Assembly for potential equalization in potential explosion regions

Abstract

An assembly (10) for potential equalization in a potential explosion region is described, having a housing (20), a gas discharge arrester (22), a short-circuit device (30) and a fault indicator (42). At least the gas discharge arrester (22) and the short circuit device (30) are housed in the housing (20). The short-circuit device (30) comprises at least one spring (32) and an actuating element (34) which is preloaded by the spring (32) into a short-circuit position. The gas discharge arrester (22) has a base body (24) filled with gas and connected to the first connector (16) by a thermally separable connection (38). A fault indicator (42) is provided to indicate a trip event of the shorting device (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for potential equalization in potentially explosive areas. Background Art

[0002] Components for potential equalization in potentially explosive areas (Ex areas) for lightning protection are known.

[0003] Corresponding components are usually used to bridge insulation, insulating flanges, etc., so that system components that are originally isolated from each other in the system can be grounded when exposed to lightning strikes, thereby effectively preventing damage caused by lightning strikes. An example of such a component is the EXFS100 from Dehn SE.

[0004] In addition to the typical function of such a component, which is to ensure the safety of the wires in the event of a lightning strike, such a component must also be able to generate a short circuit in the event of a fault so that the component is conductive in the event of a fault, thereby isolating the system parts of the system from each other and permanently grounding them.

[0005] With such components, it is not easy for the user to tell whether the component is still fully functional, or whether there is a fault and the component is permanently shorted.

[0006] As mentioned above, components are designed so that a short circuit is created in the event of a fault. However, it is not easy for the user to know whether this is actually the case. The user must also rely on the fact that if the component is operating normally in the event of a fault, the short circuit through the component actually exists in the event of a fault within the component. For this reason, some effort must be made to ensure that in such components, a short circuit is actually created in the event of a fault, in order to ground those system parts that are normally isolated from each other in the event of a fault. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the functionality of such an assembly, ie to make the assembly simpler and more cost-effective while at the same time making it more user-friendly.

[0008] According to the present invention, this purpose is achieved by an assembly for potential equalization in a potential explosion zone, the assembly having a housing, a gas discharge arrester, a short circuit device and a fault indicator. At least the gas discharge arrester and the short circuit device are contained in the housing. The short circuit device comprises at least one spring and an actuating element, which is preloaded to a short circuit position by a spring. The gas discharge arrester has a base body, which is filled with gas and connected to a first connector by a heat-separable connecting portion. The fault indicator is arranged to indicate a tripping event of the short circuit device.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to provide a potential equalization component with a short-circuit device which becomes active in particular in the event of a component failure so that the component is also conductive in the event of a failure. System components connected to the component can then be grounded. It can thus be ensured that in the event of a component failure a short circuit is always present so that system components separated from one another are short-circuited by the component and are accordingly grounded.

[0010] The fault indicator also ensures that a fault event associated with a tripping event of the short-circuiting device is indicated so that a user can quickly detect the status of the components, in particular the status of the short-circuiting device.

[0011] In addition, the short-circuit device is arranged to become activated, i.e. to generate a short circuit, in the event of a high short-term overload. For example, such a high short-term overload may cause the base body of the gas discharge arrester to be damaged or destroyed, thereby activating the short-circuit device and generating a short circuit.

[0012] The thermally separable connection also ensures that the components can be potential equalized even in the case of a long-term low overload, because the thermally separable connection is separated due to the long-term low overload. If the thermally separable connection is separated, a short circuit is also generated, thus ensuring potential equalization.

[0013] The short-circuit device therefore comprises, in addition to the spring and the actuating element, a thermally separable connection, so that a short circuit is also generated when the thermally separable connection is separated.

[0014] The assembly according to the invention, in particular the short-circuit device, therefore comprises a combined tripping mechanism which reacts in the event of a high short-term overload and a long-term low overload in order to ensure potential equalization.

[0015] Typically, the trip mechanism is implemented by preloading the actuating element (directly or indirectly) to a corresponding short-circuit position that produces a short circuit via a spring. Therefore, if the base body is damaged or destroyed and / or the heat-detachable connection is separated, the actuating element will produce a short circuit.

