MXPA99007985A - Current and transient voltage protector - Google Patents

Abstract

A current and transient voltage protector (200). The protector module for a wiring block having at least one wiring strip includes an insulative housing (204, 206) having opposed ends (264), at least four electrically conductive contacts defining a first contact (208), a second contact (212), a third contact (210), and a fourth contact (214) partially disposed in the housing. The first contact (208) and second contact (212) extend through one of the ends and the third contact (210) and fourth contact (214) extend through the other end. The first contact and the third contact are aligned and the second contact and the fourth contact are aligned and adjacent to the first contact and the third contact. A first fuse (116) is disposed in the housing and is electrically connected between the first contact and the third contact while a second fuse (116), also disposed in the housing, is electrically connected between the second contact and thefourth contact. In an alternative embodiment, two voltage surge suppressors (298) are disposed in the housing with a first voltage surge suppressor being electrically connected to said third contact and a second voltage surge suppressor being electrically connected to said fourth contact. A ground contact (300) is provided and is electrically connected to the first voltage surge suppressor and the second voltage surge suppressor.

Description

TRANSIENT AND CURRENT VOLTAGE PROTECTOR Background of the Invention This invention relates generally to protective devices used in the communications industry. More specifically, this invention relates to a telecommunications protective device that provides protection against high current fluctuations and, optionally, transient voltages. The device of the present invention is adaptable to insert it directly into a wiring block having at least one wiring strip. For many years, protection devices using gas pipe mechanisms have been used to protect telecommunication cables from high current and transient voltage fluctuations. These "primary" protective devices are placed at the junction between the outer lines and the lines that go to a building. It is increasingly desirable to protect high-voltage, low-voltage telecommunications and data cables in the terminal blocks where connections are made between the primary protection devices and the equipment within the building. Protective devices of this type are sometimes referred to as "secondary" protectors. A secondary device is used with the primary device as a second line of defense against any overcurrent or transient voltage peaks that pass through the primary protection. Also, the secondary protection device is located as close as possible to the connection point of the equipment so that the transitory voltages between the entrance of the building and the main distribution point are also blocked. Wiring connections employing wire strips are well known and commercially available from AT &T Technologies such as connector system 110. Wiring systems type 110 are described in several patents, including Re. 35,030, Patent of the United States. United States of America Serial Numbers 4,964,812, 4,118,095, 3,611,264 and 3,798,581, and generally include a wiring block that has at least one wiring strip Although there are currently many protection devices for use in type 66 connector blocks (an old system of wiring block) such as the Siemon Pico Protector (U.S. Patent Serial Number 4,983,663) and others of ITW Linx, Porta Systems, and AT &T, it is necessary to have transient voltage protection and current in blocks of wiring of the type having at least one wiring strip such as the connector 110 described above. The prior art devices include leakage current protection for use with style 110 mounting bases without test access and replaceable current protection devices. For example, a protection device currently manufactured by AT & T (part #SCP -110 Block) for the connector system 110 provides only leakage current protection that does not provide test access or replaceable current protection elements. The prior art devices do not provide optional transient voltage protection. Thus, the industry needs an improved telecommunications protection device for use in a wiring block having a wiring strip, such as the connector system 110, which incorporates protection against high current fluctuations and optionally transient voltages while allows replaceable current protection elements and test access. Brief Description of the Invention The aforementioned disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art are solved or solved by the protector of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, a current protection and a voltage protector are disclosed transient / current. The protective module for a wiring block having at least one wiring strip includes an insulating housing having opposite ends, at least four electrical conductive contacts defining a first contact, a second contact, a third contact and a fourth contact partially arranged in the housing. The first contact and the second contact extend through one of the ends and the third contact and the fourth contact extend through the other end. The first contact and the third contact are aligned and the second contact and the fourth contact are • > aligned and adjacent to the first contact and the third contact. A first fuse is located in the housing and is electrically connected