EP2928025B1 - Connection device, installation kit and electric installation - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a multi-core branch line to a flat cable. The invention further relates to a kit which includes the terminal device and an electrical installation with the kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In tunnels and buildings safety installations are known in which a plurality of distributed electrical consumers, such as lights, is connected with branch lines to a through-line. The through-line serves for the common supply of these typically spaced apart along the passage line arranged consumers, which are each connected via a separate branch lines to the passage line. As a through-line can serve a flat cable to which the branch line is connected by means of a connection device with penetration contacts stripping to the flat cable. Such an installation is for example in the document EP 2568542 A1 described. A connection device of this kind is also from the DE-AS 2206187 known.

In the case of a short circuit in a branch line should in such an electrical installation those consumers that are connected to other branch lines, functionally not affected. A short circuit in the region of the branch line can be caused, for example, by a technical defect of a consumer connected to the branch line, for example a tunnel light, or by a fire in the region of the branch line or of the consumer connected thereto.

For example, in a fire burn after a while insulation in the consumer or the branch line and thus lose their isolation; It then comes to a short circuit between the now no longer isolated conductors.

In order to prevent the retroactive effect of such a short circuit on the through-line, ie a loss of function of the passage line, was in the cited in said document EP 2568542 A1 proposed to protect the branch line. The fuse is arranged inside the housing of a flat cable connection device.

US 5,971,807 deals with a connection device in which a fuse is inserted into a recess on the housing. The fuse link can be changed by opening a sliding closure on the housing.

US 2003/0 207 618 A1 treats a fused connection device for wall cables. The replacement of the fuse via a tab provided on the housing of the connection device.

EP 1 648 052 A2 describes a connection device for a flat cable. The fuse link can only be replaced by removing the cover plate of the housing of the connection device.

US 2013/171879 A1 treats a charger with a fuse link inserted in it.

US 2013/0037294 A1 describes a fuse holder with mains-side and consumer-side connection points.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a connection device (6) for connecting a multi-core branch line (5) to a flat cable (4). The connection device comprises a connection device housing (30) which allows the passage of the flat cable (4). Inside the connector housing (30) penetrating contacts (42, 42 ') for the stripping-free contacting of the flat cable (4) are arranged. The connection device comprises a branch line bushing (10) for the outlet of the branch line (5) from the connection device (6), wherein the branch line bushing (10) is arranged on the connection device housing (30). The branch line bushing (10) comprises a branch line socket housing (11) and a fuse holder (17) arranged therein for at least one fuse link (18) for securing an associated wire (41, 41 ') of the branch line (5). The fuse holder (17) is connected via a connecting line (43, 43 ') electrically connected to the Durchdringungskontakten. The fuse holder (17) forms an electrical disconnecting point (25) for the at least one fused wire (41 ') of the branch line (5), whereby the wire (41') of the branch line (5) lying beyond the separating point is activated by the fuse link (18 ) Is electrically isolated from the flat cable (4). The branch line female housing (11) is openable and the at least one fuse link (18) is replaceable by opening the branch line female housing (11) without opening the terminal housing (30). The fuse holder (17) comprises an insulating body (15) having at least one cavity for receiving the at least one fuse link (18), and with fuse contacts (16, 16 ') for contacting the at least one, to be included in the cavity fuse (18) equipped. The insulating body (15) is formed in two parts, with a this side and a the other part (13,14), wherein without opening the terminal device housing (30), only with opening of the branch line socket housing (11), the other part of the insulator (14 ) is detachable from this side part (13). The cavity for receiving the at least one fuse link (18) is then accessible and the at least one fuse link (18) can then be replaced. Due to the removability of the otherworldly part of the insulating body (14), the entire branch line (5) of the connection device (6) is removable.

Another aspect relates to a kit for connecting a branch line to a flat cable. The kit comprises at least one connection device of the type described above, as well as at least one flat cable with a plurality of parallel to each other in a plane extending cable cores and at least beyond the separation point of the fuse holder to be connected branch line.

Another aspect relates to an executed electrical installation with at least one mounted on the flat cable connection device of the type described above.

GENERAL EXPLANATION, ALSO CONCERNING OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The connecting device according to the invention makes it possible to connect a flat cable to at least one multi-core branch line.

The branch line is i.A. around a (not fire resistant) trained round cable whose wires are twisted in the usual way in the cable longitudinal direction. A "core" is formed by a wire conductor and a surrounding core insulation. If there is an electrical contact between two live conductors (also referred to as "phase conductors"), or if a live conductor comes into contact with the neutral conductor, the existing protective conductor or ground, a short circuit occurs (Note: Strictly Also, the neutral lead a certain voltage, for example, if in a three-phase system, the phases have asymmetric current flow). A short circuit can, as mentioned above, e.g. caused by a malfunction of a consumer connected to the branch line or fire on the consumer or the branch line. This would - if he shorted the passage line - lead to a loss of function of the passage line. In this context, "loss of function" means that even consumers outside the fire area can no longer be supplied with electrical energy through the through-line.

Flat cables are cables whose cores are arranged parallel to each other in a single plane. Flat cables have, for example, in case of fire or mechanical damage due to falling parts favorable properties, since with them the individual wires parallel spaced, ie without crossovers, and largely free of tension, such as from the document EP 2375505 A1 is known.

