CA1310100C - Solid-state trip device of a molded case circuit breaker - Google Patents
Solid-state trip device of a molded case circuit breakerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1310100C CA1310100C CA000579275A CA579275A CA1310100C CA 1310100 C CA1310100 C CA 1310100C CA 000579275 A CA000579275 A CA 000579275A CA 579275 A CA579275 A CA 579275A CA 1310100 C CA1310100 C CA 1310100C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- circuit breaker
- trip device
- solid
- tripping
- contacts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000005520 electrodynamics Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005764 inhibitory process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H1/00—Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements
- H02H1/0007—Details of emergency protective circuit arrangements concerning the detecting means
- H02H1/0015—Using arc detectors
- H02H1/0023—Using arc detectors sensing non electrical parameters, e.g. by optical, pneumatic, thermal or sonic sensors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
- H02H3/08—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current
- H02H3/093—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current with timing means
- H02H3/0935—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current with timing means the timing being determined by numerical means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
- H01H71/24—Electromagnetic mechanisms
- H01H71/2418—Electromagnetic mechanisms combined with an electrodynamic current limiting mechanism
- H01H2071/2427—Electromagnetic mechanisms combined with an electrodynamic current limiting mechanism with blow-off movement tripping mechanism, e.g. electrodynamic effect on contacts trips the traditional trip device before it can unlatch the spring mechanism by itself
Landscapes
- Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
- Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A solid-state trip device comprises an instantaneous trip device formed by arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T located in proximity to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T of the circuit breaker 10. The light signals emitted by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T are transmitted by optic fibers 48 to a light-sensitive electronic component which emits an arcing signal. This arcing signal causes tripping of the circuit breaker 10 only if a fault signal is present.
A solid-state trip device comprises an instantaneous trip device formed by arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T located in proximity to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T of the circuit breaker 10. The light signals emitted by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T are transmitted by optic fibers 48 to a light-sensitive electronic component which emits an arcing signal. This arcing signal causes tripping of the circuit breaker 10 only if a fault signal is present.
Description
The invention relates to a solid-state trip device of a molded case electrical circuit breaker having per pole a pair of con-tacts, elastically urged into con-tact in -the closed position of the circuit breaker and capable of separating by the action of an automatic operating mechanism on a fault.
The contacts of an electrical circuit breaker must open cleanly to avoid any intermediate contact repulsion position, the contacts nevertheless being insufficiently separated for the arc drawn between the contacts to be extinguished. continuance of the arc between -the partially open contacts causes overheating and damage to the circuit breaker. Repulsion o~ the contacts takes place due -to the effect of the electrodynamic forces when the curren-t exceeds a present repulsion threshold, this threshold depending on the configura-tion oE the current in the circuit breaker and on the pole setting characteristics.
To be sure that a circuit breaker does not remain in an intermediate con-tact repulsion position, the tripping threshold on a fault is generally set to a value lower than ; that of the repulsion threshold. It is difficult and costly to achieve circuit breakers having perfectly defined repulsion and tripping thresholds, and to make up for these inaccuracies a tripping threshold 20 to 50% lower than the repulsion threshold is frequently selec-ted, which results in a considerable loss of selectivity.
The object of the present invention is -to achieve a trip device whose tripping threshold and the repulsion threshold are the same.
~nother object of the invention is to achieve a -trip device .
., l3lnl00 providing instantaneous tripping when the circuit breaker makes on a fault.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a solid-state trip device of a molded case electrical circuit breaker having per pole a pair of contacts elastically urged into contact in the closed position of the circuit breaker and an automatic operating mechanism on a fault, capable of causing the separation of the contacts, comprising sensors, which generate fault signals which are a function of the currents flowing in the conductors protected by the circuit breaker, a processing unit to which the fault signals are applied to generate a circuit breaker tripping order, when preset thresholds are exceeded, the order being time-delayed according to the value of -the fault signals, and an arc detector associated with each pair of contacts to detect the light emitted by the arc drawn when the contacts separate, the arcing signals emitted by the arc detectors being applied to the processing unit to bring about instantaneous tripping when at the same time the fault signals exceed the preset threshold.
