Method for detecting insufficient contact pressure in a switching unit, device for implementing such a method, and switching unit including such a device

A method for detecting insufficient contact pressure between two contacts of an electrical switching unit, said electrical switching unit comprising

• means for resetting a control mechanism for controlling the electrical switching unit following a closure maneuver of the control mechanism, said resetting means comprising
• means for compressing a closure spring intended to bring the control mechanism for controlling the electrical switching unit to a position in which the control mechanism is ready to close, and
• a motor configured to complete the closure maneuver of the control mechanism
• in an event of incomplete closure by said control mechanism and before carrying out the resetting as a result of said insufficient contact pressure being a result of wear in one of the control mechanism, a kinematic chain, the motor, and parts involved in compressing the closure spring, or
• in an event of incomplete closure exclusive of any wear,
• the method comprising:
• detecting whether the motor completes the closure maneuver and whether a resetting torque corresponds to a normal resetting torque by analyzing an envelope curve of current consumed by the motor over time in order to carry out the resetting following the closure maneuver of the control mechanism;
• if the motor completes the closure, deducing that the wear is the result of wear in one of the control mechanism and the kinematic chain;
• and
• if the motor completes the closure and if the resetting torque corresponds to an abnormal resetting torque, deducing that the wear corresponds to wear in one of the motor and the parts involved in compressing the closure spring.