[0016] The short-circuit device is therefore particularly arranged to be activated when at least the base body of the gas discharge arrester is damaged, ie if a component fails.A damaged or even destroyed gas discharge arrester has at least the base body damaged.

[0017] The short-circuiting device thus ensures that a short circuit also exists in the event of a component failure, in particular ensures that the gas-discharge arrester is short-circuited if at least the base body of the gas-discharge arrester is damaged.

[0018] In this regard, several different fault scenarios are covered using components, especially short-circuit devices, i.e. short-term high overloads and low long-term overloads.

[0019] Furthermore, the gas discharge arrester ensures that the component provides the required potential equalization when there is a potential difference at which the gas discharge arrester can discharge, which corresponds to normal operation of the component, ie a normal overload.

[0020] Basically, a gas discharge arrester provides an isolating spark gap (EXFS).

[0021] According to one aspect, the actuating element is mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing. Thus, the actuating element can be moved relative to the housing so that a short circuit can be generated by the actuating element when the relative movement leads to contact between two components of the assembly generating the short circuit.

[0022] If the actuating element at least partially protrudes from the housing in the short-circuit position or when tripping, or if the housing has a corresponding viewing window, the user can quickly determine whether the actuating element is in the short-circuit position. In this respect, the actuating element itself can already form a fault indicator.

[0023] According to another aspect, the actuating element is connected to, in particular screwed onto, a second connecting piece. The second connecting piece is substantially opposite to the first connecting piece, in particular relative to the gas discharge arrester. Therefore, a first end of the gas discharge arrester is connected to the first connecting piece, and a second end of the gas discharge arrester opposite to the first end is connected to the second connecting piece. In other words, the two connecting pieces are separated from each other and are only mutually coupled by the gas discharge arrester. Therefore, the two connecting pieces are not directly mutually connected, so that if the connection with the gas discharge arrester is disconnected and / or the gas discharge arrester is damaged, the relative movement between the two connecting pieces is substantially possible.

[0024] Thus, the first connection member and the second connection member are spaced apart from each other (ie with the gas discharge arrester located therebetween) in an initial position of the assembly.

[0025] In one embodiment, the actuating element has at least one annular or cylindrical cross section.For example, the actuating element is (substantially) pot-shaped, with a base having an opening.

[0026] The corresponding cross section of the actuating element may have an internal thread at the end, with which the external thread of the second connecting member interacts to form a threaded connection between the actuating element and the second connecting member.

[0027] In particular, it is provided that the at least one spring acts on the second connection piece. In this respect, the actuating element is preloaded into the short-circuit position by the second connection piece. The spring presses the second connection piece in the direction of the short-circuit position, the second connection piece being connected to the actuating element, pushing (e.g. pulling) the actuating element in the direction of the short-circuit position. Thus, the spring preloads the actuating element into the short-circuit position.

[0028] For example, the at least one spring is a compression spring. Therefore, the compression spring is supported on the component of the assembly to apply pressure to the second connecting member.

[0029] In addition, it can be provided that the short-circuit device comprises a compression spring and / or a torsion spring. Therefore, two different types of springs can be provided to ensure that the required movement of the actuating element occurs when the component fails. It is also possible to provide only a torsion spring, which will cause the actuating element to rotate, but this rotation is only possible when, for example, the gas discharge arrester, in particular its base body is damaged or destroyed. In other words, the torsion spring can be arranged to rotate the actuating element, and this rotation is only possible when the gas discharge arrester, in particular its base body is damaged or destroyed. The movement of the actuating element causes a short circuit. In particular, the movement of the actuating element is started due to a short-term high overload or a long-term overload, which can cause the short-circuit device to trip.

[0030] In principle, the compression spring can also ensure that the gas discharge arrester, in particular the base body of the gas discharge arrester, generates cracks, resulting in the gas discharge arrester, in particular the base body, breaking, thereby having at least two parts separated from each other. Then, the torsion spring can make the at least two parts rotate relative to each other. Therefore, the force applied by the compression spring ensures the weakening of the gas discharge arrester (in particular the base body), resulting in breaking due to the cracks. Even in the case of cracks, the function can no longer be fully ensured, so the complete destruction and jump of the short-circuit device are advantageous.

