Protective earth contacts and conductor connection terminals

Abstract

A protective earth contact (1) for conductively connecting a protective earth wire to a conductive support element is described, the protective earth contact (1) having a base portion (2) with two side elements (3a, 3b) protruding from the base portion (2), each side element (3a, 3b) having an upper region (4a, 4b) that defines a locking region (5) for clamping the protective earth contact (1) to the support element, and at least one side element (3a, 3b) having a protective earth contact element (6) for conductively contacting the support element (11). Each of the upper regions (4a, 4b) has a contact region (5a, 5b), and the locking region (5) and the protective earth contact element (6) are disposed at substantially the same height (H) relative to the base portion (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective earth contact for conductively connecting a protective earth conductor to a conductive support element, the protective earth contact having a base part and two side elements protruding from the base part, each side element having an upper region which constitutes a locking region for clamping the protective earth contact to the support element, at least one side element having a protective earth contact element for conductive contact of the support element.

[0002] The invention further relates to a conductor connecting terminal comprising a housing, a busbar and a spring clamp terminal, the busbar and the spring clamp terminal forming a clamping location for an electrical conductor to be clamped, and further comprising the above-mentioned protective earth contact for conductively connecting a protective earth wire with the busbar, the protective earth contact having a base part and two side elements protruding from the base part, each side element having an upper region which constitutes a locking region for clamping the protective earth contact to the busbar, at least one side element having a protective earth contact element for conductive contact of a support element. [Background technology]

[0003] In the case of power supply connection terminals, a protective earth contact is a mandatory specification. Such a protective earth contact must be reliably installed and function. A disadvantage resulting from this is the relatively large overall height of the power supply connection terminal, which is limited, particularly in the lighting industry, by further mounting parts of the luminaire. A further disadvantage can arise if the repeated installation of the same protective earth contact can damage the possibly tinned contact surfaces, so that a reliable function of the protective earth contact cannot be guaranteed when repeated installations are made. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Taking this as a starting point, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective earth contact. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved conductor connection terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by a protective earth contact having the features of claim 1 and by a conductor connection terminal having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] It is proposed that in a generic protective earth contact, each of the upper regions has a contact area, the locking areas and the protective earth contact element being arranged at substantially the same height relative to the base part.

[0007] The separation of the locking region and the protective earth contact element reduces the risk of damage to the protective earth contact element. When the protective earth contact is attached, the upper region expands in the locking region, so that the support element can reach between the contact regions. By arranging the protective earth contact element at the same height as the locking region with respect to the base, the protective earth contact element also expands by the same amount as the upper region, so that the protective earth contact element can be guided past the contact region of the support element without contacting it. When the support element is completely guided between the contact regions, the upper region springs back to its initial position and clamps the protective earth contact to the support element. At the same time, the protective earth contact element also springs back to its initial position and comes into contact with the contact region of the support element.

[0008] The locking area is the area in which the support element is guided between the contact areas of the protective earth contacts. After being guided, the support element is held in position between the contact areas. The contact areas are therefore directly adjacent to the locking area.

[0009] The term spreading refers in particular to an elastic deformation of the side elements, in particular in their upper regions, which occurs upon the application of a force to the side elements, in which case, when the applied force is removed, the side elements return to their original shape and do not remain deformed.

[0010] The top region is the region of the side element located at the end of the side element that does not face the base portion, i.e. the top region and the base portion are located at opposite ends of the respective side elements.

[0011] Substantially the same height means, inter alia, that the protective earth contact element and the locking area do not have to have exactly the same height relative to the base, with deviations of ±15% between the height of the protective earth contact element and the height of the locking area still being permitted for use according to the invention.

[0012] The height is the length that exists in the longitudinal direction of the side element both between the base and the locking region and between the base and the protective earth contact element. At least one of the upper regions can have a beveled surface in the region of the locking region, the end of this beveled surface facing the contact region and the protective earth contact element being arranged at substantially the same height relative to the base portion.

[0013] This bevel allows the support element to be guided between the contact areas more easily, and in addition the side elements continue to expand in the area of ​​the upper area without requiring high forces to guide the support element between the contact areas.

