GB2598948A

GB2598948A - Connection device for an electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2598948A
Application number: GB2014856.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brown Nathaniel; Howells Chris
Original assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Hager Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2020-09-21
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-21
Also published as: GB202014856D0; GB2598948B; AU2021232832A1

Abstract

A connection device 102 for an electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142; figures 15 to 17) such as a surge protection device in an electrical cabinet or enclosure, comprises a first interface 104 for mechanically and electrically connecting the connection device to a mounting rail 100. The mounting rail, which may be a DIN rail, has an essentially planar surface extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and at least one segment 116, shaped to cooperate with a locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus, extending along a longitudinal side of the planar surface. The connection device further comprises a second interface (110; figure 3) comprising one or more lugs or ears 112 for electrically connecting the connection device and at least one electrical terminal (148; figures 15 to 17) of the electrical or electronic apparatus when said connection device is connected to the mounting rail and said electrical or electronic apparatus is mounted on the mounting rail. The connection device allows the mounting rail to be used as a large-area conductor to connect an apparatus to a protective earth terminal.

Description

CONNECTION DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connection device for an electrical apparatus, in particular for an electrical safety apparatus, such as a surge protection device (SPD).

BACKGROUND

Electrical installations, e.g., in residential or commercial buildings, must comply with local safety regulations and generally be arranged so as not to be the cause of any safety risk to life or property.

Typically, electrical installations are arranged in electrical cabinets or enclosures that prevent inadvertently touching conductors, connectors or surfaces that may carry a high voltage exceeding low voltages considered safe to touch.

Electrical installations comprise a variety of electrical apparatuses that ensure electrical safety of the installation, such as circuit breakers, residual-current circuit breakers (RCCB) or residual-current devices (RCD), surge protection device (SPD), and the like.

An RCCB or RCD is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral conductor. Such an imbalance may indicate current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit.

An SPD is an appliance or device that protects an electrical installation from voltage spikes. Such voltage spikes may, for example, be caused by lightning striking an electrical conductor, or by switching inductive loads. Lightning that strikes a power line can give many thousands, sometimes 100,000 or more volts. A motor when switched off can generate a spike of 1,000 or more volts. Spikes can degrade wiring insulation and destroy electronic devices like, for example, battery chargers, modems and TVs.

A transient surge protector attempts to limit the voltage supplied to an electric device by either blocking or shorting current to reduce the voltage below a safe threshold.

Blocking is done by using inductors which inhibit a sudden change in current. Shorting is done by spark gaps, discharge tubes, Zener-type semiconductors, and MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors), all of which begin to conduct current once a certain voltage threshold is reached, or by capacitors which inhibit a sudden change in voltage. Some surge protectors use multiple elements.

The most common and effective way is the shorting method in which the electrical lines are temporarily shorted together, as by a spark gap, or clamped to a target voltage, as by a MOV, resulting in a large current flow. The voltage is reduced as the shorting current flows through the resistance in the power lines. The spike's energy is dissipated in the power lines and/or the ground, or in the body of the MOV, converted to heat. Since most spikes last only lOs of microseconds, the temperature rise is typically minimal.

Surge protectors for electrical installations are typically installed in a power panel or electrical cabinet. Modern electrical installations use three wires: line, neutral and ground or protection earth (PE). Many protectors will connect to all three in pairs: line-neutral, line-PE and neutral-PE, because there are conditions, such as lightning, where both line and neutral may have high voltage spikes that need to be shorted to ground or PE.

In order to provide proper protection, it is essential that the SPD is connected to PE via a low-resistance connection. Typically, the SPD has at least one terminal that receives a connecting wire of sufficient cross-sectional area that is connected to the PE wire of the electrical installation or a corresponding terminal block. Depending on the distance between the SPD and the PE terminal of the electrical installation, the connecting wire may have a non-negligible length, which adds to the resistance and may reduce the effectiveness of the SPD. Using cables of 16 mm2 cross-sectional area are recommended, though this recommendation is not always heeded, partly due to increasing difficulty in handling cables having a larger diameter.

