Overvoltage protection assembly and connection module therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to an overvoltage protection assembly comprising: a modular circuit breaker (1) including a second phase connection terminal (2), a second neutral connection terminal (3) and a first housing (4), a modular surge arrester (5) including a third phase connection terminal (6), a third neutral connection terminal (7), a first earth connection terminal (8) and a second housing (9), electrical and mechanical connection means including a first phase electrical conductor (10) and a second neutral electrical conductor (11), characterized: in that it includes a connection module (12) including the electrical and mechanical connection means including the first phase electrical conductor (10) for connection to the second phase connection terminal (2) and to the third phase connection terminal (6),the second neutral electrical conductor (11) for connection to the second neutral connection terminal (3) and to be connected to the third neutral connection terminal (7), and a second earth connection terminal comprising an input for connection with the first earth connection terminal (8) of the modular surge arrester (5) and an output (15), and a third box (16), in that the modular circuit breaker (1), the modular surge arrester (5) and the connection module (12) respectively form a first entity delimited by the first box (4), a second entity delimited by the second box (9) and a third entity delimited by the third box (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of surge protection assemblies.

[0002] In the field of residential or tertiary electrical equipment, we know modular electrical protection devices of the modular circuit breaker type commonly called by its English designation MCB meaning Miniature Circuit Breaker or of the modular surge arrester type commonly called by its English designation SPD meaning Surge Protection Device. Such a modular circuit breaker provides protection against short-circuit and overload type faults. In addition, such a modular surge arrester provides protection against overvoltage type faults, for example due to lightning.

[0003] Publication EP1447831A1 illustrates that it is known to couple a modular circuit breaker and a modular surge arrester to create a surge protection assembly. In particular, a modular circuit breaker comprising a phase line and a neutral line can be coupled to a surge arrester comprising a phase line, a neutral line and an earth line. To do this, it is known to provide electrical and mechanical connection means which are integrated into the surge arrester and which can electrically cooperate with one end of the circuit breaker to connect the phase lines together and to connect the neutral lines together. This configuration has the disadvantage of requiring modification of the shape of the surge arrester housing.

[0004] The present invention aims to propose an alternative solution which avoids modifying the shape of the lightning arrester housing.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a surge protection assembly according to claim 1.

[0006] The invention also relates to a connection module according to claim 12.

[0007] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to several preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 represents a perspective view of a surge protection assembly according to a first variant of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 represents a front view of the surge protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 1 , [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 represents a perspective view of the surge protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention in an assembled position, [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a front view of the surge protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 3 , [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a side view of the surge protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 3 , [ Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 represents a side and sectional view of the surge protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 3 , [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 represents a perspective view of a connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention, [ Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 represents a perspective view from above of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 7 , [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 represents a front view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 7 , [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 represents a perspective view from below of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 7 , [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 represents an exploded view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 7 , [ Fig. 12 ] there figure 12 represents a view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the first variant of the invention illustrated in figure 7 comprising a third housing formed of two shells which are in an unassembled position, [ Fig. 13 ] there figure 13 represents a perspective view of a surge protection assembly according to a second variant of the invention, [ Fig. 14 ] there figure 14 represents a front view of the surge protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 13 , [ Fig. 15 ] there figure 15 represents a perspective view of the surge protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention in an assembled position, [ Fig. 16 ] there figure 16 represents a front view of the surge protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 15 , [ Fig. 17 ] there figure 17 represents a side view of the surge protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 15 , [ Fig. 18 ] there figure 18 represents a side and sectional view of the surge protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 15 , [ Fig. 19 ] there figure 19 represents a perspective view of a connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention, [ Fig. 20 ] there figure 20 represents a perspective view from above of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 , [ Fig. 21 ] there figure 21 represents a front view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 , [ Fig. 22 ] there figure 22 represents a perspective view from below of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 , [ Fig. 23 ] there figure 23 represents a perspective view from below of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 , [ Fig. 24 ] there figure 24 represents an exploded view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 , And [ Fig. 25 ] there figure 25 represents a view of the connection module of the protection assembly according to the second variant of the invention illustrated in figure 19 comprising a third housing formed of two shells which are in an unassembled position.

