OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a load-break or short-circuit current switch, for application
in electric power distribution networks, comprising a main circuit for the circulation
of electric current and a secondary circuit for the circulation of shunt electric
current. The main circuit comprises a switch - disconnector with a fixed contact and
a moving contact, while the secondary circuit comprises a vacuum switch that is actuated
by the moving contact of the switch - disconnector.
[0002] The load-break or short-circuit current switch of the invention can adopt at least
three operating positions, making - breaking - disconnecting, as well as a fourth
grounding position, in the latter case comprising a grounding contact, thus having
a compact load-break or short-circuit current switch capable of executing up to four
operating positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] At present, the electrical switchgear used in electric power distribution networks
is installed in enclosures that are usually metallic, called cells. Said switchgear
comprises operating means that perform the functions of breaking - disconnecting -
grounding of the installation.
[0004] On the one hand, operating means are used such as disconnectors that comprise two
contacts that can be joined to allow the current to pass or leave a physical separation
determined by the safety standard or the manufacturer to prevent the passage of current,
and which also comprise a third contact for grounding the electrical circuit. But
these disconnectors are sometimes not capable of performing the functions of the switch,
that is, breaking the current when the circuit is on load or in the event of a fault
due to overcurrent, if they have not been designed for it or do not have the appropriate
extinguishing means.
[0005] It is known to use operating means based on SF6 gas contact separation technology
in order to break the current (the current when the circuit is on load or fault current
due to overcurrent). This solution has numerous advantages in terms of the compactness
of the electrical switchgear, its cost and its performance, mainly due to the exceptional
properties of SF6 gas, such as dielectric strength, thermal conductivity, chemical
stability, etc. However, SF6 gas has the disadvantage of being part of the gases with
a great environmental impact due to its high potential for greenhouse effect (GWP
= 22800).
[0006] On the other hand, operating means constituted by vacuum switches are known, which
consist of a bottle inside of which a pair of electrical contacts is housed, a fixed
one and the other a moving one that moves by the actuation of an operating mechanism,
to perform the breaking - making functions of the corresponding electrical circuit.
But these vacuum switches are not used for current breaking functions when the circuit
is on load due to their high cost.
[0007] In this sense, solutions are known in which a vacuum switch is placed in a secondary
or shunt circuit in such a way as to guarantee the breaking of the electric current
and at the same time reduce the cost of this technology because the vacuum switch
used can be of lower performance by having to withstand the electric current for a
shorter time. This secondary circuit is inactive in permanent regime and is only traversed
by the electric current when the switch-disconnector arranged in a main circuit has
begun its opening sequence, by means of a progressive transfer of electric current
from the main circuit to the secondary circuit. As the vacuum switch is generally
at rest, it does not have to be dimensioned based on the restrictive electrical and
dielectric performance of the permanent regime, such as the short-circuit making capacity.
[0008] There are examples of the state of the art that deal with this type of solutions
that comprise a main circuit equipped with a first operating means, such as a switch-disconnector,
through which the electric current circulates in permanent regime and a secondary
circuit equipped with a second operating means, such as a vacuum switch, through which
the shunt electric current circulates, that is, in the switch-disconnector opening
sequence, the moving contact of this last element intercepts, during its opening,
a free end of the secondary circuit and the electric current begins to circulate through
the secondary circuit at the same time as it circulates through the main circuit.
In this way, following the opening sequence, the switch-disconnector is separated
from the main circuit without producing any electric arc in the circuit. The continuation
of the opening sequence and therefore the actuation of the moving contact of the switch-disconnector
on the secondary circuit opens the vacuum switch, interrupting the electric current,
extinguishing the electric arc and thus obtaining the breaking operating position.
Subsequently, the moving contact of the switch-disconnector is separated from the
free end of the secondary circuit and allows the vacuum switch to close its contacts,
but without the passage of electric current, since the secondary circuit remains open.
