Terminal block and terminal block

Abstract

A terminal block (1) for potential distribution is shown and described, comprising a terminal housing (4) having a first connection side (2) and a second connection side (3), and with at least one busbar (6, 61, 62) arranged in a receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4), wherein several conductor connection points (7) for connecting a conductor are formed on both the first connection side (2) and the second connection side (3) of the terminal housing (4), and wherein a functional area (8) is formed between the first connection side (2) and the second connection side (3).The terminal block can be used in different ways because two bridge slots (81, 82) are formed in the terminal housing (4) in the functional area (8), the receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4) is designed such that it can optionally accommodate a busbar (6) extending from the first connection side (2) to the second connection side (3) or a first busbar (61) assigned to the first connection side (2) and a second busbar (62) assigned to the second connection side (3), and the continuous busbar (6) has at least one connection option (9) corresponding to one of the two bridge slots (81, 82), and the first busbar (61) and the second busbar (62) each have one connection option (9) corresponding to a bridge slot (81, 82) for each of the bridge elements (10, 11) that can be inserted into a bridge slot (81, 82).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal block for potential distribution, comprising a terminal housing having a first connection side and a second connection side and with at least one busbar arranged in a receptacle in the terminal housing, wherein on both the first connection side and the second connection side of the terminal housing several conductor connection points are formed for connecting one conductor each, and wherein a functional area is formed between the first connection side and the second connection side.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a terminal block with several terminal blocks arranged side by side, with a feed-in terminal for connecting at least two electrical potentials and with at least one bridge element.

[0003] Electrical terminal blocks have been around for decades and are used millions of times in the wiring of electrical systems and devices. The terminals are usually snapped onto DIN rails, which in turn can be arranged in multiples within a control cabinet. The basic type of terminal block is the feed-through terminal, which has a terminal housing with at least two conductor connection elements that are electrically connected to each other via an electrically conductive busbar. Besides this basic type, sometimes also called a connection terminal, there are numerous other terminal block types specifically adapted to particular applications. Examples include multi-level terminal blocks, disconnect terminal blocks, fuse and component terminal blocks, and installation terminal blocks.

[0004] To supply power to multiple loads, several terminal blocks are often arranged side-by-side on a mounting rail to form a terminal block. Such a terminal block typically includes one terminal block designed as a feed-in terminal for connecting at least one electrical potential. The potential applied to the feed-in terminal via a conductor connected to a conductor connection point can be distributed to one or more other terminal blocks via a jumper element, also known as a cross-bridge, so that all terminal blocks in whose functional slot a contact leg of the jumper element is inserted are connected to the potential applied to the feed-in terminal.

[0005] Such a terminal block and a terminal block as described above are known, for example, from DE 202 20 108 U1. This publication describes as a disadvantage that the individual terminal blocks, in particular the feed-in terminal and the other terminal blocks designed as feed-through terminals, have different dimensions. A greater width of the feed-in terminal compared to the feed-through terminals can mean that a comb-like bridging element with a fixed grid dimension between the individual contact sections cannot be used in the terminal block. Smaller dimensions of the feed-in terminal transversely to the mounting direction of the terminal blocks compared to the corresponding dimensions of the feed-through terminals can mean that one side of the feed-through terminals adjacent to the feed-in terminal is not covered by the feed-in terminal and is therefore at least partially open.

[0006] To overcome these disadvantages, DE 202 20 108 U1 proposes the use of a spacer plate on each side of the feed-in terminal. The width of the spacer plates is chosen such that the distance between the bridge slot of the feed-in terminal and the bridge slot of the adjacent feed-through terminal corresponds to the grid dimension of a comb-like bridge element, so that only a contact section of the bridge element needs to be removed in the transition area between the two terminal blocks. Furthermore, the dimensions of the spacer plates perpendicular to the mounting direction are chosen so that they completely cover the adjacent terminal blocks.

[0007] DE 10 2014 105 316 A1 also discloses a terminal block with several terminals arranged side by side, with a feed-in terminal and with at least one bridging element. In this terminal block, it is provided that all terminals have the same dimensions perpendicular to the direction in which they are arranged, thus avoiding a confusing connection diagram.

[0008] In the second embodiment disclosed in DE 10 2014 105 316 A1, each individual terminal block has several conductor connection points through which the potential present at the individual terminal blocks can be distributed to several loads. The individual terminal blocks are connected via a bridge element to a feed-in terminal block, which has a conductor connection point for connecting a potential. For this purpose, two functional slots for a bridge element each are provided on one side of the terminal block housing of both the terminal blocks and the feed-in terminal block, so that a potential present at the feed-in terminal block can be applied to the other terminal blocks via a bridge element.

