Surge protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device (5) against overvoltages; said protection device (5) comprising: - a housing having an internal space; - an earth branch (19), a positive branch (17) and a negative branch (18) which join together; - an earth connector (7); - n1 positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11), n1 being greater than or equal to 3; and - n2 negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15), n2 being greater than or equal to 3. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Surge protection device Technical field

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

[0002] It relates in particular to a protection device for a photovoltaic installation as well as a photovoltaic installation comprising such a protection device.

[0003] However, the protection device can also be used for other applications and in particular for low direct current networks. Technological background

[0004] Photovoltaic installations are generally equipped with an inverter which converts the direct current produced by the photovoltaic panels into alternating current, which allows it to be injected into the electrical network or used for devices operating on alternating current.

[0005] In order to protect the “direct current” part of the photovoltaic installation, in particular the inverter, the photovoltaic panels, the cables and other electrical equipment, it is known to equip the photovoltaic installations with an electrical box comprising one or more surge protection devices. Each protection device is connected to earth and is interposed between at least one string of photovoltaic panels in series and the inverter.

[0006] In order to limit the number of protection devices when the photovoltaic installation comprises several strings of photovoltaic panels, it is known to equip the electrical box with two electrical terminal blocks, respectively positive and negative, arranged upstream of each overvoltage protection device. The positive electrical terminal block is connected, on the one hand, to several wires which are each electrically connected to the positive terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels in series, and, on the other hand, by another wire to the positive connector of the overvoltage protection device. In an identical manner, the negative electrical terminal block is connected, on the one hand, to several wires which are each electrically connected to the negative terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels in series, and, on the other hand, by another wire to the negative connector of the overvoltage protection device.Thus, several strings of photovoltaic panels are connected by the two electrical terminals, positive and negative, to each protection device.

[0007] However, such an arrangement is not fully satisfactory, in particular in that it requires the use of additional electrical terminal blocks and cables which clutter electrical boxes and require additional wiring operations. Summary of the invention

[0008] An idea at the basis of the invention is therefore to provide a device for protection against overvoltages making it possible to solve the aforementioned problems and in particular making it possible to reduce the size of the protection boxes and to simplify the installation operations.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides an overvoltage protection device comprising: - a housing comprising an internal space; - an earth branch, a positive branch and a negative branch which join together and which are housed in the internal space of the housing; the positive branch and the negative branch each comprising at least one protection element which is configured to conduct electricity when said protection element is subjected to a voltage exceeding a voltage threshold; - an earth connector which is housed in the internal space of the housing, is electrically connected to the earth branch and is intended to be connected to the earth; - neither positive connectors which are housed in the internal space of the housing and connected to the positive branch, nor being greater than or equal to 3; and - n2 negative connectors which are housed in the internal space of the housing and connected to the negative branch, n2 being greater than or equal to 3.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, such a protection device is therefore simpler to install. Thus, for a photovoltaic installation for example, the same protection device can be connected to several strings of photovoltaic panels and to an inverter in order to ensure their protection and this in a simple manner and in a reduced space requirement, without for example using additional electrical terminal blocks, as in the state of the art.

[0011] According to embodiments, such a surge protection device comprises one or more of the following features.