[0008] The invention relates to a surge protection assembly comprising at least: a modular circuit breaker 1 comprising at least a first phase line comprising at least a first phase connection terminal and a second phase connection terminal 2, a first neutral line comprising at least a first neutral connection terminal and a second neutral connection terminal 3 and a first housing 4, a modular surge arrester 5 comprising at least a second phase line comprising at least a third phase connection terminal 6, a second neutral line comprising at least a third neutral connection terminal 7, a first earth line comprising at least a first earth connection terminal 8 and a second housing 9, electrical and mechanical connection means comprising at least a first phase electrical conductor 10 and a second neutral electrical conductor 11.

[0009] According to the invention, said protective assembly is characterized: in that it further comprises a connection module 12 comprising the electrical and mechanical connection means comprising the first phase electrical conductor 10 configured to be connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal 2 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal 6 of the modular surge arrester 5, the second neutral electrical conductor 11 configured to be connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal 3 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to be connected to the third neutral connection terminal 7 of the modular surge arrester 5 and a second earth connection terminal 13 comprising an input 14 intended to be connected with the first earth connection terminal 8 of the modular surge arrester 5 and an output 15, and a third housing 16, in that the modular circuit breaker 1,the modular surge arrester 5 and the connection module 12 respectively form a first entity delimited by the first housing 4, a second entity delimited by the second housing 9 and a third entity delimited by the third housing 16.,

[0010] Advantageously, this solution makes it possible to propose a surge protection assembly in the form of three separate entities, with a modular circuit breaker 1 and a modular surge arrester 5 which can be connected to each other electrically and mechanically by the addition of a connection module 12 which is a distinct entity and separate on the one hand from the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand from the modular surge arrester 5. In other words, the connection module 12 is neither part of the modular circuit breaker 1 nor of the modular surge arrester 5. Thus, it is not necessary to modify the architecture of the first and second boxes 4, 9 as is notably the case in the prior art.Furthermore, thanks to this configuration which includes in the assembly a connection module 12 integrating the possibility of connecting the modular surge protector 5 to an earth potential via the first earth connection terminal 8 and the second earth connection terminal 13, the user does not have to separately purchase an additional part allowing the modular surge protector 5 to be connected to the earth potential. In summary, the connection module 12 makes it possible to electrically connect the first and second phase lines to each other, the first and second neutral lines to each other and to connect the first earth line of the modular surge protector 5 to an earth potential via the output 15.

[0011] Preferably and as illustrated by the figures 3 à 4 And 15 à 16, in an assembled position PA the modular circuit breaker 1 and the modular surge arrester 5 are connected by the connection module 12 to form a single-piece unit 17 and the first phase electrical conductor 10 is connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal 2 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal 6 of the modular surge arrester 5, the second neutral electrical conductor 11 is connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal 3 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to the third neutral connection terminal 7 of the modular surge arrester 5, and the input 14 of the second earth connection terminal 13 is connected to the first earth connection terminal 8 of the modular surge arrester 5.

[0012] Advantageously, the surge protection assembly has a compact architecture in the assembled position PA since it forms a single-piece unit 17 by assembling the three entities, namely the first entity, the second entity and the third entity.

[0013] Furthermore, the surge protection assembly has the advantage of being reversibly mountable and dismountable, it is thus possible to move from the dismounted position PD, in which the three entities are not connected via the connection module 12, to the assembled position PA and vice versa.

[0014] Preferably and as illustrated by the figures 1 à 4 And 13 à 16, the first housing 4 of said modular circuit breaker 1 has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces respectively a first left main face 18 and a first right main face 19, and first lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces, namely a first rear face 20, a first front face 21, a first lower face 22 and a first upper face 23, the width of the modular circuit breaker 1 corresponding to the modular distance of the circuit breaker dd between the first left main face 18 and the first right main face 19, corresponds to a multiple of a standardized value, called module, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimeters, the first phase connection terminal and the first neutral connection terminal emerging from the first upper face 23,and the second phase connection terminal 2 and the second neutral connection terminal 3 emerging from the first lower face 22.,

[0015] Advantageously, the modular circuit breaker 1 has a modular format.

