Title of Invention	LOW-VOLTAGE POWER BREAKER HAVING AN ELECTRONIC OVERCURRENT RELEASE AND TRIPPING MAGNETS
Abstract	The invention relates to a low-voltage circuit-breaker with an electronic trip (2) and trip magnets (4), amongst which is a trip magnet controller by the overload trip and a further trip magnet such as a low-voltage trip or working-current trip. The trip magnets are mounted on the rear face facing away from the operating front (5) of the overload trip (2). In the same section (6) of the operating field (5) display and reset devices (7, 8, 9, 10) are accessible to the user.

Title of Invention

LOW-VOLTAGE POWER BREAKER HAVING AN ELECTRONIC OVERCURRENT RELEASE AND TRIPPING MAGNETS

Abstract

The invention relates to a low-voltage circuit-breaker with an electronic trip (2) and trip magnets (4), amongst which is a trip magnet controller by the overload trip and a further trip magnet such as a low-voltage trip or working-current trip. The trip magnets are mounted on the rear face facing away from the operating front (5) of the overload trip (2). In the same section (6) of the operating field (5) display and reset devices (7, 8, 9, 10) are accessible to the user.

Full Text	Description Low-voltage power breaker having an electronic overcurrent release and tripping magnets The invention relates to a low-voltage power breaker having an electronic overcurrent release and having tripping magnets which, when the overcurrent release or a special signal causes the closed switching contacts to be released, trip a latch, the overcurrent release and the tripping magnets being fit together to form one protective module. A power breaker having these features has been disclosed in US 4,700,161. This power breaker has a known compact design having a molded case and a toggle lever drive (MCCB) . In order to make it possible to replace or refit modules of the tripping magnets, access can be gained to said tripping magnets via the front control panel of the power breaker once a cover has been removed. The electronic overcurrent release does not have its own control panel owing to the compact design of the power breaker. Another feature of the design of compact power breakers is the fact that the operator can detect a tripping procedure not by means of a special display element but by means of a specific position of the outer handle of the toggle lever drive. The resetting required for reconnection of the power breaker also takes place by means of the handle of the toggle lever drive. Electronic overcurrent releases and tripping magnets are correspondingly used in the same manner in low- voltage power breakers of open design (PCBs) which are distinguished from the design with the toggle lever drive by their suitability for higher rated currents and by their higher switching capacity as well as by a storage drive. The overcurrent releases of these power breakers also make it possible to set all the important parameters in order to be able to match the protective action of the power breaker, for example, to the properties of a load. For this purpose, the overcurrent releases are provided with their own front control panel which is included in the control panel of the power breaker and at which access can be gained to the setting elements. Resetting, following tripping, takes place in this case by means of a special element which is arranged in the vicinity of the front control panel of the overcurrent release (Catalog 3WN6, 1995, page 2, Siemens Publication E20002-K1801-B401-A1). The invention is based on the object, in a power breaker of the latter design, of accommodating tripping magnets in a space-saving manner and of arranging their display and reset elements on the front control panel of the power breaker such that they can be seen. This object is achieved according to the invention by the electronic overcurrent release having, in a manner known per se, a front control panel which is accessible via a control panel of the power breaker, and by the tripping magnets being fit to the overcurrent release on the side of a housing of the latter that is remote from the front control panel. Using an arrangement which is the opposite of that disclosed in OS 4,700,161, mentioned initially, tripping magnets underneath or behind the electronic overcurrent release - it is possible for the user to operate the electronic overcurrent release in the same manner whilst retaining the advantage of the combined design of the two assemblies. On the other hand, the display and operating elements of the tripping magnets are now part of the front control panel of the overcurrent release, which improves clarity and thus operational reliability. An important factor here is the fact that the combination of all of the tripping magnets provided to form a assembly fit to the overcurrent release accordingly also makes two, or even more, display and reset elements visible and accessible to the operator on the front control panel of the overcurrent release. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. Figure 1 shows a side view of a protective module comprising an electronic overcurrent release and an assembly of tripping magnets. Figure 2 shows the upper part of a front control panel of the protective module shown in figure 1. The protective module 1 shown in figure 1 comprises an electronic overcurrent release 2, whose housing 3 is stepped such that tripping magnets 4 can be located wholly or partially in the step. The tripping magnets are combined in a known manner to form a magnet assembly. In particular, a tripping magnet, which can be activated by the overcurrent release 2, as well as an undervoltage release and an operating current release can be provided. These additional tripping magnets can be activated by dedicated circuits. However, it is possible, for example, to register the response of such additional tripping magnets in a memory module of the electronic overcurrent release 2. A special panel 6 for operating the tripping magnets is located on a front control panel 5 of the protective module 1 which is shown separately in figure 2, in section and from the front. In the example shown, a display element 7 and a reset element 8 for the tripping magnet 8 influenced by the overcurrent release are provided, and identical display and operating elements 9 and 10, respectively, for an operating current release which can be energized, for example, when a high breaking capacity fuse, which is connected in series with the power breaker, blows. The magnet assembly shown in figure 1 having the tripping magnets 4 may be fit with components as required, as is known per se, and may additionally have signalling switches 11 in order not only to be able to indicate response of the tripping magnets 4 mechanically but also to be able to signal this electrically. The fact that the control panel 5 protrudes slightly beyond the housing 3, and pins and plungers for display and resetting purposes can be arranged through said housing 3 from the magnet assembly, which also protrudes slightly beyond the housing 3, makes it possible for the tripping magnets 4 arranged at the rear of the housing 3 to interact without problems with the display and reset elements located on the front control panel 5. If required, the display and reset elements of more than two tripping magnets 4 can also be arranged in the display panel 6. If, as indicated in figure 2, tripping magnets 4 are arranged next to one another, this makes it easier to accommodate the display and reset elements 7, 9 and 8 and 10, respectively. The low-voltage power breaker, which is fit with the protective module, has not been shown specifically in the figures since it has a design which is known per se, for example according to the abovementioned Siemens document. The interaction of the tripping magnets 4 with the latch elements in the breaker mechanism of the power breaker takes place in the same manner as for known power breakers. List of reference numerals 1 Protective module 2 Electronic overcurrent release 3 Housing of the overcurrent release 2 4 Tripping magnet 5 Front control panel of the overcurrent release 2 6 Front control panel for tripping magnets 4 7,9 Display element for tripping magnet 8,10 Reset element for tripping magnet 11 Signalling switch WE CLAIMS 1. A low-valtage power breaker having an electronic over- current release (2) and having tripping magnets (4) which» when the overcurrent release (2) a special signal causes closed switching contacts to be released* trip a a latch, the overcurrent release (2) and the tripping magnets (4) being fit together to form a protective module (1) . characterized in that the electronic overcurrent release (2) comprises a front control panel (5) which is accessible via a control panel of the power breaker and in that the tripping magnets (4) are mounted on the overcurrent release (2) on the side of a housing (3) of the latter that is remote from the front control panel (5). 2. The low-voltage power breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tripping magnets (4) have display and/or reset elements (7, 8, 9, 10) which are visible on the front control panel (5) of the overcurrent release (2). The invention relates to a low-voltage circuit-breaker with an electronic trip (2) and trip magnets (4), amongst which is a trip magnet controller by the overload trip and a further trip magnet such as a low-voltage trip or working-current trip. The trip magnets are mounted on the rear face facing away from the operating front (5) of the overload trip (2). In the same section (6) of the operating field (5) display and reset devices (7, 8, 9, 10) are accessible to the user.