[0014] The protective earth contact element may be configured to connect in a force-fixed manner with the support element. This force-fixed connection ensures that the protective earth contact element is brought into contact with the support element and thus with the corresponding protective earth wire. A force-fixed connection can be achieved, for example, in that the protective earth contact element must first be guided past the contact area of ​​the support element during assembly. It is not possible to bring the protective earth contact into contact without spreading the protective earth contact element by guiding the support element between the contact areas. The protective earth contact element no longer returns to its original initial position, but instead comes into force-fixed contact with the contact area of ​​the support element.

[0015] The protective earth contact may have a retaining element for matingly connecting the protective earth contact with the support element in the assembled state. It is further advantageous if the retaining element is arranged in an upper region of the side element. In this regard, the overall height between the locking region and the retaining element may be smaller than the height between the locking region and the base part.

[0016] This implies, for example, that the overall height between the locking area and the holding element is at most 90% smaller, but at least at most 50% smaller, than the height between the locking area and the base part. This has the advantage that a protective earth contact can be used for the conductor connection terminal, even if the conductor connection terminal is not designed to be larger.

[0017] The holding element fixes the protective earth contact in the installed state against tilting. In this respect, the holding element can, for example, engage in a recess in the support element in order to connect the protective earth contact with the support element in a snap-fit ​​manner. The protective earth contact is fixed against tilting after installation. However, the holding element can, for example, engage in a fork of the support element in order to additionally contact the support element in the region of the holding element. However, it is also conceivable that the holding element interacts with other parts than the support element in order to fix the protective earth contact against tilting.

[0018] In order to improve the conductive connection of the protective earth conductor with the conductive support element, it is also conceivable for the holding element to have an additional contact element for the protective earth. It has been found that an efficient fixing can be achieved inter alia by means of two retaining elements, one in each case arranged on one side element, which may project in opposite directions from the respective side element in order to achieve fixing of the protective earth contact against tilting.

[0019] It is considered that the retaining element may be an independent subject of the invention, and the mating retaining element may provide a protective earth contact by engaging in a recess in the support element. However, this protective earth contact comprises the above-mentioned retaining element, but the locking area and the protective earth contact element are not arranged at substantially the same height relative to the base part. This results in a protective earth contact having the following characteristics:

[0020] The present invention relates to a protective earth contact for conductively connecting a protective earth wire to a conductive support element, the protective earth contact having a base part and two side elements protruding from the base part, each side element having an upper region which constitutes a locking region for clamping the protective earth contact to the support element, at least one side element having a protective earth contact element for conductive contact of the support element, the protective earth contact having a retaining element for matingly connecting the protective earth contact to the support element in the assembled state.

[0021] At least one of the side elements can have a guide contour for guiding the electrical conductor. It is furthermore advantageous if the upper region is formed as a guide contour or if a guide contour is arranged at least in the upper region.

[0022] In this way, the attached protective earth contact can simultaneously fulfill the additional function of conductor guiding, for example in a conductor connection terminal, which can be achieved, for example, by means of an arched upper region, in which the electrical conductor comes into contact with the arched upper region and can thus be guided into the correct position in the conductor connection terminal.

[0023] In the upper region, a contact stopper can be arranged in order to stabilize the protective earth contact in the assembled state. It is furthermore advantageous if this contact stopper projects obliquely from the upper region. Obliquely means, in particular, that this locking element does not project from the upper region at an angle of 0° or 180°, but at an angle between -90° and 90°, in particular at an angle of -45° / 45° (for a 360° system). In this respect, the contact stopper can also project from the respective upper region in opposite angular directions, i.e. at -45° and 45°.

[0024] The contact stop stabilizes the protective earth contact in the installed state. Stabilized means that the movement of the protective earth contact in a certain spatial direction in the assembled state is limited and / or reduced. This holds the protective earth contact in the supporting element in a position suitable for its use.

