Surge protector

Abstract

The invention relates to a surge protector comprising discharge modules. The discharge modules comprise insulating bodies and a plurality of electrodes arranged in said insulating bodies with the formation of discharge gaps between the electrodes. The outlets of at least some of the discharge gaps are joined into a common outlet from an insulating body. The discharge modules are electrically connected in series. The technical result of the invention is an increase in the reliability of the surge protector.

Description

[0001] SURGE LIMITER

[0002] Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0003] The invention relates to arresters and, in particular, to surge arresters for protection against surges, for example, lightning, electrical installations, high-voltage power lines and electrical networks. The invention also relates to high-voltage power lines having in their composition elements equipped with such surge arresters.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Lightning discharges are one of the most dangerous phenomena for the operation of high-voltage power lines. During a lightning discharge, an overvoltage pulse passes through the power line, which can lead to an emergency shutdown of the power line due to a pulsed flashover of the line insulation and the occurrence of a short circuit, as well as to the failure of electrical equipment connected to it.

[0006] As a solution to the problem of lightning overvoltages, patent RU2319247 proposes a surge arrester for protecting electrical equipment or a power transmission line, comprising a housing, two main electrodes mechanically connected to the housing, and a plurality of varistors located between the main electrodes with mutual displacement, at least along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0007] Varistors can be manufactured, for example, by casting molten material with nonlinear electrical characteristics into a mold for manufacturing a varistor. The varistors manufactured in this way are placed in the housing between the main electrodes.

[0008] When such a surge arrester is exposed to a lightning surge, the resistance of the varistors drops sharply and the lightning surge is diverted through the support into the ground. As soon as the lightning surge passes, the resistance of the varistors is restored and the power line continues to operate without interruption. This method of protecting electrical equipment from surges is quite effective. At the same time, the above-described surge arrester has such disadvantages as insufficient strength, including thermal strength due to overheating, with large current pulses flowing through the varistors, for example, with direct lightning strikes in power transmission lines. In addition, varistors are very sensitive to climatic effects of the environment, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, etc., which is why significant efforts have to be made to isolate them from the environment.It is also necessary to note the short life of surge arresters due to the rapid degradation of varistors even during normal operation.

[0009] Disclosure of invention

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to eliminate the above-described disadvantages.

[0011] The problem of the present invention is solved by means of a surge arrester containing discharge modules. The discharge module contains an insulating body, at least one common outlet from the insulating body and a plurality of electrodes placed in the insulating body with discharge gaps between them. At least part of the discharge gaps are made with the possibility of directing the discharge products to the common outlet from the insulating body. For example, the outlets of at least part of the discharge gaps can be combined into a common outlet from the insulating body or can be connected by passages in the insulating body with the common outlet from it. The discharge modules are electrically connected in series.

[0012] The insulating body preferably contains several common outlets from different discharge gaps. The common outlet from the insulating body may be a channel in the insulating body, passing from the discharge gaps to the surface of the insulating body, or a gap in the insulating body, passing from the discharge gaps or outlets of the discharge gaps to the surface of the insulating body. The discharge module may contain one or several reinforcing elements. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge module may have a gap between the reinforcing element (or several elements) and the electrodes. The surge arrester may contain no less than 2 or 3 or 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 discharge modules and / or no more than 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 discharge modules.The discharge modules can be electrically connected in series by connecting the electrodes of the discharge modules using connecting electrodes and / or spark gaps and / or nonlinear resistances. Insulating spacers can be arranged between the discharge modules. The discharge modules are preferably arranged next to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge modules are flat and arranged parallel to each other. The discharge modules are placed on a rod passing through the discharge modules.

[0013] The discharge modules can also be placed in a housing (with or without a rod). The mechanical strength of the housing in this version is mainly higher than the mechanical strength of the discharge modules.

[0014] The discharge gaps can be advantageously isolated (hermetically or non-hermetically) by the housing from the external space. The discharge gaps can be isolated (hermetically or non-hermetically) at individual moments in time in the discharge modules. In a preferred embodiment, a gap can be provided between the discharge modules and the housing. The gap size can be at least 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 1 mm or 1.5 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm or 5 mm. At the same time, the gap size is advantageously no more than 1 mm or 1.5 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm or 5 mm or 7 mm or 10 mm.

[0015] The surge arrester electrodes preferably form a plurality of successive discharge gaps, the total number of which (i.e. successive discharge gaps between the surge arrester electrodes) is not less than the value of the operating voltage of the surge arrester divided by the near-electrode voltage drop. In addition, the surge arrester electrodes preferably form a plurality of successive discharge gaps, the total number of which (i.e. successive discharge gaps between the surge arrester electrodes) is not more than the value of the operating voltage of the surge arrester divided by 10 or 50 or 100 or 500 or 1000 or 2000 or 3000 or 4000 or 5000 near-electrode voltage drop.

[0016] In particular, the surge arrester electrodes can form a plurality of successive discharge gaps, the total number of which (i.e. successive discharge gaps between the surge arrester electrodes) is not less than the value of the surge arrester operating voltage divided by 500 V or by 300 V or by 200 V or by 100 V or by 50 V or by 30 V or by 20 V or by 15 V or by 10 V and / or not more than the value of the surge arrester operating voltage divided by 30 V or by 20 V or by 15 V or by 10 V or by 5 V or by 1 V or by 0.5 V.

[0017] The discharge module may contain no less than 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 electrodes and / or no more than 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 or 5000 electrodes.

[0018] The electrodes are preferably arranged to form discharge gaps (i.e., essentially with discharge gaps) of a size no greater than 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm. In addition, the electrodes are preferably arranged to form discharge gaps (i.e., essentially with discharge gaps) of a size no less than 0.01 mm or 0.02 mm or 0.03 mm or 0.05 mm or 0.07 mm or 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm.

[0019] The electrical connection of the discharge modules can be carried out, including, by directly connecting their electrodes or through discharge gaps. The insulating bodies of the discharge modules can be made using a polymer material or, for example, silicone rubber, or other electrical insulating materials known from the prior art. The housing can be made using a polymer material and / or metal and / or a composite structure and / or reinforcement braid. The housing can include a pipe that can be made with the possibility of placing and / or securing the discharge modules inside it. The discharge modules can be made in the form of disks, and the housing can include a cylindrical pipe, the internal diameter of which is larger than the external diameter of the discharge modules. The surge suppressor can contain at least one or more varistors connected in series and / or in parallel with the discharge modules.

[0020] The technical result of the invention is an increase in the reliability of the surge arrester compared to surge arresters containing only varistors as nonlinear or limiting elements. The increase in reliability consists in a longer service life and greater resistance to external influences, such as strong currents due to lightning strikes of increased power and unfavorable climatic influences (humidity, temperature, etc.).

[0021] The technical result is achieved mainly due to the implementation of common outlets in the insulating body for releasing discharge products from the discharge gaps between the electrodes through them. The common outlets not only reduce the pressure in the discharge gaps, but also represent a space towards which the electrodes and parts of the insulating body can shift, pushed apart by the pressure created by the discharges in the discharge gaps as a result of the heating of the gas in them by the spark arcs. This additionally reduces the gas pressure in the discharge gaps, tearing the insulating body, and thereby eliminates the risks of destruction of the insulating body of the discharge module, which increases the reliability of the surge arrester as a whole and eliminates the risks of its explosion when quenching surge pulses, which are present in surge arresters known from the prior art.

