A modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive includes a mounting rail bus system having a control line and two power supply lines, a power supply device, and a safety relay module that is configured to obtain a first, high level control signal from a DC supply voltage applied to the two power supply lines and to feed the first control signal to the control line via the first bus interface if the emergency stop command device has not been actuated. Furthermore, at least one safety motor starter module is provided, which includes a processing device with an input that can be electrically connected to the control line via a bus interface. The processing device is adapted to evaluate a first, high level control signal as transferred via the control line and to provide control signals for controlling the at least two switch devices.

A modular switch apparatus for controlling at least one electric drive includes a mounting rail bus system having a control line and two power supply lines, a power supply device, and a safety relay module that is configured to obtain a first, high level control signal from a DC supply voltage applied to the two power supply lines and to feed the first control signal to the control line via the first bus interface if the emergency stop command device has not been actuated. Furthermore, at least one safety motor starter module is provided, which includes a processing device with an input that can be electrically connected to the control line via a bus interface. The processing device is adapted to evaluate a first, high level control signal as transferred via the control line and to provide control signals for controlling the at least two switch devices.

A modular power distribution device includes a base that is snap-fit onto DIN rail. The base includes a first mounting section, configured to receive a circuit protection device, and a second mounting section configured to receive an electronically actuated power distribution device. The circuit protection device slides on to the first mounting section and includes multiple output connections. The power distribution device slides on to the second mounting section and includes multiple input connections configured to engage the output connections of the circuit protection device as the power distribution device slides on to the second mounting section. An electronic control module is snap-fit to the assembly establishing electrical connections between the electronic control module and both the circuit protection device and the power distribution device. The electronic control module includes a port by which control signals are received and feedback signals may be transmitted.

An electromechanical relay is provided with a housing, a relay assembly within the housing, and a data collection cover enclosing the relay assembly within the housing. The data collection cover includes sensing members that extend in toward the relay assembly and engage disconnect switches of the relay assembly. The sensing members transmit analog signals to an analog-to-digital converter that converts analog signals to digital signals. The cover then stores, displays and/or communicates the digital information.

An electrical device for supplying power to a plurality of power units comprises a fixed support and a plurality of contactor blocks. The fixed support comprises input terminals, for receiving a polyphase power current, and a distribution circuit that is configured to distribute the power current to power lines that each comprise a plurality of single-phase supply lines, the fixed support comprising a number of power lines that is the same as the number of contactor blocks of the electrical device, and each power line comprising a number of supply lines that is the same as the number of phases of the power current, each of the supply lines of a contactor block being connected to a respective phase of the power current, the supply lines being accessible on the outside of the fixed support via intermediate terminals. Each contactor block comprises secondary lines, each secondary line being connected to a respective supply line via a respective intermediate terminal, the contactor blocks being movable between a joined position, in which each secondary line is electrically connected to a specific primary line via an intermediate terminal and is accessible on the outside of the contactor block via an output terminal block, and a disjoined position, in which each secondary line is not connected to a primary line, each contactor block further comprising a switching device, which is switchable between an open position, in which all of the secondary lines of this contactor block are open, and a closed position, in which all of the secondary lines of this contactor block are closed and do not prevent the current from flowing between the intermediate terminals and the output terminal block. The electrical device also comprises a control block, which is movable between a joined position, in which the control block cooperates mechanically and electrically with the rest of the electrical device, and a disjoined position, in which the control block does not cooperate, either mechanically or electrically, with the rest of the electrical device. When the control block is in the joined position, each contactor block is, on the one hand, held in the joined position, an electronic monitoring device of the control block also being connected to the switching device of each of the contactor blocks, the electronic monitoring device being configured to control the switching of each switching device independently of the other switching devices. When the control block is in the disjoined position, the switching device of each of the contactor blocks is in the open state, while each of the contactor blocks is movable between its joined position and its disjoined position, independent

An electrical device for supplying power to a plurality of power units comprises a fixed support and a plurality of contactor blocks. The fixed support comprises input terminals, for receiving a polyphase power current, and a distribution circuit that is configured to distribute the power current to power lines that each comprise a plurality of single-phase supply lines, the fixed support comprising a number of power lines that is the same as the number of contactor blocks of the electrical device, and each power line comprising a number of supply lines that is the same as the number of phases of the power current, each of the supply lines of a contactor block being connected to a respective phase of the power current, the supply lines being accessible on the outside of the fixed support via intermediate terminals. Each contactor block comprises secondary lines, each secondary line being connected to a respective supply line via a respective intermediate terminal, the contactor blocks being movable between a joined position, in which each secondary line is electrically connected to a specific primary line via an intermediate terminal and is accessible on the outside of the contactor block via an output terminal block, and a disjoined position, in which each secondary line is not connected to a primary line, each contactor block further comprising a switching device, which is switchable between an open position, in which all of the secondary lines of this contactor block are open, and a closed position, in which all of the secondary lines of this contactor block are closed and do not prevent the current from flowing between the intermediate terminals and the output terminal block. The electrical device also comprises a control block, which is movable between a joined position, in which the control block cooperates mechanically and electrically with the rest of the electrical device, and a disjoined position, in which the control block does not cooperate, either mechanically or electrically, with the rest of the electrical device. When the control block is in the joined position, each contactor block is, on the one hand, held in the joined position, an electronic monitoring device of the control block also being connected to the switching device of each of the contactor blocks, the electronic monitoring device being configured to control the switching of each switching device independently of the other switching devices. When the control block is in the disjoined position, the switching device of each of the contactor blocks is in the open state, while each of the contactor blocks is movable between its joined position and its disjoined position, independent

Methods, systems, and apparatus for circuit breakers with integrated safety, control, monitoring, and protection features. In one aspect, a circuit breaker includes, an input and an output, a switch coupled between the input and the output, a sensor configured to measure the current flowing from the input to the output, and a control system coupled to the sensor and the switch, wherein the control system is configured to perform operations including comparing a rate of change of the current measured by the sensor to a threshold rate of change of current, determining that the rate of change of the current measured by the sensor exceeds the threshold rate of change of current for at least a predetermined period of time, and as a consequence of determining that the rate of change of current exceeds the threshold rate of change, opening the switch, thereby disconnecting the input from the output.

A motor starter has a housing, a contactor portion disposed within the housing, a motor protection system disposed within the housing adjacent to the contactor portion in a vertical direction, and an actuation system disposed within the housing. The contactor portion may switch between an open position and a closed position, in which, in the open position, current does not flow through the motor starter and, in the closed position, current is allowed to flow through the motor starter. The motor protection system includes a plurality of components that may move the contactor portion to the open position based on a current flow, in which the actuation system may move the contactor portion between the closed position and the open position in response to receiving an input.

An electrical device for supplying electrical power to multiple power units includes a first module, including an electrical circuit breaker; a second, removable module, including a control circuit, programmed to trip the circuit breaker depending on values of the electric current that is flowing through power lines; a connection interface provided with output connectors that are connected to the power lines; removable elements, each containing an item of electrical equipment that is intended to be connected to an electrical power unit and to one of the power lines by the output connectors, the control circuit being connected to an interface for controlling each removable element via a data link by virtue of the connection interface.

An electrical device for supplying electrical power to multiple power units includes a first module, including an electrical circuit breaker; a second, removable module, including a control circuit, programmed to trip the circuit breaker depending on values of the electric current that is flowing through power lines; a connection interface provided with output connectors that are connected to the power lines; removable elements, each containing an item of electrical equipment that is intended to be connected to an electrical power unit and to one of the power lines by the output connectors, the control circuit being connected to an interface for controlling each removable element via a data link by virtue of the connection interface.