IE903008A1

IE903008A1 - Protective device for a distributor in a telecommunication¹system

Info

Publication number: IE903008A1
Application number: IE300890A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Siemens Ag
Priority date: 1989-08-21
Filing date: 1990-08-20
Publication date: 1991-02-27
Also published as: AU6116690A; FI904129A0; PT95044A; NO903646D0; ZA906577B; NO903646L; DD297286A5; EP0413978A3; EP0413978A2

Abstract

A voltage protection connector (13) and a current protection connector (14) can be connected separately to a contact component (e.g. 1) of a distributor. The plug contacts (12) for the current protection connector are constructed as isolating contacts which are closed when the connector is withdrawn. Plug tongues or isolating connectors or test connectors can also be inserted into these isolating contacts. In consequence, only one contact is required for the current protection connector (14), the test connector or the isolating connector.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a protective device for a distributor in a telecommunication system, particularly a telephone system.

Description of the Prior Art Such a protective device has been disclosed, for example, in the German application 32 12 013 C2, corresponding to British 2,117,577 B. In accordance therewith, a protective plug comprises surge arresters as transverse elements to ground and comprises power fuses as longitudinal elements. The protective plug is connectible at the rear to contact elements of a distributor. In addition to these plug-in contact locations, each contact component is provided with a further plug-in contact between which separating or test plugs can be plugged in proceeding from the front side. In order to be able to conduct the electrical lines via the power fuses of the protective plug, the contact components must be provided with contact springs that extend through the rear side, the contact springs being connected both to the incoming lines and to the outgoing lines.

In addition, the German application 86 23 697 Ul discloses a distributor component having spring contacts between which a lamina-shaped protective plug can be inserted, the latter comprising a safety fuse in the form of a printed interconnect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to be able to protect the electrical lines both with surge arresters and with power fuses to simplify the structure of the contact components.

The above object is achieved, according to the present invention in a protective device for a distributor in a telecommunications system, particularly a telephone system, which device comprises surge arresters as transverse elements to ground and power fuses as longitudinal elements, whereby the distributor comprises contact components that are provided with terminal elements for incoming lines and terminal elements for outgoing lines that are arranged in rows, in which the terminal elements are provided with two-pole plug-in contacts for protective plugs having the power fuses, and in which the terminal elements are electrically connectible to the surge arresters, the protective device being particularly characterized in that the power fuses are arranged on a protective power plug and the surge arresters are arranged in a separate protective voltage plug, in that separate plug-in contacts are provided for the two protective plugs, in that the plug-in contacts for the protective voltage plug are fashioned with one pole, and in that the plug-in contacts for the protective power plug are fashioned as two-pole contacts and are closed when the plugs are pulled. Due to the plugging of the protective power plug into the plug contacts for the separating plugs, the contact components remain unaltered.

The contacts for the protective voltage plug can be connected to the contact parts in single-pole fashion and can therefore be correspondingly simply and cost-effectively designed. If the power fuses were to be arranged on the protective voltage plug in addition to the surge arresters, then the appertaining contact parts at this location would also have to be constructed in two parts similar to the separating contact locations. Given a protective plug attached at the rear side, this means that two separate contact parts would have to be conducted from the front side to the rear side. In practice, however, protection on the basis of power fuses can be frequently foregone. This, however, cannot be reliably planned in advance, so that all contact components must be provided with the additional plug-in contact ( parts.

This pre-performance has been eliminated by the present invention. The power plugs are selectively connected only to the lines that must be separately protected. When the plugs are pulled, then the two poles of the plug-in contacts lie against one another in a contacting manner so that the electrical connection is closed. ί According to a particular feature of the invention, the protective device is particularly characterized in that the two protective plugs can be plugged into the contact components extending from the service side. With this feature, both protective plugs are particularly well-accessible for visual monitoring and for replacement.

According to another development and feature of the invention, the protective device is particularly characterized in that the protective voltage plug is arranged at the rear side of the contact component, in that the protective power plug is arranged at the service side of the contact component, and in that the terminal elements for the patchable, incoming lines are thereby freely accessible.

In accordance with this feature of the invention, the incoming and outgoing lines can be connected to two neighboring rows of terminal elements. The terminal elements, for example, are connected to contact springs that project into the interior of the contact components. The plug tongues of the protective plug are inserted between the two rows of terminal elements until they extend into the contact locations of the contact springs.

( The plug tongues then comprise separate contact spots at both sides against which the contact springs press. The plug tongues, for example, are a component portion of a printed circuitboard of the protective plug that is laminated at both sides. The power fuses are arranged at that side of the printed circuitboard that faces away from the terminal elements for the patching lines. As a result thereof, the terminal elements for the patching lines remain freely accessible, so that access to the terminal elements is minimally deteriorated.