[0016] Preferably and as illustrated by the figures 1 à 4 And 13 à 16, the second housing 9 of the modular surge arrester 5 has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces, respectively a second left main face 24 and a second right main face 25, and second lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces, namely a second rear face 26, a second front face 27, a second lower face 28 and a second upper face 29, the width of the modular surge arrester 5 corresponding to the modular distance of the surge arrester dp between the second left main face 24 and the second right main face 25, corresponds to a multiple of a standardized value, called module, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimeters, the third phase connection terminal 6, the third neutral connection terminal 7, and the first earth connection terminal 8 emerging from the second lower face 28.

[0017] Advantageously, the modular surge protector 5 has a modular format.

[0018] Preferably and as shown in the figures 1 , 2 , 6 , 13 , 14 And 18 , the first earth connection terminal 8 comprises a conductive tab 30 projecting from the second housing 9 and the conductive tab 30 projects from the second lower face 28.

[0019] Advantageously, the projecting tab 30 has the advantage of being able to be inserted into the input 14 of the second earth connection terminal 13 of the connection module 12. The output 15 of the second earth connection terminal 13 can then be connected to an earth potential of an electrical installation (not shown). Thus, this configuration makes it possible to electrically connect the first earth line of the modular surge arrester 5 to the earth potential of an electrical installation.

[0020] Preferably and as illustrated by the figures 7 à 9 And 19 à 21 , the first phase electrical conductor 10 comprises a first end 31 configured to be connected to the second phase connection terminal 2 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and a second end 32 configured to be connected to the third phase connection terminal 6 of the modular surge arrester 5 and the second neutral electrical conductor 11 comprises a third end 33 configured to be connected to the second neutral connection terminal 3 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and a fourth end 34 configured to be connected to the third neutral connection terminal 7 of the modular surge arrester 5.

[0021] Preferably and as illustrated in the figures, the third housing 16 has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces, respectively a third left main face 35 and a third right main face 36, and third lateral faces extending from one to the other of the main faces, namely a third rear face 37, a third front face 38, a third lower face 39 and a third upper face 40, the width of the connection module 12 corresponding to the modular distance of the connection module dm between the third left main face 35 and the third right main face 36, corresponds to a multiple of a standardized value, called module, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimeters, the first end 31, the second end 32, the third end 33 and the fourth end 34 being projecting from the third upper face 40,and the input 14 of the second earth connection terminal 13 emerging from the third upper face 40 and the output 15 of the second earth connection terminal 13 emerging from the third lower face 39.,

[0022] Advantageously, the connection module 12 has a modular format. In addition, the location of the first end 31, the second end 32, the third end 33 and the fourth end 34 projecting from the third upper face 40 makes it possible to easily connect simultaneously, on the one hand, the lower end of the modular circuit breaker 1 by its first lower face 22 and, on the other hand, the lower end of the modular surge arrester 5 by its second lower face 28.

[0023] Preferably and as shown in the figures 11 à 12 And 24 à 25 , the second earth connection terminal 13 is a screw cage and said input 14 is intended to be connected with the conductive tab 30.

[0024] Advantageously, this type of second earth connection terminal 13 makes it possible to maintain the wiring habits of the installers. Thanks to this screw cage, it is possible to mechanically and electrically connect the tab 30 via said input 14 and an earth potential not represented by said output 15.

[0025] For example, the screw cage comprises at least one cage 44 and one screw 45.

[0026] Preferably and as illustrated by the figures 3 à 4 And 15 à 16, in the assembled position PA the first right main face 19 of the first housing 4 and the second left main face 24 of the second housing 9 are flat and are joined and the first lower face 22 of the first housing 4 and the second lower face 28 of the second housing 9 are flat, the third upper face 40 of the third housing 16 comprises a first flat portion 41 to which the first lower face 22 is joined and a second flat portion 42 to which the second lower face 28 is joined.

[0027] Preferably according to an example not shown, the first lower face 22 of the first housing 4 and the second lower face 28 of the second housing 9 are aligned and the first flat portion 41 and the second flat portion 42 are aligned.

[0028] This configuration is suitable when a first height of the modular circuit breaker 1 and a second height of the modular surge arrester 5 are identical. The first height corresponds to the distance between the first lower face 22 and the first upper face 23. The second height corresponds to the distance between the second lower face 28 and the second upper face 29.

