Surge protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a surge protection device (5); said surge protection device (5) comprising: - a housing having an internal space; - a grounding branch (19), a positive branch (17) and a negative branch (18) which join together; - a grounding 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: Overvoltage 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, particularly for low-current 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, allowing 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 photovoltaic installations with an electrical enclosure including 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] To limit the number of protection devices required when the photovoltaic installation comprises several strings of photovoltaic panels, it is known to equip the electrical box with two terminal blocks, positive and negative respectively, located upstream of each surge protection device. The positive terminal block is connected, on one side, to several wires, each of which is electrically connected to the positive terminal of one of the series-connected strings of photovoltaic panels, and, on the other side, by another wire to the positive connector of the surge protection device. Similarly, the negative terminal block is connected, on one side, to several wires, each of which is electrically connected to the negative terminal of one of the series-connected strings of photovoltaic panels, and, on the other side, by another wire to the negative connector of the surge protection device.Thus, several strings of photovoltaic panels are connected via the two electrical terminals, positive and negative, to each protection device.

[0007] However, such an arrangement is not entirely satisfactory, particularly 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] One idea underlying the invention is therefore to provide a surge protection device that solves the aforementioned problems and, in particular, reduces the size of the protection boxes and simplifies installation operations.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a surge protection device comprising: - a case with an internal space; - an earth branch, a positive branch and a negative branch which join together and are housed in the internal space of the box; the positive branch and the negative branch each having at least one protective element which is configured to conduct electricity when said protective element is subjected to a voltage exceeding a voltage threshold; - an earth connector which is housed in the internal space of the casing, is electrically connected to the earth branch and is intended to be connected to earth; - neither positive connectors that are housed within the internal space of the casing 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 case 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 in a simple and compact manner, without for example using additional electrical terminal blocks, as in the prior art.

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

[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 connecting bar to which the positive connectors are connected and a negative connecting 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 disconnect device; the heat-sensitive disconnect device comprising at least one fusible element that provides the electrical connection between the three branches: positive, negative, and ground. The fusible element is in thermal contact with an electrode of the protective elements of the positive and negative branches and is capable of melting above a temperature threshold.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the protective device also includes an arc-cutting device, the arc-cutting device comprising an insulating flap that is movable and returned by an elastic element to a breaking position in which it positions itself in place of the hot-melt connection so that when the hot-melt connection melts, the insulating flap positions itself in the breaking position in place of the hot-melt connection. Such an arc-cutting 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 openings, each of which opens opposite one of the positive, negative, or ground connectors. The wires are thus connected via the front face of the protective device, which simplifies installation.

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

[0021] According to one embodiment, the front face of the cover has visual markings associated with each of the openings, said visual markings being representative of the purpose of the wire intended to pass through said opening; the visual markings associated with the openings 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 assignment 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 has 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 openings opposite the positive connectors are arranged laterally on one side of the protruding portion, and the negative connection bar, the negative connectors, and the openings opposite the negative connectors are arranged laterally on a second side of the protruding portion, opposite the first side. This helps, in particular, to limit the risk of errors during installation.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the openings opposite the positive connectors and the openings opposite the negative connectors form, respectively, a first and a second row of openings, each of which is vertically aligned. This notably helps to limit the size of the protection device.

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

[0026] According to one embodiment, the ground branch includes at least one protective element which is configured to conduct electricity when said protective 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, ni 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, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] Fig. 1 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 an overvoltage protection device according to one embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 8 is a side view of the overvoltage protection device of Fig. 7, the side face of the housing of the protection device not being 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 representing the other side of the protective device so as to allow visualization of the positive connection bar and associated positive connectors.

[0039] Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the overvoltage protection device shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, illustrating the negative connection bar. Description of embodiments

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

[0041] In relation to [Fig.1], 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 includes an earth connector 7 which is connected to Earth.

[0043] The protection device 5 also includes a plurality of positive connectors 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 photovoltaic panel strings 2, 3, 4. Thus, if the number of positive connectors is at least 3, it can 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 photovoltaic panel strings 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 to protect several strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4, and this in a simple manner, without using intermediate electrical terminal blocks, as in the prior art. Obviously, if the photovoltaic installation has more than three strings of photovoltaic panels 2, 3, 4 and the protection device has only four positive connectors 8, 9, 10, 11 and four negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15, then it has a correspondingly determined number of protection devices 5.