[0025] Due to the inclination of the contact stops, a better distribution of the contact stop surfaces relative to the support element can be achieved, which can provide additional fixing against tilting of the protective earth contacts. The contact stops can protrude from the respective upper regions in such a way that they are oriented substantially parallel to one another. Parallel also means, inter alia, that the contact stops can be arranged in a row on a common imaginary line.

[0026] A conductor connection terminal of the type mentioned at the outset may be provided with a protective earth contact as described above. It is proposed that in a typical conductor connection terminal the locking region and the protective earth contact element are arranged at substantially the same height relative to the base part, whereby at least one of the upper regions can have a chamfer in the region of the locking region, the end of this chamfer facing the contact region and the protective earth contact element being arranged at the same height relative to the base part.

[0027] At least one of the side elements can have a guide contour for guiding the electrical conductor into the housing. This guide contour can be arranged in an upper region of the side element. It is further advantageous if the guide contour interacts with the housing and / or with a conductor stop for the electrical conductor, such that the protective earth contact is stabilized.

[0028] That is, for example, it is conceivable that the guide contour rests against the housing or the conductor stop in such a way that the protective earth contact is stabilized, so that the protective earth contact cannot be displaced in the direction of the contact surface between the guide contour and the housing and / or between the guide contour and the conductor stop, since the housing and the conductor stop limit the range of movement of the protective earth contact.

[0029] The protective earth contact may have a retaining element, which may be arranged in the interior space of the conductor connection terminal in a region of the electrical conductor to be clamped, and the busbar may have a recess, which the retaining element engages in for matingly connecting the protective earth contact with the busbar.

[0030] In the area of ​​the electrical conductor to be clamped means, inter alia, that the holding element is arranged above the busbar, so that the busbar is not arranged between the holding element and the electrical conductor to be clamped. In this way, the existing installation space of the conductor connection terminal can be utilized for arranging the protective earth contact at the conductor connection terminal, even if the conductor connection terminal is not designed higher. The holding element is therefore arranged in the area of ​​the clamping position for the electrical conductor.

[0031] The retaining element may be arranged at the end of the side element that does not face the base portion, in particular in the upper region of the side element, and the height between the locking region and the retaining element is smaller than the height between the locking region and the base portion.

[0032] Smaller means, inter alia, that the overall height between the locking area and the holding element is at most 90% smaller, but at least 50% smaller, than the height between the locking area and the base part. This has the advantage that the protective earth contact can be installed at the conductor connection terminal without the conductor connection terminal having to be designed larger.

[0033] It is considered that such a conductor connection terminal may be an independent subject of invention, and it is possible to provide a conductor connection terminal which engages in a recess of a busbar for a mating connection. However, this conductor connection terminal has the above-mentioned retention element, but the locking area and the protective earth contact element are not arranged at substantially the same height relative to the base part. This would result in a conductor connection terminal having the following characteristics:

[0034] A conductor connecting terminal comprising a housing, a busbar and a spring clamp terminal, the busbar and the spring clamp terminal forming a clamping position for an electrical conductor to be clamped, and comprising the above-mentioned protective earth contacts for conductively connecting a protective earth wire with the busbar, the protective earth contacts having a base portion and two side elements protruding from the base portion, each side element having an upper region which constitutes a locking region for clamping the protective earth contact to the busbar, at least one side element having a protective earth contact element for conductive contact of a support element, the protective earth contacts having a retaining element which is arranged in the interior space of the conductor connecting terminal in the region of the electrical conductor to be clamped.

[0035] The conductor connection terminal may be designed for example for the accommodation of three or four electrical conductors. In particular in the lighting industry, in the case of power supply connection terminals, it has been shown that three or four conductor terminals are required among others. In the case of such conductor connection terminals, the existing installation space can be used for mounting the protective earth contact in the interior space of the housing.

[0036] The indefinite concept "ein" should be understood as an indefinite concept and not as a numeral. That is, it is conceivable that the protective grounding contact according to the present invention has a plurality of protective grounding contact elements. That is, for example, it is conceivable that a protective grounding contact element and a holding element are arranged in the respective upper regions of each side element.

[0037] Hereinafter, based on the exemplary embodiments, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example.

