Surge protection device with one connection base

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a surge protection device with a one- or multi-part terminal base with at least one protective switch arranged thereon, wherein the terminal base provides a first pole connection for a first conductor carrying a first current potential, a second pole connection for a second conductor carrying a second current potential and an earth connection for a third conductor carrying an earth potential.

[0002] Surge protection devices protect electrical systems and sensitive equipment from dangerous overcurrents, especially transient overvoltages. By means of a protection level (Up), these devices ensure trouble-free operation and thus prevent high downtime costs. These protective devices, particularly as surge discharge devices, dissipate any overcurrent exceeding the protection level to an earthing terminal. These devices can be advantageously installed as surge protection devices according to VDE 0100 Parts 443 and 534, as well as for lightning protection, especially in photovoltaic systems at the zone transition (LPZ) 1-2 or at sub-distribution boards.

[0003] Surge protection devices are known, for example, from DE 1 537 595 A1, EP 3 163 703 A1 and WO 2020 / 030 622 A. Underlying task

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of making such a surge protection device more cost-effective overall while maintaining at least the same functionality. Inventive solution

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with a surge protection device having a one- or multi-part terminal base with at least one protective switch arranged thereon, wherein a first pole connection for a first conductor carrying a first current potential, a second pole connection for a second conductor carrying a second current potential and an earthing connection for a third conductor carrying an earthing potential are provided on the terminal base, and wherein the first pole connection and the second pole connection are each designed with several connection points on the terminal base itself and the earthing connection is designed with at least one connection point.

[0006] The surge protection device according to the invention has two terminal connections, each for at least one conductor carrying a current potential. In a direct current (DC) application, such conductors carrying a current potential can be a contact to a positive terminal (designated Plus, typically red, indicating a deficiency of electrons) and a contact to a negative terminal (designated Minus, typically black, indicating an excess of electrons). In an alternating current (AC) application, such conductors carrying a current potential can be a neutral conductor (designated N, typically blue), which is electrically connected to a neutral point, and a live conductor, a phase or line conductor (designated L, typically brown, gray, or black), which is also live.During operation of the associated device to be protected, an electrical voltage exists between the poles, which is also referred to as a potential difference.

[0007] Furthermore, the surge protection device according to the invention has an earthing connection to which an earth potential is to be applied. A protective conductor or earthing wire (designated PE, typically yellow / green) establishes a safe connection from the associated electrical equipment to the earth. A distinction is made between protective earthing, functional earthing, lightning protection earthing, and operational earthing. Protective earthing prevents the occurrence of dangerous touch voltages in the event of a malfunction. Functional earthing is intended to safely dissipate fault currents and prevent electrical interference. Lightning protection earthing is intended to safely conduct the lightning current into the earth. Operational earthing is primarily used in power plants and switchgear and is intended to ensure the trouble-free operation of the system or equipment.

[0008] According to the invention, the one- or multi-part terminal base itself provides at least one connection point for the earthing connection for the conductive coupling of a conductor, while for the pole connections, the one- or multi-part terminal base itself deliberately always provides several connection points for the conductive coupling of several conductors. The term "connection point" here refers to a detachable connection of a single conductor (wire, conductor, line) for establishing an electrical contact between the connection and the conductor.

[0009] Preferably, exactly two connection points for each of the pole connections are provided on the one- or multi-part terminal base itself. Particularly preferably, exactly four connection points for each of the pole connections are provided on the one- or multi-part terminal base itself. Furthermore, preferably, exactly two connection points for the grounding connection are provided on the one- or multi-part terminal base itself, and particularly preferably, exactly one connection point for the grounding connection is provided on the one- or multi-part terminal base itself.

[0010] According to the invention, the surge protection device, with its one- or multi-part connection base, can simultaneously serve as a wiring aid for connecting multiple conductors of the associated electrical equipment. Thus, according to the invention, additional wiring fields or terminals that would otherwise be necessary can be dispensed with.

[0011] The surge protection device according to the invention is preferably intended as a surge arrester for use in photovoltaic power generation systems. Furthermore, surge protection devices according to the invention, depending on their protection level, can also be used as the ideal protective device for particularly sensitive equipment. They can also be used as a backup fuse.

[0012] The connection base according to the invention is preferably designed as a complete, ready-to-wire unit. Such a complete unit is particularly designed as a single base or as a base consisting of several, especially adjacent, base parts, the respective external dimensions of which are adapted to predetermined, especially standardized, spatial operating conditions. Furthermore, the complete unit with a single base or consisting of a plurality of adjacent base parts is preferably dimensionally and technically compatible with installation devices of various, especially standardized, series.

