RU2798773C2 - Electrical device for connecting or disconnecting the power supply of the load depending on the conducting or non-conducting state of the control element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: electrical device is designed to be wired to an AC source for a home or non-commercial electrical system, to a load, and to a command element to allow or prohibit said AC source to power said load, depending on the conductive and non-conductive states assumed by the command element. The device comprises a voltage converter (553, 552), the output of which is connected to the control element (544) in order to supply a safe voltage to it, while the said control element (544) is configured to supply the said safe voltage between the first command terminal (522) and second command terminal (520) when they are electrically isolated from each other outside said device, and not apply said safety voltage between said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520) when the same potential is applied to them outside said device.

EFFECT: increased safety when using.

14 cl, 17 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to an electrical device intended to be connected via wires to an alternating current source, to a load and to a command element, in order to allow or not to allow said current source to supply said load, depending on the conductive or non-conductive state accepted by the command element.

State of the art

The contactors shown in FIG. 1-4 attached drawings showing:

Fig. 1 is a general view of a known contactor from an angle to the right and in front of this contactor;

Fig. 2 is a very schematic view of the internal electrical circuit of a known contactor;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a prior art contactor mounted next to a low current circuit breaker, in this case 2 A, which in turn is mounted next to a sufficiently high current circuit breaker, in this case 20 A, on a support rail; And

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the devices shown in FIG. 3, and the wires connecting them to each other, as well as to the command element and to the load.

Shown in FIG. 1, the mounted contactor 100 is in a modular format, i.e. it has a general shape of a parallelepiped with two main sides, left side 101 and right side 102 respectively, and with sides extending between main sides 101 and 102, i.e. with a rear side 103, a top side 104, a front side 105 and a bottom side 106, the rear side 103 having a cut-out 107 for mounting the contactor 100 on a support rail, such as a standardized Ω-profile rail 112, shown in particular in fig. 3, protective housing, such as cabinet, box or electric box. In accordance with the modular format, the width of the contactor 100, corresponding to the distance between the left side 101 and the right side 102, is a multiple of a standardized value known as " modulus ", which is on the order of 18 mm. The contactor 100 is one module wide.

In the center position, the front side 105 has a protrusion 108 having a key 109 that can be selectively occupied in one of three positions: automatic operation position, forced operation position, and off position, respectively.

In the automatic position, the contactor 100 provides or does not supply power to the load, respectively, depending on whether the control element is conductive or non-conductive. In the forced position, the contactor 100 continuously supplies power to the load. In the off position, contactor 100 permanently blocks power to the load.

The top side 104 of the contactor 100 has two inlets 110 and 111 allowing access to the connection terminal 113 and the connection terminal 114 respectively (FIG. 2). The inlet 110 and the connection terminal 113 are on the left. Inlet 111 and connection terminal 114 are on the right.

The bottom side 106 has four entry holes 115, 116, 117 and 118 providing access to the connection terminal 119, the connection terminal 120, the connection terminal 121 and the connection terminal 122, respectively (FIG. 2). Inlet 115, inlet 116, connection terminal 119 and connection terminal 120 are on the left. Inlet 117, inlet 118, connection terminal 121 and connection terminal 122 are on the right.

Each of the connecting terminals 113, 114, 119, 120, 121 and 122 is configured to receive a bare end portion of an electrical wire.

The connection terminals 113 and 114 at the top are provided for connection to the two poles of the electrical network, in this case neutral and live, through the circuit breaker 300 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to protect the load that the contactor 100 should or should not supply.

The connecting terminals 119 and 121 are designed to be connected to this load.

A connection terminal 122 is provided for connection to the first side of the command element 123 (FIG. 4). The second side of the command element is intended to be connected to one of the output terminals, in this case the phase terminal of the circuit breaker 400 (FIGS. 3 and 4), configured to avoid overcurrent in the circuit containing the command element 123 and the control coil 125, included in the contactor 100.

A connection terminal 120 is provided for connection to another output terminal of this circuit breaker 400, in this case the neutral terminal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal electrical circuit of the contactor 100 includes a coil 125 and two pairs of contacts 126 and 127, each of which includes a fixed contact and a moving contact, with the coil 125 connected to each of the pairs of contacts 126 and 127 through a mechanical control actuator 128 to set them to either a non-conductive state (the moving contact moves away from the fixed contact) or a conductive state (the moving contact rests on the fixed contact).

The first side of the pair of contacts 126 is connected to the connection terminal 113. The second side of the pair of contacts 126 is connected to the connection terminal 119. The first side of the pair of contacts 127 is connected to the connection terminal 114. The second side of the pair of contacts 127 is connected to the connection terminal 121. The first side of the coil 125 is connected to connection terminal 120. The second side of the coil 125 is connected to the connection terminal 122.

When mains voltage is present between terminals 120 and 122, coil 125 is activated and switches pairs of contacts 126 and 127 conductive. In this case, terminal 119 is connected to terminal 113, while terminal 121 is connected to terminal 114, so the mains voltage, which must be constantly present between terminals 113 and 114 (input terminals), is also present between terminals 119 and 121 (output terminals), so that the load located between terminals 119 and 121 is energized.

In the absence of mains voltage between terminals 120 and 122, coil 125 is deactivated and the pairs of contacts 126 and 127 are in a non-conductive state, so the load located between terminals 119 and 121 is not energized.

As shown in FIG. 3 and in accordance with the modular format, the contactor 100 is designed to belong to a series of modular devices located next to each other, being fixed with its rear side on a horizontal support rail 112.

The contactor 100 is configured to be connected to a circuit breaker 300, in this case calibrated to 20 A, and to a circuit breaker 400, in this case calibrated to 2 A.

Classically, circuit breakers 300 and 400 have two input terminals at the top and two output terminals at the bottom, with the current flow between the input and output terminals interrupted if the current is too high (short circuit) or if the current exceeds calibrated current value for a long time.

The connection terminals 113 and 114 at the top are provided for connection to the output terminals of the circuit breaker 300.

