EP2443708B1 - Housing assembly for multi-pole surge protection devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing assembly for multi-pole surge protection devices, comprising a base part (1), which receives individual modules (2) provided with electrical outside connections, wherein at least one individual module (2) comprises a horn gap and each individual module (2) consists of insulating material half shells, which encapsulate the respective spark gap, and at least the individual module (2) comprising the horn gap comprises a cooling space for electric arc-related gases between the insulating material half shells. Moreover, a shrouding cover (8) is present, which encloses the individual modules (2) and, on the assembly side, is positively and/or non-positively connected to the base part (1), wherein the shrouding cover (8) comprises windows (10) for a function display of the individual modules (2) in the upper cover face. According to the invention, first insulating material partitions (14), which extend from the bottom upward, are designed in the base part (1) and connected thereto, wherein said partitions delimit respective chambers for the individual modules. Second insulating material partitions (15), which extend in the direction of the base part (1), are designed in the shrouding cover (8) and connected thereto, the locations and positions of said partitions being complementary to the first insulating material partitions (14) so as to form the chambers.

Description

The invention relates to a housing arrangement for multi-pole overvoltage protection devices with a base part, which accommodates individual modules provided with external electrical connections, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

From the DE 101 25 941 B4 is a compact arrangement for multi-pole surge current proof surge with previously arranged in a housing substantially parallel, internally wired encapsulated spark gaps. The local housing has a provided with partitions trough shape, wherein the housing chambers thus formed record the pressure-tight encapsulated individual spark gaps together with terminals. The housing pan is designed to be open at the top, wherein an insulating plate is used to the open side, having openings to contact via spring contact elements, the metallic housing of the relevant spark gaps. The after DE 101 25 941 B4 used spark gaps have a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the trough shape is adapted to such a cylindrical spark gap shape.

In order to allow internal wiring in a multi-pole embodiment, a wiring plane is provided as a Z-shaped alternating bridge comprising two short opposing and one longer connecting legs. Tongue-like forms or projections, which are arranged or introduced in the region of the short legs of the wiring level change bridge, orient themselves in the mounted state to the respective angle leg, so that an abutment is formed in order to absorb electrodynamic forces in the impact current case.

In the multi-pole surge arrester for use in low-voltage power supply systems, eg. B. in TN-S or TT power supply systems according to DE 100 01 667 C1 is made of a U-shaped base with terminals in the main body for the active Lines and PE or ground potential, wherein in the cover of the base part guide means for releasably receiving electrically contactable with the terminals plug-in parts are provided with Varistor- or spark gap elements.

In the main body, respective opposite recesses and locking projections for the terminals are formed, and the terminals on the active side are designed as individual terminals and the PE or ground potential side as internally connected terminal blocks with a conductive passage clamping element. In addition, according to the DE 100 01 667 C1 the ability to connect one of the terminals of the active side conductive with a multiple plug-in contact rail on the PE or ground potential side internally, so that only by selecting the interchangeable, pre-configured terminals different wiring can be realized.

From the DE 100 58 977 B4 is a multi-pole surge current surge arrester with in a housing substantially parallel, internally wired, encapsulated spark gaps previously known, the spark gaps having opposite, projecting contact surfaces with holes and internal threads, which are connected to outer terminals and inner contact rails. Furthermore, in this solution as well, there is a wiring plane swapping bridge having a substantially Z-shape. The spark gaps located in the base part are cylindrical, wherein the overall arrangement is enclosed by a cover.

The EP 0 860 918 A1 shows an overvoltage diverting device, comprising two spaced apart in a housing electrodes, wherein the housing has an outflow opening for ionized gases. Between the electrodes and the discharge opening of the housing, a chamber to be flowed through by the ionized gases is located.

The generic DE 10 2007 042 991 A1 , which discloses the preamble of claim 1, relates to an overvoltage protection device with activated in thermal overload case, mechanical separation device. The housing arrangement of the local overvoltage protection device has a base part, which accommodates individual modules provided with external electrical connections. Each individual module consists of Isolierstoffhalbschalen which encapsulate the respective overvoltage protection element. In addition, a cover is present, which encloses the individual modules and the mounting side is positively and / or non-positively connected to the base part. The cover comprises in the hood top window for a function display of the individual modules.

The solutions described above, due to the cylindrical design of the spark gaps and the required minimum diameter, set a limit to the smallest possible space.

