the contacts 36 and 37 is less great that the arc liable to occur between the contacts 31 and 32, It is thus not necessary to associate an arc quenching chamber with the circuit for conveying current between the terminals 23 and 27.

With reference to Figures 3 to 6 a description will now be made of how the various components are disposed inside the apparatus 10,

In the present application, to situate the different components relative to each other, the position of use provided for the apparatus 10, in which it is fastened by the back to a horizontal support rail, is taken as a reference.

Reference is made in particular to directions such as those shown in Figure 1, respectively the front-to-back directions such as direction 55, the left-to-right directions such as the direction 56 and the top-to-bottom directions such as direction 57.

The front-to-back directions are parallel to the left face 11 and to the right face 12 as well as to the upper face 14 and to the lower face 16. When the apparatus 10 is fastened by the back to a horizontal support rail, the front-to-back directions are horizontal and transverse to the support rail.

The left-to-right directions are parallel to each lateral face, that is to say to the back face 13, to the upper face 14, to the front face 15 and to the lower face 16. When the apparatus 10 is fastened by the back to a horizontal support rail, the left-to-right directions are horizontal and parallel to the support rail.

The top-to-bottom directions are parallel to the left face 11 and to the right face 12 as well as to the back face 13 and to the front face 15. When the apparatus 10 is fastened by the back to a horizontal support rail, the top-to-bottom directions are vertical.

Of course, for the different faces of the apparatus 10 it is their general orientation which is to be taken into account, A first member is in front of a second member if the first member is, relative to the second member, towards the front face 15. A first member is behind a second member if the first member Is, relative to the second member, towards the back face 13. A first member is to the left of a second member if the first member is, relative to the second member, towards the left face 11. A first member is to the right of a second member if the first member is, relative to the second member, towards the right face 12. A first member is above a second member if the first member is, relative to the second member, towards the upper face 14. A first member is below a second member if the first member is, relative to the second member, towards the lower face 18.

The arc quenching chamber 51, the compact member 44 and the electronic card 43 are situated in the space situated below the terminals 22 and 23. The chamber 51 is behind the compact member 44. The electronic card 43 is to the right of the chamber 51 and the compact member 44.

The latch 50 is disposed in the nose 18 and below the compact member 44

The fixed and mobile contacts 31, 32, 38 and 37 and the horns 52, 53, 82 and 83 are disposed below the chamber 51, 'with the exception of the part of the upright section 64 which is behind the chamber 51,

The thermal triggering member 33 is disposed above the terminal 26 and below the horn 53 and the mobile contact 32.

As can be seen clearly in Figures 3, 7 and 9, the thermal triggering member 33 is lying down and inclined towards the bottom and towards the back.

In relation to the part of the horn 53 formed by the inclined section 80 and by the upright section 61, the annular armature 40 of the transformer 35 is situated: - towards the back face; and - in a front-to-back direction, opposite that part of the horn 53.

In other words, the armature 40 of the transformer 35 is situated behind and at the same height as the part of the horn 53 formed by the inclined section 60 and by the upright section 61.

The annular armature 40 of the transformer 35 has an axial orientation situated in a plane oriented in a front-to-rear direction and in a top-to-bottom direction, that Is to say that the axial orientation of the armature 40 is parallel to the left face 11 and to the right face 12.

The axial orientation of the annular armature 40 is inclined tov/ards the chamber 51 and towards the front.

Therefore, the general orientation of the armature 40 is inclined in the same way as the inclined section 60 of the horn 53.

The armature 40 is not parallel to the inclined section 60 but less inclined towards the chamber 51.

For the purpose of simplification, the terminals 22, 23 and 25 are only partially represented in Figures 3 and 4. These terminals are illustrated fully in Figures 11 and 12.

Above the nose 18 are located two apertures 70 and 71 (Figures 1, 3 and 4) respectively giving access to the screw 72 (Figure 11) of the terminal 22 and to the screw 73 (Figure 12) of the terminal 23.