[0009] Although the familiar terminal blocks have proven their worth in practice, they have the disadvantage that they cannot be adapted to different energy supply requirements for multiple consumers, or only with considerable effort.

[0010] The present invention is based on the objective of improving a terminal block described above so that it is suitable for additional applications or additional application possibilities exist.

[0011] This problem is solved in the terminal block described at the outset with the features of claim 1 by the fact that two bridging slots are formed in the terminal housing in the functional area, and that the receptacle in the terminal housing is designed in such a way that it can optionally accommodate a busbar extending from the first connection side to the second connection side or a first busbar assigned to the first connection side and a second busbar assigned to the second connection side.

[0012] Because two bridge slots are provided in the functional area and because the terminal block according to the invention can optionally have a continuous busbar or two separate busbars, either one potential or two different potentials can be applied to the terminal block. For this purpose, at least one connection option corresponding to one of the two bridge slots is provided in the continuous busbar, and in the first busbar and in the second busbar, a connection option corresponding to one bridge slot is provided for each bridge element that can be inserted into a bridge slot.

[0013] If only one potential is to be applied to the terminal block according to the invention, a continuous busbar is arranged in the receptacle in the terminal housing, to which both the conductor connection points on the first connection side and the conductor connection points on the second connection side are electrically connected. A bridge element can then be inserted into a bridge slot such that a contact section of the bridge element contacts the corresponding connection point in the busbar. The busbar is then connected to a potential via the bridge element, so that this potential can be distributed to a corresponding number of loads via the individual conductor connection points or via conductors connected thereto.

[0014] If two different potentials are to be applied to the terminal block according to the invention, two separate busbars are arranged in the receptacle in the terminal housing, namely a first busbar, which is assigned to the first connection side, and a second busbar, which is assigned to the second connection side. The first busbar is electrically connected to the conductor connection points on the first connection side and the second busbar is electrically connected to the conductor connection points on the second connection side.

[0015] A first bridge element can be inserted into one bridge slot and a second bridge element into the other. The first bridge element makes contact with the corresponding terminal on the first busbar, while the second bridge element makes contact with the corresponding terminal on the second busbar. The two bridge elements thus connect the two busbars with different potentials, allowing these potentials to be distributed to a corresponding number of loads via the respective conductor terminals on the first and second busbars, or via the conductors connected to them.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, two connection options corresponding to the two bridge slots are provided in the continuous busbar. This allows the user to choose which of the two bridge slots to insert a bridge element into, making operation of the terminal block very convenient. Furthermore, it prevents the risk of "incorrect insertion," where a user inserts a bridge element into a bridge slot for which there is no corresponding connection option in the busbar, resulting in the contact section of the bridge element not making reliable contact with the busbar. The connection options provided in the busbar are preferably designed as openings into which the free end of a contact section of the bridge element can be inserted.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the terminal block according to the invention, the receptacle in the terminal housing comprises a first receiving section associated with the first connection side, a second receiving section associated with the second connection side, and a third receiving section associated with the functional area. The third receiving section is connected on one side to the first receiving section and on the other side to the second receiving section, so that a busbar extending from the first connection side to the second connection side can be accommodated by the continuous receptacle consisting of the three receiving sections. Simultaneously, the first receiving section is separated from the second receiving section by the third receiving section.spaced apart, so that a first busbar, which is recorded in the first recording section, is spatially and therefore also electrically separated from a second busbar, which is recorded in the second recording section.

[0018] It is stated at the outset that the terminal block according to the invention has several conductor connection points on each of its two connection sides. Preferably, the same number of conductor connection points are provided on each connection side, in particular three or four conductor connection points on each side, so that the terminal block has, in particular, six or eight conductor connection points. However, the invention is not limited to this, so that, in principle, a different number of conductor connection points can also be provided on the two connection sides.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the terminal block according to the invention, the conductor connection points on the first connection side and / or the conductor connection points on the second connection side each have a conductor connection element. The individual conductor connection elements interact with a section of the continuous busbar or one of the two busbars in such a way that the end of a conductor can be connected to the corresponding section of the busbar, and thus to the respective busbar as a whole, by means of the conductor connection element. Various types of conductor connection elements are possible, in particular screw terminals, spring-clamp terminals, spring-loaded clamp terminals, crimp terminals, or insulation displacement connections.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual conductor connection elements are designed as spring-loaded clamp connections, each comprising a clamping spring with a clamping leg and a current bar, which together with the clamping leg forms a clamping point for a stripped conductor to be connected. The current bars are electrically connected to the corresponding busbar, i.e., the continuous busbar or one of the two busbars. Advantageously, the individual current bars are part of the respective busbar, i.e., formed integrally with the busbar and optionally bent or punched out and bent from it.