In addition, the known housing arrangements are not suitable for receiving Hörnerfunkenstrecken from which escape arc-induced gases in cooled form for pressure equalization.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a further developed housing arrangement for multi-pole overvoltage protection devices with a base part and a cover, which is suitable for receiving individual modules, which have both a sufficient lightning current carrying capacity as well as Folgestromlöschfähigkeit, and where on the other despite cramped space the necessary electrical creepage distances are observed. In addition, the internal interconnection of the individual modules must be realized so that shock-current-related forces either avoided from the outset or safely absorbed and derived without damaging or destroying the housing.

The object of the invention is achieved by a housing arrangement according to the feature combination according to claim 1, wherein the dependent claims represent at least expedient refinements and developments.

It is therefore assumed that a housing arrangement for multi-pole overvoltage protection devices with a base part, which receives provided with external electrical connections individual modules. The individual modules have a very narrow design. At least one individual module has a horn spark gap, and each individual module consists of Isolierstoffhalbschalen which encapsulate the respective spark gap.

At least the single module with Hörnerfunkenstrecke has between the Isolierstoffhalbschalen a cooling space for arc-induced gases, which opens into at least one opening. Furthermore, a cover is provided, which encloses the individual modules to form a compact arrangement and which is connected on the mounting side with the base part positively and / or non-positively, wherein the cover in the hood top window for a function display of the individual modules having. The cover consists, as well as the base part, of an insulating material, in particular plastic material.

According to the invention in the base part connected to this, from the bottom upwardly ersteckende first Isolierstofftrennwände are formed, which each delimit chambers for the individual modules.

In the cover are provided with this connected, extending in the direction of the base part second Isolierstofftrennwände available whose position and positioning is complementary to the first Isolierstofftrennwänden for the chamber formation.

Furthermore, at least one pressure equalization chamber is provided in the base part outside the space for receiving the respective individual modules, which gas side is in communication with existing in the bottom region of the base part labyrinthine stomata.

The gas outlet of the cooling space of a single module used in this respect in the base part is oriented to the aforementioned pressure equalization chamber to ensure a meander flow with the result of a further cooling to reduce the flow velocity of the gases. As a result of the cooling module located in the individual module in conjunction with the pressure compensation chamber and the openings, a complete encapsulation is obtained electrically, and no hot gases are emitted, as is the case with conventional so-called overflowing surge arresters.

According to the invention, the particle or gas flow via the pressure equalization chamber and the openings is subject to a multiple change of direction in the sense of a meander flow. For this purpose, the chambers may have individual chamber sections with deflection parts.

The individual modules are separated in the base part by the Isolierstoffwände and arranged vertically, each of the individual modules in the Isolierstoffhalbschalen having a passage slot to record for the interconnection of multiple modules a rigid, conductive bridge, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the standing arranged individual modules. Thereby For example, the individual modules can be threaded onto the rigid conductive bridge and strung together in the sense of a compact unit that is pre-mounted in such a way in the base part using the chambers formed there.

The first Isolierstofftrennwände, extending from the bottom of the base part up, thereby reaching down to the bottom of the conductive bridge and do not hinder the insertion of the compact assembly of a plurality of deflectors with bending in the base part.

A spark gap electrode section extends in the passage slot of the respective individual module in order to contact it directly with the conductive bridge.

In addition, one of the Isolierstoffhalbschalen, which form the housing of the single module, a recess in the longitudinal direction, d. H. perpendicular to the introduced conductive bridge, which extends to the passage slot to introduce and / or actuate a non-positive connection means between the bridge and the respective spark gap electrode section. The connecting means may be a screw which realizes the corresponding connection with adhesion using a large-area contact between bridge and spark gap electrode section.

The underside of the base part has a known return to DIN rail mounting according to relevant standards, wherein in the base part spring-loaded, movable locking means are introduced with locking lugs.

The openings of those chambers which lie in the region of the latching means are realized via recesses provided there, wherein adjacent chambers comprise separate openings in the form of slots or the like.

The facing ends of the first and second Isolierstofftrennwände form a cutout or a free space, which is adapted to the width and the thickness of the conductive bridge. In order to is also provided in the area of the inclusion of the conductive bridge for the necessary isolation and creepage distances and realized a separation of the individual chambers against each other.