Any separation of the contacts, notably by electrodynamic repulsion forces~ causes a spark or an arc to form emitting a light which can easily be detected by optic sensors such as photoelectric components which are preferably located away from the arcing zone and connected to the latter by ~ight conductors such as optic fibers. By locating, according to the invention, the arc sensors or detectors inside the molded case, disturbances due to outside light are avoided in a particularly simple manner. Subjecting instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker to the ~ 2a -simultaneous presence of an arcing signal and of a fault signal preven-ts spurious trippiny due to the arcs drawn between the contacts when normal circuit breaker make and break operations are per~ormed. It can easil.y be understood that detection of an arc and detection o~ a fault current do not require any great accuracy, the light emitted by the arc being -~ 3 ~ Q
superabundant and the difference between a current capable of causing repulsion of the contacts and the rated circuit breaker current being very great. According to the configuration of the current or the pole characteristic:s, electrodynamic repulsion can occur on a single pair of circuit breaker contacts and it is important that this repulsion be detected by associating an arc detector with each pair of circuit breaker contacts. In the case of an optic fiber, the light emitted by any one of the circuit breaker poles can be collected by running this fiber through the various arcing compartments near the pairs of contacts, but it is conceivable to fit a detector at a location of the molded case enabling the light emitted by any one of the pairs of contacts to be seen through orifices made in the internal partitions of the molded case. Each pair of contacts can have associated with it an optic fiber transmitting the light to the processing unit.
By using light to detect contact repulsion, tripping before the contacts are separated by the effect of electrodynamic repulsion is prevented and inversely instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker is ensured as soon as repulsion of any one of the pairs of circuit breaker contacts occurs. The trip device on contact repulsion is advantageously associated, or performs in addition the usual long delay and short delay protective tripping on an overload or a fault of an amplitude lower than the circuit breaker repulsion threshold.
The solid-state trip device according to the invention comprises analog and/or digital processing circuits, the instantaneous tripping circult on contact repulsion being advantageously analog in order to ha~Te a very short response time.
Subordination of instantaneous tripping to the simultaneous presence of an arcing signal and a fault signal can be accomplished by suitable means, notably by an A~D circuit, receiving the two arcing and fault signals on its inputs.
"
'~ .
f 1 3 1 0 1 00 The solid~state trip device accoxding to the invention also provides instantaneous protection when the circuit breaker makes on a fault. In this case it is important to achieve immediate breaking of the circuit breaker, independently from the short delay and long delay tripping circuits which provide a time delay compatible with the tripping selectivity. Making on a fault automatically gives rise to an arc on the contacts which is detected by the arc detectors ancl to an overcurrent indicated by a fault signal, causing the circuit breaker to break. The device according to the invention advantageously replaces time-delayed contacts which inhibit the instantaneous trip device after a certain time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. ~
Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example only and represented in the accompanying drawing in which the sin~le figure represents the block diagram of a trip device according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
_ In the figure, an electrical power distribution system with 3 conductors R, S, T, supplying a load (not shown) comprises a circuit breaker 10 capable of interrupting the circuit in the break position. The mechanism 12 of the circuit breaker 10 is controled by a polarized relay 14 controling tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of an overload or short-circuit occurring. An auxiliary contact 16, associated with the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, of the circuit breaker 10 indicates the position o~ these main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T. Each conductor R, S, T has associated with it a current transformer 18 which 131~0~
delivers a signal proportional to the current flowing in the associated conductor, this si~nal being applied to a full-wave rectifier bridge 20. The outputs of the 3 rectifier bridges 20 are connected in series in a circuit comprising a resistor Z2, a zener diode 24 and a diode 26 to produce at the terminals of the resistor 22 a voltage signal proportional to the maximum value of the current flowing in the conductors R, S, T, and at the terminals of the diode 24, a voltage supplying the electronic circuits. The voltage signal is applied to the input of the amplifier 28, whose output is connected to an analog to digital converter 30. The output of the analog to digital converter 30 is connected to an input l of a microprocessor 32. The micro-processor 32 comprises in addition an output 2 connected to the polarized relay 14, an input 3 receiving the si~nals rom a clock 34, an input 4 connected to a keypad 36 with keys 44, an input 6 connected to a read-only memory ROM 38, an input-output 5 connected to a random access memory NOVRAM 40, an output 7 connected to a display device 42 and an input 8 connected to the auxiliary contact 16.