[0013] The complete unit, consisting of a single base or multiple base sections arranged side by side, is preferably designed with a rail clamp, by means of which such a complete unit can then be permanently installed, particularly on a rail system as is common in control cabinets and / or switch boxes. The complete unit, consisting of a single base or multiple base sections arranged side by side, can advantageously be moved along the associated rail and / or permanently clamped there.

[0014] Advantageously, the complete unit, with a single base or a plurality of adjacent base sections, further exhibits a specific length, and the rail clamp is arranged off-center to this length. This offset arrangement of the mounting of the surge protection device according to the invention on a rail system allows the multiple connection points for the pole terminals provided there according to the invention to also be offset towards the center, thus providing more space for connecting conductors.

[0015] The at least one circuit breaker of the surge protection device according to the invention is preferably designed as at least one protection module plugged into the one- or multi-part terminal base. With such pluggable protection modules, the device according to the invention can be easily adapted to existing operating conditions with regard to its protection circuitry. The pluggable protection module can be removed very easily, in particular, for the purpose of performing an insulation test. Furthermore, such protection modules can be designed to be fully compatible with the installation devices of various series.

[0016] Preferably, three protection modules are provided – in particular, a single protection module being inserted into a single base part – by means of which, in particular, a three-stage DC voltage protection device is designed. In particular, according to the invention, a multi-pole DC overvoltage protection device with a Y-circuit can be created. Such an overvoltage protection device can combine the functions of a lightning current arrester and an overvoltage arrester in a single device. Overvoltage discharge devices, in particular of so-called type 1, type 2, or type 3, can thus be designed according to the invention. This achieves highly effective end-device protection.

[0017] According to the invention, the individual connection point is advantageously designed as a terminal. Here, a terminal is understood to be a mechanical fixing of a conductor to a conductive body by means of a screw or a spring. A distinction is made between screw terminals and screwless terminals.

[0018] Preferably, the multiple connection points of a pole connection are arranged on the connection base at least two levels or heights. This allows for space-optimized levels of connection points, to which the corresponding conductors are then connected in series.

[0019] Furthermore, in the surge protection device according to the invention, the first pole connection, the second pole connection, and the grounding connection are advantageously arranged on one side of the connection base, wherein the at least one connection point of the grounding connection is arranged between the multiple connection points of the first pole connection and the multiple connection points of the second pole connection. This allows for a clear spatial and visual separation of the connection areas.

[0020] It is also advantageous to provide multiple first pole connections, each with several first connection points, and multiple second pole connections, each with several second connection points. These are each advantageously equipped with an associated, particularly plug-in, circuit breaker. In this way, the number of necessary connection points can be provided in a single surge protection device, even for complex electrical installations and end devices.

[0021] The overall width of the surge protection device according to the invention is advantageously limited to an odd number of modular units (MU), particularly with regard to the overall width of the terminal base or the width of its individual base components. In electrical installations and control cabinet construction, a modular unit refers to the width of built-in devices such as circuit breakers or residual current devices (RCDs). The width of a modular unit is 18 mm. A modular unit is sometimes also called a space unit (SLU). According to the invention, one modular unit is used for the at least one connection point of the earthing terminal, and one modular unit is used for each of the multiple connection points of a pole terminal.

[0022] The surge protection device according to the invention is further preferably designed such that the connection base as such is designed in multiple parts with or from at least two base parts and a base connector is provided for electrically conductively connecting the base parts. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the solution according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a front view of a surge protection device with associated wiring terminals according to the prior art, Fig. 2 a perspective top view of the surge protection device according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a circuit diagram of the surge protection device according to Fig. 1Fig. 4 is a perspective top view of a first embodiment of a surge protection device according to the invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the surge protection device according to the invention. Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 a perspective rear view of a second embodiment of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention. Detailed description of the exemplary embodiment

[0024] In the Figs. 1 to 3A surge protection device 10 according to the prior art is shown, which is formed as a central element with a surge protector 12. The surge protector 12 is designed with a connection base 14, which serves as a module receptacle. The connection base 14, thus serving as a base, has a width 16 and a length 18 and is essentially U-shaped in cross-section. A first circuit breaker 20, a second circuit breaker 22, and a third circuit breaker 24 are inserted into such connection base 14, each acting as a protection module and each containing a (in Fig. 3 The circuit arrangement shown in more detail is included. The three circuit breakers 20, 22 and 24 are snapped onto the terminal block 14, on their underside (relative to Fig. 2) electrically contacted (not shown) and each held or secured by means of a folding holder 26. They each have on their upper side (relative to Fig. 2 ) a function display 28 on.