[0031] According to another aspect, in the event of a short-circuit device tripping, a short circuit is formed by the first connector and the actuating element that are in contact with each other during the tripping. Therefore, in the case of a tripping, that is, when the actuating element is in the short-circuit position, there is contact between the actuating element and the first connector, thereby generating a short circuit. Among other things, this is because the housing is firmly connected to the first connector, and the actuating element is connected to the second connector. When the short-circuit device trips, the actuating element and the housing move relative to each other, thereby also causing relative movement of the two connectors. However, in the event of the device tripping, there is no direct contact between the two connectors, but only indirect contact through the actuating element. In other words, the two connectors that are spaced apart and electrically insulated from each other in the initial state remain spaced apart during the tripping, but are electrically connected to each other through the actuating element. Therefore, current can flow from the first connector to the second connector through the actuating element.

[0032] The fault indicator is designed in particular as a mechanical fault indicator. This means that in the event of a trip, the fault indicator trips purely mechanically, i.e. no electrical signal is sent to the fault indicator. For this purpose, the fault indicator can be provided in a simple manner, i.e. the fault indicator is designed as part of the actuating element or is directly mechanically coupled to the actuating element, as a result of which a displacement of the actuating element leads to a displacement of the fault indicator, which makes the corresponding state visible to the user.

[0033] For example, the fault indicator is arranged on an outwardly facing surface of the actuating element, which surface is visible from the outside when the trigger is tripped. The surface can be a marked portion, which is visible from the outside in the short-circuit position. For example, the portion is marked with a signal color. Therefore, the corresponding portion forming the fault indicator is covered by the housing in the initial position, wherein the corresponding portion is visible from the outside in the short-circuit position, so that the user can directly detect the state of the short-circuiting device and thus the state of the component. For this purpose, it can be provided that the relative movement of the actuating element and the housing causes the marked portion to leave the housing. As an alternative, an observation window can be provided in the housing, such as a translucent or transparent area, in which the marked portion is located when the trigger is tripped, so that the marked portion can be seen from the outside through the observation window.

[0034] In particular, the viewing window may provide a sealed housing within which the actuating element may move.

[0035] Furthermore, the fault indicator can basically be suitable for outdoor installation. Therefore, the fault indicator can withstand environmental influences.

[0036] The housing and / or connectors are specially designed to be sealed, so that the components have an IP protection level, which can prevent water and foreign objects from entering in the tripped and untripped states. At the same time, the mobility of the short-circuit device is guaranteed, thereby ensuring the short-circuit function in the event of a fault.

[0037] According to a further aspect, the first connection member is firmly connected to the housing. This ensures that there is no relative movement between the first connection member and the housing.

[0038] According to another aspect, the base body is at least partially surrounded by an insulator, on which at least the spring and / or the actuating element are supported and mounted along which it moves and / or the first connecting member is firmly connected to the insulator. The insulator ensures electrical insulation between the base body of the gas discharge arrester and the actuating element in the initial state. In addition, the actuating element is mounted in the housing in a prescribed manner through the insulator, in particular a prescribed distance is set between the base body of the gas arrester and the actuating element. At the same time, the insulator acts as a sliding bearing for the actuating element so that the actuating element can move relative to the insulator. In addition, the spring can be clamped between the insulator and the second connecting member so as to support the spring on the insulator and to compress the second connecting member in the direction of the short-circuit position. In addition, the insulator can be firmly connected to the first connecting member so that when the housing is connected to the first connecting member, the insulator is fixed relative to the first connecting member and the housing. Force locking and / or form locking can be provided for the connection between the insulator and the first connecting member. In addition, the insulator can also be connected to the first connecting member by bonding between materials.

[0039] In principle, the connecting element can also be designated as an inner housing element, in particular in contrast to an outer housing which surrounds the two connecting elements at least in certain regions.