The connection terminal 120 is provided for connection with the output terminal of the circuit breaker 400 corresponding to the neutral pole. The circuit breaker 300 and circuit breaker 400 shown in the figures each have a general parallelepiped shape and are implemented in a modular format. Each one is one module wide.

The wiring connection between contactor 100 and circuit breakers 300 and 400 and with command element 123 and load 124 is shown in FIG. 4.

The command element 123 can assume two stable states, respectively conductive and non-conductive. In the conductive state, its two sides are electrically connected in such a way that electric current can flow from one of them to the other. In the non-conducting state, its two sides are electrically isolated from each other. In this case, the command element 123 forms part of the node for connecting to the electricity distribution network through which it is controlled: it assumes a conductive state during the time period when electricity is supplied at a reduced rate, and assumes a non-conductive state during the time period when Electricity is subject to a nominal tariff.

The contactor 100 is configured such that the load 124, such as an electric storage water heater, is energized during the time period when the electricity is supplied at a reduced rate (the command element 123 is conductive) and not energized during the time period when the electricity is at the nominal tariff (command element 123 is in a non-conductive state).

The connection terminal 122 of the contactor 100 is connected by wire 130 to the first side of the command element 123. The second side of the command element 123 is connected by wire 129 to one of the terminals of the circuit breaker 400, in this case the phase pole.

The load 124 is connected on the first side by the first wire 131 to the connection terminal 119 and on the second side by the second wire 132 to the connection terminal 121.

It will be appreciated that when command element 123 is conductive, mains voltage appears between terminals 120 and 122, coil 125 is activated, contact pairs 126 and 127 are conductive, and load 124 is energized. When command element 123 is in a non-conductive state, there is no voltage between terminals 120 and 122, coil 125 is deactivated, contact pairs 126 and 127 are in a non-conductive state, and load 124 is not energized.

The circuit breaker 400 serves to protect the circuit containing the command element 123 and the coil 125, and this circuit is located between the output terminals of the circuit breaker 400. Given that this circuit carries a relatively low current, circuit breaker 400 is calibrated for a relatively low current, in this case 2 A.

Circuit breaker 300 serves to protect the circuit containing load 124, which circuit is located between the output terminals of circuit breaker 300, which is calibrated for the amount of current that load 124 can draw, in this case 20 A.

Also known from the prior art are the remote control switches shown in FIG. 5-8 attached drawings showing:

Fig. 5 is a general view of a known remote control switch when viewed to the right and in front of this switch;

Fig. 6 is a very schematic view of the internal electrical circuit of a known remote control switch;

Fig. 7 is a front view of a prior art remote control switch mounted next to a low current circuit breaker, in this case 2A, which in turn is mounted next to a sufficiently high current circuit breaker, in this case 20A, on a support rail; And

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the devices shown in FIG. 7, and the wires connecting them to each other, as well as to the command element and to the load.

Like contactor 100, remote control switch 200 shown in FIG. 5 is made in a modular format with a width of one module.

Thus, the remote control switch 200 has a general shape of a parallelepiped with two main sides, respectively with the left side 201, with the right side 202 and with the sides extending between the main sides 201 and 202, namely with the back side 203, the top side 204 , front side 205 and bottom side 206.

The rear side 203 has a cut-out 207 for mounting the remote control switch 200 on a support rail, such as the standardized Ω rail 212 shown in particular in FIG. 7, protective housing, such as cabinet, box or electric box.

In the center position, the front side 205 has a protrusion 208 containing a key 209 that can be selectively occupied in two positions: the operating position and the off position, respectively.

In the operating position, the remote control switch 200 provides or does not supply power to the load, with a transition occurring each time the command element changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state, the command element typically being a push button. In the off position, the remote control switch 200 permanently prevents the load from being supplied.

The top side 204 of the remote control switch 200 has an inlet 211 allowing access to the connection terminal 214 (FIG. 6).

The underside 206 has three entry holes 216, 217, and 218 allowing access to the connection terminals 220, 221, and 222, respectively (FIG. 6). Inlet 116 and connection terminal 220 are on the left. The inlets 211, 217 and 218 and the connection terminals 214, 221 and 222 are on the right.

Each of the connecting terminals 214, 220, 221 and 222 is configured to receive a bare end portion of an electrical wire.

The connection terminal 214 at the top is provided for connection to one pole of the mains, in this case a phase, via a circuit breaker 300 (FIGS. 7 and 8) protecting the load to be fed or not to be supplied by the remote control switch 200.

Terminal 221 is configured to be connected to the first side of this load.

One of the output terminals of the circuit breaker 300, in this case at the neutral pole, is provided for connection to the second side of this load. Another output terminal of the circuit breaker 300, in this case at the phase pole, is provided as mentioned above to be connected to terminal 214.

A terminal 222 is provided for connection to the first side of the command element 223 (FIG. 8). The second side of the command element 223 is provided for connection to one of the output terminals of the circuit breaker 400 (FIGS. 7 and 8), in this case the phase pole output terminal.

A connection terminal 220 is provided for connection to another output terminal of the circuit breaker 400 which is at the neutral pole.

As shown in FIG. 6, the internal electrical circuit of the remote control switch 200 comprises a coil 225 and a pair of contacts 227 including a fixed contact and a moving contact, the coil 225 being coupled to the pair of contacts 227 via a mechanical control actuator 228 to set it to either a non-conductive state (moving contact). the contact moves away from the fixed contact), or the conductive state (moving contact rests on the fixed contact).

The first side of the pair of contacts 227 is connected to the connection terminal 214. The second side of the pair of contacts 227 is connected to the connection terminal 221. The first side of the coil 225 is connected to the connection terminal 220. The second side of the coil 225 is connected to the connection terminal 222.