The connection device for connecting the branch line to the flat cable comprises a connection device housing, which allows the passage of the flat cable. At a desired connection point, the flat cable is guided through the housing of the connection device. Within this housing penetration contacts are arranged, which contact the flat cable without stripping. In stripping-free contacting, the insulating layer, which wraps a wire of the flat cable when making the electrical contact with the wire conductor, not removed. Rather, the insulating sheath of the flat cable and the core insulation of a wire is pierced by means of electrically conductive Durchdringungskontakte and made by touching the at least one electrically conductive Durchdringungskontakts to be contacted with the core conductor of the flat cable, the electrical connection of the connection device with the respective core. By way of example, a contact screw provided with a conductive tip, which penetrates the wire insulation with its tip when it is screwed into the flat cable and contacts the core of the flat cable in the center, is used as penetration contacts for contacting the wires. Such a method is for example in the DE-AS 2206187 described. Another example of a flat cable contacting method is in the document EP 2375505 A1 shown. In this case, a wire of the flat cable is contacted laterally between two conductive contact screws whose cutting threads penetrate the core insulation of the wire and thus make electrical contact with the wire.

The flat cable comprises at least one live conductor (one or more phase conductors) and at least one connected to ground potential wire (neutral conductor and / or protective conductor). For example, the flat cable to be contacted has five wire conductors, including three phase conductors, a neutral conductor and a protective conductor. However, neutral conductors and protective conductors can, for example, also be combined to form a single, grounded conductor, which is also referred to as a PEN conductor. A single-phase transmission line may, for example, only two core conductors, a phase conductor and a neutral conductor having.

The connection device establishes an electrical connection from the flat cable to the branch line. It comprises a branch line bushing for the exit of the branch line from the connection device. This branch line bushing is arranged on the housing of the connection device.

The branch line bushing comprises a securing receptacle for receiving at least one fuse link for securing an associated wire of the branch line. The fuse holder can accommodate one or more fuse links and is electrically connected via a connecting line to the penetration contacts.

The branch line socket also has a branch line socket housing in which the fuse holder is arranged. The branch line female housing is openable without having to open the connector housing, allowing replacement of a fuse link without opening the connector housing. To replace the fuse insert, it is sufficient to open the branch line socket housing. For example, in some embodiments, the branch line female connector housing has a plurality of interconnectable, eg, screwable parts, such as a housing body and a terminator cap thereon. In the cited document EP 2568542 A1 however, the fuse link is accessible only by opening the housing of the connection device.

The fuse holder electrically forms a separation point for the at least one fused core of the branch line, since at this point or in the region of the fuse link to be inserted in it, the current flow to the relevant wire is interrupted when the fuse link responds. Since the fuse link is spatially extended (with an "input contact" and an "output contact"), the "disconnect" is not a punctiform point in the strict sense, but a "disconnect" - as a "disconnect", e.g. the center will be considered the input and output contact of the fuse link.

By responding (i.e., disconnecting) the fuse link, the electrical connection between the penetrating contacts and the associated branch of the branch line is broken. On this side of the separation point (i.e., from the separation point to the flat cable), the connection line leading from the fuse holder to the penetration contacts remains in electrical contact with the corresponding wire of the flat cable, thus possibly remaining under voltage. On the other side of the separation point (i.e., on the side of the separation point facing away from the flat cable), the branch line together with the consumers connected thereto are then electrically separated from the contacted flat cable.

The result of the separation is that a short circuit beyond the point of separation can not act on the continuity line and impair its function. Only the load connected to the said branch line fails.

In some embodiments, the branch line bushing is at least partially outside the housing of the connection device. The separation point is outside the case of the Connection device. In some of these embodiments, not only the separation point, but also the fuse holder is outside the housing of the connection device.

In some embodiments, the outer branch line bushing opens, for example, in a bore of the housing of the connection device. In some of these embodiments, the branch line bushing has a thread (e.g., an external thread) at its end adjacent the point of separation to thread it into the mating threaded (e.g., female) bore of the housing of the terminal device.

The fuse holder has an insulating body, which has at least one cavity for receiving the at least one fuse link. The insulating body is equipped with fuse contacts for contacting the at least one, to be included in the cavity fuse link. The insulating body is made for example of insulating plastic; It may also be wholly or partly made of fire-resistant insulating material, e.g. Be made ceramic. The fuse contacts are electrically conductive elements in the fuse holder, which establish an electrical connection to the fuse link. The fuse contacts are kept isolated by the insulating body. For example, they contact both an "input contact" located on the side of the separation point and an "output contact" beyond the separation point of a fuse insert when it is inserted into the cavity of the insulating body.

In some embodiments, the insulating body is equipped with connecting elements, which are electrically connected on the one hand each with a fuse contact. On the other hand, the connection elements on this side of the separation point, for example, via the above-mentioned connection line (which may be formed, for example, of several wires) electrically connected to the Durchdringungskontakten. Beyond the point of separation, the connecting elements are connected, for example, via terminals with the wire conductors of the wires of the branch line. The connection elements thus serve beyond the separation point the connection of the branch line and this side of the separation point the connection of the connecting line.

The connection elements and fuse contacts are made of one piece in some embodiments. Such connection elements are, for example, metallic safety sockets or a screw holder for a screw fuse, the side of which has a screw terminal for receiving a wire conductor.

