Surge protection device

Abstract

A surge protection device (1) is shown and described, comprising at least one triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) for connection between a first conductor (L1) and a reference potential (N), and a spark gap arrangement (40) for connection between the reference potential (N) and the earth connection (PE), wherein the triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) has an ignition circuit (14, 24, 34). The overvoltage protection device (1) according to the invention has a relatively low protection level in that the spark gap arrangement (40) comprises a first spark gap (41) with a first electrode (411) and a second electrode (412) and at least one second spark gap (42) with a first electrode (421) and a second electrode (422), wherein the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) are at a common potential, so that the first spark gap (41) and the second spark gap (42) are connected in series, and that the ignition circuit (14, 24, 34) of the triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) is connected to the common potential of the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) of the spark gap arrangement. (40) is connected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a surge protection device with at least one triggerable spark gap for connection between a first conductor and a neutral conductor, and with a spark gap arrangement for connection between the neutral conductor and a protective conductor, wherein the triggerable spark gap has an ignition circuit.

[0002] Surge protection devices are known in a wide variety from the prior art and serve to protect electrical equipment or lines from overvoltages that can be caused, for example, by lightning strikes, switching operations, or defects in technical systems. The necessary measures for protecting the power supply of devices and systems are divided into two or three stages, depending on the choice of surge arrester and the expected environmental influences. The surge protection devices for the individual stages differ in their discharge capacity and level of protection.

[0003] Type 1 surge protection devices, often also referred to as lightning arresters, typically feature voltage-switching arresters based on spark gaps, since spark gaps can dissipate high overvoltages and carry high currents. However, because spark gaps have a relatively high response voltage and thus a relatively high level of protection, they are often equipped with an ignition circuit (trigger circuit) that ignites the spark gap at a lower voltage. Such a spark gap, which is equipped with or has an ignition or trigger circuit, is referred to here as a triggerable spark gap.

[0004] Various mechanisms are known for igniting the spark gap. Besides high-voltage ignition using a high-voltage pulse, the applicant has been using a resistive ignition element in spark gaps for several years (see EP 1 566 868 B1). The resistive ignition element is connected on one side to the first electrode and on the other side, via a voltage-limiting element, for example a varistor, to the second electrode. Furthermore, the resistive ignition element is spatially connected to the arc combustion chamber of the spark gap.When a corresponding overvoltage occurs, a current initially flows through the resistive ignition element to the adjacent electrode. This current causes a discharge on the surface of the ignition element, generating ionized gas in the ignition zone adjacent to the ignition element within the arc combustion chamber. This gas then spreads throughout the arc combustion chamber, reducing the breakdown voltage of the spark gap and thus igniting the spark gap.

[0005] Ignition or trigger circuits of spark gaps typically also include a voltage-switching element, in particular a gas discharge tube, to create an insulating gap within the ignition or trigger circuit. The use of a gas discharge tube ensures that a specific insulation resistance of the surge protection device is maintained. If such triggered spark gaps are connected in series within a surge protection device, the series connection of the ignition circuits results in a corresponding addition of the required ignition voltages of the gas discharge tubes arranged in the ignition circuits, thus increasing the protection level of the surge protection device.

[0006] This is disadvantageous, for example, in classic n+1 circuits where a protection path with a triggered spark gap is provided between each live conductor L and the neutral conductor N, as well as between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE (ground connection), because the protection level in the protection path between a live conductor L and the protective conductor PE (L-PE protection path) increases significantly. In practice, the protection level of the L-PE protection path in a surge protection device for a mains voltage of 230 / 400 V is typically 2.5 kV.

[0007] Multiple spark gaps, often referred to as stacked spark gaps due to their construction, are also used to dissipate high overvoltages. These multi-spark gaps consist of several electrodes and multiple layers of insulation arranged between them. Each pair of electrodes is separated by an insulation layer with an opening in the center, forming a single spark gap. The electrodes are frequently circular or rectangular graphite disks, between which ring-shaped or frame-like insulation in the form of insulating discs or plastic films is arranged.

