EP2255410B1 - Modular terminal, and modular terminal block - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a terminal block, in particular for latching onto a mounting rail, with a terminal housing, with a busbar and at least two conductor connection elements for connecting at least two conductors to the busbar, wherein on both terminal side in the terminal housing in each case two function shafts and in the busbar corresponding to first functional shaft, a first connection possibility for a test plug socket or a test plug and corresponding to the second functional shaft, a second connection possibility for a fixed bridge or a switching bridge is formed. In addition, the invention also relates to a terminal block consisting of at least two juxtaposed on a mounting rail terminal blocks.

Electrical terminal blocks have been known for decades and are used millions of times in the wiring of electrical systems and equipment. The terminals are usually snapped onto mounting rails, which in turn are often arranged in a plurality in a control cabinet. As conductor connection elements predominantly screw terminals or tension spring terminals are used in terminal blocks. In addition, however, cutting terminals or leg spring terminals can be used.

The basic type of terminal block is the connection terminal, which has at least two conductor connection elements, which are electrically connected to one another via an electrically conductive connection rail, the busbar. In addition to this basic type, which is often referred to as a feed-through terminal, there are a variety of different types of terminal blocks, which are specially adapted to the particular application. As an example, protective conductor terminals, disconnect terminals and test terminals may be mentioned here.

In particular, with terminal blocks in the current transformer measuring circuits of power generation, transmission and distribution are used, often different switching, separation and testing tasks are to be realized. For this purpose, there are various accessories, such as test sockets, fixed bridges or jumpers, which can be mounted in the terminal blocks and electrically connected to the busbar. With the help of fixed bridges can be realized in a simple manner, a potential distribution between adjacent terminal blocks. Jumpers are used to electrically connect two or more adjacent terminal blocks as needed, so that there is the possibility of short-circuiting a connected current transformer.

A special type of terminal block, which is used in particular in current transformer measuring circuits or voltage transformer measuring circuits, is the so-called test disconnect terminal, which is often referred to as a Meßwandlertrennklemme according to their use. In test disconnect terminals, the bus bar consists of two sections, which can be selectively connected to each other or disconnected by a circuit breaker.

Such a terminal block, from which the invention proceeds, is marketed by the applicant under the name Prüfschennklemme URTK 6 (see catalog CLIPLINE 2007, page 334, the Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG). The known terminal has two terminal sides in the terminal housing each two function shafts and corresponding to the function shafts in the two sections of the busbar two connection options for a test socket, a test plug, a fixed bridge or a jumper. The connection of the aforementioned switching and test accessories to the two sections of the busbar is effected in that in each of the sections of the busbar two threaded bores are formed into which a screw of the respective accessories can be screwed. This ensures a secure attachment and good electrical contact of the respective accessories in the terminal block or with the busbar. The disadvantage here, however, that the screwing of the respective accessories in the busbar is relatively time consuming. In addition, when the test plug socket is screwed in, bridging with adjacent terminal blocks is only possible to a limited extent.

From the EP 1 059 691 A2 is a terminal for snapping on a mounting rail is known in which three function shafts are provided on a connection side. The function shafts are arranged at an angle to each other and intersect each other in the region of the busbar, whereby the possibility is created in the busbar only a single simple or double contact point must provide. As a result, the formation of the busbar to be simplified. The disadvantage here, however, that in the terminal always only one jumper can be inserted, it can be optionally introduced by one of the three function shafts.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention an initially described terminal block or a terminal block, consisting of several terminal blocks, to provide, in which the assembly of the test and switching accessories can be done easily and flexibly. In addition, the terminal to allow a variety of combinations of the switching and inspection accessories, so that the terminal or a terminal block can be easily adapted to a variety of different applications.

This object is ensured in the case of the electrical terminal described in the introduction, that in the terminal housing on both sides connecting each third functional shaft is formed and that in the busbar on both sides connecting to the third functional slot a third connection option is formed, so that on both sides of each connection three Connection options are provided. In addition, the connection options are designed as openings in the busbar, in which either a test plug socket, a test plug, a fixed bridge or a switching bridge can be plugged. Due to the formation of a third functional shaft and a third connection option in the busbar different bridging are possible even when plugged test socket, since two connection slots still two function shafts for fixed bridges or jumpers are available.