Likewise, it is essential that the energized and the neutral conductor are connected to the respective terminals of the SPD via low-resistance connections. In case the terminals of the SPD and the main circuit breaker, or incoming-supply circuit breaker, are located at the same sides, an isolated busbar-type connector may be used. Otherwise, a wire of sufficient cross-sectional area will be used.

These common installations require additional process steps to set up and connect the SPD, and the additional wiring may be aesthetically unpleasing. Also, the wire connecting the SPD to PE may not provide sufficient thermal storage and dissipation capacity for repeated overvoltage events occurring in short order, which may result in melted insulation or even a melted wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these shortcomings of existing solutions or at least reduce the adverse properties of existing solutions.

A first embodiment of a connection device for an electrical or electronic apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a first interface for mechanically and electrically connecting the connection device to a mounting rail. The mounting rail, which is preferably made of electrically conductive material such as sheet metal or the like at least in an area in which the connection device is attached, has an essentially plane surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the mounting rail and at least one segment extending along a longitudinal side of the plane surface. The at least one segment is shaped to cooperate with a locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus. The connection device likewise is at least partially made of electrically conductive material such as sheet metal. The first interface may be a flat, electrically conducting surface of the connection device, which abuts against the electrically conducting, essentially plane surface of the mounting rail, when the connection device and the mounting rail are mechanically joined. The connection device may be mechanically attached to the mounting rail by means of screws or rivets, in which case holes for receiving or passing through the screws or rivets may be provided in the connection device and the mounting rail. Such holes may not be required in case self-piercing rivets are used. Alternatively, the connection device may be welded, e.g., using electric arc welding, laser welding, forge welding, friction, friction stir or ultrasound welding techniques, or cold pressure welding, or may be brazed or soldered to the mounting rail. Other alternative techniques for mechanically attaching the connection device to the mounting rail include clinching.

Mechanically joining the connection device and the mounting rail also produces an electrically conductive connection between these two parts In variants or developments of the first embodiment of the connection device an end located opposite to the second interface is shaped to engage with one side of the mounting rail. The shape may include a bent portion that limits a movement of the connection device in a plane that is parallel to the plane surface of the mounting rail in one direction. The shaped end may be useful when positioning the connection device prior to mechanically attaching it to the mounting rail.

The connection device further comprises a second interface for electrically connecting the connection device and least one electrical terminal of the electrical apparatus, when said connection device is connected to the mounting rail and said electrical or electronic apparatus is mounted on the mounting rail. In variants or developments of the first embodiment of the connection device the second interface connects the connection device and least one electrical terminal of the electrical apparatus at least when the locking and/or fixing element is engaged with the at least one segment of the mounting rail.

The first and the second interface of the connection device may be electrically and mechanically connected through an electrically conductive section extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal side of the plane surface of the mounting rail, preferably in a plane parallel thereto.

The connection device may be made of a single piece of sheet metal that is cut and bent into a required shape.

In variants or developments of the first embodiment of the connection device the second interface has at least one pin, lug or ear that has an end which is oriented and positioned to be accommodated by the electrical terminal of the electrical apparatus when said electrical apparatus is mounted on the mounting rail. For example, the pin, lug or ear of the second interface may be extending in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane surface of the mounting rail, the end of the pin, lug or ear pointing in the general direction of the mounting rail. The parallel planes of the second interface and the plane surface of the mounting rails may preferably be spaced apart such that the at least one pin, lug or ear is in a position to enter a terminal of the electrical or electronic apparatus without requiring or exerting a force that is orthogonal to the plane in which the at least one pin, lug or ear extends.

A second embodiment of a connection device in accordance with the invention comprises, in addition to the first interface, a support for a cable clamp located next to the first interface. This embodiment may be useful for proper routing and fixing of wires of a master circuit breaker or incoming device located next to the electrical or electronic apparatus.