[0022] In addition, the technical result can be achieved due to additional features, such as the possible presence of reinforcing elements in the insulating body in some versions. Such reinforcing elements additionally reduce the risks of destruction of the insulating body of the discharge module and increase reliability, since they prevent excessive expansion of the insulating body, which could lead to its destruction, due to an increase in pressure in the discharge gaps during the passage of discharges. Also, the proposed design has other factors that increase the reliability of the surge arrester. In particular, such a factor is the gap between the reinforcing element and the electrodes, which provides a space into which the insulating body of the discharge module can expand under the influence of discharges between the electrodes inside it.With such expansion of the insulating body, the gap is compressed, providing the ability for the insulating body to deform to a certain limit without destruction of the discharge module, and then the reinforcing element protects from destruction, as described above.

[0023] In particular, a surge arrester can pass stronger currents through itself without overheating and, therefore, without degradation of its properties or elements (or while maintaining operability) than varistor surge arresters, which heat up strongly when passing currents. Stronger currents are caused by lightning strikes closer to the power transmission line and protected objects, as well as direct lightning strikes (DLS) in wires and powerful lightning strikes with high currents. As a result of strong currents flowing through varistors and caused by more powerful overvoltages appearing in the power transmission line as a result of close and direct lightning strikes, varistors are destroyed or degrade rapidly due to strong heating and other accompanying factors, and surge arresters from the state of the art very quickly go out of service, creating threats of damage by lightning overvoltages for electrical equipment.

[0024] The proposed surge arrester with multi-electrode multi-gap discharge modules retains its operational properties even after the passage of currents caused by the PUM. Even in cases where varistors are used in the proposed surge arrester and these varistors are destroyed or their properties are degraded, the multi-electrode multi-gap discharge modules only slightly heat up and continue to perform their functions of protection against overvoltages - this means that the proposed surge arrester is more reliable compared to the arresters of the state of the art. Even if the overvoltage pulse is too large, the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention manages to pass through itself the current necessary to limit the overvoltage, and only then can the destruction processes begin - this is due to the fact that electrical processes occur much faster than mechanical ones.

[0025] In addition, the reliability of the surge arrester is increased due to the fact that the multi-electrode multi-gap discharge modules do not break down or degrade significantly more slowly than varistors, even during normal operation of the surge arrester. This means that the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention without using varistors will retain its properties longer compared to the surge arrester of the prior art. Even in those embodiments where the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention uses varistors in its composition, it will still retain its operability and protective characteristics longer than the surge arrester of the prior art with only varistors. This also indicates the increased reliability of the proposed surge arrester.

[0026] It should also be noted that the surge arrester according to the present invention is less sensitive to the depressurization of the housing, if any, compared to the surge arresters of the prior art. Multi-electrode multi-gap discharge modules do not break down or degrade in the absence of tightness, which significantly increases their reliability and service life compared to varistors. Even in those embodiments where the surge arrester according to the present invention uses varistors in its composition, it is still more reliable, since in the event of depressurization of the housing and, in some cases, even in the absence of a housing, it will retain its operability and protective characteristics, unlike the surge arrester of the prior art with only varistors, since after the destruction of the varistors, the multi-electrode multi-gap discharge modules will continue to perform the protective function.

[0027] All the above factors indicate the increased reliability of the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of electrodes in the discharge module in partial section.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of channels in the discharge module in partial section.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the joint arrangement of the electrodes and the channel in the discharge module in partial section. Fig. 4 shows the enclosure design of the surge arrester in partial section.

[0032] Implementation of the invention

[0033] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and particular embodiments. Such a description is given for the purpose of explaining the invention using particular examples and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined by the claims. At the same time, if necessary, the claims may include features from the description for the purpose of more accurately defining the scope of protection.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows in partial section the arrangement of electrodes in a discharge module made in the form of a disk. The shape of the disk is only one of the possible variants of implementing the discharge module and its choice for illustrating the invention is based on a simpler implementation of the surge arrester in the form of a cylinder, which ensures increased strength. In other variants of implementation, other forms of discharge modules and the surge arrester as a whole are possible, which are included in the scope of protection of the invention.

[0035] The insulating body 1 is shown only partially for greater clarity of the arrangement of the electrodes 2-4. The discharge module can be seen in a more complete form in the following figures. In Fig. 1, the electrodes 3 protruding from the insulating body 1, shown partially, are in fact completely covered by the dielectric material from which the insulating body is made, and, thus, are located completely in the insulating body. Electrodes 2 and 4 partially protrude from the insulating body 1 or come out onto its surface, as described below.

[0036] The discharge module consists of an insulating body 1 and a plurality of electrodes 2, 3 and 4, placed in the insulating body and forming discharge gaps between themselves. The insulating bodies of the discharge modules are preferably made using such dielectric materials as polymeric materials, for example, silicone rubber. Due to the use of such materials, the manufacture of discharge modules is simplified and becomes more technologically advanced, as well as the assembly of the surge arrester using these modules. In addition, the plastic and elastic properties of the insulating bodies of the discharge modules, made using such materials, make it possible to further increase the strength of the surge arrester as a whole, as will be shown below.

[0037] Also, with the help of such discharge modules, the main technical result of the present invention is achieved, namely, an increase in the reliability of surge arresters compared to surge arresters that include only varistors. This occurs due to the fact that the materials used in the manufacture of the insulating body of the discharge module - for example, polymeric materials, including silicone rubber, are more resistant to electrical effects and adverse climatic effects than metal-oxide materials of varistors.

[0038] Electrodes 2 and 4 are the outer electrodes that provide the possibility of connecting the discharge modules to each other, and therefore can be called connecting or transition electrodes. They are intended to supply voltage (including overvoltage) to the discharge module and for this purpose can protrude from the insulating body, come out onto its surface (i.e. the electrodes do not protrude, but at the same time are open, i.e. are not covered with an insulating layer) or the possibility of connecting to them through the insulating body can be provided if they are located completely in it, using connecting electrodes passed through a soft insulating body (for example, made of silicone) or through an opening in the insulating body. For example, in Fig. 1, electrode 2 protrudes onto one (lower) side of the discharge module, made in the form of a disk, and electrode 4 protrudes onto the other (upper) side of the discharge module.

[0039] Electrodes 3 are intermediate electrodes located between connecting electrodes 2 and 4 not necessarily geometrically, but in the sense that the discharge begins between one connecting electrode and the intermediate electrode closest to it (for example, exiting into the same discharge chamber as the main electrode), then the discharges sequentially develop in the discharge chambers between the intermediate electrodes and end in the discharge gap between the last intermediate electrode and the second connecting electrode. The connecting electrodes can be connected to adjacent intermediate electrodes directly or, preferably, through discharge gaps in the discharge chambers - that is, they are located with discharge gaps between themselves in the discharge chambers. With a direct connection to adjacent intermediate electrodes, the first and last discharge develop between the intermediate electrodes.