At this moment, the disconnecting operating position has been obtained. In case of
having a grounding contact, the moving contact of the switch-disconnector would follow
its opening sequence and by intercepting said moving contact the grounding contact
would obtain the grounding position.
[0010] In document
ES2387862T3 the moving contact of the main circuit disconnector, in its opening sequence, intercepts
/ interacts with an actuating means arranged in the branch of the secondary circuit
and which is associated with the vacuum switch by means of a kinematic chain or movement
transmission system to act on the moving contact of said vacuum switch and cause its
opening. The actuating means is arranged at the free end of the branch of the secondary
circuit, connected to it by means of an articulated area equipped with a stop that
stops the movement of the actuating means in the opening direction of the disconnector
and a spring that returns it to the stop position in the disconnector closure. The
actuating means comprises a first face covered by a conductor directed towards the
disconnector and a second face opposite the first one and covered by an insulator.
The kinematic chain that transmits the movement to the moving contact of the vacuum
switch comprises a plurality of elements, such as a moving part, a rod associated
with the moving contact of the vacuum switch, a joint that allows articulation between
the rod and the moving part, another fixed joint around which the moving part rotates,
the articulated area that joins the actuating means with the branch of the secondary
circuit, etc. This plurality of elements in the kinematic chain implies a greater
space for its assembly, which makes the electrical switchgear itself occupy more space
and be less compact. Likewise, having so many elements in the kinematic chain makes
the transmission of movement more complex, which reduces its reliability, since all
the elements must be well synchronized, and also makes its cost higher.
[0011] Similarly,
ES2526220T3 has a means for actuating the moving contact of the vacuum switch in the branch of
the secondary circuit, with the difference that in this solution the moving contact
of the vacuum switch remains locked in its open position until the main circuit disconnector
executes the closing sequence. The purpose of this blocking is to protect against
a possible rapid reclosing of the secondary circuit. However, this blocking means
that the vacuum switch is not ready for the next breaking operation and that the entire
branch of the secondary circuit or shunt is not at the same electrical potential while
the disconnector remains open. Likewise, in a similar way to the solution of
ES2387862T3, the kinematic chain that transmits the movement to the moving contact of the vacuum
switch comprises a plurality of elements, such as an actuating cam, springs, a lever
(foldable if necessary), a engagement finger, projecting washers, off-center parts,
etc., which implies a greater space for its mounting, which makes the electrical switchgear
itself occupy more space and be less compact. As in the previous case, it involves
the complication of the transmission of movement due to the need for synchronization
of all the elements, as well as the economic inconvenience.
[0012] It is the object of document
ES2525080T3 to simplify the kinematic chain to transmit the movement to the moving contact of
the vacuum switch. In the solution of this document, the number of elements of the
kinematic chain (referred to as "control mechanism" in the document) is reduced, which
comprises a rotary rocker arm as a means of actuating the moving contact of the vacuum
switch, which connects a rod that is associated with the moving contact of the vacuum
switch with the moving contact of the main circuit. In this way, a unitary and flexibly
mounted rocker arm replaces a control mechanism made up of parts articulated with
each other. As in the previous cases, the means for actuating the moving contact of
the vacuum switch, specifically the rocker arm, is part of the branch of the secondary
circuit, being the electrical conduction through the branch of the secondary circuit
provided by the rocker arm or possibly by a conductive switching lug, electrically
connected to the moving contact of the vacuum switch and extending to a free end superimposed
approximately on a free end of the rocker arm that intercepts the moving contact of
the main circuit, wherein this moving contact of the main circuit frictions over the
free end of the switching lug.
[0013] DE102004006476B4 also defines a means for actuating the moving contact of the vacuum switch that is
part of the branch of the secondary circuit, comprising in said secondary circuit
the complete kinematic chain for the transmission of movement to the moving contact
of the vacuum switch.
