IP Library Granted Patent US 7,170,733
Granted Patent B2
US 7,170,733 · App. 10/451,550 · Granted Jan 30, 2007

Electric pole for low-voltage power circuit breaker

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,170,733
App. No.
10/451,550
Granted
Jan 30, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electric pole ( 1 ) for a low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker, comprising: a fixed contact ( 2 ) and a movable contact ( 3 ) that can be coupled/uncoupled with respect to each other, said fixed contact being electrically connected to a phase conductor, and a sensing unit that comprises a first section suitable to accommodate a current sensor associated with the phase conductor, the current sensor generating sensing signals that are indicative of the intensity of the electrical current that flows through the phase conductor, the sensing unit being electrically connected to a protection unit of the automatic power circuit breaker, the protection unit being suitable to receive the sensing signals and to generate control signals for actuation means operatively connected to said movable contact, and comprising at least one input section ( 14 ) provided with one or more electrical input terminals ( 141 ); whose particularity consists of the fact that the sensing unit comprises a second section ( 20 ), which is rigidly connected to the first section and is provided with one or more electrical output terminals that are electrically connected to the current sensor, the second section comprising connection means that are suitable to mechanically couple the second section to the input section of the protection unit, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of the second section and the electrical input terminals of the input section.

Claims (31)

1. An electric pole for a low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker, comprising:

a fixed contact and a movable contact that can be coupled/uncoupled with respect to each other, said fixed contact being electrically connected to a phase conductor; and

a sensing unit that comprises a first section suitable to accommodate a current sensor associated with said phase conductor,

said current sensor generating sensing signals that are indicative of the intensity of the electrical current that flows through said phase conductor,

said sensing unit being electrically connected to a protection unit of said automatic power circuit breaker,

said protection unit being suitable to receive said sensing signals and to generate control signals for actuation means operatively connected to said movable contact and comprising at least one input section provided with one or more electrical input terminals;

wherein said sensing unit comprises a second section, which is rigidly connected to said first section and is provided with one or more electrical output terminals that are electrically connected to said current sensor,

said second section comprising connection means that are suitable to mechanically couple said second section to the input section of the protection unit, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of said second section and the electrical input terminals of said input section,

wherein said connection means comprise a first connector element that comprises one or more guiding walls and a back wall from which the electrical output terminals of said second section protrude, said guiding walls and said back wall forming a first receptacle that is suitable to accommodate a second connector element of said input section, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of said second section and the electrical input terminals of said input section, in a plug-and-socket fashion.

2. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 1 , characterized in that said connection means comprise one or more auxiliary connector elements that are suitable to be accommodated in receptacles formed in said input section, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of said second section and the electrical input terminals of said input section, in a plug-and-socket fashion.

3. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 1 , characterized in that said input section accommodates additional connector elements that are preset for connection to one or more first connection elements related to sensing units applied to any phases that are not interrupted by the poles of said circuit breaker.

4. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first section and said second section are incorporated in a single containment body.

5. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 1 , characterized in that said current sensor comprises:

a magnetic core;

a primary winding; and

a secondary winding, which comprises one or more turns wound on said magnetic core, said secondary winding being electrically connected to the electrical output terminals of said second section.

6. An electric pole for a low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker, comprising:

a fixed contact and a movable contact that can be coupled/uncoupled with respect to each other, said fixed contact being electrically connected to a phase conductor; and

a sensing unit that comprises a first section suitable to accommodate a current sensor associated with said phase conductor,

said current sensor generating sensing signals that are indicative of the intensity of the electrical current that flows through said phase conductor,

said sensing unit being electrically connected to a protection unit of said automatic power circuit breaker,

said protection unit being suitable to receive said sensing signals and to generate control signals for actuation means operatively connected to said movable contact and comprising at least one input section provided with one or more electrical input terminals;

wherein said sensing unit comprises a second section, which is rigidly connected to said first section and is provided with one or more electrical output terminals that are electrically connected to said current sensor,

said second section comprising connection means that are suitable to mechanically couple said second section to the input section of the protection unit, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of said second section and the electrical input terminals of said input section,

wherein said connection means comprise one or more auxiliary connector elements that are suitable to be accommodated in receptacles formed in said input section, so as to provide a direct electrical connection between the electrical output terminals of said second section and the electrical input terminals of said input section, in a plug-and-socket fashion.

7. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 6 , characterized in that said input section accommodates additional connector elements that are preset for connection to one or more first connection elements related to sensing units applied to any phases that are not interrupted by the poles of said circuit breaker.

8. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 6 , characterized in that said first section and said second section are incorporated in a single containment body.

9. The electric pole for low-voltage automatic power circuit breaker according to claim 6 , characterized in that said current sensor comprises:

a magnetic core;

a primary winding; and

a secondary winding, which comprises one or more turns wound on said magnetic core, said secondary winding being electrically connected to the electrical output terminals of said second section.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2008
From: ABB SERVICE S.R.L.
To: ABB S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 020859/0687 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2003
From: CARRARA, OSVALDO; COLOMBO, SEVERINO
To: ABB SERVICE S.R.L.
Reel/Frame 014526/0657 →