Integrated Residual Current Circuit Breaker and Overvoltage Protection Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting electrical circuits against overvoltages and fault currents often require separate and complex installations of residual current circuit breakers and overvoltage protection devices, which can lead to inadequate protection and installation challenges.
Innovation Solution
The overvoltage protection device is arranged in front of the residual current circuit breaker in the energy flow direction, with pre-bent conductor elements connecting the phase and neutral conductors to both devices, simplifying installation and ensuring that overvoltages are diverted before reaching the circuit breaker, thus protecting it from overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate installations of residual current circuit breakers and overvoltage protection devices are used, then protection coverage is achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the residual current circuit breaker and overvoltage protection device into a single integrated unit with common housing, mounting rail connection, and shared electrical connections. This merging eliminates the need for separate installations while maintaining both protection functions, directly resolving the contradiction between protection coverage and installation complexity.
2Reliability
If separate installations of residual current circuit breakers and overvoltage protection devices are used, then protection coverage is achieved, but wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated unit shares common electrical connections for phase conductors L1, L2, L3 and neutral conductor N between the residual current circuit breaker and overvoltage protection device. This shared wiring structure eliminates redundant connections while ensuring both devices receive proper electrical connections, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining protection coverage.
3Ease of operation
If overvoltage protection device is arranged after residual current circuit breaker, then installation is simplified, but the circuit breaker becomes vulnerable to overvoltage damage
Solution Approach 1:
The overvoltage protection device is positioned upstream (in front of) the residual current circuit breaker in the energy flow direction, so that overvoltages are diverted to earth before reaching the circuit breaker. This preliminary protection action prevents overvoltage damage to the circuit breaker while maintaining simple integrated installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures reliable protection against both overvoltages and fault currents, simplifies the installation process, and eliminates the need for complex wiring, ensuring secure and efficient electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the overvoltage protection device has at least one overvoltage protection element with an arrester, in particular an overvoltage arrester
Implementation Method 2
An essential component of such a lightning arrester is a spark gap with at least two electrodes, with an arc being produced between the two electrodes when the spark gap is ignited
Implementation Method 3
The second level of protection (type 2) is usually a varistor-based surge arrester. This level of protection again limits the remaining residual voltage across the lightning arrester
Data Source
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AI summary
The component unit (1) has a residual circuit breaker (2), connections (5,6) for the phase conductors, and an over-voltage protection equipment (3) with over-voltage protection element (7) with an arrestor, particularly an over-voltage arrestor. The over-voltage protection equipment is arranged in energy flow direction in front of the residual circuit breaker. The electrical connection between the conductor, which are attached to the input connections of the residual circuit breaker, and the individual over-voltage protection elements takes place by pre-bended conductor elements.