[0029] Preferably and alternatively as illustrated in particular by the figures 3 à 4 And 15 à 16 in the assembled position PA, the first lower face 22 of the first housing 4 and the second lower face 28 of the second housing 9 are offset and the first flat portion 41 and the second flat portion 42 are offset.

[0030] This configuration is suitable when the first height of the modular circuit breaker 1 and the second height of the modular surge arrester 5 are different.

[0031] In this case in the assembled position PA, the first upper face 23 and the second upper face 29 are preferentially aligned as illustrated by the figures 3 à 4 And 15 à 16 .

[0032] The third housing 16 preferably comprises a first shell 16a and a second shell 16b which can be assembled by assembly means 43, for example by clipping or fitting.

[0033] The first shell 16a comprises, for example, the third upper face 40.

[0034] The second shell 16b comprises for example the third left main face 35, the third right main face 36, the third rear face 37, the third front face 38 and the third lower face 39.

[0035] Preferably, the third housing 16 forms an envelope receiving inside at least the first phase electrical conductor 10, the second neutral electrical conductor 11 and the second earth connection terminal 13.

[0036] Preferably, the third upper face 40 comprises an internal wall 40a which comprises means 40b for fixing the first phase electrical conductor 10 and the second neutral electrical conductor 11.

[0037] Preferably, the first portion 41 of the third upper face 40 comprises at least one first orifice 46 through which the first end 31 of the first phase electrical conductor 10 passes and at least one second orifice 47 through which the third end 33 of the second neutral electrical conductor 11 passes. In addition, the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40 comprises at least one third orifice 48 through which the second end 32 of the first phase electrical conductor 10 passes and at least one fourth orifice 49 through which the fourth end 34 of the second neutral electrical conductor 11 passes. Additionally, the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40 comprises a fifth orifice 50 which provides access to the input 14 of the second earth connection terminal 13.

[0038] Preferably, the second orifice 47 is arranged in a first corner formed by the third left main face 35 and the third rear face 37.

[0039] Preferably, the first portion 41 of the third upper face 40 comprises a single first orifice 46.

[0040] Alternatively, the first portion 41 of the third upper face 40 comprises a plurality of first orifices 46, for example three, which are each crossed by a third end 31 of a second neutral electrical conductor 11. Preferably, this plurality of first orifices 46 are aligned in a first row.

[0041] Preferably, the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40 comprises a single third orifice 48. Alternatively, the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40 comprises a plurality of third orifices 48, for example three, which are each crossed by a second end 32 of a first phase electrical conductor 10.

[0042] Preferably, said at least one third orifice 48 and the fourth orifice 49 are aligned in a second row.

[0043] Preferably, the first row and the second row are not aligned.

[0044] Preferably, the fifth orifice 50 is arranged in a second corner formed by the third right main face 36 and the third rear face 37.

[0045] Preferably, at least the first end 31, the second end 32, the third end 33 and the fourth end 34 are rigid to facilitate connection. Alternatively but not necessarily equivalently, at least the first end 31, the second end 32, the third end 33 and / or the fourth end 34 are flexible.

[0046] For example, the latter are each formed by one end of a rigid, enameled wire.

[0047] Preferably, the dimension of the first end 31, second end 32, third end 33 and fourth end 34 is defined to allow insertion respectively into the second phase connection terminal 2, the third phase connection terminal 6, the second neutral connection terminal 3 and the third neutral connection terminal 7.

[0048] Preferably, at least the first end 31, the second end 32, the third end 33 and the fourth end 34 are orthogonal to the third upper face 40.

[0049] Preferably, the first phase electrical conductor 10 is a copper cable or wire.

[0050] Preferably, the second neutral electrical conductor 11 is a copper cable or wire.

[0051] The first phase electrical conductor 10 and the second neutral electrical conductor 11 are for example rigid and are each formed by a rigid and enameled wire, preferably made of copper. In this case, the first phase electrical conductor 10 and the second neutral electrical conductor 11 are for example folded to be positioned in the first shell 16a.

[0052] Alternatively, the first phase electrical conductor 10 and the second neutral electrical conductor 11 are flexible and are each formed either by a flexible conductor with a guide to orient the cable outlet, or by a braided and compacted flexible conductor or with a rigid lug.

[0053] Preferably, the screw cage of the second earth connection terminal 13 comprises at least one cage 44 and one screw 45.