[0040] The component may also comprise a remote signalling device for monitoring the state of the component. In particular, the remote signalling device comprises a sensor which interacts with the housing or the actuating element. The remote signalling device is basically used to signal the state of the component at different locations, so that a user does not have to be present on site to perceive a fault indication. The remote signalling device may comprise a micro switch representing the sensor. The micro switch may transmit the state of the component by tactile actuation. It may be provided that the sensor, i.e. the micro switch, interacts with the housing, in particular in an initial state. The sensor is mounted so that upon a trip, i.e. due to a movement of the actuating element, the sensor moves away from the housing, so that there is no longer any contact with the housing, and a corresponding signal is sent by the remote signalling device.

[0041] As an alternative, the sensor can be arranged so that it is not actuated in the initial state but is actuated when it trips, i.e. after the actuating element has moved. The actuation can be performed by the actuating element itself or by an element coupled to the actuating element, the trip signal being transmitted by a remote signaling device, which in turn represents the state of the component.

[0042] It can also be provided that the sensor scans the contour of a moving part of the assembly, such as the actuating element and / or the second connecting part.The scanned part of the assembly can be scanned by the sensor outside the housing or inside the housing.

[0043] Another alternative for sensors provides inductive sensors which detect the movement of components of the assembly.

[0044] The thermally separable connection may be a solder connection. The thermally separable connection may be low in solder paste, which for example starts to separate at a temperature above 100° C., in particular above 130° C., so that the thermally separable connection is separated.

[0045] In particular, the base body of the gas discharge arrester may be made of ceramic. The ceramic may break or crack, leading to a malfunction of the component, in particular the gas discharge arrester. A break or crack of the base body leads to activation of the short-circuit device, thereby ensuring potential equalization by short-circuiting the component.

[0046] In particular, the housing is a plastic housing. Thus, it can be ensured that the housing arranged outside and surrounding the conductive element is non-conductive.

[0047] In principle, a tripping event of the component occurs when the short-circuiting device is activated, ie the actuating element is in the short-circuit position, wherein the short circuit is established by the actuating element.

[0048] The short-circuit device can have an axial, rotary or axial-rotary tripping mechanism, ie due to a compression spring, a torsion spring or a combination of a compression spring and a torsion spring. The axis is defined by the gas discharge arrester or the connecting line to which the gas discharge arrester is connected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention in an initial state;

[0051] Figure 2 Shows when a jump occurs Figure 1 sectional view of

[0052] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 perspective drawing;

[0053] Figure 4 shows a representation of components according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the components in the initial state, which illustrates the operating principle; and

[0056] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross section when a trigger occurs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Figure 1 Shown is a component 10 for potential equalization in a potentially explosive area (Ex area), for example for operatively separable system components for indirect connection or grounding of a system in the event of a lightning strike.

[0058] The assembly 10 comprises a first pole 12, which is located, for example, on the system side, and an opposite second pole 14, which is located, for example, on the ground side.

[0059] A connecting threaded screw M10 may be provided at each pole 12 and 14 , by which a corresponding system component of the system is electrically connected to the assembly 10 .

[0060] Furthermore, the assembly 10 comprises a first connection element 16 which is assigned to or connected to the first pole 12 , and a second connection element 18 which is assigned to or connected to the second pole 14 .

[0061] The connectors 16, 18 extend at least partially into a housing 20, which is designed as a plastic housing (TPE housing), for example as an injection-molded component. However, the first connector 16 and the second connector 18 are designed as conductive components, for example metal housing components. In particular, the housing 20 is firmly connected to the first connector 16.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, the outer housing 20 is (substantially) pot-shaped, the bottom 21 of the pot-shaped outer housing 20 having an opening through which the first connecting element 16 extends. The second connecting element 18 corresponds to a cover plate for the pot-shaped outer housing 20.

[0063] The gas discharge arrester 22 is arranged between the two connecting pieces 16, 18, respectively keeping the two connecting pieces 16, 18 at a certain distance from each other. In the embodiment shown, the gas discharge arrester 22 is completely accommodated in the housing 20, while the two connecting pieces 16, 18 are only partially accommodated in the housing 20.

[0064] The gas discharge arrester 22 has a base body 24 that encloses a gas-filled region. The base body 24 may be formed of ceramic.