The insulating body of the fuse holder is formed in two parts, with a this side and an otherworldly part. For example, one of the two insulating bodies lies for the most part in a region beyond the separation point, while the other part of the insulating body is for the most part located in an area on this side of the separation point. The other-side part of the insulator is detachable without opening the terminal housing, only with opening of the branch line female housing, from this side part. The two parts of the insulating body, hereinafter also referred to as "Teilisolierkörper" have, for example, in each case a bore to form the at least one cavity for receiving a fuse link, wherein a bore of an insulating body opposite to a bore of the other Teilisolierkörpers. The cavity is accessible by removing the other-side Teilisolierkörpers from this side Teilisolierkörper for receiving the at least one fuse link, whereby the at least one fuse link can be replaced. By separating the partial insulation body, for example, a fuse insert inserted in the fuse holder protrudes from such a cavity and can be pulled out of it for replacement.

Due to the removability of the otherworldly part of the insulating body, the entire branch line can be removed from the connecting device. In some embodiments, the branch line is tensile strength connected to the fuse holder, or the connection elements of the fuse holder and also connected to the fuse holder belonging to the insulating body. In some embodiments, the detachable, otherworldly, partial insulating body and also the branching conduit connected thereto are connected to a terminating cap of the branched conduit female housing, which is bolted to the branching conduit female housing, for example, via a sleeve. By unscrewing the final flap and pull it out the branch line can then be removed together with the Teilisolierkörper of the connection device.

In some embodiments, the fuse holder is for receiving one or more fuse links in the form of Soffittensicherungen, i. essentially circular-cylindrical fuses with contact surfaces on the two cylinder end faces. These Soffittensicherungen each have a longitudinal axis, wherein the two parts of the insulating body along an insertion direction are plugged together. The fuse holder thus has in these embodiments, two complementary trained insulating body with correspondingly cylindrical cavities, each with a fuse contact for the two cylinder end faces. The fuse links are arranged with their longitudinal direction in the direction of insertion and thus act as plug-in pins that bridge the electrical separation point. The insulating body encloses, for example, the fuse links at least in the area connected to the Soffittensicherungen fuse contacts.

In some embodiments, multiple wires of the branch line are hedged. To be protected are live conductors, such as the three phase conductors in a three-phase branch line, or the (single) phase conductors in a single-phase branch line. In some embodiments, the neutral conductor and / or the possibly existing protective conductor is also protected. For the branches of the branch line to be protected, in the fuse holders e.g. each provided a fuse. The fuse holder is designed accordingly to accommodate a plurality of fuse links.

In some embodiments, the branch line also includes at least one unsecured wire in addition to at least one fused wire. The connected to ground potential protective conductor and / or neutral conductor namely requires no protection, because even with the separation of the live wires already a penetration of a short circuit in the branch line can be avoided on the passage line. Accordingly, in some embodiments for the protective conductor and / or neutral conductor (or for a combination of neutral conductor and protective conductor), no protection, i. no fuse link provided.

The optionally present, at least one unsecured wire of the branch line is connected in some embodiments via a detachable electrical plug connection with the Durchdringungskontakten. In the case of the fused wires, the fuse link, which can be removed and replaced from the fuse holder, at the same time forms a detachable plug connection for the wire in question. In embodiments with at least one Unsecured wire is the insulating body equipped with the plug contacts for the at least one unsecured wire. By also for the unsecured (s) wire (s) of the branch line such a releasable electrical connector is provided, the branch line socket forms a total, ie for all wires at the same time a connector for the branch line, which by this connector, as mentioned above, the entire Branch line from the connection device is removable.

In some embodiments, the connector housing is openable and the connector is protected against ingress of dust and / or water spray. For example, watertightness is important with regard to fire protection applications to prevent fire water from entering the connector housing. For this purpose, the connection device housing is equipped with a seal in the region of its opening. For example, the port of the connector housing is provided with a rubber seal which conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the port of the connector housing and conforms snugly to the opening. Also, the branch line bushing is protected in some embodiments against ingress of dust and / or water spray, for example, by a stuffing seal on a cap at which exits the branch line, namely between an outlet hole in the cap and the branch line.

Since the fuse link is replaceable solely by opening the branch line female housing, the sealed state of the connector housing may remain untouched when replacing a fuse link. Especially with such terminal housing cases protected against ingress of water or dust, opening of the terminal housing, e.g. by opening a cover of the connector housing, namely to damage a seal this cover.

In some embodiments, the Isolierköper is at least in the area on this side of the separation point fireproof.

In such embodiments, the fire-resistant (partial) insulating body is non-flammable and dimensionally stable when exposed to fire, ie it retains its property to keep the electrically conductive parts of the fuse holder on this side of the separation point, which are in electrical contact with the wires of the branch line, insulated also in case of fire, eg for at least 15 min at 750 ° C at. The fire-resistant (partial) insulating body is made of an electrically insulating, non-combustible material with melting point, for example above 750 ° C, such as ceramic. "Ceramics" in this context generally means inorganic, non-metallic and polycrystalline materials that undergo sintering during firing. Materials such as glass ceramics and composite ceramics also fall under the term "ceramics". As a result, a short circuit is avoided in the area of the fuse holder on this side of the separation point even in case of fire. A short circuit avoidance beyond the point of separation is not necessary in case of fire, since the fuse link electrically isolates the otherworldly part of the branch line.

In principle, it is possible to form the entire insulator fire-resistant. In some embodiments of the branch line bushing with a two-part insulating body, both parts of the insulating body are made of fire-resistant material accordingly. In such a configuration, therefore, both the otherworldly as well as the this part Teilisolierkörper are fire resistant.