Full Text

Description
Low-voltage power breaker having an electronic
overcurrent release and tripping magnets
The invention relates to a low-voltage power breaker
having an electronic overcurrent release and having
tripping magnets which, when the overcurrent release or
a special signal causes the closed switching contacts
to be released, trip a latch, the overcurrent release
and the tripping magnets being fit together to form one
protective module.
A power breaker having these features has been
disclosed in US 4,700,161. This power breaker has a
known compact design having a molded case and a toggle
lever drive (MCCB) . In order to make it possible to
replace or refit modules of the tripping magnets,
access can be gained to said tripping magnets via the
front control panel of the power breaker once a cover
has been removed. The electronic overcurrent release
does not have its own control panel owing to the
compact design of the power breaker. Another feature of
the design of compact power breakers is the fact that
the operator can detect a tripping procedure not by
means of a special display element but by means of a
specific position of the outer handle of the toggle
lever drive. The resetting required for reconnection of
the power breaker also takes place by means of the
handle of the toggle lever drive.
Electronic overcurrent releases and tripping magnets
are correspondingly used in the same manner in low-
voltage power breakers of open design (PCBs) which are
distinguished from the design with the toggle lever
drive by their suitability for higher rated currents
and by their higher switching capacity as well as by a
storage drive. The overcurrent releases of these power
breakers also make it possible to set all the important
parameters in order to be able to match the protective
action of the power breaker, for example, to the
properties of a load. For this purpose, the overcurrent
releases are provided with their own front control
panel which is included in the control panel of the
power breaker and at which access can be gained to the
setting elements. Resetting, following tripping, takes
place in this case by means of a special element which
is arranged in the vicinity of the front control panel
of the overcurrent release (Catalog 3WN6, 1995, page 2,
Siemens Publication E20002-K1801-B401-A1).
The invention is based on the object, in a power
breaker of the latter design, of accommodating tripping
magnets in a space-saving manner and of arranging their
display and reset elements on the front control panel
of the power breaker such that they can be seen.
This object is achieved according to the invention by
the electronic overcurrent release having, in a manner
known per se, a front control panel which is accessible
via a control panel of the power breaker, and by the
tripping magnets being fit to the overcurrent release
on the side of a housing of the latter that is remote
from the front control panel.
Using an arrangement which is the opposite of that
disclosed in OS 4,700,161, mentioned initially,
tripping magnets underneath or behind the electronic
overcurrent release - it is possible for the user to
operate the electronic overcurrent release in the