[0040] The connection of discharge modules can be provided without the protrusion of the connecting electrodes from the insulating bodies of the modules. For example, the outer surface of the connecting electrodes can be a continuation of the surface of the insulating body or be close to it, for example, with an insignificant depression. Then the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules can be connected directly by contact with each other when the modules touch each other or with the help of additional electrodes. In addition, the discharge modules can be installed with the provision of discharge (spark) gaps between their electrodes (meaning the connecting electrodes). In such a case, it can be said that the discharge modules are connected with the help of a discharge gap when the connecting electrodes of adjacent modules are located opposite each other.The discharge modules can also be electrically connected by connecting the electrodes of the discharge modules using nonlinear resistances such as varistors or the like. The use of connecting discharge (spark) gaps or nonlinear resistances to connect the discharge modules can further improve the protective properties of the surge arrester due to the additional dissipation of the surge energy in them.

[0041] In addition, the connecting electrodes can be embedded in the insulating bodies in an open or closed manner (in the latter case, they are covered with the material of the insulating body) and connected using additional electrodes installed between the connecting electrodes during the assembly of the surge arrester. The additional electrodes can pass through the insulating body to the connecting electrodes through openings (depressions) in the insulating body formed during their manufacture or when the additional electrodes pass through the insulating body. In the event that the connecting electrodes contain openings, the additional electrodes can also pass through these openings. The connecting and intermediate electrodes can be collectively referred to simply as electrodes. The electrodes can be made using conductive materials, including graphite and metals, such as steel, aluminum, copper, tungsten and other known alloys.The shape of the electrodes can be any, providing the possibility of discharges between the electrodes. For example, the electrodes can be made in the form of balls, cylinders, rings, tubes, ellipsoids, disks, prisms, etc.

[0042] The manufacture of electrodes from the said conductive materials ensures an increase in the reliability of the discharge modules and the proposed surge arrester as a whole, since the said conductive materials have a higher resistance to electrical effects and adverse climatic effects than the metal-oxide materials of the varistors. At the same time, neither the materials of the insulating body nor the electrodes of the discharge modules have nonlinearity of electrical properties, which is typical for metal-oxide materials used to manufacture varistors. The nonlinearity of the properties of the discharge modules, in particular, their resistance, is ensured by the presence of discharge gaps between the electrodes.

[0043] Due to the use of a plurality of electrodes with the formation of a plurality of discharge gaps between them, the discharge voltage in each discharge gap is reduced, since the total discharge voltage supplied to the surge arrester as a whole and each of its discharge modules in particular is divided by the total number of discharge gaps. Thus, in each discharge gap, the voltage acts, which is less than the voltage supplied to the surge arrester or the overvoltage in the total number of discharge gaps in the surge arrester. This makes it possible to reduce the requirements for the electrical and mechanical properties (in particular, strength) of the materials used to manufacture the discharge modules, as a result of which it becomes possible to implement the insulating bodies of the discharge modules using polymeric materials, including silicone rubber.In addition, the reduction of discharge voltages in each discharge gap makes it possible to reduce their dimensions, which opens up the possibility of making the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention more compact, for example, in the same dimensions as surge arresters from the prior art using varistors.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of channels 5 and 6 in the insulating body 1 of the discharge module in partial section (the electrodes are not shown for greater clarity of the arrangement of the channels). Channel 5 is a common outlet for the products of the discharges occurring in the discharge gaps between the electrodes. The products of the discharges can enter channel 5 through channels 6, which extend from the discharge gaps between the electrodes to channel 5. In channel 5, the products of the discharge are carried out to the outside of the insulating body 1 due to the pressure formed by the products of the discharges from the individual discharge gaps and pushing out the gas located in channel 5 and containing the products of the discharge, from the beginning of channel 5 in the center of the insulating body 1 along the spiral of channel 5 to the outside of the insulating body 1.

[0045] In another embodiment, the common outlet in the form of channel 5 may pass directly near the discharge gaps between the electrodes, then channels 6 may not be needed. In addition, in some cases, the path from the discharge gap between the electrodes to the common outlet may pass through a small hole in the layer of insulating material, using which the insulating body is made. The said hole may be punched, for example, during the first discharge due to the fact that between the discharge gap and the common channel there is a weakened layer of insulating material, which can be easily punched by the increased pressure of the overvoltage discharge between the electrodes in the discharge gap due to the fact that in the channel, which is the common outlet, there will be a reduced pressure compared to the discharge chamber (for example, atmospheric).Such separation of the discharge gap from the common output by a thin insulating layer is included in the scope of protection of the present invention, since it is equivalent to the fact that the output from the discharge gap is connected to the common output, since when the discharge module is triggered, the said thin insulating layer is easily broken through.

[0046] In another embodiment, the common outlet from the insulating body may be a gap in the insulating body extending from the discharge gaps or the outlets of the discharge gaps to the surface of the insulating body. The gap in this case is the common outlet from the insulating body. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge gaps have outlets into the gap to direct discharge products through them into the common outlet (gap) from the insulating body, or the discharge gaps may be open directly into the gap and thus direct discharge products into it.In another possible variant, the path from the discharge gap between the electrodes to the common outlet can be blocked by a thin insulating layer, in which there is a small hole or which can be pierced, for example, during the first discharge due to the fact that between the discharge gap and the gap there is a weakened layer of insulating material, which can be easily pierced by the increased pressure of the overvoltage discharge between the electrodes in the discharge gap due to the fact that in the gap, which is the common outlet, there will be a reduced pressure compared to the discharge chamber (for example, atmospheric). Such separation by a thin insulating layer of the discharge gap from the common outlet (in this case, the gap) is included in the scope of protection of the present invention, since it is equivalent to the fact that the outlet from the discharge gap is connected to the common outlet, since when the discharge module is triggered, the said thin insulating layer is easily pierced.

[0047] The presence of an outlet for discharge products from the discharge chambers increases the reliability of the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention, since it reduces the rupturing effect on the material of the insulating body at the location of the discharge chambers due to the distribution of this effect over a larger area of ​​the insulating body (for example, over the surface of the common channel or gap) outside the discharge chambers. The fact that the discharge products from the discharge chambers are directed to a common outlet (common channel or gap) makes it possible to form a total pressure sufficient for the ejection of all discharge products from the common outlet to the outside of the insulating body, for example, the atmosphere, which additionally increases the reliability of the discharge modules and the surge arrester as a whole, since the gas containing the discharge products is ejected to the outside and the pressure inside the insulating body quickly decreases to a safe or, more precisely, does not increase to a dangerous destructive level.In addition, the removal of discharge products from the insulating body leaves the internal surfaces of the insulating bodies of the discharge modules clean, which further increases the reliability and service life of the surge arrester due to the prevention of unnecessary breakdowns and the preservation of sufficient sizes of openings, channels, gaps, etc. passages for discharge products. The fact that the common outlet (for example, a gap or a common channel) is open to the outside of the insulating body of the discharge module also ensures the implementation of the specified technical results, since it ensures the possibility of ejecting discharge products to the outside of the insulating body.