[0054] Preferably, the third front face 38 comprises a sixth orifice 51 which provides access to an insertion channel for the screw 45. The screw head 45 is intended to be flush with the third front face 38.

[0055] Preferably, the third front face 38 includes a marking 52 which symbolizes the earth potential.

[0056] Preferably, the third lower face 39 comprises a seventh orifice 53 which gives access to the output 15 of the second earth connection terminal 13.

[0057] Preferably, the seventh orifice 53 is arranged in a third corner formed by the third right main face 36 and the third rear face 37.

[0058] Preferably, the fifth orifice 50 and the seventh orifice 53 are aligned.

[0059] Preferably, the projecting tab 30 is perpendicular to the second lower face 28.

[0060] Preferably, the modular distance of the connection module dm is equal to the sum of the modular distance of the circuit breaker dd and the modular distance of the surge arrester dp.

[0061] Preferably, the first height of the modular circuit breaker 1 is greater than the second height of the modular surge arrester 5.

[0062] In the assembled position PA, the first lower face 22 of the first housing 4 and the second lower face 28 of the second housing 9 are preferably offset by an offset distance which is substantially equal to the difference between the first height and the second height.

[0063] In this case, the first planar portion 41 and the second planar portion 42 are offset by this same offset distance.

[0064] Preferably, the first phase connection terminal, the first neutral connection terminal, the second phase connection terminal 2, and the second neutral connection terminal 3 are screw cages.

[0065] The first phase connection terminal is intended to be connected to a phase potential and the first neutral connection terminal is intended to be connected to a neutral potential.

[0066] Preferably, the third phase connection terminal 6 and the third neutral connection terminal 7 are screw cages.

[0067] THE figures 1 à 12 relate to a surge protection assembly according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.

[0068] In this first embodiment, the modular circuit breaker 1 comprises a single first phase line and a single first neutral line and the modular surge arrester 5 comprises a single second phase line, a single second neutral line and a single first earth line. As a result, the connection module 12 comprises a single first phase electrical conductor 10, a single second neutral electrical conductor 11 and a single second earth connection terminal 13.

[0069] THE figures 1 And 2illustrate this surge protection assembly in a dismantled position PD, i.e. the connection module 12 is not electrically and mechanically connected with the modular circuit breaker 1 and the modular surge arrester 5. These figures 1 And 2 show in particular that the modular circuit breaker 1 has a single second phase connection terminal 2 and a single second neutral connection terminal 3 which emerge from the first lower face 22 and that the modular surge arrester 5 has a single third phase connection terminal 6, a single third neutral connection terminal 7 and a single first earth connection terminal 8 which emerge from the second lower face 28.

[0070] THE figures 3 à 6 illustrate this surge protection assembly in the assembled PA position. The figures 3 And 4show in particular that this surge protection assembly comes in the form of the monobloc unit 17 which in this case has an overall width LG1 equal to two modules.

[0071] THE figures 7 à 12 only illustrate the connection module 12 of this surge protection assembly.

[0072] THE figures 7 à 9 show in particular that only one first end 31 and only one third end 33 project from the first portion 41 of the third upper face 40 and that only one second end 32 and only one fourth end 34 project from the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40.

[0073] There figure 10 shows that the output 15 of the second earth connection terminal 13 emerges from the third lower face 39.

[0074] THE figures 11 And 12illustrate that the connection module 12 comprises a single first phase electrical conductor 10, a single second neutral electrical conductor 11 and a single second earth connection terminal 13 which are contained in the third housing 16. The third housing 16 is furthermore formed by the first shell 16a and the second shell 16b which are not assembled, but can be assembled by the assembly means 43 for example by clipping or fitting as illustrated by figures 7 à 10 .

[0075] THE figures 13 à 25 relate to a surge protection assembly according to a second variant embodiment of the invention.

[0076] In this second embodiment, the modular circuit breaker 1 comprises three first phase lines and a single first neutral line and the modular surge arrester 5 comprises three second phase lines, a single second neutral line and a single first earth line. As a result, the connection module comprises three first phase electrical conductors 10, a single second neutral electrical conductor 11 and a single second earth connection terminal 13.