[0008] To influence the ignition behavior of a multiple spark gap, it is known in the art to provide control circuits that include several passive control elements. For example, DE 197 42 302 A1 discloses a multiple spark gap consisting of a plurality of individual spark gaps connected in series. The individual spark gaps, with the exception of the first spark gap to activate in the event of a leakage, are connected by a stepped network of resistors, so that the individual spark gaps switch on successively. A resistor is connected in parallel to each individual spark gap, and the resistors of all individual spark gaps are connected in series to ground. To ensure that the activation voltage of the multiple spark gap does not exceed a maximum value of 4 kV, the distance between the two electrodes of the first individual spark gap is selected to be correspondingly small.

[0009] Capacitors, particularly capacitors, are frequently used as control elements in multiple spark gaps. Each capacitor connects one terminal to an electrode, while the other terminal of each capacitor is electrically connected to each other and to the second terminal of the multiple spark gap. This creates a capacitive voltage divider that concentrates the applied voltage onto a single spark gap. Once this spark gap has ignited, the total voltage, reduced only by the arc arc voltage of the first ignited spark gap, is applied to the next spark gap, causing the spark gaps to switch successively.

[0010] Multiple spark gaps offer an advantage over single spark gaps in terms of improved follow current extinguishing capability. The ability to extinguish the follow current increases with an increasing number of individual spark gaps. However, the response voltage of the multiple spark gap also increases with an increasing number of individual spark gaps. Therefore, while multiple spark gaps composed of many individual spark gaps have a high follow current extinguishing capability, they also typically exhibit a level of protection that is too high for low-voltage applications.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a surge protection device of the aforementioned type with at least one triggerable spark gap and a spark gap arrangement which has the lowest possible level of protection.

[0012] This problem is solved in the surge protection device described above, with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the spark gap arrangement of the surge protection device comprises a first spark gap with a first electrode and a second electrode, and at least one second spark gap with a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the second electrode of the first spark gap and the first electrode of the second spark gap are at a common potential, so that the first spark gap and the second spark gap are connected in series. Furthermore, the ignition circuit of the triggerable spark gap is connected to the common potential of the second electrode of the first spark gap and the first electrode of the second spark gap of the spark gap arrangement.

[0013] The overvoltage protection device according to the invention thus has a spark gap arrangement with at least two spark gaps connected in series, wherein the ignition circuit of the at least one triggerable spark gap is connected to the common potential of the two spark gaps, i.e. the connection point between the second electrode of the first spark gap and the first electrode of the second spark gap of the spark gap arrangement.

[0014] Part of the spark gap arrangement, namely one spark gap in a spark gap arrangement consisting of two spark gaps, is thus part of the ignition circuit of the triggerable spark gap. This makes it possible to omit a gas discharge tube in the ignition circuit of at least one triggerable spark gap, since the implementation of an insulating gap in the ignition circuit is handled by one spark gap of the spark gap arrangement.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the overvoltage protection device according to the invention, the spark gap arrangement is designed as a multiple spark gap. The second electrode of the first spark gap and the first electrode of the second spark gap, which are at a common potential, are formed by a common electrode, such that this common electrode is connected to the ignition circuit of the triggerable spark gap. In the simplest embodiment, the multiple spark gap consists of only three electrodes and thus only of two individual spark gaps or two flashover gaps, with the middle electrode being connected to the ignition circuit of the triggerable spark gap as the common electrode of both individual spark gaps, or being part of this ignition circuit.