[0021] For easy opening of each clamping point, an actuating element, in particular an actuating push button, can be slidably arranged in the terminal housing. In a first position of the actuating element, the clamping leg of the associated clamping spring is deflected by the actuating element against its spring force, so that the clamping point is open. In a second position of the actuating element, the clamping leg is no longer deflected by the actuating element, so that the clamping leg presses a conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar, thereby bringing the stripped end of the conductor into contact with the current bar.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous if the actuating element can be locked in its first position within the terminal housing, so that the clamping point is in an open position. Preferably, a release element is adjustable within the terminal housing such that it releases the actuating element from its first position when actuated. Actuation of the release element is preferably achieved by inserting a conductor to be connected into the open clamping point. Therefore, no additional tool is required to actuate the release element.

[0023] A conductor to be connected can then be easily inserted into the open clamping point with virtually no effort, regardless of whether it is a flexible or rigid conductor. Once the end of the conductor is fully inserted into the clamping point, the release element is triggered by the end of the conductor, releasing the actuating element from its initial position. This immediately prevents the clamping arm from being deflected by the actuating element against its spring force, allowing the clamping arm to press the inserted conductor against the current bar. With a terminal block designed in this way, multiple conductors can be quickly, easily, and without tools connected to the terminal block or its conductor connection points, and, if necessary, disconnected again from the terminal block's conductor connection points.

[0024] In principle, the previously described possible configurations of the conductor connection point can be combined in the terminal block according to the invention. If all conductor connection points have a conductor connection element, they are generally all designed identically, for example, all as spring-clamp connections, which simplifies the operation of the terminal block for the installer. However, the invention is not limited to such a configuration. Depending on the application, different types of conductor connection elements can also be provided in a terminal block.

[0025] In the terminal block according to the invention, the terminal housing preferably has a foot area designed such that the terminal housing can be snapped onto a mounting rail. For this purpose, the foot area can have one or two locking spring legs that engage at least one leg of the mounting rail, as is generally known in practice.

[0026] Advantageously, a metallic protective conductor element that contacts the busbar is also arranged in the base area of ​​the terminal housing. For this purpose, a recess can be formed on the underside of the terminal housing facing the mounting rail, into which the protective conductor element can be inserted and preferably locked. The design of this recess in the terminal housing allows the same terminal housing to be used regardless of whether the terminal block is intended to be used as a protective conductor terminal or not.

[0027] The protective conductor element preferably comprises a spring element, in particular a spring fork with two spring arms, which can be inserted into an opening formed in the continuous busbar. The spring element runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the metal base and to the longitudinal extent of a mounting rail onto which the terminal block is to be mounted. Additionally, the protective conductor element preferably comprises at least one spring element for securing the protective conductor element to the mounting rail.

[0028] In addition to a single terminal block, the present invention also relates to a terminal block with several terminal blocks arranged side by side, a feed-in terminal for connecting at least two electrical potentials, and at least one bridging element. The feed-in terminal has a terminal housing, at least two conductor connection points, at least two busbars, and two bridging slots formed in the terminal housing. In each of the two busbars of the feed-in terminal, which is electrically connected to a conductor connection point, a connection option for a bridging element is provided corresponding to the two bridging slots, so that the potential present at a busbar or connected via the corresponding conductor connection point can be distributed to the terminal blocks via a bridging element.

[0029] Depending on whether the individual terminal blocks have a continuous busbar or two separate busbars, different possibilities arise for distributing one or two potentials via the terminal block.

[0030] In a first embodiment of the terminal block, where a continuous busbar is arranged in the receptacle within the terminal housing of each terminal block, the terminal blocks are connected via a bridging element to a first potential of the feed-in terminal, which is applied to a first conductor connection point. The same potential is then present at all conductor connection points of the individual terminal blocks, which can be further distributed via conductors connected to these connection points.

[0031] If the terminal block has at least (n + m) terminals arranged side by side, each with a continuous busbar in the terminal housing, then, according to an alternative embodiment with two bridging elements, two different potentials of the feed-in terminal can be distributed to individual terminals of the terminal block. In this configuration, n terminals are connected to the first potential, for example the positive potential, via the first bridging element, and m terminals are connected to the second potential, for example the negative potential, of the feed-in terminal via the second bridging element.