between the first contact and the third contact while a second fuse, also placed in the housing, is electrically connected between the second contact and the fourth contact. "In an alternate mode, two surge suppressors are placed in the housing with the first surge suppressor being electrically connected to said third contact and the second surge suppressor being electrically connected to that fourth contact. electrically connected to the first surge suppressor and the second overflow suppressor Brief Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings in which the similar elements have the same numbers in the different Figures: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a 110 type connector block according to the prior art: Figure 2 is a perspective view of a current protector in accordance with the present invention mounted on a type 110 prior art wiring block; a separate assembly view of the current protector; rspectiva of a superior housing of the current protector; Figure 5A is a front view of the current protector; Figure 5B, is a top view of the current protector; Figure 5C is a bottom view of the current protector; Figure 5D is a left end view of the current protector; Figure 5E is a right end view of the current protector; Figure 5frequency, is a perspective view of the current protector of Figure 3; Figure 5G is a perspective view of the current protector of Figure 3 with the device facing up; Figure 6 is an exploded view of four contacts of the current protector of Figure 3; Figure 7 is an exploded view of a voltage and current protector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8A is a front view of the voltage and current protector mounted on a prior art wiring block; Figure 8B is a top view of the voltage and current protector mounted on a prior art wiring block; Figure 8C is a left side view of the voltage and current protector mounted on a prior art wiring block; Figure 8D is a perspective view of the voltage protector and current mounted in a prior art wiring block; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lower housing of the voltage and current protector; Figure 10 is a top view of a lower housing of the voltage and current protector; Figure 11 A is a front view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 11B is a top view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 11C is a bottom view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 11D is a left end view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; • Figure 11E is a right end view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 11F is a perspective view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 11G is a perspective view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7 with the device facing up; Figure 12 is an exploded view of four contacts of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a ground contact of the voltage and current protector of Figure 7; Figure 14 is an exploded assembly view of the ground bus bar assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 15A is a front view of the bus bar ground assembly of Figure 11; Figure 15B is a top view of the bus bar ground assembly of Figure 11; Figure 15C is a left end view of the bus bar ground assembly of Figure 11; Figure 15D is a perspective view of the bus bar ground assembly of Figure 11; Figure 16. is an exploded assembly view of an alternative embodiment of a voltage and current protector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the voltage and current protector of Figure 16 mounted on a wiring block; and Figure 18. is a perspective view of an upper housing of the voltage and current protector of Figure 16. Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes With reference to Figure 1 (prior art) and Figure 2. the wiring block Type 110A of AT &T Technologies is generally shown at 20. The wiring block 20 comprises a base 22 having the legs 24 and 26 molded or clamped at each end thereof. The legs 24 and 26 provide a space behind the wiring block 20. Additionally, the legs 24 and 26 terminate in a mounting member 28 and 30, respectively, each member has a plurality of mounting holes 32 therethrough. . An upper surface 34 of the base 22 has a plurality of longitudinal grooves with mounting holes spaced across the base 22. A wiring strip 36 is secured in each of the grooves by a plurality of posts 38, extending from the lower surface of the strip 36 through the mounting holes in the slots. The wiring strips 36 are generally parallel. Posts 38 snap into slots (not shown) in base 22 on their bottom surface. The legs 24 and 26 extend upwardly beyond the base 22 and terminate in the platforms 40. The opposing surfaces of each outer pair of legs 24 and 26 include a retaining edge 42 for elastically securing naming strips (no. shown). The wiring strips 36 have teeth with a wire receiving portion therebetween. The connector blocks 50 are mounted on the wiring strips 36 and have teeth 52 and 54. The dependent legs 56 receive the wiring strip 36 therebetween. Arranged in the space between the teeth 52 and 54 are the wire contacts 60. As is generally known in the art, the wire contacts 60 are preferably insulation displacement contacts having bifurcations at each end to contact wires connected to the wire. Wiring block in either the wiring strip 36 or in the connector block 50 (at the upper end of the insulation displacement, the wire contact 60). With reference to Figures 2 and 3. A current shield mountable