[0012] According to one embodiment, ni is greater than or equal to 4 and n2 is greater than or equal to 4. Thus, at least three different strings of photovoltaic panels can be connected to the same protection device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the positive branch and the negative branch respectively comprise a positive connection bar to which the positive connectors are connected and a negative connection bar to which the negative connectors are connected. This simplifies the connection of the positive and negative connectors to the positive and negative branches.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a base and a cover which are fixed to each other and together define the internal space.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the ground branch, the positive branch and the negative branch join at a central connection point.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the central connection point is equipped with a heat-sensitive disconnection device; the heat-sensitive disconnection device comprising at least one heat-fusible element which ensures the electrical connection between the three positive, negative and earth branches. The heat-fusible element is in thermal contact with an electrode of the protective elements of the positive and negative branches and is capable of melting beyond a temperature threshold.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the protection device also comprises an arc-breaking device, the arc-breaking device comprising an insulating flap which is mounted movably and returned by an elastic member towards a cut-off position in which it is positioned in place of the hot-melt connection so that when the hot-melt connection melts, the insulating flap is positioned, in the cut-off position, in place of the hot-melt connection. Such an arc-breaking device thus prevents the occurrence of an electric arc.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the base is configured to be fixed to a fixing rail.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cover has a front face equipped with a plurality of orifices which each open opposite one of the positive, negative or earth connectors. The connection of the wires is thus made via the front face of the protection device, which simplifies the installation operations.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the orifices are coaxial with an axis forming an angle α of between 30 and 60° with respect to the horizontal. This facilitates the connection of the wires and compliance with the maximum radii of curvature of said wires.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the front face of the cover has visual indications associated with each of the orifices, said visual indications being representative of the allocation of the wire intended to pass through said orifice; the visual indications associated with the orifices opening opposite the positive connector closest to the protection component of the positive branch and opposite the negative connector closest to the protection component of the negative branch being respectively representative of an allocation to the positive terminal of the inverter and to the negative terminal of the inverter. This makes it possible to provide maximum protection to the inverter.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the hood comprises a protruding portion which projects forward from the front face of the hood and in which the protective elements are housed at least partially.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the positive connection bar, the positive connectors and the orifices opening opposite the positive connectors are arranged laterally on a first side of the protruding portion and the negative connection bar, the negative connectors and the orifices opening opposite the negative connectors are arranged laterally on a second side of the protruding portion, opposite the first side. This makes it possible in particular to limit the risks of errors during installation operations.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the orifices opening opposite the positive connectors and the orifices opening opposite the negative connectors respectively form a first and a second row of orifices which are each aligned vertically. This makes it possible in particular to limit the size of the protection device.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the ground connector, the positive connectors and the negative connectors are screwless connectors selected from spring connectors and lever connectors. This further facilitates installation operations.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the earth branch comprises at least one protection element which is configured to conduct electricity when said protection element is subjected to a voltage exceeding a voltage threshold.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the protection elements are each chosen from gas spark gaps, air spark gaps, varistors, surge suppression diodes and surge suppression thyristors.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a photovoltaic installation comprising an inverter having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a plurality of strings of photovoltaic panels each having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and an overvoltage protection device of the aforementioned type, n being greater than or equal to 3 and n2 being greater than or equal to 3 and in which one of the positive connectors is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter and at least two other positive connectors are each connected to the positive terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels and in which one of the negative connectors is connected to the negative terminal of the inverter and at least two other negative connectors are each connected to the negative terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration. illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a photovoltaic installation equipped with a surge protection device.

[0031] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a protection device according to a second variant.

[0032] [Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of a protection device according to a third variant.

[0033] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a protection device according to a fourth variant.

[0034] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a protection device according to a fifth variant.

[0035] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of a protection device according to a sixth variant.

[0036] [Fig.7] is a perspective representation of a surge protection device according to one embodiment.

[0037] [Fig.8] is a side view of the surge protector of [Fig.7], with the side face of the protector housing not shown so as to allow observation of the negative connection bar and associated negative connectors.

[0038] [Fig.9] is a side view similar to that of [Fig.8] but showing the other side of the protective device so as to allow visualization of the positive connection bar and associated positive connectors.

[0039] [Fig. 10] is a schematic side view of the surge protection device of Figs. 7, 8 and 9, illustrating the negative connection bar. Description of Embodiments

[0040] A protective device for a photovoltaic installation will be described below. However, this application is only mentioned as an example and such a protective device can also be used for other applications.

[0041] In relation to [Fig.l], a photovoltaic installation 1 is described. The photovoltaic installation 1 comprises several strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4, for example three in the embodiment shown, each comprising several photovoltaic panels arranged in series, a protection device 5 against overvoltages and an inverter 6 which is in particular configured to convert the direct current produced by the photovoltaic panels into alternating current.

