Supply terminal and terminal block

Abstract

A feed-in terminal (1) for connecting at least two electrical potentials is shown and described, comprising a terminal housing (2) with three conductor connection points (31, 32, 33) for connecting one conductor each, and with three busbars (41, 42, 43), wherein each busbar (41, 42, 43) is electrically connected to a conductor connection point (31, 32, 33), wherein two bridge slots (51, 52) are formed in the terminal housing (2), so that the potentials applied to the two busbars (41, 42) via each conductor connection point (31, 32) can be distributed to an adjacent terminal block (20) via a bridge element (6) inserted into each bridge slot (51, 52).The feed-in terminal is suitable for additional applications in that at least one busbar section (71, 72) is arranged in the terminal housing (2), in which a connection option (8) corresponding to a bridge shaft (51, 52) is formed for a bridge element (6) that can be inserted into the bridge shaft (51, 52), and in that a disconnect point (91, 92) is formed between the busbar section (71, 72) and a busbar (41, 42), so that the busbar (41, 42) and the busbar section (71, 72) can be connected to each other via a functional element (10, 11) arranged in or insertable into the disconnect point (91, 92).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a feed-in terminal for connecting at least two electrical potentials, comprising a terminal housing, at least two conductor connection points for connecting a conductor each, and at least two busbars, wherein each busbar is electrically connected to a conductor connection point. The terminal housing also includes two bridging slots, so that the potentials present at each of the two busbars via a conductor connection point can be distributed to an adjacent terminal block via a bridging element inserted into each bridging slot.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a terminal block with a feed-in terminal and with several terminal blocks arranged side by side.

[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, sensor / actuator terminal blocks, and feed-in 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 has 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 adjacent terminal blocks via a jumper element, also known as a cross-bridge, so that all terminal blocks in whose jumper slot a contact section of the jumper element is inserted are connected to the potential applied to the feed-in terminal.

[0005] In practice, feed-in terminals are often designed to connect two or three electrical potentials: the positive potential, the negative potential, and, if necessary, the earth potential. If three different potentials are to be connected to the feed-in terminal via three conductors, the feed-in terminal will accordingly have three conductor connection points and three busbars. The rated cross-section of the conductor connection points of the feed-in terminal is usually larger than the rated cross-section of the conductor connection points of the terminal blocks that are supplied with the applied potentials via the feed-in terminal, so that conductors with a larger cross-section can be connected to the feed-in terminal than to the terminal blocks.

[0006] A terminal block with a feed-in terminal and several adjacent terminal blocks is known from DE 202 20 108 U1. The feed-in terminal, located centrally in the terminal block, has two conductor connection points and a bridging slot between the two conductor connection points, so that the potential applied to the feed-in terminal can be distributed to the adjacent terminal blocks via a bridging element inserted into the bridging slot of the feed-in terminal and the terminal blocks.

[0007] In DE 202 20 108 U1, it is described as a disadvantage that the feed-in terminal and the adjacent 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 perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the terminal blocks compared to the corresponding dimensions of the feed-through terminals result in one side of the feed-through terminals adjacent to the feed-in terminal not being covered by the feed-in terminal and thus being partially open.

[0008] 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.

[0009] DE 10 2014 105 316 A1 also discloses a terminal block with several terminal blocks arranged side by side and with a feed-in terminal, wherein the feed-in terminal has two conductor connection points and several bridging slots. This allows the two potentials present at the feed-in terminal via the conductor connection points to be distributed to the adjacent terminal blocks via a bridging element inserted into each bridging slot. In this terminal block, all terminal blocks are designed to have the same dimensions perpendicular to the direction in which they are arranged, thus avoiding a confusing connection diagram.

[0010] In the first embodiment disclosed in DE 10 2014 105 316 A1, each individual terminal block has a fuse plug with a fuse. The fuse plug can be connected to a busbar in the terminal block in such a way that the potential distributed across this busbar from the feed terminal via a bridging element is connected to the associated conductor connection point via the fuse plug, so that the conductor connection point is protected by the fuse plug.

[0011] Although the familiar feed-in terminals and terminal blocks have proven their worth in practice, they have the disadvantage that they cannot be adapted to different requirements, or only with considerable effort.

[0012] The present invention is based on the objective of improving a feed-in terminal and a terminal block with a feed-in terminal and several terminal blocks as described above, so that additional application possibilities and functions can be easily implemented.

[0013] This problem is solved in the feed-in terminal described above with the features of claim 1 in that at least one further busbar section is arranged in the terminal housing, wherein the busbar section has a connection option corresponding to a bridge shaft for a bridge element that can be inserted into the bridge shaft. Furthermore, a disconnect point is formed between the busbar section and an associated busbar, so that the busbar and the busbar section can be connected to each other via a functional element arranged in or insertable into the disconnect point.

[0014] Because the feed-in terminal according to the invention includes an additional busbar section and a disconnect point, a bridge element inserted into the bridge slot is not directly connected to a busbar and therefore not directly to the potential present at the conductor connection point electrically connected to the busbar, but only via the disconnect point. A potential present at the conductor connection point is thus only distributed to adjacent terminal blocks via a bridge element inserted into the bridge slot if a corresponding functional element is arranged in the disconnect point, through which the busbar section and the busbar are connected. The connection option for a bridge element formed in the busbar section is preferably designed as an opening in the busbar section into which the free end of a contact section of the bridge element can be inserted and, if necessary,It can be locked in place.

[0015] The at least one disconnect point implemented in the feed-in terminal is preferably designed to accommodate various functional elements. For example, a separate disconnect plug can be inserted into the disconnect point. Alternatively, a fuse plug or a component plug can also be inserted. Depending on the type of functional element inserted into the disconnect point, the feed-in terminal can thus perform different additional functions and therefore be used for different applications.

[0016] According to a first embodiment of the feed-in terminal according to the invention, a disconnecting blade is pivotably arranged in the terminal housing in the area of ​​the disconnection point. In a first position of the disconnecting blade, the busbar section and the associated busbar are electrically connected to each other via the disconnecting blade. In a second position of the disconnecting blade, the busbar section and the associated busbar are separated from each other, so that a bridge element inserted into the busbar section is also separated from the busbar and thus also from the potential present at the conductor connection point connected to the busbar.

[0017] This allows all terminal blocks connected to the busbar section of the feed-in terminal via an inserted bridge element to be easily connected to the corresponding potential of the feed-in terminal by pivoting the disconnecting blade from its second position to its first position, or disconnected from the potential by pivoting the disconnecting blade from its first position to its second position. This enables group isolation of the feed-in terminal, so that the individual terminal blocks do not need their own disconnect point with a disconnecting blade. Due to the pivoting arrangement of the disconnecting blade in the terminal housing, the disconnect point can be switched between the two positions particularly easily, without the installer needing a corresponding disconnect plug as a functional element.However, the group separation function can also be implemented if a separate disconnect plug is used, which can be inserted into or removed from the disconnect point.

[0018] If, for example, a fuse plug is inserted into the disconnect point instead of a disconnecting knife or a disconnecting plug, a group protection can be easily implemented with just one fuse plug, in which all adjacent terminal blocks, which are connected to the busbar section via a bridge element inserted into the bridge shaft, are protected for one potential by the fuse plug inserted into the feed-in terminal.

[0019] As previously explained, the feed-in terminal according to the invention has at least one additional busbar section which, together with a busbar, forms a disconnect point. Preferably, two busbar sections are arranged in the terminal housing, each of which has a connection option corresponding to a bridge shaft for a bridge element that can be inserted into the bridge shaft. A disconnect point is then formed between each busbar section and a busbar, so that the feed-in terminal has two disconnect points.

[0020] In this preferred embodiment, the bridge elements, each inserted into one of the two bridge slots, are not directly connected to the potential present at the two busbars, but only via the respective disconnect point. The two potentials present at the two conductor connection points are only distributed to adjacent terminal blocks via each inserted bridge element if a corresponding functional element is arranged in each of the two disconnect points, through which a busbar section and a busbar are connected to each other.

[0021] The distribution of the two potentials present at the feed-in terminal via the conductor connection points to adjacent terminal blocks is thus achieved via a disconnect point. Different functional elements can be inserted into or arranged in these two disconnect points. By using appropriate functional elements, for example, group isolation can be enabled for one potential of the feed-in terminal and group protection for the other potential.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, not only two potentials, the positive potential and the negative potential, but also a third potential, the earth potential (PE potential), can be connected to the feed-in terminal. For this purpose, a third conductor connection point for connecting a third conductor and a third busbar are arranged in the terminal housing, wherein the third conductor connection point is electrically connected to the third busbar.

[0023] In a preferred variant of a feed-in terminal with three conductor connection points, the terminal housing additionally features a third bridging slot, and the third busbar includes a corresponding connection point for a bridge element that can be inserted into the third bridging slot. The provision of a third bridging slot makes it possible to distribute the potential present at the third conductor connection point to adjacent terminal blocks via a bridge element.

[0024] If the feed-in terminal has a third busbar, a metallic protective conductor element can be arranged in the base of the terminal housing, to which the third busbar is electrically connected. 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 the recess in the terminal housing allows the terminal housing to be equipped with or without a protective conductor element, without requiring different terminal housings.

[0025] 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 third busbar. The spring element runs essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the protective conductor element and to the longitudinal extent of a mounting rail onto which the feed-in terminal is to be mounted. Additionally, the protective conductor element preferably comprises at least one spring element that serves to fasten the protective conductor element, and thus also the feed-in terminal, to the mounting rail.

[0026] Preferably, the base of the terminal housing of the feed-in terminal is also designed such that the terminal housing can be snapped onto a mounting rail by means of the base. For this purpose, the base can have one or two locking spring legs that engage at least one leg of the mounting rail.

[0027] It has been previously stated that the feed-in terminal according to the invention has at least two, preferably three, conductor connection points. According to a preferred embodiment, each conductor connection point has a conductor connection element. The individual conductor connection elements interact with a busbar in such a way that the end of a conductor can be connected to a 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 connectors.

[0028] 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. 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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. No additional tool is required to actuate the release element.

[0031] 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 such a feed-in terminal, conductors can be connected to the feed-in terminal or its conductor connection points quickly, easily, and without tools, and can also be disconnected from the conductor connection points of the feed-in terminal as needed.

[0032] In principle, the previously described possible configurations of the conductor connection point can be combined in the feed-in terminal 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 feed-in terminal 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 feed-in terminal.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the conductor connection points are arranged sequentially along the feed-in terminal on one side of the terminal housing, and the bridging slots and the at least one disconnect point are arranged on the other side of the terminal housing. This prevents the bridging slots and the at least one disconnect point from being obscured by conductors connected to the conductor connection points, thus preventing them from being inaccessible or difficult to access. Furthermore, this arrangement also results in a clear and organized connection diagram when the conductors to be connected are brought to the feed-in terminal from one side.

[0034] Advantageously, a bridging channel is arranged between the at least one disconnect point and the adjacent, innermost conductor connection point. Thus, a bridging channel connects to the side of the terminal housing with the conductor connection points before a disconnect point is provided. A functional element with larger dimensions in the longitudinal direction of the feed-in terminal, for example, a fuse plug or other component connector, inserted into a disconnect point, is then not positioned with part of its housing above a conductor connection point, thereby ensuring that the insertion of a conductor to be connected into the conductor connection point is not obstructed. If the feed-in terminal has two disconnect points, the second bridging channel is preferably arranged between the two disconnect points, thus enabling a feed-in terminal with the smallest possible longitudinal extent.

[0035] In addition to a feed-in terminal, the present invention also relates to a terminal block with a feed-in terminal and with several adjacent terminal blocks according to claim 11. Each terminal block has a terminal housing, two conductor connection points, two busbars, and two bridging slots formed in the terminal housing, wherein each busbar is electrically connected to a conductor connection point. Corresponding to a bridging slot, each of the two busbars of the terminal blocks has a connection option for a bridging element, so that a contact section of a bridging element can be inserted into each of the two busbars of the terminal blocks. This allows each of the two busbars of the terminal blocks to be connected, via a bridging element, to a potential connected to a conductor connection point of the feed-in terminal block.

[0036] Just as the feed-in terminal is preferably designed for connecting three conductors and thus has three conductor connection points, the terminal blocks also preferably each have a third conductor connection point and a third busbar, with the third conductor connection point being electrically connected to the third busbar. Likewise, each individual terminal block preferably also has a third bridging slot, for which a corresponding connection option for a bridge element that can be inserted into the third bridging slot is provided in the third busbar. This makes it possible to distribute the potential present at a third conductor connection point of the feed-in terminal block via a bridge element to the adjacent terminal blocks or their third busbars, and thus to the third conductor connection points.

[0037] In the terminal block according to the invention, the individual terminals are preferably designed as sensor / actuator terminals, each having at least one, preferably two, further conductor connection points. These additional conductor connection points, however, cannot be connected via a bridging element to a potential connected to a conductor connection point of the feed-in terminal. Signals from sensors or actuators connected to the individual terminals can be transmitted via these additional conductor connection points. The individual terminals designed as sensor / actuator terminals are specifically configured for connecting one three- or four-wire sensor or actuator each.

[0038] Regarding the preferred design of the conductor connection points of the terminal blocks, reference is made to the above descriptions of the conductor connection points of the feed-in terminal. The conductor connection points of the terminal blocks are also preferably designed as pre-tensioned spring-clamp terminals with a clamping spring and an actuating push button slidably arranged in the terminal housing, wherein the actuating push button can be locked in its first position, so that the clamping point is open. This allows a conductor to be easily inserted into an open clamping point of the individual terminal blocks with virtually no force, regardless of whether it is a flexible or rigid conductor.

[0039] In detail, there are several ways to design and further develop the feed-in terminal and the 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 shows an embodiment of a feed-in terminal with three disconnect points, in perspective and side view; Fig. 2 shows the feed-in terminal according to Fig. 1 , from the side, with a disconnecting blade arranged in a first disconnect point and a fuse plug inserted in a second disconnect point, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a terminal block, with one feed-in terminal and three terminal blocks, Fig. 4 a top view of the terminal block according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a terminal block, with one feed-in terminal and six terminal blocks, Fig. 6 a side view of a first embodiment of a terminal block of the terminal block, Fig. 7 a side view of a second embodiment of a terminal block of the terminal block.

[0040] The Figures 1a and 1bFigure 1 shows a perspective view and a side view of a feed-in terminal 1 according to the invention for connecting three different potentials. The feed-in terminal 1 has a terminal housing 2 made of plastic, in which three conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 are formed for connecting one conductor each. The individual conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 are each electrically connected to a busbar 41, 42, 43, so that by connecting one conductor to a conductor connection point 31, 32, 33, the respective busbar 41, 42, 43 can be connected to the corresponding potential.

[0041] The terminal housing 2 of the feed-in terminal 1 also includes two bridge slots 51, 52, into each of which a bridge element 6 can be inserted. Furthermore, two busbar sections 71, 72 are arranged in the terminal housing 2, each of which has a corresponding connection option 8 in the form of an opening for a bridge element 6 inserted into the bridge slot 51, 52, or for its contact section 61. The two busbar sections 71, 72 are arranged adjacent to the two busbars 41, 42 in the terminal housing 2 such that a disconnect point 91, 92 is formed between each busbar section 71, 72 and the adjacent busbar 41, 42.

[0042] At the in Fig. 1In the illustrated embodiment, no functional element is inserted or arranged in either of the two disconnect points 91, 92, so that both disconnect points are open. Therefore, neither the first busbar 41 is connected to the first busbar section 71, nor is the second busbar 42 connected to the second busbar section 72.

[0043] Due to the formation of the isolating point 91 between the first busbar section 71, which has the connection option 8 for a bridge element 6, and the associated first busbar 41, a bridge element 6 inserted into the bridge shaft 51 is not directly connected to the potential present at the first conductor connection point 31 electrically connected to the busbar 41, but only via the isolating point 91. In order to distribute the potential present at the conductor connection point 31 via a bridge element 6 to adjacent terminal blocks 21, a corresponding functional element must be arranged in the isolating point 91, via which the busbar section 71 and the busbar 41 are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] The previously described explanation regarding the first disconnect point 91 and the first bridge shaft 51 also applies accordingly to the second disconnect point 92 between the second busbar section 72 and the second busbar 42, which is electrically connected to the second conductor connection point 32. The potential present at the second conductor connection point 32 is only distributed to adjacent terminal blocks 21 via a bridge element 6 inserted into the second bridge shaft 52 if a corresponding functional element is arranged in the second disconnect point 92.

[0045] In the embodiment of the feed-in terminal 1, not only are three conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 and corresponding three busbars 41, 42, 43 arranged in the terminal housing 2, but a third bridge slot 53 is also formed in the terminal housing 2. Corresponding to this third bridge slot 53, a connection option 8 for a bridge element 6 inserted into the bridge slot 53, or its contact section 61, is provided in the third busbar 43. The provision of a third bridge slot 53 makes it possible to distribute the potential present at the third conductor connection point 33 to adjacent terminal blocks 21 via a corresponding bridge element 6.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the third conductor connection point 33 is provided for connecting the earth potential (PE potential). The second conductor connection point 32 serves to connect the positive potential, and the first conductor connection point 31 to connect the negative potential. Alternatively, the negative potential can be connected to the second conductor connection point 32 and the positive potential to the first conductor connection point 31.

[0047] At the in Fig 2 In the illustrated embodiment of the feed-in terminal 1, a functional element 11 designed as a fuse plug is inserted in the first disconnection point 91, while in the second disconnection point 92 a disconnecting knife pivotably arranged in the terminal housing 2 is arranged as a functional element 10.

[0048] As shown in the diagram of the feed-in terminal 1 according to Fig. 2As can be seen, the three conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the feed-in terminal 1 on one side, in this case the left side, of the terminal housing 2. The bridging slots 51, 52, 53 and the two disconnect points 91, 92, on the other hand, are arranged on the other side, in this case the right side of the terminal housing 2. This arrangement prevents the bridging slots 51, 52, 53 and the disconnect points 91, 92 from being obscured by conductors connected to the conductor connection points 31, 32, 33, and thus from being inaccessible or difficult to access. The arrangement of the first bridge shaft 51 between the first conductor connection point 31 and the first separation point 91 also ensures that, even when a functional element 11 with larger dimensions is inserted in the longitudinal direction of the feed-in terminal 1, the conductor connection point 31 is not obscured by the inserted functional element 11.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the feed-in terminal 1, or rather its terminal housing 2, has a base 12 designed so that the terminal housing 2 can be snapped onto a mounting rail 13. Furthermore, a metallic protective conductor element 14 is accommodated in a recess in the base 12 of the terminal housing 2. This element contacts both the mounting rail 13 and the third busbar 43 when the terminal housing 2 is snapped onto the mounting rail 13. The protective conductor element 14 thus allows the earth potential connected to the third conductor connection point 33 to be connected to the mounting rail 13.

[0050] The Figures 3 and 4Figure 1 shows a perspective view and a top view of a first embodiment of a terminal block 20 with a feed-in terminal 1 and with several, in this case three, terminal blocks 21 arranged side by side. It is evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the number of terminal blocks 21 shown in the figures, which is merely an example. A terminal block 20 according to the invention can therefore also have fewer or more terminal blocks 21 than shown in the figures. Figures 3 and 4 is shown.

[0051] As can be seen from the perspective view of a second embodiment of a terminal block 20 according to Fig. 5As can be seen, the feed-in terminal 1 can also be arranged between several, in this case three, adjacent terminal blocks 21. The potentials present at the feed-in terminal 1 or its conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 can be distributed via a bridging element 6 to the terminal blocks 21 located adjacent to both sides of the feed-in terminal 1.

[0052] Each of the individual terminal blocks 21 has a terminal housing 22, three conductor connection points 23, and three busbars 24 connected to each conductor connection point 23. Furthermore, the terminal housing 22 of each terminal block 21 has three bridging slots 25, which are aligned with each other and with the respective bridging slots 51, 52, 53 of the feed-in terminal 1, so that a bridging element 6 can be inserted into each of the bridging slots 25.

[0053] Corresponding to the individual bridge slots 25, each busbar 24 of the terminal blocks 21 has a connection option 26 in the form of an opening, so that the individual busbars 24, and thus also the individual conductor connection points 23, can be connected to the potential connected to a conductor connection point 31, 32, 33 of the feed-in terminal 1 via bridge elements 6 inserted into the bridge slots 25. If the negative potential, the positive potential, and the earth potential are present at the feed-in terminal 1 via the conductor connection points 31, 32, 33, these three potentials can be distributed to each of the adjacent terminal blocks 21 via bridge elements 6 inserted into the corresponding bridge slots, so that the three potentials can be tapped at the three conductor connection points 23 of the individual terminal blocks 21.

[0054] While the conductor connection point 33 for earth potential is located on the far left of terminal housing 2 at the feed-in terminal 1, the corresponding conductor connection point 23 of the individual terminal blocks 21, which also carries earth potential via the corresponding busbar 24, is located on the far right of terminal housing 22 of the terminal blocks 21. The distribution of earth potential from the feed-in terminal 1 to the individual terminal blocks 21 or the corresponding conductor connection point 23 mentioned above can be achieved via a bridge element 6 inserted into the corresponding bridge slot 25. Alternatively, the distribution of earth potential can also be achieved via the mounting rail 13 if a protective conductor element 14 is arranged in the terminal housing 22 of the corresponding terminal block 21, as shown in the figure. Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 as is evident.

[0055] In the Figures 6 and 7The individually depicted terminal blocks 21 are so-called sensor / actuator terminals, each designed for connecting one sensor or one actuator to a terminal block 21. Each terminal block 21 also has two further conductor connection points 27, through which signals can be transmitted to sensors or actuators connected to the individual terminal blocks 21. The conductor connection points 27 of the so-called signal level are connected to each other via a further busbar 28, in which a connection option 29, designed as an opening, is provided for inserting a bridge element 6.However, only a connection to the corresponding busbars 28 of the other terminal blocks 21 is possible, while the busbar 28 and thus also the other conductor connection points 27 cannot be connected via a bridge element 6 to a potential connected to a conductor connection point 31, 32, 33 of the feed-in terminal 1.

[0056] Both in the Figure 1 and 2 shown feed-in terminal 1 as well as in the Figures 6 and 7 In the terminal block 21 shown, the individual conductor connection points 31, 32, 33 and 23 and 27 each have a conductor connection element designed as a spring-clamp connection. The construction of such a spring-clamp connection is described below using the conductor connection elements 23 and 27 of the terminal blocks 21 as an example. Figs. 6 and 7explained in more detail. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the conductor connection points or conductor connection elements shown in the figures.

[0057] In the terminal housing 22 of the terminal blocks 21, a clamping spring 15 is arranged for each spring-clamp connection. The clamping legs 16 of the spring spring, together with a current bar 17, form a clamping point for a stripped conductor to be connected. The individual current bars 17 of the spring-clamp connections are each formed by a correspondingly bent section of the individual busbar 24 or 28. The current bars 17 are thus part of the busbars 24 or 28.

[0058] In the preferred embodiment of the individual conductor connection points 23, 27 shown in the figures, a special type of spring-loaded clamping connection is provided in each case, which is characterized by the fact that a conductor to be connected can be inserted into an open clamping point with almost no effort, regardless of whether it is a flexible or a rigid conductor. Once the end of the conductor is completely inserted into the clamping point, the clamping point is automatically closed, with the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 15 pressing the conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar 17.

[0059] To ensure that the clamping spring 15 is initially in a pre-tensioned state in this type of spring-loaded clamp connection, so that the clamping point is open, each clamping spring 15 is assigned an actuating element 18 slidably arranged in the terminal housing 22. The actuating element 18, designed as an actuating push button, can be locked in its first position in the terminal housing 22, whereby in the first position of the actuating element 18 the clamping leg 16 of the clamping spring 15 is deflected against its spring force. Furthermore, each conductor connection point 23, 27 has an adjustable release element 19 arranged in the terminal housing 22, which releases the actuating element 18 from its first position when the release element 19 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 19, which releases the latch of the actuating element 18 in its first position, so that the clamping leg 16 springs back and clamps the inserted conductor against the current bar 17.

[0060] If the clamping point needs to be opened again, for example to remove a connected conductor from the terminal block 21, the actuating element 18 must be retracted into the interior of the terminal housing 22. This deflects the clamping arm 16 and lifts it away from the connected conductor. A connected conductor can then be pulled out through the conductor entry opening on the top of the terminal housing 22. Simultaneously, the actuating element 18 locks back into its initial position, thus reopening the clamping point. A corresponding actuating opening is provided in the terminal housing 22 adjacent to the conductor entry opening for actuating the actuating element 18, for example with the tip of a screwdriver. Reference sign

[0061] 1. Feed-in terminal 2. Terminal housing 31, 32, 33. Conductor connection point 41, 42, 43. Busbar 51, 52, 53. Bridging shaft 6. Bridging element 61. Contact section 71, 72. Busbar section 8. Connection option (opening) 91, 92. Disconnect point 10. Functional element (disconnect blade) 11. Functional element (fuse plug) 12. Foot area 13. Mounting rail 14. Protective conductor element 15. Clamping spring 16. Clamping leg 17. Current bar 18. Actuating element 19. Release element 20. Terminal block 21. Terminal block 22. Terminal housing 23. Conductor connection point 24. Busbar 25. Bridging shaft 26. Connection option 27. Conductor connection point (signal level) 28. Power rail 29. Connection option (opening)

Claims

1. Feed-in terminal (1) for connecting at least two electrical potentials, with a terminal housing (2), with two conductor connection points (31, 32) for connecting one conductor each, and with two busbars (41, 42), wherein each busbar (41, 42) is electrically connected to a conductor connection point (31, 32), wherein two bridging slots (51, 52) are formed in the terminal housing (2), so that the potentials applied to the two busbars (41, 42) via each conductor connection point (31, 32) can be distributed to an adjacent terminal block (20) via a bridging element (6) inserted into each bridging slot (51, 52). characterized by that in the terminal housing (2) at least one busbar section (71, 72) is arranged in which a connection option (8) corresponding to a bridge shaft (51, 52) is formed for a bridge element (6) that can be inserted into the bridge shaft (51, 52), and thatA separation point (91, 92) is formed between the busbar section (71, 72) and a busbar (41, 42), so that the busbar (41, 42) and the busbar section (71, 72) can be connected to each other via a functional element (10, 11) arranged in or insertable into the separation point (91, 92).

2. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in the terminal housing (2) two busbar sections (71, 72) are arranged, wherein in each of the busbar sections (71, 72) a connection option (8) corresponding to a bridge shaft (51, 52) is formed for a bridge element (6) that can be inserted into the bridge shaft (51, 52), and that a separation point (91, 92) is formed between each busbar section (71, 72) and a busbar (41, 42).

3. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thata third conductor connection point (33) for connecting a third conductor and a third busbar (43) is arranged in the terminal housing (2), wherein the third conductor connection point (33) is electrically connected to the third busbar (43).

4. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that in the terminal housing (2) a third bridge shaft (53) and in the third busbar (43) a connection option (8) corresponding to the third bridge shaft (53) for a bridge element (6) that can be inserted into the third bridge shaft (53) is formed.

5. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that In the foot area (12) of the terminal housing (2) a metallic protective conductor element (14) is arranged, with which the third busbar (43) is electrically connected.

6. Feed-in terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact thatthe conductor connection points (31, 32, 33) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the feed-in terminal (1) one after the other on one side of the terminal housing (2) and the bridge shafts (51, 52, 53) and the at least one disconnect point (91, 92) are arranged on the other side of the terminal housing (2).

7. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that a bridge shaft (51) is arranged between one separation point (91) and the adjacent conductor connection point (31).

8. Feed-in terminal (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the conductor connection points (31, 32, 33) each have a conductor connection element, wherein the conductor connection elements are designed as spring-loaded clamp connections, each having a clamping spring (15) with a clamping leg (16) and a current bar (17) which together with the clamping leg (16) forms a clamping point for a conductor to be connected.

9. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact thatAn actuating element (18) is arranged in the terminal housing (2) in such a way that in a first position of the actuating element (18) the clamping leg (16) of the clamping spring (15) is deflected against its spring force, so that the clamping point is open, while in a second position of the actuating element (18) the clamping leg (16) presses a conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar (17).

10. Feed-in terminal (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the actuating element (18) can be locked in its first position in the terminal housing (2) and a release element (19) is arranged in the terminal housing (2) in such a way that the release element (19) releases the locking of the actuating element (18) in its first position when the release element (19) is actuated by inserting a conductor to be connected into the open terminal.

11. Terminal block (20) with a feed-in terminal (1) for connecting at least two electrical potentials according to one of claims 1 to 10, and with several terminal blocks (21) arranged side by side, wherein the terminal blocks (21) each have a terminal housing (22), two conductor connection points (23), two busbars (24) and two bridging slots (25) formed in the terminal housing (22), wherein each busbar (24) is electrically connected to a conductor connection point (23), and wherein each busbar (24) has a connection option (26) for a bridging element (6) corresponding to a bridging slot (25), so that the two busbars (24) of the terminal blocks (21) can each be connected via a bridging element (6) to a potential connected at a conductor connection point (31, 32) of the feed-in terminal (1).

12. Terminal block (20) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact thatThe terminal blocks (21) each have a third conductor connection point (23) and a third busbar (24), wherein the third conductor connection point (23) is electrically connected to the third busbar (24).

13. Terminal block (20) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the terminal blocks (21) each have a third bridge slot (25), and that in the third busbar (24) a connection option (26) corresponding to the third bridge slot (25) is provided for a bridge element (6) that can be inserted into the third bridge slot (25).

14. Terminal block (20) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by the fact that in the foot area of ​​the terminal housing (22) of at least one terminal block (21) a metallic protective conductor element (12) is arranged, with which the third busbar (24) of the terminal block (21) is electrically connected.

15. Terminal block (20) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by the fact thatthe terminal blocks (21) each have at least one further conductor connection point (27) which cannot be connected via a bridge element (6) to a potential connected to a conductor connection point (31, 32) of the feed-in terminal (1).

16. Terminal block (20) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized by the fact thatThe conductor connection points (23, 27) of the individual terminal blocks (21) are designed as spring-loaded clamp connections, each having a clamping spring (15) with a clamping leg (16) and a current bar (17), which together with the clamping leg (16) forms a clamping point for a conductor to be connected, such that an actuating element (18) is adjustably arranged in the terminal housing (22) such that in a first position of the actuating element (18) the clamping leg (16) of the clamping spring (15) is deflected against its spring force, so that the clamping point is open, while in a second position of the actuating element (18) the clamping leg (16) presses a conductor inserted into the clamping point against the current bar (17), wherein the actuating element (18) is lockable in its first position in the terminal housing (22), and that a release element (19) is adjustably arranged in the terminal housing (22),that the release element (19) releases the latching of the actuating element (18) in its first position when the release element (19) is actuated by inserting a conductor to be connected into the open terminal.

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