[0032] While each individual terminal block has only one potential, the terminal block as a whole has two different potentials. n terminal blocks have the first potential (for example, the positive potential), and m terminal blocks have the second potential (for example, the negative potential). The number n of terminal blocks with the first potential can differ from the number m of terminal blocks with the second potential. If the terminal block has an even number of terminal blocks, the number of terminal blocks connected to the first potential is usually equal to the number of terminal blocks connected to the second potential, so that n = m.

[0033] In another embodiment of the terminal block, in which a first busbar and a second busbar are arranged in the receptacle in the terminal housing of the terminal blocks, the first busbars of the terminal blocks are connected via a first bridge element to the first potential connected at a first conductor connection point, for example the positive potential, and the second busbars of the terminal blocks are connected via a second bridge element to the second potential connected at a second conductor connection point, for example the negative potential of the feed-in terminal.

[0034] In this configuration, the individual terminal blocks or their two busbars each have two different potentials, namely a first potential on the first connection side assigned to the first busbar and a second potential on the second connection side assigned to the second busbar.

[0035] The various configurations of the terminal block described above can also be combined. For example, a terminal block can have individual terminals with a continuous busbar as well as individual terminals with two separate busbars.

[0036] Furthermore, not all terminal blocks of a terminal block need to be connected to the feed-in terminal via a jumper element. A terminal block can have one or more terminal blocks that are electrically connected to the mounting rail via a protective conductor element located in the base of the terminal housing, and not to the feed-in terminal via a jumper element.

[0037] If such a terminal block has, for example, a total of eight terminals, three of these can be connected to the positive potential, three to the negative potential, and two to the reference potential of the mounting rail or ground potential. The three terminals connected to the positive potential and the three connected to the negative potential are each connected to each other and to the feed-in terminal via a jumper element, so that only one conductor with positive potential and one conductor with negative potential need to be connected to the feed-in terminal. Additionally, a conductor for ground potential can be connected to a third terminal on the feed-in terminal.

[0038] In detail, there are several ways to design and further develop the terminal block and terminal block according to the invention. Reference is made to the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a terminal block without a busbar, Fig. 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of a terminal block with two busbars, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a terminal block with a continuous busbar, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a terminal block with a continuous busbar, Fig. 5 a perspective view and a top view of a first embodiment of a terminal block with three terminal blocks, a feed-in terminal and a bridge element, Fig. 6 a perspective view and a top view of a second embodiment of a terminal block with three terminal blocks, a feed-in terminal and two bridge elements, Fig. 7 a perspective view and a top view of a third embodiment of a terminal block, and Fig.8. A perspective view and a top view of a fourth embodiment of a terminal block.

[0039] The Figures 1 to 4 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a terminal block 1 according to the invention for potential distribution, with a terminal housing 4 having a first connection side 2 and a second connection side 3. The terminal housing 4, which is generally made of plastic, has a receptacle 5 for at least one busbar 6, 61, 62. Both the first connection side 2 and the second connection side 3 of the terminal housing 4 each have several conductor connection points 7, in this case four each, for connecting one conductor each. Furthermore, a functional area 8 is formed in the terminal housing 4 between the first connection side 2 and the second connection side 3.

[0040] In Fig. 1The illustration shows the terminal block 1 or terminal housing 4 without a busbar inserted in the receptacle 5. The illustration shows that the receptacle 5 in the terminal housing 4 has a first receiving section 51 associated with the first connection side 2, a second receiving section 52 associated with the second connection side 3, and a third receiving section 53 associated with the functional area 8. The third receiving section 53 is thus arranged between the first receiving section 51 and the second receiving section 52, with the third receiving section 53 being connected to the first receiving section 51 on one side and to the second receiving section 52 on the other. The receptacle 5 is designed as a groove, making it well-suited for receiving and holding at least one busbar.

[0041] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a perspective view of terminal block 1, in which a first busbar 61 is arranged in the first recording section 51 and a second busbar 62 in the second recording section 52. The first busbar 61 is spaced apart from the second busbar 62, so that there is a free space between the two busbars 61 and 62 in the third recording section 53. Figures 3 and 4 In contrast, the figures show a terminal block 1 in which a continuous busbar 6, extending from the first connection side 2 to the second connection side 3, is arranged in the mounting 5. The continuous busbar 6 is thus jointly supported by the three mounting sections 51, 52, 53.