The terminal 22 comprises a contact pad 74 which is fixed and a cage 75 (Figure 11) which is mobile under the effect of the screw 72. Similarly, the terminal 23 comprises a contact pad 76 which is fixed and a cage 77 (Figure 12) which is mobile under the effect of the screw 73.

The stripped end section or the tooth of the comb-like busbar to connect is inserted into the accommodation delimited by the contact pad 74 or 76 and by the cage 75 or 77, The screw 72 or 73 is maneuvered to advance the wall of the cage 75 or 77 opposite the pad 74 or 76 to clamp the stripped end section or the tooth.

The terminals 26 and 27 are arranged in similar manner to the terminals 22 and 23. In particular, the terminal 26 comprises a contact pad 78 which is fixed and a cage 79 which is mobile under the effect of the screw 80; and the terminal 27 comprises a contact pad 81 which is fixed and a cage 82 (Figure 12) which is mobile under the effect of the screw 83 (Figure 12).

For the purpose of simplification, only the contact pads of the terminals 22, 23, 26 and 27 have been represented in Figures 5 and 6; and only the contact pads of the terminals 26 and 27 have been represented in Figures 7 to 10.

With reference to Figures 5 to 10 in particular, an explanation will now be given of the manner in which are implemented the windings 34 and 38, and more generally, firstly the part of the current conveying circuit between the contact pad 78 of the terminal 26 and the mobile contact 32, and secondly the part of the current conveying circuit between the contact pad 81 of the terminal 27 and the mobile contact 37.

The contact pad 78 of the terminal 26 is connected to one end of a conductive strip 85 of zig-zag shape of which the other end is connected to one end of a U-shaped conductive strip 86 (Figures 7 and 9) of which the other end is connected to one end of an L-shaped conductive strip 87 of which the other end is connected to one end of an l-shaped conductive strip 88 of which the other end is connected to an arcuate conductive strip 89 of which the other end is connected to one end of an L-shaped conductive strip 90 (Figure 9) of which the other end is connected to the thermal triggering member 33. Between its ends, the conductive strip 90 is connected to the conductive horn 53 by the opposite end of the upright section 61 to the inclined section 60.

The central section of the U-shaped conductive strip 86 is disposed at the center of the annular armature 40, which enables the winding 34 to be implemented.

Each of the conductive stops 85 to 90 is covered with a coating of insulating material, here a varnish of plastic material.

The thermal triggering member 33 is connected to the mobile contact 32 by a flexible conductor 91, here a conductive braid.

As can be seen more particularly in Figures 8 and 10, the contact pad 81 of the terminal 27 is connected to one end of a flexible conductor 92, here a conductive braid, of which the other end is connected to the mobile contact 37. The conductive horn 63 is connected to the flexible conductor 92.

Between its connection to the conductive horn 63 and the contact pad 81, the flexible conductor 92 passes via the center of the annular armature 40 to implement the winding 38.

The secondary winding 39 is conventionally implemented by a coil of an insulated electric wire of small cross-section.

It will be noted that, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, an insulating partition 93, parallel to the left face 11 and to the right face 12, is provided between the conveying circuit of the protected pole (between the terminals 22 and 26} and the conveying circuit of the unprotected pole (between the terminals 23 and 27).

The compact member 44, the latch 50 and the annular armature 40 straddle the insulating partition 93.

It will be noted that the insulating partition 93 comprised by the casing of the apparatus 10 also serves to hold in place the different components.

The embodiment of the apparatus 10 illustrated In Figures 11 to 18 is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, apart from the fact that the annular armature 40 of the transformer 35 has an axial orientation in a left-to-right direction, that is to say that the axial orientation of the armature 40 is transverse to the left face 11 and to the right face 12.

Therefore, the general orientation of the armature 40 is the same as that of the left face 11 and of the right face 12.

Here, the annular armature 40 is entirely situated on a same side of the insulating partition 93 between the conveying circuit of the protected pole (between the terminals 22 and 26) and the conveying circuit of the unprotected pole (between the terminals 23 and 27).

