MXPA96002610A - Protective cartridge for blocks connectorsmodula - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for protection against overvoltage or overvoltage, for use in a modular system of terminal blocks or connection, wherein the connector modules having terminals on the front and rear sides thereof, they are insertable within a mounting bracket to form a connection block, and wherein the connector modules are adapted to receive circuit protection devices that limit the voltage or voltage on the front and back sides of the connector modules, for protection of the individual pairs of the terminals, the connector modules include a plurality of receptacles or cavities corresponding to the individual pairs of the terminals, for the insertion of the protection devices, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of conductive terminals adapted for the insertion into the receptacles or cav of the connector modules, by means of which they are coupled with the individual terminals of the connector modules, an insulated housing adapted to securely mount the plurality of terminals within the housing, the housing is further adapted to accept a plurality of protection means against overvoltage for coupling with the plurality of terminals, and a collective ground conductor, insertable within the insulated housing, and which is adapted to be coupled with the overvoltage protection means, and the mounting bracket, to thereby provide a electrical discharge path, the device is asymmetric about a central vertical axis, and is insertable on the front or rear side of the connector modules in any orientation of a 180 degree rotation about said axis, whereby it is mounted adaptively within of one simple connector modules, to protect each pair of t erminales enés

Description

PROTECTIVE CARTRIDGE FOR MODULAR CONNECTOR BLOCKS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to terminal blocks or connection blocks for terminating electronic circuit cables, and more particularly to a protection device for providing voltage or voltage limiting protection for terminated circuits in the terminal or connection block. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The individual pairs of telephone circuit wires are frequently terminated at the telephone company's central offices and at user site sites that use multi-terminal connector blocks. Once finished, these telephone circuit wires, usually comprised of narrow gauge insulated copper wires, are grouped and then re-routed for proper distribution of the calls they carry. Simple connector blocks are normally housed in any site of 60 to 100 pairs of densely packed terminations REF: 22614, where the multiple connector blocks are frequently contained in close proximity in a single site, eg, a wall of a telephone switching room. The efficient use of the assembly space is thus required, since the space within the public service sites is traditionally very much in demand. In addition to the circuit terminations that enter, the connector blocks are also used for the realization of cross connections from individual circuits on the connector blocks, as well as the mounting of the current and voltage limiting circuit protection, used to prevent the damage caused by lightning and other external forces. As is known, circuit protection devices that provide current and voltage limiting circuit protection are sensitive to polarity with respect to the individual pairs of wires that are protected. In this way, when a connection block or double-sided terminal is used, where common pairs of terminals on the front and back of the terminal block or connection are included, the circuit protection devices, adapted for the installation on the front side of the connection block, are generally incompatible to provide circuit protection on the back of the connection block, because the polarity will be reversed. The incorrect installation of a circuit protection device, front, on the back of a connection block and / or the installation of a rear protection device on the front of the connection block, can make the communications circuit inoperable, or at least inadequately protected. The voltage-only protectors, on the other hand, are not generally polarity sensitive, since with this type of protection, the protection device does not need to be placed in series within the circuit to be protected. As such, a somewhat greater amount of flexibility may be available for mounting schemes that use strain relief only. In order to take full advantage of the added potential flexibility, available for overvoltage protection, only of voltage or voltage, one objective of the present invention is to provide a protection device that is adaptively mountable in a variety of orientations on the front and back of a connecting block or terminal, double-sided. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a device 5 having superior insulation resistance characteristics for insulation between adjacent terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an overvoltage protection cartridge, adapted for use with a modular, double-sided connector block system. The protective cartridge is advantageously mounted on the front or on the back of a connector module of the connector block, in a variety of orientations, in order to protect a complete row of terminations on the block. The device is assembled from a minimum number of individual components l *? with them, which increases the manufacturing efficiency Two L-shaped brackets or ground brackets, adapted to be easily attached to a bracket or mounting bracket of the connector block, form a collective ground conductor, internal, inside the protective cartridge. The brackets or brackets include a series of cantilevered brackets, which are attached directly to the overvoltage protection devices. Spring contacts or elastics having similar brackets supported in cantilever, are coupled to the remaining guides of the overvoltage protection devices and the terminals of the connection block, which are going to be protected. Each individual spring or elastic contact is seated within a single cavity isolated from the cartridge housing. The feature maintains a substantial insulation resistance between the adjacent terminals of the housing, and advantageously prevents shorting between the adjacent terminal guides, caused by moisture collection. A group of projections within the cartridge housing, corresponding to the cavities, engages with the spring contacts to force a correct seating position. An exclusion element, attached to the housing of the cartridge, ensures that only protection cartridges having a sufficient number of protection devices can be inserted into it or of other smaller sized fitting modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a connector module and of the bracket or mounting bracket used with the protective cartridge of the present invention; Figure IA shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective cartridge of the present invention, mounted within the front of a modular connection block; Figure IB shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective cartridge of the present invention, mounted within the back of a modular connection block; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective cartridge of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a bracket or ground support used in the protective cartridge of the present invention; Figure 4A shows a preferred embodiment of an elastic or spring contact, used in the protective cartridge of the present invention; Figure 4B shows a second embodiment of an elastic or spring contact, used in the protective cartridge of the present invention; Figure 5A shows a front perspective view of an upper and lower housing of the protective module of the present invention; Figure 5B shows a rear perspective view of an upper and lower housing of the "", protective module of the present invention; Figure 5C shows a top plan view of the front side of the upper housing of the protective module of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of an 8-pair connector module and the terminal cover; Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment 5 of a 10-pair connector module and the terminal cap; and Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cartridge of the present invention, inserted into a connector module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is an overvoltage protective cartridge, designed for use in a modular terminal or connection block system, of the type shown in Figure 1. A mounting bracket or bracket 10 is shown in the Figure 1, having a plurality of receptacle slots 12. The connector modules 14 are mountable within the receptacle slots 12 between the support posts 16 of the mounting bracket 10. Each of the connector modules includes multiple terminals, e.g., IDC terminals on the front and back sides thereof. . The placement of the multiple connector modules 14 within the mounting bracket 10, makes it possible to create a connection block or terminals, double-sided.

