DE102015013011A1 - Electrical terminal block with open creepage distance - Google Patents

Abstract

Terminal block (1) for electric energy meters consisting of an existing of an electrically insulating material housing (9) with side and end walls (11-13) and a housing bottom bounding the bottom wall (10), and a lid (2), the the housing (9) sealed off at the top, wherein in the housing (9) a number of partition walls (26) divided and electrically isolated from each other chambers (25) are arranged, in each of which, a certain electrical potential leading terminal (15 , 16) is arranged, wherein the partitions (26) at its foot-side connection side to the bottom wall (10) of the housing (9) in the region of slots (39, 40) are free.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical terminal block with open creepage distance according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such electrical terminal blocks are used for the current distribution in different current ranges, in particular in the middle current range in the range of, for example, 10 to 300 amperes.

On the input side of such a terminal block, for example, copper conductors, busbars or pins are connected, whereby the connection type via terminals.

Terminals are designed either as screw terminals or spring terminals and each have frontal insertion cross sections for the introduction of the copper conductor to be connected, the busbar or the contact pin which is received in the terminal space of the terminal and there by means of associated pressure or force elements contacting with that of a conductive metal existing terminal is connected.

In particular, such terminal blocks for connection to household and commercial energy meters and in industry are provided, and it is known to provide such a terminal block with a bridging means, which serves in the terminal block adjacent and lying at different voltage potential terminals conductive each other connect to.

Such terminal blocks are characterized in that in an insulating housing, a number of different potential leading terminals is arranged, wherein the terminals are electrically isolated from each other.

The terminal voltage is about 400 volts, and it should be avoided a flashover between the different potentials leading terminals in adjacent chambers of the terminal block.

It is known to arrange such terminals in a self-contained housing, wherein the housing is covered by a lid which is sealed on the upwardly open peripheral edge of the housing is placed and bolted or welded there. The insulating Abkammerung between the various chambers in the interior of the housing is made by housing side partitions, and the dielectric strength of the chambers separating the walls is achieved either by the choice of the thickness of the respective partition or by the distance of the different, different potential leading terminals.

It has been found that the insulation resistance of a known terminal block is insufficient, because the creepage distances are formed by self-contained cross-sections in the interior of the housing, and there are geometric limitations. The creepage distances which ensure a high rollover resistance are therefore achieved only by the choice of the thickness of the partition, which in some cases leads to undesirably thick partitions and overall large dimensions of such a terminal block. In particular, there are no creepage distances that are air-supported and ensure high dielectric strength.

At the foot-side connection of the partitions to the bottom wall in the interior of the housing there is a risk that settle there electrically conductive chips that arise through the connection of cables in the terminal and fall down towards the foot of the partitions and are deposited there ,

Thus, each form on the bottom terminal sides of the partitions on the inside of the bottom wall of the housing conductive deposits, which favor the breakdown by the partition.

The invention is therefore the object of developing a terminal block of the type mentioned so that the flashover between the individual adjacent terminals, each separated by a housing-side partition in electrically isolated from each other chambers, is improved.

To solve the problem, the invention is characterized by the technical teaching of claim 1.

Feature of the invention is that the housing-side partitions are exempted at their foot-side connection side to the bottom wall of the housing, and there in the, the bottom wall of the housing penetrating bottom slots engage with lateral clearance and at least partially without touching the bottom wall.

The bottom side of the housing-side partitions is free in the region of the respective foot side of the partition and engages approximately centrally with lateral play in the bottom-side bottom slots of the housing, which means that there is no bottom connection of the partitions to the housing side bottom wall more. This Connection area now omitted and the bottom side of the housing-side partitions engages in each case extending in the transverse direction of the bottom wall bottom slot, so that a substantial extension of the creepage distance is given because the creepage distance is now no longer formed solely by the plastic material of the housing, but also by the interposition of an open bottom slot is extended air-supported.

Compared to the prior art, the creepage distance is no longer formed solely by the fact that the housing-side partition connects directly to the bottom wall of the housing, but on the bottom side of the housing-side partition are provided left and right slit-like exemptions in the bottom wall, which are formed by air gaps, so that the creepage distance formed thereby is extended by five to ten times compared to the prior art.

This decisively improves the dielectric strength of a housing with various potential terminals.