More specifically, here the annular armature 40 is situated towards the conveying circuit of the unprotected pole.

Therefore, here, the annular armature 40 is situated to the side of the insulating partition 93 that is turned towards the right face 12.

On account of the difference in orientation of the annular armature 40 relative to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, the windings 34 and 38 are implemented differently.

This implementation will now be explained, with reference in particular to Figures 13 and 18. An explanation will be provided more generally of, firstly, the part of the current conveying circuit between the contact pad 78 of the terminal 26 and the mobile contact 32, and secondly the part of the current conveying circuit between the contact pad 81 of the terminal 27 and the mobile contact 37.

The contact pad 78 of the terminal 26 is connected to one end of an I-shaped conductive strip 94 of which the other end is connected to one end of an L-shaped conductive strip 95 of which the oilier end is connected to one end of a V-shaped conductive strip 96 of which the otner end is connected to one end of a U-shaped conductive strip 97 of which the other end is connected to one end of an arcuate conductive strip 98 of which the other end is connected to the thermal triggering member 33 while its apex is connected to the horn 53 by the opposite end of the upright section 61 to the inclined section 60.

In the U-shaped conductive strip 97, the lateral section of which the end is connected to the V-shaped conductive strip 96, is disposed in the center of the annular armature 40, which enables the winding 34 to be implemented.

Each of the conductive strips 94 to 98 is covered with a coating of insulating material, here a varnish of plastic material.

The thermal triggering member 33 Is connected to the mobile contact 32 by a flexible conductor 99, here a conductive braid.

The contact pad 81 of the terminal 27 is connected to one end of an arcuate conductive strip 100 of which the other end is connected to the conductive horn 63 and to one end of a flexible conductor 101, here a conductive braid, of which the other end is connected to the mobile contact 37.

The apex of the arcuate conductive strip 100 is disposed at the c ei *or of the annular armature 40, which enables the winding 38 to be implemented.

As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12, in the current conveying circuit between the mobile contact 32 and the terminal 26, only the U-shaped conductive strip 97 passes through the partition 93 to have part of it to the side of the partition 93 that is turned towards the right face 12. The rest of the conveying circuit between the mobile contact 32 and the terminal 26 is to the side of the partition 93 turned towards the left face 11.

The U-shaped conductive strip 97 passes through the insulating partition 93 in the vicinity of its ends.

As both apertures of the partition 93 by which passes the conductive strip 97 are of small dimensions, these apertures cause very little disruption to the insulation procured by the partition 93 between the two electrical poles which pass within the apparatus 10.

The embodiment of the apparatus 10 illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 is similar to that illustrated in Figures 11 to 18 apart from the fact that it does not comprise the thermal triggering member 33, the protection against prolonged overcurrents involving a current measuring transformer 102.

The transformer 102 comprises an annular armature (magnetic circuit) 103 surrounding a conductor member of the current conveying circuit between the terminals 22 and 28 and comprises a winding 104 around the annular armature 103.

The winding 104 is connected to the electronic card 43 by two electrical conductors 105 and 108.

Just as for the thermal triggering member 33, the transformer 102 is disposed between the mobile contact 32 and the terminal 26, but whereas the thermal triggering member 33 is disposed between the mobile contact 32 and the winding 34, the transformer 102 is disposed between the winding 34 and the terminal 28.

Here, the electronic card 43 reacts not only to the voltage supplied by the secondary winding 39 of the transformer 35, but also to the voltage supplied by the winding 104 of the transformer 102

In case of prolonged overcurrent, the electronic card 43 powers the triggering relay 45, which drives the mobile core which actuates the striker acting on the latch 50 to trigger the passage from the engaging position to the cutting-off position.

The annular armature 103 is disposed like the annular armature 40 but to the other side of the insulating partition 93, that is to say to the same side as the conveying circuit of the protected pole, in this case to the side of the insulating partition 93 that is turned towards the left face 11.

