DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to circuit breakers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Circuit breakers are widely used in domestic, commercial, and light industrial installations. Circuit breakers provide protection for electrical systems from electrical fault conditions such as overload, short circuits, Earth fault, Earth leakage, and under voltage conditions. A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electric switch designed to detect fault condition and immediately interrupt the current flow, either instantaneously or with time-delay, usually of few milliseconds. Unlike a fuse, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Circuit breakers come in various sizes ranging from small ones that are used to protect individual house-hold appliances up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city. In addition to fault conditions as mentioned above, there can also be stray voltages on metal enclosures of electrical equipment causing leakage currents to flow through parts which are actually not meant to be live, which can be fatal to human life, commonly called as electrical shock and even result in electrocution.
[0004] Known switching devices used in electrical circuits, such as in low or medium voltage electric circuits, such as circuit breakers, disconnectors and contactors, which are devices designed to allow the correct operation of specific parts of the electric circuits in which they are installed, and of the associated electric loads.
[0005] The switching devices include one or more electrical poles, or phases, each having at least a movable contact and a corresponding fixed contact. An operating mechanism is operatively associated to the movable contacts to cause the movement of such contacts between a first closed position in which they are mechanically coupled to the corresponding fixed contacts (e.g., closed switching device) and a second open position in which they are spaced away from the corresponding fixed contacts (e.g., open switching device).
[0006] Mechanically operated switching devices include an operating mechanism of the “stored-energy” type, e.g., an operating mechanism having elastic means, such as a pair of springs, which are compressed to store the energy specified for displacing the movable contacts from the closed position to the open position.
[0007] Several shunt releases and/or accessories can be operatively associated with the stored-energy operating mechanism, wherein use of such shunt releases and/or accessories is to release or lock one or more mechanical parts of the associated operating mechanism. For example, shunt opening releases can be arranged to act on the operating mechanism to cause the release of its compressed elastic means, following an open or trip command. In switchgear products, there is a provision to connect shunt release as an add-on to a current carrying circuit breaker such as Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker with integral overcurrent protection (RCBO), etc., and through the shunt release, the main breaker can be tripped as and when required by providing required voltage to the Shunt Release from control panel/control room through push switch. Therefore, existing architectures require a separate shunt release to be configured with each circuit breaker, making the systems complicated and more cumbersome. FIGs. 1A and 1B show existing shunt release configuration wherein separate shunt release needs to be configured with each circuit breaker. As can be seen, the shunt release (having a shunt coil) is mechanically coupled with the RCCB.
[0008] There is therefore a need in the art for a circuit breaker assembly with an in-built shunt release.
[0009] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0010] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0011] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0013] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written

SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure relates generally to circuit breakers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0015] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a circuit breaker assembly including: a test button connected in series with a resistor; an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit; wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means effects breaking of said circuit breaker assembly to serve function of a shunt release. In an embodiment, said electrical connection means includes a plug pin. In an embodiment, said plug pin is provided on an outer surface of said circuit breaker assembly. In an embodiment, said circuit breaker assembly is selected from any of a Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker with integral overcurrent protection (RCBO), and a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). In an embodiment, said circuit breaker assembly includes a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). In an embodiment, said secondary current is derived from a secondary current providing means. In an embodiment, said secondary current providing means can be selected from any or a combination of a battery and a capacitor.
[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) assembly including: a test button connected in series with a resistor; an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit; wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means effects breaking of said circuit breaker assembly to serve function of a shunt release.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] An object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0019] An object of the invention is to avoid cumbersome and complicated mechanical coupling used between a conventional circuit breaker assembly and a shunt release.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram depicting conventional coupling between with a circuit breaker assembly and a shunt release.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram for a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram depicting connection of electrical connection means and a push button in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0025] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0027] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0028] The present disclosure relates generally to circuit breakers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0029] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a circuit breaker assembly including: a test button connected in series with a resistor; an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit; wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means breaks said circuit breaker assembly to effect function of a shunt release. In an embodiment, said electrical connection means includes a plug pin. In an embodiment, said plug pin is provided on an outer surface of said circuit breaker assembly. In an embodiment, said circuit breaker assembly is selected from any of a Residual Current Circuit Breaker with integral overcurrent protection (RCBO), Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) and a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). In an embodiment, said circuit breaker assembly includes a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). In an embodiment, said secondary current is derived from a secondary current providing means. In an embodiment, said secondary current providing means can be selected from any or a combination of a battery and a capacitor.
[0030] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) assembly including: a test button connected in series with a resistor; an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit; wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means breaks said circuit breaker assembly to effect function of a shunt release.
[0031] The advantageous in-built shunt release realized in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided in any of the circuit breaker assembly known to a person skilled in the art to serve its intended purpose. The circuit breaker assembly can include, but not limited to Low-voltage circuit breakers, magnetic circuit breakers, thermal magnetic circuit breakers, common trip breakers, medium-voltage circuit breakers, high-voltage circuit breakers, Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) high-voltage circuit breakers, disconnecting circuit breaker (DCB), Carbon dioxide (CO2) high-voltage circuit breakers, residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit breaker assembly includes a residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB). Overall circuit design of the residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) can be as known to a person skilled in the art incorporating a test circuit and a test button therewith.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram depicting conventional coupling between with a circuit breaker assembly and a shunt release. As illustrated, a test button 104 is connected to a resistor 106, live wires and a neutral wire. In a normal scenario, vector sum of currents flowing through the live wires and neutral wire is zero. However, when a fault occurs, summation would not be zero and the current flow will be unbalanced. This unbalance current flow is detected by a core balance current transformer (CBCT) 112. A secondary winding 108 of CBCT is connected to permanent magnet relay (PMR) 110 which upon receiving the signal, performs trip operation and power supply is interrupted. In such conventional circuit breaker assemblies, a shunt release of 240 volts can be mechanically coupled to the circuit breaker assembly.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram for a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an additional circuit 202 is configured in parallel to the test button 204 along with provision of an electrical connection means 214 to provide secondary current to said circuit breaker assembly. Upon receipt (flow) of secondary current in the additional circuit 202, the additional circuit effects breaking of the circuit breaker assembly to serve the function of a shunt release. In an embodiment, the electrical connection means can be a plug pin or any other device as known to a person skilled the art to serve its intended purpose as laid down in embodiments of the present disclosure. The electrical connection means 214 can further be connected to a secondary power source (not shown) through a switch. The secondary power source can be selected from any or a combination of a battery or a capacitor. The switch can be selected from any switching device known to a person skilled in the art including but not limited to a push button and the like to serve its intended purpose of controlling flow of secondary power to said electrical connection means 214 and in turn, through said additional circuit 202. The switch and/or secondary current providing means can reside at any location, preferably remote from the circuit breaker assembly, to control operation of breaking of the circuit breaker assembly by providing secondary current to said addition circuit. In effect, said additional circuit along with electrical connection means can serve function of a in-built shunt release obviating the need for provision of separate shunt release and coupling (e.g. mechanical coupling as currently in practice) thereof.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in order to achieve an in-built shunt release configuration, an additional circuit 202 is added in parallel to circuit breaker (preferably RCCB) test button 204, and no change in test resistor 206 is required, and connection point remains the same as R phase and N phase. The additional circuit 202 can receive external current and enables tripping functionality. In an embodiment, the plug pin along with terminals thereof can be positioned on outer surface of the circuit breaker assembly.
[0035] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plug in (electrical connection means) 304 is connected to a remotely located push button 302 to control tripping functionality from remote end. When push button 302 is pressed, a trip signals (electrical current) 304 is received by the additional circuit via the plug pin 306 and the circuit breaker assembly gets tripped.
[0036] In an embodiment, the proposed circuit breaker assembly complies with the tripping requirement of IEC 60947 part 1 i.e. trip at 0.85 & 1.1 times of rated voltage - 230 V, once a tripping command is initiated through control panel. Alternatively, assembly will function with variations in ratings of current, voltage, resistor and the like. In an embodiment, in built shunt release can be provided to any range of circuit breakers.
[0037] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[0038] The present disclosure provides a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0039] The present disclosure provides a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) assembly with in-built shunt release.
[0040] The present disclosure provides a circuit breaker assembly with in-built shunt release to avoid cumbersome and complicated mechanical coupling used between a conventional circuit breaker assembly and a shunt release.
,CLAIMS:1. A circuit breaker assembly comprising:
a test button connected in series with a resistor;
an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and
an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit;
wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means effects breaking of said circuit breaker assembly to serve function of a shunt release.

2. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical connection means comprises a plug pin.

3. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 2, wherein said plug pin is provided on an outer surface of said circuit breaker assembly.

4. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 1, wherein said circuit breaker assembly can be selected from any of a Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB), Residual Current Circuit Breaker with integral overcurrent protection (RCBO), and a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB).

5. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 1, wherein said circuit breaker assembly comprises a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB).

6. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 1, wherein said secondary current is derived from a secondary current providing means.

7. The circuit breaker assembly of claim 5, wherein said secondary current providing means can be selected from any or a combination of a battery and a capacitor.

8. A residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) assembly comprising:
a test button connected in series with a resistor;
an additional circuit configured in parallel to said test button; and
an electrical connection means to provide secondary current to said additional circuit;
wherein, said additional circuit upon receipt of a secondary current through said electric connection means effects breaking of said circuit breaker assembly to serve function of a shunt release.