[0014] On the contrary, in document
WO2006074975A1 the actuating means is part of the main circuit, since in this case the actuating
means is a cam disc that is electrically and mechanically connected to the moving
contact of the main circuit. In this solution, the moving contact of the vacuum switch
comprises at its free end an electrically conductive pin element and this pin is intercepted
by the cam disc in the opening sequence of the main circuit. In this sense, the cam
disc comprises a guide slot into which the pin element is inserted and as the main
circuit follows its opening sequence, the pin is forced to go through said guide slot,
the pin in turn transmitting said movement to the moving contact of the vacuum switch.
The electrical current shunts through the pin element and the cam disc. In the closing
sequence of the main circuit, the cam disc does not interfere with the pin element,
so the vacuum switch is not subjected to any action and remains with its contacts
closed. This solution involves the drawback that the guide slot of the cam disc has
to have a path that is synchronized with the movement path of the moving contact of
the main circuit, so that as said moving contact of the main circuit moves, the pin
element is located at the appropriate point in the guide slot to convert the angular
displacement of the moving contact of the main circuit into linear displacement that
the pin element must transmit to the moving contact of the vacuum switch. Also, the
vacuum switch is fixed, that is, the vacuum switch does not comprise any movement,
so the guide slot must be more precisely traced.
[0015] Regarding the arrangement of the vacuum switch in a fixed, static way, this feature,
which is also fulfilled in the examples of the state of the art mentioned above, entails
another drawback, the one referring to the absorption of the shock when the actuating
means or the same moving contact of the main circuit intercepts the moving contact
of the vacuum switch or, in the case of the last example, the pin element, since the
vacuum switch and its connections on the secondary circuit do not include any damping
means against said shock of the interception moment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The load-break or short-circuit current switch object of the present invention is
applicable in electrical power distribution facilities such as, for example, electrical
transformation centers, distribution centers, substations, etc., for the protection
and operation of electrical circuits, and solves each and every one of the problems
mentioned above.
[0017] Specifically, said load-break or short-circuit current switch can be incorporated
into an enclosure, this enclosure being able to be watertight, and insulated in any
dielectric gas such as air, dry air, N
2, O
2, CO
2, or gas mixtures such as, for example, fluoroketones with vector gases such as CO
2, N
2, O
2, air or mixtures thereof, or gas mixtures such as hydrofluoroolefins with vector
gases such as N
2, O
2, dry air, helium, CO
2 or mixtures thereof, or sulfur hexafluoride, etc.
[0018] The enclosure may comprise at least one electrical connection means, such as a male
or female type bushing, and at least one mechanical connection means accessible both
from the inside and from the outside, so that the coupling of other elements with
the enclosure is facilitated, such as a operating mechanism by means of mechanical
connection means or other electrical switchgear by means of electrical connection.
The load-break or short-circuit current switch of the invention is installed inside
said enclosure and therefore insulated in the same gas that contains the enclosure.
[0019] The load-break or short-circuit current switch comprises a main circuit for the circulation
of the electric current and a secondary circuit for the circulation of the shunt electric
current. The main circuit comprises at least one first operating means, such as a
switch-disconnector equipped with a fixed contact and a moving contact, while the
secondary circuit comprises at least one second operating means, such as a vacuum
switch comprising inside a fixed contact and a moving contact.
[0020] The load-break or short-circuit current switch can adopt at least three operating
positions, making - breaking - disconnecting - grounding, so that the switch-disconnector
can also comprise a grounding contact. In this way, the vacuum switch arranged in
the secondary circuit performs the breaking operation and the switch-disconnector
of the main circuit performs the making, disconnecting and grounding operations, thus
compactly providing a load-break or short-circuit current switch capable of executing
up to four operating positions.
[0021] In this sense, in the switch-disconnector opening sequence, the moving contact of
this last element intercepts in the course of its opening stroke a free end of the
secondary circuit and the electric current begins to circulate through the secondary
circuit at the same time that it circulates through the main circuit. At the free
end of the secondary circuit is the vacuum switch, so the vacuum switch is actuated
by the movement of the moving contact of the switch - disconnector In this state in
which the electric current circulates both through the main circuit and through the
secondary circuit, following the opening sequence, the moving contact of the switch-disconnector
is separated from the main circuit without producing any electric arc in the circuit.
