FR2940541A1 - Interface device for assembling new type electricity meter on support of old type electricity meter in electric installation, has prolongation unit prolonging power cables so that interface device connects new type meter on support - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a rail and a slide ensuring fixation of a case, and a connection unit (7) arranged in one area i.e. upper area, of the case and provided with inlet and outlet power cables (8). The connection unit includes a prolongation unit (12) e.g. bar. The prolongation unit prolongs the power cables from the connection unit to another area i.e. lower area, of the case so that the device connects a new type electricity meter, having on connecting terminals in bottom, on a support of an old type electricity meter having connecting terminals in top.

Description

Interface device for fixing an electric meter.

The invention relates to a device for fixing an electric meter on a panel.

The present invention relates more particularly to an interface device for mounting an electronic counter of a new type on a support for receiving an electronic counter of an old type.

The replacement of old electricity meters by new meters poses problems of compatibility of the new meter with the support and the various cables initially connected to the old meter.

The cables to be connected are feeder power cables to the meter and start to the local electrical installation. Other cables to be connected are teleinformation cables, servo cables (otherwise known as pilot) and telereport cables.

New meters to be installed, in particular electronic meters known as AMM (for Automatic Meter Management) comprise connection terminals integrally located in a lower region. These meters are to be installed as replacement for old electronic meters having at least power terminals in an upper region. The support or panel initially receiving this old type of meter is not suitable for receiving a new type of meter.

In addition, the terminals of the servocontrol cables have fairly variable positions from one meter to another among the meters to be replaced, whereas the new type of meter has a unique position of servo terminals, for the sake of standardization. This transition to a standard position of the servocontrol cables on the new meter also raises the compatibility concerns of the original support with the 10 2940541 -2

new counter. It should be emphasized, moreover, that the interface device must be able to adapt to different types of supports or panels.

In addition, we must also take into account the need to make the 5 terminals of power and telereport inaccessible to the customer.

It is also important that the installation is the simplest, easiest and least expensive to implement and implement.

The invention aims to overcome the above difficulties, and to allow easy adaptation of the new electronic counter, having connection terminals at the bottom, on a support or panel initially designed to receive an old electronic counter having connecting terminals in high.

To do this, the invention relates to an interface device for mounting a new type of electricity meter, on a support for receiving an electricity meter of an old type, characterized in that it comprises a housing, means for securing it to the support, means for connection to incoming and outgoing power cables, said connection means being arranged in a first region of the housing, and in that it comprises rigid extension means of at least one power cable from the connection means to a second region of the housing, so that the device makes it possible to connect the meter of a new type, having connection terminals in a first zone, especially upper, on a support for receiving the counter of an old type, having connection terminals in a second zone, in particular lower.

The connection of a new type of meter having connection terminals in a lower zone is greatly facilitated by an interface according to the invention. This incorporates the connection means and the rigid extension means, so as to constitute a complete assembly ready to be mounted and connected. The rigid extension means are automatically arranged in the appropriate position for their purpose.

connection, which greatly facilitates installation operations. In addition, rigid extension means consisting of bars or flat elements or strips are relatively economical.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

the first and second regions are respectively upper and lower regions of the housing, the housing comprises a passage opening for the extension means, through which a lower end thereof opens in front of the front face of the housing,

the rigid extension means consist of flat elements, in particular obtained by cutting and / or deformation and / or formed of one or more superposed strips.

the housing comprises a base intended to be fixed to the support by means of the fixing means, and a frontage fixed to the base on a front face of the latter, opposite to the support,

the front face of the base is partially covered by the facade, an upper part of the front face of the base being covered by a terminal cover,

- The base and the facade form an inner housing, delimited in its upper part by the connection means, and opening in its lower part by a main passage of the extension means,

the fixing means of the base on the support consist of a slide provided on the rear face of the base, opposite the support, cooperating with a rail integral with the support, said rail being also adapted to the fixing of the old type of meter; so some of the 25 30 - 4

means for fixing the old counter on the support are used for fixing the interface device on the support,

- The device comprises fixing means of the new type of counter, consisting of a rail mounted on a front face of the facade, opposite the support; the rail can be identical to that which is mounted on the support, for standardization purposes.