In the absence of mains voltage between terminals 220 and 222, coil 225 is deactivated, which does not affect the pair of contacts 227, given the execution of drive 228. When voltage appears between terminals 220 and 222, coil 225 changes from a deactivated state to an activated state and, given the execution of drive 228 , causes the pair of contacts 227 to change state, that is, if the pair of contacts 227 was in a non-conductive state, it becomes a conductive state, while if it was in a conductive state, it becomes a non-conductive state. When the mains voltage between terminals 220 and 221 fails, the coil 225 goes into a deactivated state, which does not affect the pair of contacts 227, given the implementation of the drive 228.

When the pair of contacts 227 is conducting, terminal 221 is connected to terminal 214, so terminal 221 is at the same potential as terminal 214 provided for connection to one of the output terminals of circuit breaker 300, in this case the phase pole. In this case, the first side of the load provided for connection with terminal 221 is at the same potential, and since the second side of the load is provided for connection with the other output terminal of the circuit breaker 300, the load is energized.

When pin pair 227 is non-conductive, terminal 221 is not connected to terminal 214, so the load connected to terminal 221 is not powered.

As shown in FIG. 7, and in accordance with the modular format, the remote control switch 200 is configured to belong to a series of modular devices arranged next to each other, being fixed with its rear side on a horizontal support rail 212.

As mentioned above, the remote control switch 200 is configured to be connected to a circuit breaker 300, in this case calibrated to 20 A, and to a circuit breaker 400, in this case calibrated to 2 A.

Circuit breakers 300 and 400 are similar to the circuit breakers shown above for contactor 100.

The wiring between the remote control switch 200 and circuit breakers 300 and 400 and to the command element 223 and load 224 is shown in FIG. 8.

Command element 223 can assume two states, respectively conductive and non-conductive. In the conductive state, both sides of the command element 223 are electrically connected so that an electric current can flow from one of them to the other. In the non-conductive state, both sides are electrically isolated from each other. The non-conductive state is assumed by default, that is, in the absence of user action. The conductive state is received when the user operates the command element 223. In this case, the command element 223 is a push button for controlling the load 224, which is a lamp. As shown in the figure, other similar command elements can be connected in parallel.

The connection terminal 222 of the remote control switch 200 is connected by wire 230 to the first side of the command element 223. The second side of the command element 223 is connected by wire 229 to one of the terminals of the circuit breaker 400, in this case a phase pole.

The load 224 is connected on the first side by a first wire 231 to the connection terminal 221 and on the second side by a second wire 232 to the corresponding output terminal of the circuit breaker 300.

It can be seen from the figure that when the command element 223 is actuated to make it conductive, mains voltage appears between the terminals 220 and 222, the coil 225 is activated so that the pair of contacts 227 changes state. Thus, each time command element 223 is actuated to make it conductive, load 224 stops receiving power if it was receiving power, or it starts receiving power if it has not received it before.

The circuit breaker 400 serves to protect the circuit containing the command element 223 and the coil 225, and this circuit is located between the output terminals of the circuit breaker 400. Given that a relatively low current flows through the circuit, the circuit breaker 400 is calibrated for a relatively low current, in this case 2 A.

Circuit breaker 300 serves to protect the circuit containing load 224, which circuit is located between the output terminals of circuit breaker 300, which is calibrated for the amount of current that load 224 can draw, in this case 20 A.

It should be noted that the contactor 100 described above contains two pairs of contacts, that is, that it contains one current path to the load for each of the two poles of the network and that each of these current paths contains one pair of contacts to pass or not to pass current through it. .

There are also contactors with only one pair of contacts, in which, as in the case of the 200 remote control switch, there is only one current path to the load for only one pole of the network with one pair of contacts along this path to pass or not to pass current through it .

Finally, it should be noted that French Patent Application 2 906 075 describes an exemplary embodiment of a remote control switch in which the control mechanical actuator 228 can be modified by removing the rod and spring to transform this actuator 228 into actuator 128 so that the device is no longer switch with remote control, and becomes a contactor.

Disclosure of invention

The invention is intended to provide an electrical device of the same type as a remote control contactor 100 or 200 switch, but which improves safety for people while being simple, convenient and economical to use in a home or non-commercial electrical system.

To this end, the invention provides an electrical device for wiring to an AC source for a home or non-commercial electrical system, to a load, and to a command element to allow or not to allow said AC source to power said load, depending on the conductive and non-conductive states assumed. command element, while said device contains:

- an input terminal configured to be connected to the pole of said AC source;

- an output terminal configured to be connected to said load;

- a first command terminal configured to be connected to said command element and a second command terminal configured to apply a control potential thereto, wherein said first command terminal and said second command terminal are configured to be applied to or not applying a predetermined potential difference depending on said conductive and non-conductive states received by the command element;

a control element connected to said first command terminal and said second command terminal, selectively adopting an activated state and a deactivated state depending on the presence or absence of said predetermined potential difference between the first command terminal and the second command terminal; And

- a switching element connected to said input terminal and to said output terminal, taking either a non-conductive state in which it prevents the flow of current between the input terminal and the output terminal, or a conductive state in which it allows the flow of current between the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein said switching element is controlled by said control element via a control actuator configured such that transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the switching element follow the transitions between the deactivated state and the activated state of the control element, or configured such that the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the switching element was followed only by transitions from the deactivated state to the activated state;

wherein the device is characterized in that it contains another input terminal configured to be connected to another pole of said AC source, and contains a voltage converter, the input of which is connected to said input terminal and to said other input terminal in order to receive power from said AC source current, and the output of which is connected to said control element to supply it with a safe voltage below 50 V AC rms or below 120 V DC, while said control element is configured to apply said safe voltage between said first command terminal and said by a second command terminal when they are electrically isolated from each other outside of said device, and not to supply said safety voltage between said first command terminal and said second command terminal when the same potential is applied to them outside of said device, while said control element is in said deactivated state when said first command terminal and said second command terminal are electrically isolated from each other outside said device, and in said activated state when the same potential is applied to said first command terminal and said second command terminal from outside said device, wherein said control element comprises an electrical circuit supplying a logical signal formed by two predetermined voltage thresholds representing respectively an activated state and a deactivated state, wherein said control drive comprises a logic unit connected to said control element, as well as an electromagnetic actuator (actuator) of said switching element connected to said logic block.