[0042] As previously explained, a functional area 8 is located between the first connection side 2 and the second connection side 3. Within the functional area 8, two bridge slots 81, 82 are formed in the terminal housing 4, into each of which a contact section of a bridge element (not shown here) can be inserted. For electrical contact of the contact section of the bridge element, the terminal block 1 is connected according to... Fig. 2 Both the first busbar 61 and the second busbar 62 each have a connection option 9 corresponding to a bridge shaft 81, 82 in the form of an opening in the respective busbar 61, 62. At the terminal block 1 according to the Figures 3 and 4 Two connection options 9 corresponding to the two bridge shafts 81, 82 are provided in the continuous conductor rail 6, which are also designed as openings in the conductor rail 6.

[0043] During the Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated terminal block 1, a marking area 83 is formed in the functional area 8 between the two bridge shafts 81, 82. The marking area 83 is specifically designed for receiving and locking a marking plate 84, as shown, for example, in the Figures 5 and 6 This is evident. Using a marking label 84, the respective terminal block can be easily identified.

[0044] During the Figures 1 to 4In the illustrated terminal block 1, each conductor connection point 7 has a conductor connection element designed as a spring-clamp terminal. A clamping spring 71 is arranged in corresponding recesses in the terminal housing 4 for each spring-clamp terminal, the clamping leg 72 of which, together with a current bar 73, forms a clamping point for a stripped conductor to be connected. The individual current bars 73 of the spring-clamp terminals are each supported by a correspondingly bent section of the continuous busbar 6 ( Figs. 3 and 4 ) or the two busbars 61, 62 ( Fig. 2 ). The current bars 73 are thus part of the continuous current rail 6 or the first current rail 61 and the second current rail 62.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment of the terminal block 1 and the individual conductor connection points 7 shown in the figures, a special type of spring-loaded clamping connection is provided, characterized by the fact that a conductor to be connected can be inserted into the open clamping point with virtually no force, regardless of whether it is a flexible or a rigid conductor. Once the end of the conductor is fully inserted into the clamping point, the clamping point closes automatically, so that the clamping leg 72 of the clamping spring 71 presses the conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar 73.

[0046] In order for the clamping spring 71 to initially be in a pre-tensioned state in this type of spring-loaded clamp connection, i.e., for the clamping arm 72 to be deflected and the clamping point to be opened, each clamping spring 71 is assigned an actuating element 12, which is adjustably arranged in the terminal housing 4. The actuating element 12, designed as an actuating push button, can be locked in the terminal housing 4 in its first position, in which the clamping arm 72 of the clamping spring 71 is deflected against its spring force. Furthermore, each conductor connection point 7 has a release element 13, which is adjustably arranged in the terminal housing 4. This release element releases the actuating element 12 from its first position when it is actuated by inserting a conductor to be connected into the open clamping point.The end of the inserted conductor then presses against the release element 13, which releases the latch of the actuating element 12 in its first position, so that the clamping leg 72 springs back and clamps the inserted conductor against the current bar 73.

[0047] If the clamping point needs to be opened again, for example to remove a connected conductor from the terminal block 1, the actuating element 12 must be retracted into the interior of the terminal housing 4. This deflects the clamping arm 72 and lifts it away from the connected conductor. A connected conductor can then be pulled out through the conductor entry opening 41 in the terminal housing 4. At the same time, the actuating element 12 locks back into its first position, thus reopening the clamping point. A corresponding actuating opening 42 is provided in the terminal housing 4 adjacent to each conductor entry opening 41, for example, to actuate the actuating element 12 with the tip of a screwdriver.

[0048] The terminal block 1 shown in the figures, or rather its terminal housing 4, has a base 43 designed so that the terminal housing 4 can be snapped onto a mounting rail 14. As shown in the figures... Fig. 4 As can be seen, the foot area 43 can be designed to accommodate a metallic protective conductor element 15, which contacts the mounting rail 14 on one side and the busbar 6 on the other, when the terminal housing 4 is snapped onto the mounting rail 14.

[0049] The Figures 5 to 8Figure 1 shows various embodiments of a terminal block 20, each with several adjacent terminal blocks 1, a feed-in terminal 30 for connecting at least two electrical potentials, and one or two bridging elements 10, 11. The feed-in terminal 30 has a terminal housing 31, three conductor connection points 32, 33, 34, and three busbars 35, each busbar 35 being electrically connected to a conductor connection point 32, 33, 34. Furthermore, the terminal housing 31 has two bridging slots 36, 37, to which corresponding connection points 38 for one bridging element 10, 11 each are provided in two busbars 35 of the feed-in terminal 30. As with the terminal blocks 1, the connection options 38 of the feed-in terminal block 30 are also designed as openings in the busbar 35, into which a free end of a contact section 100, 110 of a bridge element 10, 11 can be inserted.