Since the housing assembly comprising base part and cover not glued or welded, d. H. cohesively connected, but only latching connections exist, can be done via otherwise existing transitions or column a complementary pressure equalization with respect to arc-induced gases.

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with the aid of figures.

Fig. 1

eine erste teilweggebrochene Darstellung der Gehäuseanordnung mit einer Kammer sowie Druckausgleichsöffnung im Bereich eines beweglichen Rastmittels zur Hutschienenmontage;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach Fig. 1, jedoch mit einer zweiten Kammer zur Aufnahme eines Einzelmoduls mit Hörnerfunkenstrecke und vorgesehener Entlüftung über Druckausgleichskammer und Öffnungen;

Fig. 3 und Fig. 4

Darstellungen zur Anordnung der leitfähigen Brücke zur Verbindung von Einzelmodulen (mit abgenommener Abdeckhaube) und

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung der Gesamtanordnung mit teilweggebrochener Abdeckhaube zur Demonstration der ersten und zweiten Isolierstofftrennwände.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a first partially broken view of the housing assembly with a chamber and pressure equalization opening in the region of a movable locking means for DIN rail mounting;

Fig. 2

a representation similar to that after Fig. 1 , but with a second chamber for receiving a single module with Hörnerfunkenstrecke and provided venting via pressure equalization chamber and openings;

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4

Illustrations for the arrangement of the conductive bridge for the connection of individual modules (with removed cover) and

Fig. 5

a representation of the overall arrangement with partially broken cover for demonstration of the first and second Isolierstofftrennwände.

The housing arrangement according to the figurative representations is based on a base part 1, which receives a plurality of individual modules 2 with spark gaps thereon.

The individual modules are, as in the Figures 2 and 3 can be seen, arranged in parallel adjacent to the base part 1.

Those individual modules 2, which have a Hörnerfunkenstrecke and the Isolierstoffhalbschalen 3 have a cooling space for arc gases, also include a flow outlet 4 in the form of a small opening.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 is with the arrow representations the vent, ie the way of the flowing gases or particles, which arise abbrand- or arc caused, represented.

The particle or gas flow is subjected to a multiple change of direction via a pressure compensation chamber 5 and stomata 6.

The stomata 6 are shown in the illustration Fig. 1 formed in the region of locking means 7 for DIN rail mounting. In the presentation after Fig. 2 the stomata run over in the base bottom area located, recognizable in the figure slots.

The housing arrangement further comprises a cover 8, which is held by means of snap-in connection means 9 on the base part.

In the cover 8 windows 10 are still present to detect the position of a function display 11.

In this case, each individual module 2 is provided with such a function indicator 11. Other openings 12 in the cover 8 allow access to located inside screw terminals 13 (see also Fig. 3 ).
In the base part 1 are from the ground vertically upwardly extending first Isolierstofftrennwänden 14 available, which form chambers for the individual modules 2. The first partition walls 14, which extend upwardly from the base part 1, are assigned positionally complementary second insulating partition walls 15, which are located on the cover 8.

The individual modules 2 are separated and arranged standing in the base part 1 by the partitions 14 and 15, wherein each of the individual modules 2 in the Isolierstoffhalbschalen 3 has a passage slot to record for the interconnection of several individual modules a rigid conductive bridge 16, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of standing arranged individual modules 2 runs.

A spark gap electrode section 17 extends in the passage slot of the respective individual module in order to contact it directly with the conductive bridge 16. One of the insulating half-shells 3 has a recess 18 in the longitudinal direction, which extends to the passage slot to a frictional connection means, for. As a screw 19, between the bridge 16 and the respective spark gap electrode section 17 to bring or operate. For this purpose, in each case a corresponding bore 20 in the bridge 16 and a complementary bore in the spark gap electrode section 17 is provided.

The underside of the base part 1 has a recess 21 for top hat rail mounting, wherein by pressing the locking means 7 by means of a pulling out of the base part, the housing assembly of the top hat rail is detachable.

The facing ends of the first 14 and second Isolierstofftrennwände 15 form a cutout, which is matched to the width and thickness of the conductive bridge 16, as shown in FIG Fig. 5 is apparent.

The Figures 3 and 4 show the arrangement of standing individual modules 2, which can be connected in various ways. The internal bridge 16 for interconnecting the individual modules is placed perpendicular to the modules, so that current forces are reduced during discharge processes. In the illustration according to Fig. 3 , right, the module there is a spark gap, which is connected between N and PE. Through this spark gap, the entire lightning impulse current flows and then splits to the individual conductors N, L1, L2 and L3. Because the internal bridge 16 is vertical is conducted to the N-electrode of the N / PE spark gap, electromagnetic forces are avoided by field effect in this position.