The mounting bracket 10 as shown in Figure 1 is hinged, in order to allow easy access to the front and rear of the terminal block or connection. The connector modules 14 of Figure 1 are shown with the end caps 18 on the front and back of the modules. The end caps 10 act to protect the IDC terminals and the connections made thereto from handling. The end caps 18 (and the connector modules) include openings 22 centrally positioned, which are adapted to receive guides extending from the protective cartridges, as will be explained. For 0 a more detailed description of the connector module and the mounting bracket of the modular connection block system, see related patent applications, entitled "Assembly of Protectors in Connector Blocks and Common Insulation Housing for Variant Terminal Elements", which have been incorporated¬ ! • > given by reference in the present.

With reference to Figures IA and IB in connection with each other, a preferred embodiment of the protective cartridge 20 of the present invention is shown, as This is mounted inside a connector module 14. As can be seen in each of the figures, the mounting bracket is filled with multiple connector modules 14, to thereby form a connection or terminal block. The protective cartridge is mountable on the front or rear part of a connection module inside the connection block. Figure IA shows the protective cartridge 20 mounted inside the front side of a connector module 20, while Figure IB shows the protective cartridge mounted inside the rear part of the connector module, in the rear part of the connection block. With reference to Figure 2, a preferred embodiment of a protective cartridge 20 according to the present invention is shown. The protective cartridge 20 is designed to provide protection against overvoltage or overvoltage for a complete row of connectors, for example, 8 or 10 pairs of connectors, within a terminal block of connector modules. The cartridge includes a housing unit 24 com- posed of an upper housing 26 and a lower housing 28, which are adapted to mate with one another. The upper housing includes a first and a second cavity 29, 31, adapted to receive the circuit protection devices 30, for example, three terminal gas tubes, varistors and other solid state protection devices. As can be seen, the protection devices 30, once mounted inside the housing, are placed well below the upper surface 32 of the housing 24. This provides the devices 30 for protection against overvoltage, with increased protection against handling, while being mounted inside the connector block. This is also an important safety feature because any touching or clogging with clothing or other items on overvoltage protection devices is prevented. The guides or terminal wires of the protective cartridge are insertable inside a connector module 14, where the terminal guides are internally coupled with the terminals of the connector module, to thereby provide protection against overvoltage or overvoltage for the entire row of connectors. The protective cartridge 20 is also coupled to the mounting bracket 10 by means of the metal fins or lids 3 * located on both sides of the housing 24, which fins or lids are connected to the support posts 16 of Figure 1. The fins 34 are internally coupled to a collective ground conductor within the housing 24 of the cartridge, to thereby provide an electrical discharge path through the mounting bracket. Also shown in Figure 2 is an optional cover 36, which is adapted to be clamped or hugged on the upper housing 26, in order to cover the protection devices 30.