[0048] In addition, common outlets additionally increase the reliability of the discharge modules and surge arrester, since they are made in the form of channels or slots, which are cavities in the insulating body that can be compressed (mostly partially), thereby providing space for the displacement of the electrodes and the expansion of the discharge gaps as a result of the effect of the pressure that appears in the discharge gap during the spark discharge due to the heating and thermal expansion of gases (including air) located in the discharge gap. Since common outlets are, for example, channels or slots of a significantly larger size than any discharge gaps and individual outlets, they make it possible to compensate for greater values ​​of pressure increase than individual outlets and the discharge gaps themselves.It should also be noted that the common outputs represent places of deformation concentration in safe places inside the insulating body, which directs the effect of spark pressure in the discharge chambers not to the destruction of the insulating bodies of the discharge modules, but to their compression, which additionally increases the reliability of the discharge modules and the surge arrester as a whole.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows the joint arrangement of electrodes 2,3,4 and channel 5 in the insulating body 1 of the discharge module in partial section. It is seen that the common channel 5 passes along electrodes 2 and 3 and exits to the outside of the insulating body 1. Several common outlets (slots or channels) for groups of discharge gaps between electrodes 3 may be provided in the insulating body 1 of the discharge module. For example, separate common outlets (channels or slots) from each other may be made on different sides of the discharge module, into which discharge products from different discharge gaps may be directed. For example, in the case of making the insulating body in the form of a disk, one common channel or slot may be made on each side, into which discharge chambers exit through one.This alternation of the direction of discharge products from the discharge gaps into one or another channel when passing along the channel prevents the merging of adjacent discharges, since they are separated from each other - this additionally increases the reliability of the surge arrester and ensures the stability of its operational characteristics.

[0050] In Fig. 3, a ring 7 is visible, intended for increasing the mechanical strength of the insulating body 1 and representing a reinforcing element. The mechanical strength of the ring is preferably higher than the mechanical strength of the discharge module. When an overvoltage pulse passes through the discharge module, electrical discharges occur in the discharge gaps, the pressure increases, and before it decreases due to the release of gases with discharge products to the outside of the insulating body, the insulating body will experience the destructive effect of this increased pressure, trying to break it. To increase the reliability of the overvoltage limiter and reduce the risk of destruction of the discharge module, a ring 7 can be introduced into it along the perimeter, made mainly using dielectric materials such as fiberglass, getinax, and others.

[0051] A gap may also be provided between the main insulating body 1, where the electrodes are located, and that part of it in which the ring 7 (i.e. the reinforcing element) is located, so that the insulating body has room to expand when exposed to high-magnitude pulses.

[0052] The gap between the part of the insulating body in which the electrodes are located and the part of the insulating body in which the reinforcing element is located (i.e. between the electrodes and the reinforcing element) may be partial or continuous over the entire length of the reinforcing element or several such elements. In the case where the gap is extended, jumpers may be provided between each other to maintain the required arrangement of the parts of the insulating body with the electrodes and reinforcing elements - in such a case the gap may be divided into parts.

[0053] Plates on the flat surfaces of the discharge module disk are not required in this case, since in the surge arrester the discharge modules are pressed against each other by these flat surfaces and do not allow each other to expand excessively and collapse, thereby also increasing the reliability of the surge arrester. In addition to the ring, other (for example, flat, rod or longitudinal) reinforcing elements may be provided, which have greater mechanical strength than the insulating body and are located radially, peripherally, in a sector or in other ways, and ensure increased reliability of the discharge module and surge arrester.

[0054] In the center of the insulating body 1 shown in Fig. 3, there is an opening 8 through which a rod, for example, made of fiberglass or another insulating material, can pass. This allows the surge arrester to be assembled from a plurality of discharge modules, which are put on the rod, arranged next to each other and connected to each other electrically (by means of connecting electrodes and / or discharge gaps and / or nonlinear resistances, such as varistors). The mechanical connection of the modules is carried out by means of the rod, whereby the modules can touch each other or be separated by small gaps, and also be pressed against each other or even glued or connected by other methods of mechanical connection.

[0055] In order to increase the number of discharge modules that can be assembled into a surge arrester and thereby increase its reliability and operational characteristics, the discharge modules are preferably made flat, which allows them to be placed next to each other in parallel. However, in some embodiments, the discharge modules may have a three-dimensional structure, in which their thickness can be comparable to other dimensions, such as length and width or diameter.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows another design of a surge arrester, using a housing instead of a rod to combine discharge modules into a surge arrester. Discharge modules 10, the design of which is shown in detail in Figs. 1-3, and also partially in Fig. 4 for the upper module (in particular, electrodes 3 installed in the insulating body 1 are visible), are placed in the housing 11 and are electrically connected in series. The electrical connection of the modules is performed by connecting the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules to each other. In particular, the connecting electrode protruding upward from the lower discharge module can be connected to the connecting electrode protruding downward from the upper discharge module.The connection is preferably a direct electrical connection, but a connection using discharge gaps between the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules can also be used - in this case, the electric discharge will pass to adjacent modules through the breakdown of the discharge gaps, through which the electric current begins to flow in the form of a spark. It is also possible to connect using nonlinear resistances, such as varistors.

[0057] Thus, when installing discharge modules with a discharge gap between the connecting electrodes of adjacent modules, the discharge gap itself or nonlinear resistance represents an electrical connection of the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules when the discharge gap is broken down by an overvoltage pulse with the formation of a discharge arc (current), despite the fact that the discharge gap actually separates these connecting electrodes in the absence of overvoltage and a discharge arc. However, due to such an arrangement of the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules, in which they form discharge gaps between themselves (preferably one between each pair), the connecting electrodes can be considered electrically connected to each other. This method of electrically connecting the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules - through discharge gaps

[0058] - provides an additional advantage to the present invention, consisting in the fact that additional discharge gaps are organized in the surge arrester, which additionally reduces the discharge voltage on each of them and, therefore, additionally increases the reliability of the surge arrester.

[0059] The housing preferably comprises a tube, inside which the discharge modules can be placed and / or secured. Placing the discharge modules in the housing, including in the tube, is placing the discharge modules inside the housing (for example, the tube). For example, they can be inserted inside through an opening in the housing or placed in one of the parts of the housing and then closed by another part of the housing. In order for the discharge modules to be placed in the housing (pipe), they preferably have dimensions smaller than the internal dimensions of the housing (pipe). However, in some embodiments, the discharge modules can have the same dimensions as the internal dimensions of the housing (pipe), or even larger.

[0060] - in the latter case, they can be compressed, rolled up or otherwise changed in shape in order to fit into the housing (pipe). In the preferred embodiment, a gap is provided between the discharge modules and the housing. Due to the presence of the gap, gases with discharge products exit the discharge modules into the gap and, then, they can exit the housing - this also increases reliability in the case of using the housing. The gap, as well as the common outputs, also allows the modules (their disks, for example) to expand, and the electrodes inside the modules to shift, which prevents permanent connection of the electrodes, for example, welding them to each other. The gap size is preferably not less than 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 1 mm or 1.5 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm or 5 mm so that the gas can exit the discharge modules.In addition, the gap size is also preferably no more than 1 mm or 1.5 mm or 2 mm or 3 mm or 5 mm or 7 mm or 10 mm in order to securely fix the discharge modules in the housing so that they do not dangle and maintain the connection with each other.

