EP0189887B1 - Closing delay arrangement for current limiting circuit breaker contacts - Google Patents

Closing delay arrangement for current limiting circuit breaker contacts Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0189887B1
EP0189887B1 EP86101066A EP86101066A EP0189887B1 EP 0189887 B1 EP0189887 B1 EP 0189887B1 EP 86101066 A EP86101066 A EP 86101066A EP 86101066 A EP86101066 A EP 86101066A EP 0189887 B1 EP0189887 B1 EP 0189887B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact arm
contact
ratchet
pin
arm
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
Application number
EP86101066A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0189887A3 (en
EP0189887A2 (en
Inventor
Claudio Banfi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CGE Generale Elettromeccanica SpA
Original Assignee
CGE Generale Elettromeccanica SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CGE Generale Elettromeccanica SpA filed Critical CGE Generale Elettromeccanica SpA
Priority to AT86101066T priority Critical patent/ATE71474T1/de
Publication of EP0189887A2 publication Critical patent/EP0189887A2/en
Publication of EP0189887A3 publication Critical patent/EP0189887A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0189887B1 publication Critical patent/EP0189887B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H77/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting
    • H01H77/02—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism
    • H01H77/10—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening
    • H01H77/102—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by special mounting of contact arm, allowing blow-off movement
    • H01H77/104—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by special mounting of contact arm, allowing blow-off movement with a stable blow-off position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H7/00—Devices for introducing a predetermined time delay between the initiation of the switching operation and the opening or closing of the contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H75/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of power reset mechanism
    • H01H75/02—Details
    • H01H75/04—Reset mechanisms for automatically reclosing a limited number of times

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for preventing the transitory reclosing of the contacts of a current limiting circuit breaker after opening by a electrodynamic repulsion caused by a short circuit current before the current is extinguished. Interruption of short circuit currents can be due to two distinct causes: namely, a transitory rapid contact separation, or by the positive operation of the circuit breaker trip mechanism to hold the contacts open indefinitely.
  • the two arms bearing the contacts are free to separate due to electrodynamic repulsion under intense short circuit currents. Opening of the contacts is subsequently completed by the circuit breaker operating mechanism,if the short circuit current is maintained for a time long enough to articulate the operating mechanism.
  • the high separation speed of the contacts necessary to provide the current limitation can result in a rebound of the contacts upon separation resulting in a transitory reclosing of the contacts before the operating mechanism has had sufficient time to operate.
  • the short circuit occurence is shorter than the response time of the operating mechanism, there is no need to open the contacts indefinitely. It is important however, to ensure continuity of circuit current in the absence of a real fault condition. With 3-phase loads protected by 3-pole breakers, it is essential to prevent a single-phase transitory short circuit occurrence from opening only one pole of the breaker, resulting in a dangerous condition known as "single phasing".
  • the purpose of this invention is to delay reclosing of the circuit breaker contacts, after a short circuit interruption, for a period of time sufficient to allow the operating mechanism to open the contacts indefinitely providing that the short circuit lasts for a time longer than the reclosing delay.
  • the invention consists essentially of a contact delay arrangement wherein a first contact arm bearing a first contact and a second contact arm bearing a second contact are both free to rotate around their respective pivot pins, the first pivot pin being connected to a contact arm support cam which is driven by the circuit breaker operating mechanism, the second pivot pin being housed in a contact arm support, the contacts being held closed by a pair of springs and being separated by means of electrodynamic repulsion upon the occurrence of a short circuit, said delay arrangement being characterized in that: it includes a spring loaded ratchet for locking the second contact arm by engaging a pawl pin attached to the second contact arm when the arm is driven by electrodynamic repulsion toward a stops to prevent the arm from returning to a closed position after striking against the step; a release lever releasing the ratchet through driving a bottom bumper of the release lever against a pin extending through the bottom of the spring loaded ratchet, thereby moving the ratchet out of engagement with the pawl pin and thereby allowing the second contact arm
  • the ratchet is characterized by a pivot pin, around which it can rotate, by a detent engaging the corresponding pin of the second contact arm by said pin drivable by the bottom of said release lever and by a spring driving the detent of said ratchet causing it to engage the pawl pin of the second contact arm.
  • the release lever is characterized by a pin pivotally supported by a pair of sockets formed in an insulating hood that surrounds both the contact arm support as well as part of the second arm; by the top bumper in the nature of a reinforced upper extension designed to receive both the post attached to the first contact arm, and the rear surface of the cam upon operation of the breaker operating mechanism and by the bottom bumper comprising a reinforced lower extension designed to contact the ratchet pin to release the ratchet, thereby unlocking the second contact arm.
  • the ratchet locking the second contact arm and the release lever are formed by two members arranged one on each side of the second contact arm and spanning the width of the arm itself.
  • the delay arrangement 9 is shown in the figures with a contact arm 10 and a contact arm 12 carrying contacts 14, 16 held in a closed position by springs 18 and 20 respectively.
  • the contact arm 10 rotates about a pin 22 supported by an operating cam 24 which, in turn rotates around an operating shaft 26 fitted with a post 28 to which a force represtend by an arrow 30 is applied when it is desired to cause cam 24 to rotate the shaft 26 for moving the contact arm 10 into the fully open position shown in fig. 3.
  • the contact arm 12 rotates around a pin 32 captured within an elongated slot 34 formed in the contact am support 36. Also mounted on the contact arm support is a double ratchet 38, one on each side of the contact arm, only one of which is shown for purposes of clarity.
  • the ratchet 38 rotates around a pin 40 through the contact arm support and has a detent 42 formed at the end opposite pin 40 which engages a post or pawl pin 44 attached to the contact arm 12.
  • a pin 46 attached to the bottom of ratchet 38 is captured within radial slot 48 formed in the side of support 36 and is biased upwards within the slot by a compression spring 50 which is captured between the bottom of the ratchet 38 and the bottom circuit breaker support 52.
  • a projection 54 is formed on each side of the contact arm support 36 for engaging the post 44 on contact arm 12 to stop movement of the arm against the bias exerted by spring 20.
  • the whole contact arm support 36 is enclosed within an insulating hood 56 fitted with a cover 58.
  • the cover 58 is provided with a hole on either side of the contact arm 12 to receive a pair of pins 60 formed on the exterior surface of a pair of release levers 62.
  • One lever is arranged on each side of the contact arm and both levers are provided with top and bottom reinforced bumpers 64, 66.
  • the reinforced bumper 64 is engaged by a pest 68 extending from both sides of contact arm 10, as shown in fig. 2, or by the rear surface 78 of the cam 24, as shown in fig. 3.
  • cam 24 has a notch 70 formed on a bottom surface for receiving the post 68, as indicated in phantom at 68a, during opening of the contact arm under repulsion due to short circuit current as indicated in phantom at 10a.
  • An extension 72 on the top of cam 24 serves as a support for the spring 18 which is associated with contact arm 10.
  • a pair of stops 74, 76 limit the travel of the contact arms 10 and 12, respectively.
  • the contact arms 10, 12 move into the positions indicated in phantom as 10a and 12a, respectively.
  • Spring 18 biases contact arm 10 in a clockwise direction whereas the spring 20 biases contact arm 12 in a counter-clockwise direction to hold the respective contacts in counter-balanced relation to each other.
  • the cam 24 is rotated counter clockwise bringing its rear surface 78 against the top reinforced bumper 64 thereby driving the lever 62 clockwise and bringing the bottom reinforced bumper 66 against the pin 46 and releasing the post 44 from the detent 42.
  • the contact arm 12 returns from the position 12b to the initial position shown in figs. 1 and 3 under the urgence of the spring 20.
  • the contact arm 10 is carried by the action of the circuit breaker operating mechanism on cam 24 from the position indicated in phantom at 10b to the position against the stop 74 indicated in solid lines at 10 a which is the fully opened position of the contact 14.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
EP86101066A 1985-01-29 1986-01-27 Closing delay arrangement for current limiting circuit breaker contacts Expired EP0189887B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86101066T ATE71474T1 (de) 1985-01-29 1986-01-27 Vorrichtung zur verzoegerten schliessung fuer kontakte eines strombegrenzungs-lastschalters.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT1927985 1985-01-29
IT19279/85A IT1184864B (it) 1985-01-29 1985-01-29 Disposizione atta ad evitare e/o ritardare la richiusura di contatti in interruttori limitatori di corrente dopo un'apertura dei medesimi per repulsione

