THREE-POSITION DISCONNECTOR SWITCH

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a three-position disconnector switch, comprising: a platform (1); a power in contact (3); a power out contact (4); an earthing contact (5); and a piston (6). In a first switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the power in contact. In a second switch position the piston makes an electrical contact with the power out contact. In a third switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the earthing contact. The piston is configured to move along an axis of the three-position disconnector switch to transition the three-position disconnector switch between the different switch positions. The power in contact is mounted to the platform, the power out contact is mounted to the platform, and the earthing contact is mounted to the platform.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to three-position disconnector switch and a switchgear or control gear for low voltage, medium voltage or high voltage use with a substation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Using linear three position disconnector switches in a switchgear, such as an air insulated switchgear, creates quality demands regarding mounting and alignment of the contacts.

[0003] There is a need to address this issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved three-position disconnector switch.

[0005] The object of the present invention is solved with the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a three-position disconnector switch, comprising:

• a platform,
• a power in contact,
• a power out contact,
• an earthing contact, and
• a piston.

In a first switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the power in contact. In a second switch position the piston makes an electrical contact with the power out contact. In a third switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the earthing contact. The piston is configured to move along an axis of the three-position disconnector switch to transition the three-position disconnector switch between the different switch positions. The power in contact is mounted to the platform, the power out contact is mounted to the platform, and the earthing contact is mounted to the platform.

[0007] In this way, by mounting all the contacts to a single platform the positions of the contacts can be ensured with respect to one another, and the required tolerances of distances between contacts can be ensured, thereby making installation of the disconnector more efficient and less time-consuming.

[0008] In an example, the power in contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0009] In an example, the power out contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0010] In an example, the earthing contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0011] In this manner, by rigidly mounting the contacts to the platform, it can be ensured that during for example transportation, the contacts will not move with respect one another and the required positional tolerances can be maintained.

[0012] In an example, the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the power out contact is mounted.

[0013] In an example, the power out contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

[0014] In an example, the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

[0015] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power in contact is at a set position.

[0016] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power out contact is at a set position.

[0017] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the earthing contact is at a set position.

[0018] In other words, the platform itself can be made with the required tolerances with respect to the positional requirements of the contacts of the 3 position disconnector switch, then the different contacts can be mounted to the platform at these predetermined set positions. Thus, installation and configuration of the 3 position disconnector switch is enabled, where the contacts can be mounted to the platform at the ensured correct positions with respect one another.

[0019] In an example, the platform is rigid.

[0020] In an example, the platform is formed from a single piece.

[0021] In an example, the platform comprises a dielectric insulating body.

[0022] In an example, the platform is formed from an insulated circuit breaker pole.

[0023] Thus, a cost effective solution is provided.

[0024] In a second aspect, there is provided a low voltage, medium voltage or high voltage switchgear or control gear comprising one or more three-position disconnector switches according to the first aspect.

[0025] The above aspect and examples will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Exemplary embodiments will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an existing three-position disconnector switch;

Fig. 2 shows at a schematic representation of a new three-position disconnector switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an existing three-position disconnector switch.

[0028] In Fig. 1 the following elements are shown:

1 platform,

2 contact support,

3 busbar (power in) contact,

4 middle (power out) contact,

5 earth or earthing contact,

6 disconnector piston

[0029] The inventors realised that the independent mounting of disconnector contacts, as shown in Fig. 1, creates a long chain of alignment and separation distance tolerances, and where these tolerances must be very narrow to achieve proper alignment of components and proper operation of the three position disconnector switch. The tolerance chain consists of all components and their dimensions/holes from the power in contact at one side all the way to the earthing contact at the other side. The side contacts - Busbar (power in 3) and Earth (earthing 5), must be adjusted properly for securing and ensuring the correct disconnector movement and ensuring that the piston correctly reaches it end positions to create proper contact. This arrangement can in theory appear to be easy to achieve, however during transportation and installation of a switchgear on site this alignment can be compromised, and can requires that adjustments be made leading to additional cost.