[0042] The overvoltage protection device 5 comprises an earth connector 7 which is connected to Earth.

[0043] The protection device 5 also comprises a plurality of connectors positives 8, 9, 10, 11, namely: - a positive connector 8 which is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the inverter 6; and - at least two positive connectors 9, 10, 11 which are respectively electrically connected to the positive terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4. Thus, if the number of positive connectors is at least 3, it may be greater and for example 4 as in the embodiment shown.

[0044] Similarly, the protection device 5 comprises a plurality of negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15, namely: - a negative connector 12 which is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the inverter 6; and - at least two negative connectors 13, 14, 15 which are respectively electrically connected to the negative terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4. The number of negative connectors 13, 14, 15 is also at least 3 but it may be greater and for example 4 as in the embodiment shown.

[0045] Thus, the same protection device 5 can be used for the protection of several strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4, and this in a simple manner, without using intermediate electrical terminal blocks, as in the state of the art. Obviously, if the photovoltaic installation comprises more than three strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4 and the protection device only comprises four positive connectors 8, 9, 10, 11 and four negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15, it then comprises a number of protection devices 5 determined accordingly.

[0046] The circuit of the protection device 5 comprises three branches 16, 17, 18, namely a positive branch 17, a negative branch 18 and an earth branch 19 which are respectively electrically connected to the positive connectors 8, 9, 10, 11, to the negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15 and to the earth connector 7. The three branches 16, 17, 18 join, for example, at a central connection point 20. Such an electrical circuit therefore has a configuration, called a Y-shaped configuration.

[0047] At least two of the three branches 16, 17, 18, namely the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18, comprise one or more protection elements 21, 22 chosen for example from gas dischargers, air dischargers, varistors, surge suppression diodes and surge suppression thyristors. When such a protection element 21, 22 is subjected to a voltage lower than an activation voltage, it acts as a high impedance element so that no current flows through it. On the contrary, when it is subjected to a voltage higher than the activation voltage, the protection element 21, 22 acts as an element of almost zero impedance so as to divert the overvoltage to earth. The earth branch 19 can also be equipped with one or more protection elements 23, 24.

[0048] In the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with a protection element, namely a varistor 21, 22. The earth branch 19 comprises two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel to each other.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment, the central connection point 20 is equipped with a thermosensitive disconnection device, not illustrated, which comprises at least one thermofusible element which ensures the electrical connection between the three branches, positive 17, negative 18 and earth 19, mentioned above. The thermofusible element is in thermal contact with an electrode of the protection elements 21, 22 of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and is capable of melting beyond a temperature threshold. Thus, in the event of an overvoltage between the positive 17 and negative 18 branches or between one of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and the earth branch 19, at least one of the varistors 21, 22 heats up, which causes an increase in the temperature of the thermofusible connection. When the thermofusible connection is brought to a temperature above its melting temperature, it melts.The thermosensitive disconnection device is then in a disconnected state in which it no longer provides the electrical connection between the three branches 17, 18, 19, which allows, at the end of its life, the protection device 5 to be decommissioned. By way of example, such thermosensitive disconnection devices are described in more detail in application EP3319194.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the protection device 5 also comprises an arc-breaking device, also not shown, comprising an insulating flap which is mounted movably and returned by an elastic member towards a cut-off position in which it is positioned in place of the hot-melt connection so that when the hot-melt connection melts, the insulating flap is positioned, in the cut-off position, in place of the hot-melt connection, thus preventing the occurrence of an electric arc. Such arc-breaking devices are also described in the aforementioned application EP3319194.