The trip device according to figure l performs the protection function, notably long delay tripping and/or short delay tripping respectively when an overload or fault occur in the circuit of the conductors R, S, To The digital signal representative of the maximum value of the current in the conductors R, S, T, is applied to the input l of the micro-processor 32 and compared with threshold values stored in a memory to detect any overshoot of these thresholds and generate a delayed or instantaneous tripping order, which is transmitted to the relay 14 to bring about opening of the circuit breaker 10. The trip device can naturally perform other functions, notably earth protection. A trip device of -the kind mentioned is well-known to those specialized in the art and is ~or example described in the Canadian Pat. Appln. No. 543,373 filed on July 30, 1987, which should be reerred to advantageously.
; ;; ~ , . . .
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The invention can be used in any solid-state trip device and is in no way limited to the trip device of the type described hereabove. To give a non-restrictive example, the current detection means can comprise current sensors supplying analog signals representa-tive of the current derivative di/dt and whose output is connected to integrating circuits, the output signals from the integrating circuits being transmitted to the micro-processor via an analog to digital converter. The solid-state trip device can also be of the analog type. According to the present invention, the circuit breaker lO comprises an enclosure of the molded case type inside which the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, of the three circuit breaker poles are disposed. The three poles R, S, T are separated by walls defining internal compartments of the molded case and each pole has associated with it an arc detector 46R, 46S, 46T located in proximity to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T. The light collected by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T is transmitted by an optic fiber 48 to a photoelectric component 50 ~hich emits an electrical signal proportional to the light collected, this electrical signal being applied to an input of an AND circuit 52. The other gate of the AND circuit 52 is connected to a threshold circuit 54 connected to the output of the amplifier 28~ The output of the AND circuit 52 is connected via a diode 56 to the polarized relay 14. A diode 58 is inserted in the connection between the output 2 of the microprocessor 32 and the polarized relay 14 to avoid any interference between the tripping signals applied to the polarized relay 14, respectively by the microprocessor 32 and by the instantaneous arc repulsion tripping circuit.
The solid-state trip device according to the invention operates as follows ~
When an overload or fault occurs, the microprocessor 32 causes the circuit breaker 10 to trip in the usual manner, with a 1 3 1 0 ~ 0~
possible time delay. The separation of the contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, causes light to be emitted, detected by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T, and transmitted by the optic fiber 48 to the photoelectric component 50 which applies a signal to the AND
eireuit 52. This AND eircuit 52, which receives a fault signal on its other input, sends a superfluous tripping order to the polarized relay 14, the latter having already brought about tripping of the eircuit breaker 10, This additional order does not disturb operation of the trip de!viee.
In the event of a short~eireuit eurrent of high intensity greater than the repulsion threshold of the contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, or of any one of these eontaets, the latter separate with formation of an are deteeted by the sensors 46R, 46S, 46T~ The areing signal applied to the AND eireuit 52, which at the same time reeeives the fault signal transmitted by the amplifier 28 and the threshold eircuit 54, generates a tripping order transmitted to the polarized relay 14. This tripping takes place instantaneously and causes the eontacts of the circuit breaker 10 to open immediately avoiding any intermediate position of the eontaets liable to cause overheating and damage to the eireuit breaker. The deteetors 46R, 46S, 46T loeated inside the molded ease are shielded from the outside light and there is no risk of them eausing spurious trips. They do however detect sparks or arcs occurring on the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, when normal make or break operations of the eircuit breaker 10 are performed, notably by manual control, but the arcing signal is blocked by the AND gate 52, which does not receive a fault signal on its other input. Any spurious tripplng and re-opening of the circuit breaker 10 is thus avoided and instantaneous tripping takes place only when repulsion of the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T occurs. The short delay and long delay tripping thresholds can be selected close to the contact repulsion threshold, any operator error being excluded by the arc deteetion device aceording to the invention.