[0016] If such a surge protection device is used in an n+1 circuit, a triggerable spark gap can be installed in the path between the live conductor L and the neutral conductor N, and a multiple spark gap can be installed in the path between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE. The at least one triggerable spark gap has, in addition to a first electrode and a second electrode (the two main electrodes), a trigger electrode and / or a resistive ignition element. If the triggerable spark gap is ignited by means of the resistive ignition element, as described above, an additional ignition electrode can be provided alongside the resistive ignition element. This additional electrode is located on the second side of the resistive ignition element, the side facing away from the first electrode, and is connected to the resistive ignition element.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the overvoltage protection device according to the invention, the ignition circuit of the at least one triggerable spark gap includes a voltage-limiting component, which can, for example, be a varistor. The voltage-limiting component, in particular a varistor, advantageously includes a disconnect device by which the voltage-limiting component is protected from damage. The disconnect device is, in particular, a thermal disconnect device that, in the event of thermal overheating of the voltage-limiting component, disconnects the ignition circuit and thus interrupts the current flow through the voltage-limiting component.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the overvoltage protection device, a control circuit for controlling the ignition behavior of the spark gap arrangement is provided, comprising several control elements connected to the electrodes of the spark gap arrangement. These control elements can be, in particular, impedances or capacitances. By using such a control circuit, the response voltage of the spark gap arrangement can be optimized, thereby reducing the overall protection level of the overvoltage protection device. The number of control elements preferably corresponds to the number of spark gaps in the spark gap arrangement.

[0019] The surge protection device according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used in an n+1 circuit. In this case, the surge protection device has n triggerable spark gaps for connection between each conductor and the neutral conductor. For example, if the surge protection device is used in a 5-wire system with three phase conductors (L1, L2, and L3), a neutral conductor (N), and a protective conductor (PE), the device has three triggerable spark gaps for connection between the three phase conductors (L1, L2, L3) and the neutral conductor (N). Furthermore, the surge protection device has a spark gap arrangement with at least two spark gaps, in particular a corresponding multi-spark gap, for connection between the neutral conductor (N) and the protective conductor (PE).The n ignition circuits of the n triggerable spark gaps are each connected to the common potential of the two spark gaps of the spark gap arrangement or the common electrode of the multiple spark gap.

[0020] In the event that galvanic isolation of the outer conductors is required in a conductor system with multiple outer conductors, it may be advantageous, according to one embodiment of the invention, to arrange a voltage-switching component, in particular a gas discharge tube, in at least n-1 ignition circuits of the n triggerable spark gaps. If the conductor system has, for example, three outer conductors, it is therefore not necessary for a voltage-switching component to be arranged in all three ignition circuits of the three triggerable spark gaps; rather, it is sufficient if two of the three ignition circuits have a voltage-switching component.

[0021] However, if a voltage-switching component is arranged in all n ignition circuits of the n triggerable spark gaps, then, with appropriate dimensioning of the voltage-switching component, it can be achieved that the protection level in the protection path LN is the same for all n outer conductors.

[0022] According to a variant of the previously described design of the overvoltage protection device, it is also possible for the n ignition circuits of the n triggerable spark gaps to have a common voltage-switching component, in particular a common gas discharge tube. Such a common gas discharge tube then has not just two electrodes, but (n+1) electrodes, with each electrode being connected to one ignition circuit of the n triggerable spark gaps. The other electrode of the gas discharge tube, which forms a flashover gap with the other electrodes, is connected to the common potential or the junction point of the two spark gaps of the spark gap arrangement.

[0023] In detail, there are numerous possibilities for further developing and enhancing the surge protection device according to the invention. Reference is made to both the dependent claims and the following description of several exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows Fig. 1. A schematic circuit diagram of a surge protection device according to the state of the art, for an n+1 circuit in a 5-wire system, Fig. 2 a schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention, for an n+1 circuit in a 3-wire system, Fig. 3 a simplified representation of a spark gap arrangement designed as a multiple spark gap of the surge protection device, Fig. 4 a schematic circuit diagram of a first embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention, for an n+1 circuit in a 5-wire system, Fig. 5 a schematic circuit diagram of a second embodiment of an overvoltage protection device, for an n+1 circuit in a 5-wire system, and Fig. 6 a schematic circuit diagram of a third embodiment of an overvoltage protection device, for an n+1 circuit in a 5-wire system.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a surge protection device 100 according to the state of the art, for a 5-wire system. Such a 5-wire system has three phase conductors, for which three connection points are provided on the surge protection device 100. These are labelled in the circuit diagram as L1 for the first conductor, L2 for the second conductor, and L3 for the third conductor. In addition, the 5-wire system has a neutral conductor and a protective conductor, whose connection points are labelled in the circuit diagram as N for the neutral conductor and PE for the protective conductor.