The support for the cable clamp may comprise one or more holes for receiving positioning pins of the cable clamp and a threaded hole or a nut for receiving a screw for fixing the cable clamp and/or the cables received therein.

A third embodiment of the connection device in accordance with the invention comprises a second interface and optionally a support for a cable clamp as present in the first or the second embodiment. The connection device according to the third embodiment is adapted for mounting to or in an electrical or electronic cabinet or enclosure. To this end the first interface of the connection device may extend beyond the opposite axial ends of a mounting rail attached thereto. Opposite ends of the first interface of the connection device, spaced apart further than the ends of the mounting rail, may be shaped to permit mounting the connection device to an electrical or electronic cabinet or enclosure. The ends may have bent or angled sections having holes for fixing to the cabinet or enclosure using screws or rivets. The mounting rail that is attached to the connection device is thus mounted to the cabinet or enclosure via the connection device.

A first embodiment of an electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet in accordance with the present invention comprises at least two electrically conducting mounting brackets, to which a mounting rail that is mechanically and electrically joined with a connection device as presented hereinbefore is mounted.

A second embodiment of an electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet in accordance with the present invention comprises a connection device according to the third embodiment. The enclosure or cabinet according to the second embodiment may further comprise a mounting rail that is mounted to the connection device.

A method of mechanically and electrically connecting an electrical or electronic apparatus comprises the steps of providing a connection device as presented hereinbefore that is mechanically joined to a mounting rail. If the two parts are not already joined, the method also comprises the step of joining. The method also comprises the step of positioning the electrical or electronic apparatus such that the second interface of the connection apparatus is lined up with at least one electrical terminal of the electrical or electronic apparatus, preferably with all terminals intended for connecting. In a next step, the electrical or electronic apparatus is mechanically attached to the mounting rail such that the locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus engages with the at least one segment of the mounting rail. If the terminals of the electrical or electronic apparatus are not adapted to automatically provide electrical contact with the second interface of the connection device when it is inserted into the terminals, the method may further comprise a step of forcing electrical contacts of the electrical terminal of the electrical or electronic apparatus to be in electrical contact with the second interface. This may comprise tightening screws or engaging spring-loaded contact means, or the like.

The connection device presented hereinbefore advantageously facilitates the electrical connection of an electrical or electronical apparatus to PE via the mounting rail and reduces the number of cables that need to be connected manually, thereby eliminating a possible error source and generally reducing the time for installing.

If an SPD is electrically connected to the mounting rail via a connection device according to the invention, the effective cross-sectional area of the connection to PE is larger than in a commonly used connection via cables, resulting in an improved and more effective suppression of voltage spikes and a higher current carrying capability. Also, the thermal storage and dissipation capacity of the mounting rail and the connection device is much higher than that of a cable connection, thereby reducing the rise in temperature in case of an overvoltage event, which in turn reduces the danger of components catching fire. The mounting rail can be connected to PE at a variety of places, which provides a simpler and cleaner installation, which may also be more aesthetically pleasing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following section embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures, in which Fig 1 shows a perspective front view of a mounting rail with a first embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, Fig 2 shows a perspective rear view of the mounting rail of figure 1, Fig 3 shows a front view of the mounting rail of figure 1, Fig 4 shows a side view of the mounting rail of figure 1, Fig 5 shows a perspective front view of the first embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, Fig 6 shows a perspective front view of a mounting rail with a second embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, Fig 7 shows a perspective rear view of the mounting rail of figure 6, Fig. 8 shows a front view of the mounting rail of figure 6, Fig 9 shows a side view of the mounting rail of figure 6, Fig 10 shows a perspective front view of the second embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, Fig 11 shows a perspective rear view of a third embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, Fig 12 shows a bottom view of the connection device of figure 11, Fig 13 shows a front view of the connection device of figure 11, Fig 14 shows a side view of the connection device of figure 11, Fig 15 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet for electrical or electronic apparatuses with a first embodiment of the connection device according to the invention mounted to a mounting rail, Fig 16 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet for electrical or electronic apparatuses with the second embodiment of the connection device according to the invention mounted to a mounting rail, Fig 17 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet for electrical or electronic apparatuses with the third embodiment of the connection device according to the invention, to which a mounting rail is mounted, and Fig 18 shows a simplified exemplary method of mechanically and electrically connecting an electrical or electronic apparatus using a connection device according to the invention.

