CA2191409A1 - Gas-filled surge voltage protector - Google Patents
Gas-filled surge voltage protectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA2191409A1 CA2191409A1 CA 2191409 CA2191409A CA2191409A1 CA 2191409 A1 CA2191409 A1 CA 2191409A1 CA 2191409 CA2191409 CA 2191409 CA 2191409 A CA2191409 A CA 2191409A CA 2191409 A1 CA2191409 A1 CA 2191409A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrode
- contact surface
- cylindrical contact
- electrode terminal
- surge protector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T1/00—Details of spark gaps
- H01T1/14—Means structurally associated with spark gap for protecting it against overload or for disconnecting it in case of failure
Abstract
A gas-filled surge voltage protector with electrode terminals having a high current-carrying capacity. The electrode terminals are designed at one end as an open, elastically expandable ring surrounding a cylindrical contact surface of the electrode. In the case of a three-electrode surge protector, a third, similarly formed electrode terminal is included having an open ring surrounding the contact surface of the center electrode.
Description
__ ~ 21gl4~9 [67190/954192]
GAS-FILLED SURGE VOLTAGE PROTECTOR
Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to the f ield of surge voltage protectors for communications networks, and more specifically to the current-carrying elements of the electrodes of a gas-filled surge voltage protector.
Backqround Information Gas-filled surge protectors having one, two or three discharge paths are used in communications networks and in related equipment to protect against voltage surges that can occur, for example, as a result of a lightning strike. Such surge protectors consist of two end electrodes and an optional third electrode in the form of a center electrode and one or two cylindrical hollow ceramic insulators. The ceramic insulator in a two-elestrode surge protector is usually soldered to the end electrodes at the end (seer e.g., U.S.
Patent 4,266,260) . In three-electrode s~urge protectors, the ceramic insulators are soldered to both the center electrode and one of the end electrodes either on the cirsumference or at the end (see U S. Patent 3,885,203 or U.S. Patent 4,212,047).
The electrodes are contacted on their outer circumference either inside a casing with the help of spring - loaded insulation-piercing connecting devices or with electrode terminals soldered or welded at one end tangentially or radially to one electrode and provided with a pluggable contact element or designed for soldering at the other end (see U.S.
Patent 4,212,04~ or U.S. Patent 4,984,125).
In known three-electrode surge protectors whose electrodes are made of copper, a contact ring is soldered or welded, etc. to the flanged base part of each end electrode.
Express Mail No. EM 271945401 IJS
~ 4~9 Either the contact ring i8 already part of the electrode terminal (as described in U.S Patent 5, 388, 023) or an electrode terminal can then be welded to its outer circumference (as described in German pl~hl; ':h~l Patent Application No. 43 30 178, which corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 290,274, filed on August 15, 1994).
This contact ring may have a cylindrical lateral surface Instead of a contact ring, a contact disk may also be used Fur~hf~ , if the electrode is made of a material other than copper, such as Vacon, an iron-nickel alloy, the flanged base part of the electrode may itself have a cylindrical contact surface, preferably with a width of at least approximately 1 mm.
~llmmary Of The Tnvention The present invention provides a gas - f illed surge protector having two cup- shaped electrodes whose edges are each soldered to an end of a cylindrical hollow ceramic insulator, where the edge of each electrode is designed as a cylindrical contact surface to which an electrode t,-rm;n~l is attached The gas - f illed ~surge protector of the present invention has current- carrying elements which allow it to safely and repeatedly withstand even extrene loads, such as those that may occur due to lightning with a current surge of approximately 20 kA.
Such an obj ect is achieved in accordance with the present invention by f orming the end of the electrode terminal contacting the cylindrical contact surface as an open ring that surrounds the cylindrical contact surface in a form-fitting 3 0 manner and which has an inside diameter that matches the diameter of the cylindrical contact surface. The electrode terminal is made of a cold-hammered material such as steel, an iron alloy, bronze or brass The open ring of the electrode terminal surrounds the cylindrical contact surface for an angle of at least 270O at the circumference= and has a rectangular cross section whose width is equal to or approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical contact surface and whose height ~ 91~09 is at least equal to its width.
Such a design o~ the electrode ~rmi n~ assures a large-area currellt transfer from the electrode t~rm;n~l to the respective electrode of the surge protector. To compensate for irregularities i~ the area of the contact surfaces, it is advisable to electroplate the cylindrical contact surfaces of the electrodes and/or the inside lateral surface of the open ring of the respective electrode terminal with a layer of tin approximately 5 to 15 ,um thick. A tin-lead alloy is suitable for this purpose.