[0065] The gas discharge arrester 22 has a first end 26 through which the gas discharge arrester 22 is connected to the first connection member 16 , and a second end 28 opposite to the first end 26 through which the gas discharge arrester 22 is connected to the second connection member 18 .

[0066] In this regard, the assembly 10 may form a conductive connection through the first connector 16, the gas discharge arrester 22 connected thereto, and the second connector 18, which is also connected to the gas discharge arrester 22. When the gas discharge arrester 22 is in a conductive state, a conductive connection is provided.

[0067] Furthermore, the assembly 10 comprises a short-circuit device 30 which ensures that in the event of a malfunction of the assembly 10 , in particular of the gas arrester 22 , a short circuit exists between the originally spatially separated connections 16 , 18 .

[0068] The short-circuit device 30 includes a spring 32 and an actuating element 34 which is preloaded by the spring 32 into a short-circuit position as described below.

[0069] In the initial state, the housing 20 surrounds the actuating element 34 , which is also (substantially) pot-shaped, and the base 35 of the actuating element 34 has an opening through which the first connecting piece 16 extends.

[0070] Furthermore, the pot-shaped housing 20 has a guide 36 for the opening edge of the seat 35 of the actuating element 34 , which is located in the region of its opening in the seat 21 .

[0071] The actuating element 34 is also connected to the second connecting member 18, for example by a threaded connection 37, so that the second connecting member 18 and the actuating element 34 are mechanically coupled to each other. Thus, a movement of the second connecting member 18 results in a movement of the actuating element 34 and vice versa.

[0072] The short-circuit device 30 also has at least one thermally separable connection 38, by means of which, for example, the base body 24 of the gas arrester 22 is connected to the first connection piece 16. In this respect, the thermally separable connection 38 can be arranged in the region of the first end 26 of the gas arrester 22.

[0073] In principle, the thermally separable connection 38 can be provided on all contact surfaces between the gas arrester 22 and the first connecting piece 16 .

[0074] For example, the gas discharge arrester 22 is soldered into the first connection piece 16 via its first end 26 , in particular using a low-solder paste.

[0075] Furthermore, the assembly 10 comprises an insulator 39 which at least partially surrounds the gas discharge arrester 22, in particular the base body 24. The insulator 39 may have been pushed onto the gas arrester 22.

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the insulator 39 is shaped so as to contact the first connector 16, in particular, the surrounding portion thereof. It can also be provided that there is a connection portion between the insulator 39 and the first connector 16, so that the relative movement of the insulator 39 and the first connector 16 can be prevented.

[0077] An insulator 39 is also provided between the gas arrester 22 and the actuating element 34 , so that the insulator 39 determines the position of the actuating element 34 in the housing 20 and simultaneously acts as a sliding bearing for the actuating element 34 when the short-circuit device 30 is tripped.

[0078] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The tripping situation of the short-circuit device 30 is shown, which occurs when a fault occurs in the component 10 .

[0079] In the example shown, the base body 24 has been damaged or destroyed because of the presence of the corresponding breaking point 40 .

[0080] Damage or destruction of the base body 24 causes the compression spring 32 (which is supported on the insulator 39 ) to move the second connector 18 , thereby causing the actuating element 34 connected to the second connector 18 to move relative to the housing 20 .

[0081] This makes visible an area of ​​the actuating element 34 which acts as a fault indicator 42. The fault indicator 42 is therefore arranged on an outwardly facing surface of the actuating element 34 which is visible from the outside in the event of a tripped trigger, since it protrudes laterally from the housing 20 in the embodiment shown. It is then a mechanical fault indicator 42, since it becomes visible due to a mechanical principle.

[0082] In particular, from Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, the fault indicator 42 can be highlighted, for example with a red part as color, so that the state of the component 10 can be quickly detected because it is a signal color. The fault indicator 42 can also be formed by a symbol or the like on the outward surface of the actuating element 34.

[0083] In principle, the fault indicator 42 may be a marking portion of the actuating element 34 .