[0025] The known surge protection device 100 has the connection scheme of an n+1 circuit, in this case a 3+1 circuit, in which a protection path with a triggerable spark gap 110, 120, 130 is implemented between the n = 3 phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N. Furthermore, a protection path with a triggerable spark gap 140 is also provided between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE. The triggerable spark gaps each have an ignition circuit 150, whereby the ignition circuits in the prior art usually comprise at least a series connection of a varistor and a gas discharge tube.

[0026] In the illustrated 3+1 configuration of the known surge protection device 100, the protection paths between the phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and the protective conductor PE (L-PE protection paths) each feature a series connection of two triggerable spark gaps, for example, the triggerable spark gaps 110 and 140 for the L1-PE protection path. The ignition circuit for an L-PE protection path thus consists of a series connection of two ignition circuits 150, which leads to a corresponding addition of the required ignition voltages for the gas discharge tubes arranged in the ignition circuits 150 and thus to a corresponding increase in the protection level of the surge protection device 100 for the L-PE protection path. In practice, the protection level of the L-PE protection path for a surge protection device 100 with a mains voltage of 230 / 400 V is typically 2.5 kV.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a surge protection device 1 according to the invention for a 3-wire system. The 3-wire system has one live conductor (first conductor), for which a connection point is provided on the surge protection device 1, which is designated L1 for the first conductor in the circuit diagram. In addition, the 3-wire system has a neutral conductor and a protective conductor, whose connection points are marked N for the neutral conductor and PE for the protective conductor in the circuit diagram.

[0028] This surge protection device 1 also has the connection scheme of an n+1 circuit, in this case a 1+1 circuit, in which a protective path with a triggerable spark gap 10 is implemented between one of the live conductors L1 and the neutral conductor N. Furthermore, a protective path is also implemented between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE, which, however, does not have a triggerable spark gap, but rather a spark gap arrangement 40 with two spark gaps 41, 42 connected in series. The first spark gap 41 has a first electrode 411 and a second electrode 412. Similarly, the second spark gap 42 has a first electrode 421 and a second electrode 422, wherein the second electrode 412 of the first spark gap 41 and the first electrode 421 of the second spark gap 42 are connected to each other, so that the two electrodes 412, 421 have a common potential.

[0029] In contrast to the prior art overvoltage protection device 100, the ignition circuit 14 of the triggerable spark gap 10 is connected to the connection point 43 between the second electrode 412 of the first spark gap 41 and the first electrode 421 of the second spark gap 42, i.e., to the common potential of the two electrodes 412, 421. Since the first spark gap 41 of the spark gap arrangement 40 is part of the ignition circuit 14 of the triggerable spark gap 10 in the L1-N protection path, a gas discharge tube in the ignition circuit 14 is not required. The implementation of an isolation gap in the ignition circuit 14 is here handled by the first spark gap 41 of the spark gap arrangement 40.