[0061] The discharge modules are preferably fixed inside the housing (e.g. inside the pipe). The fixing can be performed by mechanical, thermal, chemical or other methods. For example, the discharge modules can be fixed inside the housing (pipe) by mechanical fasteners (threaded, snap, winding, clamping, etc.), by means of an interference fit, when the modules are clamped inside the housing (pipe) by means of compression of modules, the size of which slightly exceeds the internal size of the housing (pipe), and other mechanical methods of fastening, or by covering the discharge modules with the housing (pipe with end elements) from all sides. In other embodiments, the discharge modules can be fixed inside the housing (pipe) by means of thermal connection methods, such as soldering, welding, thermal compression / expansion of materials (these methods are used or can be used to implement, among other things, mechanical methods of fastening).In addition, discharge modules can be fixed inside the housing (pipe) using chemical methods such as gluing, partial dissolution, fusion, etc.

[0062] Due to the length of the pipe in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to place a different number of discharge modules in it in accordance with the voltage for which the surge arrester is designed, and the length of the pipe can be technologically changed in accordance with the number of discharge modules by cutting or sawing. In particular, as shown in Fig. 4, the housing can include a cylindrical pipe, the use of which simplifies the manufacture or selection of a pipe of the required size, and also increases the strength of the housing, since the cylindrical body evenly distributes the voltage without concentrations. In a cylindrical pipe, disk discharge modules are mainly used. In other versions, the pipe may have a non-circular cross-section, but an oval, elliptical, polygonal, etc. The shape of the discharge modules must correspond to the internal shape of the housing and can also be not only round (disk), but also oval, elliptical, polygonal, prismatic, etc.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the housing 11 of the surge suppressor is provided with electrodes 12, which provide voltage supply to the discharge modules, for which purpose the electrodes 12 can be connected to the connecting electrodes of the outer discharge modules directly or through discharge gaps. The electrodes 12 can be called main electrodes. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the electrodes 12 are lids, which close the housing 11. For example, the electrodes 12 can be put on the housing I or screwed onto it, if a threaded connection is provided, which provides increased strength of such a connection and the surge suppressor as a whole. In this form, the electrodes are part of the housing, since they provide retention of the discharge modules 10 inside the housing 11. However, other embodiments of the housing and provision of voltage supply to the discharge modules are also possible.In particular, the connecting electrodes of the outer discharge modules can pass through the housing and voltage can be supplied directly to them - in this case, there is no need for electrodes 12.

[0064] The dimensions of the discharge modules and the housing as a whole preferably correspond to the dimensions of the varistors and the housing of the surge arresters from the state of the art. This ensures the possibility of simple and convenient replacement of surge arresters from old to new. In addition, in voltage arresters, varistors can be replaced with discharge modules and vice versa. In some cases, replacing individual discharge modules with varistors allows improving the nonlinear properties of the proposed surge arrester. With such a replacement, varistors can be connected in series with discharge modules and / or parallel to them.As for replacing varistors with discharge modules in conventional state-of-the-art surge arresters, this is impossible due to the fact that the cases of state-of-the-art surge arresters do not have the increased strength required for discharge modules, since for varistors it is sufficient to ensure the tightness of the case, which prevents adverse climatic effects on the varistors, and the varistors themselves have sufficient mechanical strength. In addition, increasing the strength of the case of state-of-the-art surge arresters would not lead to greater reliability of varistors, since varistors are destroyed and split when strong currents pass not because of possible expansion, but as a result of thermal effects and concentration of currents on the inhomogeneities of the internal structure of varistors.

[0065] For the discharge modules of the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention, the outer casing with increased strength is preferable because the discharge modules themselves have a soft and fragile insulating body, prone to destruction due to an increase in their size. When discharges pass through the discharge gaps between the electrodes, the internal gases heat up, which increases the internal pressure on the insulating body and the electrodes. As a result of this pressure from the inside out, the soft and elastic insulating body tends to expand, which can ultimately lead to its cracking and destruction under increased overvoltages, if such expansion of the insulating body is not limited by a strong casing with greater strength than the discharge modules and, due to this, restraining the expansion of the discharge modules.

[0066] On the other hand, the insulating body should preferably be elastic, since this ensures the operability of the discharge modules due to the fact that the electrodes inside such an elastic insulating body can shift relative to each other, thereby ensuring an increase in the discharge gaps during the discharges. An increase in the discharge gaps will be especially useful when it is large relative to the dimensions of the gaps themselves, i.e., with discharge gaps of fractions of a millimeter (for example, from 0.01 to 0.9 mm (or 1 mm) or from 0.1 to 0.5 mm). Due to such an increase in the gaps, when the electrodes are moved apart, more favorable conditions are created for quenching the discharges at the end of the overvoltage pulse, and the discharge modules remain operational longer, since the discharge gaps are less susceptible to sintering.

[0067] Thus, the insulating body, in order to ensure increased reliability, should preferably be made of elastic materials, such as polymers, for example, silicone rubber. The mechanical strength of the housing should be higher than the mechanical strength of the discharge modules also to increase the reliability of the proposed surge arrester, since this allows preventing the destruction of the discharge modules, the insulating bodies of which are made using elastic (soft) and / or solid (rigid) materials.

[0068] In order to provide increased mechanical strength in comparison with the discharge modules, the housing can be made using metal, a durable polymer material (more durable than that used for the discharge modules), a composite structure (composite materials) and / or reinforcement braid, fiberglass, carbon fiber and other durable materials. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that the use of the specified materials and / or elements separately or even together for the manufacture of the housing does not in itself provide a housing strength greater than the strength of the discharge modules. There are options when, for example, even metal, polymer material, composite structure, reinforcement braid or fiberglass in the housing can break, while the discharge modules remain intact, which means that the discharge module turned out to be stronger than the housing.The strength ratio is determined by the design of the housing and discharge modules, as well as the materials used in their design, in combination.

[0069] Exceeding the mechanical strength of the case over the mechanical strength of the discharge modules is desirable because the discharge modules cannot provide sufficient strength for themselves. This is also due to the fact that the manufacture of discharge modules from high-strength materials is not technologically advanced, unlike the use of flexible and elastic polymeric materials, such as silicone rubber, which can be poured or pressed into a mold for manufacturing a discharge module and then vulcanized, polymerized or cured - that is, fix, secure the configuration (shape) of the discharge modules. Polymer materials, including silicone rubber, can provide the necessary electrical strength of the discharge modules, which is expressed in the ability to pass a huge number of surge voltage pulses through the discharge modules without changing the electrical properties, for example, the specific resistance, the dielectric material from which the discharge module is made.However, to achieve the required electrical strength, it is necessary to ensure mechanical strength, i.e. the ability to withstand discharges without mechanical damage or destruction. This requirement is due to the fact that electrical discharges release a large amount of energy, which leads to heating of gases and a sharp increase in pressure on the insulating body in which the discharges occur.