Since the fuse link but in the event of fire electrically separates the otherworldly part of the branch line from the branch line, a short circuit beyond the separation point is tolerable. A fire-resistant training of the otherworldly Teilisolierkörpers is therefore not required. In some embodiments, therefore, the part of the insulating body lying on the side of the separating point is made of fire-resistant material, while the part of the insulating body lying beyond the separating point is made of non-fire-resistant material.

The electrically conductive parts of the fuse holder to be insulated from the insulating body are, inter alia, the abovementioned connecting elements or fuse contacts. Due to the fire-resistant design of the insulating or Teilisolierkörpers these electrically conductive parts used in it both under normal conditions and in case of fire when the non-refractory plastic insulation etc. are burned, kept isolated from each other.

In some embodiments, the electrically conductive parts of the fuse holder, which are held insulated by an insulating body against each other, including the electrical connectors for one or more unsecured wires.

In some embodiments, at least one wire of the connecting line, which connects the fuse holder or the connecting element located on this side of the separation point with the Durchdringungskontakten, equipped this side of the separation point with a ceramizing in the event of fire core insulation. This means that the wire conductor is covered with a layer that forms an electrically insulating crust in case of fire. In some embodiments, all wires, or all live wires and possibly also a protective conductor, this side of the separation point provided with such a ceramic core insulation. In case of fire ceramizing insulating materials are known in the art, such as from P. Eyerer et al., Polymer Engineering Technologies and Practice, Springer-Verlag, 2008, p. 111, keyword "Ceramic Polymers ", and KW Thomson et al., In the firing line, European Coatings Journal, 2006, 12, pp. 34-39 , The additives may be, for example, silicate material, metal or semimetal oxides (such as SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ ), or other suitable ceramizing materials such as zinc borate, or mixtures thereof. This fireproof design of said cores contributes to the fact that even with a fire on the entire connection device to no short circuit inside the connection device comes.

In some embodiments, the branching device is also fire-resistant in the area of the penetration contacts. The electrically conductive Durchdringungskontakte be kept isolated even in case of fire against each other. The metallic penetration contacts are mounted, for example, on a block of electrically insulating and fire-resistant material (eg ceramic) and are thus kept at a distance even in case of fire. As a result, there is no short circuit between the penetration contacts here in case of fire. Such a training is for example from the document EP 2375505 A1 known. In some embodiments of the refractory connection device also to be contacted conductors of two penetrating contacts (eg in the form of contact screws) are squeezed from both sides, so that they are held in place by the Durchdringungskontakten in place in the event of fire, see publication EP 2375505 A1 ,

Optionally, an additional fire-resistant equipment of the flat cable is possible, for example, in that the phase conductors and optionally the neutral conductor and / or the protective conductor comprise a core insulation which cures on fire. The core insulation is then wholly or partly made of a (usually thermoplastic) plastic material, which added with additives that form an electrically insulating ceramic crust when burning.

In some embodiments, the fuse link is an overcurrent tripable fuse. Such overcurrent protection disconnects the branch line when e.g. Fire-related to a short circuit in the branch line comes.

In other embodiments of the Anschlussvörrichtung with a fuse insert used in the fuse holder of this fuse is a thermally triggered fuse. Different variants of such fuse links are in EP 2 568 542 A1 described. The thermally actuable fuse link separates the electrical connection between this and the other side section of the branch line if the ambient temperature at the location of the fuse link exceeds a typical fire value. A "typical fire temperature" is a temperature that is normally only reached in case of fire. Such a thermally triggered fuse disconnects the branch line already at an early stage before the fire in the branch line causes a short circuit.

In some embodiments, the branch line is protected against overcurrent and overtemperature. So there are, for example, two fuse links per voltage-carrying wire connected in series, namely an overcurrent protection and thermal fuse. Alternatively, the fuse link can be a combined overcurrent fuse and thermal fuse. The branch line is thus already separated at an early stage before the fire in the branch line causes a short circuit; For safety reasons, however, the fuse additionally addresses all short circuits, even those that are not fire-related.

Further aspects relate to a kit for an electrical installation, as well as a corresponding executed electrical installation for preventing a loss of function of a given through one or more flat cable through-line by short circuit in a branch line.

The kit and the electrical installation thereby comprise at least one connection device of the type described above and at least one flat cable with a plurality of parallel to each other in a plane spaced apart extending cable cores and at least one branch line to be connected beyond the separation point of the fuse holder. In general, the kit and the electrical installation include a plurality of terminal devices and branch lines per one through-line formed by a flat cable, eg, several hundreds of terminal devices and branch lines.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises a through-line formed from at least one flat cable, the cores of the flat cable spaced parallel in a plane being in some embodiments provided with a ceramic core insulation, as already described in connection with the connection device.

The passageway is an electrically continuous conduit, the length of which, in some embodiments, is substantially equal to the total length of the electrical installation (possibly to the lengths of branched conduits arranged in end portions).

In some embodiments, at least in the area of the electrical installation, the wires of the through-line extend in one piece substantially over the entire length of the through-line; the through-line comprises in this case at least one continuous (one-piece) flat cable of the length of the passage line.