Thus, the first command terminal (capable of being connected to the command element) and the second command terminal (capable of applying a control potential thereto) are designed to be supplied with a safe voltage when they are electrically isolated from each other outside of said device. , that is, when the command element is in a non-conductive state, and not to apply a safe voltage to them when the same potential is applied to them outside of the said device, that is, when the command element is in a conductive state.

Thus, unlike known devices, the command terminals (and hence the command element) are not supplied with an AC source voltage, but with a safe voltage provided by the device due to the presence of a voltage converter supplied by the AC source in the device.

It is known that a voltage source, such as a safe voltage source, i.e. below 50 V AC rms or below 120 V DC, is much safer for humans than AC sources for a home or non-commercial electrical system, which are typically , has a voltage of 230 V AC with a frequency of 50 Hz or a voltage of 110 V AC with a frequency of 60 Hz.

Thus, the claimed device provides a higher safety of people in the part of the system connected to the two command terminals.

The invention starts from the conclusion that a predetermined potential difference can be applied from the device (and not from outside it, as in known devices) if (i) the same potential can be applied to both command terminals (i.e. when short-circuited) from outside the device, while inside the device they are connected to a voltage source, and if (ii) the conditions for the presence and absence of a predetermined potential difference between the two command terminals are reversed, that is, instead of, as in known devices, having a predetermined potential difference , when the command element is in a conductive state, and the absence of a predetermined potential difference, when the command element is in a non-conductive state, on the contrary, the presence of a predetermined potential difference, when the command element is in a non-conductive state, and the absence of a predetermined potential difference, when the command element is in a conductive state.

The invention is also based on the conclusion that it is possible to fulfill each of the two requirements (i) and (ii) relatively simply and conveniently with the appropriate control element and actuator.

Indeed, requirement (i) can be satisfied by a control element capable of applying a safe voltage between two command terminals when they are electrically isolated from each other outside the device, and cutting off the supply of safe voltage when both command terminals are short-circuited outside the device, which can be done, for example, by using a resistor with a relatively high resistance value installed in series on the current path between one of the poles of the safety voltage source and one of the command terminals: during an external short circuit between the two command terminals, the potential difference between the two sides of the resistor is safe voltage, and the current passing through the resistor and between the two terminals is minimal, since the resistor has a large resistance.

Requirement (ii) can be satisfied by replacing the coil constituting the control element of known devices with an electrical circuit supplying a logic signal, in this case two predetermined voltage thresholds which characterize an activated state and a deactivated state; and by replacing the mechanical drive forming the control drive in known devices with a logic unit and an electromagnetic actuator of the switching element, wherein the logic unit is connected to the electric circuit by a circuit supplying a logic signal, and the actuator is connected to this logic unit.

Preferred Features:

- said voltage converter is designed in such a way that said safe voltage source operates on direct current;

the control element comprises a current limiting resistor connected on one side to the output pole of said voltage converter and on the other side to said first command terminal;

said control element further comprises a bias resistor located between said logic block and a side of said current limiting resistor connected to the first command terminal;

- said device contains an input protective stage located between said input terminal and another input terminal, on the one hand, and said safe voltage converter, on the other hand, while said input protective stage contains an overcurrent protection element and an overload protection element by voltage;

said overcurrent protection element is a positive coefficient thermistor and the overvoltage protection element is a varistor;

- said device comprises an output protective stage located between said first command terminal and second command terminal, on the one hand, and said control element, on the other hand, wherein said output protective stage comprises at least one overcurrent protection element, and overvoltage protection element;

said overcurrent protection element is a positive coefficient thermistor and said overvoltage protection element is a bidirectional Zener diode;

- said device contains a radio frequency communication unit connected to said logical unit;

- the switching element is a pair of contacts and forms part of an electromagnetic relay containing a coil and a mechanical drive between said coil and said pair of contacts;

the device comprises a current measuring element located between said input terminal and said output terminal and connected to said logic block; and/or

- the current measurement element is a shunt.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to an electrical circuit comprising a device as described above, at least one command element configured to control at least one load, and a circuit breaker, characterized in that:

the command element is connected by its first side to the first command terminal and by its second side to the second command terminal of said device;

- the load is connected on its first side to the output terminal of said device and on its second side to the terminal of the circuit breaker; And

an input terminal and another input terminal of said device are each connected to a terminal of a circuit breaker.

According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to an electrical circuit comprising a device as described above, comprising at least one command element capable of controlling at least one load, a first circuit breaker and a second circuit breaker, characterized in that:

- the command element is connected with its first side to the first command terminal and its second side to the terminal of the second circuit breaker;

- the load is connected on its first side to the first command terminal and its second side to the terminal of the first circuit breaker; And

an input terminal and another input terminal of said device are each connected to a terminal of the first breaker.

Brief description of the drawings

Further, the disclosure of the invention will continue with a detailed description of illustrative and non-limiting examples of execution, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1-4 (already described) - known contactor and associated section of the electrical system.

Fig. 5-8 (already described) show a known remote control switch and associated section of the electrical system.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the claimed electrical device, which is a contactor, from the right and front angle of this device.

Fig. 10 is a very schematic view of the internal electrical circuit of the claimed contactor.

Fig. 11 is a very schematic view of the input protection stage of the internal electrical circuit of the inventive contactor.

Fig. 12 is a very schematic view of the control element and protective output stage included in the inventive contactor.

Fig. 13 is a general view of the electronic board of the claimed contactor from an angle to the left of this device.

Fig. 14 is a general view of the electronic board of the claimed contactor from an angle to the right of this device.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the inventive contactor, circuit breaker, control element and load, and wires connecting them to form an electrical circuit forming part of a domestic or non-commercial electrical system.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, but for a second embodiment of the claimed electrical device, which is a remote controlled switch.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but for a version in which the claimed remote control switch replaces the known remote control switch that was part of the circuit shown in FIG. 8, wherein the claimed remote control switch is connected to two circuit breakers of different amperage.