Since the protection cartridge 20 of the present invention is used as a protector against overvoltage or overvoltage, only the mounting orientation within the connector block need not be of a specific polarity. This is because the protection device does not necessarily need to be inserted in series within the circuit. Thus, to take full advantage of this added flexibility in the mounting capacity, the protective cartridge 20 of the present invention is adapted to be mounted on the front or on the back of a connector module 14. In addition, the protective cartridge it is symmetrical about a vertical axis X and, as such, a rotation of 180 degrees at the insertion of the cartridge is permissible. In other words, since the protective cartridge unit is completely symmetrical, the orientation of the insert is not of interest, as long as the terminals of the protective cartridge are seated within the openings 22 of the connector module 14, shown in Figure 1. .

With reference to Figure 3, there is shown an exemplary representation of a bracket 40 to ground, used in the protective cartridge 20 of the present invention. The bracket 40 to ground is essentially an L-shaped member having a plurality of clamps 42 of the cantilevered type, coupled to a first section thereof. The cantilevered brackets 42 engage with the ground wire of the protection device, to provide a minimum predetermined force, for example 454 g (1 pound) in a type of force adjustment. A fin section or cover 34 of the earth bracket 40, engages with the mounting bracket 10, as previously mentioned, to provide an electrical discharge path for any overvoltage that is received on a protected circuit. Two of the brackets 40 are mounted inside the protective cartridge 20, one opposite the other, in order to form a collective, rectangular earth conductor. The earth bracket and the cantilevered brackets 42 as shown, comprise a unitary arrangement *). By providing the bracket 40 as a unit component assembly, the costs are significantly reduced in the manufacturing process, since fewer parts need to be assembled. As will be understood, of course, cantilevered or braced clamps 42 may also be enabled to be uncoupled from the collective ground conductor, to allow simple replacement. The collective earth connector will be made from an appropriate conductive material, in order to provide a path of 5 1 electrical discharge in response to an electrical overvoltage. With reference to Figure 4A, an exemplary embodiment of a used dock spring or spring 46 is shown with the protective cartridge 20 of the present invention. The contact spring includes a vertically extending elongated member 48, which forms contact with the connector module 14. A horizontal extension member 50 extends perpendicularly transverse to the vertical member 48. The horizontal member 50 of the contact spring 46 ends vertically in a cantilevered contact 52, similar to those found on the contacts of the collective ground connector 40. With reference to Figure 4B, a second contact spring or spring 47 includes a vertical member 49 that has a fold or flex essentially of 90 degrees and then ends vertically with a clamp 51 supported cantilevered. The spring contacts 46, 47, as will be understood, are inserted into the 2Q housing of the protective cartridge 20, wherein the vertical members 48, 49 make contact internally with the contacts within a connector module 14. The pairs of spring contacts 46, 47 will generally be coupled with a terminal pair connection, for example , j g. the "tip" and "ring" pair of a telephone circuit.