:; ' ' . ' ': ' , Inhibition of the instantaneous tripping arcing signal can of course be achieved by different means, notably by overload detectors independent from the sensors controling the short delay and long delay tripping. The light conductor can be an optic fiber made of plastic material whose end close to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T is bared over a short length to pick up the arc light, the bared end of the fiber constituting the arc detector. Three independent fibers can of course be used, eac~
one associated with one of the pairs of contacts, these three fibers controling the light-sensitive electronic component 50 which can for example be a photodiode or a phototransistor. The bared end of the optic fiber 48 which constitutes the arc detector is preferably located in a zone shielded from the pollution due to the arc, or this end is arranged in such a way that it is cleaned by any appropriate means, for example mechanical, each time the circuit breaker operates.
The instantaneous arc detection trip device according to the invention can naturally be used in different types of standard trip devices, notably of the analog typeO
The trip device according to the invention also provides instantaneous protection in the following way when the circuit breaker makes on a fault :
When the circuit breaker 10 makes on a fault, an arc occurs on the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T and this arc is detected by the detectors 46R, 46S, 46T which emit an arcing signal applied to the AND gate 52. As making takes place on a fault, the fault current is detected by the circuit 54 which sends a fault signal to the AND gate causing instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker 10. In normal operation, the detectors 46R, 46S, 46T do not emit any signal and only the long delay and short delay trip devices provide protection.
, The invention is naturally in no way limlted to the embodiment particularly described hereabove.
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The contacts of an electrical circuit breaker must open cleanly to avoid any intermediate contact repulsion position, the contacts nevertheless being insufficiently separated for the arc drawn between the contacts to be extinguished. continuance of the arc between -the partially open contacts causes overheating and damage to the circuit breaker. Repulsion o~ the contacts takes place due -to the effect of the electrodynamic forces when the curren-t exceeds a present repulsion threshold, this threshold depending on the configura-tion oE the current in the circuit breaker and on the pole setting characteristics.
To be sure that a circuit breaker does not remain in an intermediate con-tact repulsion position, the tripping threshold on a fault is generally set to a value lower than ; that of the repulsion threshold. It is difficult and costly to achieve circuit breakers having perfectly defined repulsion and tripping thresholds, and to make up for these inaccuracies a tripping threshold 20 to 50% lower than the repulsion threshold is frequently selec-ted, which results in a considerable loss of selectivity.
The object of the present invention is -to achieve a trip device whose tripping threshold and the repulsion threshold are the same.
~nother object of the invention is to achieve a -trip device .
., l3lnl00 providing instantaneous tripping when the circuit breaker makes on a fault.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a solid-state trip device of a molded case electrical circuit breaker having per pole a pair of contacts elastically urged into contact in the closed position of the circuit breaker and an automatic operating mechanism on a fault, capable of causing the separation of the contacts, comprising sensors, which generate fault signals which are a function of the currents flowing in the conductors protected by the circuit breaker, a processing unit to which the fault signals are applied to generate a circuit breaker tripping order, when preset thresholds are exceeded, the order being time-delayed according to the value of -the fault signals, and an arc detector associated with each pair of contacts to detect the light emitted by the arc drawn when the contacts separate, the arcing signals emitted by the arc detectors being applied to the processing unit to bring about instantaneous tripping when at the same time the fault signals exceed the preset threshold.