By the described measures for avoiding a loss of function of the passage line, e.g. in case of fire, it is possible to make low demands on short-circuit avoidance to the branch line to be connected beyond the point of separation and consumers connected to it. As a branch line to one or more consumers, conventional round cables with interlaced wires and common loads without special short-circuit preventing (e.g., fire resistant) equipment can therefore be used within the kit.

The electrical installation comprises at least one through-line formed by a flat cable, at least one connection device mounted on the flat cable and at least one branch line connected beyond the separation point of the fuse holder.

To the transit line is at least one consumer, e.g. a fan or a lighting element in a tunnel, connected. The connection of a consumer takes place via at least one connected by a connecting device according to the invention to the flat cable branch line. In some installations, 10, 20, 50 or more consumers are connected at regular intervals by a branching device and a branch line to the transmission line. Such consumers are for example tunnel lighting, fans for air supply, emergency telephones or illuminated signs. Branch lines are e.g. in a length of 0.5m to 10m, wherein its length is at most one tenth of the total length of the passage line. In such embodiments, it is ensured that in case of fire at the connection device in case of fire sufficiently high temperatures prevail for the thermal release of the fuse link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

• Fig. 1 eine schematische seitliche Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Anschlussvorrichtung, einschließlich Abzweigleitungsbuchse, und eines damit kontaktierbaren Flachkabels ,
• Fig. 2 eine detaillierte Schnittansicht der Abzweigleitungsbuchse von Fig. 1, geschnitten entlang der Linie B-B von Figur 3;
• Fig. 3 eine Schnittansicht der Abzweigleitungsbuchse von Fig. 2, geschnitten entlang der in Linie A-A von Figur 2;
• Fig. 4 schematisch eine elektrische Installation in einem Tunnel mit einer durch ein oder mehrere Flachkabel gebildete Durchgangsleitung und mit daran über Anschlussvorrichtungen angeschlossene Abzweigleitungen zur Versorgung von Leuchten mit elektrischer Energie,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Außenansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung bzw. Abzweigleitungsbuchse von Figuren 1-3.

The attached drawing illustrates exemplary embodiments of the various aspects of the invention. In the drawing show:

• Fig. 1 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment of a connecting device, including a branch line bushing, and a flat cable which can be contacted therewith,
• Fig. 2 a detailed sectional view of the branch line bushing of Fig. 1 , cut along the line BB of FIG. 3 ;
• Fig. 3 a sectional view of the branch line bushing of Fig. 2 , cut along in line AA of FIG. 2 ;
• Fig. 4 1 schematically shows an electrical installation in a tunnel with a through-line formed by one or more flat cables and with branch lines connected thereto via connecting devices for supplying lamps with electrical energy;
• Fig. 5 an external perspective view of the connection device or branch line from Figures 1-3 ,

The drawing and the description of the drawing relate to examples of the invention and not to the invention itself.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THE DRAWING

The connecting device 6 according to Fig.1 contacts cores of a flat cable 40, 40 'and establishes an electrical connection between the cores of the flat cable 40, 40' and the cores of the branch line 41, 41 ', which are part of the branch line 5. The cores of the flat cable 40, 40 ', here shown by the example of a single phase conductor 40' and a neutral conductor 40, contacted by stripping contacts 42, 42 'stripping. The penetration contacts 42, 42 'are arranged in the connection device housing 30. The flat cable 4 is guided by the connector housing 30.

A penetrating contact 42 ', which is associated with a phase conductor 40', is connected via a connecting wire 43 'of the connecting line to a fuse connection 16 on this side, in which case the fuse contact 16 and the associated connection element 19 are shown together. The configuration of this and other connection elements 19, 19 'or securing contacts 16, 16' and their connection to one another are shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown in more detail. Thus, a penetrating contact 42 'contacting a phase conductor 40' is connected to a fuse holder 17.

A penetrating contact 42 contacting a neutral conductor 40 is connected to a neutral contact bridge 21 via a connecting wire 43. The fuse holder 17 forms in the middle of a fuse link 18 inserted into it an electrical separation point 25. Similarly, a plug contact 26 forms a mechanical and electrical separation point 25 in the neutral contact pad 21. Both the fuse holder 17 and the neutral conductor contact bridge 21 are in the region of a dividing surface 24th the two parts of an insulating body 15 of the fuse holder 17, the so-called. "Teilisolierkörpern" 13, 14, this is also in conjunction with Fig. 2 described in more detail below.

Easy replacement of a fuse element 18 designed as a cylindrical safety fuse is made possible, since the otherworldly partial insulating body 14 can be removed from the partial insulating body 13 on this side. The two Teilisolierkörper 13, 14 are arranged along a direction of insertion S wherein the cylindrical Soffittensicherungen designed fuse links 18 with their, in Fig. 2 sketched longitudinal direction are arranged in this direction of insertion and thus act as a connector pins.

Beyond the separation point 25, the phase-conducting wires of the branch line 41 'are each connected to one of the fuse contacts 16' beyond the separation point 25, wherein the fuse contact 16 'and the associated connection element 19' are here shown together. A neutral conducting wire of the branch line 41 is connected to the neutral conductor contact bridge 21. The branch line socket 10 has a branch line socket housing 11. The branch line female housing 11 is bolted via an opening to an opening of the connector housing 30 via screw threads 28 having a seal. Ingress of spray water and / or dust into the interior of the connecting device 6 is prevented inter alia by this sealed gland.

