TWM678199U - Lockout controller for high- and low-voltage circuit breakers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power-off lockout controller for high- and low-voltage circuit breakers. It addresses the shortcomings of conventional technology, wherein no existing lockout controller can be universally applied to circuit breakers of various brands and specifications worldwide, whether high- voltage or low-voltage.

By utilizing the standard accessories of the high- and low-voltage circuit breakers, the invention achieves the power-off lockout function, thereby complying with safety requirements stipulated in Article 208 of the “Regulations on User Electrical Equipment Installation” under Article 32, Paragraph 5 of the Electricity Act issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as Articles 254 and 276 of Section 2 of the “Occupational Safety and Health Facility Regulations” issued by the Ministry of Labor. This ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and enhances electrical safety.

The power-off lockout controller for high- and low-voltage circuit breakers of the present invention is configured with a lock actuation unit and a breaker trip power-off control unit, thereby enabling universal power-off lockout functionality applicable to any high- or low-voltage circuit breaker.

Description

High and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller

This invention provides a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker interlocking controller, which improves upon existing technologies that lack a universally applicable interlocking controller for high- and low-voltage circuit breakers of various brands and specifications worldwide. It utilizes standard components of high- and low-voltage circuit breakers to achieve interlocking functionality, thus complying with Article 32, Paragraph 5 of the Electricity Act, Ministry of Economic Affairs, regarding user electrical equipment installations. The regulations, including Article 208, and Articles 254 and 276 of Section 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Facilities and Installations Regulations issued by the Ministry of Labor, meet the requirements for electrical safety. This invention's high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller is equipped with a lock actuation unit and a circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit, achieving the function of power-off interlocking for any high or low voltage circuit breaker.

According to Article 208 of the Regulations for the Installation of Electrical Equipment by Users, the conditions under which isolation devices should be locked are: the location is infeasible or installation would increase the risk to personnel and property; electric shock due to excessively high voltage (voltage to ground exceeding 150 volts) would cause injury or death; or the current capacity is excessive, exceeding 60 amperes, and improper wiring or operation would increase the risk to personnel and property. Therefore, to improve electrical safety, circuit breakers should be added to prevent power failure and to reliably trip and lock out power in case of a fault, without increasing processing steps, wiring, or space-saving dimensions. Current technologies have not solved these problems.

Based on a passion for improving industrial safety and practical experience, the applicant has made a series of inventions and creations related to motor switches and power supply management. More than a dozen of these research results have been applied for and granted patents. In particular, the applicant has provided a series of practical motor switch locking devices that can be used with various brands and models of motor switches with good results. The applicant's motivation for this series of inventions and creations related to motor switch safety stems from the fact that many past electrical accidents, both domestically and internationally, occurred during the maintenance of electrical machinery, primarily due to the lack of practical motor switch locking devices. However, the improvement of a locking device applicable to all conditions has not yet been addressed.

In its 1999 publication, "Electrical Safety Technical Data," the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health of the Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, led by Su Wen-yuan, stated that "Electrocution accidents have always been one of the main causes of workplace injuries and should be avoided as much as possible to protect worker safety. The main cause of electrocution accidents is insufficient awareness of electrical safety among businesses and workers, resulting in unsafe environments and unsafe behaviors in the workplace." Common electrical safety hazards are mainly of two types: the first is from electrical machinery and equipment, and the second is negligence in electrical operations. To address the lack of awareness of electrical safety among businesses and employees and to prevent hazards from electrical work, Article 45 of the "Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Regulations" further mandates that employers must equip their electrical machinery with safety facilities. Specifically, for power-operated machinery that poses a significant danger, an emergency braking device with clear markings should be installed in an appropriate location to immediately cut off power and be linked to the braking system, enabling the machinery to stop quickly in an emergency. Furthermore, regarding the prevention of hazards from electrical work, Article 254 of the "Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Regulations" stipulates that when working on or near a circuit after it has been opened, employers must, upon confirming the circuit is open, lock the circuit breaker switch or mark it as "Do Not Power On," "Work in Progress During Power Outage," or install monitoring facilities. The first type of hazard, stemming from electrical machinery, is largely caused by a lack of understanding of the principles of electrical safety disconnection. Although Article 254 of the "Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Regulations" further stipulates that switches in open circuits should be "locked" during operation, this "locking" requirement has so far remained largely theoretical and has not been effectively implemented.