[0070] In accordance with the present invention, the mechanical strength of the discharge modules at increased overvoltages, which may be observed during direct lightning strikes, can be provided by the housing, which surrounds them and prevents the gas pressure in the discharge gaps from destroying the discharge modules due to the "counterpressure" provided by the strong walls of the housing. The forces caused by the gas pressure, trying to break the insulating bodies of the discharge modules, encounter oppositely directed counteraction forces, imparted to the insulating bodies of the discharge modules by the walls of the strong housing, as a result of which the insulating body experiences only a compressive effect, and not a tearing effect.

[0071] The strengths of the housing and discharge modules are compared in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (in Fig. 4, in the horizontal direction), since the discharge modules, as shown in Fig. 4, are placed one above the other and, for the most part, the mechanical action in the longitudinal (vertical) direction is perceived and mutually compensated by the adjacent discharge modules on both sides. The outer discharge modules act on the covers that close the ends of the housing, which in the version shown in Fig. 4 are made in the form of the main electrodes. The covers are firmly attached to the housing and exert counterpressure on the outer discharge modules in the longitudinal direction. In the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (i.e., horizontal in Fig. 4), the pressure that appears in the discharge modules due to electrical discharges in the discharge gaps acts on the walls of the housing and, as a consequence, it is in this direction that the housing must be stronger than the discharge modules.

[0072] Comparison of strengths can be carried out by mechanical action, for example, before the destruction of the housing structure or the discharge module. For example, if under the same mechanical force (pressure) the discharge module or column of discharge modules deformed more than the housing (without modules) or even destroyed (for example, cracks appeared in them or they split into several parts), while the housing still retains its integrity, then this will mean that the housing is stronger than the discharge modules.

[0073] The body can be covered with a protective coating 13, which can be provided with ribs 9, increasing the length of the current leakage path along the surface. The coating and ribs can be made using polymeric materials, including silicone rubber. In some versions, ribs may be absent. The coating is necessary to protect the body from destructive environmental effects, and also increases the strength and reliability of the surge arrester.

[0074] In order to prevent discharge arcs from exiting the surge arrester, which allows placing a larger number of electrodes in the discharge modules and forming a larger number of discharge gaps between them, which reduces the discharge voltage, the discharge gaps are preferably hermetically sealed by the housing from the external space. In such an embodiment, discharge arcs can exit the discharge gaps in the direction outward from the discharge modules, for example, through the outlets from the discharge chambers in which the discharge gaps are located, but they cannot exit the surge arrester, since the walls of the housing block their path. Due to this, it is not necessary to prevent the merging of discharge arcs into one, and it is also not necessary to provide a place for the safe exhaust of discharge arcs outside the housing.

[0075] Due to the mechanical strength of the discharge modules, provided by the increased mechanical strength of the housing, the discharge arcs will not be able to destroy the discharge chambers and will be localized only directly in the discharge modules and, possibly, in the gap between the modules and the housing. Due to this, even more electrodes can be placed in the discharge modules and even more discharge gaps can be formed between them, which further reduces the discharge voltage. In addition, this increases the reliability of the voltage limiter as a whole, since in this version, the hermeticity of the housing is not mandatory, i.e. the housing can be non-hermetic or dehermetic, and in such versions, the discharge modules, unlike varistors, will retain their properties and the surge arrester will be able to operate longer.

[0076] At the same time, it should be noted that the discharge gaps can be isolated directly in the discharge modules or by the housing from the external space without ensuring the tightness of such isolation. Insulation without tightness implies the closure of the discharge gaps for direct entry into them (and exit from them) from the external space or from the space between the discharge modules and the housing, but at the same time they can be entered by an indirect path, which also ensures the possibility of the discharge gases exiting the discharge chambers also by an indirect path. For example, this can be ensured by walls or sections in the discharge module or housing that close the discharge gaps (i.e. they are not visible because of such walls or sections), but at the same time leave gaps or cracks for the gases to exit the discharge modules from the side or at a distance from the discharge gaps.

[0077] Fig. 1 shows a variant where the electrodes are arranged in a spiral. If the discharge chambers had outlets outside the discharge module, then only one electrode could be placed on each radius of the module, since the second electrodes would prevent the formation of outlets from the discharge chambers. However, Fig. 1 shows that two electrodes are located on some radii, which became possible due to the fact that the discharge chambers are closed and there is no need to form outlets from the discharge chambers. Thus, making the discharge chambers closed (hermetic) ensures that a larger number of electrodes can be placed in the discharge modules with the formation of successive discharge gaps between them.

[0078] Thus, in accordance with the present invention, either the discharge modules or the surge arrester housing in which the discharge modules are placed, or both the discharge modules and the housing, can be made hermetically sealed. In the latter variant, an additionally increased reliability of the surge arrester can be ensured. However, in those variants where only either the discharge modules (and the housing is not hermetically sealed) or the housing (and the discharge modules are not hermetically sealed) are made hermetically sealed, an increase in the reliability of the surge arrester is also achieved.In general, the surge arrester will be operational and reliable even in the case where neither its housing nor its discharge modules are hermetically sealed, since the discharge currents will pass through all the discharge gaps, and the output of discharge arcs and discharge products can be limited both by the discharge modules and the housing, including such a mutual arrangement in which they, being not hermetically sealed each separately, limit the possibility of the output of discharge arcs and discharge products from each of them.

[0079] Increasing the reliability of a surge arrester by increasing the number of electrodes and, as a consequence, reducing the discharge voltage in each discharge gap is also possible for a surge arrester assembled without a housing, for example, on a rod. This method of increasing reliability depends only on the number of electrodes, and not on the method of assembling the discharge modules into the surge arrester.

[0080] The arrangement of the electrodes with the formation of small discharge gaps, for example, no more than 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm, ensures a reduction in the discharge voltage and the energy released in the discharge gap during the discharge. The low released energy ensures weak heating of the gases in the discharge gap (for example, inside the discharge chamber in which this gap is located), which leads to an insignificant increase in the pressure of these gases and, as a consequence, to a small effect on the insulating body of the discharge element and the body of the surge arrester as a whole. This additionally increases the reliability of the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention.

[0081] The minimum size of the discharge gap is determined by the technological features and operational properties of the electrodes, since the discharge gap must be maintained even after numerous discharges, including the electrodes must not sinter. To ensure the reliability of the surge arrester in accordance with the present invention, the electrodes are preferably arranged to form discharge gaps, for example, not less than 0.01 mm or 0.02 mm or 0.03 mm or 0.05 mm or 0.07 mm or 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm.

[0082] The discharge quenching between the electrodes in such a surge arrester can occur when the industrial frequency current passes through zero. However, it is more preferable to quench the discharges immediately upon the end of the surge pulse. This can be ensured by using the near-electrode (cathode and anode) voltage drop, which is typical for electrical discharges. During an electrical discharge, electron emission occurs on one of the electrodes, which requires a certain amount of energy, which leads to a near-electrode voltage drop.

[0083] In the presence of a near-electrode voltage drop, the discharge cannot be self-sustaining if the potential difference between the electrodes is less than the near-electrode voltage drop. Thus, the emission of electrons from the electrode ceases, since the potential difference between the electrodes does not provide enough energy to detach an electron from the electrode. As a result, the arc discharge ceases, since there are no charge carriers in the discharge gap between the electrodes, and the arc is interrupted and cannot be resumed.