The formation of corresponding thread-free, preferably rectangular openings in the busbar screwless mounting of the test and switching accessories by simply inserting the respective contact elements of the accessories in the openings is possible. Preferably, the openings and the contact elements of the switching and test accessories are designed and matched to one another such that the test plug sockets, the Test plug, the fixed bridges and the jumpers are each latched in the individual openings in the busbar.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the terminal block according to the invention, a latching hook is formed at the end of the contact element of the test plug socket, so that the test plug socket can be captively locked in an opening in the busbar. Such a captive locking a test plug socket in the terminal block is particularly necessary when a safety test plug a Sicherheitsmeßleitung to be connected to the test socket. Due to the captive locking of the test plug socket in the power rail is ensured that when removing the safety test plug from the test socket, this is not accidentally pulled out of the functional shaft of the terminal is, whereby the danger would be that the non-insulated Kontaktele element of the test socket is touched by the fitter.

To ensure different individual combination options, the function shafts and the openings in the busbar all have the same dimensions. This makes it possible to plug any accessory into any function bay or opening in the busbar. The individual function shafts or the individual openings are thus not assigned to specific types of accessories, for example only the bridges or the test plug sockets. As a result, in the case of an isolating terminal used in the current transformer measuring circuit, for example, a switching bridge for switching a current transformer short circuit on both connection sides, i. Insert the separation point into a funnel on both sides.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the terminal block according to the invention, the conductor connection elements may be formed both as leg spring terminals, as screw terminals and as tension spring terminals. This creates the possibility for the user to select the connection technology preferred by him. In this case, the terminal housing of the individual terminal blocks on the substantially same outer dimensions, regardless of whether the conductor connection elements are designed as leg spring terminals, screw terminals or as Zugfederklemmen In particular, the function shafts and the openings in the busbar, regardless of the connection technology used in each case at the same position arranged within the terminal housing, so that adjacent to one another aufgerastete terminal blocks with different conductor connection elements can be bridged together or connected via a switching bridge.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the terminal block according to the invention is a Prüftrennklemme, so that the busbar consists of two sections and a circuit breaker is pivotally mounted between the two sections of the busbar in the terminal housing, that the two sections in a first position of the circuit breaker with each other connected and in a second position of the circuit breaker are separated from each other. The longitudinal separator holder preferably has a separating blade arranged in an insulating housing and can likewise be inserted and latched in the terminal housing.

In the terminal block described above, the underlying object of the invention is achieved in that in each case three function shafts are formed in the terminal boxes of the terminal blocks on both sides of the connection and that in the busbars of the terminal blocks on both sides of the connection corresponding to the three function shafts three openings are formed in the optional test sockets, test plugs, fixed bridges or jumpers can be inserted. With regard to the advantages of such a design of the individual terminal blocks, reference is made to the previous statements in connection with the terminal block according to the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the terminal block on at least one terminal with a continuous busbar, a so-called feed-through terminal, and at least one Prüfetrennklemme. Alternatively, or in addition to the feedthrough terminal, the terminal block may also have a ground terminal, i. a terminal block, in which a bus bar is arranged with a ground terminal. All terminal blocks, i. Both the Prüfentrennklemine as well as the feed-through terminal and the protective conductor terminal thereby have a matchless terminal housing, each with identical width and length on This way, for example, the possibility of a terminal block for a 3-phase transducer, the six isolating terminal and a ground terminal, in the on a Line lying function shafts of the corresponding isolating terminals and the protective conductor terminal to insert a pre-assembled neutral point bridge, which is bridged directly to the protective conductor terminal, so that the neutral point of the transducer can be grounded.

According to a last advantageous embodiment of the terminal block according to the invention, which will be briefly explained here, the terminal block additionally has a cutting disc which is snapped adjacent to the other terminal blocks on the mounting rail, wherein in the housing of the cutting disc a plurality of recesses for receiving the switching and inspection accessories, in particular the jumpers are arranged. The cutting disc thus offers a "parking space" for jumpers, so that the "parked" in the cutting disc bridges are immediately available when appropriate bridging to be made.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung zweier benachbarter erfindungsgemäßer Reihenklemme mit Schenkelfederklemmen,

Fig. 2

die beiden Reihenklemmen gemäß Fig. 1, mit einer eingesteckten Prüfsteckerbuchse, sowie zwei noch nicht eingesteckten festen Brücken und einer Schaltbrücke,