[0077] THE figures 13 And 14 illustrate this surge protection assembly in a dismantled position PD, i.e. the connection module 12 is not electrically and mechanically connected with the modular circuit breaker 1 and the modular surge arrester 5. These figures 13 And 14show in particular that the modular circuit breaker 1 has three second phase connection terminals 2 and a single second neutral connection terminal 3 which emerge from the first lower face 22 and that the modular surge arrester 5 has three third phase connection terminals 6, a single third neutral connection terminal 7 and a single first earth connection terminal 8 which emerge from the second lower face 28.

[0078] THE figures 15 à 18 illustrate this surge protection assembly in the assembled PA position. The figures 15 And 16 show in particular that this surge protection assembly comes in the form of the monobloc unit 17 which in this case has an overall width LG2 equal to five modules.

[0079] THE figures 19 à 25 only illustrate the connection module 12 of this surge protection assembly.

[0080] THE figures 19 à 21 show in particular that three first ends 31 and a single third end 33 project from the first portion 41 of the third upper face 40 and that three second ends 32 and a single fourth end 34 project from the second portion 42 of the third upper face 40.

[0081] THE figures 22 And 23 show that the output 15 of the second earth connection terminal 13 emerges from the third lower face 39.

[0082] THE figures 24 And 25illustrate that the connection module 12 comprises three first phase electrical conductors 10, a single second neutral electrical conductor 11 and a single second earth connection terminal 13 contained inside the third housing 16. The third housing 16 is furthermore formed by the first shell 16a and the second shell 16b which are not assembled but can be assembled by the assembly means 43 for example by clipping or fitting, as illustrated by figures 19 à 23 .

[0083] The invention also relates to the connection module 12 for said surge protection assembly, characterized in that said surge protection assembly is according to the invention and as described previously and in that the connection module 12 comprises:

[0084] the electrical and mechanical connection means, comprising the first phase electrical conductor 10 configured to be connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal 2 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal 6 of the modular surge arrester 5, the second neutral electrical conductor 11 configured to be connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal 3 of the modular circuit breaker 1 and on the other hand to be connected to the third neutral connection terminal 7 of the modular surge arrester 5 and the second earth connection terminal 13 comprising said input 14 intended to be connected with the first earth connection terminal 8 of the modular surge arrester 5 and said output 15, and said third housing 16.

[0085] The connection module 12 according to the invention may comprise the aforementioned characteristics described in particular in relation to said overvoltage protection assembly.

[0086] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Overvoltage protection assembly comprising at least: - a modular circuit breaker (1) comprising at least a first phase line comprising at least a first phase connection terminal and a second phase connection terminal (2), a first neutral line comprising at least a first neutral connection terminal and a second neutral connection terminal (3), and a first housing (4), - a modular surge arrester (5) comprising at least a second phase line comprising at least a third phase connection terminal (6), a second neutral line comprising at least a third neutral connection terminal (7), a first earth line comprising at least a first earth connection terminal (8), and a second housing (9), - electrical and mechanical connection means comprising at least a first phase electrical conductor (10) and a second neutral electrical conductor (11), said protection assembly being characterized: in that it further comprises a connection module (12) comprising the electrical and mechanical connection means comprising the first phase electrical conductor (10) configured to be connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal (2) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal (6) of the modular surge arrester (5), the second neutral electrical conductor (11) configured to be connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal (3) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and to be connected on the other hand to the third neutral connection terminal (7) of the modular surge arrester (5), and a second earth connection terminal (13) comprising an input (14) intended to be connected to the first earth connection terminal (8) of the modular surge arrester (5) and an output (15), and a third housing (16), in that the modular circuit breaker (1), the modular surge arrester (5) and the connection module (12) form a first entity delimited by the first housing (4), a second entity delimited by the second housing (9), and a third entity delimited by the third housing (16), respectively.

2. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that in an assembled position (PA), the modular circuit breaker (1) and the modular surge arrester (5) are connected by the connection module (12) to form a one-piece unit (17), and the first phase electrical conductor (10) is connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal (2) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal (6) of the modular surge arrester (5), the second neutral electrical conductor (11) is connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal (3) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and on the other hand to the third neutral connection terminal (7) of the modular surge arrester (5), and the input (14) of the second earth connection terminal (13) is connected to the first earth connection terminal (8) of the modular surge arrester (5).