[0084] In the case where the near-electrode voltage drop is greater than the voltage appearing between adjacent electrodes when the operating (working) voltage is applied to the surge arrester, i.e. the voltage for operation at which the surge arrester is designed, the discharge arc will be extinguished automatically at the end of the surge impulse, and will not appear without overvoltage. For this, the near-electrode voltage drop must be greater than the operating voltage of the surge arrester (e.g., the effective voltage or maximum voltage), divided by the number of successive discharge gaps.

[0085] This means that the surge arrester preferably contains as many electrodes (not less) as are sufficient to form such a number of consecutive discharge gaps that is not less than the value of the operating voltage of the surge arrester (effective or maximum), divided by the near-electrode voltage drop. The maximum number of electrodes is determined based on considerations of manufacturability, weight and size characteristics and may be, for example, not more than the value of the operating voltage of the surge arrester (effective or maximum), divided by 10 or 50 or 100 or 500 or 1000 or 2000 or 3000 or 4000 or 5000 values ​​of the near-electrode voltage drop.

[0086] The near-electrode voltage drop has a different value for different materials. For some metals it can have a value of 10-20 V, for others it can be more or less, and it can also differ for non-metallic conductive materials. In this regard, the above-mentioned features can be formulated in an alternative way. In particular, the surge suppressor electrodes preferably form a plurality of successive discharge gaps, the total number of which is not less than the operating voltage of the surge suppressor divided by 500 V or by 300 V or by 200 V or by 100 V or by 50 V or by 30 V or by 20 V or by 15 V or by 10 V. In addition, the surge suppressor electrodes preferably form a plurality of successive discharge gaps, the total number of which is not more than the operating voltage of the surge suppressor divided by 30 V or by 20 V or by 15 V or by 10 V or by 5 V or by 1 V or by 0.5 V.

[0087] By using the effect of the near-electrode voltage drop, it is possible to ensure the rupture of the discharge arcs immediately upon the end of the overvoltage pulse and, thus, to minimize the effect of the discharge arcs on the surge arrester, in particular, its discharge modules and, more specifically, the dielectric material from which the insulating bodies are made. All this allows for an additional reduction in the requirements for the materials used to manufacture the insulating bodies of the discharge modules and the body of the surge arrester, since the pressure in the surge arrester, which appears during the passage of the overvoltage pulse, is reduced, which can additionally improve the manufacturing processability of the surge arrester.

[0088] The discharge module may contain no less than 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 electrodes depending on the design of the surge arrester, the operating voltage and the possible values ​​of overvoltages. At the same time, the discharge module preferably contains no more than 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 or 5000 electrodes depending on both the listed factors and the weight and size limitations.

[0089] The surge arrester as a whole may contain one discharge module or at least 2 or 3 or 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 discharge modules depending on the design of the surge arrester, the operating voltage and the possible values ​​of overvoltages. At the same time, the surge arrester preferably contains no more than 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 discharge modules depending on both the listed factors and the weight and size limitations.

[0090] Insulating spacers can be placed between the discharge modules. Such insulating spacers increase the electrical strength of the insulation between the electrodes of adjacent discharge modules, which allows avoiding breakdown between the discharge modules not in the place where the connecting electrodes of the discharge modules are located, but where the remaining electrodes (the so-called intermediate ones) are located, and thereby increasing the reliability of the surge arrester containing several discharge modules.

[0091] The gasket may be a disk or circle (or have another shape) made using silicone or another insulating material. Any insulating material will increase the reliability of the arrester; at the same time, in some embodiments, it may be preferable for the gasket to have a higher electrical strength than the material used to make the discharge modules. The gasket may be of the same diameter as the discharge module, or of a larger diameter, or of a smaller diameter - depending on the requirements for arranging the discharge modules. The thickness of the gasket may be 1 mm or thinner or thicker, up to several millimeters, depending on the gasket material and the requirements for mechanical and / or electrical strength. A small hole is preferably provided in the gasket at the place where the connecting electrode passes or a spark gap is assumed between the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules.

[0092] The surge arrester is manufactured in several stages. First, the discharge modules and the housing are manufactured, after which the surge arrester can be assembled. The discharge modules are manufactured mainly as follows. Electrodes are installed in the mold for manufacturing the discharge modules, and then the mold is filled with a dielectric material, such as a liquid or amorphous polymer. Then the configuration (shape) of the discharge module is fixed, which can be done by vulcanization or polymerization or hardening of the dielectric material or other methods. A casting mold or a press mold can be used as a mold for manufacturing the discharge module. The polymer is poured into the casting mold, and the polymer is pressed into the press mold. The insulating body can be manufactured in one or several stages, depending on the equipment, technology, shape and material of the insulating body, shape and mutual arrangement of the electrodes.

[0093] In the case where the discharge gaps are large enough, for example, 1 mm or more, the distance between the electrodes can be reliably set by holes or recesses in the mold, in which the electrodes are installed and / or secured. If the discharge gaps are small, then in order to provide the specified distances between the electrodes, which will determine the dimensions of the discharge gaps, the electrodes can be successively wound with wire, preferably having a high specific resistance, for example, nichrome wire. As a result, the distance between the electrodes will be set by the thickness of the wire. Subsequently, after the completion of the manufacture of the insulating body, an electric current of such a magnitude can be passed through the wire that the wire will melt and spread over the surface of the electrodes, while the required discharge gaps will be formed between the electrodes inside the insulating body.

[0094] The manufacture of the housing may be, for example, cutting a pipe of the required size and preparing the covers. In particular, threads may be made in the covers and at the ends of the pipe. The manufacture of the surge arrester from the prepared elements may occur as follows. The discharge modules are placed in the housing (for example, a pipe) with the provision of a connection between the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules in accordance with one of the above-described options or with the provision of discharge gaps between the connecting electrodes of adjacent discharge modules according to another option. The housing is closed with covers with the provision of the exit of the connecting electrodes of the outermost discharge modules to the outside of the housing or with the provision of a connection of the connecting electrodes of the outermost discharge modules to the outer electrodes of the housing or with the provision of the possibility of forming discharge gaps with the connecting electrodes of the outermost discharge modules in the housing and / or the covers of the housing.

[0095] In the latter variant, the connecting electrodes of the outermost discharge modules must be located in the housing, but at the same time it must be possible to form discharge gaps with them with any external electrodes (for example, with the outer electrodes of the housing or covers, if they are made in the form of electrodes) due to openings or recesses in the housing and / or covers of the housing or, if the covers are made in the form of electrodes, due to such an arrangement of the connecting electrodes of the outermost discharge modules and covers, in which there will be discharge gaps between them.

