Auxiliary multipolar device for testing electrical instruments
View Patent ↗An auxiliary multipolar device for testing electrical instruments including a test block (DAPRE) and a test paddle (DIPSE), configurable from 4 to 36 poles, with auxiliary contacts that detect the insertion of the paddle into the block, and a mechanism to activate the short-circuiting of the currents of the primary equipment and to open the contacts on the instrument side independently and uninterruptedly, where the contacts reduce their resistance, the thermal power dissipated, and prolong their useful life, reducing the friction caused by the movement of the tooth of the paddle. The device has a self-locking activation system, which is deactivated by one or more triggers, allowing the insertion and extraction of the paddle in discrete steps, to produce the operating sequence of the contacts, preventing involuntary operations and allowing tests to be performed reliably.
1 . A multipolar auxiliary testing device for electrical instruments comprising:
a modular set of dielectric containers housing electrical contacts configured to interrupt control and potential signals, and short-circuit and interrupt current signals between a primary electrical system and associated measuring, control or protection instruments, the device including rear screw terminals and a front frame with windows for insertion of a test blade (paddle);
wherein each current-signal contact assembly comprises a primary-side terminal, an instrument-side terminal, a flexible conductor, and an independent short-circuit arm configured to engage a rigid conductive short-circuit bridge bar prior to separation of the main contacts;
wherein all contact terminals are biased toward the paddle corridor by torsion springs that maintain mechanical and electrical engagement with the paddle tooth profile until displaced;
wherein the dielectric containers include dielectric walls defining independent insulating chambers dimensioned to provide at least 2500-V insulation between adjacent poles;
the paddle is inserted in discrete linear steps by linear ratchet elements formed by ratchet teeth engageable with a locking bolt mounted in the block;
manual trigger levers, mechanically coupled by a square rod extending across the paddle, are configured to release each discrete step by disengaging the corresponding ratchet tooth from the locking bolt; and
the ratchet elements include bidirectional locking teeth configured to prevent forward or reverse movement of the paddle while the locking bolt remains engaged within a ratchet slot.
2 . The multipolar auxiliary testing device of claim 1 , wherein each contact terminal includes a bimetallic rivet comprising a silver head defining the contact surface and a rivet shank extending through the terminal, the shank being secured by a deformed closing head that mechanically anchors the rivet within the copper terminal.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the paddle comprises alternating paddle-A and paddle-B container modules defining cavities for housing signal teeth, each signal tooth being connected by the flexible conductor to a cylindrical terminal that is completely contained within an insulating window and centered by internal reliefs, the cylindrical terminal being configured to receive a banana-type external connector.
4 . The multipolar auxiliary testing device of claim 1 , wherein the paddle includes alternating modules forming cavities for housing signal teeth, each tooth being connected by the flexible conductor to a cylindrical terminal fully contained within an insulating window and centered by internal relief features, the terminal being configured to receive a banana-type connector.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein sequential insertion and anchoring of the paddle is produced by linear ratchet elements whose ratchet teeth define bidirectional locking engagement with the locking bolt, and release of each discrete step is provided by manual trigger levers mounted on both ends of the paddle and mechanically coupled by a square rod.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each current-signal assembly includes an independent short-circuit arm having a U-shaped geometry mounted on an embedded pivot pin, the arm being biased by the torsion spring and configured to perform a combined linear and rotational movement toward the short-circuit bridge bar such that the short-circuit occurs prior to opening of the main current terminals.