According to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 422.31.(430.102)(440.14, branch switches or circuit breakers used as isolating devices shall have interlocking devices. Isolating devices shall be located within the line of sight of electrical appliances or be interlockable when open. The interlocking mechanism shall be in an appropriate position. The regulatory principle and purpose are to prevent accidental or reverse energization (without compromising public safety!):

1. Private indoor distribution panels do not need to be locked.

2. Electricity in public places must be locked.

3. The motor central control panel can be locked using a switch handle.

4. Do not lock if there are dangerous situations! Locking devices are designed to prevent accidental power supply, reverse power supply, etc. Because there are situations that cannot be seen visually, which could lead to danger, it is necessary to lock them during maintenance to ensure safety. In view of this, manufacturers worldwide produce related products. These include external types, internal key types, and many more. OSHA, fire safety regulations, and other laws have mandatory provisions and penalties for this.

In traditional circuit breaker technology, tripping and disconnecting power typically involves using the circuit breaker's tripping coil. The advantage is its simplicity and convenience. However, a disadvantage is that after tripping, the circuit breaker can be manually or electrically reset and then re-energized. If the power circuit is still faulty, the instantaneous power reconnection upon energization can cause an accident. Another method of disconnecting the circuit breaker involves using insufficient power. The advantage of the trip coil method is that it can reliably trip the circuit breaker and lock its tripping mechanism, preventing malfunctions. However, the coil can overheat and burn out after a period of energization. Furthermore, it can cause false trips during power outages and is prohibitively expensive. These are common drawbacks of all current circuit breakers, and existing products cannot solve them. This invention addresses these issues.

Traditional techniques cannot produce a universal device that can trip circuit breakers of different brands, sizes, and product categories. This is especially problematic in reality, where existing equipment often differs in brand, specifications, and size from those available on the market, making them incompatible. This leads to difficulties and even insurmountable problems during replacement and maintenance, particularly due to space constraints and sometimes differing power circuit voltages. In such cases, traditional techniques cannot solve these common problems because there is no universal device that can trip circuit breakers for both high and low voltage circuit breakers.

In summary, in conventional technologies, circuit breaker manufacturers produce circuit breakers with varying specifications, sizes, and types, such as vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs) for high voltage, air circuit breakers (ACBs) for low voltage, modular circuit breakers (MCCBs), and residual current circuit breakers (ELCBs). These diverse types and completely different dimensions necessitate the addition of power circuits during replacement or when the current situation requires improvement, leading to incompatibility. This is particularly problematic due to limited space on-site. These issues are common challenges in the current market. This invention, a high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller, can solve these problems.

This invention presents a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker interlocking controller, which improves upon existing technologies that lack a universally applicable interlocking controller for all brands and specifications of high- and low-voltage circuit breakers worldwide. It utilizes standard components of high- and low-voltage circuit breakers to achieve interlocking functionality, thus complying with Article 32, Paragraph 5 of the Electricity Act, Ministry of Economic Affairs, regarding the installation of interlocking controllers for user electrical equipment. In accordance with Article 208 of the Installation Rules and Articles 254 and 276 of Section 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Installation Rules of the Ministry of Labor, this invention meets the requirements for electrical safety. The high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller is equipped with a lock actuation unit and a circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit, achieving the function of power-off interlocking for any high or low voltage circuit breaker.

To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a simple and easy-to-install switch-locking device for high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controllers. It can be used comprehensively to address various functional requirements, and its integrated electrical and mechanical design prevents malfunctions, thus improving the safety performance of electrical equipment.

To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a high and low voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller. It includes a lock actuation unit controlled by a key, preventing accidental activation. This also provides a universal control method, preventing disconnection due to differences in high or low voltage circuit breaker specifications or brands. Furthermore, it is compatible with existing systems. Unaffected by external factors, this innovative high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller allows for the installation of a circuit breaker tripping and power-off control unit. Utilizing standard components of the circuit breaker itself, it achieves power-off tripping and interlocking functions through electrical connections. It also overcomes the shortcomings of conventional technologies, such as tripping coils and insufficient voltage coils, ensuring that power-off tripping and interlocking will not malfunction or burn out coils.