In the figures, like or similar elements are referenced with the same reference designators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a mounting rail 100 with a first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention. The connection device 102 is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g., sheet metal, and has a first interface 104, which is attached to the mounting rail 100. The first interface 104 comprises holes 106 that are aligned with corresponding holes in the mounting rail 100. Screws or rivets 108 are passed through the holes for affixing the connection device 102 to the mounting rail. The mounting rail 100 shown in the figure is a so-called DIN-rail, or top hat rail, which accommodates various electrical or electronic appliances or devices. The mounting rail is made from metal and is thus electrically conductive. The mounting rail has two segments 116 that are shaped to cooperate with a locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus, and that extend along two sides of the mounting rail 100. The mounting rail 100 is typically connected to PE of the electrical installation, either via a corresponding wire or via electrically conductive mounting brackets, which are directly or indirectly connected to PE and which mechanically hold the mounting rail 100 within an electric cabinet or enclosure. The mounting rail 100 and the connecting device, both being made from electrically conductive material, are in electrical contact where the first interface 104 abuts against the mounting rail 100. It is obvious that the first interface 104 in the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1 is a simple plane surface.

The connection device 102 further has a second interface 110, for electrically connecting the connection device 102 and least one electrical terminal (not shown) of an electrical apparatus (not shown) when said connection device 102 is connected to the mounting rail 100 and said electrical or electronic apparatus is mounted on the mounting rail 100. The second interface 110 comprises two lugs or ears 112, which protrude from an angled section 114, and which point downwards. The lugs or ears 112 can be received in terminals located at an upper side of the electrical or electronic apparatus, e.g., an SPD, and provide electrical contact.

When mounting the electrical or electronic apparatus to the mounting rail 100, the terminals of the electrical or electronic apparatus are first lined up with the pins, lugs or ears 112. Then the electrical or electronic apparatus is pushed upwards so that the pins, ears or lugs 112 are received in the terminals. Next, a mounting interface of the electrical or electronic apparatus is hooked into the upper one of the shaped segments 116 and locked onto the lower one of the shaped segments 116. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the shaped segments are profiled edges, indicated by the dashed ovals. The electrical contact between the pins, lugs or ears 112 of the connection device 102 and the terminals of the electrical or electronic apparatus.

Figure 2 shows a perspective rear view of the mounting rail 100 with the first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figure 1. In the figure the flat abutting of the first interface 104 of the connection device 102 against the back side of the mounting rail 100 can be seen, as well as the mechanical and consequently electrical connection that is established between the two parts by screws or rivets 108.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the mounting rail 100 with the first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 1 and 2. In this figure the second interface 110 with the two pins, ears or lugs 112 is clearly visible, as well as their downward-facing orientation. The pins, ears or lugs 112 will be received by corresponding terminals at the upper side of an electrical or electronic apparatus (not shown in the figure). The terminals may be configured for securing the electrical contact with the pins, ears or lugs 112 by tightening screws or through spring-loaded contacts or the like. The mounting rail 100 itself can be mounted in an electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet using the mounting holes 118, one or all of which may be oblong holes.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the mounting rail 100 with the first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 1 to 3. In this figure the position and orientation of the pins, ears or lugs 112 is clearly visible. The angled section 114 ensures that the pins, ears or lugs 112 are positioned in a plane that largely corresponds with a plane extending through terminals of the electrical or electronic apparatus and thereby facilitates insertion of the pins, ears or lugs 112 in the terminals. Likewise, the shaped segments 116 of the mounting rail 100 is clearly visible, which engage with correspondingly shaped parts of electrical or electronic apparatus.

