Description:AN ELECTRONIC RESIDUAL CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH OVER CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE HAVING LOAD LINE REVERSIBILITY

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device. The present invention, in particular, relates to an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device having load line reversibility.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Circuit breaker is an electrical safety device used to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by an overcurrent or short circuit. The circuit breakers are adapted to trip the circuit and interrupt current flow to protect equipment/loads and to prevent the risk of fire. After tripping, the circuit breaker can be reset to resume normal operation.
[0003] Various kinds of circuit breakers are available in the market, including, Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Over-Current protection (RCBO). MCB provides overcurrent and short-circuit protection. RCCB provides residual current/leakage current protection only. Circuits with RCCB protection must always include separate protection against overloads and short circuits. RCBO are devices that combine the functions of an MCB and an RCCB in a single device. Therefore, the RCBO provide overload protection, short-circuit protection and residual current/leakage current protection.
[0004] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrating circuit diagram of an electronic Residual Current Breaker with Over-Current protection device (RCBO) in accordance with the existing art. The RCBO 100 comprises an electrical input terminal connector 101, an electrical output terminal connector 102, a current transformer 103, a printed circuit board 104 (PCB) and a trip coil 105. The electrical input terminal connector 101 is adapted to connect with input supply. The electrical output terminal connector 102 is adapted to connect with at least one electrical appliance or load. The electrical input terminal connector 101 is electrically connected to the trip coil 105. The trip coil 105 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 104. The printed circuit board 104 is connected to the electrical output terminal connector 102. The current transformer 103 is adapted to measure current. The current transformer 103 is connected to the printed circuit board 104 which is configured to receive signal from the current transformer 103 and actuate the trip coil 105 when the measured current is more than the threshold or if residual current/leakage current is detected by the current transformer 103.
[0005] In the RCBO 100, the printed circuit board 104 is directly in connection with the electrical output terminal connector 102. When connecting the RCBO 100, situation may arise wherein the electrical input terminal connector 101 is mistakenly connected to at least one electrical appliance/load and the electrical output terminal connector 102 is connected to the input supply. The reverse connection of electrical input terminal connector 101 and electrical output terminal connector 102 is known as load line reversibility. In the situation of load line reversibility, the RCBO 100 is not adapted to trip the RCBO 100. Further, in the event of overload or residual current/leakage current during load line reversibility, the input supply is directly provided to the printed circuit board 104. This damages the printed circuit board 104 and trip coil 105 due to continuous supply to printed circuit board 104, thus resulting in damaging the RCBO 100.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic residual current circuit braker with over current protection device having load line reversibiltiy to prevent damage to the RCBO in the event of overload or residual current/leakage current during load line reversibility.

SUMMARY
[0007] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection (RCBO) device having load line reversibility. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0008] The present subject matter relates to an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection (RCBO) device. The device comprises an electrical input terminal connector, an electrical output terminal connector, a switching mechanism and an operating mechanism. The electrical input terminal connector is adapted to connect to an input supply. The electrical output terminal connector is adapted to connect to at least one electrical appliance/load. The switching mechanism is provided in connection with the electrical input terminal connector. The switching mechanism has a knob to manually operate the device and an indicator to display status of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device. The operating mechanism is in electrical connection with the electrical input terminal connector through the switching mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a micro switch, a trip coil and a printed circuit board. The micro switch is adapted to be in a normally close state, when in contact with switching mechanism, indicating the ON state of the device and a normally open (NO) state, when the contact with the switching mechanism is broken, indicating the OFF or trip state of the device. The micro switch is in connection with the electrical output terminal connector. The printed circuit board electrically connected to the micro switch and the trip coil adapted to trip the switching mechanism on receiving a signal from the printed circuit board. The micro switch is adapted to provide power supply to the printed circuit board when in NC state and when there is power input from either of the electrical input terminal connector or the electrical output terminal connector providing load line reversibility.
[0009] In an aspect, the printed circuit board is configured to receive input signal from a current transformer and transmit an output signal to the trip coil, to trip the switching mechanism, when the determined current by the current transformer is more than the threshold or the current transformer detects residual current/leakage current.
[0010] In an aspect, in the operating mechanism input power is provided to the printed circuit board through the micro switch without differentiating whether the input power supply is provided at the electrical input terminal connector or at the electrical output terminal connector.