[0022] Following the opening sequence, the moving contact of the switch-disconnector acts
on the vacuum switch, interrupting the electric current, extinguishing the electric
arc and thus obtaining the breaking operating position. The moving contact of the
switch-disconnector of the main circuit comprises an actuating means that moves integral
with said moving contact of the switch-disconnector, said actuating means being connected
to the moving contact by means of a first articulation element, such as a return spring,
so that the actuating means is the one that acts directly on the vacuum switch in
the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch. By acting
directly on the vacuum switch, it is understood that the same actuating means constituted
by a single element separates the vacuum switch contacts, thereby simplifying the
kinematic chain, implying less space for its assembly, which makes the electrical
switchgear itself occupy less space and be more compact. Also, having fewer elements
in the kinematic chain makes the transmission of movement easier, which increases
its reliability and also makes its cost more inexpensive The fixed contact of the
vacuum switch is connected to a fixed part of the secondary circuit by means of a
second articulation element, such as for example a return spring, leaving the moving
contact of the vacuum switch free to be actuated by the actuating means in the opening
sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch. For this purpose, the
moving contact of the vacuum switch comprises a stop means with which it mechanically
and electrically connects the actuating means in the opening sequence of the load-break
or short-circuit current switch. The stop means can comprise at least one bolt, for
example, in the form of a latch like the one presented by door locks, so that in an
opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch the actuating means
engages said bolt and pulls it until it is released when the vacuum switch reaches
its breaking operating position. In the opening sequence, the actuating means engages
the bolt on the side that is not curved, which means that said bolt does not retract,
and the actuating means is released due to its tilting in the first articulation element,
which is when the vacuum switch reaches its breaking operating position.
[0023] The fixed contact of the vacuum switch is connected to the fixed part of the secondary
circuit by means of the second articulation element, so that the vacuum switch comprises
a movement around said second articulation element, such as a pendulum movement. Due
to this movement of the vacuum switch, said vacuum switch, and also its junctions
on the secondary circuit do not suffer any dry impact when the actuating means intercepts
the moving contact of the vacuum switch, the same movement dampens or absorbs a large
part of the impact.
[0024] Once the breaking operating position has been obtained, the actuating means that
is connected to the moving contact of the switch-disconnector is separated from the
free end of the secondary circuit, that is, from the stop means of the moving contact
of the vacuum switch and allows the vacuum switch to close its contacts, but without
the passage of electric current since the secondary circuit remains open, and to return
to its initial position by virtue of the action of the second articulation element.
At this moment, the disconnecting operating position has been obtained. From this
point on, the moving contact of the switch-disconnector would follow its opening sequence
and by intercepting said moving contact the grounding contact would obtain the grounding
position.
[0025] The actuating means comprises a first electrically conductive face and a second electrically
insulating or insulated face opposite the first face, so that in the opening sequence
of the load-break or short-circuit current switch the electrical conductive face is
that which mechanically and electrically connects with the stop means of the moving
contact of the vacuum switch.
[0026] In the closing sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch, the actuating
means does not interfere electrically or mechanically with the vacuum switch, and
therefore it does not interfere with the secondary circuit, because the actuating
means comprises the second electrically insulating or isolated face and due to the
fact that in the closing sequence the bolt of the stop means of the moving contact
of the vacuum switch retracts allowing the actuating means to pass or the actuating
means itself retracts and does not interfere with the stop means.
[0027] The switch-disconnector comprises an actuating shaft that acts on its moving contact
to execute both the opening sequence and the closing sequence of the load-break or
short-circuit current switch.