Detailed description

The electrical device 500 shown in FIG. 9-15 is made according to the first embodiment of the claimed electrical device, which is a contactor.

The second embodiment of the claimed electrical device, described below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 is a switch with remote control, which is identical, except that its control drive, containing a logic part, made, for example, based on a microcontroller, is programmed differently: if the control drive in the contactor is programmed in such a way so that switching element transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state follow the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the control element, then in a remote-controlled circuit breaker, the control drive is programmed in such a way that the transitions of the switching element between the non-conductive state and the conductive state follow only transitions from non-conductive state to the conductive state of the command element.

For simplicity, in the following description, the same reference number 500 is used for the first embodiment of the electrical device (contactor) and for the second embodiment (remote control switch).

Like the contactor 100 and the remote control switch 200, the electrical device 500 shown in FIG. 9 is in a modular format with a width of one module.

Thus, the electrical device 500 has a general shape of a parallelepiped with two main sides, respectively, the left side 501 and the right side 502, and with the sides extending between the main sides 501 and 502, namely the back side 503, the top side 504, the front side 505 and bottom side 506.

The rear side has a cut-out 507 for mounting the electrical device 500 on a standardized Ω-profile support rail, such as rail 112 (FIG. 3) or rail 212 (FIG. 7).

In the center position, the front side 505 has a protrusion 508 containing a key 509 that allows the device 500 to selectively assume one of three configurations, respectively, an automatic operation configuration, a force operation configuration, and an off configuration, upon successive key presses 509.

In an automatic operation configuration, the electrical device 500 provides or does not provide power to the load, respectively, depending on whether the command element is conductive or non-conductive. In a forced operation configuration, the electrical device 500 continuously supplies power to the load. In a shutdown configuration, the electrical device 500 permanently blocks power to the load.

The top side 504 of the electrical device 500 has two inlets 510 and 511 allowing access to the connection terminal 522 and connection terminal 520 respectively (FIG. 10). Inlet 510 and connection terminal 522 are on the left. Inlet 511 and connection terminal 520 are on the right.

The underside 506 has three entry holes 516, 517 and 518 allowing access to the connection terminal 513, 521 and 514 respectively (FIG. 10). Inlet 516 and connection terminal 513 are on the left. Inlets 517 and 518 and connection terminals 521 and 514 are on the right.

Each of the connecting terminals 513, 514, 520, 521 and 522 is configured to receive a bare end portion of an electrical wire.

Terminal 522 is configured to be connected by a wire, such as wire 530 (FIG. 15), to the first side of a command element, such as 523, identical to command element 123. Terminal 520 is provided for connection by wire 531 to the second side of this command element 523.

Terminal 521 is configured to be wired, such as wire 525 (FIG. 15), to a first side of a load, such as 524, identical to load 124. A second side of this load 524 is provided to be wired 526 to an output terminal of circuit breaker 600, identical to with circuit breaker 300.

The lower command terminals 513 and 514 are provided for connection to two poles of the electrical distribution network, in this case neutral and phase respectively, via this circuit breaker 600.

In this case, terminal 513 is configured to be wired 527 to the output terminal of this circuit breaker 600, which is at the neutral pole, and terminal 514 is configured to be wired 528 to the output terminal of this circuit breaker 600, which is at the phase pole.

The internal electrical circuit of the electrical device 500 in the form of an electronic board 560 shown in FIG. 13 and 14 is shown in a simplified way in Figs. 10.

The electrical device 500 comprises an input protection stage 547, an output protection stage 540, a control element 544, a switching element 557, a control drive between the control element 544 and the switching element 557, formed in particular by a logic unit 550 and an electromagnetic actuator 556, a first source 552 a DC power supply that provides a very low safety voltage (in this case 3.3V), and a second DC power supply 553 that provides a very low safety voltage (12V in this case), an RF element 554 and a shunt 555.

Control element 544, radio frequency communication element 554, and logic unit 550 are powered by power source 552.

The electromagnetic actuator 556 receives power from the power source 553.

The logic unit 550 is connected to the control element 544, to the RF element 554, to the electromagnetic actuator 556, and to the shunt 555, respectively.

The input guard stage 547 and the output guard stage 540 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. At this stage, it should be noted that they are designed in such a way that in normal operation they do not, or in any case only minimally, affect the flow of current between their inputs and their outputs.

Terminals 513 and 514, input protection stage 547, power supply 553, power supply 552, control element 544, output protection stage 540, and terminals 522 and 520 are arranged one behind the other.

Thus, both inputs of the protection stage 547 are connected respectively to terminal 513 and to terminal 514, both inputs of the power supply 553 are connected respectively to one and the other output of the protection stage 547, both inputs of the power supply 552 are connected respectively to one and the other output of the power supply 553 , both inputs of the control element 544 are connected respectively to one and the other output of the power supply 552, both inputs of the output stage 540 are connected respectively to one and the other output of the control element 544, terminal 522 is connected to one of the outputs of the protection stage 540, and terminal 520 is connected to the other output of the protective stage 540.

The control potential of the internal electrical circuit of the device 500 is the potential of terminal 514.

Thus, shown in FIG. 10, the input protection stage 547, the power supply 553, the power supply 552, the control element 544, and the output protection stage 540 are each configured such that their input and their output corresponding to the same pole as terminal 514 are at the same potential. .

Therefore, with the exception of the minimal influence that the output protection stage 540 may have, terminal 520 is at the same potential as terminal 514.

In this case, the output of the power supply 552, which is at the same potential as the terminals 514 and 520, is its negative pole, and the other output of the power supply 552 is its positive pole.

The control element 544 is designed so that the terminal 520, except for the minimum effect that the output protection stage 540 can have, is at the same potential as the positive pole of the power supply 552 when the terminals 520 and 522 are electrically isolated from each other from the outside. device 500, and that no degradation occurs when the same potential is applied to terminals 520 and 522, that is, they are short-circuited outside the device 500.