to the connector blocks 50 in a wiring block 20 in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at 100. The current protector 100 includes an insulating housing, preferably plastic, comprising an upper housing portion 104 and a lower housing portion 106. Partially disposed in the housing are four contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114. The contacts 108 and 110 are substantially aligned and adjacent the contacts 112 and 114. They are also aligned. A first fuse element 116 of the readily available type having a glass housing 118, terminal ends 120 and a metal filament 122 electrically connects the contacts 108 and 110 and is held by the geometry of the contacts 108 and 110. A second and similar fuse element 116 electrically connects the contacts 112 and 114 and is held by the geometry of the contacts in a similar manner. The aligned contacts 108 and 110 are separated from the adjacent aligned contacts 112 and 114 to engage with the respective wire contacts 6 ~ 0 in the connector blocks 50 in two different rows of wiring block 20. A predetermined current is applied through of contacts 108 and 110. and 112 and 114. and makes the, metal filament 122 is separated in a conventional manner to terminate the electrical connection between the contacts. It will be appreciated that the present invention is suitable. It will give a variety of conventionally available type 110 cabling blocks having at least one wiring strip. With reference to Figure 3, the lower housing 106 is generally a rectangular shaped box having a hollow interior 132 with the slots 124, 126, 128 and 130 disposed at the ends 134 extending inward to receive the contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114. The slot 124 receives the contact 108, the slot 126 receives the contact 110, the slot 128 receives the contact 112, and the slot 130 receives the contact 114. The opposed elastic arms 136 having closing members that see inwardly 138 at the ends of the arms 140 extending upwardly from each side 142 and engage with the upper housing 104, as described below, to engage the lower housing 106 with the upper housing 104. The slots 124 and 128 are separated so that the contacts 108 and 112 are engageable with the wire contacts 60 in a connector block 50. The slots 128 and 130 are equally spaced apart so that the contacts 110 and 11 4 are engageable with the wire contacts 60 in another connector block 50. The lower housing 106 has an upper surface 144 that rests against the upper housing 104. The precise configuration of the inner chamber 132 can be varied while the contacts 108, 110 , 112 and 114 are arranged in the lower housing so that the fusible elements 116 electrically connect the contact 108 to contact 110, and contact 112 to the contact 114, so that when the protector 100 is mounted to a wiring block, the contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114 are received in the wire contacts 60 to make an electrical connection between the respective connector blocks 50 through the fusible elements 116. With reference to Figure 4, the upper housing 104 is a box in generally rectangular shape having a hollow interior 160 and an opening in its lower part 162 for receiving the contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114 and the elements s Fuses 116. Upper housing 104 includes end extensions 164 extending from each end 165 having rectangular openings 166 and dependent legs 168. Legs 168 have opposite surfaces 170, slotted surfaces 171 and lower surfaces 169. Contacts 108 , 110, 112 and 114 rest against opposite surfaces 170 and slightly below slotted surfaces 171. Additionally, upper housing 104 includes slots 172, 174, 176 and 178 disposed on internal dependent legs 179 that partially receive contacts 108, 110 , 112 and 114. The slots 172, 174, 176 and 178 communicate with the interior 160 so that the contact 108 is partially retained in the slot 172, the contact 110 is partially retained in the slot 174, the contact 112 is partially retained in slot 176, and contact 114 is partially retained in slot 178. Slots 172, 174. 176 and 178 align with slots of the lower housing 124, 126, 128 and 130. Preferably, the end extensions 164 define a lower surface 180 which is engageable with the teeth of the connector block 52 and 54 so that when the current protector 100 is mounted to a block of wiring 20, the teeth 52 and 54 can rest against the lower surface 180. Likewise, the lower end extension surface 169 and the lower surface of the inner leg 181 rest against a wiring block when the shield is mounted in them. Each side 182 has a tapered latch surface 184 with a latch bushing 185 engageable with inwardly facing locking members 138 of arm ends 140 in the lower housing 106. A tapered clamping surface 173 is positioned on the surface of the housing. inner leg 175. Tapered clamping surface 173 receives stops 62 (Figure 2) disposed in connector block 50 to allow current shield 100 to be snapped into connector block 50. Preferably, the upper housing 104 has a handle 186 disposed at its upper portion 188 so that the current protector 100 can be easily removed from a wiring block when desired. It is also preferable to have test holes 190 disposed in the upper portion 188 and extending in the upper housing 104 and in alignment with the contacts 108, 110. 112 and 114 so that a test apparatus can be electrically connected to the contacts. 108, 110, 112 and 114 to determine if the fusible elements 116 are functioning properly.