[0028] The possibility has been contemplated that the load-break or short-circuit current
switch may comprise a housing, wherein at least partially some of its elements are
integrated, such as the moving contact of the switch-disconnector, the actuating means,
the grounding contact of the switch-disconnector, etc.
[0029] Finally, the load-break or short-circuit current switch can comprise a three-phase
configuration and comprise part of its elements corresponding to the three phases,
at least partially, incorporated inside the housing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0030] To complement the description and in order to help a better understanding of the
features of the invention, according to a preferred example of a practical embodiment
thereof, a set of figures is attached as an integral part of said description in which,
for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:
Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the enclosure that incorporates inside the
load-break or short-circuit current switch of the invention, wherein at least one
electrical connection means and one mechanical connection means have been represented
accessible from the outside of said enclosure.
Figure 2.- Shows an elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current switch
of the invention.
Figure 3.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch in its making operating position (the main electrical circuit is closed), wherein
the electrical current circulates only through the main circuit.
Figure 4.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch once the opening sequence has begun, wherein the electric current circulates
through both the main circuit and the secondary circuit.
Figure 5.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch following the opening sequence, wherein the electric current only circulates
through the shunt secondary circuit.
Figure 6.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch following the opening sequence, in its breaking operating position.
Figure 7.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch following the opening sequence, in its disconnecting operating position.
Figure 8.- Shows a sectioned elevation view of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch, in its grounding operating position.
Figure 9.- Shows a detail of the stop means of the moving contact of the vacuum switch
according to a first possible embodiment.
Figure 10.- Shows a detail of the stop means of the moving contact of the vacuum switch
according to a second possible embodiment.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Figure 1 shows an enclosure (22) inside which the load-break or short-circuit current
switch (1) object of the present invention is installed, this enclosure (22) being
able to be watertight, and insulated in any dielectric gas such as air, dry air, N
2, O
2, CO
2, or gas mixtures such as, for example, fluoroketones with vector gases such as CO
2, N
2, O
2, air or mixtures thereof, or gas mixtures such as, for example, hydrofluoroolefins
with vector gases such as N
2, O
2, dry air, helium, CO
2 or mixtures thereof, or sulfur hexafluoride, etc.
[0032] The enclosure (22) comprises at least one electrical connection means (23), such
as a male or female type bushing, and at least one mechanical connection means (24)
accessible both from inside the enclosure (22) as well as from its outside, so that
the coupling of other elements with the enclosure (22) is facilitated, such as a operating
mechanism by means of mechanical connection means (24) or other electrical switchgear
by means of electrical connection (23). The load-break or short-circuit current switch
(1) of the invention is installed inside said enclosure (22) and therefore isolated
in the same gas that contains the enclosure (22).
[0033] As shown in figures 2-8, the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) comprises
a main circuit (2) for the circulation of the electric current and a secondary circuit
(3) for the circulation of the shunt electric current. The main circuit (2) comprises
at least a first operating means, such as a switch-disconnector (4), provided with
a fixed contact (5) and a moving contact (6), while the secondary circuit (3) comprises
at least one second operating means (7), such as a vacuum switch, which comprises
inside a fixed contact (8) and a moving contact (9). The load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1) can adopt at least three operating positions, making - breaking
- disconnecting - grounding, so that the switch - disconnector (4) can also comprise
a grounding contact (15). In this way, the vacuum switch (7) arranged in the secondary
circuit (3) performs the breaking operation, as shown in figure 6, while the switch-disconnector
(4) of the main circuit (2) performs the making, disconnecting and grounding operations,
as shown in figures 3, 7 and 8 respectively.
[0034] Starting from the making operating position of the load-break or short-circuit current
switch (1) represented in figure 3, in the opening sequence, the moving contact (6)
of the switch-disconnector (4) intercepts, in the course of its opening stroke, a
free end of the secondary circuit (3) and the electric current begins to circulate
through the secondary circuit (3) while it circulates through the main circuit (2),
as shown in the figure 4. At the free end of the secondary circuit (3) is the vacuum
switch (7), so the vacuum switch (7) is actuated by the movement of the moving contact
(6) of the switch-disconnector (4).