The end of the electrode termir~al which is designed as an open ring according to the present invention cannot be placed radially on the electrode because of the large angle of more than 270~ at the circumference, because of the cross-sectional shape of the ring and because it is made of a cold-hammered material. Instead, the open ring must be forced axially onto the electrode with a slight widening effect. This axial push-mounting can be facilitated by providing a bevel on the inside peripheral edges of the open ring.
In three-electrode surge protectors with two ceramic insulators and a ring- shaped center electrode, the center electrode can be contacted in the same way as the contact rings of the two end electrodes. Thus, the open ring of the electrode ~Prm;n~l is pushed directly onto the center electrode which is designed with a contactable outside surface.
If necessary, the form- fitting connection between the electrode t,-rm; n; 1 q and the electrodes can 'oe staoilized mechanically by applying a spot of soft solder to the edge of the contact surf aces .
Brief Descriotion Of The Drawinqs Figure 1 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a three- electrode surge protector with electrode terminals in accordance with the present invention.
Figures 2 and 3 show an electrode terminal of the surge protector of Fig. 1.
Figure 4 shows a cross section of an electrode _ ~ 2191~9 terminal arranged on a contact ring of an end e~ ectrode made of copper .
Figure 5 shows a cross section of an electrode term' nal arranged on the contact disk of an end electrode made of copper.
Figure 6 shows a cross section of the arrangement of an electrode terminal on the contact surface of an end electrode made of an iron-nickel alloy.
Det~;led~esrr~tion ~ , Figure 1 shows - a three- elec~=rode surge protector with additional fail - saf e and vent - saf e dev-~ces . Two ceramic insulators 4 and 5 are each connected to a center electrode and e~uipped with end electrodes 2 and 3 at their respective outer ends. According to Figure 4, a contact ring 6 or 7 is soldered onto the end of each end electrode made o~ copper. Each contact ring 6 and 7 has an approximately rectangular cross section and an outer lateral surface which forms a cylindrical contact surface. An example o~ such a contact ring is shown in German Published Patent Application ~o. 43 30 178. An electrode tPr~n;n~l 61 or 71 is applied to the contact surface (not shown in Figure 1) of each of the contact rings 6 or 7, respectively. The center electrode is provided with an electrode terminal 81 A spring clip 11 is attached to the center elec~rode and includes arms 12 and 13 which support short-circuit caps 14 and 15, respectively, arra~ged axially with end elPctrodes 2 and 3. The caps 14 and 15 press auxiliary surge protectors 17 and 18 and a fusible pellet against the two end electrodes 2 and 3. The ~ ry surge protectors 17 and 18 may be spark gaps in air or Yaristors.
According to Figures 2 and 3, electrode terminals 61, 71 and 81 are each designed as an ope-n ring ~ at the ends contacting the electrodes, so they clamp around the cylindrical contact surface. To assure a sufficient contact force, the inside diameter of open ring 9 and the outside diameter of the cylindrical contact surfaces are designed for a tight fit. To improve contact, a layer of tin 10 approximately 5 to 15 ~m sl4ns thick is applied to the cylindrical contact sur~aces of contact rings 6 and 7. In addition, the inside peripheral edges of the open ring are provided with a chamfer 19.
The cross section of open ring 9 is subst~nti~l ly rectangular, where the width b is equal to the width of contact ring 6, 7 and the height h is slightly greater than the width b. For example, the height h may be 1.5 mm.
The open ring 9 is made of brass, i . e ., a copper- ~inc alloy. Open ring 9 surrounds the contact ring or the center electrode over an angle a of at least 270~ at the circumference, preferably 30~) to 330~. Open ring 9 also has a transition to a connecting piece 63, 73 or 83 that is provided with a convf~nt;nn~l contact terminal at its other end (not shown). It is ad~isable to design open ring 9 and the connecting piece as punched parts In another embodiment, shown in Figure 5, open ring 9 of the electrode tF~ n~ iS placed on the cylindrical contact surface of a contact disk 62, which replaces contact ring 6 of Figure 4. : ~
GAS-FILLED SURGE VOLTAGE PROTECTOR
Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to the f ield of surge voltage protectors for communications networks, and more specifically to the current-carrying elements of the electrodes of a gas-filled surge voltage protector.