It is so. as shown in Figures 5A-5G. the geometries of the upper housing 104 and the lower housing 106 retain the contacts 108, 110. 112 and 114 and the fusible elements 116 so that the contact 108 is aligned with the contact 110 and is electrically coupled by the fusible element 116 so that the contact 112 is aligned with the contact 114 and electrically coupled by another fusible element 116. The lower wall of the lower housing 146 encloses the lower housing 106 (better seen in Figure 5G). The respective electrically coupled contacts 108 and 110, and 112 and 114, are held in an aligned and adjacent position by the slots 124, 125, 128 and 130 of the lower housing 106. and the slots 172. 174, 176 and 178, as well as the slots 172, 174, 176 and 178. surfaces 170 of the legs 168 of the upper housing 104. The precise geometry of the housings 104 and 106 can be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. With reference to Figure 6, the contacts 108, 110. 112 and 114 comprise L-shaped plate members. The contacts 110 and 112 have a C-shaped upper portion 192 that faces inward to hold the fuse 116 in one. of its terminal ends 120. The upper portion in the form of C is elastic so that the fusible element 116 can be removably received therein. The contacts 108 and 114 have a U-shaped upper portion 194 which extends longitudinally inwardly and resiliently attaches the fusible elements 116 at the other terminal end 120 between the branches 196. The branches 196 are bent to resiliently hold the bifurcations 196. terminal end 120 between them. The contacts 108 and 114 include tapered portions 198 for aligning the U-shaped portions 194 with the C-shaped portions 192. The contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114 are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. In this manner, fusible elements 116 can be removable from contacts 108 and 110, and 112 and 114. Contacts 108, 110, 112 and 114 are clamped in wire contacts 60 of connector block 50 when shield 100 Mounts in the wiring block. It is thus in use, when the protector 100 is mounted to a wiring block, such as the wiring block 20, if a load is applied through electrically coupled contacts 108 and 110, and / or 112 and 114, which exceeds At a predetermined level, the fusible elements 116 interrupt the electrical connection. An operator can easily test the fuse links 116 through test holes 190 and if an electrical connection has been interrupted, the operator simply removes the current protector 100 from a wiring block by taking the handle 186. An operator can easily open the protector 100 by forcefully separating the arms 136 to separate the upper housing 104 from the lower housing 106. A molten fusible element 116 is then removed from its respective contacts 108 and 110, and / or 112 and 114 and replaced. Referring now to Figures 7 and 8A-8D, a transient voltage protector and mountable current to a wiring block according to the present invention is generally shown at 200. The transient voltage protector and current 200 includes an insulating housing, preferably of plastic, comprising an upper housing portion 204 and a lower housing portion 206. Partly arranged in each housing there are four contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214. The contacts 208 and 210 are essentially aligned and adjacent to the contacts 212 and 214 that are also aligned. A first fuse element 116 of the previously described type electrically connects the contacts 208 and 210 and is held by the geometries of the contacts 208 and 210. A second and similar fuse element 116 electrically connects the contacts 212 and 214 and is held by the geometry of the contacts 208 and 210 in a similar manner. The aligned contacts 208 and 210 are separated from the adjacent aligned contacts 212 and 214. Arranged in the upper housing 204 there are two surge suppressors 298 of the easy and commercially available type. A surge suppressor 298 is electrically coupled to the contact 210 and to a ground in the form of busbar to ground 450. The other surge suppressor is electrically connected to the contact 214 and the busbar to ground 450. The surge suppressors 298 are electrically coupled to the ground bus bar 450 by the ground contact 300 which is positioned between the surge suppressors 298 and clamped in the lower housing 206.