[0025] The connection base 14 is itself held on a rail 30, with a rail clamp 32 being provided on the underside of the connection base 14 by means of a fixed or rigid retaining lug 34 and a sliding lug 36, between which a recess serves as a rail receptacle 38. This rail receptacle 38 is located in the center 40 of the underside with respect to the length 18.

[0026] On a front-mounted connection area 42 at the front of the connection base 14, there is a first terminal 44, a second terminal 46, and an earthing terminal 48 located between them. The first terminal 44 has a socket-like first connection point 50, the second terminal 46 has a socket-like second connection point 52, and the earthing terminal 48 has a socket-like third connection point 54. Furthermore, each terminal 44, 46, and earthing terminal 48 has a terminal opening 56 for connecting and disconnecting a first conductor 58 at the first connection point 50, a second conductor 60 at the second connection point 52, and a third conductor 62 at the third connection point 54.

[0027] On rail 30, to the right and left of the surge protection device 12, a first wiring terminal block 64, a second wiring terminal block 66, and an earthing terminal block 68 are fixedly arranged. The first wiring terminal block 64 is provided with a coupling point 70 to which the first conductor 58 is live. The second wiring terminal block 66 is provided with a coupling point 72 to which the second conductor 60 is live, and the earthing terminal block 68 is provided with a coupling point 74 to which the third conductor 74 is live. Each of the coupling points 70, 72, and 74 is provided with a clamping opening 76 for decoupling the respective conductor 58, 60, or 62, respectively. The earthing wiring terminal block 68 also has another coupling point 74 to which a further, extending third conductor 62 is connected.

[0028] Wiring terminal blocks 64 and 66 are each further equipped with four additional connection points 78 and 80, respectively, for connecting additional conductors to the first pole terminal 44 and the second pole terminal 46, respectively. The grounding wiring terminal block 68 is equipped with an additional connection point 82 for connecting an additional conductor to the grounding terminal 48. At wiring terminal blocks 64, 66, and 68, the additional connection points 78, 80, and 82 are each equipped with a clamping opening 84 for the possible decoupling of the respective connected conductor.

[0029] In the Fig. 3 A circuit diagram 86 is shown, in which the internal structure of the surge protection device 10 designed with the three protective switches 20, 22 and 24 according to the state of the art can be seen.

[0030] The Figs. 4 and 5Figure 1 shows a surge protection device 88 according to the invention. This device is designed as a complete unit 90, in which the terminal base 14 is provided with a slightly longer length 92. A first circuit breaker 20, a second circuit breaker 22, and a third circuit breaker 24 are also inserted as modules into such terminal bases 14 and held there by means of a hinged holder 26.

[0031] On the underside, the connection socket 14 according to the Figs. 4 and 5 There is also a rail clamp 32 formed by means of a retaining lug 34 and a sliding lug 36, wherein the associated rail receptacle 38 is located in the same position relative to the front of the connection base 14 as on the connection base 14 according to the Fig. 1 and 2 . Due to the greater length extension 92 on the rear side, the connection socket 14 is located according to the Figs. 4 and 5a projection of 94 and for the circuit breakers 20, 22 and 24 or for the center 40 the connection base 14 an offset of 96 to the rear relative to the in the Fig. 1 and 2 The design shown provides more space at the front for the connection base 14, namely for an angled connection area 98.

[0032] The connection area upstream of the first circuit breaker 20 and the second circuit breaker 24 is designed with a lower level 100 and an upper level 102. Upstream of the first circuit breaker 20, on the lower level 100, there are two first connection points 104 for the first pole connection 44, and on the upper level 102, there are two further first connection points 104, also for the first pole connection 44. Upstream of the second circuit breaker 22, on the lower level 100, there are two second connection points 106 for the second pole connection 46, and on the upper level 102, there are two further second connection points 106, also for the second pole connection 46. Upstream of the third circuit breaker 24, there is a connection point 108 for the earthing connection 54.In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a connection point 108 for the earthing connection 54 is located in the lower level 100 upstream of the third circuit breaker 24, and another connection point 108 for the earthing connection 54 is located in the upper level 102. Each of the connection points 104, 106 and 108 is in turn provided with a terminal opening 110 for decoupling a conductor connected there.