[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, the negative connectors 12, 13, 14, 15 and 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, known as 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 protective elements 21, 22 selected, for example, from gas discharge tubes, air discharge tubes, varistors, surge suppression diodes, and surge suppression thyristors. When such a protective 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. Conversely, when it is subjected to a higher voltage At the activation voltage, the protective element 21, 22 acts as a near-zero impedance element to divert the overvoltage to earth. The earth branch 19 can also be equipped with one or more protective 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 ground branch 19 has two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel with each other.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment, the central connection point 20 is equipped with a heat-sensitive disconnect device, not shown, which includes at least one thermal fuse element that provides the electrical connection between the three aforementioned branches: positive 17, negative 18, and ground 19. The thermal fuse element is in thermal contact with an electrode of the protective elements 21, 22 of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and is capable of melting above 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 ground branch 19, at least one of the varistors 21, 22 heats up, which leads to an increase in the temperature of the thermal fuse connection. When the thermal fuse connection is raised to a temperature above its melting point, it melts.The thermally sensitive disconnect 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 taken out of service. As an example, such thermally sensitive disconnect devices are described further in application EP3319194.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the protective device 5 also includes an arc-cutting device, also not shown, comprising an insulating flap that is movable and returned by an elastic element to a breaking position in which it positions itself in place of the hot-melt connection so that when the hot-melt connection melts, the insulating flap positions itself in the breaking position in place of the hot-melt connection, thus preventing the occurrence of an electric arc. Such arc-cutting devices are also described in the aforementioned EP3319194.

[0051] The protection device 5 may also include a remote signaling module having a suitable connector intended to be connected to a remote monitoring station and a switch that is electrically connected to said connector. The switch has a blade that is arranged opposite the insulating shutter such that said blade moves from an open state to a closed state when the insulating shutter moves from its original position to the breaking position.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment, the protection device 5 also includes a visual indication device comprising an indicator screen 38, visible on [Fig.7], said indicator screen 38 being movable between a first position representing an in-service state of the protection device 5 and a second position representing an out-of-service state of the protection device 5. The indicator screen 38 is kinematically linked to the insulating shutter of the arc-cutting device so that the indicator screen 38 moves towards its second position, representing an out-of-service state of the protection device 5, when the insulating shutter moves towards its cutting position.

[0053] The electrical circuit and protective elements described above are by way of example only, and it is clear that they may vary depending on the intended application. Thus, Figures 2 to 6 show the circuit of the protective device 5 according to other embodiments.

[0054] The embodiment 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 protective elements in series, namely a varistor 21, 22 and a gas discharge tube 25, 26. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that it makes it possible to avoid leakage currents between one of the positive branches 17 and negative branches 18 and the earth branch 19 as well as between the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18.

[0055] The embodiment shown in [Fig. 3] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that the ground branch 19 has a gas discharge tube 27 instead of the two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel with each other. This reduces the size of the protective device 5 and prevents leakage currents between one of the positive branches 17 or negative branches 18 and the ground branch 19.

[0056] The embodiment of [Fig. 4] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that, firstly, the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 in series, and secondly, the ground branch 19 has a gas discharge tube 27 instead 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 increase the maximum discharge current that can be evacuated, while the gas discharge tube 27 instead of the two varistors 23, 24 reduces the size and prevents leakage currents between one of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and the ground branch 19.

[0057] The embodiment shown in [Fig. 5] differs from that described above in relation to [Fig. 1] in that, firstly, the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 are each equipped with a varistor 21, 22 and a gas discharge tube 30, 31 in series, and, secondly, the ground branch 19 has a gas discharge tube 27 instead of the two varistors 23, 24 arranged electrically in parallel with each other. The varistor 21, 22 and the gas discharge tube 30, 31 are in series on each of the positive branches. 17 and negative 18 prevents leakage currents between one of the positive 17 and negative 18 branches and the ground branch 19 and between the positive 17 and negative 18 branches, while the gas spark gap 27 in place of the two varistors 23, 24 reduces the size.

[0058] The embodiment 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 spark gap 30, 31 in series, and, on the other hand, the ground branch 19 has a gas spark gap 27. The two varistors 21, 28 and 22, 29 in series make it possible to increase the maximum discharge current that can be evacuated, the gas spark gaps 30, 31 on the positive branch 17 and the negative branch 18 make it possible to avoid leakage currents while the gas spark gap 27 makes it possible to reduce the size.