To achieve the above objectives, a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller includes: a lock actuation unit and a circuit breaker tripping and power-off control unit; the lock actuation unit includes: a lock on which a key can be placed, the key actuating a transmission linkage; and a push-pull electromagnet, the push-pull electromagnet having an electromagnet function. A lever, the electromagnet actuating lever is activated when one of the coils of the push-pull electromagnet is energized. When the coil is not energized, the electromagnet actuating lever is inactive. The electromagnet actuating lever prevents the transmission link from operating. When the electromagnet actuating lever is activated, the transmission link can be operated by the key; a micro switch, the micro switch according to... When the key actuates the drive linkage, the drive linkage actuates the micro switch, activating one of the micro switch's actuating contacts. At this time, the key can be removed from the lock. An external terminal of the lock actuation unit is connected to the electromagnet coil, which is electrically connected to the micro switch actuation terminal. Point; the circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit is provided with a connection terminal and a tripping power-off control circuit; the connection terminal connects to the contact status information of a circuit breaker auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker alarm contact, and is electrically connected to the tripping power-off control circuit along with an external tripping command status information. The tripping power-off control circuit, according to the... The microswitch actuation contact, the circuit breaker auxiliary contact, the circuit breaker alarm contact, and the external trip command are electrically connected to form a trip power-off circuit, which is electrically connected to an external trip output contact. When the key is removed from the lock or the external trip command contact is actuated, the trip power-off control circuit is activated and electrically connected to the external trip output contact. The external trip output contact is electrically connected to a circuit breaker trip power-off actuation contact, and then connected in series to a circuit breaker trip coil to disconnect and lock the circuit breaker. Under normal conditions, when the key of the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller is placed in the lock, the lock actuation unit does not operate. When the circuit breaker is activated, it can trip via an external trip command connected to the external trip output contact, causing the circuit breaker trip coil to trip. At this time, the key is restricted and cannot be withdrawn. When the electromagnet actuating lever in the lock actuation unit is manually operated or the electromagnet coil is activated, the key can actuate the lock's transmission linkage. When the microswitch actuates its contact, the key can be removed. When the key is removed from the lock, the tripping power-off control circuit of the circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit activates, activating the circuit breaker tripping coil to trip and lock the circuit breaker, restricting it to the tripped power-off state, thus achieving the tripped power-off locking function.

To achieve the above objectives, a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller includes: a lock, a key, a micro switch, a connection terminal, and a limiting linkage actuator; the lock is activated by the key to a drive linkage, the drive linkage being limited in its movement by the limiting linkage actuator; when the limiting linkage actuator releases the restriction on the drive linkage's movement, the drive linkage... When the micro switch is actuated, the key can be removed from the lock. The actuation of the micro switch electrically connects a micro switch actuation contact to a circuit breaker alarm contact in the circuit breaker's terminals, and then electrically connects it to an external trip output contact. This external trip output contact is electrically connected in parallel with a circuit breaker trip power-off actuation contact of the circuit breaker. Then, it is electrically connected... When one of the circuit breaker's tripping coils is connected to the circuit breaker, forming a tripped disconnect circuit, under normal operating conditions of the high and low voltage circuit breaker disconnect interlocking controller, the key of the lock is restricted from actuating the transmission linkage, and the key cannot be removed. When the restricting linkage actuates, the transmission linkage actuates the micro switch, and the micro switch actuating contacts are electrically connected to the circuit breaker. The alarm contact, electrically connected to the circuit breaker trip coil via the external trip output contact, de-energizes and trips the circuit breaker. At this time, the key can be removed. This achieves the goal of restricting the key's operation while it is in the locking mechanism of the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller. When the key is removed, the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller de-energizes and trips the circuit breaker, locking it in place.

1: High and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller

10: Lock Actuation Unit

11: Locks

12: Key

13: Transmission Links

14: Push-pull type electromagnet

15: Electromagnetic lever

16: Electromagnetic coil

17: Micro switch

18: Microswitch actuating contact

19: External terminal block for lock actuation unit

20: Circuit breaker trips power-off control unit

21: Connection Terminal

22: Trip-off power-off control circuit

23: External bounce output contact

24: Limiting linkage actuator

30: Circuit breaker

31: Circuit breaker auxiliary contact

32: Circuit breaker alarm contact

33: External Exit Instruction

34: Circuit breaker trips its power-off actuation contacts

35: Circuit breaker tripped coil

[Figure 1] is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of a high and low voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller according to this invention.

[Figure 2] is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller according to this invention.