Thus, the general orientation of the armature 103 is the same as that of the left face 11 and of the right face 12, with an axial orientation in a left-to-right direction, that is to say that the axial orientation of the armature 103 is transverse to the left face 11 and to the right face 12. just as for the armature 40, in relation to the part of the horn 53 formed by the inclined section 60 and by the upright section 61, the annular armature 103 of the transformer 102 is situated: - towards the back face; and - in a front-to-back direction, opposite that part of the horn 53. in other words, the armature 103 of the transformer 102 is situated behind and at the same height as the part of the horn 53 formed by the inclined section 60 and by the upright section 61.

The current conveying circuit between the terminal 26 and the mobile contact 32 is configured in the same way as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 18, apart from the fact that: - the L-shaped conductive strip 95 and the V-shaped conductive stnp 96 are differently configured; - the arcuate conductive strip 98 is replaced by a bracket-shaped conductive strip 107; and - the conductive bra*d 99 is connected to the bracket-shaped conductive strip 107.

Whereas in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 18, the strip 95 has a section dose to the insulating partition 93, in order to be to the right of the thermal triggering member 33, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, the corresponding section of the conductive strip 95 is away from the insulating partition 93 in order to be to the left of the annular armature 103.

The V-shaped conductive strip 96 has a shape modified accordingly, which enables one of the ends of the conductive strip 97 to be connected to the opposite end of the conductive strip 96 to the conductive strip 95.

The current conveying circuit between the terminal 26 and the mobile contact 32 is surrounded by the annular armature 103 at the location of the connection between the conductive strip 96 and the conductive strip 97.

It will be noted that in all the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus 10 is particularly compact for a bipolar differential circuit breaker with one protected pole, since it has a width of one module with a conventional height (distance between the lower face and the upper face) of 83 mm.

It will be noted that in all the embodiments illustrated, in relation to the inclined section 60 of the horn 53, part of the annular armature 40 or 103 of the transformer 35 or 102 is situated: - towards the back face; and - in a front-to-back direction, opposite the inclined section 60.

In other words, in all the illustrated embodiments, part of the armature 40 or 103 of the transformer 35 or 102 is situated behind and at the same height as the inclined section 60.

In variants not shown, the entirety of the armature 40 or 103 is disposed behind and at the same height as the inclined section 60.

It will be noted that the features of disposition set out above for the armatures 40 or 103 in relation to the conductive horn 53 also apply for the conductive horn 63.

In variants not shown, the current conveying circuit between the terminals 23 and 27 is continuous (there is no cutting-off member with a fixed contact and a mobile contact) and thus does not comprise any arc guiding conductive horn.

In variants not shown, the arrangement of the components other than the electrical transformer such as 35 or 102 is different, with for example the arc quenching chamber such as 51 being at the bottom rather than at the top.

In variants that are not represented: - the compact member such as 44 is replaced by a magnetic triggering member and by a triggering relay which are separate; - the current conveying circuit of the protected pole is to the right rather than to the left while the current conveying circuit of the unprotected pole is to the left rather than to the right; - the orientation of the annular armature such as 40 or 103 is different, for example as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 18 but slanting; - there are two transformers respectively for the differential fault detection and the prolonged overcurrent detection, but these two transformers are arranged differently than in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, for example each straddling the insulating partition such as 93; and/or - only the differential fault detection is performed in the apparatus (differential switch) or the only transformer in the apparatus is a current measuring transformer for the detection of prolonged overcurrent.

In variants not shown, the electrical apparatus has a different width and/or a different number of poles, for example a fetrapolar apparatus having a width of four modules comprising four terminals in the upper part and four terminals in the lower part.

In variants not shown, the connection terminals 22, 23, 26 and 27 are configured differently, for example with a spring to clamp the stripped end section of an electrical cable or the tooth of a horizontal comb-like busbar.