The invention also relates to an electrical installation comprising an electronic counter mounted on a support by means of an interface device having all or some of the preceding characteristics, the interface device being interposed between the electronic counter and the support.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and in the light of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a support or panel on which an old type of meter was initially mounted and on which the interface device according to the invention must be mounted in order to receive a new type of counter,

FIG. 2 represents a left front perspective view of the interface device according to the invention; FIGS. 3 and 4 show a side view of the interface device of FIG. 1, respectively illustrating the external appearance and the internal parts,

- Figure 5 is a front view of the rigid extension means of the invention, in front of the base, the terminal cover and the facade not being represented,

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the interface device according to the invention, FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front right perspective view of an interface panel according to the invention mounted on a support, the counter not being represented,

- Figure 8 illustrates another type of support or panel on which an interface device according to the invention must be adapted.

In the description, the front and rear terms refer to the position of the elements relative to the eye of the reader observing the support 1, as shown in FIG. 1. An electronic counter (not shown) is intended to be mounted on the visible face of the support of Figure 1. A forward position is closest to the reader and a rear position is furthest from the reader.

FIG. 1 shows a support 1 intended to receive an electronic counter of an old type whose connection terminals of the power cables are situated in the upper part. The support 1 thus comprises an upper light 10 through which incoming and outgoing power cables (not shown) pass through the front face of the support 1. The front face of the support 1 also comprises a rail 11 for attaching an old type of meter. This rail is intended to cooperate with a fixing slide provided on the rear face of the meter.

According to the invention, provision is made to mount an interface device 2, illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, on the support 1, so as to receive a new type of meter, in particular an electronic counter (not shown) having connection terminals in FIG. lower part. This lower part defines a first connection zone for the first counter, as opposed to a second connection zone in the upper part of the old type of counter.

The interface device 2 comprises a housing 3 consisting of three parts: a base 4, a front 5 and a terminal cover 6.

The base 4 is intended to be fixed on the front face of the support 1, via the rail 11 already provided on the latter and initially intended for 2940541 -6

fixing the old meter. The rear face of the base 4 comprises a slide 40 adapted to be anchored to the rail 11. Of course, the attachment of the base 4 to the front face of the support 1 can be achieved by any other type of fastening means, for example to the Screw aid, especially when the attachment of the old meter on this front face already provided such fastening means by screws.

Referring to Figure 4, the base 4 also has in an upper region connection means 7 or terminals for connecting the power cables 8 of arrival and output of the local electrical installation. There are two phase and neutral power supply cables, as well as two phase and neutral start power cables. These cables cross at their lower end the front face of the support 1 protruding at the front thereof. An upper wall 41 of the base 4, 15 overhanging the connection means 7 comprises openings 42 for the passage of the power cables 8 of arrival and departure (Figure 6).

As shown in FIG. 4, the facade 5 is fixed to the base 4 on its front face, leaving open an upper part of the front face of the base 4, through which clamping members 70 of the connecting means 7 of the power cables. These clamping members are conventionally screws.

The terminal cover 6 is adapted to cover the upper part of the front face of the base 4, and to extend the base 4 above the latter, so as to cover the connection means 7, the clamping members 70 and a part cables arriving at the connection means 7 and from them. It will be noted that the terminal cover 6 also covers the upper light 10 through which the power cables 8 open on the front face 30 of the support 1.

Advantageously, the base 4 and the front wall 5 form an inner housing 9 (FIG. 4) allowing the routing of rigid extension means 12 of the power cables 8, from the connection means 7, to a lower region of the facade. 5, located in front of it. The front panel 2940541 -7

of the facade 5 comprises a main lumen 51 for passing the extension means 12 allowing them to protrude from the front face of the facade 5. The main light 51 has a generally rectangular shape extending transversely (horizontally ) on the facade 5 5 over most of its width.

The rigid extension means 12 may be bars. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, they can be obtained by cutting and / or deformation of flat elements having the general shape of strips. In another embodiment, they constitute strips or a set of superimposed strips having a section suitable for electrical conduction. The rigid extension means 12 may optionally be isolated by sheaths. It should be noted that the four power cables 8 can be extended by such means of extension. In an alternative embodiment, only part of the power cables can be made in this rigid form, for example only the incoming power and phase start cables.