Advantage of the measure according to the invention is on the one hand to improve the dielectric strength and on the other hand can - be reduced with uniform dielectric strength, as in the prior art - the dimension of the housing-side partition so that a total of a more compact and smaller housing housing are created with the same dielectric strength as in the prior art can.

The invention is not limited to the fact that the housing-side partitions in the region of their lateral connections to the side walls of the housing are materially integral with the material of the plastic housing. They can also be inserted as separable insertable partitions in the housing, with suitable slots are provided on the side walls of the housing for this purpose. However, their bottom-side faces are nevertheless exempted by an approximately central engagement in the bottom slots in the bottom wall.

In another embodiment - which is preferred - it is provided, however, that the partitions are material integral formed of the plastic of the housing, and are each connected laterally on their vertical side walls material einstückig with the side walls of the housing.

As a material for such a plastic housing, a high-impact and heat-resistant plastic is preferable, such as a PA6 or the like.

According to the above description, the air-supported and thus substantially prolonged creepage distance is formed in each case by exemptions (this is the bottom wall of the housing passing through bottom slots), which are arranged on the left and right of the respective housing-side partition.

The creepage distance, moreover, undergoes a further extension in that it is guided over the frontal bottom side of the partition wall, which means that now transverse slots are arranged in the bottom wall of the housing, in each of which the bottom sides of the partition walls with distance and lateral play intervention.

Incidentally, it is preferred if the creepage distance is formed in each case by lateral edge elevations in the region of the bottom wall of the housing, in particular in the region of the slot boundary, because such edge elevations result in a further extension of the creepage distance and thus an improvement in the dielectric strength is achieved.

The slot width, in which engage the respective bottom sides of the partition walls, can be designed differently. The slot width may extend across the entire bottom wall of the housing of the terminal block in a uniform width across.

In another embodiment, it may be provided that the length of the slots is shorter than the transverse extent of the bottom wall; and in a third embodiment, it may be provided so that the slot length is shortened.

• 1. Die Schlitzlänge erstreckt sich über die gesamte Breite der gehäuseseitigen Trennwand.
• 2. Die Schlitzlänge ist im Bereich ihrer Längserstreckung unterbrochen.
• 3. Die Länge des Schlitzes in der Bodenwand ist im Vergleich zur Länge der Trennwand kürzer.
• 4. Die Schlitzbreite muss sich nicht entlang ihrer Längserstreckung gleichmäßig fortsetzen; sie kann auch modelliert sein und – in Längsrichtung gesehen – unterschiedliche Breiten aufweisen.

Consequently, the following possibilities are claimed:

• 1. The slot length extends over the entire width of the housing-side partition.
• 2. The slot length is interrupted in the region of its longitudinal extent.
• 3. The length of the slot in the bottom wall is shorter compared to the length of the partition wall.
• 4. The slot width does not have to continue evenly along its longitudinal extent; it can also be modeled and - seen in the longitudinal direction - have different widths.

Another advantage of the release of the housing-side partitions in the bottom wall of the housing has been found that now harmful deposits on the bottom-side connections of the partitions to the bottom walls of the housing - as in the prior art known - are avoided. Any deposits in the chambers caused by chip removal operation of the clamps or there clamped conductors could be discharged through the bottom-side slots in the case back to the outside.

Likewise, dust particles or other deposits are reliably dissipated to the outside from the individual chambers partitioned by the partition walls, and can not form dangerous shorting bridges on the bottom side of the partition walls toward the bottom wall of the housing, because precisely these locations are exempted according to the invention.

Another advantage of the exemption of the housing-side partitions in the direction of the bottom side of the housing has been found that now a ventilation along the partitions from the bottom side ascending up to the lid of the housing and through this cover of the housing is possible therethrough.

Thus, a forced ventilation of the chambers of the terminal block is made possible, that is, the interior of the terminal block is subjected to a thermally induced forced ventilation, and the terminals arranged therein are additionally cooled.

By this cooling effect, the dielectric strength is further improved because the thermally cooled plastic has a better dielectric strength than comparatively non-cooled plastic of the housing and partitions.

Likewise, the advantage achieved by the specified thermal forced cooling is that an additional scavenging air effect takes place in the region of the partition walls, because the thermally caused upwardly flowing air flushes the side surfaces of the respective partition wall, and particles adhering to it, which could impair the dielectric strength, become dissipated.