Brief Explanation of the Drawings

[0038] [Figure 1] It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of a protective grounding contact. [Diagram 2] It is a sectional view of a conductor connection terminal provided with a protective grounding contact based on FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] It is a sectional view of a conductor connection terminal based on FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of a protective grounding contact. [Diagram 5] It is a rotated view of a protective grounding contact based on FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a figure which shows the conductor connection terminal provided with a protective grounding contact based on FIGS. 5 and 6. [Figure 7] It is a rotated view of a conductor connection terminal based on FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a view of a part of a conductor connection terminal based on FIGS. 6 and 7 as seen from above.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a protective earthing contact 1 having a base part 2, from which two side elements 3a, 3b project substantially perpendicularly in the same direction from the base part 2, and the side elements 3a, 3b are connected to each other via the base part 2. The side elements 3a, 3b are oriented substantially parallel to each other. The side elements 3a, 3b each have upper regions 4a, 4b, and the upper regions 4a, 4b are oriented such that the upper regions 4a, 4b are directed towards each other. It can be recognized that these upper regions 4a, 4b constitute a locking region 5 with each other, and a conductive support element can be guided within this locking region 5. The conductive support element may be formed, for example, as a busbar of a conductor connection terminal. In the upper region 4a of the side element 3a, a contact element 6 for protective earthing for electrically connecting the protective earthing wire to the support element is arranged.

[0040] The support element can be held in position within the locking region 5 between the contact regions 5a, 5b. For additional fixation, directly adjacent to the contact regions 5a, 5b, contact stoppers 5c, 5d project from the upper regions 4a, 4b of the side elements 3a, 3b, respectively.

[0041] It can be seen that the locking area 5 and the protective earth contact element 6 are arranged at substantially the same height H relative to the base part 2 and are additionally arranged spatially separated from one another. When the support element is introduced into the locking area 5, the side elements 3a, 3b spread in the area of ​​the upper areas 4a, 4b, so that the support element can be held between the contact areas 5a, 5b. By arranging the locking area 5 at the same height as the protective earth contact element 6, the protective earth contact element 6 also spreads by the same amount. The spreading can occur, for example, because the side elements 3a, 3b are made springy. When the support element reaches its final position between the contact areas 5a, 5b, the side elements 3a, 3b in the area of ​​the upper areas 4a, 4b and therefore also the protective earth contact element 6 spring back to their initial position, so that the support element is held between the contact areas 5a, 5b. Thus, for example, the tin-plated protective earth contact element 6 can be guided past without coming into contact with the contact surface of the support element, which reduces wear of the tin-plated protective earth contact element 6. The contact surface of the support element is the surface that is to come into contact with the protective earth contact element 6.

[0042] It can be seen that in each of the upper regions 4a, 4b, a chamfered surface 7a, 7b is arranged in the region of the locking region 5. The ends of these chamfered surfaces 7a, 7b facing the contact regions 5a, 5b are arranged at the same height as the protective earth contact element 6 relative to the base part 2. By means of the chamfered surfaces 7a, 7b, the support element can be guided more easily into the locking region 5. In addition to this, the side elements 3a, 3b continually widen in the region of the upper regions 4a, 4b in order to guide the support element between the contact regions 5a, 5b without having to expend a correspondingly large amount of force.

[0043] In the first exemplary embodiment, the protective earth contact element 6 together with the locking area 5 and the ends of the beveled surfaces 7a, 7b should be at exactly one height. Deviations from this are however possible without limiting the function of the protective earth contact according to the invention. In this regard, a deviation of 15% is conceivable with respect to the height H of the locking area 5 and the height H of the protective earth contact element 6 relative to the base part 2.

[0044] At the upper end of the side element 3a, in the upper region 4a, a holding element 8a is arranged, which is adapted for matingly connecting the protective earth contact 1 with the support element in the assembled state. The mating can be achieved, for example, by means of a corresponding recess in the support element. However, a recess in the housing is also conceivable. By means of this mating, the protective earth contact 1 is fixed against tilting in the assembled state. In this respect, the holding element 8a can also be formed as a contact element 6 for the protective earth in order to provide an additional conductive connection.