[0011] In an aspect, when the input power supply is provided to the printed circuit board through the electrical output terminal connector, the output from the device is provided through the electrical input terminal connector.
[0012] In an aspect, the micro switch is a snap action precision switch.
[0013] In an aspect, the indicator comprises an indicator member and a contact member. The indicator member is adapted to indicate the state of the device. The contact member is integrally extending from the indicator member. The contact member has an extended part adapted to make or break contact with the micro switch based on the state of the switching mechanism.
[0014] In an aspect, the extended part of the contact member changes the state of the micro switch from NO to NC when the device is in ON state.
[0015] In an aspect, the extended part of the contact member breaks off the contact from the micro switch, to bring the micro switch in NO state, when the device is in OFF state or in Trip state.
[0016] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0018] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates circuit diagram of an Electronic Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Over-Current protection device (RCBO) in accordance with the existing art;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates indicator of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5a illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in NO state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 5b illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in NC state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 6a illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device depicting current flow that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 6b illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device depicting current flow that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0029] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0030] “Load Line Reversibility” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as an event in which the input supply is provided at electrical output terminal connector of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device and loads are connected at electrical input terminal connector of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device.
[0031] “Trip State” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as an event in which the trip coil trips the switching mechanism which leads to turn the micro switch from NC state to NO state.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0032] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0033] The existing electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection devices are not adaptable to work in condition of load line reversibility. In the event of overload or residual current/leakage current during load line reversibility, the input overload current or residual current/leakage current is directly fed to the printed circuit board which damage the printed circuit board and trip coil and irreparably damage the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device.
[0034] To solve the problems, an Electronic Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Over-Current protection device, is disclosed.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection (RCBO) device 200 comprises an electrical input terminal connector 201, an electrical output terminal connector 202, a switching mechanism 203 and an operating mechanism 204. The electrical input terminal connector 201 is adapted to connect to an input supply. The electrical output terminal connector 202 is adapted to connect to at least one electrical appliance/loads. The electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is designed so that the electrical input terminal connector 201 and the electrical output terminal connector 202 can be used reversibly without damaging the components of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200.
[0036] The switching mechanism 203 is adapted to manually operate the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 and indicate current status of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The switching mechanism 203 comprises a knob and an indicator (shown in FIG. 3). The knob is provided to manually toggle between the switching states of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The switching states includes OFF state, ON state and TRIP state. The switching states are indicated by the indicator. The switching mechanism 203 is electrically connected to the electrical input terminal connector 201. In an aspect, the electrical input terminal connector 201 is connected to the knob which manually controls the switching states of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The knob in turn is mechanically in connection with the indicator.
[0037] The operating mechanism 204 is electrically connected to the electrical input terminal connector 201 through the switching mechanism 203. The operating mechanism 204 comprises a micro switch 204c, a printed circuit board 204a and a trip coil 204b. In addition, a current transformer 205 is also provided in the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The micro switch 204c is a snap action precision switch. The micro switch 204c is adapted to switch between an NO state and an NC state. The micro switch 204c is in NC state when the micro switch 204c is in contact with the switching mechanism 203. The micro switch 204c is in NO state when contact with the switching mechanism 203 is broken. The micro switch 204c is adapted to provide power supply to the printed circuit board 204a when in NC state and when there is power input from either of the electrical input terminal connector 201 or the electrical output terminal connector 202. In an aspect, the micro switch 204c is in NC state when the micro switch 204c is in contact with the indicator of the switching mechanism 203. The micro switch 204c is in NO state when contact with the indicator of the switching mechanism 203 is broken.
[0038] The printed circuit board 204a is electrically connected to the micro switch 204c, the current transformer 205 and the trip coil 204b. The current transformer 205 is connected to the electrical input terminal connector 201 and the electrical output terminal connector 202. Input current from the input supply is passed through the current transformer 205. The current transformer 205 is adapted to measure current inputted into the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. In addition, the current transformer 205 is adapted to detect presence of residual current/leakage current in the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The presence of overload current or residual current/leakage current is conveyed to the printed circuit board 204a as an input signal by the current transformer 205. The input signal is in the form of an induced residual current which flows to the printed circuit board 204a. The printed circuit board 204a is configured to receive input signal from the current transformer 205 and send an output signal to the trip coil 204b. In case the current measured by the current transformer 205 is more than threshold, the printed circuit board 204a receive signal from the current transformer 205 and sends a signal to the trip coil 204b to trip the switching mechanism 203.