Fig. 3

die beiden Reihenklemmen gemäß Fig. 1, mit zwei Prüfsteckerbuchsen, zwei festen Brücken und einer Schaltbrücke,

Fig. 4

die beiden Reihenklemmen gemäß Fig. 1, mit zwei Prüfsteckerbuchsen, einer festen Brücke und zwei Schaltbrüken,

Fig. 5

eine Reihenklemme gemäß Fig. 1, im Längsschnitt, mit eingestecktem Zubehör,

Fig. 6

ein Ausschnitt der Reihenklemme gemäß Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

die beiden über das Trennmesser elektrisch miteinander verbundenen Teilstücke der Stromschiene einer Reihenklemme,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Reihenklemme mit Zugfederklemmen,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Reihenklemmen mit Schraubklemmen,

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer als Durchgangsklemme ausgebildeten Reihenklemme,

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer als Schutzleiterklemme ausgebildeten Reihenklemme, und

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf einen Reihenklemmenblock mit mehreren Reihenklemmen und einer Trennscheibe.

In particular, there are a variety of ways to design the terminal block according to the invention or the terminal block according to the invention and further develop. Reference is made to both the patent claims 1 and 10 subordinate claims, as well as to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawing show

Fig. 1

a perspective view of two adjacent terminal according to the invention with leg spring terminals,

Fig. 2

the two terminal blocks according to Fig. 1 , with an inserted test plug socket, as well as two not yet fixed bridges and a jumper,

Fig. 3

the two terminal blocks according to Fig. 1 , with two test sockets, two fixed bridges and a jumper,

Fig. 4

the two terminal blocks according to Fig. 1 , with two test sockets, a fixed bridge and two switching bridges,

Fig. 5

a terminal according to Fig. 1 , in longitudinal section, with inserted accessories,

Fig. 6

a section of the terminal according to Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

the two sections of the busbar of a terminal block which are electrically connected to one another via the separating knife,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a terminal with spring clips,

Fig. 9

a perspective view of a terminal blocks with screw terminals,

Fig. 10

a perspective view of a terminal formed as a terminal block,

Fig. 11

a perspective view of a trained as a protective conductor terminal terminal block, and

Fig. 12

a plan view of a terminal block with multiple terminal blocks and a blade.

Fig. 1 shows two terminal blocks 1 according to the invention each in the form of a disconnect terminal, which are used in particular as a measuring transducer isolating terminal in current transformer measuring circuits of power generation and distribution. The terminal blocks 1, which can be latched onto a mounting rail 2, each have a generally made of plastic terminal housing 3, in which a busbar 4 and two conductor connection elements 5, 6 are arranged. The conductor connection elements 5, 6 are in the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 6 designed as leg spring terminals, in each of which a conductor to be connected can be inserted through a formed in the terminal housing 2 conductor insertion opening 7. In addition, the conductor connection elements 5, 6 but also as tension spring terminals ( Fig. 8 ) or as screw terminals ( Fig. 9 ) be formed.

In the terminal blocks 1 shown in the figures, in each case three function shafts 8, 9, 10 are formed in the terminal housing 3 on both sides of the connection, in which optionally the accessories required for testing, bridging and switching can be plugged. These include in Fig. 2 partially not yet plugged into the terminal housing 3 of the terminal blocks 1 Prüfstekkerbsen 11, fixed bridges 12 for potential distribution and switching bridge 13, which can be a safe and comfortable to implement a short circuit between adjacent terminal blocks 1. For simple and safe electrical connection of the test plug socket 11, the fixed bridge 12 or the switching bridge 13 are in the busbars 4 of the terminal blocks 1 on both sides of the connection corresponding to the function shafts 8, 9, 10th in each case three openings 14, 15, 16 are formed. As a result, the respective accessories can be simply inserted from above through the function shafts 8, 9, 10 into the respective opening 14, 15, 16 of the busbar 4.

The contact elements of the test plug socket 11, the fixed bridge 12 and the switching bridge 13 are designed so that the respective accessories when plugging into the opening 14, 15, 16, the busbar 4 not only electrically contacted, but also locked in the busbar 4 , For this purpose, for example, the contact elements of the fixed bridge 12 and the switching bridge 13 each have two mutually parallel contact legs, of which at least one is resilient and has a latching nose.

