Snap-on Surge Protector with Integrated Fuse and Voltage Tap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of smart meter gateways (SMG) in energy supply systems faces challenges due to space constraints and complexity in the pre-meter area, where existing solutions like miniature circuit breakers and fuses require separate installation and wiring, making it difficult to manage the increasing number of devices in a compact environment.
Innovation Solution
An overvoltage protection device with integrated voltage tap and surge arresters for snap-on installation on a busbar arrangement, which provides both overvoltage protection and power supply to SMG, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying installation by using spring contacts and a replaceable fuse for overcurrent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components (miniature circuit breakers, fuses, voltage taps) are installed for power supply and protection, then overvoltage protection and power supply are provided, but space consumption and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate protection and power supply components into a single integrated device. The overvoltage protection device incorporates surge arresters for overvoltage protection, spring contacts for electrical connection, and an integrated voltage tap with overcurrent protection (fuse) all within one housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate miniature circuit breakers, fuses, and voltage taps, significantly reducing installation space while maintaining comprehensive protection and power supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The overvoltage protection device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides overvoltage protection through surge arresters, overcurrent protection through an integrated fuse, electrical connection through spring contacts, and power supply through the voltage tap. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized components, addressing both space constraints and the need for comprehensive protection.
2Reliability
If separate components are installed for power supply and protection, then protection functions are provided, but device complexity and wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges surge arresters, spring contacts, fuse, and voltage tap into a single integrated housing. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components from multiple discrete devices to one unified unit, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining all necessary protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single overvoltage protection device performs multiple protection and power supply functions that previously required separate components. The integrated design includes overvoltage protection (surge arresters), overcurrent protection (fuse), connection function (spring contacts), and power supply (voltage tap), eliminating the need for separate miniature circuit breakers, fuses, and voltage taps.
3Reliability
If multiple devices are installed in the pre-meter area, then comprehensive protection and power supply are achieved, but installation difficulty increases due to tight space conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all necessary protection and power supply components into one device, the patent reduces the number of installation steps. The electrician only needs to install and wire one unit instead of multiple separate components, significantly simplifying the installation process despite the comprehensive protection functions provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design allows a single device to provide overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, electrical connection, and power supply. This eliminates the need for the electrician to handle and install multiple separate devices in the tight pre-meter space, making the installation process more manageable while maintaining full protection coverage.
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 solution offers a space-saving and easy-to-install power supply with integrated overvoltage protection for SMG, reducing the complexity of installation and component count in the pre-meter area, while meeting DIN VDE 011-534 and VDE-AR-N 4100 standards.
Implementation Method 1
spring contacts, which can be electrically connected to the busbar arrangement by means of elements of the coupling area
Implementation Method 2
overvoltage protection device based on spark gaps
Implementation Method 3
The overcurrent protection is designed as a replaceable fuse that is integrated in the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spark gap-based surge protection device for tool-free, snap-on installation on a busbar assembly, comprising a housing with a coupling area for mechanical and electrical contact with the busbar assembly, surge arresters for the protection of low-voltage supply systems in accordance with the minimum requirements of DIN VDE 0100-534, which can be electrically connected to the busbar assembly by means of elements of the coupling area designed as spring contacts, and with at least one overcurrent-protected voltage tap for supplying power to external devices, in particular an external measuring or control unit, wherein the voltage tap is connected within the housing to the spring contacts or the surge arresters, the overcurrent protection being integrated into the housing.The housing is designed with an externally accessible, replaceable fuse and has a one-sided recess or indentation for a feed-in adapter that can be plugged directly adjacent to the busbar assembly.