Backqround Information Gas-filled surge protectors having one, two or three discharge paths are used in communications networks and in related equipment to protect against voltage surges that can occur, for example, as a result of a lightning strike. Such surge protectors consist of two end electrodes and an optional third electrode in the form of a center electrode and one or two cylindrical hollow ceramic insulators. The ceramic insulator in a two-elestrode surge protector is usually soldered to the end electrodes at the end (seer e.g., U.S.
Patent 4,266,260) . In three-electrode s~urge protectors, the ceramic insulators are soldered to both the center electrode and one of the end electrodes either on the cirsumference or at the end (see U S. Patent 3,885,203 or U.S. Patent 4,212,047).
The electrodes are contacted on their outer circumference either inside a casing with the help of spring - loaded insulation-piercing connecting devices or with electrode terminals soldered or welded at one end tangentially or radially to one electrode and provided with a pluggable contact element or designed for soldering at the other end (see U.S.
Patent 4,212,04~ or U.S. Patent 4,984,125).
In known three-electrode surge protectors whose electrodes are made of copper, a contact ring is soldered or welded, etc. to the flanged base part of each end electrode.
Express Mail No. EM 271945401 IJS
~ 4~9 Either the contact ring i8 already part of the electrode terminal (as described in U.S Patent 5, 388, 023) or an electrode terminal can then be welded to its outer circumference (as described in German pl~hl; ':h~l Patent Application No. 43 30 178, which corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 290,274, filed on August 15, 1994).
This contact ring may have a cylindrical lateral surface Instead of a contact ring, a contact disk may also be used Fur~hf~ , if the electrode is made of a material other than copper, such as Vacon, an iron-nickel alloy, the flanged base part of the electrode may itself have a cylindrical contact surface, preferably with a width of at least approximately 1 mm.
~llmmary Of The Tnvention The present invention provides a gas - f illed surge protector having two cup- shaped electrodes whose edges are each soldered to an end of a cylindrical hollow ceramic insulator, where the edge of each electrode is designed as a cylindrical contact surface to which an electrode t,-rm;n~l is attached The gas - f illed ~surge protector of the present invention has current- carrying elements which allow it to safely and repeatedly withstand even extrene loads, such as those that may occur due to lightning with a current surge of approximately 20 kA.
Such an obj ect is achieved in accordance with the present invention by f orming the end of the electrode terminal contacting the cylindrical contact surface as an open ring that surrounds the cylindrical contact surface in a form-fitting 3 0 manner and which has an inside diameter that matches the diameter of the cylindrical contact surface. The electrode terminal is made of a cold-hammered material such as steel, an iron alloy, bronze or brass The open ring of the electrode terminal surrounds the cylindrical contact surface for an angle of at least 270O at the circumference= and has a rectangular cross section whose width is equal to or approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical contact surface and whose height ~ 91~09 is at least equal to its width.
Such a design o~ the electrode ~rmi n~ assures a large-area currellt transfer from the electrode t~rm;n~l to the respective electrode of the surge protector. To compensate for irregularities i~ the area of the contact surfaces, it is advisable to electroplate the cylindrical contact surfaces of the electrodes and/or the inside lateral surface of the open ring of the respective electrode terminal with a layer of tin approximately 5 to 15 ,um thick. A tin-lead alloy is suitable for this purpose.
The end of the electrode termir~al which is designed as an open ring according to the present invention cannot be placed radially on the electrode because of the large angle of more than 270~ at the circumference, because of the cross-sectional shape of the ring and because it is made of a cold-hammered material. Instead, the open ring must be forced axially onto the electrode with a slight widening effect. This axial push-mounting can be facilitated by providing a bevel on the inside peripheral edges of the open ring.
In three-electrode surge protectors with two ceramic insulators and a ring- shaped center electrode, the center electrode can be contacted in the same way as the contact rings of the two end electrodes. Thus, the open ring of the electrode ~Prm;n~l is pushed directly onto the center electrode which is designed with a contactable outside surface.
If necessary, the form- fitting connection between the electrode t,-rm; n; 1 q and the electrodes can 'oe staoilized mechanically by applying a spot of soft solder to the edge of the contact surf aces .
Brief Descriotion Of The Drawinqs Figure 1 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a three- electrode surge protector with electrode terminals in accordance with the present invention.
Figures 2 and 3 show an electrode terminal of the surge protector of Fig. 1.
Figure 4 shows a cross section of an electrode _ ~ 2191~9 terminal arranged on a contact ring of an end e~ ectrode made of copper .
Figure 5 shows a cross section of an electrode term' nal arranged on the contact disk of an end electrode made of copper.