[0030] The in Fig. The triggerable spark gap 10 shown in Figure 2 has, in addition to the two main electrodes, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, a trigger electrode 13 which is connected to the ignition circuit 14. Accordingly, the trigger electrode 13 can also be referred to as the ignition electrode. Furthermore, the ignition circuit 14 has a voltage-limiting component 15 which is arranged between the trigger electrode 13 and the connection point 43 between the two electrodes 412, 421. The voltage-limiting component 15 is preferably designed as a varistor which has a thermal disconnect device 16 that protects the varistor from damage in the event of excessive heating.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a simplified representation of a spark gap arrangement 40 of the overvoltage protection device 1, configured as a multiple spark gap. In its simplest form, the multiple spark gap has only three electrodes 411, 44, 422, which form two spark gaps 41, 42. The first spark gap 41 is formed by the first electrode 411 and the middle, common electrode 44. Similarly, the second spark gap 42 is formed by the common electrode 44 and the second electrode 422. The individual electrodes 411, 422, 44 can be formed as thin disks of graphite or carbon. If the spark gap arrangement 40 is configured as a multiple spark gap, the ignition circuit 14 of the triggerable spark gap 10 is connected to the common electrode 44 of the first spark gap 41 and the second spark gap 42.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a surge protection device 1 according to the invention for a 5-wire system. The 5-wire system has – as previously described in connection with Fig. As already described, the system has three phase conductors, for which three connection options are provided on the surge protection device 1. These are labeled L1, L2, and L3 in the circuit diagram for the first, second, and third conductors, respectively. Furthermore, the 5-wire system includes a neutral conductor and a protective conductor, whose connection options are marked N for the neutral conductor and PE for the protective conductor in the circuit diagram.

[0033] Even those in Fig. The surge protection device shown in Figure 4 has the connection scheme of an n+1 circuit, in this case a 3+1 circuit, in which a protection path with a triggerable spark gap 10, 20, 30 is implemented between each of the phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and the neutral conductor N. The N-PE protection path implemented between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE in turn has a spark gap arrangement 40 with two spark gaps 41, 42 connected in series. The three ignition circuits 14, 24, 34 of the three triggerable spark gaps 10, 20, 30 are each connected to the connection point 43 between the second electrode 412 of the first spark gap 41 and the first electrode 421 of the second spark gap 42 of the spark gap arrangement 40. This means that the first spark gap 41 of the spark gap arrangement 40 is part of the corresponding ignition circuit 14, 24, 34 of the corresponding triggerable spark gap 10, 20, 30 in the respective LN protection path.In the individual ignition circuits 14, 24, 34, therefore - as previously in connection with . Fig. 2 described for the ignition circuit 14 - no gas discharge tube is provided, since the realization of the respective insulation gap in the ignition circuit 14, 24, 34 is realized by the first spark gap 41 of the spark gap arrangement 40.

[0034] The individual triggerable spark gaps 10, 20, 30 each have a first electrode 11, 21, 31 and a second electrode 12, 22, 32, as well as a trigger electrode 13, 23, 33, wherein the individual trigger electrodes 13, 23, 33 are connected to the respective ignition circuit 14, 24, 34. Furthermore, a voltage-limiting component 15 designed as a varistor is arranged in each of the individual ignition circuits 14, 24, 34, each of which has a thermal disconnect device 16. The configuration of the three ignition circuits 14, 24, 34 in the implementation of the overvoltage protection device 1 according to Fig. 4 thus corresponds in each case to the structure of the ignition circuit 14 in the design of the overvoltage protection device 1 according to Fig. 2.

[0035] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figures 6 each show a schematic circuit diagram of another surge protection device 1 for a 5-wire system. In contrast to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a voltage-switching component 17, designed in this case as a gas discharge tube, is arranged in each of the individual ignition circuits 14, 24, 34 of the triggerable spark gaps 10, 20, 30. By arranging such a voltage-switching component 17 in the ignition circuits 14, 24, 34, galvanic isolation between the outer conductors L1, L2, L3, which can be connected to the overvoltage protection device 1, can be achieved.

[0036] In principle, it is sufficient if a corresponding voltage-switching component 17 is arranged in n-1 ignition circuits with n outer conductors or n triggerable spark gaps 10, 20, 30. Instead of the in Fig. For example, in relation to the three voltage-switching components 17 shown in Figure 5 in the three ignition circuits 14, 24, 34, it would also be sufficient if only two ignition circuits 14, 24 each had a voltage-switching component 17 arranged and no voltage-switching component 17 was provided in ignition circuit 34.

[0037] Instead of arranging one gas discharge tube in each of at least n-1 ignition circuits, a single common gas discharge tube can also be provided, in which case such a gas discharge tube has not just two electrodes, but n+1 electrodes. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5 the gas discharger would therefore have to have four electrodes, with one electrode connected to the connection point 43 of the spark gap arrangement 40 and the other three electrodes each connected via a varistor 15 to one of the three trigger electrodes 13, 23, 33.