As is apparent from the enlarged view according to Fig. 6 can be seen, the end of the contact element of the test plug socket 11 has a latching hook 17, so that the test plug socket 11 is captively latched in one of the openings 14, 15, 16 in the busbar 4. The test receptacles 11 shown in the figures are designed such that in their plastic-lined sockets 18, the corresponding safety test plug can be inserted by Sicherheitsmeßleitungen.

From a comparison of Fig. 3 and 4 It can be seen that the accessory can be plugged into any functional shaft 8, 9, 10 or in any opening 14, 15, 16 in the busbar 4. The individual function shafts 8, 9, 10 are thus not associated with a particular accessory, so that there is a variety of individual combination options for inserting the switching and test accessories. For example, a switching bridge 13 can be plugged into the function shafts on both connection sides, as shown in FIG Fig. 4 is shown. This is achieved in that the function shafts 8, 9, 10 and the openings 14, 15, 16 in the busbar 4 all have the same dimensions. In addition, it is possible to plug the test receptacles 11 offset from each other in the function shafts 8, 9, 10 adjacent terminal 1, so that in terminal housing 3 with a width of 8 mm and safety test plug can be inserted with a diameter of 10 mm.

In the in the Fig. 1 to 8 Terminal blocks 1 shown are each so-called isolating terminals, in which the busbar 4 consists of two sections 19, 20, which can be selectively connected to each other or separated from each other by means of a rotatably mounted in the terminal housing 3 longitudinal circuit breaker 21. For this purpose, the longitudinal circuit breaker 21 has a separating knife 23 arranged in an insulating housing 22 which, in a first position shown in the figures, contacts the ends 24, 25 of the sections 19, 20 of the busbar 4 facing away from the conductor connecting elements 5, 6, so that the two sections 19, 20 are electrically connected to one another via the separating knife 23. In a second position of the separating blade 23 this contacts neither the end 24 of the portion 19 nor the end 25 of the portion 20, so that the two sections 19, 20 are not electrically connected to each other.

Like from the Fig. 5 and 6 can be seen, a pivot pin 26 is integrally formed on the insulating housing 22, which is supported in a corresponding opening in a side wall 27 of the terminal housing 3. In addition, in the upper end of the insulating housing 22, an actuating shaft 28 is formed, into which a tool, in particular the tip of a screwdriver, can be inserted. The actuating shaft 28 is dimensioned so that in him the tip of a screwdriver can be inserted, with which also the conductor connection elements 5, 6 can be operated. For switching the longitudinal circuit breaker 21 thus no additional tool is required.

While at the terminal blocks 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 6 the two conductor connection elements 5, 6 are designed as leg spring terminals, the terminal 1 according to Fig. 8 two spring clips as conductor terminal elements 5, 6 and the terminal 1 according to Fig. 9 two screw terminals. It is essential that the terminal housing 3 have the substantially same dimensions, regardless of whether the conductor connection elements 5, 6 are designed as leg spring terminals, as screw terminals or as tension spring terminals , In particular, the function shafts 8, 9, 10 and the openings 14, 15, 16 are arranged in the busbars 4 at all three terminal blocks 1 at the same position, so that a continuous bridge and caption adjacent on a support rail 2 latched terminal blocks 1 is possible, regardless of what type of conductor connection elements 5, 6, the terminal blocks 1.

While in the Fig. 1 to 9 shown terminal blocks 1 are formed as Trennklemmten, shows the Fig. 10 designed as a through terminal terminal 1, ie, a terminal 1, which has a continuous busbar 4. Fig. 11 shows a terminal 1, which is designed as a protective conductor terminal. In this terminal 1 thus a continuous busbar 4 is thus arranged in the terminal housing 3, wherein the busbar 4, however, via a ground terminal 29 to the support rail 2 is connectable. All terminal blocks 1, ie both the isolating terminal and the feed-through terminal and the protective conductor terminal have a contoured terminal housing 3, each with identical width and length.