3. Overvoltage protection assembly according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first housing (4) of said modular circuit breaker (1) has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces, respectively a first left main face (18) and a first right main face (19), and first side faces extending from one of the main faces to the other, namely a first rear face (20), a first front face (21), a first lower face (22) and a first upper face (23), the width of the modular circuit breaker (1) corresponding to the modular distance of the circuit breaker (dd) between the first left main face (18) and the first right main face (19) corresponds to a multiple of a normalized value, called modulus, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimetres, the first phase connection terminal and the first neutral connection terminal emerging from the first upper face (23), and the second phase connection terminal (2) and the second neutral connection terminal (3) emerging from the first lower face (22).

4. Overvoltage protection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second housing (9) of the modular surge arrester (5) has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces, respectively a second left main face (24) and a second right main face (25), and second side faces extending from one of the main faces to the other, namely a second rear face (26), a second front face (27), a second lower face (28) and a second upper face (29), the width of the modular surge arrester (5) corresponding to the modular distance of the surge arrester (dp) between the second left main face (24) and the second right main face (25) corresponds to a multiple of a normalized value, called modulus, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimetres, the third phase connection terminal (6), the third neutral connection terminal (7) and the first earth connection terminal (8) emerging from the second lower face (28).

5. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first earth connection terminal (8) comprises a conductive tab (30) projecting from the second housing (9) and in that the conductive tab (30) projects from the second lower face (28).

6. Overvoltage protection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first phase electrical conductor (10) comprises a first end (31) configured to be connected to the second phase connection terminal (2) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and a second end (32) configured to be connected to the third phase connection terminal (6) of the modular surge arrester (5) and in that the second neutral electrical conductor (11) comprises a third end (33) configured to be connected to the second neutral connection terminal (3) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and a fourth end (34) configured to be connected to the third neutral connection terminal (7) of the modular surge arrester (5).

7. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the third housing (16) has a generally parallelepiped shape with two main faces, respectively a third left main face (35) and a third right main face (36), and third side faces extending from one of the main faces to the other, namely a third rear face (37), a third front face (38), a third lower face (39) and a third upper face (40), the width of the connection module (12) corresponding to the modular distance of the connection module (dm) between the third left main face (35) and the third right main face (36) corresponds to a multiple of a normalized value, called modulus, the value of which is substantially equal to 18 millimetres, the first end (31), the second end (32), the third end (33) and the fourth end (34) projecting from the third upper face (40), and the input (14) of the second earth connection terminal (13) emerging from the third upper face (40), and the output (15) of the second earth connection terminal (13) emerging from the third lower face (39).

8. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the second earth connection terminal (13) is a screw cage and in that said input (14) is intended to be connected to the conductive tab (30).

9. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claims 2, 3, 4 and 6, characterized in that in the assembled position (PA), the first right main face (19) of the first housing (4) and the second left main face (24) of the second housing (9) are planar and are joined together and in that the first lower face (22) of the first housing (4) and the second lower face (28) of the second housing (9) are planar, in that the third upper face (40) of the third housing (16) comprises a first planar portion (41) to which the first lower face (22) is joined and a second planar portion (42) to which the second lower face (28) is joined.

10. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claim 9, characterized in that the first lower face (22) of the first housing (4) and the second lower face (28) of the second housing (9) are aligned and in that the first planar portion (41) and the second planar portion (42) are aligned.

11. Overvoltage protection assembly according to Claim 9, characterized in that the first lower face (22) of the first housing (4) and the second lower face (28) of the second housing (9) are offset and in that the first planar portion (41) and the second planar portion (42) are offset.

12. Connection module (12) for said overvoltage protection assembly, characterized in that said overvoltage protection assembly is according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 and in that the connection module (12) comprises: the electrical and mechanical connection means comprising the first phase electrical conductor (10) configured to be connected on the one hand to the second phase connection terminal (2) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and on the other hand to the third phase connection terminal (6) of the modular surge arrester (5), the second neutral electrical conductor (11) configured to be connected on the one hand to the second neutral connection terminal (3) of the modular circuit breaker (1) and to be connected on the other hand to the third neutral connection terminal (7) of the modular surge arrester (5), and the second earth connection terminal (13) comprising said input (14) intended to be connected to the first earth connection terminal (8) of the modular surge arrester (5) and said output (15), and said third housing (16).

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