[0039] In the operating mechanism 204, input power to the printed circuit board 204a is provided through micro switch 204c. Thus, the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is capable of adapting to load line reversibility and the operating mechanism 204 is adapted to provide input power to the printed circuit board 204a through the micro switch 204c without differentiating whether the input power supply is provided at the electrical input terminal connector 201 or at the electrical output terminal connector 202. When the input power supply is provided to the printed circuit board 204a through the electrical output terminal connector 202, the output from the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is provided through the electrical input terminal connector 201.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 in ON state. The knob 301 of the switching mechanism 203 is manually set to ON state. The indicator 302 is mechanically connected to the knob 301. When the knob 301 is in ON state, the indicator 302 indicate the ON state and lower end of the indicator 302 makes a contact with the micro switch 204c. This actuate the micro switch 204c in NC state. The lower end of the indicator 302 is discussed with reference to FIG. 4 below.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates indicator of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The indicator 302 of the switching mechanism 203 comprises an indicator member 401 and a contact member 402. The contact member 402 extends integrally from the indicator member 401. The indicator member 401 is adapted to indicate the switching state of the electronic residual current circuit breaker over current protection device 200. In an aspect, the indicator member 401 is adapted to show the ON state, the OFF state and the Trip state of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. The contact member 402 is adapted to create a contact with the micro switch 204c when the switching mechanism 203 is in ON state and the contact member 402 is adapted to break the contact with the micro switch 204c when the switching mechanism 203 is in OFF state. The contact member 402 has an extended part 402a which aids in making and breaking the contact with the micro switch 204c.
[0042] FIG. 5a illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in OFF state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. When the switching mechanism 203 is in OFF state, the extended part 402a of the contact member 402 breaks off the contact with the micro switch 204c and bring the micro switch 204c in NO state. The extended part 402a of the contact member 402 shifts below the micro switch 204c and the indicator member 401 of the indicator 302 indicate OFF state of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200. Also, in case of TRIP state, the extended part 402a of the contact member 402 breaks off the contact with the micro switch 204c and bring the micro switch 204c in NO state.
[0043] FIG. 5b illustrates sectional side view of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in ON state that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. When the switching mechanism is in ON state, the extended part 402a of the contact member 402 make contact with the micro switch 204c and bring the micro switch 204c in NC state. The extended part 402a of the contact member 402 presses the micro switch 204c and the indicator member 401 of the indicator 302 indicate ON state of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200.
WORKING OF THE ELECTRONIC RESIDUAL CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH OVER CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE
[0044] FIG. 6a illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device depicting current flow that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In the FIG. 6a, the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is in ON state and input supply is provided at electrical input terminal connector 201 and load is connected at electrical output terminal connector 202. Since the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is in ON state, indicator 302 is maintaining a contact with the micro switch 204c to bring the micro switch 204c in NC state and the micro switch 204c is providing power supply to the printed circuit board 204a. In this condition, current enters from the electrical input terminal connector 201, flows through the current transformer 205 and exits from the electrical output terminal connector 202. In event of an overload or leakage current/residual current, the current transformer 205 sends a signal to the printed circuit board 204a. In an aspect, the signal is in the form of residual current induced by the current transformer 205 which flows to the printed circuit board 204a. The residual current is shown with arrow and asterisk (*) symbol between the current transformer (205) and the printed circuit board (204a) to show the conditionality that the signal in the form of residual current is send to the printed circuit board (204a) only when the current transformer 205 detects imbalance current in line and load. The printed circuit board 204c in response to the received signal transmit a signal to the trip coil 204b which trips the switching mechanism 203. In the trip state, the indicator 302 breaks off the contact with the micro switch 204c and the micro switch 204c switch to NO state resulting in ceasing to provide power supply to the printed circuit board 204a. In this way, the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 prevent any damage to the printed circuit board 204a and the trip coil 204b.