With the help of the screw 19, an electrical connection between the respective spark gap electrode portion 17 and the conductive bridge 16 is made, wherein the currents are passed over the contact surface between the bridge and connecting legs in the spark gap module. The contact surface is chosen to be very large and can easily transmit 100 kA / 350 μs lightning impulse currents.

The individual modules can be exchanged and interconnected depending on the network form. It is possible to realize TNS devices with four-network modules, TNC devices with three-network modules, TT devices with three-network modules and one N-PE module in a very narrow housing design. In the case, which is only approx. 36 mm wide, however, 1 + 1 large TT circuits or 2 + 0 device variants can also be implemented with the same individual modules. In one embodiment, the conductive bridge is fixedly connected to the N-PE module, and the other individual modules are virtually threaded onto the bridge and then inserted into the base part. However, the conductive bridge can also be mounted as a single part.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

base part

2

Single module

3

half shell

4

flow output

5

Pressure equalization chamber

6

gap opening

7

latching means

8th

cover

9

connecting means

10

window

11

function display

12

opening

13

clamp

14

first isolation partition

15

second isolation partition

16

bridge

17

Spark gap electrode section

18

recess

19

screw

20

drilling

21

return

Claims (9)

1. Housing arrangement for multipolar overvoltage protection devices, comprising a base part (1) which receives individual modules (2) provided with electrical external connections and each individual module (2) is formed of half-shells (3) made of an insulating material which encapsulate the respective spark gap, further comprising a covering hood (8) which encloses the individual modules (2) and, in terms of installation, is positively and/or non-positively coupled to the base part (1), wherein the covering hood (8) includes windows (10) in the upper side of the hood for a function display (11) of the individual modules (2), and first partition walls (14) made of an insulating material are formed in the base part (1), connected to same, which extend from the bottom upwardly and each define chambers for the individual modules (2),
   characterized in that
   at least one individual module (2) includes a horn gap,
   at least the individual module (2) including the horn gap has a cooling space for gases induced by arcs between the half-shells (3) made of an insulating material, and second partition walls (15) made of an insulating material are formed in the covering hood (8), connected to same, which extend in the direction of the base part (1) and whose position and location is complementary to the first partition walls (14) made of an insulating material defining the chambers.
2. Arrangement according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   at least one pressure compensation chamber (5) is provided in the base part (1) outside the space for receiving the respective individual modules (2) which, in terms of gas, communicates with labyrinth-type gap holes (6) provided in the bottom area of the base part (1), wherein the gas outlet of the cooling space of an individual module (2) incorporated in this regard in the base part (1) is oriented towards the pressure compensation chamber (5).
3. Arrangement according to claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the gas flow or particle flow through the pressure compensation chamber (5) and the gap holes is subject to a multiple change of direction.
4. Arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
   characterized in that
   the individual modules (2) are separated in the base part (1) by the walls (14; 15) made of an insulating material and are arranged in an upright manner, wherein each of the individual modules (2) in the half-shells (3) made of an insulating material has a through-slot to receive a rigid conductive bridge (16) for interconnecting multiple modules, which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright individual modules (2).
5. Arrangement according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   a spark gap electrode section (17) runs in the through-slot of the respective individual module (2) to be directly contacted with the conductive bridge (16).
6. Arrangement according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   a half-shell (3) made of an insulating material of the respective individual module (2) has a cut-out (18) in the longitudinal direction which extends up to the through-slot so as to introduce and/or operate a non-positive connecting means (19) between the bridge (16) and the respective spark gap electrode section (17).
7. Arrangement according one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the lower side of the base part (1) has a recess (21) for the top hat rail mounting, wherein spring-loaded mobile snap-in means (7) with a detent nose are incorporated in the base part (1).
8. Arrangement according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the gap holes (6) of those chambers that are provided in the area of the snap-in means (7) are realized by recesses provided there, wherein adjacent chambers comprise openings in the form of separate slots.
9. Arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 8,
   characterized in that
   the ends of the first and second partition walls (14; 15) made of an insulating material pointing towards each other form a free section which matches the width and thickness of the conductive bridge (16).

Images