Switching Device Provided with Neutral Conductor

• US 20070272527A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abb Oy (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Abb Oy (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Kolmonen, Rainer, Suutarinen, Aki, Mattlar, Harri
• Granted Patent: US 7,777,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/51.90
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/002 with provision for switching the neutral conductor

Abstract

A switching device is disclosed which includes a neutral conductor and arranged for opening and closing an electric circuit. The switching device includes a frame, through which the electric circuit'"'"'s neutral conductor having a first end and a second end passes. The neutral conductor includes a movable middle portion that is arranged for breaking the neutral conductor inside the frame, the movable middle portion being movable with respect to the first and the second end of the neutral conductor and located between them.

Claims

1. A switching device provided with a neutral conductor and arranged for opening and closing an electric circuit, the switching device comprising a frame, through which the electric circuit'"'"'s neutral conductor having a first end and a second end passes, wherein the neutral conductor comprises a movable middle portion that is arranged for breaking the neutral conductor inside the frame, the movable middle portion being movable with respect to the first and the second end of the neutral conductor and located between them.

2. A switching device according to claim 1, comprising pressing means for pressing the movable middle portion against the first and the second end of the neutral conductor.

3. A switching device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing means comprise one screw member per each end of the movable middle portion, each screw member comprising a threaded portion and a head portion and the diameter of the head portion being larger than that of the threaded portion.

4. A switching device according to claim 3, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a slot at its first end and at its second end, each slot forming an opening extending through the middle portion, wherein the threaded portions of the screw members are arranged to pass through the movable middle portion via the slots.

5. A switching device according to claim 4, wherein one end of the slot at the first end of the movable middle portion is open.

6. A switching device according to claim 5, wherein the slot at the second end of the movable middle portion is so long that the neutral conductor can be broken by loosening the screw members and by sliding the movable middle portion along the surface of the first and the second end of the neutral conductor towards the second end of the neutral conductor until the movable middle portion reaches a position where it is not in a conductive contact with the first end of the neutral conductor.

7. A switching device according to claim 1, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

8. A switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

9. A switching device according to claim 2, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

10. A switching device according to claim 3, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

11. A switching device according to claim 4, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

12. A switching device according to claim 5, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

13. A switching device according to claim 6, wherein the movable middle portion comprises a portion which is in a substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane in which the first and the second end of the movable middle portion are located.

14. A switching device according to claim 2, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

15. A switching device according to claim 3, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

16. A switching device according to claim 4, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

17. A switching device according to claim 5, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

18. A switching device according to claim 6, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.

19. A switching device according to claim 7, wherein the switching device is a modular switching device and wherein the neutral conductor is located in a control device module.