Figure 5 shows a perspective front view of the first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention. In this figure the orientation and position of the pins, ears or lugs 112 is shown, as well as the holes 106 for mechanically attaching the connection device 100 to the mounting rail 100.

Figure 6 shows a perspective front view of a mounting rail 100 with a second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention. The elements shown in the figure and their function largely correspond to the ones shown in figure 1. However, in this figure the connection device 102 additionally has a support 120 for a cable clamp (not shown in the figure). The support 120 for the cable clamp may have one or more positioning holes 122 for receiving corresponding positioning pins or protrusions of the cable clamp.

Figure 7 shows a perspective rear view of the mounting rail 100 with the second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figure 6. The elements shown in the figure and their function largely correspond to the ones shown in figure 2. This figure shows the screws or rivets 108 which mechanically attach the connection device 102 to the mounting rail 100 in the same positions as in the first embodiment of the connection device 102. However, it is also possible to set the holes wider apart, for providing increased mechanical stability for the support 120 for the cable clamp. Alternatively, a third hole may be provided for that purpose. The second interface and the support for the cable clamp are separated by a slot, which reduces transmission of mechanical stress from one of the components to the other. A nut 124 is provided at the rear side of the support 120 for receiving a screw provided for securing cables in the cable clamp. The nut 124 may be welded to the support 120 or may be embedded into a suitably shaped part of the support 120. As an alternative to the nut 124 a threaded hole may be provided, or a hole in which a self-cutting screw is inserted.

Figure 8 shows a front view of the mounting rail 100 with the second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 6 and 7. The elements shown in the figure and their function largely correspond to the ones shown in figure 3. In this figure the vertical distance between the pins, lugs or ears 112 and the support 120 for the cable clamp is clearly visible. Since the upper sides of the electrical or electronic apparatus that is electrically connected to the connection device and an electrical or electronic apparatus that is placed next to it are typically flush, but the cables connected to the latter of the two will be run vertically to avoid unnecessary sharp bends, which may also be difficult to make when setting up the installation, the cable clamp sits slightly higher than the upper side of the apparatuses.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the mounting rail 100 with the second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 6 to 8. The elements shown in the figure and their function largely correspond to the ones shown in figure 4. In this figure the horizontal distance between the pins, lugs or ears 112 and the support 120 for the cable clamp is clearly visible. Since the cable clamp typically has a lower part that abuts to the support 120 and an upper part, between the two of which the cables are clamped, the thickness of the lower part must be considered for ensuring that the cables can be inserted into terminals of the electrical or electronic apparatus without having to bend the cables immediately at the terminals.

Figure 10 shows a perspective front view of the second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention. The elements shown in the figure and their function largely correspond to the ones shown in figure 5. In this figure the position of the nut 124 on the support 120 with respect to the positioning holes 122 is clearly visible.

Figure 11 shows a perspective rear view of a third embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention. In this embodiment the width of the first interface 104 is extended beyond the length of a mounting rail (not shown in the figure), and the lateral ends 126 of the connection device 102 are shaped for providing an interface for mounting the connection device 102 to or in an electrical or electronic cabinet or enclosure. In the embodiment shown in the figure the mounting interface is a folded portion having two mounting holes 128, which permit affixing the connection device to side walls of a cabinet or enclosure. The mounting rail (not shown in the figure) is mounted on the connection device by means of rivets or screws. To this end, holes 106 are provided in the connection device 102 in positions that correspond with mounting holes 118 of the mounting rail. The holes 106 may be holes adapted to receive self-cutting screws. The laterally extended portions of the connection device 102 may have folded edges 130 for added rigidity.

Figure 12 shows a bottom view of the third embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figure 11. In the figure the lower folded edge 130 is clearly visible, as well as the folded lateral ends 126.