The brackets 52, 51 supported on a cantilever of a pair of spring contacts 46, 47, in turn, are coupled with the two remaining guides or wires of a simple three-terminal protection device 30. The ground terminal of the protection device, as mentioned, engages with the cantilevered contact 42 of the collective ground conductor 40. The spring contacts 46, 47 will be comprised of an appropriate conductive material, such as with the earth bracket 40 and can, for example, be plated (with silver) to provide improved conductivity. With reference to Figures 5A and 5B in conjunction with another one, there is shown a front and rear perspective view, respectively, of the upper and lower housing 26, 28 of the protective cartridge 20, as these would connect to each other. As can be seen, the upper housing 26 includes a plurality of fins 56 projecting from a bottom or bottom edge thereof, and are adapted to engage the corresponding tabs 58 on the lower housing 28, thereby coupling the two housings . An upper surface 60 of the lower housing 28 shown in Figure 5A includes a plurality of cavities 62, 63 for receiving corresponding sections of the contact spring 46, 47, respectively. The vertical members 48 of the contact springs 46, 47 are insertable into the openings 65, 67 of the lower housing, where they are aligned in a corresponding slot 66 of a finger extending vertically from the lower housing. The cavities 62, 63 are adapted to receive and seat the contact spring 46, 47, where the adjacent contacts settle within adjacent cavities. As can be seen, each pair of contact springs 46, 47, which correspond to a pair of terminals inside a connector module 14, settle into separate non-connected cavities, wherein the shape of the cavity 62, 63 corresponds to to the shape of the corresponding region of the contact spring 46, 47. For example, a first and second spring contacts 47, 46, corresponding to the first extending finger 70, of the lower housing 28, could be seated in the first and second cavities 71, 72, respectively, separated by a division 73. This serves to significantly increase the insulation resistance between the adjacent terminals, and also prevents the occurrence of short circuits of the adjacent wires or guides, caused by moisture that can be collected inside. of the housing, when the device is used in humid environments. Any condensation will be collected within the separate cavities 62, 63, thus preventing electrical contact between terminals, caused by the collected moisture. The upper and lower housings 26, 28 are adapted to be coupled to one another, with the two ground brackets 40, L-shaped, and a predetermined number of spring contacts 46, 47, for example, of 8 or 10 pairs , sandwiches, to form the cartridge 20. The final assembly is achieved by inserting the protection devices 30 of commercial configuration of three guides, standards, for example, gas tubes that include a mechanism of thermal overload.

With reference to Figure 5B, bottom views are shown in perspective of the "upper &lower" housings 26, 28. As can be seen, the surface 74 facing the bottom of the upper housing 26, includes a series of projections 76. which extend in an upward direction from it The purpose of the projections 76 is to engage the 0 spring contacts 46, 47, so that they can settle correctly within the cavities 62, 63 between the upper and lower housing As also shown in Figure 5B on the lower surface 77 of the lower housing 28, there is an exclusion element 78 for preventing the insertion of the protective cartridge 20 into certain connector modules 14., adjusted to size, predetermined. For example, the exclusion element 78 could be present on the 8-pair protective modules, to prevent an 8-pair cartridge from being inserted into a 10-pair connector module. In addition to the exclusion element 78, the 8-pair and 10-pair protective cartridges use virtually identical components, except that the two pairs of extreme terminals can be left vacant protection on the 8-pair module.