The branch line female housing 11 can be opened by removing an end cap 12, wherein the end cap 12 by a screw thread 27 with the branch line female housing 11 is tightly screwed. The connecting device 6 is designed to be protected against the ingress of dust and / or spray water. A removable cover of the connecting device 6 is provided with a seal 29.

The embodiment of a branch line bush according to Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 especially in the field of fuse link 17 shown in more detail. The branch line female 10 is enclosed by the branch line female housing 11 and the end cap 12, which is screwed to the branch line female housing 11. Both this female housing 11 and the end flap 12 are made of waterproof and electrically insulating plastic, for example. The threaded connection between the branch line female housing 11 and the end cap 12 allows for easy opening of the branch line female 10, as already described in connection with FIG FIG. 1 explained.

At this side end of the branch line bushing 10 are three core conductors of phase-leading connection wires 43 'of the connecting line, also schematically in FIG FIG. 1 represented, connected by screw terminals on this side connection elements 19 of the fuse holder 17. The this-side connection elements 19 are connected to this side fuse contacts 16. These fuse contacts 16 may be formed, for example, as a fuse jacks. The wire conductors of the phase-leading connecting wires 43 'of the Connecting line are respectively connected to the corresponding one of the three phase conductor wires of the flat cable. In some embodiments, they may be coated with a ceramic insulating layer in case of fire. Also at this side end of the branch line bushing 10, a wire conductor connected to the neutral conductor of the flat cable 4 of a connecting wire 43 is connected to a neutral conductor contact bridge 21. Analogously, a conductor connected to the protective conductor of the feedthrough line of a connecting wire is connected to a protective conductor contact bridge 23. The protective conductor contact bridge 23 is essentially constructed identically to the neutral conductor contact bridge. The protective conductor contact bridge 23 is in by Fig. 2 given sectional view not shown.

All electrically conductive parts, e.g. the connecting elements 19, 19 ', the fuse jacks 16, 16' or the parts of the neutral conductor bridge 21 are held in (partial) insulating bodies 13, 14 spaced from each other for short-circuit prevention. Optionally, in embodiments having functional integrity in the event of fire, the partial insulating body 13 made of fire-resistant material, e.g. Be made of ceramic, so that all the electrically conductive parts in this side part of the branch line bushing 10 of the fire-resistant this side Teilisolierkörper 13 for short-circuit avoidance are kept apart even in case of fire, such. the this-side connection elements 19, the world-side fuse jacks 16 or this part of the neutral conductor bridge 21, to avoid a short circuit even in case of fire.

At the other end of the branch line bushing 10, the phase-leading wires of the branch line 5 are connected to otherworldly connection elements 19 'of the fuse holder 17 analogous to this side end of the branch line, which in turn are electrically connected to associated otherworldly fused contacts 16'. The structure of the fuse jacks or the connection elements is analogous to this side part.

The neutral conductor contact bridge 21 connects a neutral conducting wire of the branch line 5, or the wire conductor 20 'with a connecting wire 43 (in Fig. 1 shown) and has for mechanical and electrical separation of this connection to a neutral contact plug 26. In the FIG. 2 not shown protective conductor contact bridge 23 is constructed as mentioned above, analogous to the neutral conductor contact bridge and thus also has a plug contact. The neutral conductor contact bridge 21 and the protective conductor contact bridge 23 (not shown here) have no fuse link 18, ie the corresponding protective conductor or neutral conductor of the branch line 5 are not hedged.

The fuse link 18 (described in more detail below) separates the connection between the branch line 5 and the flat cable 4 in the event of a short circuit or fire. Therefore, the far-side partial insulating body 14, which covers all electrically conductive parts beyond the separating point 25, such as e.g. the otherworldly securing sockets 16 ', the otherworldly connection elements 19' of the fuse holder 17 or the otherworldly part of the neutral conductor contact bridge 21, insulated from each other, even in the embodiments with functional integrity in case of fire not be fire resistant. It can consist of combustible plastic, which burns in the event of fire. A reaction of a short circuit beyond the separation point 25 on the flat cable 4 is in fact avoided by a response of the fuse 18.

The two parts of the fuse holder 17 belonging to the insulating body 15, the fire-resistant thisseitige Teilisolierkörper 13 and the non-fire-resistant otherworldly Teilisolierkörper 14 form a division surface 24 of this insulator 15. When or after removing the end cap 12 of the branch line bushing 10 is the other side Teilisolierkörper 14 from this part Teilisolierkörper 13 removable.

The fuse holder 17 electrically forms a separation point 25 between the to the penetrating contacts 42, 42 'connected connecting line and the branch line 5. The separation point 25 is doing as the center between a this-side fuse contact 16 and a jenseitigem fuse contact 16', the "input" and "output contacts "of the fuse holder are accepted.

The this-side fuse contacts 16 of the fuse holder 17 are designed as fuse jacks. These fuse jacks are inserted into cavities of Teilisolierkörpers 13. The otherworldly fuse contacts 16 'of the fuse holder 17 are also formed as a fuse jacks. These safety sockets are inserted into cavities of the possibly non-fire-resistant Teilisolierkörpers 14. The cavities of the two Teilisolierkörper are complementary to each other and serve to accommodate each of a cylindrical fuse link 18, which may be designed as Soffittensicherung and is inserted into the fuse jacks.