Figure 13 shows a front view of the third embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 11 and 12. In this figure the extended width of the first interface 104 and the position of the second interface 110 as well as of the support 120 for the cable clamp are clearly visible. Typically, the incoming power cables of an electrical installation are routed at one side of such installation. An SPD (not shown in the figure) may be placed at the right side of a master circuit breaker (not shown in the figure), to which the incoming power cables are connected. The SPD may be mounted such that the pins, lugs or ears 112 of second interface 110 engage with the SPD's terminals. The master circuit breaker may be placed such that the neutral wire and the energized line wire can be secured in a cable clamp (not shown in the figure) mounted to support 120. In the figure, the mounting rail, which can be attached to the connection device 102 using the holes 106, and to which electrical or electronical apparatuses can be mounted, is not shown.

Figure 14 shows a side view of the third embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention described above with reference to figures 11 to 13. In the figure the folded edges 130 of the laterally extended first interface 104 and the folded lateral end 126 with mounting holes 128 are clearly visible.

While the figures 11 to 14 show a connection device 102 with a support 120 for a cable clamp it is obvious that a version without a support 120 for a cable clamp is also conceivable.

Figure 15 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet 132 for electrical or electronic apparatuses 140, 142 with a first embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention mounted to a mounting rail 100. The enclosure or cabinet 132 has a cable inlet 138, which may be a break-out part in a rear wall through which cables are led into the enclosure or cabinet 132. Terminal blocks 136 are placed at the upper edge of the enclosure or cabinet 132, for connecting neutral wires and energized wires, respectively. The mounting rail 100 is mounted to the enclosure or cabinet 132 via mounting brackets 134, which are affixed to side walls of the enclosure or cabinet 132.

An SPD 142 is mounted to the mounting rail 100 and connected thereto through the connection device 102. In the figure only the pins, lugs or ears 112 of the second interface are visible, inserted into terminals 148 of the SPD 142, the remainder of the connection device 102 being hidden behind the SPD 142 and behind a master circuit breaker 140 placed adjacent thereto. Neutral and energized wires (not shown) entering the cabinet or enclosure 132 through the cable inlet 138 are connected to terminals 148 at the upper side of the master circuit breaker 140. A busbar 144 connected to an output terminal 148 at the bottom side of the master circuit breaker distributes the voltage passed through the master circuit breaker 140 when it is closed to other electrical or electronic apparatuses, e.g., miniature circuit breakers, timers and the like (not shown in the figure). The SPD 142 is connected to output terminals 148 at the bottom side of the main circuit breaker 140 via an insulated or covered busbar 146. It is readily apparent from the figure that the connections of the SPD 142 and other electrical or electronic apparatuses are optimized and aesthetically pleasing. A PE connection (not shown in the figure) can directly be made to the mounting rail 100 or indirectly via the mounting brackets 134 and/or the cabinet or enclosure 132. The PE connection through the mounting rail 100, which represents a relatively massive conductor, has very low resistance and provides an improved operation of the SPD 142.

Figure 16 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet 132 for electrical or electronic apparatuses 140, 142 with the second embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention mounted to a mounting rail 100. The elements shown in the figure and their connection and function are largely identical to those shown and discussed with reference to figure 15, except for one of the terminal blocks 136 being covered by cover 150, and the connection device 102 according to the second embodiment having a support 120 for a cable clamp 152. The neutral and energized wires entering the cabinet or enclosure 132 can thus be immobilized close to the terminals 148 at the input of the master circuit breaker 140, further improving the safety and aesthetics.

Figure 17 shows a front view of an enclosure or cabinet 132 for electrical or electronic apparatuses 140, 142 with the third embodiment of the connection device 102 according to the invention, to which a mounting rail 100 is mounted. The elements shown in the figure and their connection and function are largely identical to those shown and discussed with reference to figure 15 and 16, respectively. In the third embodiment of the connection device 102, the first interface 104, which is not visible in the figure, is laterally extended and abuts to opposite side walls 154 of the enclosure or cabinet 132. Lateral ends (not visible in the figure) of the connection device 102 are affixed to the side walls 154, and the mounting rail 100 is mounted to the connection device 102 with screws or rivets 108.