The in Fig. 11 Terminal block block shown consists of four identical isolating terminals 1 and a likewise ratcheted on the support rail 2 on the right side cutting disk 30, which is formed substantially the same contour to the separating terminals 1. In addition, the cutting disc 30 has a plurality of recesses 31, in the unneeded accessories, in particular bridges 12 not required can be inserted. The cutting disc 30 thus acts as a holder or packing option for temporarily unnecessary bridges 12. Off Fig. 11 It is also apparent that the individual terminal blocks 1 and the blade 30 are formed symmetrically to the support rail 2, so that the installation direction of the terminal blocks 1 and the blade 30 is freely selectable within a switchgear.

Claims (15)

1. Modular terminal, especially for locking onto a support rail (2), with a terminal housing (3), with a busbar (4) and with at least two terminal elements (5, 6) for connecting at least two conductors to the busbar (4), on the two connection sides in the terminal housing (3) two functional slots (8, 9, 10) at a time being made and in the busbar (4) corresponding to the first functional slot (8) a first connection possibility for a test socket (11) or a test plug and corresponding to the second functional slot (9) a second connection possibility for a fixed link (12) or a jumper (13) being formed,
   characterized in
   that in the terminal housing (3) on both connection sides a third functional slot (10) is made,
   that in the busbar (4) on the two connection sides corresponding to the third functional slot (10) a third connection possibility being formed so that three connection possibilities are provided on both connection sides, and
   that the connection possibilities in the busbar (4) are made as openings (14, 15, 16) into which test sockets (11), test plugs, fixed links (12) or jumpers (13) can optionally be plugged.
2. Modular terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that test sockets (11), test plugs, fixed links (12) or jumpers (13) can be locked in the openings (14, 15, 16) in the busbar (4).
3. Modular terminal as according to claim 2, with a test socket (11), characterized in that the end of the contact of the test socket (11) has a catch hook (17) so that the test socket (11) can be captively locked in an opening (14, 15, 16) in the busbar (4).
4. Modular terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the functional slots (8, 9, 10) and the openings (14, 15, 16) in the busbar (4) all have the same dimensions.
5. Modular terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, for locking onto a support rail (2), characterized in that the terminal housing (3) is made symmetrical to the support rail (2).
6. Modular terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the terminal elements (5, 6) are made as leg spring terminals, screw-type terminals or as spring cage terminals.
7. Modular terminal according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the terminal housing (3) has essentially identical outside dimensions, in particular the functional slots (8, 9, 10) and the openings (14, 15, 16) are located at the same position in the busbar (4), regardless of whether the terminal elements (5, 6) are made as leg spring terminals, as screw-type terminals or as spring cage terminals.
8. Modular terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the busbar (4) consists of two component pieces (19, 20), wherein a section disconnector (21) is supported to be able to pivot between the two component pieces (19, 20) of the busbar (4) in the terminal housing (3) such that the two component pieces (19, 20) are connected to one another in the first position of the section disconnector (21) and are separated from one another in the second position of the section disconnector (21), and wherein the section disconnector (21) has an isolating blade (23) which is located in the insulating housing (22).
9. Modular terminal according to claim 8, characterized in that the insulating housing (22) of the section disconnector (21) has an actuating slot (28) which is open to the top and into which a tool, especially the tip of a screwdriver, can be inserted.
10. Modular terminal block consisting of at least two modular terminals (1) which can be locked next to one another on a support rail (2), according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. Modular terminal block according to claim 10, characterized in that the terminal housings (3) of the individual modular terminals (1) have essentially the same outside dimensions, in particular the functional slots (8, 9, 10) and the openings (14, 15, 16) in the busbar (4) are located at the same position regardless of whether the terminal elements (5, 6) in the individual modular terminals (1) are made as leg spring terminals, as screw-type terminals or as spring cage terminals.
12. Modular terminal block according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one modular terminal (1) has a continuous busbar (4) and at least one modular terminal (1) is made according to claim 8 or 9.
13. Modular terminal block according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one modular terminal (1) has a busbar (4) with a ground connection (29) and at least one modular terminal (1) is made according to claim 8 or 9.
14. Modular terminal block according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein an insulation plate (30) which has a housing is locked adjacently to the modular terminal (1) onto the support rail (2), wherein, in the housing of the insulation plate (30), there are several recesses (31) for holding test sockets (11), test plugs, fixed links (12) or jumpers (13).
15. Modular terminal block according to claim 14, wherein the insulation plate (30) has essentially the same outside dimensions as the modular terminals (1), especially is made symmetrical to the support rail (2).

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