[0050] At the in Fig. 5 In the illustrated embodiment of a terminal block 20, a continuous busbar 6 is arranged in the receptacle 5 in the terminal housing 4 of each individual terminal block 1, with which both the conductor connection points 7 on the first connection side 2 and the conductor connection points 7 on the second connection side 3 are electrically connected. A bridge element 10 is provided for applying a potential to the individual terminal blocks 1, wherein the individual contact sections 100 of the bridge element 10, which are in Fig. 5bThe bridging element 10, schematically indicated by broad lines, is inserted into the first bridge slot 81 of each individual terminal block 1 and into the first bridge slot 36 of the feed-in terminal 30. This connects the individual terminal blocks 1, via the bridging element 10, to the potential present at the first conductor connection point 32 of the feed-in terminal 30, for example, the positive potential. If the bridging element 10 is inserted into the second bridge slot 37 of the feed-in terminal 30 and, accordingly, also into the second bridge slot 82 of each individual terminal block 1, then the individual terminal blocks 1 can be connected, via the bridging element 10, to the potential present at the second conductor connection point 33 of the feed-in terminal 30, for example, the negative potential.

[0051] Fig. 6Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of a terminal block 20, in which a first busbar 61 and a second busbar 62 are arranged in the terminal housing 4 of each individual terminal block 1 within the receptacle 5. In this terminal block 20, the conductor connection points 7 of the first connection side 2 are connected to the first busbar 61, and the conductor connection points 7 of the second connection side 3 are connected to the second busbar 62. In this terminal block 20, two different potentials present at the feed-in terminal 30 can be distributed to the individual terminal blocks 1 by using two bridging elements 10, 11.

[0052] For this purpose, a contact section 100 of the first bridge element 10 is inserted into the first bridge slot 36 of the feed-in terminal 30 and into the first bridge slots 81 of the individual terminal blocks 1. In addition, a contact section 110 of the second bridge element 11 is inserted into the second bridge slot 37 of the feed-in terminal 30 and into the second bridge slots 82 of the individual terminal blocks 1. The first bridge element 10 thus distributes the first potential, for example the positive potential, present at the first conductor connection point 32 of the feed-in terminal 30, while the second bridge element 11 distributes the second potential, for example the negative potential, present at the second conductor connection point 33 of the feed-in terminal 30.Via the first bridge element 10 and the individual first busbars 61, the first potential is applied to the conductor connection points 7 of the first connection side 2 of the individual terminal blocks 1, while via the second bridge element 11 and the individual second busbars 62, the second potential is applied to the individual conductor connection points 7 of the second connection side 3 of the individual terminal blocks 1. Thus, different potentials can be tapped at the individual terminal blocks 1, or rather at their conductor connection points 7, on both connection sides 2 and 3.

[0053] In Fig. 7 Another embodiment of a terminal block 20 is shown. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 5This terminal block 20, in addition to the feed-in terminal 30, has not three, but nine terminal blocks 1. Each of the individual terminal blocks 1 has a continuous busbar 6 arranged in the receptacle 5 in the terminal housing 4, so that the conductor connection points 7 on the first connection side 2 and the conductor connection points 7 on the second connection side 3 are electrically connected to the busbar 6. However, the terminal block 20 has not just one, but two bridge elements 10, 11, so that two different potentials can be distributed from the feed-in terminal 30 to the terminal blocks 1 of the terminal block 20.

[0054] In this arrangement, three terminal blocks 1, namely the second, seventh, and ninth terminal blocks 1 starting from the feed-in terminal 30, are connected via the appropriately designed first bridge element 10 to the first potential, for example, the positive potential, applied to the feed-in terminal 30 via the first conductor connection point 32. In contrast, four terminal blocks 1, namely the first, third, sixth, and eighth terminal blocks 1 starting from the feed-in terminal 30, are connected via the appropriately designed second bridge element 11 to the second potential, for example, the negative potential, applied to the feed-in terminal 30 via the second conductor connection point 33. The two bridge elements 10 and 11 thus differ from each other in the number and position of the individual contact sections 100 and 110.

[0055] At the in Fig. 7In the illustrated terminal block 20, n = 3 terminals 1 are connected to the positive potential of the feed-in terminal 30 via the first bridge element 10, and m = 4 terminals 1 are connected to the negative potential of the feed-in terminal 30 via the second bridge element 11. The illustrated terminal block 20 also has two further terminals 1, namely the fourth and fifth terminals 1 extending from the feed-in terminal 30, which are not connected to the feed-in terminal 30 via either the first bridge element 10 or the second bridge element 11. These two terminals 1 are instead connected to the mounting rail 14 via a protective conductor element 15 located in the base 43 of the terminal housing 4.To ensure that the two terminal blocks 1 are not connected to the two potentials of the feed-in terminal 30 when bridge elements 10, 11 are inserted, no contact section 100, 110 is provided at the corresponding location of the bridge elements 10, 11, which is inserted into the two bridge slots 81, 82 of these two terminal blocks 1.

[0056] The PE potential can be applied to the busbar 35 connected to the third conductor connection point 34 of the feed-in terminal 30 via the third conductor connection point 34. The busbar 35 is connected to the mounting rail 14 via a protective conductor element 15 located in the base of the terminal housing 31 when the feed-in terminal 30 is snapped onto the mounting rail 14. This also connects the previously described fourth and fifth terminal blocks 1 to the PE potential of the feed-in terminal 30 via their respective protective conductor elements 15 and the mounting rail 14.

[0057] Fig. 8Finally, another embodiment of a terminal block 20 according to the invention is shown, in which again nine terminal blocks 1 and one feed-in terminal 30 are provided. As in the embodiment according to Fig. 7 Here too, in the case of two terminal blocks 1, namely starting from the feed-in terminal 30, the fourth and fifth terminal blocks 1 are not electrically connected to the feed-in terminal 30 via one of the two bridge elements 10, 11, but rather to the mounting rail 14 via a protective conductor element 15.

[0058] The other terminal blocks 1 each have a first busbar 61 and a second busbar 62, so that two different potentials can be connected to these terminal blocks 1 via the two bridging elements 10, 11. In these terminal blocks 1, the conductor connection point 7 of the first connection side 2 of each terminal block 1 is connected via the first bridging element 10, or rather its contact sections 100, to the first potential, for example, the positive potential, which is applied to the supply terminal 30 via the first conductor connection point 32. The individual conductor connection points 7 of the second connection side 3 of each terminal block 1, on the other hand, are connected via the second bridging element 11, or rather its contact sections 110, to the second potential, for example, the negative potential, which is applied to the supply terminal 30 via the second conductor connection point 33.

[0059] It is evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the number of terminal blocks 1 shown in the figures, which is merely an example, in a terminal block 20. Likewise, the distribution of the two potentials to the individual terminal blocks 1 can deviate from the distribution shown. Reference sign

[0060] 1. Terminal block 2. First connection side 3. Second connection side 4. Terminal housing 41. Conductor entry opening 42. Actuating opening 43. Foot area 5. Mounting 51. First mounting section 52. Second mounting section 53. Third mounting section 6. Continuous busbar 61. First busbar 62. Second busbar 7. Conductor connection point 71. Clamping spring 72. Clamping leg 73. Current bar 8. Functional area 81. First bridge shaft 82. Second bridge shaft 83. Marking area 84. Marking plate 9. Connection option 10. Bridge element 100. Contact section 11. Bridge element 110. Contact section 12. Actuating element 13. Release element 14. Mounting rail 15. Protective conductor element 20. Terminal block 30. Feed-in terminal 31. Terminal housing 32. Conductor connection point (positive potential) 33. Conductor connection point (negative potential) 34. Conductor connection point (PE potential) 35. Busbar 36. First bridge shaft 37. Second bridge shaft 38. Connection option

Claims

1. Terminal block (1) for potential distribution, comprising a terminal housing (4) having a first connection side (2) and a second connection side (3), and with at least one busbar (6, 61, 62) arranged in a receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4), wherein several conductor connection points (7) for connecting a conductor are formed on both the first connection side (2) and the second connection side (3) of the terminal housing (4), and wherein a functional area (8) is formed between the first connection side (2) and the second connection side (3), characterized by that in the functional area (8) two bridge shafts (81, 82) are formed in the terminal housing (4), thatthe receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4) is designed such that it can optionally accommodate a busbar (6) extending from the first connection side (2) to the second connection side (3) or a first busbar (61) associated with the first connection side (2) and a second busbar (62) associated with the second connection side (3), and that in the continuous conductor rail (6) at least one connection option (9) corresponding to one of the two bridge shafts (81, 82) and in the first conductor rail (61) and in the second conductor rail (62) each one connection option (9) corresponding to a bridge shaft (81, 82) for one bridge element (10, 11) that can be inserted into a bridge shaft (81, 82) are formed.