Figure 6 shows a cross section of the arrangement of an electrode terminal on the contact surface of an end electrode made of an iron-nickel alloy.
Det~;led~esrr~tion ~ , Figure 1 shows - a three- elec~=rode surge protector with additional fail - saf e and vent - saf e dev-~ces . Two ceramic insulators 4 and 5 are each connected to a center electrode and e~uipped with end electrodes 2 and 3 at their respective outer ends. According to Figure 4, a contact ring 6 or 7 is soldered onto the end of each end electrode made o~ copper. Each contact ring 6 and 7 has an approximately rectangular cross section and an outer lateral surface which forms a cylindrical contact surface. An example o~ such a contact ring is shown in German Published Patent Application ~o. 43 30 178. An electrode tPr~n;n~l 61 or 71 is applied to the contact surface (not shown in Figure 1) of each of the contact rings 6 or 7, respectively. The center electrode is provided with an electrode terminal 81 A spring clip 11 is attached to the center elec~rode and includes arms 12 and 13 which support short-circuit caps 14 and 15, respectively, arra~ged axially with end elPctrodes 2 and 3. The caps 14 and 15 press auxiliary surge protectors 17 and 18 and a fusible pellet against the two end electrodes 2 and 3. The ~ ry surge protectors 17 and 18 may be spark gaps in air or Yaristors.
According to Figures 2 and 3, electrode terminals 61, 71 and 81 are each designed as an ope-n ring ~ at the ends contacting the electrodes, so they clamp around the cylindrical contact surface. To assure a sufficient contact force, the inside diameter of open ring 9 and the outside diameter of the cylindrical contact surfaces are designed for a tight fit. To improve contact, a layer of tin 10 approximately 5 to 15 ~m sl4ns thick is applied to the cylindrical contact sur~aces of contact rings 6 and 7. In addition, the inside peripheral edges of the open ring are provided with a chamfer 19.
The cross section of open ring 9 is subst~nti~l ly rectangular, where the width b is equal to the width of contact ring 6, 7 and the height h is slightly greater than the width b. For example, the height h may be 1.5 mm.
The open ring 9 is made of brass, i . e ., a copper- ~inc alloy. Open ring 9 surrounds the contact ring or the center electrode over an angle a of at least 270~ at the circumference, preferably 30~) to 330~. Open ring 9 also has a transition to a connecting piece 63, 73 or 83 that is provided with a convf~nt;nn~l contact terminal at its other end (not shown). It is ad~isable to design open ring 9 and the connecting piece as punched parts In another embodiment, shown in Figure 5, open ring 9 of the electrode tF~ n~ iS placed on the cylindrical contact surface of a contact disk 62, which replaces contact ring 6 of Figure 4. : ~
2 o In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, open ring 9 of the electrode terminal i9 placed on a cylindrical contact sur~ace formed directly by flanged base part 22 of an electrode 21 made o~ an iron-nickel alloy.
Claims (6)
1. A gas-filled surge protector comprising:
a hollow cylindrical ceramic insulator including a cylindrical contact surface proximate to an end of the insulator; and an electrode terminal attached to the cylindrical contact surface, the electrode terminal including an open ring which surrounds the cylindrical contact surface in a form-fitting manner and having an inside diameter which matches the diameter of the cylindrical contact surface, the electrode terminal being made of a cold-hammered material, wherein the open ring of the electrode terminal surrounds the cylindrical contact surface over an angular extent of at least 270° of the circumference of the contact surface and has a substantially rectangular cross-section whose width is approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical contact surface and whose height is at least as large as the width of the cross-section of the open ring.
a hollow cylindrical ceramic insulator including a cylindrical contact surface proximate to an end of the insulator; and an electrode terminal attached to the cylindrical contact surface, the electrode terminal including an open ring which surrounds the cylindrical contact surface in a form-fitting manner and having an inside diameter which matches the diameter of the cylindrical contact surface, the electrode terminal being made of a cold-hammered material, wherein the open ring of the electrode terminal surrounds the cylindrical contact surface over an angular extent of at least 270° of the circumference of the contact surface and has a substantially rectangular cross-section whose width is approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical contact surface and whose height is at least as large as the width of the cross-section of the open ring.
2. The surge protector of claim 1, wherein the electrode is made of a cold-hammered material selected from the group consisting of steel, an iron alloy, bronze and brass.
3. The surge protector of claim 1, wherein a layer of tin is applied by electroplating on the cylindrical contact surface.