A first embodiment of the high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1 is shown in Figure 1. The high and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1 includes: a lock actuation unit 10 and a circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit 20; the lock actuation unit 10 includes: a lock 11 on which a key 12 can be placed, the key 12 actuating a transmission linkage 13; and a push-pull electromagnetic... The push-pull electromagnet 14 has an electromagnet actuating lever 15. The actuating lever 15 operates when a coil 16 of the push-pull electromagnet 14 is energized. When the coil 16 is not energized, the actuating lever 15 does not operate. The actuating lever 15 prevents the transmission link 13 from operating. When the actuating lever 15 operates, the transmission link 13 can be engaged by the lock. Key 12 is actuated; a micro switch 17 is actuated by the transmission link 13. When the key 12 actuates the transmission link 13, the transmission link 13 actuates the micro switch 17, actuating one of the micro switch actuation contacts 18 of the micro switch 17. At this time, the key 12 can be removed from the lock 11; and an external terminal 19 for the lock actuation unit. 9. The electromagnetic coil 16 is electrically connected to the micro switch actuation contact 18; the circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit 20 is provided with a connection terminal 21 and a tripping power-off control circuit 22; the connection terminal 21 connects to the contact status information of a circuit breaker auxiliary contact 31 and a circuit breaker alarm contact 32 of a circuit breaker 30, and is electrically connected to the tripping power-off control circuit with the status information of an external tripping command 33. The control circuit 22, the trip power-off control circuit 22, is electrically connected to the micro switch actuation contact 18, the circuit breaker auxiliary contact 31, the circuit breaker alarm contact 32, and the external trip command 33 to form a trip power-off circuit, and is electrically connected to an external trip output contact 23. When the key 12 is removed from the lock 11 or the external trip command 33 is actuated, the trip power-off control circuit 22... 2. The actuation is activated, electrically connected to the external trip output contact 23. The external trip output contact 23 is electrically connected in parallel with a circuit breaker trip power-off actuation contact 34, and then connected in series to a circuit breaker trip coil 35 of the circuit breaker 30, thus de-energizing and locking the circuit breaker 30. Under normal conditions, when the key 12 of the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off locking controller 1 is placed in the lock 11, the... When the lock actuation unit 10 is not activated, the circuit breaker 30 can be electrically connected to the external trip output contact 23 via the external trip command 33 to activate the circuit breaker trip coil 35 and trip. At this time, the key 12 is restricted and cannot be pulled out. When the electromagnet actuation lever 15 in the lock actuation unit 10 is manually activated or the electromagnet coil 16 is activated, the key 12 can activate the lock 11. The transmission link 13 actuates the micro switch actuation contact 18, at which time the key 12 can be removed. When the key 12 is removed from the lock 11, the tripping power-off control circuit 22 of the circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit 20 is activated, which actuates the circuit breaker tripping coil 35 of the circuit breaker 30, tripping and locking the circuit breaker 30, and restricting it to the tripping power-off state, thus achieving the tripping power-off locking function.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The high- and low-voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1 includes: a lock 11, a key 12, a micro switch 17, a connection terminal 21, and a limiting linkage actuator 24. The lock 11 is activated by the key 12 via a transmission linkage 13, which is restricted in its operation by the limiting linkage actuator 24. When the limiting linkage actuator 24 is activated... When the operation restriction of the transmission link 13 is released, the transmission link 13 actuates the micro switch 17. At this time, the key 12 can be removed from the lock 11. The actuation of the micro switch 17 electrically connects a micro switch actuation contact 18 to a circuit breaker alarm contact 32 of a circuit breaker 30 in the connection terminal 21, and then electrically connects it to an external trip output contact 23. The external trip output contact 23 disconnects the circuit breaker tripping power of the circuit breaker 30. The moving contact 34 is electrically connected in parallel and then electrically connected to the circuit breaker trip coil 35 of the circuit breaker 30, forming a tripping power-off circuit. When the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1 is in normal operation, the key 12 of the lock 11 is restricted from operating the transmission link 13, and the key 12 cannot be removed. When the limiting link actuating bolt 24 is activated, the transmission link 13 actuates the micro switch 17, and the micro switch actuates contact 18. The circuit breaker alarm contact 32 is electrically connected to the circuit breaker trip coil 35 via the external trip output contact 23, causing the circuit breaker 30 to trip without power. At this time, the key 12 can be removed. When the key 12 is in the lock 11 within the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1, the key 12 is restricted and cannot function. When the key 12 is removed, the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller 1 trips and locks the circuit breaker 30 without power.

In conclusion, this invention provides a high- and low-voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller, which further enhances the stability and safety of circuit breaker panels in power supply systems, making it highly applicable to various industries. Furthermore, a review of existing products and approved patent announcements reveals no products with the same substantive technical features as this invention, thus meeting the statutory requirements for novelty and progress in a patent application. Therefore, this patent application is filed in accordance with the law, and we respectfully request that your esteemed examination committee grant this patent as soon as possible to ensure the applicant's rights and interests. However, what is disclosed in this case is merely a preferred embodiment of this creation and cannot be used to limit the scope of the rights of this creation. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this creation are still covered within the scope of the patent application for this creation.