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0189887A2 EP0189887A2 (en) 1986-08-06
EP0189887A3 EP0189887A3 (en) 1989-04-05
EP0189887B1 true EP0189887B1 (en) 1992-01-08

Family

ID=11156353

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86101066A Expired EP0189887B1 (en) 1985-01-29 1986-01-27 Closing delay arrangement for current limiting circuit breaker contacts

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0189887B1 (it)
AT (1) ATE71474T1 (it)
DE (1) DE3683301D1 (it)
IT (1) IT1184864B (it)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6747532B1 (en) 2002-12-23 2004-06-08 General Electric Company Method, system and apparatus for employing neutral poles in multipole circuit breakers

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2792768B1 (fr) * 1999-04-22 2001-06-15 Schneider Electric Ind Sa Disjoncteur limiteur comportant un accumulateur d'energie auxiliaire
CN107958828B (zh) * 2016-10-17 2020-03-31 浙江正泰电器股份有限公司 断路器

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3469216A (en) * 1966-07-12 1969-09-23 Nikko Electric Mfg Co Ltd High speed current limiting circuit breaker utilizing electromagnetic repulsion
NL142271B (nl) * 1967-01-27 1974-05-15 Terasaki Denki Sangyo Kk Automatische schakelinrichting met beweegbare contactstangen openend onder invloed van elektrodynamische krachten.
US4144513A (en) * 1977-08-18 1979-03-13 Gould Inc. Anti-rebound latch for current limiting switches

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6747532B1 (en) 2002-12-23 2004-06-08 General Electric Company Method, system and apparatus for employing neutral poles in multipole circuit breakers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0189887A3 (en) 1989-04-05
DE3683301D1 (de) 1992-02-20
IT1184864B (it) 1987-10-28
EP0189887A2 (en) 1986-08-06
ATE71474T1 (de) 1992-01-15
IT8519279A0 (it) 1985-01-29

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