Circuit breaker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10685803-B2
Application number	US-201715685025-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 24, 2017
Priority date	Oct 26, 2016
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

A circuit breaker is for interrupting an electric circuit if settable protective parameters are exceeded. In an embodiment, the circuit breaker includes an electronic trip unit, in which the set protective parameters are stored, with a movable sealing pane, which covers at least part of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker further includes a sensor with which a first state of the sealing pane can be ascertained. The electronic trip unit is designed such that changes to the protective parameters are accepted by the electronic trip unit only in the first state of the sealing pane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A circuit breaker capable of interrupting an electric circuit in response to protective parameters being exceeded, comprising:
an electronic trip unit, to store a set of the protective parameters; and
a movable sealing pane, to cover at least part of the circuit breaker; and
a sensor, to ascertain a first state of the sealing pane, the electronic trip unit being designed such that changes to the stored set of protective parameters are accepted by the electronic trip unit only in the first state of the sealing pane.

2. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the electronic trip unit comprises a memory and a control unit, connectable to the sensor and designed such that a change to the set of protective parameters in the memory, via the control unit, is granted only in the first state of the sealing pane.

3. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sealing pane is configured to cover at least part of the electronic trip unit.

4. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the sealing pane is transparent or is made of transparent material.

5. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is arranged in the electronic trip unit.

6. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein a sensor unit is provided, to ascertain parameters of the electric circuit and is connectable to the electronic trip unit, and wherein a contact unit is provided, connectable to the electronic trip unit and configured to interrupt the electric circuit by way of electrical contacts.

7. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the set of protective parameters include at least one of current values and current-time limit values.

8. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the first state of the sealing pane is an open state.

9. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an electric switch or push button.

10. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a reed contact.

11. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

12. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a light barrier.

13. The circuit breaker of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to cooperate with an actuator, arranged on the sealing pane.

14. The circuit breaker of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a tappet.

15. The circuit breaker of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a magnet.

16. The circuit breaker of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a field-influencing element.

17. A method for a circuit breaker, configured to interrupt an electric circuit if settable protective parameters are exceeded, the protective parameters being stored and a movable sealing pane being provided, the method comprising:
ascertaining a first state of the sealing pane; and
accepting changes to the stored protective parameters, via at least one of the circuit breaker and an electrical control unit of the circuit breaker, only in the ascertained first state of the sealing pane.

18. The circuit breaker of claim 2 , wherein the sealing pane is configured to cover at least part of the electronic trip unit.

19. The circuit breaker of claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the sealing pane is transparent or is made of transparent material.

20. The circuit breaker of claim 2 , wherein a sensor unit is provided, to ascertain parameters of the electric circuit and is connectable to the electronic trip unit, and wherein a contact unit is provided, connectable to the electronic trip unit and configured to interrupt the electric circuit by way of electrical contacts.

21. The circuit breaker of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured to cooperate with an actuator, arranged on the sealing pane.

22. The circuit breaker of claim 21 , wherein the actuator is a tappet.

23. The circuit breaker of claim 21 , wherein the actuator is a magnet.

24. The circuit breaker of claim 21 , wherein the actuator is a field-influencing element.

Assignees

• Siemens Ag

Inventors

• Kupsch Alexander
• Borgwardt Andre

Classifications

• H01H71/123 Primary

  using a solid-state trip unit (circuits H02H) · CPC title

• H05K7/1484

  Electrical diagrams relating to constructional features, e.g. signal routing within PLC; Provisions for disaster recovery, e.g. redundant systems · CPC title

• H01H71/74 Primary

  Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection · CPC title

• H01H71/025 Primary

  Constructional details of housings or casings not concerning the mounting or assembly of the different internal parts · CPC title

• H01H2071/7472

  with antitamper means for avoiding unauthorised setting · CPC title