[0096] For example, an opening or recess in the housing can ensure the development of an electric discharge through it and the flow of a discharge arc from the external electrode to the connecting electrode located at the bottom of the opening or recess in the housing. An opening or recess in the cover can ensure the development of an electric discharge through it and the flow of a discharge arc from the external electrode to the connecting electrode located at the bottom of the opening or recess in the cover. In addition, an opening or recess made simultaneously in the housing and the cover (when the housing and the cover are located next to each other and the opening or recess is partially made in the housing and partially in the cover, or when the housing and the cover are superimposed on each other and the opening or recess is made both in the housing and in the cover) can ensure the development of an electric discharge through it and the flow of a discharge arc from the external electrode to the connecting electrode located at the bottom of the opening or recess in the housing and the cover.The surge arrester housing can then be coated with a protective coating.

[0097] In power transmission lines, the surge arrester according to the present invention can be used both by itself and as part of the above-mentioned protective elements - an insulator-arrestor and / or a screen for protection against corona discharge. Power transmission lines usually contain supports, single insulators and / or insulators assembled into columns or strings, and at least one wire under high electric voltage, connected directly or by means of fastening devices to the fittings of the single insulators and / or the first insulators of the columns or strings of insulators, wherein each single insulator or each column or string of insulators is fixed (fastened) to one of the supports by means of an element of its fittings adjacent to the said support.According to the invention, the power transmission line comprises at least one surge arrester according to any of the above-described variants and / or at least one screen-arrestor according to the above-described variant and / or at least one of the insulators is an insulator-arrestor according to the above-described variant.

[0098] The use of a surge arrester in accordance with the present invention, either by itself or as part of arrester insulators or screens, to protect a high-voltage power line or other types of electrical installations from lightning surges makes it possible to increase the reliability of the power line, increase the service life of electrical equipment, and reduce the costs of their operation.

[0099] The surge arrester operates as follows. In the normal operating mode of electrical equipment (in the example described - a power transmission line), the normal (operational) voltage of the power transmission line is applied between the place where the surge arrester is attached (mainly the support or part of the support of the power transmission line) and the protected object (for example, a wire), for example, corresponding to the voltage classes of power transmission lines of 6, 10, 15, 35 35, 110 kV or others. Such voltage does not lead to breakdown of discharge gaps and no current flows through the surge arrester - thus, in the normal mode, the surge arrester is an electrical break.

[0100] If there is an overvoltage on the protected object, for example, as a result of a lightning discharge hitting it or passing near it, this overvoltage is applied to the overvoltage arrester together with the discharge gap near the outer electrode of the overvoltage arrester (if provided). As a result, the discharge gaps between the protected object and the outer or connecting electrode at the free end of the overvoltage arrester, between the electrodes of the discharge modules and then between the electrode of the outer discharge module and the outer electrode of the overvoltage arrester, which is connected to the power transmission line support, are successively broken down. When the discharge reaches the outer electrode of the overvoltage arrester, fixed to the support, the pulse current of the discharge (for example, lightning) flows into the ground, since the support is grounded, and due to this, the electrical equipment (the protected object) is protected from this overvoltage.

[0101] The surge arrester is a spark gap according to the generally accepted classification. The above technical results are indicated mainly in comparison with surge arresters from the state of the art using varistors. In comparison with other arresters, for example multi-chamber ones, the present invention also has advantages, which also represent technical results. In particular, a reduction in the dimensions of the surge arrester is achieved in comparison with surge arresters of the corresponding voltage classes.The reduction in size is ensured by the simultaneous use of the modular design, which allows for the volumetric placement of electrodes, the exclusion of discharge arcs from exiting the surge arrester, which allows for a more dense placement of electrodes, ensuring the strength of the design with a housing, which allows for the use of less durable materials to ensure the required properties of the discharge modules, and the use of the effect of near-electrode voltage drop, which allows for the reduction of the requirements for the strength characteristics of the surge arrester and, thereby, an additional reduction in the size of the surge arrester. Reducing the size of the surge arrester while maintaining the voltage class can also be represented as increasing the voltage class while maintaining the size of the surge arrester.

[0102] All technical results specified in the description, including additional ones, are achieved with the help of the surge suppressor in accordance with the present invention simultaneously and inseparably from each other. The embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, as well as the additional embodiments described in detail, are intended to simplify the understanding of the essence of the invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the invention, determined by the subsequent claims. The sequence of the described actions and operations is not strictly specified and can change, unless otherwise indicated and this does not contradict physical feasibility. The described variants can be combined and combined in any combinations that ensure the implementation of the operating principle and the achievement of the declared technical results. As a result of the combination of individual variants, additional technical results can be achieved.

Claims

CLAUSE OF THE INVENTION 1. A surge arrester comprising a discharge module, wherein the discharge module comprises an insulating body, at least one common outlet from the insulating body, and a plurality of electrodes located in the insulating body with discharge gaps between them; wherein at least a portion of the discharge gaps are configured to direct discharge products into a common outlet from the insulating body.

2. A surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the insulating body includes several common outputs from different discharge gaps.

3. A surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the common outlet from the insulating body is a channel in the insulating body extending from the discharge gaps to the surface of the insulating body, or a gap in the insulating body extending from the discharge gaps or the outlets of the discharge gaps to the surface of the insulating body.

4. The surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains at least 2 or 3 or 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 discharge modules, wherein the surge arrester contains no more than 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 75 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 discharge modules.

5. A surge arrester according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the discharge modules are electrically connected in series by connecting the electrodes of the discharge modules using connecting electrodes and / or spark gaps and / or nonlinear resistances.

6. A surge arrester according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the discharge modules are located next to each other.

7. A surge arrester according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the discharge modules are flat and located parallel to each other.

8. A surge arrester according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the discharge modules are placed on a rod passing through the discharge modules.

9. A surge arrester according to paragraph 4, characterized in that insulating gaskets are located between the discharge modules.

10. A surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the discharge module includes a reinforcing element.

11. A surge suppressor according to paragraph 10, characterized in that the discharge module includes a gap between the reinforcing element and the electrodes.

12. A surge suppressor according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the discharge module is placed in a housing, and the mechanical strength of the housing is higher than the mechanical strength of the discharge module.

13. A surge arrester according to paragraph 12, characterized in that the discharge gaps are isolated from the external space by the housing.

14. A surge suppressor according to paragraph 12, characterized in that a gap is provided between the discharge module and the housing.

15. A surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the total number of consecutive discharge gaps between the electrodes of the surge arrester is not less than the value of the operating voltage of the surge arrester divided by the near-electrode voltage drop.

16. A surge suppressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge module contains at least 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 electrodes, and the discharge module contains no more than 20 or 30 or 50 or 100 or 150 or 200 or 300 or 500 or 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 or 5000 electrodes.

17. A surge arrester according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrodes are arranged with discharge gaps between them of no more than 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.5 mm, and the electrodes are arranged with discharge gaps between them of no less than 0.01 mm or 0.02 mm or 0.03 mm or 0.05 mm or 0.07 mm or 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm or 1 mm.

18. A surge arrester according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the insulating body of the discharge module is made using a polymer material.

19. A surge arrester according to paragraph 9, characterized in that the housing is made using a polymer material and / or metal and / or composite structure and / or reinforcing braid.

20. A surge arrester according to paragraph 9, characterized in that the housing includes a pipe, etc.

21. A surge suppressor according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains at least one or more varistors connected in series and / or parallel with the discharge modules.

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