[0038] At the in Fig.In the schematic circuit diagram shown in Figure 6, the spark gap arrangement 40 between the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE includes a control circuit 45 for controlling the ignition behavior of the spark gap arrangement 40, which comprises several control elements 46. The control elements 46 are preferably capacitors connected to the electrodes of the spark gap arrangement 40. The first capacitor is connected via a first terminal to the first electrode 411 of the first spark gap 41, and the second capacitor is connected via a terminal to the second electrode 422 of the second spark gap 42. The second terminals of the capacitors are electrically connected to each other and to the junction 43 of the two spark gaps 41, 42, and thus to the individual ignition circuits 14, 24, 34. Reference sign 1 surge protection device 10, 20, 30 triggerable spark gap 11, 21, 31 first electrode 12, 22, 32 second electrode 13, 23, 33 Trigger electrode 14, 24, 34 Ignition circuit 15 Varistor 16 Separating device 17 gas discharge tubes 40 Spark gap arrangement (multiple spark gap) 41 first spark gap 411 first electrode 412 second electrode 42 second spark gap 421 first electrode 422 second electrode 43 Connection point 44 common electrode 45 Control circuit 46 Control element 100 surge protection device 110, 120 triggerable spark gap 130, 140 triggerable spark gap 150 ignition circuit L1 first conductor L2 second conductor L3 third conductor N Neutral conductor PE protective conductor QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 566 868 B1

[0004] DE 197 42 302 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Surge protection device (1) with at least one triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) for connection between a first conductor (L1) and a neutral conductor (N), and with a spark gap arrangement (40) for connection between the neutral conductor (N) and a protective conductor (PE), wherein the triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) has an ignition circuit (14), characterized by , that the spark gap arrangement (40) comprises a first spark gap (41) with a first electrode (411) and a second electrode (412) and at least one second spark gap (42) with a first electrode (421) and a second electrode (422), wherein the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) are at a common potential, such that the first spark gap (41) and the second spark gap (42) are connected in series, and that the ignition circuit (13) of the triggerable spark gap (10) is connected to the common potential of the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) of the spark gap arrangement (40). [2] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the spark gap arrangement (40) is designed as a multiple spark gap, wherein the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) are formed by a common electrode (44), and wherein the common electrode (44) is connected to the ignition circuit (13) of the triggerable spark gap (10). [3] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the at least one triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) has a first electrode (11, 21, 31), a second electrode (12, 22, 32) and a trigger electrode (13, 23, 33) or a resistive ignition element. [4] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the ignition circuit (14, 24, 34) of the at least one triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) has a voltage-limiting component (15), in particular a varistor. [5] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the voltage-limiting component (15) of the ignition circuit (14, 24, 34) has a disconnect device (16). [6] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that a control circuit (45) is provided for controlling the ignition behavior of the spark gap arrangement (40), wherein the control circuit (45) has several control elements (46) which are connected to the electrodes (411, 412, 421, 422) of the spark gap arrangement (40). [7] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the surge protection device (1) has n triggerable spark gaps (10, 20, 30) for connection between each conductor (L1, L2, L3) and the neutral conductor (N) and that the n ignition circuits (14, 24, 34) of the n triggerable spark gaps (10, 20, 30) are each connected to the common potential of the second electrode (412) of the first spark gap (41) and the first electrode (421) of the second spark gap (42) of the spark gap arrangement (40). [8] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by, that in at least (n-1) ignition circuits (14, 24, 34) of the n triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) a voltage-switching component (17), in particular a gas discharge tube, is arranged. [9] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the at least n ignition circuits (14, 24, 34) of the n triggerable spark gap (10, 20, 30) have a common voltage-switching component, in particular a common gas discharge tube. [10] Overvoltage protection device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by , that the individual electrodes (411, 422, 44) of the multiple spark gap are formed as thin disks of graphite or carbon.

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