Numerous other variants are possible according to circumstances, and in this connection it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims (10)

1. A protective electrical apparatus in modular format, of parallelepiped general shape with two main faces, respectively a left face (11) and a right face (12), and lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces (11, 12), respectively a back face (13), an upper face (14), a front face (15) and a lower face (16), with a width, that is to say the spacing between the left face (11) and the right face (12), equal to an integer number of times a predetermined distance, called module, the back face (13) being configured to be fastened to a support rail disposed horizontally, the upper face (14) having two insertion apertures (20, 21) giving access respectively to a first upper terminal (22) for a first electrical pole and a second upper terminal (23) for a second electrical pole different from the first electrical pole, the lower face (16) having two insertion apertures (24, 25) giving access respectively to a first lower connection terminal f(26) or the first electrical pole and to a second lower connection terminal (27) for the second electrical pole, each said connection terminal (22, 23, 26, 27) being configured to receive a stripped end section of an electric cable or a tooth of a horizontal comb-like busbar; which apparatus comprises: a first circuit for conveying current between the first upper terminal (22) and the first lower terminal (26), comprising a fixed contact (31) and a mobile contact (32); a second circuit for conveying current between the second upper terminal (23) and the second lower terminal (27); an actuating mechanism (50) of the mobile contact (32) having two stable positions, respectively a cutting-off position in which the mobile contact (32) is away from the fixed contact (31) and an engaging position in which the mobile contact (32) bears against the fixed contact (31); a lever (19), projecting from the front face, to manually act on the actuating mechanism (50) in order to pass from the cutting-off position to the engaging position or from the engaging position to the cutting off position; at least one triggering member (30, 33, 45) configured to act automatically on the actuating mechanism (50) in order to pass from the engaging position to the cutting-off position when predetermined current conveying conditions occur; and an arc quenching chamber (51) associated with the first current conveying circuit with a first conductive horn (52) bearing the fixed contact (31) and with a second conductive horn (53) electrically connected to the mobile contact (32), disposed opposite the first conductive horn (52); characterized in that at least part of an annular armature (40, 103) of an electrical transformer (35, 102) sensitive to said predetermined conveying conditions is situated, in relation to a section (60) of the second conductive horn (53) that is inclined towards the back face (13) and towards the arc quenching chamber (51): towards the back face (13); and opposite said inclined section (60) of the second conductive horn (53), in a front-to-back direction (55), that is to say a direction which is parallel to the main faces (11, 12) as well as to the upper face (14) and the lower face (16).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an electronic card (43) connected to a winding (39, 104) of said electrical transformer (35, 102) and to a triggering relay (45) forming said triggering member.

3. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said horn (53) comprises, in addition to said inclined section (60), an upright section (61) to which the inclined section (60) connects by its end that is the most remote from the arc quenching chamber (51), said annular armature (40, 102) further comprising a part which, in relation to the upright section (61), is situated: towards the back face (13); and opposite said upright section (61) of the second conductive horn (53), in a front-to-back direction (55).

4. An electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the annular armature (40) has an axial orientation situated in a plane oriented in a front-to-back direction (55) and in a top-to-bottom direction (57), that is to say an axial orientation parallel to the left face (11) and to the right face (12).

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the axial orientation of the annular armature (40) is inclined towards the arc quenching chamber (51) and towards the front.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises an insulating partition (93) between said first current conveying circuit and said second current conveying circuit, said annular armature (40) straddling said insulating partition (93).

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the annular armature (40, 103) has an axial orientation in a left-to-right direction (56), that is to say an axial orientation transverse to the left face (11) and to the right face (12).

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an insulating partition (93) between said first current conveying circuit and said second current conveying circuit, said annular armature (40, 103) being entirely situated to a same side of said insulating partition (93).

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said electrical transformer is a differential fault detection transformer (35) for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a differential fault; and it further comprises a magnetic triggering member (30) and a thermal triggering member (33).

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two said electrical transformers, respectively a first said electrical transformer which is a differential fault detection transformer (35) for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a differential fault, and a second said electrical transformer which is a current measuring transformer (103) for which said predetermined current conveying conditions are a prolonged overcurrent; and it further comprises a magnetic triggering member (30).