Thus, the control element 544 is configured to apply to the terminals 520 and 522 the voltage supplied by the power supply 552 when the terminals 520 and 522 are electrically isolated from each other outside the device 500, and not to apply the voltage supplied by the power supply 552 when the terminals 520 and 522, the same potential is applied outside the device 500.

In practice, the control element 544 contains a current limiting resistor 545 located between its input and its output, connected respectively to the positive pole of the power supply 552 and to terminal 522.

Because resistor 545 has a relatively large resistance, such as 10 kΩ, during an external short circuit between terminals 520 and 522, the potential difference between both sides of resistor 545 is the voltage supplied by power supply 552, with current passing through resistor 545 and between terminals 522 and 520 is the minimum because the resistor has a large resistance value, and for example is 0.33 mA in the present example, in which the voltage of the power supply 552 is 3.3 V and the resistance of the resistor 545 is 10 kΩ.

The control element 544 further comprises a resistor 546 located between its output connected to terminal 522 and its connection point connected to logic block 550.

Both resistors 545 and 546 serve to implement the bias required by logic block 550.

Thus, the potential present at the logic block connection point connected to the control element 544 is the potential present at terminal 522, or in any case this potential, except for a minimal difference due to the influence of the protection stage 540 and the resistor 546.

Thus, compared with the control potential of the internal electrical circuit of the device 500, corresponding to the negative pole of the voltage supplied by the power supply 552, which also powers the logic block 550, the voltage at the connection point of the control element 544 connected to the logic block 550 is essentially 3, 3 V when terminals 520 and 522 are electrically isolated from each other outside the device 500, and 0 V when the same potential is applied to terminals 520 and 522 outside the device 500.

Thus, the control element 544 outputs to the logic block 500 a logic signal formed by two predetermined voltage thresholds, in this case essentially 3.3 V and essentially 0 V, characterizing the deactivated state and the activated state of the control element 544, respectively.

Therefore, if terminals 520 and 522 are connected to the command element, for example, as shown in FIG. 15-17 so that when the command element is in a non-conductive state, terminals 520 and 522 are electrically isolated from each other outside the device 500, and so that when the command element is in a conductive state, terminals 520 and 522 are under one and the same potential outside the device 500, then the control element 544 is in a deactivated state when the command element is in a non-conductive state (terminals 520 and 522 are electrically isolated from each other outside the device 500), and in an activated state when the command element is in a conductive state (terminals 520 and 522 are at the same potential outside the device 500).

It can be noted that the control element 544 assumes a deactivated state and an activated state under exactly the same conditions with respect to the control element as the coil 125 of the contactor 100 and the coil 225 of the remote control switch 200.

In the device 500, the fully mechanical drive 128 of the contactor 100 or 228 of the remote-controlled switch 200 is replaced by a partially electronic control drive formed, in particular, by a logic unit 550 and an electromagnetic actuator 556.

Thus, the switching element 557 is controlled by the control element 544 via the semi-electronic actuator so that the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the switching element 557 follow the transitions between the deactivated state and the activated state of the control element 544.

The control element 544 further comprises a capacitor 5400 located between its two outputs. Capacitor 5400 serves to maintain the stability of the signal output to logic block 550.

In this case, the electromagnetic actuator 556 and the switching element 557 are included in the relay 551, in which the electromagnetic actuator 556 is a coil, and the switching element 557 is a pair of contacts with a fully mechanical drive 568 between the coil 556 and the pair of contacts 557.

The contact pair 557 includes a fixed contact as well as a moving contact. The electromagnetic actuator 556 causes the pair of contacts 557 to assume either a non-conductive state (the moving contact moves away from the fixed contact) or a conductive state (the moving contact rests on the fixed contact).

The first side of a pair of contacts 557 is connected to terminal 521. The second side of a pair of contacts 557 is connected to terminal 514 through shunt 555.

Specifically, the first side of shunt 555 is connected to terminal 514, and the second side of shunt 555 is connected to a relay input 551 corresponding to the second side of a pair of contacts 557.

As mentioned above, in this case, the electromagnetic actuator 556, which is a coil, is powered by a power source 553.

This power supply operates via a controlled electronic switch 539, for example, with a transistor and its bias resistors, the electronic switch 539 being controlled by a logic unit 550 to which the electronic switch 539 is connected.

When the switch 539 is in a non-conductive state, the coil 556 is not energized and the switching element 557 is in a non-conductive state. When the switch 539 is in a conductive state, the coil 556 is energized and the switching element is in a conductive state.

If device 500 is a contactor, logic block 550 is programmed such that when its connection point connected to control element 544 receives a logic signal that control element 544 is in the deactivated state, then its connection point connected to switch 539 , outputs a logic signal that switches the switch 539 to a non-conductive state; and so that when its connection point connected to the control element 544 receives a logic signal that the control element 544 is in an activated state, then its connection point connected to the switch 539 outputs a logic signal that puts the switch 539 in a conductive state.

Thus, the switching element 557 is controlled by the control element 544 through a semi-electronic control actuator containing the logic block 550, so that the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the switching element 557 follow the transitions between the deactivated state and the activated state of the control element 544.

Logic block 550 is also connected to shunt 555, in this case through two special conductive paths connecting, respectively, the input of shunt 555 to one connection point of logic block 550 and the output of shunt 555 to another connection point of logic block 550.

This allows logic block 550 to determine the voltage drop across shunt 555. Since the resistance value of shunt 555 is known, logic block 550 can deduce from this voltage drop the amount of current flowing in shunt 555 and therefore between terminals 513 and 514 and also in the load. to which these terminals are connected.

Both special conductive traces connecting the shunt 555 to the logic block 550 make it possible to ignore the voltage drop not associated with the shunt in order to determine the current strength with high accuracy.

In a version not shown in the figures, only the side of the shunt opposite to the side connected to terminal 514 is connected to the logic block 550, and the logic block determines the current strength based on the voltage drop between the control potential (at terminal 514) and the connection point to which the side is connected shunt opposite to the side connected to terminal 514.