In addition to the thermally induced cooling, it is also provided in another embodiment of the invention that such a terminal block is arranged in a forced ventilation control cabinet, which is ventilated with a separate fan. Such forced ventilation also leads to an introduction of air on the bottom side of the terminal block via the transverse slots according to the invention in the bottom side, and flushes the partitions arranged there in the housing.

Incidentally, the stability of the housing is also improved because, because of the cooling of the plastic parts, the housing has improved stability, and thus also the positioning elements, which hold and clamp the terminals in position, have a longer service life.

The higher the temperature, the faster progresses the aging process of the plastic, and according to the invention is carried out by the cooling of the plastic housing, a substantial extension of the life of the plastic. The higher the temperature, the higher the power loss.

The housing is more dimensionally stable due to the cooling, because it can not warp due to temperature.

The terminals used are preferably made of a conductive metal material, in particular an aluminum alloy or copper or brass.

The subject of the present invention results not only from the subject matter of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims with each other.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the abstract, in particular the spatial design shown in the drawings, are claimed to be essential to the invention insofar as they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

As far as individual items are referred to as "essential to the invention" or "important", this does not mean that these items necessarily have to form the subject of an independent claim. This is determined solely by the current version of the independent claim.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Here are from the drawings and their description further features essential to the invention and advantages of the invention.

Show it:

1 : Longitudinal section through the terminal block along the line II in 2

2 : the top view of the housing in the direction of arrow II in 1

3 : the side view on the housing in the direction of the arrow III in 2

4 : the side view of the housing in the direction of the arrow IV in 3 and in 2

5 : the top view on the bottom side of the housing in the direction of the arrow V in 1 in a first embodiment

6 : the same representation as 5 in a second embodiment

7 : a detailed view in section according to the view VII in 1 in a first embodiment

8th : one opposite 7 modified detailed representation 1

9 : a detail section along the line IX-IX in 2

The terminal block according to the invention 1 consists essentially of a self-contained housing 9 which essentially consists of a bottom wall 10 and material integral subsequent vertical side walls 11 exists, the left and right respectively in end walls 12 pass. The front end wall 12 is on the front introduction page 7 is arranged, with a rear wall opposite 13 is arranged, at the rear insertion side 8th is arranged.

The terminal block 1 is formed in the embodiment shown as an energy meter terminal block, but what the invention is not limited. Such an energy meter terminal block serves on its one introductory page 7 to receive the electrical conductors of a power supply by clamping and on the other introduction side 8th to receive the meter connection pins by clamping, which are connected directly to the energy meter.

The housing 9 is from the top by a plastic lid 2 sealed covered, with a peripheral edge 6 in an upwardly open edge 14 engages so as to make a sealed connection between the lid 2 and the walls of the housing 9 to build.

According to 2 are in the lid 2 a series of insertion slots 5 arranged parallel to each other and at a mutual distance, which serve for the introduction of blade contacts of a bridging device, not shown.

Further, a number of clamping screws 3 present, with the release of vents, therefore, as larger-sized holes 4 are formed, an access to the interior of the housing 9 arranged clamps 15 . 16 allow, to the top in the terminals arranged drive openings 21 ,

The drive openings 21 For example, they may be formed as Allen holes or Torx openings or slot openings, and they are operated with a tool passing through the holes 4 passes through, so the clamping part 20 the respective terminal 15 . 16 to press.

On the one connection side 7 become the connection openings arranged there 18 through a protective collar 17 covered. It is therefore only the lower part of the respective terminal 15 recognizable.

The respective operable clamping part 20 has an exemption on the bottom side 22 on, which is intended for clamping a wire conductor, in the terminal space 23 the clamp 15 . 16 pushed in and there with the help of the clamping part 20 is determined by clamping.

The clamps 15 . 16 are designed either as a single terminal or as a double terminal. With the reference number 15 the single terminals are called while in 1 on the right side also double clamps 16 are present, electrically connect two single terminals together.

The recess 19 is the thread for the clamping part 20 ,

It is still added that the electrical conductors over the insertion cross section 29 in the terminal compartment of the terminals 15 . 16 be introduced.

It is important that the housing 9 from a number of mutually parallel and separate chambers 25 that exists through partitions 26 are electrically isolated from each other.

The upper end of the partitions 26 is through each a labyrinth guide 28 at the bottom of the lid 2 recorded, so that a local creepage distance is avoided.

The partitions 26 are preferably made of the same electrically insulating plastic material as the material of the housing 9 and are over vertical connections 27 material integral with the respective side walls of the housing 9 connected.