( According to another feature of the invention, the protective device is particularly characterized in that the protective power plug can be attached into two plug-in stages in which the connection between the incoming and outgoing lines is either parted or closed. This feature can be realized in that the plug tongues extend beyond the plug-in contacts and in that the contact spots end at the plug-in contact locations. When the protective plug is then pulled out to such an extent that the contact spots of the plug tongues no longer touch the contact springs, then the connection between the incoming and outgoing lines is parted.

According to another feature of the invention, the protective device is particularly characterized in that a respectively separate power plug is provided for each line. Due to this development, each line can be individually protected.

When a fuse has melted, this makes it possible to replace the protective plug without other lines being affected as a result thereof.

According to another feature of the invention, the ( protective device is particularly characterized in that protective power plug comprises contact locations for test plugs or separating plugs. According to this feature of the invention, the lines can be separated or tested without the protective plug having to be pulled for this purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its ( organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, on which: FIG. 1 is a plan view onto a distributor strip having connected lines; FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the distributor strip of FIG. 1 taken substantially along the parting line II— II and having the protective plugs schematically illustrated; FIG. 3 is a plan view looking down into the contact parts of the distributor strip of FIG. 2 and shown partially in section; FIG. 4 is a sectional view through a flat contact component of a laminar distributor having schematically illustrated protective plugs; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the protective plug having power fuses and separating contacts. ί DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to FIG. 1, a contact component is constructed as a rectangular distributor strip 1 comprising insulation-piercing terminals 2 that are arranged at a service side of the distributor strip 1 along the two elongate sides. A plurality of lines 3 are incoming from subscribers and a plurality of lines 4 are outgoing lines leading to a switching equipment, the lines 3 and 4 being connected to the insulation-piercing terminals 2.

A respective insulation-piercing terminal 2 for an incoming line 3 and an insulation-piercing terminal 2 lying opposite thereto for an outgoing line 4 are component parts of contacts 5 that are electrically connected to one another. The insulation-piercing terminals 2 are also known in the art as insulation-opening terminals and insulation-disrupting terminals which part the insulation of an insulated conductor and mechanically and electrically grip the conductive core thereof as the insulated conductor is pushed into the slot of a terminal between a pair of insulation-piercing tines. The contacts 5 are accessible for protective and test plugs through plug openings 6, 7 in a housing 8, 9 of the distributor strip 1.

According to FIG. 2 and 3, the housing is composed of a front part 8 at the service side and of a cover-like rear part 9.

The front part 8 is provided with receptacle chambers for the contacts 5 that are open toward the rear part 9. The contacts 5 can be introduced into the front part 9 by being simply plugged in proceeding from the rear side and are completely accepted into the front part 8 and held attitudinally correct therein. Between the insulation-piercing terminals 2, the contacts 5 comprise a base section 10 along the rear part 9, the base section 10 ( connecting the insulation-piercing terminals to one another.

These are placed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the distributor strip 1 by being bent off by 90 *. In addition to the insulation-piercing terminals, plug-in contacts 11 and 12 for a protective voltage plug 13 and for a protective power plug 14 project from the base section 10. The fork-shaped contacts 11 for the protective voltage plug 13 are fashioned as a one-pole double contact for respectively one plug tongue 15 of the protective voltage plug 13. The plug tongue 15 is electrically connected to one pole of a surge arrester 19 whose other pole is connected to ground.

The plug-in contacts 15 are fashioned of two spring legs 18 that are components of the separate contact parts 5. The plug tongues 16 of the protective power plug 14 are plugged between the two spring legs 18 and comprise separate contact surfaces for each of the two spring legs 18. The two contact surfaces are electrically connected to the two poles of a power fuse 20 of the protective power plug 14. As a result thereof, the incoming and outgoing lines are electrically connected to one another via the power fuse 20 that, for example, is fashioned as a safety fuse.

The two protective plugs 13, 14 can be plugged in proceeding from the service side of the distributor strips 1. They are therefore especially well-accessible for checks and other maintenance work.

According to FIG. 4, a flat contact component 21 of a laminar distributor, indicated with dot-dash lines, is provided with the insulation-piercing terminals 2 for the incoming, patchable lines 3 and for the outgoing lines 4. The insulation( piercing terminals 2 project from the contact 21 at the front side and are arranged in two rows that extend perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Respectively two insulation-piercing terminals lying opposite one another in pairs in the two rows are electrically connected to one another via contact springs 22 projecting into the interior of the contact component 21 and via another protective power plug 23 such that the two poles of the power fuse 20 are electrically connected to the two contact springs 22. < One of the two contact springs 22 is lengthened and extends up to the rear side of the contact component 21 and forms an additional plug-in contact 24 at that location for another protective voltage plug 25 that, for example, can be plugged in perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing proceeding from the rear side of the contact component 21. The surge arresters 19 of the protective voltage plug 25 have one pole connected to the plug-in contact 24 and the other pole connected to ground.