The value of the current determined by the logic block 550 can be transmitted outside the electrical device 500 through the element 554 radio frequency communication.

This allows the user to know in real time, for example via a mobile application, the electricity consumption of the load associated with the electrical device 500.

In addition, the radio frequency communication element 554 connected to the logic unit 550 also allows remote control, for example, via a mobile application, of the electrical device 500, that is, to set it to one of the above configurations (automatic operation, forced operation, and shutdown).

A key 509 is also associated with logic block 550 so that successive key presses 509 cause device 500 to assume one of these configurations.

As shown in FIG. 13 and 14, in this case, the electronic board 560 of the electrical device 500 is double-sided, that is, it contains a first side 561 and a second side 562 of the electronic board 560.

In particular, the shunt 555 is located on the first side 561 of the electronic board 560.

On the second side 562 of this electronic board 560 are located, in particular, the relay 551, the microcontroller, which is part of the logic unit 550, and the modem and antenna 559, which are part of the RF element 554.

The electronic board 560 is bounded by a top side 570, a bottom side 572, a front side 571, and a back side. The connection terminals 522 and 520 are connected to the electronic board 560 at the top side location, and the connection terminals 513, 521 and 514 are connected to this board 560 at the bottom side location 572. The key 509 is connected to the electronic board 571 through its front side 571.

The electronic board 560 is designed to protect its own internal circuitry. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect this circuit to a dedicated circuit breaker such as the circuit breaker 400 described above.

Indeed, as noted above, the internal circuitry of the device 500 formed by the board 560 includes an input protection stage 547, shown generally in FIG. 10 and in detail in FIG. eleven.

The input protection stage 547 includes an overcurrent protection component 549, in this case a positive coefficient thermistor, and an overvoltage protection component 548, in this case a varistor.

In the input protection stage 547, the overcurrent protection component 549 is located between its input and its output, connected respectively to the terminal 513 and to the corresponding input of the power supply 553. The overvoltage protection component 548 is located between the two outputs of the input protection stage 547.

The input protection stage 547 also includes a capacitor 5470 in parallel with component 548. Capacitor 5470 serves to filter out noise that may be present on the AC source to which terminals 513 and 514 are to be connected.

The resistance of thermistor 549 increases with temperature to help protect the circuit from short circuits, particularly in the event of coil 556 failure.

As noted above, the internal circuitry of device 500 includes an output protection stage 540, shown generally in FIG. 10 and in detail in FIG. 12. The output protection stage 540 is connected on the first side to the control element 544, as well as to terminal 514 and the second side to terminals 520 and 522.

The output protection stage 540 comprises an overvoltage protection component 543, in this case a bipolar Zener diode, an overcurrent protection component 541, in this case a positive gain thermistor, and another overcurrent protection component 542, in this case a thermistor. with a positive coefficient.

In the output protection stage 540, the overcurrent protection component 541 is located between its output and its input connected respectively to terminal 520 and to the corresponding output of control element 544; component 542 protection against overcurrent is located between its output and its input connected respectively to the terminal 522 and the corresponding output of the control element; and an overvoltage protection component 543 is located between the two inputs of the output protection stage 540.

The output protection stage 540 serves to protect the internal circuitry of the device 500 from wiring errors, such as applying mains voltage between terminals 520 and 522 by connecting one of these terminals to the neutral pole and the other terminal to the live pole. Due to the protection provided by the protection input stage 547, the circuit shown in FIG. 15, where the electrical device 500 is a contactor, only one circuit breaker 600 is provided, identical to the circuit breaker 300 described above.

It should be noted that in the circuit, terminal 522 is connected by a first wire 530 to the first side of the command element 523 and a second wire 531 to the second side of the command element 523; and that terminals 513, 521 and 514 are wired as above to circuit breaker 600 and to load 524.

When element 523 is in a non-conductive state, load 524 is not energized; and when command element 523 is conductive, load 524 is powered.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16, device 500 is a remote control switch.

As mentioned above, this second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except that the logic block 550 is programmed differently: if in the first embodiment (contactor), the logic block 550 is programmed so that the transitions of the switching element 557 between non-conductive state and conductive followed transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of a command element such as 523, then in a remote-controlled switch, the logic block 550 is programmed so that the transitions of the switching element 557 between the non-conductive state and the conductive state follow only the transitions of the element 544 control from the non-conductive state to the conductive state and, therefore, only transitions from the non-conductive state to the conductive state of the command element 523.

The circuit shown in Fig. 16 is identical to the circuit shown in FIG. 15, except that electrical device 500 is a remote control switch (rather than a contactor) and that command element 523 is identical to command element 223 (and not command element 123) described above.

In the version shown in FIG. 17, the second embodiment of the electrical device 500, which is a remote control switch, replaces the conventional remote control switch 200 that was included in the circuit shown in FIG. 8.

Thus, the second embodiment of the electrical device 500, which is a remote control switch, is associated with two circuit breakers of different amperage, in this case not only the load protection circuit breaker 600 524 (which may be the circuit breaker 300 described above), but also with the circuit breaker 400 described above.

In the circuit shown in Fig. 17, terminal 522 is connected by wire 580 to the first side of command element 523. The second side of command element 523 is connected to the output terminal of circuit breaker 400, which in this case is at phase potential.

Terminal 521 is connected by wire 581 to the first side of load 524. The second side of load 524 is connected by wire 582 to one of the output terminals of circuit breaker 600, in this case at neutral potential. Terminal 513 is wired to the same output terminal of circuit breaker 600 as the other side of load 524 (in this case, the terminal at neutral potential). Terminal 524 is wired to another output terminal of circuit breaker 600 (in this case, phase potential).

The circuit shown in Fig. 17 is similar to the circuit shown in FIG. 16, with one side of command element 523 wired to terminal 522, but the other side of command element 523 is connected to the output terminal of circuit breaker 400 at phase potential, and not to terminal 520.

Given that terminal 520 is at phase potential, operation remains the same.