The 6 shows by way of example that in each case the connections 27 Material integral with the front wall 12 and the back wall 13 are connected.

The bottom side 30 the respective terminal 15 . 16 is over punctual overlays on the bottom side of the bottom wall 10 placed.

After these requirements 47 are only occasionally available, arise between these requirements 47 each in the transverse direction free spaces 48 so that also the bottom sides 30 the terminals 15 . 16 are ventilated.

For positioning the respective clamp 15 . 16 in the assigned chamber 25 in the terminal block 1 be on the bottom wall 10 elevated, comb-like position webs 32 arranged in associated, extending in the same direction longitudinal grooves 31 at the bottom side 30 the respective terminal 15 . 16 intervention.

The width of the bottom-side position webs 32 is narrower than the width of the bottom side 30 the terminals 15 . 16 arranged longitudinal grooves 31 so they intervene with play there.

The game is chosen in that way 7 the left side wall 34a the clamp 15 to the left side wall 33 of the position bar 32 applies and an exemption 35 results.

In the event that a bridging tool is inserted with its blade contacts in the insertion slots, it comes through the inserted blade contact of greater thickness to a resilient bias of the terminals 15 . 16 against the insertion of a knife contact, so that so a resilient contact pressure from the side wall 38 the respective terminals 15 . 16 on the side wall of the insertion slots 5 inserted knife contact is generated.

The 7 shows as an example that the partition 26 with constant width to the bottom side 43 extends, and that the bottom side 43 the respective partition in a transverse slot 39 engages in accordance with 6 about the length of the partition on the bottom side has.

The invention is not limited thereto.

On the left in 6 is shown that the length of the slot 39 ' can also be shorter than the length of the partition 26 so that the dividing wall 26 only in a shorter area in the area of the slot 39 ' is released.

Furthermore, the shows 5 in that it is not necessary to solve the problem if the slot width of a slot 39 evenly over the entire bottom transverse extension of the partition 26 runs.

The 5 shows that the dividing wall 26 on the bottom side 43 nor the thickness of the partition 26 enlarging thickening 36 can have, and that the thickening 36 but are chosen so that they also still with air left and right in the slot 39 hineingreifen.

This is in 9 shown where the thickenings 36 fill the slot width only in each case selectively to a correct position fixation of the partitions in the region of the slot 39 to allow with less play.

Of course, it is also possible in another embodiment that for the location fixation or positioning of the partitions, the partitions with a uniform thickness - in accordance with 7 - Can be formed, and in each case in the region of a slot, the thickening 36 formed so as also a positioning in the transverse slot 39 to enable.

It is not shown in the drawing that the longitudinal extent of the slot 39 not necessarily be designed as a straight line. It may also be wavy or it may also have a nonuniform thickness, such as zigzag or the like.

Likewise, this applies analogously to the bottom side 43 the partition 26 which may also have positioning-retaining projections, grooves or spacers for positioning purposes.

Important in the present invention is that according to the invention according to 7 an extended creepage distance 50 is formed by that on the side wall of the respective terminal 15 the side wall preferably as a sloping wall 42 is formed, which is formed on a likewise formed with another slope edge increase 41 the bottom wall 10 of the housing connects.

The Randerhöhung 41 Preferably over the entire width of the bottom wall 10 of the case, so that the clamp 15 with its sloping wall 42 over its entire transverse extent at the edge elevation 41 invests.

The invention is not based on the formation of a sloping wall 42 in the area of the bottom side 30 the clamp 15 . 16 limited. Instead of the sloping wall 42 can also be provided a vertically extending wall.

The 7 shows the resulting long creepage distance, the first of the Randerhöhung 41 out through the transverse slot 39 passes through, with a relatively long length on the bottom side 43 the partition 26 extends, and also over the adjoining adjacent slot 39 towards the opposite terminal 15 extended. The two left and right of the partition 26 arranged slots 39 unite in one the bottom side 43 the partition 26 bridging floor slot 40 ,

This is not only a material-separated creepage path, which is formed solely by plastic material, provided, but a combination of a plastic formed by creepage paths and formed by air gaps 50 ,

The 8th shows, moreover, that the foot-side dimension of the partition 26 does not necessarily have to be straight - like it 7 shows - but the partition foot 44 can also be tapered, so even more creepage distance with slots 39 To allow increased slot width.

This extends the creepage distance even further.