[0035] From this state in which the electric current circulates both through the main circuit
(2) and through the secondary circuit (3), following the opening sequence, the moving
contact (6) of the switch-disconnector (4) is separated from the fixed contact (5)
and therefore from the main circuit (2) without producing any electric arc in the
circuit, as shown in figure 5, now circulating the electric current only through the
secondary circuit (3).
[0036] As shown in Figures 3-8, the moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector (4) of
the main circuit (2) comprises an actuating means (10) that moves integral with said
moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector (4), said actuating means (10) being
connected to the moving contact (6) by means of a first articulation element (11),
such as a return spring, such that the actuating means (10) is the one that acts directly
on the vacuum switch (7) in the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1).
[0037] The fixed contact (8) of the vacuum switch (7) is connected to a fixed part (25)
of the secondary circuit (3) by means of a second articulation element (12), such
as a return spring, so that the vacuum switch (7) containing the contacts (8, 9) comprises
a movement around said second articulation element (12), such as for example a pendulum
movement. The moving contact (9) of the vacuum switch (7) is free to be actuated by
the actuating means (10) in the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1). For this purpose, as shown in Figures 3-10, the moving contact
(9) of the vacuum switch (7) comprises a stop means (13) with which it mechanically
and electrically connects the actuating means (10) in the opening sequence of the
load-break or short-circuit current switch (1). The stop means (13) can comprise at
least one bolt (14), for example in the form of a latch such as that presented by
door locks, as shown in Figure 9, so that in an opening sequence of the load-break
or short-circuit current switch (1) the actuating means (10) engages said bolt (14)
and pulls it until it is released when the vacuum switch (7) reaches its breaking
operating position, represented in figure 6. In the opening sequence the actuating
means (10) engages the bolt (14) on the side that is not curved, which means that
said bolt (14) does not retract, and the actuating means (10) is released due to its
tilting in the first articulation element (11), which is when the vacuum switch (7)
reaches its breaking operating position represented in figure 6.
[0038] The possibility that the stop means (13) may comprise at least one bolt (14) connected
to a different element of the stop means (13) by means of a mechanism (16) has also
been considered, as shown in the Figure 10, so that in an opening sequence of the
load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) the actuating means (10) engages said
bolt (14) and this bolt (14) retracts once the breaking position of the vacuum switch
(7) is reached.
[0039] Once the breaking operating position has been obtained, as shown in figure 6, the
actuating means (10) that is connected to the moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector
(4) is separated from the free end of the secondary circuit (3), that is, of the stop
means (13) of the moving contact (9) of the vacuum switch (7), and allows the vacuum
switch (7) to close its contacts (8, 9), but without passage of electric current since
the secondary circuit (3) remains open, and to return to its initial position by virtue
of the action of the second articulation element (12).
[0040] At this moment the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) is in the disconnecting
operating position, as shown in figure 7. From this point, the moving contact (6)
of the switch-disconnector (4) can follow its opening sequence and by intercepting
said moving contact (6) the grounding contact (15) the grounding position is obtained,
as shown in figure 8.
[0041] As shown in Figures 3-8, the actuating means (10) comprises a first electrically
conductive face (19) and a second electrically insulating or insulated face (20) opposite
the first face (19), so that in the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1) the first electrically conductive face (19) is the one that mechanically
and electrically connects with the stop means (13) of the moving contact (9) of the
vacuum switch (7), so that said moving contact (9) is mechanically actuated while
allowing the electrical conduction of the current through the secondary circuit (3).
[0042] In the closing sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1), the
actuating means (10) does not interfere electrically or mechanically with the vacuum
switch (7), and therefore neither with the secondary circuit (3), because the actuating
means (10) comprises the second face (20) being electrically insulating or isolated
and because in the closing sequence the bolt (14) of the stop means (13) of the moving
contact (9) of the vacuum switch (7) retracts allowing the actuating means (10) to
pass or the actuating means (10) itself retracts and does not interfere with the stop
means (13).