4. The surge protector of claim 1, wherein a layer of tin is applied by electroplating on an inside lateral surface of the open ring.
5. The surge protector of claim 1, wherein a chamfer is formed on each inside peripheral edge of the open ring.
6. The surge protector of claim 1, comprising two hollow cylindrical ceramic insulators and a ring-shaped center electrode, the center electrode including an electrode terminal similar to the electrode terminal attached to the cylindrical contact surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19546151.7 | 1995-11-29 | ||
| DE19546151 | 1995-11-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191409A1 true CA2191409A1 (en) | 1997-05-30 |
Family
ID=7779776
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191409 Abandoned CA2191409A1 (en) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-11-27 | Gas-filled surge voltage protector |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2191409A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19647748A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6710996B2 (en) | 2001-07-17 | 2004-03-23 | Epcos Ag | Surge arrestor |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10162916A1 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2003-07-10 | Epcos Ag | Spring clip, surge arrester with the spring clip and arrangement of a surge arrester |
| DE10253166A1 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-05-27 | Epcos Ag | Contact elements for electrodes of gas-filled over-voltage discharge system have rod or strap electrodes extending tangentially from C-shaped clamps |
| DE102016113267A1 (en) * | 2016-07-19 | 2018-01-25 | Epcos Ag | Device for protection against overvoltages and use of a device for protection against overvoltages |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2413570A1 (en) * | 1973-03-23 | 1974-10-03 | M O Valve Co Ltd | SURGE ARRESTERS |
| GB1411492A (en) * | 1973-03-23 | 1975-10-29 | M O Valve Co Ltd | Excess voltage arresters |
| US4212047A (en) * | 1976-08-31 | 1980-07-08 | Tii Corporation | Fail-safe/surge arrester systems |
| DE2828650C3 (en) * | 1978-06-29 | 1982-03-25 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Surge arresters |
| JPH0227694U (en) * | 1988-08-10 | 1990-02-22 | ||
| DE9321371U1 (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1997-09-04 | Siemens Ag | Gas discharge surge arrester |
| DE4318366A1 (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1994-10-27 | Siemens Ag | Gas-discharge overvoltage suppressor |
| DE4330178B4 (en) * | 1993-08-31 | 2005-01-20 | Epcos Ag | Gas-filled surge arrester with copper electrodes |
-
1996
- 1996-11-06 DE DE19647748A patent/DE19647748A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-11-27 CA CA 2191409 patent/CA2191409A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6710996B2 (en) | 2001-07-17 | 2004-03-23 | Epcos Ag | Surge arrestor |
| US6795290B2 (en) | 2001-07-17 | 2004-09-21 | Epcos Ag | Surge arrestor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE19647748A1 (en) | 1997-06-05 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5999393A (en) | Surge protector and lead assembly with improved contact area between the protector and lead | |
| CA2121642C (en) | Gas-discharge overvoltage arrester | |
| US4720760A (en) | Electrical surge protection | |
| US4493003A (en) | Surge arrester assembly | |
| US5224013A (en) | Miniature station protector modules | |
| US4241374A (en) | Surge voltage arrester with ventsafe feature | |
| CA2454556A1 (en) | Surge arrester | |
| ATE218006T1 (en) | SURGE ARRESTERS | |
| US5172296A (en) | Solid state overvoltage protector assembly | |
| US3896343A (en) | Heat-operated short-circuiting arrangements | |
| US5608596A (en) | Surge arrester with spring clip assembly | |
| US4502087A (en) | Surge voltage arrester assembly | |
| US5768082A (en) | Gas-filled surge voltage protector | |
| US4447848A (en) | Telephone surge protector and housings therefor | |
| US5282109A (en) | Back-up air gaps | |
| CA2191409A1 (en) | Gas-filled surge voltage protector | |
| US5959822A (en) | Compact lightning arrester assembly | |
| CA1287871C (en) | Gas discharge arrester | |
| US6421218B1 (en) | Overvoltage protector | |
| US6724605B1 (en) | Gas-filled surge diverter with electrode connections in the shape of band-type clips | |
| US5050033A (en) | Back-up surge arresters | |
| CN109564806A (en) | Utilize device and its application of two rheostats and discharger defence overvoltage in single component | |
| CA1289615C (en) | Power spark gap assembly for high current conduction with improved sparkover level control | |
| CA2056229C (en) | Microgap type surge absorber | |
| DE4318366A1 (en) | Gas-discharge overvoltage suppressor |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 19991129 |