[0051] The protection device 5 may also comprise a remote signaling module comprising a connector suitable and intended to be connected to a remote monitoring station and a switch which is electrically connected to said connector. The switch comprises a blade which is arranged opposite the insulating shutter in such a way that said blade moves from an open state to a closed state when the insulating shutter moves from the original position to the cut-off position.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment, the protection device 5 also comprises a visual indication device which comprises an indicator screen 38, visible in [Fig.7], said indicator screen 38 being movable between a first position representative of an in-service state of the protection device 5 and a second position representative of an out-of-service state of the protection device 5. The indicator screen 38 is kinematically connected to the insulating shutter of the arc-breaking device so that the indicator screen 38 moves to its second position, representative of an out-of-service state of the protection device 5, when the insulating shutter moves to its cut-off position.

[0053] The electrical circuit and the protection elements are described above only by way of example and it is obvious that these are likely to vary depending on the intended application. Thus, Figures 2 to 6 represent the circuit of the protection device 5 according to other alternative embodiments.

[0054] The embodiment variant of [Fig. 2] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with two protection elements in series, namely a varistor 21, 22 and a gas discharger 25, 26. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that it makes it possible to avoid leakage currents between one of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and the earth branch 19 as well as between the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18.

[0055] The embodiment variant of [Fig. 3] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that the earth branch 19 comprises a gas spark gap 27 in place of the two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel with each other. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the protection device 5 and to avoid leakage currents between one of the positive 17 or negative 18 branches and the earth branch 19.

[0056] The embodiment variant of [Fig. 4] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that, on the one hand, the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 in series, and in that, on the other hand, the earth branch 19 comprises a gas spark gap 27 in place of the two varistors 23, 24. The two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 in series on each of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches make it possible to increase the maximum discharge current capable of being evacuated while the gas spark gap 27 in place of the two varistors 23, 24 makes it possible to reduce the size and to avoid leakage currents between one of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and the earth branch. 19.

[0057] The embodiment variant of [Fig. 5] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that, on the one hand, the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with a varistor 21, 22 and a gas discharger 30, 31 in series, and, on the other hand, the earth branch 19 comprises a gas discharger 27 in place of the two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel to each other. The varistor 21, 22 and the gas discharger 30, 31 in series on each of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches makes it possible to avoid leakage currents between one of the positive branches 17 and negative 18 and the earth branch 19 and between the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 while the gas discharger 27 instead of the two varistors 23, 24 makes it possible to reduce the size.

[0058] The embodiment variant of [Fig. 6] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that, on the one hand, the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 and a gas discharger 30, 31 in series, and, on the other hand, the earth branch 19 comprises a gas discharger 27. The two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 in series make it possible to increase the maximum discharge current capable of being evacuated, the gas dischargers 30, 31 on the positive 17 and negative 18 branches make it possible to avoid leakage currents while the gas discharger 27 makes it possible to reduce the size.

[0059] In relation to Figures 7, 8 and 9, the structure of a protection device 5 and in particular of its housing 32 and its connectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 are described below. The three aforementioned positive 17, negative 18 and earth 19 branches, as well as the protection elements 21, 22, 23, 24 are housed in the housing 32. The housing 32 is, for example, made of plastic. The housing 32 comprises a base 34 and a cover 33 which are configured to be fixed to each other and define between them an internal space in which the aforementioned components are housed. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the base 34 is configured to be fixed to a fixing rail, not shown, such as a DIN rail (i.e. standardized by the “Deutsches Institut fur Normung”, the German institute for standards) for example. To do this, the base 34 has a rear face which is equipped with means for fixing to the rail.

[0060] Furthermore, the positive 17 and negative 18 branches respectively comprise a positive connection bar 35, visible in [Fig. 9], to which the positive connectors 8, 9, 10, 11 are directly connected and a negative connection bar 36, visible in Figures 8 and 10, to which the negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15 are directly connected. The connection bars 35, 36 are, for example, made of copper.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the two connection bars 35, 36 are respectively arranged along one and the other of the two lateral edges of the housing 32. Said connection bars 35, 36 are thus positioned laterally on either side of a protruding portion 37 of the housing 32 which projects forward from the front face of the cover 33 and in which the protective elements are housed at least partially. The two connection bars 35, 36 extend vertically.