[0045] It can be seen that the upper regions 4a, 4b, the protective earth contact element 6 and the retaining element 8 are integrally formed from the respective side elements 3a, 3b. It can further be seen that the overall height BH between the locking area 5 and the holding element 8a is smaller than the height H between the locking area and the base part. This has the advantage that the protective earth contact can be attached to the conductor connection terminal even if the conductor connection terminal is not designed to be larger.

[0046] It can be seen that the protective earth contact 1 has a contact piece 16, which is formed for the protective earth contact 1 to be in direct or indirect conductive connection with a protective earth conductor. Figure 2 shows a conductor connection terminal 9, in particular a power supply connection terminal for the lighting industry. The conductor connection terminal 9 has a busbar 11 and three spring clamp terminals 12 for clamping three electrical conductors. In this case, a protective earth contact 1 according to Figure 1 is attached to the conductor connection terminal 9.

[0047] It can be seen that the contact area of ​​the protective earth contact element 6 to the busbar 11 is arranged separate from the locking area 5, so that the protective earth contact element 6 can be guided contact-free through a recess in the busbar 11. In the assembled state, a force-locking connection between the protective earth contact element 6 and the busbar 11 is provided. This can be achieved, for example, in that the dimensions of the recess in the busbar 11 are designed in such a way that in the spread state of the side elements 3a, 3b the busbar 11 can pass by the protective earth contact element 6 without touching it.

[0048] It can also be seen that the retaining element 8a is arranged in the interior space of the conductor connection terminal 9 in the region of the electrical conductor to be clamped, the busbar 11 not being arranged between the spring clamp terminal 12 and the retaining element 8a. The electrical conductor can therefore be inserted in the same space in the conductor connection terminal 9 as the retaining element 8a is arranged in in the assembled state. This means that the existing space of the conductor connection terminal 1 is utilized, even if the conductor connection terminal 1 is not dimensioned larger. In this respect, the retaining element 8a engages in a recess of the busbar 11 and stabilizes the protective earth contact 1 against tilting by being matingly connected to the busbar 11 in the assembled state. A reliable operation can thus be ensured.

[0049] 2 additionally makes it possible to recognize an actuating device 17, by means of which the spring clamp terminals 12 (left area) on the one hand of the arrangement consisting of two spring clamp terminals 12 and the single spring clamp terminal 12 (right area) on the other hand can be manually actuated independently of one another, which causes the associated clamp legs to move and thus the clamp points to open. It will be seen that this actuating device 6 has an actuating part 18a for one spring clamp terminal 12 and an actuating part 18b for the other opposite spring clamp terminal 12.

[0050] The actuating parts 18a, 18b are connected to one another via a connecting part 19 which is arranged approximately in the middle between the actuating parts 18a, 18b. In the connecting part 19, a T-shaped protruding material part 20 is present between the actuating parts 18a, 18b, for example in the middle between the actuating parts 18a, 18b or slightly off-center. The T-shaped protruding material part 20 is displaceable on the busbar 11. The geometry of the actuating device 6 allows the spring clamp terminals 12 to be actuated independently of one another.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a further cross section of the conductor connection terminal 9 according to Figure 2. It can be seen here that the busbar 11 has recesses 13 through which the protective earth contact elements 6 can be led for assembly, the protective earth contact elements 6 being connected in a force-locking manner and the holding elements 8a in a mating manner with the busbar 11. It is, however, also conceivable that the holding elements 8a can be connected in a force-locking manner and the protective earth contact elements 6 in a mating manner with the busbar 11.

[0052] Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a protective earth contact 1, which is shown in a front view in Figure 4 and in a rotated view in Figure 5. The protective earth contact 1 has a base 2 from which two side elements 3a, 3b protrude in the same direction. The side elements 3a, 3b each have an upper region 4a, 4b.

[0053] This protective earth contact has two protective earth contact elements 6 which are arranged at the same height H as the locking area 5 relative to the base part 2, so that these protective earth contact elements 6 are spread apart when installing the protective earth contact 1 and can thus be inserted into corresponding conductor connection terminals without contact.