Figure 6 shows an 8-pair connector module 80, with a corresponding terminal cap 82, of 8 pairs, while Figure 7 shows a similar array of 10 pairs of the connector module 84 and the terminal cap 86. As can be seen, the end cap 86 of the 10-pair connector 84, extends completely through the connector module, while the 8-pair combination 80, 82 of Figure 6 includes empty spaces on either side. The insertion of an 8-pair cartridge into a 10-pair connector module is prevented in this way, since the clipping posts 78 make contact with the terminals and / or the end cap 86 in the end regions of the connector module 84. , to block with this the full insertion. A 10-pair protection cartridge without exclusion posts is, however, insertable into an 8-pair connector module because the exclusion element is not present to block the insertion. Figure 5B also illustrates the 10 individual groups of openings 89 of three frames, present inside the upper housing 26. These openings 89 are adapted for the insertion of the cantilevered brackets 52, 51, over the spring contacts 46, 47 and the clamps 42 of the earth bracket 40, which engage with the protection devices 30. Figure 5C shows a top plan view of the upper housing 26. The circular retaining regions 90 within the cavities 29, 31 of the upper housing, act to stabilize the insertion of the protection devices 30 within the cartridge 20. As mentioned previously, identical individual components (with the exception of the removable exclusion element 78) are used in the assembly of the 8 and 10 pair protective cartridges, thereby decreasing the total manufacturing costs. When an 8-pair connector module is desired, the end cavities 92, 93 are simply left unfilled by the circuit protection. In the alternative, these empty cavities can be used as storage to accommodate reserve devices 30 for protection against overvoltage. With reference to Figure 8, a side cross-sectional view of the protective cartridge 20 of the present invention is shown, as it is inserted into a connector module 14. As can be seen, the vertical members 48, 49 of the contacts No. 46 or 47 are internally coupled with the contacts 95, 96 of the connector module, to provide protection against overvoltage, for the contacts at the front and rear of the module. From the foregoing, it should be understood that the modalities described, with respect to the drawings, are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make variations and modifications to the modalities shown, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (20)

1. A device for protection against overvoltage or overvoltage, for use in a modular system of terminal blocks or connection, wherein the connector modules having terminals on the front and rear sides thereof, are insertable within a mounting bracket for forming a connection block, and wherein the connector modules are adapted to receive circuit protection devices that limit the voltage or voltage on the front and back sides of the connector modules, for the protection of the individual pairs of the terminals, the connector modules include a plurality of receptacles or cavities corresponding to the individual pairs of the terminals, for the insertion of the protection devices; the device is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of conductive terminals adapted for insertion into the receptacles or cavities of the connector modules, by means of which they couple with the individual terminals of the connector modules; an insulated housing, adapted to securely mount the plurality of terminals within the housing, the housing is further adapted to accept a plurality of overvoltage protection means for coupling with the plurality of terminals; and a collective ground conductor, insertable within the insulated housing, and which is adapted to be coupled with the overvoltage protection means, and the mounting bracket, to thereby provide an electrical discharge path, the device is asymmetric around the a central vertical axis, and it is insertable on the front or rear side of the connector modules in any orientation of a 180 degree rotation about said axis, whereby it is adaptably mounted within a simple one of the connector modules , to protect each pair of terminals in it.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the isolated housing includes a plurality of individual regions of cavity, and wherein the individual terminals of the protective devices of the protection device are adapted to settle within the individual regions of the cavity, and wherein the adjacent ones of the conducting terminals are separated by a division placed between the cavity regions, whereby sufficient insulation resistance is maintained between the terminals.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collective earth conductor includes a first and a second L-shaped member, the first and second L-shaped members are oriented opposite each other within the insulated housing, for forming a rectangular collective ground conductor, each L-shaped member includes an integral tongue mechanism for coupling with the mounting bracket, and the securing means adapted to engage the terminal wires or guides of the protective means against the overvoltage.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the securing means includes a connection bracket supported cantilever, which has first and second guides angled towards each other, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to exert a predetermined amount of pressure on each other.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the conductor terminals includes a connection bracket supported cantilever, which has first and second guides angled towards each other, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to exert a predetermined amount of pressure on one another.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the isolated housing defines a series of cavities therein, the cavities are adapted to receive the means of protection against overvoltage, wherein the means of protection, when inserted inside the cavities, rests below a top surface of the housing, to thereby protect the protection means from inadvertent handling.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the insulating housing includes a plurality of vertically extending fingers, aligned in a single row, each of the fingers includes a first and second slots on the opposite sides thereof, in wherein the slots are adapted to receive adjacent pairs of conductive terminals, thereby aligning the terminals for insertion into the connector modules.

8. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the insulating housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the upper and lower housing are adapted to be coupled with one another, wherein the plurality of conductive terminals and the collective ground conductor they are securely seated between the upper and lower housing when mounting said device.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing includes a plurality of projections extending downward from a lower surface of a transverse bottom wall, the projections are adapted to be coupled to the plurality of conductive terminals, to force the conductive terminals with it to settle within the cavity regions.

10. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes the exclusion posts placed on a base region of the insulated housing, the exclusion posts are operative to block the installation of the protection device within a connector module of a predetermined first size. , and making possible the insertion of the protection device having a sufficient number of protection means within a connector module of a predetermined second size.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the exclusion poles make it possible to insert a 10-pair protection device into an 8-pair connector module, and prevent the insertion of an 8-pair protection device. in a 10-pair connector module.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the 8-pair protection device and the 10-pair protection device include identical components, and wherein the exclusion poles are removed from the 10-pair protection device.

13. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes a cover for mounting on the insulated housing, to thereby protect the protection means.

14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection means are selected from the group consisting of gas tubes, varistors and protection devices in the solid state.

15. An apparatus for protection against overvoltage, for use in a modular system of terminal or connection blocks, wherein the connector modules having connection terminals on the front and rear sides thereof, are insertable inside a bracket of mounting to form a double-sided connecting block, the connector modules include a plurality of openings on the front and rear sides, adapted for the insertion of the circuit protection modules; the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of contacts, each of the plurality of contacts corresponds to a single one of the connection terminals on the connector module, the contacts are adapted for insertion into the cavities or receptacles of the connector module, to thereby engage the respective terminals of the connection and the respective terminals of a means of protection against overvoltage, a collective ground conductor including a first and a second L-shaped membersve. , oriented opposite one another in a rectangular configuration, the collective ground conductor includes a first securing or securing means for coupling to the support posts of the support bracket, and the second securing means for engaging a of the ground terminals of the protective means, and a common, insulated cartridge housing for housing the overheating protection means, the cartridge housing is also adapted to securely seat the plurality of contacts and the collective ground conductor in this one, wherein the apparatus is insertable on the front or back side of the connector modules, to thereby provide circuit protection to all the contacts of a simple connector module.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the isolated housing includes a plurality of individual regions of cavity, and wherein the individual contacts of the protection device are adapted to settle within the individual regions of cavity, and where the adjacent ones of the contacts are separated by a division placed between the cavity regions, in order to maintain sufficient insulation resistance between the contacts.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the second securing means includes a connection bracket supported in cantilever, having first and second angled guides towards each other, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to exercise a predetermined amount of pressure on each other.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the plurality of contacts includes a connection bracket supported in cantilever, having first and second guides angled towards each other, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to exercise a predetermined amount of pressure on each other.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the isolated housing defines a series of cavities therein, the cavities are adapted to receive the means of protection against overvoltage, wherein the means of protection, to the insertion into the cavities , it rests below a top surface of the housing, to thereby protect the means of protection against inadvertent handling.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that it includes the exclusion posts placed on a base region of the insulated housing, the exclusion posts are operative to block the insulation of the protection apparatus within a connector module of a first predetermined size. , and making possible the insertion of the protection device, which has a sufficient number of protection means within a connector module of a predetermined second size. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A protection cartridge against overvoltage or overvoltage is described, adapted for use with a modular system of terminal blocks or connection, double-sided. The protective cartridge is advantageously mounted on the front or rear part of a connector module of the connector block, in a variety of orientations, in order to protect a complete row or endings on the block. Two L-shaped brackets, adapted to be coupled to a mounting bracket of the connector block, form an internal collective ground conductor, inside the protective cartridge. The brackets include a series of clamps 15 of cantilevered connection, which are coupled directly to the devices of protection against overvoltage. Spring or spring contacts that have similar cantilevered brackets are attached to the guides or wires remaining in the devices -.- protection against overvoltage and terminals of the connection block, which will be protected. Each of the individual spring contacts sits within an individual isolated cavity of the cartridge housing. The element maintains a ._ substantial insulation resistance between the adjacent terminals of the housing, and advantageously prevents the short circuit between the adjacent terminal guides, caused by the collection of moisture. A group of projections within the cartridge housing, corresponding to the cavities, are coupled to the spring contacts to force the correct seating position. An exclusion element attached to the cartridge housing ensures that only protection cartridges having a sufficient number of protection devices can be inserted into certain size-adjusted connector modules.