In the version not shown, the circuit is identical to the circuit shown in FIG. 17, but the device 500 corresponds to the first embodiment, that is, it is a contactor, and the command element 523 is identical with the command element 123 described above (and not with the command element 223).

Versions not shown:

- shunt 555 is replaced by another current measuring element, for example, an ammeter circuit (torus and coil) or a Hall effect sensor;

- the control pole is different from the phase of the AC power supply, for example, it is a neutral pole;

device 500 does not include an RF coupling element such as 554 and/or a current measurement element such as shunt 555 and/or a configuration key such as key 509;

- the DC power supply is single-stage, for example, with a single 5.5 V output, and not with two stages 553 and 552, as in the example described;

- the safety voltage applied or not applied by the device to command terminals such as 520 and 522 is not DC but AC; and, in general, the safe voltage is 0.5 to 120 V DC or 0.5 V to 50 V AC rms; and/or

- a device such as the 500 is in a format other than a modular format.

Many other versions can be envisaged depending on the circumstances, and in this connection it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown in the figures.

Claims (26)

1. An electrical device for wiring with an AC source for a home or non-commercial electrical system, with a load (524) and with a command element (523) to allow or not to allow said AC source to power said load (524) depending on the conductive and non-conductive states received by the command element (523), while said device contains: an input terminal (514) configured to be connected to a pole of said AC source; an output terminal (521) configured to be connected to said load (524); the first command terminal (522) configured to be connected to said command element (523), and the second command terminal (520) configured to apply a control potential thereto, wherein said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520) are made in such a way that they can be applied or not applied to a predetermined potential difference depending on the said conductive and non-conductive states received by the command element (523); control element (544) connected to said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520), selectively accepting an activated state and a deactivated state depending on the presence or absence of said predetermined potential difference between the first command terminal (522) and a second command terminal (520); And switching element (557) connected to said input terminal (514) and to said output terminal (521), assuming either a non-conductive state, in which it prevents the flow of current between the input terminal (514) and output terminal (521), or a conductive state , in which it provides the passage of current between the input terminal (514) and the output terminal (521), while the mentioned switching element (557) is controlled by the mentioned control element (544) through the control drive, made in such a way that the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive the state of the switching element (557) followed the transitions between the deactivated state and the activated state of the control element (544), or designed so that the transitions between the non-conductive state and the conductive state of the switching element (557) followed only the transitions from the deactivated state to the activated state; wherein the device is characterized in that it contains another input terminal (513) configured to be connected to another pole of the mentioned alternating current source, and contains a voltage converter (553, 552), the input of which is connected to the mentioned input terminal (514) and to the mentioned another input terminal (513) to be powered by said AC source, and the output of which is connected to said control element (544) to supply it with a safe voltage below 50 V AC rms or below 120 V DC, while said control element (544) is configured to supply said safe voltage between said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520) when they are electrically isolated from each other outside said device, and not to supply said safe voltage between said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520) when the same potential is applied to them from outside said device, wherein said control element is in said deactivated state when said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520 ) are electrically isolated from each other outside said device, and in said activated state, when the same potential is applied to said first command terminal (522) and said second command terminal (520) from outside said device, said control element (544) comprising an electrical circuit supplying a logic signal formed by two predetermined voltage thresholds representing respectively an activated state and a deactivated state, wherein said control drive comprises a logic unit (550) connected to said control element (544), as well as an electromagnetic actuator (556 ) of said switching element (557) connected to said logic block (550). 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said voltage converter (552, 553) is designed in such a way that said safe voltage source operates on direct current. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control element (544) contains a current limiting resistor (545) connected on one side to the output pole of said voltage converter (552, 553) and on the other side to said first command terminal ( 522). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that said control element (544) further comprises a bias resistor (546) located between said logic block (550) and a side of said current limit resistor (545) connected to the first command terminal ( 522). 5. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that said device comprises an input protective stage (547) located between said input terminal (514) and another input terminal (513), on the one hand, and said safe voltage converter (552, 553), with on the other hand, said input protection stage (547) comprises an overcurrent protection element (549) and an overvoltage protection element (548). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the overcurrent protection element is a positive coefficient thermistor (549) and the overvoltage protection element is a varistor. 7. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that it contains an output protective stage (540) located between the said first command terminal (522) and the second command terminal (520), on the one hand, and the mentioned control element (544), on the other hand, with In this case, said output protection stage (540) comprises at least one overcurrent protection element (541, 542) and an overvoltage protection element (543). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said overcurrent protection element is a positive coefficient thermistor (541, 542) and said overvoltage protection element is a bidirectional Zener diode (543). 9. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, characterized in that it contains a radio frequency communication element (554) connected to the mentioned logical block (550). 10. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that the switching element is a pair of contacts (557) and forms part of an electromagnetic relay (551) containing a coil (556) and a mechanical drive (568) between said coil (556) and said pair of contacts (557) . 11. The device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the device comprises a current measurement element located between said input terminal (514) and said output terminal (521) and connected to said logic block. 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the current measuring element is a shunt (555). 13. Electrical circuit containing the device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, at least one command element (523), configured to control at least one load (524), and a circuit breaker (600), characterized in that: the command element (523) is connected with its first side to the first command terminal (522) and its second side with the second command terminal (520) of said device (500); the load (524) is connected on its first side to the output terminal (521) of said device (500) and its second side to the terminal of the circuit breaker (600); And an input terminal (514) and another input terminal (513) of said device (500) are each connected to a terminal of a circuit breaker (600). 14. Electrical circuit containing the device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, containing at least one command element (523), configured to control at least one load (524), the first circuit breaker (600) and the second circuit breaker (400), characterized in that: the command element (523) is connected with its first side to the first command terminal (522) of said device (500) and its second side to the terminal of the second circuit breaker (400); the load is connected on its first side to the output terminal (521) of said device (500) and its second side to the terminal of the first circuit breaker (600); And an input terminal (514) and another input terminal (513) of said device (500) are each connected to a terminal of the first circuit breaker (600).

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