Overload relay to be combined with contactors
AssigneeKlockner-Moeller GmbH
InventorsKlaus Lankuttis, Gerhard Rossmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overload relay comprising three modules, each enclosed in molded housings: the basic unit, the contactor-side terminal block and the load-side terminal block. Both terminal blocks have phase connectors which can be the same or different in terms of their type of connection and/or their clearance between phases and/or their phase height. The terminal blocks can be mechanically and electrically detachably connected to the basic unit. At least the basic unit or the terminal blocks have means for fastening to a mounting plate. In an additional solution, the terminal blocks are part of a series which is compatible with at least two different contactors. A typical field of application for the invention is the protection of electric motors.
Claims20
An overload relay and contactor in combination, said overload relay for being interfaced with an electrical load, at least a portion of said combination for being mounted on a mounting plate, said combination comprising:
- said overload relay comprising a base unit, a first terminal block and a second terminal block;
- said base unit being disposed between said first terminal block and said second terminal block;
- said first terminal block being selectively detachable and attachable with said base unit;
- said second terminal block being selectively detachable and attachable with said base unit;
- means for connecting said first terminal block with said base unit;
- means for connecting said second terminal block with said base unit;
- said first terminal block being disposed adjacent said contactor and being selectively attachable and detachable with said contactor;
- said second terminal block being configured for being connected with the electrical load and for being selectively attachable and detachable with the electrical load;
- means disposed on said first terminal block for connecting said first terminal block with said contactor;
- means disposed on said second terminal block for connecting said second terminal block with the electrical load;
- said means connecting said first terminal block with said contactor comprising first phase connector means;
- said means for connecting said second terminal block with the electrical load comprising second phase connector means;
- and
- said base unit comprising overload protection means;
- said overload protection means comprising means for protecting the electrical load from an overload;
- said base unit comprising a housing;
- and
- said overload protection means being disposed within said housing.
An overload relay for being connected with a contactor, said overload relay for being interfaced with an electrical load, at least a portion of said overload relay for being mounted on a mounting plate, said overload relay comprising:
- a base unit, a first terminal block and a second terminal block;
- said base unit being disposed between said first terminal block and said second terminal block;
- said first terminal block being selectively detachable and attachable with said base unit;
- said second terminal block being selectively detachable and attachable with said base unit;
- means for connecting said first terminal block with said base unit;
- means for connecting said second terminal block with said base unit;
- said first terminal block for being disposed adjacent the contactor and for being selectively attachable and detachable with the contactor;
- said second terminal block being configured for being connected with the electrical load and for being selectively attachable and detachable with the electrical load;
- means disposed on said first terminal block for connecting said first terminal block with the contactor;
- means disposed on said second terminal block for connecting said second terminal block with the electrical load;
- said means connecting said first terminal block with the contactor comprising phase connector means;
- said means for connecting said second terminal block with the electrical load comprising phase connector means;
- and
- said base unit comprising overload protection means;
- said overload protection means comprising means for protecting the electrical load from an overload;
- said base unit comprising a housing;
- and
- said overload protection means being disposed within said housing.
A method of using a system for adapting various overload relays to various contactors, the overload relays and the contactors for being interfaced with an electrical load, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of overload relays;
- configuring each of the plurality of overload relays to comprise overload protection means, the overload protection means comprising means for protecting an electrical load against an overload, each of the overload relays comprising a housing, the overload protection means being disposed within each housing;
- providing a plurality of contactors;
- providing a first set of adapters, each adapter of the first set of adapters for connecting at least one of the overload relays with at least one of the contactors;
- providing a second set of adapters, each adapter of the second set of adapters for connecting at least one of the overload relays with the electrical load;
- selecting a first adapter from the first set of adapters and connecting the first adapter of the first set of adapters between a first one of the plurality of overload relays and a first one of the plurality of contactors;
- and
- selecting a first adapter from the second set of adapters and connecting the first adapter of the second set of adapters between the first overload relay and the electrical load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.