As an additional advantage of an air-supported creepage distance 50 is in the 8th and 9 entered that now also due to the thermal heating of the terminals 15 . 16 an airflow 45 through the bottom slots 39 flows through, and on the side walls of the partition 26 flows up, where the air flow in the direction of arrow 46 the lid-side openings 4 . 5 leaves.

This is in 2 schematized as the tips of an arrow.

The slots 39 , which are extensions on the bottom side 43 . 44 the partitions 26 arise, forming towards the bottom side of the bottom wall 10 continuous floor slits 40 , which means that the front of the partition does not extend all the way to the outer edge of the bottom wall 10 extends, but lags behind. This results in the bottom slots 40 which are the adjacent slots 39 connect with each other.

It is still stated that the slots 39 increased width in longitudinal slots 37 reduced width along the partitions 26 Reduce.

This is achieved by a gap narrowing of the slots 39 achieved because of the width of the terminals 15 . 16 is dimensioned accordingly.

Advantage of the measures according to the invention is therefore an improvement in the dielectric strength in conjunction with a forced ventilation of the partitions 26 a housing 9 a terminal block 1 , whereby on the one hand the temperature in the interior of the housing 9 is reduced, and the forced ventilation leads to a further improvement in dielectric strength.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

terminal block

2

cover

3

clamping screw

4

Bore (for 2 )

5

insertion

6

Edge (from 2 )

7

Introduction page (front)

8th

Introduction page (back)

9

casing

10

bottom wall

11

Side wall

12

bulkhead

13

rear wall

14

Edge (from 9 )

15

Clamp (simple)

16

Clamp (double)

17

protective collar

18

port opening

19

recess

20

clamping part

21

drive opening

22

exemption

23

terminal space

24

pages

25

chamber

26

partition wall

27

connection

28

labyrinth guide

29

Introduction section

30

Bottom side (from 15 )

31

longitudinal groove

32

position bar

33

Sidewall (from 32 )

34

Sidewall (from 31 ) a, b

35

exemption

36

Thickening (from 26 )

37

longitudinal slot

38

Sidewall (from 15 )

39

Slot (from 37 ) 39 '

40

bottom slot

41

marginal increase

42

scaling wall

43

Bottom side (from 26 )

44

Partition foot (from 26 )

45

airflow

46

arrow

47

pads

48

free space

49

50

creepage

Claims (10)

Terminal block ( 1 ) for electrical energy meters consisting of an existing of an electrically insulating material housing ( 9 ) with side and end walls ( 11 - 13 ) and a bottom wall bounding the housing ( 10 ), such as a lid ( 2 ), the housing ( 9 ) sealed upwards, wherein in the housing ( 9 ) a number of partitions ( 26 ) divided and electrically isolated from each other chambers ( 25 ), in each of which a, a certain electrical potential leading terminal ( 15 . 16 ), characterized in that the partitions ( 26 ) at its foot-side connection side to the bottom wall ( 10 ) of the housing ( 9 ) in the area of slots ( 39 . 40 ) are released. Terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the partitions ( 26 ) on its foot-side bottom side ( 43 ) in the, the bottom wall ( 10 ) of the housing ( 9 ) ground slits ( 40 ) at least partially with lateral play (slots 39 ) intervene. Terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the partitions ( 26 ) with the side walls ( 11 ) of the housing ( 9 ) are materially connected in one piece. Terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the partitions ( 26 ) on the side walls ( 11 ) of the housing ( 9 ) detachably connect by means of insertion guides. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the bottom wall ( 10 ) inwardly directed, comb-like edge elevations ( 41 ) are formed, which the lateral boundary of the bottom-side slots ( 39 . 40 ) form. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bottom-side slots ( 39 . 40 ) over the entire bottom-side length of the partition ( 26 ). Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bottom-side slots ( 39 . 40 ) only over a part of the bottom-side length of the partition wall ( 26 ). Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the surface of the partition ( 26 ) aligned in the vertical direction, spaced apart thickenings ( 36 ) are arranged, either with lateral clearance or spacing and touching in the bottom slot ( 39 ) intervene. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom-side slots ( 39 . 40 ) forced ventilation of the partition ( 26 ) and a rinsing effect on the partition wall ( 26 ) produce. Terminal block according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom-side slots ( 39 . 40 ) a cooling of the housing ( 9 ) and the terminals ( 15 . 16 ) produce.

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