The base 4 recesses a part of the housing 9 turned towards the front and therefore towards the front 5. The facade 5 forms a hollow portion of the housing 9 turned towards the base 4. The base 4 comprises a rear wall 43 vertical in its upper part and plunging forwards in its lower part, so as to constrain the extension means 12 to approach the main light 51 and to ensure that their lower ends actually cross the main light 51.

According to the invention, the housing 3 has an opening 52 or secondary light for the passage of control cables (or drivers). This opening 52 is disposed in the extension of the main light 51 between one of its ends and an edge of the facade 5. In the example of FIGS. 2 to 5, this opening 52 is situated to the right of the main light 51 when the case is seen from the front. The opening 52 communicates a lower housing 44 of the base 4 accessible from the rear (Figure 6), with a front zone of the front 5 adjacent to the lower ends of the extension means 12. The opening 52 2940541 -8

crosses the front 5 and a front face of the base 4. The lower housing 44 extends over the entire width of the base 4, so as to allow the connection of servo cables to the right or left to the 4. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the front 5 supports a rail 13 for fixing a new electronic counter. This rail is similar to that 11 which is fixed to the support 1 and by which the base 4 is anchored to it.

The rail 13 is intended to cooperate with a slide (not shown) provided on a rear face of the new meter, which is also similar to that 40 provided on the rear face of the base 4.

The fasteners between the base 4, the facade 5 and the terminal cover can be made by conventional means of the screw type.

It will be noted that extension means (not shown) are also provided for connecting teleinformation and telereport cables (not shown), similarly to power cables 8 and their extension means 12. The lower ends of the means extension of the teleinformation and telereport cables also pass through the main light 51.

Advantageously, the lower ends of the extension means 12 of the power cables and the extension means of the teleinformation and telereport cables are covered by the meter when it is put in place on the housing 3, so that they become inaccessible. to the client.

The fixing of the meter on the casing is guaranteed by sealing means of known type.

An interface device 2 according to the invention mounted on a support 1 is illustrated in FIG. 7 (the rigid extension means not being shown). FIG. 8 shows another type of support 1 'on which the device 2940541 -9

interface 2 of the invention can be mounted. This support 1 'also comprising a passage lumen of the arrival and departure power cables, located in an upper region of the support 1'.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Interface device for mounting a new type of electricity meter on a support (1) for receiving an electricity meter of an old type, characterized in that it comprises a housing (3) , means (11, 40) ensuring its attachment to the support (1), connecting means (7) to power cables (8) of arrival and departure, said connection means (7) being arranged in a first region of the housing (3), and in that it comprises rigid extension means (12) of at least one power cable (8) from the connecting means (7) to a second region of the housing (3), so that the device makes it possible to connect the meter of a new type, having connection terminals in a first zone, on a support intended to receive the counter of an old type, having connection terminals in a second zone. 2. Interface device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second region are respectively upper and lower regions of the housing. 3. Interface device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (3) comprises an opening (51) for passage of the extension means (12), through which a lower end thereof opens in front of the front of the housing (3). 25 4. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid extension means (12) consist of flat elements, in particular obtained by cutting and / or deformation and / or formed of one or more strips superposed . 30 5. Interface device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) comprises a base (4) intended to be fixed to the support (1) by means of the fixing means (11, 40). , and a front (5) fixed to the base (4) on a front face of the latter, opposite the support (1). 2940541 -11- 6. Interface device according to claim 5, characterized in that the front face of the base (4) is partially covered by the front (5), an upper portion of the front face of the base (4) being covered by a terminal cover 5 (6). 7. Interface device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the base (4) and the front (5) form an inner housing (9), delimited in its upper part by the connecting means (7), and opening in its lower part by a main passage (51) of the extension means (12). 8. Interface device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the fixing means (11, 40) of the base (4) on the support (1) consist of a slide (40) cooperating with a rail (11) integral with the support (1), said rail being also adapted for fixing the old type of meter. 9. Interface device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises fixing means (13) of the new type of counter, consisting of a rail mounted on a front face of the facade ( 5), opposite the support (1). 10. Electrical installation comprising an electronic counter mounted on a support (1) via an interface device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, interposed between the electronic counter and the support (1).