[0043] The switch-disconnector (4) comprises an actuating shaft (17), as shown in Figures
2-8, which acts on the moving contact (6) to execute both the opening sequence and
the closing sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) due to
the action of a operating mechanism not represented in the figures and which can be
coupled to the enclosure (22) through the mechanical connection means (24) represented
in figure 1.
[0044] The possibility has been considered that the load-break or short-circuit current
switch (1) may comprise a housing (18), as shown in Figures 2-8, wherein at least
partially some of its elements are integrated, such as the moving contact (6) of the
switch-disconnector (4), the actuating means (10), the grounding contact (15) of the
switch-disconnector (4), etc.
[0045] Finally, the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) can comprise a three-phase
configuration and therefore comprise part of its elements corresponding to the three
phases, at least partially, incorporated inside the housing (18).
1. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) comprising a main circuit (2) for the
circulation of the electric current and a secondary circuit (3) for the circulation
of the shunt electric current, wherein the main circuit (2) comprises a switch-disconnector
(4) provided with a fixed contact (5) and a moving contact (6), and wherein the secondary
circuit (3) comprises a vacuum switch (7) which in turn comprises a fixed contact
(8) and a moving contact (9), the vacuum switch (7) being activated by the movement
of the moving contact (6) of the switch - disconnector (4), characterized in that the moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector (4) of the main circuit (2) comprises
an actuating means (10) that moves integral with said moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector
(4), said actuating means (10) being connected to the moving contact (6) of the switch-disconnector
(4) by means of a first articulation element (11), so that the actuating means (10)
acts on the vacuum switch (7) in the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1), and in that the vacuum switch (7) is connected to a fixed part (25) of the secondary circuit
(3) by means of a second articulation element (12), so that the vacuum switch (7)
comprises a movement around said second articulation element (12).
2. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the vacuum switch (7) around the second articulation element (12)
is a pendulum movement.
3. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to claim 1 o 2, characterized in that it comprises at least three operating positions, making - breaking - disconnecting
- grounding, so that the switch - disconnector (4) comprises a grounding contact (15).
4. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the fixed contact (8) of the vacuum switch (7) is connected to the fixed part (25)
of the secondary circuit (3) by means of the second articulation element (12), leaving
the moving contact (9) of the vacuum switch (7) free to be actuated by the actuating
means (10) in the opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch
(1).
5. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the moving contact (9) of the vacuum switch (7) comprises a stop means (13) with
which it mechanically and electrically connects the actuating means (10) in the opening
sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1).
6. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop means (13) comprises at least one bolt (14) in the form of a latch, so that
in an opening sequence of the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) the actuating
means (10) engages said bolt (14) and pulls it until it is released when the vacuum
switch (7) reaches its breaking operating position, while in a closing sequence of
the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) the bolt (14) is retracted allowing
the actuating means (10) to pass.
7. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop means (13) comprises at least one bolt (14) connected to a different element
from the stop means (13) by means of a mechanism (16), so that in an opening sequence
of the load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) the actuating means (10) engages
said bolt (14) and this bolt (14) retracts once the breaking position of the vacuum
switch (7) is reached, while in a closing sequence of the load-break or short-circuit
current switch (1) the actuating means (10) retracts and does not interfere with the
stop means (13).
8. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the actuating means (10) comprises a first electrically conductive face (19) and
a second electrically insulating or insulated face (20) opposite the first face (19).
9. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first articulation element (11) and the second articulation element (12) comprise
return springs.
10. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the switch-disconnector (4) comprises an actuating shaft (17) that acts on the moving
contact (6) of the switch-disconnector (4).
11. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it comprises a housing (18).
12. Load-break or short-circuit current switch (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it comprises a three-phase configuration.