The protective power plug 23 comprises a printed circuit board 26 printed on two sides whose plug tongues 27 are plugged between the two insulation-piercing terminals 2 extending up to the plug-in contact locations of the contact springs 22. The power fuses 20 are arranged at that side of the printed circuit board 26 facing away from the incoming patching lines 3. As a result thereof, the insulation-piercing terminals 2 remain freely accessible for the incoming, patchable lines 3.

Another protective power plug 28 of FIG. 5 can have its plug-in tongues plugged into the contact component 21 instead of the protective power plug 23. Even given the fundamentally same structure, however, the protective plug 28 can be modified and adapted such that it replaces the protective power plug 14 (FIG. 3) for the distributor strip 1.

At its side facing away from the plug tongues 27, the protective power plug 28 comprises spring contacts 29 that press against contact locations 30 of the protective power plug 28.

The spring contacts are connected to interconnects at the opposite side of the printed circuit board 26 of the protective power plug 28. These interconnects lead to the appertaining contact locations of the plug tongues 27. The contact location 30 is connected to an interrupted interconnect 31 at both sides of the interruption, as a result whereof the two interconnect parts are electrically connected to one another.

However, it is also possible, particularly given individual plugs for the individual lines, to constrict the interconnect in a fine etching process such that it serves directly as a safety fuse, this being undertaken instead of the interruption.

Further, it is also possible to solder contact parts to the interconnects 31, the power fuses 20 being held in the contact parts.

The spring contacts 29 are accessible for pin contacts 32 of test plug or for separating plugs 33, being accessible through openings of a plug housing 34 that is indicated with broken lines. The spring contacts 29 are thereby lifted off from the contact locations 30 and the connections between the lines are ( interrupted.

Although I have described my invention by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore intend to include within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of my contribution to the art.

Claims

1. I CLAIM:

1. Protective apparatus for a distributor strip in a telecommunications system, said protective apparatus comprising: a protective voltage plug comprising a plurality of surge arresters and a plurality of contact pins, each of said surge arresters connected to a respective contact pin and ground; a protective power plug comprising a plurality of fuses, and a plurality of plug-in elements, each of said plug-in elements comprising a pair of contacts, each of said fuses connected between a respective pair of said contacts; and said distributor strip comprising a housing mounting a plurality of contacts including terminal elements for incoming lines and terminal elements for outgoing lines, said terminal elements arranged in rows along the length of and defining a front side of said housing, said terminal elements including first plug-in contacts for receiving respective contact pins of said protective voltage plug and second plug-in contacts for receiving respective plug-in elements of said protective power plug, said first plug-in contacts each comprising a one-pole structure, and each of said second contacts comprising a two-pole normally-closed contact structure, so that, upon plugging of said protective power plug, the respective plug-in element separates the poles of the respective two-pole contact structure and said two-pole normally-closed contact structure closes when said protective power plug is pulled.

2. Protective apparatus for a distributor strip in a telecommunications system, said protective apparatus comprising: a protective power plug comprising a plurality of fuses, and a plurality of plug-in elements, each of said plug-in elements comprising a pair of spaced contacts, each of said fuses connected between a respective pair of said contacts; and said distributor strip comprising an elongate housing including front side and a rear side, and a plurality of contact structures mounted spaced apart along the length of said housing, each of said contact structures comprising first and second terminals aligned transversely of said housing and in rows along the length of said housing for respective connection to an incoming line and an outgoing line, said first and second terminals extending from said front side, each of said contact structures including normally-closed contact springs extending from said first and second terminals, slot means in said housing defining a slot between said rows of said first and second terminals for receiving said protective power plug to open said normallyclosed contact springs and contact the same with respect to the contacts of said pairs of spaced contacts of said protective power plug.

3. The protective apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising: a protective voltage plug comprising a plurality of surge arresters and a plurality of contacts, each of said surge arresters connected to a respective contact and to ground; and each of said contact structures comprises a further spring contact extending beyond said normally-closed contacts within said housing; and said housing further comprises further slot means defining a further slot in said rear side of said housing for receiving said protective voltage plug such that each of said contacts ( of said protective voltage plug contacts a respective one of said further spring contacts.

4. The protective apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said protective power plug comprises a printed circuitboard including spaced plug-in tongues as said plug-in elements extending from and coplanar with said printed circuitboard, each of said plug-in tongues comprising first and second surfaces each carrying a printed conductor terminating with a respective one of said spaced contacts.

5. The protective apparatus of claim 4, wherein: a plurality of separable connection means is provided for electrically connecting said fuses to one of said printed conductors, said separable connection means comprising, for each fuse, a printed element on said printed circuitboard electrically connected to the respective fuse and a spring contact normally closed to said element and electrically connected to the respective printed conductor, said spring contact adapting the circuit of said fuse to be opened by a test plug.

6. Protective apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.