[0054] It can be seen that the ends of the side elements 3a, 3b are formed as guide contours 14a, 14b, which have the advantage that in the installed state the electrical conductor can be guided into the corresponding clamping position without the electrical conductor touching the protective earth contact element 6.

[0055] It can be seen that the protective earth contact 1 has a contact piece 16 which is formed for directly or indirectly conductively connecting the protective earth contact 1 with a protective earth conductor. Figure 6 shows in cross section a conductor connection terminal 9, in particular a power supply connection terminal for the lighting industry. This conductor connection terminal 9 has a busbar 11 and four spring clamp terminals 12 for clamping four electrical conductors. In this case, a protective earth contact 1 according to Figures 4 and 5 is attached to the conductor connection terminal 9.

[0056] Figure 7 shows the conductor connection terminal 9 according to Figure 6 in a rotated view. It can be seen that the conductor connection terminal 9 has a conductor stop 15 for the electrical conductor to be clamped. Furthermore, it can be seen that the protective earth contact 1 utilizes the existing contour and free space of the busbar 11 of the conductor connection terminal 9, so that the internal space of the conductor connection terminal does not have to be designed larger to accommodate the protective earth contact 1.

[0057] The guide contours 14a, 14b rest against the conductor stop 15 in such a way that the entire protective earth contact 1 is stabilized and thus the protective earth contact 1 is protected against tilting, i.e. the movement possibility of the protective earth contact 1 is limited in the direction of the conductor stop 15.

[0058] Figure 8 shows a part of a conductor connection terminal 9 according to Figures 6 and 7 in a top view. The side elements 3a, 3b of the protective earth contact 1 with the guide contours 14a, 14b are visible. It can be seen that the protective earth contact element 6 is arranged on the side facing away from the conductor stop 15, so that the guide contours 14a, 14b can guide the electric conductor to the conductor stop 15 without the electric conductor touching the protective earth contact element 6.

[0059] The protective earth contact 1 can thus be formed in such a way that the electrical conductor does not strike the protective earth contact element 6 during connection. However, such a formation is also conceivable without the guide contour 14a, 14b, for example by the protective earth contact element or elements 6 protruding at a suitable angle from the side element 3a and / or the side element 3b. In this respect, there does not have to be a strict suitable angle of 90°. A deviation of 25° in the positive or negative direction is conceivable.

[0060] It can further be seen that the guide contours 14a, 14b interact with the contour of the housing 10, which additionally stabilizes the protective earth contact 1. The protective earth contact 1 is thus stabilized by the conductor stop 15 and the housing 10, with its degree of freedom being limited by the housing 10 and the conductor stop 15, and is protected against tilting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Protective earth contact 2 Base 3a, 3b side elements 4a, 4b upper area 5 Locking area 5a, 5b contact area 5c, 5d Contact stopper 6 Contact element for protective earthing 7a, 7b Beveled surface 8a Holding element 9 Conductor connection terminal block 10. Housing 11 busbar 12 Spring clamp terminal 13 Recess 14a, 14b Guide contour 15 Conductor stopper 16 Contact piece 17 Actuating device 18a, 18b Working parts 19 Connection 20 T-shaped material section BH Overall height H Height

Claims

1. A protective earth contact (1) for conductively connecting a protective earth wire to a conductive support element, said protective earth contact (1) having a base portion (2), two side elements (3a, 3b) each having an upper region (4a, 4b) protruding from said base portion (2), said two side elements (3a, 3b) each having a contact region (5a, 5b) and together constituting a locking region (5) for clamping said protective earth contact (1) to said support element, at least one of said two side elements (3a, 3b) having a protective earth contact element (6) adapted for conductive contact with said support element (11), said upper regions (4a, 4b) of said two side elements (3a, 3b) each having a contact region (5a, 5b), said locking region (5) and said protective earth contact element (6) being arranged at substantially the same height (H) relative to said base portion (2), each of the contact areas is formed from a surface, the surface of a first one of the contact areas facing the surface of a second one of the contact areas; a portion of the support element is inserted between the surface of the first contact area and the surface of the second contact area such that the surface of the first contact area and the surface of the second contact area contact the portion of the support element and clamp the portion of the support element between the surface of the first contact area and the surface of the second contact area.