[0059] With reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9, the structure of a protective device 5, and in particular its housing 32 and its connectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, is described below. The three aforementioned positive 17, negative 18, and ground 19 branches, as well as the protective elements 21, 22, 23, and 24, are housed within 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 fit together and define an internal space between them in which the aforementioned components are housed. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the base 34 is configured to be fixed to a mounting rail, not shown, such as a DIN rail (i.e., standardized by the Deutsches Institut für Normung, the German Institute for Standardization). To achieve this, the base 34 has a rear face equipped with means for fixing it to the rail.

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

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the two connecting bars 35, 36 are respectively arranged along one and the other of the two lateral edges of the housing 32. These connecting 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 at least partially housed. The two connecting 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 are each 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 in 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 hood 33 has two rows of holes 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 holes 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 have a screw intended to secure the end of the electrical wire to said connector.

[0066] Numerous variations of screwless connectors are possible. For example, screwless connectors can be chosen from: - spring connectors, which use a spring mechanism to hold the wire in place. Simply push the wire into the designated hole, and the spring ensures a secure connection; and - Lever connectors use a lever to tighten the wire in place. Lifting the lever allows the wire to be inserted, then lowering the lever tightens it in place.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 are spring-loaded connectors. The connecting bars 35, 36 have, for each connector, an opening 40 for receiving a stripped end of a wire. The connectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 13, 14, 15 each have a spring blade 41, made of metal and advantageously of copper, which has an end closing said opening 40. The spring blade 41 is configured to deform to allow the stripped end of the wire to fit into 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 have a wire guide 42 which is arranged in line with one of the holes 39. The wire guide 42 is intended 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 and the wire guides 42 are coaxial about an axis oriented at an angle α comprising between 30 and 60°, for example around 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 hood 33 also has one or more holes 43, called earth holes, visible on [Fig.7], intended for the passage of an earth wire and a connector 7, not visible on [Fig.7], which is connected to the earth branch of the protective device 5. The earth hole(s) 43 are arranged between the two rows of holes 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 the inverter 6; - « - Out » for connector 12 which is intended to be electrically connected to the negative terminal of inverter 6; - “+ In” for connectors 9, 10, 11 which are intended to be electrically connected to the positive terminal of one of the photovoltaic panel strings 2, 3, 4; - « - In » for connectors 13, 14, 15 which are intended to be electrically connected to the negative terminal of one of the photovoltaic panel strings 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 connecting busbars 35, 36 that are electrically closer to the protective elements than the portions of the connecting busbars 35, 36 that are connected to the other connectors. This provides maximum protection to the inverter 6, which is the most critical piece of equipment.

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

[0074] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all 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 "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

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

Claims

Demands

1. Overvoltage protection device (5) comprising: - a housing (32) having an internal space; - an earthing branch (19), a positive branch (17) and a negative branch (18) which join together and are housed in the internal space of the housing (32); the positive branch (17) and the negative branch (18) each having 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 earthing connector (7) which is housed in the internal space of the housing (32), is electrically connected to the earthing branch (19) and is intended to be connected to earth; - nor 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, 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 mounting rail.;

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

3. Overvoltage 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. Protective device according to claim 1, in which the hood (33) has a front face equipped with a plurality of openings (39) which each open opposite one of the positive (8, 9, 10, 11), negative (12, 13, 14, 15) or ground (7) connectors.

5. Protective device according to claim 4, wherein the orifices (39) are coaxial to an axis forming an angle α between 30 and 60° with respect to the horizontal.

6. A protection device according to claim 4 or 5, 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 assignment 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 assignment to the positive terminal of an inverter (6) of a photovoltaic installation (1) and to the negative terminal of said inverter (6).

7. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 or 4 to 6, wherein the hood (33) has a protruding portion (37) which projects forward from the front face of the hood (33) and in which the protection elements are housed at least partially.

8. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to claim 7 taken in combination with claim 3, wherein the positive connection bar (35), the positive connectors (8, 9, 10, 11) and the ports (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 ports (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.

9. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein 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) form respectively a first and a second row of orifices which are each vertically aligned.

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

11. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 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.

12. Overvoltage protection device (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the protection elements (21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 23, 24, 27) are each selected from gas spark gaps, air spark gaps, varistors, surge suppression diodes and surge suppression thyristors.

13. Photovoltaic installation (1) comprising an inverter (6) having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a plurality of photovoltaic panel strings (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 12, 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 photovoltaic panel strings (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 photovoltaic panel strings (2, 3, 4).

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