Any separation of the contacts, notably by electrodynamic repulsion forces~ causes a spark or an arc to form emitting a light which can easily be detected by optic sensors such as photoelectric components which are preferably located away from the arcing zone and connected to the latter by ~ight conductors such as optic fibers. By locating, according to the invention, the arc sensors or detectors inside the molded case, disturbances due to outside light are avoided in a particularly simple manner. Subjecting instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker to the ~ 2a -simultaneous presence of an arcing signal and of a fault signal preven-ts spurious trippiny due to the arcs drawn between the contacts when normal circuit breaker make and break operations are per~ormed. It can easil.y be understood that detection of an arc and detection o~ a fault current do not require any great accuracy, the light emitted by the arc being -~ 3 ~ Q
superabundant and the difference between a current capable of causing repulsion of the contacts and the rated circuit breaker current being very great. According to the configuration of the current or the pole characteristic:s, electrodynamic repulsion can occur on a single pair of circuit breaker contacts and it is important that this repulsion be detected by associating an arc detector with each pair of circuit breaker contacts. In the case of an optic fiber, the light emitted by any one of the circuit breaker poles can be collected by running this fiber through the various arcing compartments near the pairs of contacts, but it is conceivable to fit a detector at a location of the molded case enabling the light emitted by any one of the pairs of contacts to be seen through orifices made in the internal partitions of the molded case. Each pair of contacts can have associated with it an optic fiber transmitting the light to the processing unit.
By using light to detect contact repulsion, tripping before the contacts are separated by the effect of electrodynamic repulsion is prevented and inversely instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker is ensured as soon as repulsion of any one of the pairs of circuit breaker contacts occurs. The trip device on contact repulsion is advantageously associated, or performs in addition the usual long delay and short delay protective tripping on an overload or a fault of an amplitude lower than the circuit breaker repulsion threshold.
The solid-state trip device according to the invention comprises analog and/or digital processing circuits, the instantaneous tripping circult on contact repulsion being advantageously analog in order to ha~Te a very short response time.
Subordination of instantaneous tripping to the simultaneous presence of an arcing signal and a fault signal can be accomplished by suitable means, notably by an A~D circuit, receiving the two arcing and fault signals on its inputs.
"
'~ .
f 1 3 1 0 1 00 The solid~state trip device accoxding to the invention also provides instantaneous protection when the circuit breaker makes on a fault. In this case it is important to achieve immediate breaking of the circuit breaker, independently from the short delay and long delay tripping circuits which provide a time delay compatible with the tripping selectivity. Making on a fault automatically gives rise to an arc on the contacts which is detected by the arc detectors ancl to an overcurrent indicated by a fault signal, causing the circuit breaker to break. The device according to the invention advantageously replaces time-delayed contacts which inhibit the instantaneous trip device after a certain time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. ~
Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example only and represented in the accompanying drawing in which the sin~le figure represents the block diagram of a trip device according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
_ In the figure, an electrical power distribution system with 3 conductors R, S, T, supplying a load (not shown) comprises a circuit breaker 10 capable of interrupting the circuit in the break position. The mechanism 12 of the circuit breaker 10 is controled by a polarized relay 14 controling tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of an overload or short-circuit occurring. An auxiliary contact 16, associated with the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, of the circuit breaker 10 indicates the position o~ these main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T. Each conductor R, S, T has associated with it a current transformer 18 which 131~0~
delivers a signal proportional to the current flowing in the associated conductor, this si~nal being applied to a full-wave rectifier bridge 20. The outputs of the 3 rectifier bridges 20 are connected in series in a circuit comprising a resistor Z2, a zener diode 24 and a diode 26 to produce at the terminals of the resistor 22 a voltage signal proportional to the maximum value of the current flowing in the conductors R, S, T, and at the terminals of the diode 24, a voltage supplying the electronic circuits. The voltage signal is applied to the input of the amplifier 28, whose output is connected to an analog to digital converter 30. The output of the analog to digital converter 30 is connected to an input l of a microprocessor 32. The micro-processor 32 comprises in addition an output 2 connected to the polarized relay 14, an input 3 receiving the si~nals rom a clock 34, an input 4 connected to a keypad 36 with keys 44, an input 6 connected to a read-only memory ROM 38, an input-output 5 connected to a random access memory NOVRAM 40, an output 7 connected to a display device 42 and an input 8 connected to the auxiliary contact 16.
The trip device according to figure l performs the protection function, notably long delay tripping and/or short delay tripping respectively when an overload or fault occur in the circuit of the conductors R, S, To The digital signal representative of the maximum value of the current in the conductors R, S, T, is applied to the input l of the micro-processor 32 and compared with threshold values stored in a memory to detect any overshoot of these thresholds and generate a delayed or instantaneous tripping order, which is transmitted to the relay 14 to bring about opening of the circuit breaker 10. The trip device can naturally perform other functions, notably earth protection. A trip device of -the kind mentioned is well-known to those specialized in the art and is ~or example described in the Canadian Pat. Appln. No. 543,373 filed on July 30, 1987, which should be reerred to advantageously.