same manner whilst retaining the advantage of the
combined
design of the two assemblies. On the other hand, the
display and operating elements of the tripping magnets
are now part of the front control panel of the
overcurrent release, which improves clarity and thus
operational reliability. An important factor here is
the fact that the combination of all of the tripping
magnets provided to form a assembly fit to the
overcurrent release accordingly also makes two, or even
more, display and reset elements visible and accessible
to the operator on the front control panel of the
overcurrent release.
The invention is explained in more detail below with
reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the
figures.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a protective module
comprising an electronic overcurrent release and an
assembly of tripping magnets.
Figure 2 shows the upper part of a front control panel
of the protective module shown in figure 1.
The protective module 1 shown in figure 1 comprises an
electronic overcurrent release 2, whose housing 3 is
stepped such that tripping magnets 4 can be located
wholly or partially in the step. The tripping magnets
are combined in a known manner to form a magnet
assembly. In particular, a tripping magnet, which can
be activated by the overcurrent release 2, as well as
an undervoltage release and an operating current
release can be provided. These additional tripping
magnets can be activated by dedicated circuits.
However, it is possible, for example, to register the
response of such additional tripping magnets in a
memory module of the electronic overcurrent release 2.
A special panel 6 for operating the tripping magnets is
located on a front control panel 5 of the protective
module 1 which is shown separately in figure 2, in
section and from the front. In the example shown, a
display element 7 and a reset element 8 for the
tripping magnet 8 influenced by the overcurrent release
are provided, and identical display and operating
elements 9 and 10, respectively, for an operating
current release which can be energized, for example,
when a high breaking capacity fuse, which is connected
in series with the power breaker, blows.
The magnet assembly shown in figure 1 having the
tripping magnets 4 may be fit with components as
required, as is known per se, and may additionally have
signalling switches 11 in order not only to be able to
indicate response of the tripping magnets 4
mechanically but also to be able to signal this
electrically. The fact that the control panel 5
protrudes slightly beyond the housing 3, and pins and
plungers for display and resetting purposes can be
arranged through said housing 3 from the magnet
assembly, which also protrudes slightly beyond the
housing 3, makes it possible for the tripping magnets 4
arranged at the rear of the housing 3 to interact
without problems with the display and reset elements
located on the front control panel 5.
If required, the display and reset elements of more
than two tripping magnets 4 can also be arranged in the
display panel 6. If, as indicated in figure 2, tripping
magnets 4 are arranged next to one another, this makes
it easier to accommodate the display and reset elements
7, 9 and 8 and 10, respectively. The low-voltage power
breaker, which is fit with the protective module, has
not been shown specifically in the figures since it has
a design which is known per
se, for example according to the abovementioned Siemens
document. The interaction of the tripping magnets 4
with the latch elements in the breaker mechanism of the
power breaker takes place in the same manner as for
known power breakers.
List of reference numerals
1 Protective module
2 Electronic overcurrent release
3 Housing of the overcurrent release 2
4 Tripping magnet
5 Front control panel of the overcurrent release 2
6 Front control panel for tripping magnets 4
7,9 Display element for tripping magnet
8,10 Reset element for tripping magnet
11 Signalling switch
WE CLAIMS
1. A low-valtage power breaker having an electronic over-
current release (2) and having tripping magnets (4)
which» when the overcurrent release (2) a special
signal causes closed switching contacts to be released*
trip a a latch, the overcurrent release (2) and the
tripping magnets (4) being fit together to form a
protective module (1) .
characterized
in that the electronic overcurrent release (2)
comprises a front control panel (5) which is accessible
via a control panel of the power breaker and in that
the tripping magnets (4) are mounted on the overcurrent
release (2) on the side of a housing (3) of the latter
that is remote from the front control panel (5).
2. The low-voltage power breaker as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the tripping magnets (4) have display and/or
reset elements (7, 8, 9, 10) which are visible on the
front control panel (5) of the overcurrent release (2).
The invention relates to a low-voltage circuit-breaker with
an electronic trip (2) and trip magnets (4), amongst which is a
trip magnet controller by the overload trip and a further trip
magnet such as a low-voltage trip or working-current trip. The
trip magnets are mounted on the rear face facing away from the
operating front (5) of the overload trip (2). In the same section
(6) of the operating field (5) display and reset devices
(7, 8, 9, 10) are accessible to the user.

Documents:

« Previous Patent

Next Patent »

Patent Number

224972

Indian Patent Application Number

01608/KOLNP/2003

PG Journal Number

44/2008

Publication Date

31-Oct-2008

Grant Date

29-Oct-2008

Date of Filing

11-Dec-2003

Name of Patentee

SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Applicant Address

WITTELSBACHERPLATZ 2, 80333 MUNICH

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	FRANKE, HENRY	GRANITZSTRASSE 47, 13189 BERLIN
2	MUSIOL, ARON-ERNST	LICHTENRADER DAMM 246, 12305
3	GUENTHER, GERNOT	BUNDESPLATZ 1, 10715 BERLIN
4	MIZENER, JEFFREY	223 BON AIR DRIVE, SIDNEY, OH 45365
5	PRIETZER, GUENTER	BEERWINKEL 39 A, 13589 BERLIN

PCT International Classification Number

H02H

PCT International Application Number

PCT/DE02/02082

PCT International Filing date

2002-06-04

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	201 09 898.9	2001-06-13	Germany