The fuse links 18 have a longitudinal axis, the in FIG. 2 by a dashed line within the sectional view of the fuse link 18 along in Fig. 1 shown insertion direction S of the two partial insulation 13, 14 is outlined. The this-side and other-side fuse contacts 16, 16 '(fuse sockets) and the connected thereto and the other side terminal elements 19, 19' of the fuse holder 17 are held spaced from each other by the insulating body 15. By removing the otherworldly part insulating body 14 from this partial insulating body 13, a cavity into which a fuse link 18 is inserted is accessible with or after the opening of the housing branch line female housing 11. This allows the replacement of a fuse link 18. In addition, the end cap 12 may be mechanically connected to both the other part Isolierisolkörper 14 and the branch line 5, whereby the branch line 5 itself is removable from the connecting device when opening the branch line female housing.

A fuse link 18 connected to an associated connecting element 19, 19 'is clamped by an electrically conductive tensioning spring 22 between a fuse contact 16' designed as a safety-side fuse socket and a fuse contact 16 embodied as this fuse socket. The example designed as a cylindrical Soffittensicherung fuse 18 is, for example, by overcurrent or thermally triggered. The fuse link 18 may, for example, as a thermally triggered bimetallic fuse link according to the in the document EP 2568542 A1 be executed described type.

Fig. 3 FIG. 12 illustrates a sectional view of the branch line socket 10 along the in FIG Fig. 2 The arranged inside the branch line bush 10 this side terminal elements 19 of the fuse holder 17, which are connected to phase-leading wires of the branch line 5 are held by the insulating body 15 spaced from each other and are enclosed by the branch line female housing 11. The neutral conductor contact bridge 21 and the protective conductor contact bridge 23 are kept at a distance from each other and from the connecting elements 19 by the insulating body 15. Said positioning of the securing receptacles and contact bridges is only an example; the ground-side connection elements 19 of the fuse holder 17 and the protective conductor contact bridge 23 or the neutral conductor contact bridge 21 can also be arranged differently within the branch line bushing 10.

In a tunnel 1, of which in FIG. 4 By way of example, a section is shown, the electrical installation 2 is installed to illuminate the tunnel 1. For this purpose, the installation includes 2 lights 3, which are attached to a ceiling of the tunnel 1.

To supply the lights 3 with electrical power is used in the installation 2 designed as a flat cable through-line 4, which extends substantially over the entire length of the tunnel 1. At this passage line 4, each lamp 3 is connected via a separate branch line 5, in each case via a separate connection device 6, with which the through-line is electrically contacted stripping free. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of lamps 3 also corresponds to the number of branch lines 5 and the terminal device 6. Alternatively, e.g. two lights each connected via its own (ie two separate) branch lines together to a connection device 6.

Overall, the electrical installation 2 was performed with a kit that includes, for example, the through-line 4, the connection devices 6, the branch lines 5 and the lights 3 together with suitable mounting material. In alternative embodiments, the kit comprises only the through-line 4, the connection devices 6 and the branch lines 5.

For power supply, the transmission line 4 is e.g. powered by a single current source 7, which is e.g. at the end of the passage line 4 or between two connection devices 6 is connected.

The passage line 4 is formed by a flat cable with cores running parallel to each other in a plane. Such a flat cable has the property that even with melting or burning of the insulation, the wires could not cross over and thus be short-circuited. In addition, the live wires of the flat cable may be equipped with a fire resistant (e.g., ceramically fired) core insulation.

As an example of a short-circuit producing effect is in Fig. 4 a fire is shown. In case of fire, the fire area 8 usually extends only over a certain length of the tunnel.1. In FIG. 4 By way of example, a fire area 8 delimited along the tunnel 1 is shown in which only one of the lights 3 (of harmful fire and heat wine effect) is affected. In this case, the fire area 8 is a region of the tunnel 1 in which, for example, temperatures of at least 150 ° C. prevail.

So that a short circuit in the branch line 5 does not lead to a loss of function of the passage line 4, the connection device 6 is equipped with one or more overcurrent and / or thermally triggered fuse links 18. Optionally, the part of the connection device 6 lying on this side of this protection can be made fire-resistant. The fuse links 18 are, for example, for automatically disconnecting the electrical connection between the branch line 5 and the through-line 4 when a maximum current and / or when the ambient temperature of the connecting device 6 is increased to a typical fire value (a so-called separation temperature of, for example, 150 ° C.). As a result, the luminaire 3 and the branch line 5 are electrically separated in the fire area 8 from the transit line 4 substantially at short circuit or the separation temperature. When triggered thermally, the separation takes place before there is a fire-related short circuit in the luminaire 3 and / or the branch line 5, for example, from about 250 ° C when the plastic of the cable insulation melts. The said overcurrent protection leads to the separation, in case it should already come to a short circuit when the lamp 3 and the branch line 5 are still under power.

For this purpose, the branch line 5 can be chosen as short as possible, for example, less than 10 m, since the connection device 6 and thus the thermally triggered fuse links 18 should respond to local fire on the branch line 5 and the lamp 3.

FIG. 5 Finally, a schematic representation of the claimed connection device 6 in the already by Figures 1-3 sketched embodiment in an external view. The flat cable 4 is guided through the housing of the connecting device 30, to which in turn the branch line bushing 10 is connected. The branch line 5 finally exits the branch line socket 10.