1: High and low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller

10: Lock Actuation Unit

11: Locks

12: Key

13: Transmission Links

14: Push-pull type electromagnet

15: Electromagnetic lever

16: Electromagnetic coil

17: Micro switch

18: Microswitch actuating contact

19: External terminal block for lock actuation unit

20: Circuit breaker trips power-off control unit

21: Connection Terminal

22: Trip-off power-off control circuit

23: External bounce output contact

30: Circuit breaker

31: Circuit breaker auxiliary contact

32: Circuit breaker alarm contact

33: External Exit Instruction

34: Circuit breaker trips its power-off actuation contacts

35: Circuit breaker tripped coil

Claims (2)

A high- and low-voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller includes: a lock actuation unit and a circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit; The lock actuation unit includes: a lock on which a key can be placed, the key actuating a transmission linkage; a push-pull electromagnet with an electromagnet actuating lever, the electromagnet actuating lever being actuated when a coil of the push-pull electromagnet is energized; when the coil is not energized, the electromagnet actuating lever is not actuated, and the electromagnet actuating lever prevents the transmission linkage from actuating; the electromagnet actuating lever... During operation, the transmission linkage is actuated by the key; a micro switch, actuated by the transmission linkage, when the key actuates the transmission linkage, the transmission linkage actuates the micro switch, actuating one of the micro switch's actuating contacts, at which point the key can be removed from the lock; and an external terminal of the lock actuation unit, electrically connecting the electromagnet coil to the micro switch's actuating contact; The circuit breaker tripping and power-off control unit is equipped with a connection terminal and a tripping and power-off control circuit. The connection terminal connects to the contact status information of a circuit breaker auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker alarm contact, and is electrically connected to the tripping and power-off control circuit along with the status information of an external tripping command. The tripping and power-off control circuit actuates the contacts of the microswitch, the circuit breaker auxiliary contact, the circuit breaker alarm contact, and the external tripping command. The electrical connections form a tripping power-off circuit, electrically connected to an external tripping output contact. When the key is removed from the lock or the external tripping command contact is actuated, the tripping power-off control circuit is activated and electrically connected to the external tripping output contact. This external tripping output contact is electrically connected to a circuit breaker tripping power-off actuation contact, and then connected in series to a circuit breaker tripping coil, thus de-energizing and locking the circuit breaker. In normal operation, when the key of the high/low voltage circuit breaker disconnect controller is placed in the lock, the lock actuation unit does not operate. At this time, the circuit breaker can be tripped via an external trip command connected to the external trip output contact, causing the circuit breaker trip coil to trip. The key is then restricted and cannot be removed. When the electromagnet actuation lever in the lock actuation unit is manually operated or the electric... When the magnetic coil actuates, the key actuates the transmission linkage of the lock, activating the micro switch actuating contact. At this time, the key can be removed. When the key is removed from the lock, the tripping power-off control circuit of the circuit breaker tripping power-off control unit actuates, activating the circuit breaker tripping coil to trip and lock the circuit breaker, restricting it to the tripped power-off state, thus achieving the tripped power-off locking function. A high- and low-voltage circuit breaker disconnection controller includes: a lock, a key, a micro switch, a connection terminal, and a limiting linkage actuator; The lock is operated by a key that actuates a transmission link. This transmission link is restricted by a limiting link actuator. When the limiting link actuator releases the restriction on the transmission link, the transmission link actuates the micro switch. At this point, the key can be removed from the lock, and the actuation of the micro switch electrically connects a micro switch actuation contact. When the circuit breaker alarm contact of one of the circuit breakers in the connection terminal is turned on, it is then electrically connected to an external trip output contact. This external trip output contact is electrically connected in parallel with the circuit breaker tripping and power-off actuation contact of one of the circuit breakers, and then electrically connected to the circuit breaker tripping coil of one of the circuit breakers, forming a tripping and power-off circuit. When the circuit breaker alarm contact is turned on, it is then electrically connected to an external tripping output contact. This external tripping output contact is electrically connected to the circuit breaker tripping coil of one of the circuit breakers, forming a tripping and power-off circuit. Under normal conditions, the key of the high/low voltage circuit breaker disconnector controller is restricted from operating the transmission linkage, and the key cannot be removed. When the restricting linkage actuates, the transmission linkage actuates the micro switch, and the micro switch actuation contact is electrically connected to the circuit breaker alarm contact, which is then output via an external tripping connection. An electrical connection is made to the circuit breaker trip coil, causing the circuit breaker to trip and be de-energized. At this point, the key can be removed. This achieves the goal of restricting the key's operation while it is in the locking mechanism of the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller. When the key is removed, the high/low voltage circuit breaker power-off interlocking controller de-energizes and trips the circuit breaker, locking it in place.