[0045] FIG. 6b illustrates circuit diagram of an electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device depicting current flow that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In the FIG. 6b, the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is in ON state and input supply is provided at electrical output terminal connector 202 and load is connected at electrical input terminal connector 201. Since the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 is in ON state, indicator 302 is maintaining a contact with the micro switch 204c to bring the micro switch 204c in NC state and the micro switch 204c is providing power supply to the printed circuit board 204a. In this condition, current enters from the electrical output terminal connector 202, flows through the current transformer 205 and exits from the electrical input terminal connector 201. In event of an overload or leakage current/residual current, the current transformer 205 sends a signal to the printed circuit board 204a. In an aspect, the signal is in the form of residual current induced by the current transformer 205 which flows to the printed circuit board 204a. The residual current is shown with arrow and asterisk (*) symbol between the current transformer 205 and the printed circuit board 204a to show the conditionality that the signal in the form of residual current is send to the printed circuit board 204a only when the current transformer 205 detects imbalance current in line and load. The printed circuit board 204a in response to the received signal transmit a signal to the trip coil 204b which trips the switching mechanism 203. In the trip state, the indicator 302 breaks off the contact with the micro switch to switch the state of the micro switch 204c to NO state and the micro switch 204c cease to provide power supply to the printed circuit board 204a. In this way, the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device 200 prevent any damage to the printed circuit board 204a and the trip coil 204b. Since there is no direct connection between the printed circuit board 204a and the electric output terminal connector 202, the input from the electrical output terminal connector 202 is passed through the micro switch 204c before feeding the same to printed circuit board 204a. Thus, in event of overload or leakage current/residual current during load line reversible condition, the printed circuit board 204a is saved from being damaged.
ADVANTAGES
[0046] The proposed electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device is adapted to work under load line reversibility condition without damaging any component of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device in the event of overload or residual current/leakage current.
[0047] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0048] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0049] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0050] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, C , Claims:We Claim:
1. An electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device (200) having load line reversibility, the device (200) comprises:
an electrical input terminal connector (201) adapted to connect to an input supply;
an electrical output terminal connector (202) adapted to connect to at least one electrical appliance/load;
a switching mechanism (203), provided in connection with the electrical input terminal connector (201), having a knob (301) to manually operate the device and an indicator (302) to display status of the electronic residual current circuit breaker with over current protection device (200); and
an operating mechanism (204) in electrical connection with the electrical input terminal connector (201) through the switching mechanism (203), the operating mechanism (204) comprises:
a micro switch (204c) adapted to be in a normally close (NC) state, when in contact with switching mechanism (203), indicating the ON state of the device (200) and a normally open (NO) state, when the contact with the switching mechanism (203) is broken, indicating the OFF or trip state of the device (200), wherein the micro switch (204c) is in connection with the electrical output terminal contact (202); and
a printed circuit board (204a) electrically connected to the micro switch (204c) and a trip coil (204b) adapted to trip the switching mechanism (203) on receiving a signal from the printed circuit board (204a), wherein the micro switch (204c) is adapted to provide power supply to the printed circuit board (204a) when in NC state and when there is power input from either of the electrical input terminal connector (201) or the electrical output terminal connector (202) providing load line reversibility.
2. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (204a) is configured to receive input signal from a current transformer (205) and transmit an output signal to the trip coil (204b), to trip the switching mechanism, when the determined current by the current transformer (205) is more than the threshold or the current transformer (205) detects residual current/leakage current.
3. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the operating mechanism (204) input power is provided to the printed circuit board (204a) through the micro switch (204c) without differentiating whether the input power supply is provided at the electrical input terminal connector (201) or at the electrical output terminal connector (202).
4. The device (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the input power supply is provided to the printed circuit board (204a) through the electrical output terminal connector (202), the output from the device (200) is provided through the electrical input terminal connector (201).
5. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro switch (204c) is a snap action precision switch.
6. The device (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator (302) comprises:
an indicator member (401) adapted to indicate the state of the device (200); and
a contact member (402) integrally extending from the indicator member (401), wherein the contact member (402) has an extended part (402b) adapted to make or break contact with the micro switch (204c) based on the state of the switching mechanism (203).
7. The device (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the extended part (402a) of the contact member (402) changes the state of the micro switch (204c) from NO to NC when the device (200) is in ON state.
8. The device (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the extended part (402a) of the contact member (402) break off the contact from the micro switch (204c), to bring the micro switch (204c) in NO state, when the device (200) is in OFF state or in Trip state.