; ;; ~ , . . .
.
The invention can be used in any solid-state trip device and is in no way limited to the trip device of the type described hereabove. To give a non-restrictive example, the current detection means can comprise current sensors supplying analog signals representa-tive of the current derivative di/dt and whose output is connected to integrating circuits, the output signals from the integrating circuits being transmitted to the micro-processor via an analog to digital converter. The solid-state trip device can also be of the analog type. According to the present invention, the circuit breaker lO comprises an enclosure of the molded case type inside which the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, of the three circuit breaker poles are disposed. The three poles R, S, T are separated by walls defining internal compartments of the molded case and each pole has associated with it an arc detector 46R, 46S, 46T located in proximity to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T. The light collected by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T is transmitted by an optic fiber 48 to a photoelectric component 50 ~hich emits an electrical signal proportional to the light collected, this electrical signal being applied to an input of an AND circuit 52. The other gate of the AND circuit 52 is connected to a threshold circuit 54 connected to the output of the amplifier 28~ The output of the AND circuit 52 is connected via a diode 56 to the polarized relay 14. A diode 58 is inserted in the connection between the output 2 of the microprocessor 32 and the polarized relay 14 to avoid any interference between the tripping signals applied to the polarized relay 14, respectively by the microprocessor 32 and by the instantaneous arc repulsion tripping circuit.
The solid-state trip device according to the invention operates as follows ~
When an overload or fault occurs, the microprocessor 32 causes the circuit breaker 10 to trip in the usual manner, with a 1 3 1 0 ~ 0~
possible time delay. The separation of the contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, causes light to be emitted, detected by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T, and transmitted by the optic fiber 48 to the photoelectric component 50 which applies a signal to the AND
eireuit 52. This AND eircuit 52, which receives a fault signal on its other input, sends a superfluous tripping order to the polarized relay 14, the latter having already brought about tripping of the eircuit breaker 10, This additional order does not disturb operation of the trip de!viee.
In the event of a short~eireuit eurrent of high intensity greater than the repulsion threshold of the contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, or of any one of these eontaets, the latter separate with formation of an are deteeted by the sensors 46R, 46S, 46T~ The areing signal applied to the AND eireuit 52, which at the same time reeeives the fault signal transmitted by the amplifier 28 and the threshold eircuit 54, generates a tripping order transmitted to the polarized relay 14. This tripping takes place instantaneously and causes the eontacts of the circuit breaker 10 to open immediately avoiding any intermediate position of the eontaets liable to cause overheating and damage to the eireuit breaker. The deteetors 46R, 46S, 46T loeated inside the molded ease are shielded from the outside light and there is no risk of them eausing spurious trips. They do however detect sparks or arcs occurring on the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T, when normal make or break operations of the eircuit breaker 10 are performed, notably by manual control, but the arcing signal is blocked by the AND gate 52, which does not receive a fault signal on its other input. Any spurious tripplng and re-opening of the circuit breaker 10 is thus avoided and instantaneous tripping takes place only when repulsion of the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T occurs. The short delay and long delay tripping thresholds can be selected close to the contact repulsion threshold, any operator error being excluded by the arc deteetion device aceording to the invention.
:; ' ' . ' ': ' , Inhibition of the instantaneous tripping arcing signal can of course be achieved by different means, notably by overload detectors independent from the sensors controling the short delay and long delay tripping. The light conductor can be an optic fiber made of plastic material whose end close to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T is bared over a short length to pick up the arc light, the bared end of the fiber constituting the arc detector. Three independent fibers can of course be used, eac~
one associated with one of the pairs of contacts, these three fibers controling the light-sensitive electronic component 50 which can for example be a photodiode or a phototransistor. The bared end of the optic fiber 48 which constitutes the arc detector is preferably located in a zone shielded from the pollution due to the arc, or this end is arranged in such a way that it is cleaned by any appropriate means, for example mechanical, each time the circuit breaker operates.
