DE29504864U1 - Residual current circuit breaker in modular design - Google Patents

Description

95 δ 3 2 O 3

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Description

Residual current circuit breaker in modular design

The invention relates to a residual current circuit breaker or a differential current circuit breaker, both referred to below as circuit breakers, which in its housing leads the conductors to be monitored as primary conductors through a sensor that detects the residual currents, in detail according to the generic term of claim 1. A summation current transformer is particularly suitable as a sensor. A triggering device is arranged in the secondary circuit, and if necessary, further circuit elements or modules for additional functions can be arranged in the secondary circuit.

Modern circuit breakers only have one mechanical connection point on the side for other functions, such as auxiliary switches. Other functions that require electrical intervention in the secondary circuit, i.e. in the circuit between the secondary winding of the sensor and the trigger, and additional wiring, are usually carried out in the factory. Such additional functions can be short-time delay or selectivity in circuit breakers. Wiring must be carried out in the secondary circuit accordingly.

However, it can happen that the specific application of the circuit breaker can only be determined when an electrical system is being set up. In addition, having circuit breakers for different tasks means that a corresponding variety of types must be kept in stock and that correspondingly complicated manufacturing processes must be carried out.

The invention is based on the task of developing a circuit breaker that allows the electrical circuit of the secondary circuit to be expanded later using modular technology. The solution to the described task is achieved according to the invention by a circuit breaker according to claim 1. In this case, at least one opening is provided in the housing

provided in which circuit points of the secondary circuit are accessible, whereby this opening is releasably closed. The circuit points can be connected and covered by a closure means designed as a connecting plug.

The drawing shows a roughly schematic example of an embodiment.

An auxiliary switch 2 is attached to the circuit breaker 1 according to FIG. 1, which is secured by mechanical connecting means 3. On the circuit breaker 1, an opening 5 according to FIG. 2 is provided in the housing on the free side, in which switching points of the secondary circuit are accessible. The opening is releasably closed by a locking means 6.

Components for a particular circuit can be accommodated in a separate module. This circuit can be independent of the number of poles and nominal current. In order to connect additional functions accommodated in a module, an opening 5 is provided in which suitable switching points of the secondary circuit are accessible. In a commercially available circuit breaker, the secondary circuit is interrupted and the two ends are, for example, connected to plug sockets 7. The opening 5 can be closed by a closure means 6, which is designed as a connecting plug and short-circuits the separated conductors as long as no circuit is to be connected. The opening 5 is preferably arranged on a side of the circuit breaker 1 on which mechanical connections are not provided.

If subsequent wiring of the secondary circuit is required, as is the case with time-delayed or selective circuit breakers, the locking means 6 is removed and a module with the additional functions is connected to the sockets 7. Such a module can preferably be housed in a housing with a so-called half pitch width, 9 mm. The module can

additionally secured using mechanical fasteners such as screws or appropriately designed metal parts.

Such additional modules can contain both the circuit for a short-time delayed or selective shutdown as well as other additional functions, such as those provided by overvoltage releases. These additional modules can also contain a circuit or load that makes it possible, for example, to convert a circuit breaker with high sensitivity into one with lower sensitivity. For example, a residual current circuit breaker for a nominal residual current of 30 mA can be subsequently converted into one for a nominal residual current of 300 mA after an additional module has been installed. Additional functions can also include the possibility of remote triggering or integration into a bus system.

Claims (2)

95 B 3 2 O 3 "&iacgr; Protection claims !.Residual current circuit breaker or differential current circuit breaker, hereinafter referred to as circuit breaker (1), which in its housing leads the conductors to be monitored as primary conductors through a sensor which detects the residual currents, in particular a summation current transformer, with a tripping device being arranged in a secondary circuit, with further circuit elements or modules for additional functions being able to be arranged in the secondary circuit if required,
characterized,
that at least one opening (5) is provided in the housing,
in which switching points of the secondary circuit are accessible
and that this opening (5) is releasably closed. 2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the circuit points are accessible through plug sockets (7) in the opening (5), whereby a closure means (6) as connecting plug.