Figure 18 shows a simplified exemplary method 200 of mechanically and electrically connecting an electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142 using a connection device 102 according to the invention. In a first step, 202, a connection device 102 as presented hereinbefore that is mechanically joined to a mounting rail 100 is provided. If the two parts are not already joined, the method 200 also comprises the optional step 203 of joining. In step 204 the electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142 is positioned such that the second interface 110 of the connection apparatus 140, 142 is lined up with at least one electrical terminal 148 of the electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142. In step 206 the electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142 is mechanically attached to the mounting rail 100 such that the locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142 engages with the at least one segment 116 of the mounting rail 100. In step 208 electrical contacts of the electrical terminal 148 of the electrical or electronic apparatus 140, 142 are forced to be in electrical contact with the second interface 110. This may comprise tightening screws or engaging spring-loaded contact means or the like.

While the invention has been described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings, these are non-limiting and provided only for illustrative purposes, and the invention specified in the attached claims will also cover equivalents or obvious variations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

mounting rail 200 method 102 connection device 202 providing 104 first interface 203 joining 106 hole 204 positioning 108 screw/rivet 206 attaching second interface 208 forcing 112 pin/lug/ear 114 angled section 116 shaped segment 118 mounting hole support for cable clamp 122 positioning hole 124 nut 126 lateral end 128 mounting hole folded edge 132 cabinet/enclosure 134 mounting bracket 136 terminal block 138 cable inlet master circuit breaker 142 SPD 144 busbar 146 Insulated/covered busbar 148 terminal cover 152 cable clamp 154 side wall

Claims

CLAIMS1. Connection device (102) for an electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142), comprising a first interface (104) for mechanically and electrically connecting the connection device (102) to a mounting rail (100), the mounting rail (100) having an essentially plane surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the mounting rail and at least one segment (116) extending along a longitudinal side of the plane surface, the at least one segment (116) being shaped to cooperate with a locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142), the connection device (102) further comprising a second interface (110) for electrically connecting the connection device (102) and least one electrical terminal (148) of the electrical apparatus (140, 142) when said connection device (102) is connected to the mounting rail (100) and said electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) is mounted on the mounting rail (100).
2. Connection device (102) according to claim 1, wherein the second interface (110) has at least one pin, lug or ear (112) having an end oriented and positioned to be accommodated by the electrical terminal (148) of the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) when said electrical apparatus (140, 142) is mounted on the mounting rail (100).
3. Connection device (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second interface (110) is connected to the first interface (104) through an electrically conductive section extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal side of the plane surface of the mounting rail (100), preferably in a plane parallel thereto.
Connection device (102) according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a support (120) for a cable clamp (152).
5. Connection device (102) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first interface (104) is adapted for mechanically and electrically connecting to the mounting rail (100) by means of rivets, screws, welding or clinching.
Connection device (102) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first interface (104) has an essentially plane surface that abuts against the essentially plane surface of the mounting rail (100) when the connection device (102) and the mounting rail (100) are mechanically joined.
Connection device (102) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting rail (100) is mechanically and electrically connected to the connection device (102), and wherein the connection device (102) is adapted for mounting to or in an electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet (132).
8. Electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet (132) having at least two electrically conducting mounting brackets, to which a mounting rail (100) that is mechanically and electrically joined with a connection device (102) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 is mounted.Electrical or electronic enclosure or cabinet (132) with a connection device (102) according to claim 7.Method (200) of mechanically and electrically connecting an electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) comprising the steps of: - providing (202) a connection device (102) according to one of claims 1 to 7 attached to a mounting rail (100), - positioning (204) the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) such that the second interface (110) of the connection apparatus is lined up with at least one electrical terminal (148) of the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142), - mechanically attaching (206) the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) to the mounting rail (100) such that the locking and/or fixing element of the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) engages with the at least one segment (116) of the mounting rail (100), and -forcing (208) electrical contacts of the electrical terminal (148) of the electrical or electronic apparatus (140, 142) to be in electrical contact with the second interface (110).