[0030] To address this the inventors developed a new three-position disconnector switch, as shown in Fig. 2
In Fig. 2 the following elements are shown:

1 platform - that can be part of a circuit breaker pole,

3 busbar (power in) contact,

4 middle (power out) contact,

5 earth or earthing contact,

6 disconnector piston

[0031] In an example, the new three-position disconnector switch comprises a platform 1, a power in contact 3, a power out contact 4, an earthing contact 5, and a piston 6. In a first switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the power in contact. In a second switch position the piston makes an electrical contact with the power out contact. In a third switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the earthing contact. The piston is configured to move along an axis of the three-position disconnector switch to transition the three-position disconnector switch between the different switch positions. The power in contact is mounted to the platform, the power out contact is mounted to the platform, and the earthing contact is mounted to the platform.

[0032] In an example, the three position disconnector switch is a single phase disconnector switch.

[0033] In an example, to three position disconnector switch is a single phase disconnector switch for a circuit breaker.

[0034] In an example, the power in contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0035] In an example, the power out contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0036] In an example, the earthing contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

[0037] In an example, the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the power out contact is mounted.

[0038] In an example, the power out contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

[0039] In an example, the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

[0040] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power in contact is at a set position.

[0041] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power out contact is at a set position.

[0042] In an example, the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the earthing contact is at a set position.

[0043] In an example, the platform is rigid.

[0044] In an example, the platform is formed from a single piece.

[0045] In an example, the platform comprises a dielectric insulating body.

[0046] In an example, the platform is formed from an insulated circuit breaker pole.

[0047] From the above, it is clear that one or more such three position disconnector switches can be utilized within a low voltage, medium voltage or high voltage switchgear or control gear, and a switch can be utilized with a circuit breaker for example.

[0048] Continuing with the new three-position disconnector switch shown in Fig. 2, the new design the inventors realised that by mounting all the contacts to a robust platform, the alignment problem of disconnector contacts and piston and their long tolerance chain can be avoided. Thus, the contacts can all be mounted to the robust platform that aligns all the components directly and lessens the required tolerances, because the components are securely mounted at their correct positions with respect to separations and with respect to alignment of the piston movement.

[0049] Such a platform can be any dielectric insulating body.

[0050] The inventors have found that a cost effective solution is to make usage of an insulated circuit breaker (CB) pole as a carrier for a disconnector. This creates a complete module capable of opening and closing a circuit breaker (CB) and/or physically disconnecting main power line from main busbars and/or connects a CB and output to a grounding system.

[0051] Such a fixed module is also a fully functional substitution for withdrawable/removable breaker solutions commonly available on market. Thus, retrofitting to existing switchgear/controlgear is possible.

[0052] Such a mounting of disconnector to a CB pole body also brings benefits of saving production cost (simpler complete module), time and cost of installation SWG on site.

[0053] Another benefit is a cost reduction with respect to the original independent contact supports because of their incorporation in the CB body.

[0054] The whole module is also less sensitive to production and assembling tolerances due to shorter tolerance chain.

Claims

1. A three-position disconnector switch, comprising:

- a platform (1);

- a power in contact (3);

- a power out contact (4);

- an earthing contact (5); and

- a piston (6);

wherein in a first switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the power in contact;
wherein in a second switch position the piston makes an electrical contact with the power out contact;
wherein in a third switch position the piston makes an electrical contact between the power out contact and the earthing contact;
wherein the piston is configured to move along an axis of the three-position disconnector switch to transition the three-position disconnector switch between the different switch positions;
wherein the power in contact is mounted to the platform;
wherein the power out contact is mounted to the platform; and
wherein the earthing contact is mounted to the platform.

2. Switch according to claim 1, wherein the power in contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

3. Switch according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the power out contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

4. Switch according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the earthing contact is rigidly mounted to the platform.

5. Switch according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the power out contact is mounted.

6. Switch according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the power out contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

7. Switch according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the power in contact is mounted at a set position with respect to a position at which the earthing contact is mounted.

8. Switch according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power in contact is at a set position.

9. Switch according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the power out contact is at a set position.

10. Switch according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the platform is configured such that a mounting position of the earthing contact is at a set position.

11. Switch according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the platform is rigid.

12. Switch according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the platform is formed from a single piece.

13. Switch according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the platform comprises a dielectric insulating body.

14. Switch according to any of claims 1-13, wherein the platform is formed from an insulated circuit breaker pole.

15. A low voltage, medium voltage or high voltage switchgear or control gear comprising one or more three-position disconnector switches according to any of claims 1-14.

Drawing