2. 2. The protective earth contact (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the upper regions (4a, 4b) has a chamfered surface (7a, 7b) in the region of the locking region (5), and the end of the chamfered surface (7a, 7b) facing the contact region (5a, 5b) and the protective earth contact element (6) are arranged at substantially the same height (H) relative to the base part (2).

3. 3. A protective earth contact (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective earth contact element (6) is designed for a force-locking connection with the support element.

4. 4. A protective earth contact (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a holding element (8a) for matingly connecting the protective earth contact (1) with the support element in the assembled state.

5. 5. Protective earth contact (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining elements (8a, 8b) are arranged in the upper regions (4a, 4b) of the side elements (3a, 3b).

6. 6. A protective earth contact (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the overall height (BH) between the locking area (5) and the holding element (8a) is smaller than the height (H) between the locking area (5) and the base part (2).

7. 7. A protective earth contact (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a respective retaining element (8a) is arranged on one of the side elements (3a, 3b).

8. the electrically conductive support element forms a busbar of a conductor connection terminal, at least one of the side elements (3a, 3b) having a guide contour (14a, 14b) for guiding an electric conductor to be inserted into the conductor connection terminal, 8. Protective earth contact (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide contours (14a, 14b) are arranged in the upper regions (4a, 4b) of the side elements (3a, 3b).

9. 9. A protective earth contact (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the upper regions (4a, 4b) respectively contact stops (5c, 5d) are arranged for stabilising the protective earth contact (1) in the assembled state.

10. 10. The protective earth contact (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the contact stops (5c, 5d) protrude from the respective upper regions (4a, 4b) in such a way that the contact stops (5c, 5d) are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

11. A protective earth contact (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a housing (10), a busbar (11) forming the electrically conductive support element, a spring clamp terminal (12), the busbar (11) and the spring clamp terminal (12) forming a clamping location for an electric conductor to be clamped, the protective earth contact (1) having a base part (2) and two side elements (3a, 3b) protruding from the base part (2), each side element (3a, 3b) having an upper region ( 1. A conductor connection terminal (9) having upper regions (4a, 4b) each having a contact region (5a, 5b) and the locking region (5) and the protective earth contact element (6) for conductive contact of the support element (11), the upper region (4a, 4b) constituting a locking region (5) for clamping the protective earth contact (1) to the busbar (11) and at least one side element (3a, 3b) having a protective earth contact element (6) for conductive contact of the support element (11), characterized in that each one of the upper regions (4a, 4b) has a contact region (5a, 5b), the locking region (5) and the protective earth contact element (6) are arranged at substantially the same height (H) relative to the base part (2).

12. 12. A conductor connection terminal (9) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one of the upper regions (4a, 4b) has a chamfered surface (7a, 7b) in the region of the locking region (5), the end of the chamfered surface (7a, 7b) facing the contact region (5a, 5b) and the protective earth contact element (6) are arranged at the same height (H) relative to the base part (2).

13. Conductor connection terminal (9) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one of the side elements (3a, 3b) has a guiding contour (14a, 14b) for guiding the electrical conductor into the housing (10).

14. 14. A conductor connection terminal (9) according to claim 13, characterized in that the guide contours (14a, 14b) are arranged in the upper regions (4a, 4b) of the side elements (3a, 3b).

15. 15. A conductor connection terminal (9) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the guide contour (14a, 14b) interacts with at least one of the housing (10) and a conductor stop (15) for the electrical conductor so that the protective earth contact (1) is stabilized.

16. 16. A conductor connection terminal (9) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the protective earth contact (1) has a holding element (8a), which is arranged in the interior space of the conductor connection terminal (9) in the area of ​​the electrical conductor to be clamped.

17. 17. The conductor connection terminal (9) according to claim 16, characterized in that the busbar (11) has a recess (13), and the retaining element (8a) engages with the recess (13) for matingly connecting the protective earth contact (1) and the busbar (11).

Images