Actuator circuit for control of circuit breaker
The invention relates to an actuator circuit for actuating a circuit breaker controller, the circuit being characterized in that it comprises two branches in parallel between two terminals and in that the first branch includes only a first coil; the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit.
1. An actuator circuit for actuating a circuit breaker controller, the circuit comprising:
two branches in parallel between two terminals, wherein:
the first branch includes only a first coil; and
the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first coil, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit and a diode connected in parallel to the second coil,
wherein the switch circuit comprises a bipolar transistor, wherein a collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to one terminal of a first resistor, another terminal of the first resistor is connected to a first terminal of the two terminals, an emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a second terminal of the two terminals, and a base of the bipolar transistor is connected to an anode of a Zener diode, wherein a cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a capacitor and a second resistor connected in parallel to each other and to the second terminal, and wherein the cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a third resistor connected to the first terminal.
2. An actuator circuit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the switch circuit is adapted to limit the strength of the current flowing in the second coil-and to open the second branch after a predetermined time period, after a potential difference has been applied between the two terminals.
3. An actuator circuit according to claim 1 wherein:
the switch includes a component selected from a field-effect transistor, an NPN junction transistor, a thyristor, and a mechanical relay.
4. An actuator circuit according to claim 3 , wherein:
the switch is a field-effect transistor, wherein the collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to a gate of the field-effect transistor.
5. An actuator circuit according to claim 1 wherein: the first and the second coils are wound around a single core.
6. An actuator circuit according to claim 1 , wherein an anode of the diode is connected to the switch and a cathode of the diode is connected to one of the terminals.
7. A circuit breaker controller comprising an actuator circuit having two branches in parallel between two terminals wherein:
the first branch includes only a first coil; and
the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first coil, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit and a diode connected in parallel to the second coil, wherein an anode of the diode is connected to the switch and a cathode of the diode is connected to one of the terminals,
wherein the switch circuit comprises a bipolar transistor, wherein a collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to one terminal of a first resistor, another terminal of the first resistor is connected to a first terminal of the two terminals, an emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a second terminal of the two terminals, and a base of the bipolar transistor is connected to an anode of a Zener diode, wherein a cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a capacitor and a second resistor connected in parallel to each other and to the second terminal, and wherein the cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a third resistor connected to the first terminal.
8. A circuit breaker comprising a controller provided with an actuator circuit having two branches in parallel between two terminals wherein:
the first branch includes only a first coil; and
the second branch includes a second coil having impedance that is lower than the first coil, in series with a switch controlled by a switch circuit and a diode connected in parallel to the second coil, wherein an anode of the diode is connected to the switch and a cathode of the diode is connected to one of the terminals,
wherein the switch circuit comprises a bipolar transistor, wherein a collector of the bipolar transistor is connected to one terminal of a first resistor, another terminal of the first resistor is connected to a first terminal of the two terminals, an emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a second terminal of the two terminals, and a base of the bipolar transistor is connected to an anode of a Zener diode, wherein a cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a capacitor and a second resistor connected in parallel to each other and to the second terminal, and wherein the cathode of the Zener diode is connected to a third resistor connected to the first terminal.