Patent EA-001449-B1 (EA)
Title: Device for indicating an electrical fault in a breaking device such as a differential switch
Inventor: BURNOT CLAUDE
IPC: H01H73/12
Filed: 1998-08-24
Abstract: 1. A device for indicating an electrical fault in a breaking device such as a differential switch comprising: - a pair of separable contacts per pole, in electrical connection with a pair of connection terminals, - a contact operating mechanism, comprising a handle connected by a mechanical transmission link to a drive part of the contacts, - a trip device comprising a means for detecting an electrical fault and a tripping means such as an electromagnet able to bring about opening of the contacts when automatic tripping occurs following a fault, and - a means for indicating the tripped state of the switchgear apparatus, comprising an indicator able to occupy either a first inactive stable position or a second active stable position indicating the fault due to the action of the electromagnet, characterized in that it comprises a means (3), driven by the handle (2), for holding the indicator in the above-mentioned second position against the action of a means (10, 12) for returning said indicator (5) to the first position, so as to store the tripping information until a closing operation of the apparatus is performed. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator (5) is driven positively by the electromagnet (11) between the two above-mentioned positions. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above-mentioned tripping means (11) is an electromagnet with a plunger core (8) and the indicator (5) is driven positively by the plunger core (8) between the two above-mentioned positions. 4. The device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the indicator (5) is mounted rotating around a fixed axis (9) of the apparatus, is connected in articulated manner via one of its ends to the core (8) of the electromagnet (11), and cooperates via its other end with the means (3) for holding the indicator (5). 5. The device according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicator (5) is articulated around a fixed axis (9) of the apparatus, and comprises a first end (5a) cooperating with the means for holding (3) and a second end (5b) connected to the core (8) of the electromagnet (11), in such a way that the indicator (5) is driven by the core (8) in the tripping direction and moves in rotation with respect to said core when resetting of the latter takes place. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the indicator (5) comprises in addition a spring (12) able to return the indicator (5) to the rest position after the apparatus has been reset. 7. The device according to any one of the claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the indicating means M comprises a spring (6) fitted between the slide rack (3) and the case and able to return the slide rack (3) to the rest position when resetting of the apparatus takes place. 8. The device according to any one of the claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the handle (2) comprises a spigot (4) designed to operate in conjunction with the slide rack (3) so as it drive it after a certain travel when automatic tripping takes place, and not to drive it during a closing operation. 9. The device according to any one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the indicator (5) comprises a spigot (14) operating in conjunction with a material clearance (15) arranged in the slide rack (3). 10. The device according to any one of the claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the indicator (5), on the side where the slide rack (3) is situated, comprises a flag (16) designed to cooperate with a window (13) provided in the case. 11. A switchgear apparatus equipped with a device according to any one of the foregoing claims. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it has an auxiliary source. 13. A differential circuit breaker according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in that the device is used to detect an insulation fault.