[0062] Each of the connection bars 35, 36 is equipped with at least three connectors 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 and for example four in the embodiment shown. Thus, if the protection device is intended for a photovoltaic installation 1, one of the connectors is intended to be connected to a wire leading to one of the terminals of the inverter 6 and the others each being intended to be connected to a wire leading to one of the strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4.

[0063] Each of the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 is arranged opposite a respective orifice 39 which is provided on the front face of the cover 33 of the housing 32 and which is intended to be passed through by a wire so that said wire is connected to the corresponding connector 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0064] The front face of the cover 33 has two rows of orifices 39 which are aligned along vertical axes and are respectively arranged along one and the other of the lateral ends of said front face. The two rows of orifices 39 are respectively arranged opposite the positive connectors 8, 9, 10, 11 and the negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0065] Furthermore, although the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 can be of any type and in particular screw connectors, they are, advantageously, screwless connectors, that is to say they do not include a screw intended to secure the end of the electric wire to said connector.

[0066] Many variants of screwless connectors are conceivable. For example, screwless connectors can in particular be chosen from: - spring connectors that use a spring mechanism to hold the wire in place. Simply push the wire into the provided hole, and the spring ensures a secure connection; and - lever connectors that use a lever to clamp the wire in place. Lifting the lever inserts the wire, then lowering the lever clamps it in place.

[0067] In the embodiment shown, the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 are spring connectors. The connection bars 35, 36 comprise, for each connector, an opening 40 intended to receive a stripped end of a wire. The connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 each comprise an elastic blade 41, made of metal and advantageously copper, which comprises an end closing said opening 40. The elastic blade 41 is configured to deform in order to allow the stripped end of the wire to be housed in the opening 40 and to pinch said stripped end of the wire against one of the edges of the opening 40.

[0068] Furthermore, the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 each comprise a wire guide 42 which is arranged in the extension of one of the orifices 39. The wire guide 42 aims to facilitate the insertion of the wire into the connector 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 and to ensure correct positioning of the wire to ensure its electrical connection with the connector 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0069] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig. 10], the orifices 39 as well as the wire guides 42 are coaxial around an axis which is oriented at an angle α of between 30 and 60°, for example of the order of 45° relative to the horizontal, which facilitates the connection of the wires and compliance with the maximum bending radii of said wires.

[0070] Similarly, the front face of the cover 33 also includes one or more orifices 43, called earth orifices, visible in [Fig.7], intended for the passage of an earth wire and a connector 7, not visible in [Fig.7], which is connected to the earth branch of the protection device 5. The earth orifice(s) 43 are arranged between the two rows of orifices 39 mentioned above and advantageously, below the protruding portion 37.

[0071] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the front face of the housing 32 includes visual indications associated with each of the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 and intended to indicate to the operator the assignment of the wire to be associated with each of the connectors 7; 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15. Thus, by way of example, in Figures 7 and 8, the front face of the housing 32 includes the following indications: - “+ Out” for connector 8 which is intended to be electrically connected to the positive terminal of inverter 6; - “- Out” for connector 12 which is intended to be electrically connected to the negative terminal of the inverter 6; - “+ In” for connectors 9, 10, 11 which are intended to be electrically connected to the positive terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4; - “- In” for connectors 13, 14, 15 which are intended to be electrically connected to the negative terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4.

[0072] Advantageously, the connectors 8, 12 which are intended to be connected to the inverter 6 are connected to portions of the connection bars 35, 36 which are electrically closer to the protection elements than the portions of connection bars 35, 36 which are connected to the other connectors. This makes it possible to provide maximum protection to the inverter 6 which is the most critical equipment.

[0073] However, in other embodiments, the front face of the housing 32 is devoid of visual indications or even has a different distribution of the indications. It is thus possible to have several indications (“+ In” or “-In” for example) representative of equipment arranged upstream of the protection device.