[0033] In Fig. 6Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a surge protection device 88, in which the terminal base 14 is formed in multiple parts from a total of three adjacent base parts, namely a first base part 112, a second base part 114, and a third base part 116. Each individual base part 112, 114, or 116 has one-third of the total width 16 of the terminal base 14. On its front side, each individual base part 112, 114, or 116 also has an angled terminal area 98, wherein (in Fig. 6 (not visible) on the first base part 112 there are four connection points 104 for first pole connections 44, on the second base part 114 there is one connection point 108 for an earthing connection 48 and on the third base part 116 there are four connection points 106 for second pole connections 46.

[0034] The base parts 112, 114, and 116 are to be electrically connected to one another by means of a base connector 118. For this purpose, an insertion slot 120 with a screw opening 122 above it is formed on the rear side of each individual base part 112, 114, and 116. The base connector 118 is to be inserted into these three insertion slots 120 by means of insertion tabs 124 formed on it, and these are then to be secured there by means of the respective screw openings 122. The three insertion tabs 124 are in turn electrically connected to one another by means of a tab connector 126 in the form of a conductor track inside the base connector 118. Reference symbol list

[0035] 10 Surge protection device according to the state of the art 12 Surge protection 14 Connection base 16 Width 18 Length 20 First circuit breaker 22 Second circuit breaker 24 Third circuit breaker 26 Hinged bracket 28 Function indicator 30 Rail 32 Rail clamp 34 Retaining lug 36 Sliding lug 38 Rail receptacle 40 Center 42 Front connection area 44 First pole connection 46 Second pole connection 48 Grounding connection 50 Connection point for first pole connection 52 Connection point for second pole connection 54 Connection point for grounding connection 56 Terminal opening 58 First conductor 60 Second conductor 62 Third conductor 64 First wiring terminal block 66 Second wiring terminal block 68 Grounding wiring terminal block 70 Coupling point for first conductor 72 Coupling point for second conductor 74 Coupling point for third conductor 76 Terminal opening 78 Additional connection point for first pole connection 80 Additional connection point for second pole connection 82 Additional connection point for grounding connection 84 Terminal opening86 Circuit diagram 88 Surge protection device according to the invention 90 Complete unit 92 Length 94 Projection 96 Offset 98 Angled connection area 100 Lower level 102 Upper level 104 Connection point for first pole connection 106 Connection point for second pole connection 108 Connection point for grounding connection 110 Terminal opening 112 First base part 114 Second base part 116 Third base part 118 Base connector 120 Insertion slot 122 Screw opening 124 Insertion tab 126 Tab connector

Claims

1. An overvoltage protection device (88) with a single-part or multi-part connection base (14) with at least one protective switch (20, 22, 24) arranged thereon, wherein on the connection base (14) there are provided a first pole connection (44) for a first conductor (58) carrying a first current potential, a second pole connection (46) for a second conductor (60) carrying a second current potential, and an earthing connection (48) for a third conductor (62) carrying an earthing potential, characterized in that on the connection base (14) itself, the first pole connection (44) and the second pole connection (46) are each designed with a plurality of terminals (104, 106) and the earthing connection (48) is designed with at least one terminal (108).

2. The overvoltage protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection base (14) is designed as a ready-to-wire complete unit (90).

3. The overvoltage protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the complete unit (90) is designed with a rail clamp (32).

4. The overvoltage protection device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the complete unit (90) is designed with a longitudinal extension (92) and the rail clamp (32) is arranged off-center from the longitudinal extension (92).

5. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective switch (20, 22, 24) is designed as at least one protective module plugged into the connection base (14).

6. The overvoltage protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that three protective modules are provided, by means of which in particular a three-stage direct voltage protection device is designed.

7. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual terminal (104, 106, 108) is designed as a clamp.

8. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plurality of terminals (104, 106, 108) of a pole connection (44, 46, 48) on the connection base (14) are arranged in at least two tiers (100, 102).

9. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first pole connection (44), the second pole connection (46) and the earthing connection (48) are arranged on one side of the connection base (14), wherein the at least one terminal (108) of the earthing connection is arranged between the plurality of terminals (104) of the first pole connection (44) and the plurality of terminals (106) of the second pole connection (46).

10. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a plurality of first pole connections (44) with a plurality of first terminals (104) and a plurality of second pole connections (46) each with a plurality of second terminals (106) are provided.

11. The overvoltage protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connection base (14) is of a multi-part design with at least two base parts (112, 114, 116), and a base connector (118) is provided for the electrically conductive connection of the base parts (112, 114, 116).