[0084] The relative movement of the actuating element 34 with respect to the housing 20 also causes the actuating element 34 to come into contact with the first connection piece 16 and the short-circuit portion 44, so that there is a short circuit 46 between the first connection piece 16 and the actuating element 34, which is firmly connected to the second connection piece 18. The short-circuit portion 44 is formed in particular at the bottom 35 of the pot-shaped actuating element 34.

[0085] In this respect, the two connecting pieces 16 , 18 are electrically connected to one another via the actuating element 34 , in particular its short-circuit section 44 , in the event of a trip, which ensures potential equalization in the event of a fault in the assembly 10 .

[0086] Damage or destruction of the base body 24 is usually caused by short-term high overloads acting on the assembly 10. In principle, the breaking point 40 can occur at any point of the gas discharge arrester 22, i.e. also at the first end 26 or the second end 28 or other points of the base body 24. In each case, the movement of the second connection 18 and the actuating element 34 connected thereto relative to the first connection 16 is enabled.

[0087] In addition to this fault scenario, the short-circuit device 30 also includes another fault scenario due to which the component 10, in particular the short-circuit device 30, trips, ie, a long-term overload.

[0088] A long-term overload results in a separation of the thermally separable connection 38 , so that the gas discharge arrester 22 is no longer securely coupled to the first connection piece 16 via its first end 26 .

[0089] Therefore, the spring 32 supported on the insulator 39 presses the second connection piece 18 in the direction of the tripping position, so that the actuating element 34 and the entire gas discharge arrester 22, which are firmly connected to the second connection piece 18, are moved. This is possible because the gas discharge arrester 22 is no longer connected to the first connection piece 16 via its first end 26 because the thermally separable connection 38 is separated due to the permanent current and the associated temperature rise.

[0090] Thus, in such a fault scenario, the fault indicator 42 is also visible from the outside, allowing a user to quickly determine the status of the assembly 10 .

[0091] Figure 4 Another embodiment is shown in which the assembly 10 has a remote signaling device 48 that includes a sensor 50, such as a micro switch.

[0092] The sensor 50 is assigned to the second pole 14 of the component 10 , for example the ground-side pole of the component 10 .

[0093] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor 50 interacts both with the housing 20 and with the second connecting element 18 , on which a holding device 52 for the sensor 50 is arranged.

[0094] The sensor 50 is arranged so that it is permanently in an open or actuated state. In the event of a tripping of the short-circuiting device 30, the second connector 18 moves to the tripping position due to relative movement relative to the housing 20, as described above, so that the retaining device 52 and the sensor 50 disposed thereon also move. Since the sensor 50 is no longer actuated by the housing 20, the remote signaling device 48 outputs a different signal or no signal at all. In either case, there is a signal change that can be attributed to the change in the state of the assembly 10.

[0095] As an alternative, an arrangement of the sensor 50 may be provided such that the sensor 50 is activated or tripped only in the event of a relative movement. The relative movement results in a mechanical actuation of the sensor 50 which signals a change in the state of the component 10.

[0096] Furthermore, the remote signaling device 48 may have an inductive sensor 50 which detects a movement of a component of the assembly 10 in a non-mechanical manner.

[0097] In addition to the remote signaler 48, the second embodiment also includes a fault indicator 42 that becomes visible as described above with respect to the first embodiment when the second pole 14 moves relative to the housing 20 in the event of a trip.

[0098] In principle, the remote signaling device 48 can also be implemented in the first embodiment.

[0099] Figures 5 to 7 A third embodiment of the assembly 10 is shown, which is Figure 1 The embodiment shown differs in that, in addition to the compression spring 32, the short-circuit device 30 also has a torsion spring 54, which causes the actuating element 34 to rotate, thereby generating a short circuit between the actuating element 34 and the first connecting piece 16, thereby Figure 6 and Figure 7 This can be seen in the comparison.

[0100] So the basic structure initially resembles Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment is shown because, in the event of a trip, the compression spring 32 enables the actuating element 34 to move axially relative to the housing 20 and the first connecting piece 16 firmly connected to the housing 20 .

[0101] As soon as the actuating element 34 has moved far enough in the axial direction, the torsion spring 54 is activated, thereby initiating a rotational movement of the actuating element 34 , which causes the actuating element 34 to come into contact with the first connecting piece 16 , thereby generating a short circuit.