[0074] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0075] The use of the verb “comporter”, “comprendre” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other stages than those stated in a claim.

[0076] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. A surge protection device (5) comprising: - a housing (32) having an internal space; - an earth branch (19), a positive branch (17) and a negative branch (18) which join together and which are housed in the internal space of the housing (32); the positive branch (17) and the negative branch (18) each comprising at least one protection element (21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31) which is configured to conduct electricity when said protection element is subjected to a voltage exceeding a voltage threshold; - an earth connector (7) which is housed in the internal space of the housing (32), is electrically connected to the earth branch (19) and is intended to be connected to the earth; - neither positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) which are housed in the internal space of the housing (32) and connected to the positive branch (17); nor being greater than or equal to 3;and - n2 negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) which are housed in the internal space of the housing (32) and connected to the negative branch (18); n2 being greater than or equal to 3.;

2. A surge protection device (5) according to claim 1, wherein n is greater than or equal to 4 and n2 is greater than or equal to A

3. *T. Surge protection device (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positive branch (17) and the negative branch (18) respectively comprise a positive connection bar (35) to which the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) are connected and a negative connection bar (36) to which the negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) are connected.

4. A surge protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (32) comprises a base (34) and a cover (33) which are fixed to each other and together define the internal space, the base (34) being configured to be fixed to a fixing rail.

5. Protective device according to claim 4, in which the cover (33) has a front face equipped with a plurality of orifices (39) which each open opposite one of the positive (8, 9, 10, 11), negative (12, 13, 14, 15) or earth (7) connectors.

6. Protective device according to claim 5, in which the orifices (39) are coaxial with an axis forming an angle α of between 30 and 60° with respect to the horizontal.

7. Protective device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the front face of the cover (33) has visual indications associated with each of the orifices (39), said visual indications being representative of the allocation of the wire intended to pass through said orifice (39) and wherein the visual indications associated with the orifices (39) opening opposite the positive connector (8) closest to the protection component of the positive branch (17) and opposite the negative connector (12) closest to the protection component of the negative branch (18) are respectively representative of an allocation to the positive terminal of an inverter (6) of a photovoltaic installation (1) and to the negative terminal of said inverter (6).

8. A surge protection device (5) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the cover (33) comprises a protruding portion (37) which projects forward from the front face of the cover (33) and in which the protection elements are at least partially housed.

9. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 3, in which the positive connection bar (35), the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) and the orifices (39) opening opposite the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) are arranged laterally on a first side of the protruding portion (37) and the negative connection bar (36), the negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) and the orifices (39) opening opposite the negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged laterally on a second side of the protruding portion (37), opposite the first side.

10. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the orifices (39) opening opposite the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) and the orifices (39) opening opposite the negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) respectively form a first and a second row of orifices which are each aligned vertically.

11. A surge protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the earth connector (7), the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) and the negative connectors (12, 13, 14, 15) are screwless connectors selected from screwless connectors spring and lever connectors.

12. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the earth branch (19) comprises at least one protection element (23, 24, 27) which is configured to conduct electricity when said protection element (23, 24, 27) is subjected to a voltage exceeding a voltage threshold.

13. A surge protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the protection elements (21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 23, 24, 27) are each selected from gas dischargers, air dischargers, varistors, surge suppression diodes and surge suppression thyristors.

14. A photovoltaic installation (1) comprising an inverter (6) having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a plurality of strings of photovoltaic panels (2, 3, 4) each having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and an overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one of the positive connectors (8) is connected to the positive terminal of the inverter (6) and at least two other positive connectors (9, 10, 11) are each connected to the positive terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels (2, 3, 4) and wherein one of the negative connectors (12) is connected to the negative terminal of the inverter (6) and at least two other negative connectors (13, 14, 15) are each connected to the negative terminal of one of the strings of photovoltaic panels (2, 3, 4).

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