Claims (13)

1. Connection apparatus (6) for connecting a multicore branch line (5) to a ribbon cable (4), comprising:

   a connection apparatus housing (30) which allows the ribbon cable (4) to pass through;

   piercing contacts (42, 42') for making contact with the ribbon cable (4) without stripping insulation, wherein the piercing contacts (42, 42') are arranged in the connection apparatus housing (30);

   a branch line bushing (10) for the branch line (5) to exit from the connection apparatus (6), wherein the branch line bushing (10) is arranged on the connection apparatus housing (30);

   wherein the branch line bushing (10) comprises a branch line bushing housing (11) and a fuse receptacle (17), which is arranged in the said branch line bushing housing, for at least one fuse insert (18) for fuse-protecting an associated core (41, 41') of the branch line (5),

   wherein the fuse receptacle (17) is electrically connected to the piercing contacts via a connecting line (43, 43'),

   wherein the fuse receptacle (17) forms an electrical isolation point (25) for the at least one fuse-protected core (41') of the branch line (5), whereby the core (41') of the branch line (5) situated on the other side of the isolation point can be electrically isolated from the ribbon cable (4) by response of the fuse insert (18);

   wherein the branch line bushing housing (11) can be opened and the at least one fuse insert (18) can be replaced by opening the branch line bushing housing (11), without opening the connection apparatus housing (30),

   wherein the fuse receptacle (17) comprises an insulating body (15) which has at least one hollow space for receiving the at least one fuse insert (18) and which is equipped with fuse contacts (16, 16') for making contact with the at least one fuse insert (18) which is to be received in the hollow space,

   characterized in that

   the insulating body (15) is of two-part design, with one part (13) on one side and one part (14) on the other side, and wherein the part (14) of the insulating body on the other side can be removed from the part (13) on this side solely by opening the branch line bushing housing (11), without opening the connection apparatus housing (30), wherein the hollow space for receiving the at least one fuse insert (18) is then accessible and therefore the at least one fuse insert (18) can be replaced,

   wherein the entire branch line (5) can be removed from the connection apparatus (6) owing to the ability to remove the part (14) of the insulating body on the other side.
2. Connection apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the branch line bushing (10) is arranged at least partially outside the branch apparatus housing (11),
   wherein the fuse receptacle (17) which is arranged in the branch line bushing (10) and/or the isolation point (25) are/is situated outside the branch apparatus housing (11).
3. Connection apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the insulating body (15) is equipped with connection elements (19, 19') which are electrically connected to in each case one fuse contact (16, 16') and which serve to connect the branch line (5) and, respectively, the connecting line (43, 43') to the isolation point (25) on the other side and, respectively, on this side.
4. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein
   the fuse receptacle (17) is designed to receive one or more fuse inserts (18) in the form of soffit fuses which each have a longitudinal axis,
   wherein the two parts (13, 14) of the insulating body can be plug-connected along a plugging direction (S),
   wherein the fuse inserts (18) are arranged with their longitudinal direction in the plugging direction (S) and therefore act as plug-connection pins which bridge the electrical isolation point (25).
5. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein
   wherein a plurality of cores (41') of the branch line (5) are fuse-protected, and
   the fuse receptacle (17) is accordingly designed to receive a plurality of fuse inserts (18).
6. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the branch line (5) comprises at least one non-fuse-protected core (41), in addition to the at least one fuse-protected core (41'),
   the at least one non-fuse-protected core (41) having a releasable plug connection which is formed by plug contacts (26),
   wherein the insulating body (15) is equipped with the plug contacts.
7. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein
   the connection apparatus housing (30) can be opened,
   the connection apparatus (6) is protected against the ingress of dust and/or water splashes, and to this end the connection apparatus housing (30) is equipped with a seal (29) in the region of its opening,
   wherein, on account of the ability to replace a fuse insert (18) solely by opening the branch line bushing housing (11), the sealed-off state of the connection apparatus housing (30) can remain intact when replacing a fuse insert (18).
8. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the insulating body (15) is of fire-resistant design at least on this side of the isolation point (25).
9. Connection apparatus according to Claim 8, comprising a two-part insulating body, wherein

   - both parts (13, 14) of the insulating body (15) are produced from fire-resistant material; or

   - the part (13) of the insulating body (15) on this side is produced from fire-resistant material, while the part (14) of the insulating body (15) on the other side is produced from non-fire-resistant material.
10. Connection apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein electrically conductive parts of the fuse receptacle (17), specifically the fuse contacts (16, 16') and/or the connection elements (19, 19') amongst others, are metal parts which are inserted into the fire-resistant material of the insulating body (15) and are held in a manner insulated from one another by the insulating body (15), even in the event of a fire, in order to prevent a short circuit.
11. Connection apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one fuse insert (18) is inserted into the fuse receptacle (17), it being possible for the said fuse insert to be tripped by an overcurrent and/or by a short circuit on the branch line (5) and/or it being possible for the said fuse insert to be thermally tripped by ambient temperatures which are typical in the event of a fire.
12. Installation kit comprising

    - at least one connection apparatus (6) according to one of Claims 1 to 14;

    - at least one ribbon cable (4);

    - at least one branch line (5) which is to be connected on the other side of the isolation point (25) of the fuse receptacle (17).
13. Electrical installation, comprising:

    - a passage line which is formed by at least one ribbon cable (4);

    - at least one connection apparatus (6), which is mounted on the ribbon cable (4), according to one of Claims 1 to 14;

    - at least one branch line (5) which is connected on the other side of the isolation point (25) of the fuse receptacle (17).

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