The instantaneous arc detection trip device according to the invention can naturally be used in different types of standard trip devices, notably of the analog typeO
The trip device according to the invention also provides instantaneous protection in the following way when the circuit breaker makes on a fault :
When the circuit breaker 10 makes on a fault, an arc occurs on the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T and this arc is detected by the detectors 46R, 46S, 46T which emit an arcing signal applied to the AND gate 52. As making takes place on a fault, the fault current is detected by the circuit 54 which sends a fault signal to the AND gate causing instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker 10. In normal operation, the detectors 46R, 46S, 46T do not emit any signal and only the long delay and short delay trip devices provide protection.
, The invention is naturally in no way limlted to the embodiment particularly described hereabove.
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Claims (6)
1. A solid-state trip device of a molded case electrical circuit breaker having per pole a pair of contacts elastically urged into contact in the closed position of the circuit breaker and an automatic operating mechanism on a fault, capable of causing the separation of said contacts, comprising sensors, which generate fault signals which are a function of the currents flowing in the conductors protected by the circuit breaker, a processing unit to which said fault signals are applied to generate a circuit breaker tripping order, when preset thresholds are exceeded, said order being time-delayed according to the value of the fault signals, and an arc detector associated with each pair of contacts to detect the light emitted by the arc drawn when the contacts separate, the arcing signals emitted by said arc detectors being applied to said processing unit to bring about instantaneous tripping when at the same time the fault signals exceed said preset threshold.
2. The solid-state trip device according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit performs, in addition to said instantaneous trip, a long delay and short delay tripping function.
3. The solid-state trip device according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises an AND circuit to whose inputs the fault tripping order and the arc tripping order are respectively applied.
4. The solid-state trip device according to claim 1, wherein said arc detectors are formed by a bared end of an optic fiber transmitting light from the arcing zone of the circuit breaker to said processing unit.
5. The solid-state trip device according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises a light-sensitive electronic component connected to the arcing zone of the circuit breaker by one or more light conductors.
6. The solid-state trip device according to claim 1, wherein the instantaneous trip processing unit is an analog circuit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8714084A FR2621748B1 (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1987-10-09 | STATIC TRIGGER OF A MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER |
| FR8714084 | 1987-10-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1310100C true CA1310100C (en) | 1992-11-10 |
Family
ID=9355747
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000579275A Expired - Fee Related CA1310100C (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-10-04 | Solid-state trip device of a molded case circuit breaker |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4878144A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0313422B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2705952B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1018878B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1310100C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3870397D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2032039T3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2621748B1 (en) |
| SG (1) | SG134592G (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA887426B (en) |
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-
1987
- 1987-10-09 FR FR8714084A patent/FR2621748B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1988
- 1988-09-19 DE DE8888402357T patent/DE3870397D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-09-19 EP EP88402357A patent/EP0313422B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-09-19 ES ES198888402357T patent/ES2032039T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-09-29 US US07/250,761 patent/US4878144A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-10-04 ZA ZA887426A patent/ZA887426B/en unknown
- 1988-10-04 CA CA000579275A patent/CA1310100C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-10-05 CN CN88105639A patent/CN1018878B/en not_active Expired
- 1988-10-07 JP JP63253676A patent/JP2705952B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-12-30 SG SG1345/92A patent/SG134592G/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1018878B (en) | 1992-10-28 |
| FR2621748B1 (en) | 1996-07-05 |
| ZA887426B (en) | 1989-06-28 |
| CN1034639A (en) | 1989-08-09 |
| DE3870397D1 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
| SG134592G (en) | 1993-03-12 |
| US4878144A (en) | 1989-10-31 |
| ES2032039T3 (en) | 1993-01-01 |
| JPH01126129A (en) | 1989-05-18 |
| EP0313422A1 (en) | 1989-04-26 |
| EP0313422B1 (en) | 1992-04-22 |
| FR2621748A1 (en) | 1989-04-14 |
| JP2705952B2 (en) | 1998-01-28 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |