Test pin block, test terminal block and procedure for unlocking a test terminal block

Abstract

The invention relates to a test connector block (1) for connecting to a series terminal block (2), comprising a plurality of test connectors (4) connected to each other and two fixing pieces (5), which are arranged on both sides of the plurality of test connectors (4) and are connected to each other by means of a gripping piece (6), each of the fixing pieces (5) having a housing (7) and an insertion portion (8), which can be inserted into a receiving portion (9), which is formed in the clamp housing (10) of a fixing clamp (11) of the series terminal block (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a test plug block for mounting on a terminal block, comprising a plurality of interconnected test plugs and two fastening parts arranged on both sides of the plurality of test plugs, which are connected to each other via a handle, wherein the fastening parts each have a housing and an insertion section which can be inserted into a receiving section, wherein the receiving section in the terminal housing forms a fastening terminal of the terminal block.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for unlocking a test terminal block.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a test terminal block comprising a terminal block and a test plug block that can be plugged onto the terminal block. The terminal block has a plurality of terminals arranged side by side, with a mounting clamp on each side of the plurality of terminals. The test plug block has a plurality of interconnected test plugs, with a mounting element on each side of the plurality of test plugs. The two mounting elements are connected to each other via a handle. Each mounting element has a housing and an insertion section that can be inserted into a receiving section, the receiving section being formed in the terminal housing of a mounting clamp of the terminal block. Electrical terminal blocks have been known for decades and are used millions of times in the wiring of electrical systems and devices.The terminals are usually snapped onto mounting rails, which are often arranged in multiples within a control cabinet. Feed-through terminals with disconnect options are standard in switching, measurement, and control technology. The disconnect option, achieved by creating a disconnect point in the current bar of such feed-through terminals, allows different connectors with various functions to be inserted into the terminal housing. These connectors then make contact with the current bar at the disconnect point. In addition to simple disconnect plugs or feed-through connectors, test plugs can also be used. These test plugs may contain special components and allow for verification of the proper functioning of the circuit connected to the terminal.

[0004] Electrical terminal blocks, which are typically disc-shaped, are often connected to form a terminal block and snapped onto a DIN rail or mounted in a wall section, such as a control cabinet. Similarly, individual test plugs, whose width generally matches that of the terminal blocks, are connected to form a test plug block and mounted together on a corresponding terminal block. The requirement here is that the number of interconnected terminal blocks and the number of test plugs grouped together in a test plug block are freely selectable. At the same time, however, the test plugs grouped together in a test plug block should be as easy to operate as possible, i.e., to be plugged onto the terminal block together.

[0005] To ensure defined contact states when the test plug is inserted into the test opening, the current bars of the electrical terminal block known from DE 10 2006 052 894 A1 are designed to form two contact areas arranged one behind the other in the insertion direction of a test plug. In the known terminal blocks, the separation point formed by the end regions of the current bars is thus designed in two stages. By forming a defined second contact area, which is arranged in front of the first contact area in the insertion direction of the contact plug, it is ensured that a secure electrical connection is initially established between the contact plug and the two current bars when the contact plug is inserted, before the first contact area is opened during further insertion of the contact plug, thereby electrically isolating the two current bars from each other. In the terminal blocks described above, or...In test terminal blocks, the two current bars contact each other, so that the conductor connection elements are electrically connected when no plug is inserted into the terminal block. If, however, a plug is (fully) inserted into the terminal block, the contact area is broken, so that the conductor connection elements are also electrically isolated from each other.

[0006] The individual test plugs in a test plug block often have contact pins of varying lengths. When the test plug block is attached, the longer contact pins of the individual test plugs first engage the corresponding openings in the terminal block housing and make contact with the first, leading contact area of ​​the two current bars (in the direction the test plug is inserted). As the test plug block is further attached to the terminal block, the longer contact pins engage the second contact area, opening it and thus interrupting the electrically conductive connection between the two current bars—and consequently between the two conductor terminals connected to the current bars. If the contact pins are electrically conductive, this redirects the current flow through the test plug.If the test plug block is plugged further onto the terminal block, the shorter contact plugs first contact the leading contact area in the terminal blocks, before the shorter contact plugs also open the second contact area, thereby interrupting the current flow to these terminal blocks and, if necessary, diverting it via the test plugs.

[0007] When pulling the test plug block out of the terminal block, it is necessary or at least desirable in many applications that the longer contact plugs still separate the contact area of ​​the assigned terminal blocks, while the shorter contact plugs are already pulled out of the second contact area of ​​the assigned terminal blocks, so that the two current bars of the corresponding terminal block contact each other again, thus allowing current to flow through the terminal block.However, with known test terminal blocks, there is a risk that pulling the test plug block out of the terminal block too quickly or unevenly may compromise the previously described sequence, in which the contact areas of some terminals are still open due to the longer contact plugs, while current is already flowing through other terminals with shorter test plugs. This can result in an unstable or undefined electronic state of individual terminals within the terminal block.

[0008] From DE 10 2013 019 066 A1, it is known to provide at least two locking elements to ensure a two-stage removal of the test plug block from a terminal block. These locking elements define a first and a second locking position of the test plug block, and the individual locking positions can be released individually by sliding a release element. The release element is connected to the handle in such a way that a rotation of the handle causes a linear movement of the release element. To completely unlock the test plug block, the handle is first rotated by a first angle α, then by a second angle β, and subsequently back to its initial position.

[0009] The German patent application DE 20 2011 051798 U1 relates to a test plug block for mounting on a terminal block, comprising a plurality of interconnected test plugs and two mounting parts arranged on either side of the plurality of test plugs, which are connected to each other via a handle. Furthermore, each mounting part has an insertion section that can be inserted into a receiving area of ​​a terminal block.

[0010] Starting from this prior art, the present invention is based on the objective of providing a test plug block, a test terminal block and a method for unlocking a test terminal block, which ensures particularly simple and convenient handling for the technician both when inserting and when unlocking or pulling out the test plug block from a terminal block.

[0011] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of independent claims 1 and 15, in that a locking element is arranged in the insertion section of at least one fastening part, which can be moved from a basic position to an unlocking position by a rotational movement of the handle, and which is therefore adjustable between two positions, namely the basic position and the unlocking position.

[0012] The locking element comprises a first connecting element in the form of a locking hook or a locking projection, wherein the first connecting element, together with a corresponding second connecting element in the form of a locking projection or a locking hook in the terminal housing of the at least one mounting terminal, defines a first locking position. Furthermore, the locking element comprises at least one stop surface, wherein the stop surface, together with a counter-stop surface in the terminal housing of the at least one mounting terminal, prevents the test plug block from being pulled out in the unlocked position of the locking element.

[0013] Basically, the insertion section can be designed as a single piece with the housing of the fastening part, or the insertion section can be connected to the housing indirectly or directly as a separate element.

[0014] According to the invention, it has been recognized that a multi-stage withdrawal of the test plug block from a terminal block can be implemented particularly easily by making the locking element adjustable between two positions, namely the home position and the unlock position, by realizing a first locking state in the home position, and by realizing a second locking state in the unlock position. Within the scope of the present invention, the home position and the unlock position are defined by the position of the locking element.

[0015] Advantageously, unlocking the second locking state, which is determined by the contact of the stop surface against the counter-stop surface, where the test plug block has already been pulled out of the terminal block by a defined distance, is particularly easy by returning the locking element to its initial position. This can be achieved, in particular, by releasing the force acting on the handle; alternatively, the handle can also be actively rotated back.

[0016] To transmit the rotary movement of the handle to the locking element, the locking element is preferably connected indirectly, i.e. via at least one further transmission element to the handle.

[0017] The handling of the test plug block, especially when unlocking and pulling it out of a terminal block, is therefore particularly convenient for the installer and can easily be done with one hand.

[0018] Preferably, the locking element has at least one additional stop surface which, together with a further counter-stop surface in the terminal housing of the mounting clamp, ensures that the movement of the locking element does not exceed the home position. This is particularly relevant when the locking element is moved from the second locking position back to the home position. This design also has the advantage of preventing unintentional tilting of the locking element, which could result in the test plug block becoming jammed. In a particularly simple embodiment, the additional counter-stop surface is implemented by the second connecting element.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the locking element has a guide projection on the side facing away from the housing, and the insertion section further comprises a guide surface. The guide projection is movably arranged within the guide surface, such that the guide surface limits the movement of the locking element to the range between the home position and the unlocked position, and / or holds the locking element in position by means of the guide projection and the guide surface. The presence of such a guide surface also ensures that the locking element cannot be moved beyond the home position or the unlocked position. This embodiment also has the advantage of preventing unintentional tilting. Furthermore, this embodiment prevents movement of the locking element towards the test plugs.According to one embodiment, the guide surface is a groove that engages with the guide projection.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a lever element is arranged in the housing of the at least one fastening part, wherein the lever element is connected to the locking element and wherein the locking element can be moved from the home position to the unlocked position by a rotary movement of the handle by means of the lever element. This embodiment has the advantage that less force is required to position the locking element due to the use of the lever element.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the lever element and the locking element are designed as a single piece.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the lever element and the locking element are rotatably arranged relative to each other, the lever element having a guide element, wherein the locking element can be moved from its home position to the unlocked position by rotating the handle via the guide element when the lever element is moved. According to this embodiment, the lever element and the locking element can, in principle, also be moved independently of each other. However, the guide element ensures that a movement of the lever element by rotating the handle is directly transmitted to the locking element in such a way that it is moved from its home position to the unlocked position. Particularly preferably, the guide element is simultaneously designed and arranged such that it also guides the movement of the locking element back to its home position and / or stabilizes the locking element in its home position.According to a particularly simple design, the guide element is designed as a stop between the lever element and the locking element.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the lever element has a rotationally symmetrical receiving area, wherein the locking element has a rotationally symmetrical connection area arranged in the receiving area of ​​the lever element, the connection area of ​​the locking element preferably being held in the receiving area of ​​the lever element by means of at least one detent lug. This embodiment of the connection between the lever element and the locking element has the advantage that a particularly large range of independent movement of the locking element is provided. Particularly preferably, the connection area of ​​the locking element is arranged in the receiving area of ​​the lever element such that a common axis of rotation is present.

[0024] A particularly space-saving arrangement can be achieved by designing and arranging the lever element in such a way that a movement of the lever element through the handle causes a rotation of the receiving area.

[0025] It is further advantageous if a spring element is arranged between the locking element and the lever element such that the spring force returns the locking element to its initial position when the handle is not actuated and / or the test plug block is fully inserted, thus placing the locking element in the first locking position. In particular, this ensures that the locking element always returns to its initial position even after force is applied to the handle. Such a spring element also advantageously ensures that the locking element is held in a stable position relative to the lever element. This spring element can, for example, be designed as a compression spring or a tension spring.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the locking element and the lever element are connected in such a way that the locking element has a range of motion, so that during the insertion of the test plug block, movement of the locking element is not transmitted to the lever element. Advantageously, this allows the locking element to be moved into a locking position automatically during insertion, i.e., without manual rotation of the handle, for example, by means of chamfered edges. At the same time, this embodiment has the advantage that no unpleasant twisting of the handle occurs during insertion of the test plug block.

[0027] It is further advantageous if the receiving area of ​​the lever element has at least one limiting element, wherein the limiting element restricts the movement of the locking element during the insertion process. According to a particularly simple embodiment, the limiting element is designed as a stop surface.

[0028] It is particularly preferred if the locking element has a first steering element which, together with a second steering element in the terminal housing of the at least one mounting clamp, guides the locking element into the first locking position during insertion. Preferably, the first steering element and the second steering element are designed as chamfers. According to one embodiment, the second connecting element arranged in the terminal housing is simultaneously designed as a second steering element. Preferably, one side of the second connecting element, which is designed as a locking projection or a locking hook, is formed as a chamfer.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the first connecting element and the stop surface of the locking element are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the locking element.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, at least one spring element is arranged in the housing of the at least one fastening part such that the lever element is moved into its home position when the handle is not actuated. The home position of the lever element corresponds to the position in which the locking element is also arranged in its home position. It is particularly preferred if at least two spring elements are provided, acting longitudinally one behind the other on the lever element. In this way, tilting of the lever element can be avoided in a particularly simple manner. The spring element can, for example, be designed as a compression spring, a tension spring, or a band spring.

[0031] A particularly simple way to transmit the rotational movement of the handle into a movement of the lever element or the locking element is achieved by preferably connecting the handle to the lever element via at least one gear, wherein the at least one gear engages with one side of the lever element. For this purpose, the lever element preferably also has a plurality of teeth on one side, which are operatively connected to the teeth of the at least one gear.

[0032] According to a second teaching of the present invention, the problem mentioned at the outset is solved by a test terminal block described at the outset in that a locking element is arranged in the insertion section of at least one fastening part, that the locking element can be moved from a basic position to an unlocked position by a rotational movement of the handle, that the locking element has a first connecting element in the form of a locking hook or a locking projection, which has a corresponding second connecting element in the form of a locking projection or a locking hook arranged in the terminal housing of the at least one fastening terminal, that the first connecting element together with the corresponding second connecting element defines a first locking position, and that the locking element has at least one stop surface.that the terminal housing of the mounting clamp has a counter-stop surface and that the stop surface, together with the counter-stop surface, prevents the test plug block from being pulled out in the unlocked position of the locking element.

[0033] According to the invention, the test plug block of the test terminal block is designed according to one of the previously described embodiments. It is understood that, depending on the embodiment of the test plug block, the terminal block is also designed accordingly to ensure the corresponding advantages.

[0034] According to the invention, a method for unlocking a test terminal block according to independent claim 15 is provided, wherein the test terminal block is designed such that the inserted test plug block is completely unlocked by the following sequence of movements: moving the locking element from the home position to the unlock position by rotating the handle, pulling out the test plug block until the stop surface abuts the counter-stop surface (second locking position), moving the locking element from the unlock position to the home position, and pulling out the test plug block. In this way, the test plug block can be pulled out of the terminal block in a controlled manner in two stages in a particularly simple way.

[0035] In detail, there are numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the test plug block and the test terminal block according to the invention. Reference is made to both the individual claims and the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a test plug block and a terminal block, Fig. 2 an embodiment of a mounting part in the fully inserted state, Fig. 3.1 an embodiment of a mounting part of the test plug block with a handle, Fig. 3.2 an embodiment of a mounting part of the test plug block without a handle, Fig. 4 an embodiment of a mounting part of the test plug block, Fig. 5 an embodiment of a locking element in the basic position in the first locking state, Fig. 6 an embodiment of a locking element in the unlocked position in the released state, Fig. 7 an embodiment of a locking element in the unlocked position in the second locking state, Fig. 8 an embodiment of a locking element in the basic position, which does not realize a locking state, Fig. 9 the connection of a lever element with a locking element.

[0036] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the combination of a test plug block 1 and a terminal block 2, which together form a test terminal block 3. The test plug block 1 is designed to be plugged onto the terminal block 2. It has a plurality of interconnected test plugs 4 and two mounting parts 5 arranged on either side of the plurality of test plugs 4, the mounting parts 5 being connected to each other via a handle 6. The mounting parts 5 each have a housing 7 and an insertion section 8, the insertion section 8 being pluggable into a receiving section 9 in the terminal housing 10 of a mounting terminal 11 of the terminal block 2.

[0037] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a mounting part 5 of a test plug block 1 in the inserted state into a mounting terminal 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion section 8 of the mounting part 5 is fully inserted into the receiving section 9 of the mounting terminal 11. The system consisting of the mounting part 5 and the mounting terminal 11 is in a first locking state, i.e., the test plug block 1 cannot be easily pulled out.

[0038] Fig. 3.1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a fastening part 5 together with a handle 6. A locking element 13 is arranged in the insertion section 8 of the fastening part 5. This locking element can be moved from a home position to an unlocked position by rotating the handle 6. The home position of the locking element 13 is shown. To achieve a locking connection between the test plug block 1 and the terminal block 2, the locking element 13 has a first connecting element in the form of a locking hook 14. This hook, together with a corresponding locking projection 21 in the terminal housing 10 of the fastening terminal 11, defines a first locking position.Furthermore, the locking element 13 has a stop surface 15 which, together with a counter-stop surface 22 in the terminal housing 10 of the mounting terminal 11, prevents the test plug block 1 from being pulled out in the unlocked position of the locking element 13 and thus establishes a second locking position.

[0039] The locking element 13 is connected to a lever element 16, the lever element 16 in turn being connected to the handle 6 via a gear 17. For this purpose, the lever element 16 has a plurality of teeth 12 which mesh with the teeth of the gear 17.

[0040] A rotation of the handle 6 causes the gear 17 to rotate, which in the illustrated embodiment moves the lever element 16 downwards. The lever element 16 and the locking element 13 are connected to each other in such a way that the movement of the lever element 16 is transferred to the locking element 13, allowing the locking element 13 to be moved from its home position to its unlocked position.

[0041] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, spring elements 18 are provided which press the lever element 16 into the illustrated basic position of the lever element 16.

[0042] In Fig. 3.2 is that in Fig. 3.1 The illustrated embodiment of the fastening part 5 is shown without the handle 6.

[0043] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a fastening part 5 in a state in which the lever element 16 is deflected by a rotation of the gear 17 by the handle 6 (not shown) such that the locking element 13 is in the unlocked position.

[0044] The depicted locking element 13 has a guide projection 19 on the side facing away from the housing 7. Furthermore, the insertion section 8 has a guide surface 20 in the form of a groove, wherein the guide projection 19 is movably arranged in the guide surface 20. This arrangement limits the movement of the locking element 13 to the range between the home position and the unlocked position, wherein the stop of the guide projection 19 at the lower edge of the guide surface 20 corresponds to the home position of the locking element 13, and wherein the stop of the guide projection 19 at the upper edge of the guide surface corresponds to the unlocked position of the locking element 13.

[0045] The following Figs. 5 to 8 show the individual steps or states during an unlocking process.

[0046] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a locking element 13 in its basic position. The locking element 13 has a locking hook 14 which, together with the locking projection 21 in the terminal housing 10 of the mounting terminal 11, establishes a first locking position. This state corresponds to the situation where the test plug block 1 is fully inserted into the terminal block.

[0047] To release this first locking position, the locking element 13 is moved into an unlocking position by a rotational movement of the handle 6, as shown in Fig. 6 The locking hook 14 is no longer engaged with the locking projection 21. It is now possible to pull the test plug block 1 out until the stop surface 15 of the locking element 13 reaches the stop surface 22 in the terminal housing 10 of the mounting terminal 11.

[0048] This is in Fig. 7 The stop surface 15 against the counter-stop surface 22 creates a second locking position in which it is not possible to easily pull out the test plug block 1.

[0049] To release the second locking position, the locking element 13 is now returned to its initial position, thereby disengaging the stop surface 15 from the counter-stop surface 22. This is described in Fig. 8 shown. Furthermore, it shows Fig. 8 The locking element 13 has a further stop surface 23 which, together with a further counter-stop surface 24 in the terminal housing 10 of the mounting clamp 11, ensures that the movement of the locking element 13 does not exceed the basic position. In the illustrated embodiment, the further stop surface 24 is realized by the locking projection 21. Complete withdrawal of the test plug block 1 is now possible.

[0050] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, both the stop surface 23 and the counter-stop surface 24 are designed as ramps for the reverse process of inserting the tester plug block 1, allowing the locking element 13 to be moved into the first locking position during the insertion process. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connecting element, in the form of the locking projection 21, thus comprises both a counter-stop surface 24 for limiting the movement of the locking element 13 and a second steering element in the form of a ramp, with the counter-stop surface 24 being designed as a ramp. The same applies to the design of the stop surface 23 of the locking element 13 as a ramp.

[0051] The test plug block 1 can thus be inserted into the terminal block 2 in the basic position of the locking element 13. If the connection between the lever element 16 and the locking element 13 is further designed such that the locking element 13 has a range of motion, the movement of the locking element 13 is not transmitted to the lever element 16 and therefore also not transmitted to the handle 6 during insertion.

[0052] Fig. 9Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a connection between a lever element 16 and a locking element 13. The lever element 16 has a rotationally symmetric circular receiving area 25 in which the rotationally symmetric circular attachment area 26 of the locking element 13 is arranged. The attachment area 26 of the locking element 13 is held in the receiving area 25 of the lever element 16 by means of locking lugs 27. The circular attachment area 26 is arranged in the circular receiving area 25 such that the two areas 25 and 26 have a common axis of rotation. As a result, the lever element 16 and the locking element 13 are rotatably arranged relative to each other, so that movement of the locking element 13 can also be realized independently of the lever element 16.

[0053] Furthermore, the lever element 16 has a guide element 28 in the receiving area 25, the guide element 28 being operatively connected to the locking element 13 in such a way that, when the lever element 16 is moved by rotating the handle 6, the guide element 28 moves the locking element 13 from its home position to its unlocked position. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide element 28 is designed as a stop.

[0054] To ensure that the locking element 13 is always returned to its initial position after force is applied, a spring element 29 is arranged between the locking element 13 and the lever element 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring element 29 is designed as a compression spring that pushes the locking element 13 into its initial position.

[0055] Furthermore, as already explained, the locking element 13 and the lever element 16 are connected to each other in such a way that the locking element 13 has a certain range of motion. This has the advantage that, during the insertion of the test plug block 1 into the terminal block 2, movement of the locking element 13 is not transmitted to the lever element 16 and therefore not to the handle 6.

[0056] To limit the range of motion, the receiving area 25 of the lever element 16 has a limiting element 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the limiting element 30 is designed as a stop surface. On the other side, the movement of the locking element 13 is limited by the guide element 28.

[0057] The illustrated embodiments of the test plug block 1 and the test terminal block 3 offer the overall advantage that inserting the test plug block 1 into the terminal block 2 up to a first locking position of both components, as well as repeatedly removing the test plug block 1 from the terminal block 2, can be accomplished particularly easily with a single turn of the handle 6. Complete unlocking of the inserted test plug block 1 is achieved by the following sequence of movements: moving the locking element 13 from its home position to the unlocked position by turning the handle 6, pulling out the test plug block 1 until the stop surface 15 abuts the counter-stop surface 22 (second locking position), moving the locking element 13 from the unlocked position to its home position, and pulling out the test plug block 1. Reference sign

[0058] 1 Test plug block 2 Terminal block 3 Test terminal block 4 Test plug 5 Mounting part 6 Handle 7 Housing 8 Insertion section 9 Receiving section 10 Terminal housing 11 Mounting terminal 12 Teeth of the lever element 13 Locking element 14 Locking hook 15 Stop surface 16 Lever element 17 Gear 18 Spring element 19 Guide projection 20 Guide surface 21 Locking projection 22 Counter stop surface 23 Stop surface 24 Counter stop surface 25 Receiving area 26 Connection area 27 Detent lugs 28 Guide element 29 Spring element 30 Limiting element

Claims

1. A test plug block (1) for mounting onto a series terminal block (2), comprising a plurality of interconnected test plugs (4) and two fastening parts (5) arranged on both sides of the plurality of test plugs (4), which are connected to one another via a grip piece (6), wherein the fastening parts (5) each comprise a housing (7) and an insertion section (8) that can be inserted into a receiving section (9), wherein the receiving section (9) is designed in the terminal housing (10) of a fastening clip (11) of the series terminal block (2), characterized in that a locking element (13) is arranged in the insertion section (8) of at least one fastening part (5), that the locking element (13) can be moved from a rest position to an unlocked position by rotating the grip piece (6), that the locking element is thus adjustable between two positions, namely the rest position and the unlocked position, that the locking element (13) comprises a first connecting element in the form of a locking hook (14) or a locking projection, wherein the first connecting element, together with a corresponding second connecting element in the form of a locking projection (21) or a locking hook in the terminal housing (10) of the at least one fastening clip (11), defines a first locking position, that the locking element (13) comprises at least one stop surface (15), and that the stop surface (15), together with a counter-stop surface (22) in the terminal housing (10) of the at least one fastening clip (11), prevents the test plug block (1) from being pulled out in the unlocked position of the locking element (13).

2. Test plug block (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (13) comprises at least one additional stop surface (23) which, together with an additional counter-stop surface (24) in the terminal housing (10) of the fastening clip (11), ensures that the movement of the locking element (13) does not extend beyond the rest position.

3. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (13) has a guide projection (19) on the side facing away from the housing (7) and that the insertion section (8) has a guide surface (20), wherein the guide projection (19) is movably arranged in the guide surface (20) so that the guide surface (20) limits the movement of the locking element (13) to the range between the rest position and the unlocked position and / or the locking element (13) is held in position by means of the guide projection (19) and the guide surface (20).

4. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a lever element (16) is arranged in the housing (7) of the at least one fastening part (5), wherein the lever element (16) is arranged to be connected to the locking element (13) and wherein the locking element (13) can be moved from the rest position to the unlocked position by a rotational movement of the grip piece (6) via the lever element (16).

5. Test plug block (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lever element (16) and the locking element (13) are arranged so as to be rotatable relative to one another, and that the lever element (16) comprises a guide element (28), wherein the locking element (13) can be moved from the rest position to the unlocked position by the guide element (28) where the lever element (16) is moved by rotating the grip piece (6).

6. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the lever element (16) comprises a rotationally symmetrical receiving area (25), that the locking element (13) comprises a rotationally symmetrical fastening area (26) arranged in the receiving area (25) of the lever element (16), wherein the fastening area (26) of the locking element (13) in the receiving area (25) of the lever element (16) is preferably held by means of at least one latching catch (27).

7. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a spring element (29) is arranged between the locking element (13) and the lever element (16) such that the locking element (13) is moved into the rest position by the spring force when the grip piece (6) is not actuated and / or the test plug block is fully inserted, so that the locking element (13) is arranged in the first locking position.

8. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the locking element (13) and the lever element (16) are connected to one another such that the locking element (13) has a range of motion, so that during the insertion process of the test plug block (1), movement of the locking element (13) is not transmitted to the lever element (16).

9. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the receiving area (25) comprises at least one limiting element (30), wherein the limiting element (30) limits the movement of the locking element (13) during the insertion process.

10. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking element (13) comprises a first guide element which, together with a second guide element in the terminal housing (10) of the at least one fastening clip (11), guides the locking element (13) into the first locking position during the insertion process.

11. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first connecting element and the stop surface (15) are arranged offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the locking element (13).

12. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one spring element (18) is arranged in the housing (7) of the at least one fastening part (5) such that the lever element (16) is moved into its rest position when the grip piece (6) is not actuated.

13. Test plug block (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the grip piece (6) is preferably connected to the lever element (16) via at least one gear (17), wherein the at least one gear (17) engages with one side of the lever element (16).

14. Test terminal block (3) comprising a terminal block (2) and a test plug block (1) that can be plugged onto the terminal block (2), wherein the terminal block (2) comprises a plurality of terminal blocks arranged side by side and, on both sides of the plurality of terminal blocks, one fastening clip (11) each, wherein the test plug block is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Method for unlocking a test terminal block (3) according to claim 14, characterized in that complete unlocking of the inserted test plug block (1) is achieved by the following sequence of movements: moving the locking element (13) from the basic position to the unlocked position by rotating the grip piece (6), pulling out the test plug block (1) until the stop surface (15) abuts against the counter-stop surface (22), moving the locking element (13) from the unlocked position to the rest position, and pulling out the test plug block (1).

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