[0102] If only a breakage previously existed, the compression spring 32 can also be provided for separating the gas discharge arrester 22, in particular its base body 24. Thus, the force applied by the compression spring 32 ensures that an existing breakage (e.g. a crack in the base body 24) leads to the separation of the base body 24. This ensures that the rotation can then be performed by the torsion spring 54.

[0103] The corresponding rotational movement of the actuating element 34 is Figure 6 The dashed arrow indicates the short-circuit position of the actuator 34. Figure 7 As shown, when the short circuit is established, the actuating element 34 and the first connecting piece 16 are in contact.

[0104] Furthermore, the third embodiment of the assembly 10 includes a fixed sheath component 56 disposed between the housing 20 and the first connector 16 , the insulator 39 , the actuating element 34 , and the second connector 18 .

[0105] In addition, a bearing sleeve 58 is provided on the gas discharge arrester 22 , and is used to support the torsion spring 54 .

[0106] In an embodiment, a viewing window may be provided in the fixed sheath component 56 and / or the housing 20, through which the fault indicator 42 is visible from the outside when a trip occurs. In other words, the rotational movement of the actuating element 34 causes the fault indicator 42 to be visible from the outside.

[0107] As an alternative, a variant embodiment can also be provided in which there is only a torsion spring 54. As soon as the gas discharge arrester 22 is separated due to damage, the torsion spring 54 can initiate a relative rotation, which leads to a short circuit, as described above.

[0108] Common to all embodiments is therefore that the assembly 10 comprises a gas discharge arrester 22 and a short-circuit device 30, which comprises at least one spring 32, 54 and an actuating element 34, which is preloaded into a short-circuit position by the spring 32, 54. The gas discharge arrester 22 has a gas-filled base body 24, which is connected to the first connection 16 via a thermally separable connection 38. A fault indicator 42 is arranged to indicate a tripping event of the short-circuit device 30.

[0109] A remote signaling device 48 may be provided in all embodiments.

Claims

1. An assembly (10) for potential equalization in a potentially explosive area, the assembly comprising a housing (20), a gas discharge arrester (22), a short-circuit device (30) and a fault indicator (42), at least the gas discharge arrester (22) and the short-circuit device (30) being accommodated in the housing (20), the short-circuit device (30) comprising at least one spring (32) and an actuating element (34), the actuating element (34) being preloaded into a short-circuit position by the spring (32), the gas discharge arrester (22) having a base body (24), the base body being filled with gas and being connected to a first connecting piece (16) via a thermally separable connection (38), and the fault indicator (42) being arranged to indicate a tripping event of the short-circuit device (30).

2. The assembly (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The actuating element (34) is mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing (20).

3. The assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The actuating element (34) is connected, in particular screwed, to the second connecting piece (18).

4. The assembly (10) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The at least one spring (32) acts on the second connecting member (18).

5. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The at least one spring (32) is a compression spring.

6. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The short-circuit device (30) comprises a compression spring and a torsion spring (54).

7. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that When the short-circuit device (30) trips, a short circuit (46) is formed by the first connecting piece (16) and the actuating element (34) contacting each other when the short-circuit device (30) trips.

8. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The fault indicator (42) is designed as a mechanical fault indicator.

9. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The fault indicator (42) is arranged on an outwardly facing surface of the actuating element (34), the outwardly facing surface being visible from the outside when a trip occurs.

10. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The first connecting member (16) is firmly connected to the housing (20).

11. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The base body (24) is at least partially surrounded by an insulator (39), the at least one spring (32) is supported on the insulator (39) and / or the actuating element (34) is movably mounted along the insulator (39) and / or the first connecting piece (16) is firmly connected to the insulator (39).

12. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The assembly (10) comprises a remote signaling device (48) for monitoring the state of the assembly (10), in particular wherein the remote signaling device (48) comprises a sensor (50) which interacts with the housing (20) or the actuating element (34).

13. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The thermally separable connection (38) is a welded connection.

14. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The base body (24) of the gas discharge arrester (22) is formed of ceramics.

15. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The housing (20) is a plastic housing.

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