2. Terminal block (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in the continuous conductor rail (6) two connection options (9) corresponding to the two bridge shafts (81, 82) are formed.

3. Terminal block (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the receiving (5) in the terminal housing (4) has a first receiving section (51) assigned to the first connection side (2), a second receiving section (52) assigned to the second connection side (3) and a third receiving section (53) assigned to the functional area (8), wherein the third receiving section (53) is connected on one side to the first receiving section (51) and on the other side to the second receiving section (52).

4. Terminal block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that In the functional area (8) a marking area (83) is formed, wherein the marking area (83) is preferably arranged between the two bridge shafts (81, 82).

5. Terminal block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact thatthe conductor connection points (7) on the first connection side (2) of the terminal housing (4) and / or the conductor connection points (7) on the second connection side (3) of the terminal housing (4) each have a conductor connection element.

6. Terminal block (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the conductor connection elements are designed as spring-loaded clamp connections, each having a clamping spring (71) with a clamping leg (72) and a current bar (73) which together with the clamping leg (72) forms a clamping point for a conductor to be connected.

7. Terminal block (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact thatAn actuating element (12) is arranged in the terminal housing (4) in such a way that in a first position of the actuating element (12) the clamping leg (72) of the clamping spring (71) is deflected against its spring force, so that the clamping point is open, while in a second position of the actuating element (12) the clamping leg (72) of the clamping spring (71) presses a conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar (73).

8. Terminal block (1) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the actuating element (12) can be locked in its first position in the terminal housing (4) and a release element (13) is arranged in the terminal housing (4) in such a way that the release element (13) releases the locking of the actuating element (12) in its first position when the release element (13) is actuated by inserting a conductor to be connected into the open terminal.

9. Terminal block (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the terminal housing (4) has a foot area (43) which is designed so that the terminal housing (4) can be snapped onto a mounting rail (14).

10. Terminal block (1) according to claim 9, with a continuous busbar (6) arranged in the receptacle (5), characterized by the fact that in the foot area (43) of the terminal housing (4) a metallic protective conductor element (15) contacting the continuous busbar (6) is arranged, wherein the protective conductor element (15) preferably has a spring element.

11. Terminal block (20) with several terminal blocks (1) arranged side by side according to one of claims 1 to 10, with a feed-in terminal (30) for connecting at least two electrical potentials and with at least one bridge element (10, 11), wherein a continuous busbar (6) is arranged in the receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4) of each of the terminal blocks (1), wherein the feed-in terminal (30) has a terminal housing (31), at least two conductor connection points (32, 33, 34), at least two busbars (35) and two bridge slots (36, 37) formed in the terminal housing (31), wherein in two busbars (35) of the feed-in terminal (30) a connection option (38) for a bridge element (10, 11) is formed corresponding to the two bridge slots (36, 37), and wherein the terminal blocks (1) are connected via the bridge element (10) to a The conductor connection point (32) is connected to the first potential of the feed-in terminal (31).

12. Terminal block (20) according to claim 11, with at least (n + m) terminal blocks (1) arranged side by side and with two bridge elements (10, 11), characterized by the fact that n terminal blocks (1) are connected via the first bridge element (10) to the first potential connected at a first conductor connection point (32) and m terminal blocks (1) are connected via the second bridge element (11) to the second potential of the feed-in terminal (30) connected at a second conductor connection point (33).

13. Terminal block (30) with several terminal blocks (1) arranged side by side according to one of claims 1 to 10, with a feed-in terminal (30) for connecting at least two electrical potentials and with two bridge elements (10, 11), wherein a first busbar (61) and a second busbar (62) are arranged in the receptacle (5) in the terminal housing (4) of the terminal blocks, wherein the feed-in terminal (30) has a terminal housing (31), at least two conductor connection points (32, 33, 34), at least two busbars (35) and two bridge slots (36, 37) formed in the terminal housing (31), wherein in two busbars (35) of the feed-in terminal (30) a connection option (38) for a bridge element (10, 11) is formed corresponding to the two bridge slots (36, 37),and wherein the first busbar (61) of the individual terminal blocks (1) is connected via the first bridge element (10) to the first potential connected at a first conductor connection point (32) and the second busbar (62) of the individual terminal blocks (1) is connected via the second bridge element (11) to the second potential of the feed-in terminal block (31) connected at a second conductor connection point (33).

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