Thus, similarly to guard 100, guard 200 is mounted to wiring block 20 so that aligned contacts 208 and 210, and 212 and 214, are received at the branches of wire contacts 60 of a block. from connectors 50 to respective wire contacts 60 in another connector block 50. A predetermined load applied through contacts 208 and 210, and 212 and 214, causes metal filament 122 to be interrupted in a conventional manner to terminate the electrical connection between the contacts. If a transient voltage exceeding a predetermined level is detected either at contact 210 or 214, the voltage is ground by suppressor 298 through ground contact 300. Referring now to Figures 9-10, lower housing 206 it is a generally rectangular box having a hollow interior 232 with slots 224, 226, 228 and 230 disposed at the ends 234 extending inward to receive the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214. The slot 224 receives the contact 208, the groove 226 receives the contact 210, the groove 228 receives the contact 212, and the groove 230 receives the contact 214. Two grooves 320 and 322 are disposed between the grooves ^ 224 and 228, and the groove to ground 322 is disposed between slots 226 and 230. Opposite elastic arms 236 having inwardly facing closure members 238 on the ends of arms 240 extending upwardly on each side 242 and engage with upper housing 204, as described below, for coupling the lower housing 206 with the upper housing 204. The slots 224 and 228 are spaced apart so that the contacts 208 and 212 are engageable with the wire contacts 60 in the connector block 50. The slots 228 and 230 are equally spaced apart so that the contacts 210 and 214 are engageable with the wire contacts 60 in another connector block 50. The lower housing 206 has an upper surface 244 that rests against the upper housing 204. Additionally, the lower housing includes square shaped openings 306 disposed therethrough. The slot 230 extends to an expanded slot portion 308 to receive the contact 214. The slot 226 also extends to an expanded slot portion 310 to receive the contact 210. The lower housing 206 includes a lower wall portion 312 that has a generally rectangular central opening 314 communicating with the interior 232 through which the ground contact 300 extends. The lower wall portion 312 also includes rectangular openings 316 communicating with the interior 232 disposed on each side of the central opening 314 (as seen in Figure 11C and 11G). The precise configuration of the inner chamber 232 can be varied while the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214 are disposed in the lower housing so that the fusible elements 116 electrically connect the contact 208 to the contact 210, and the contact 212 to the contact 214. , so the contacts are received in the wire contacts 60 to make an electrical connection between the respective connector blocks 50 through the fusible elements 116, and so that a surge suppressor contact 298 is electrically coupled to the contact 210 and the ground bus bar 450 and the other surge suppressor 298 is electrically connected to the contact 214 and the bus bar to ground through the ground contact 300 which is positioned between the surge suppressors 298 and fastened in the upper housing 204. Referring now to Figures 7, and 11A-11G, the upper housing 204 has a generally hollow interior 260 and an opening in its lower portion 262 for receiving the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214, the ground contact 300, the surge suppressors 298 and the fusible elements 116. The upper housing includes the end extensions 264 having rectangular openings 266 and dependent legs 268. Legs 268 have opposite vertical surfaces 270, grooved surfaces 271 and bottom surfaces 269. Contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214 rest against opposing surfaces 270 and slightly below grooved surfaces 271. Additionally, upper housing 204 includes grooves 272, 274, 276 and 278 disposed on the internal dependent legs 279 that partially receive the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214. The slots 272, 274, 276 and 278 communicate with the interior 260 so that the contact 208 is partially retained in the slot 272, the contact 210 is partially retained in slot 274, contact 212 is partially retained in slot 276, and contact 214 is partially retained in slot 278. Slots 272, 274, 276 and 278 align with slots in lower housing 224, 226, 228 and 230. Preferably, the end extensions 264 have a lower surface 280 which is engageable with the teeth of the connector block 52 and 54 so that when the protector of current 200 is mounted to a wiring block 20, the teeth 52 and 54 can rest against the lower surface 280. Similarly, the lower end extension surface 269 and the lower surface of the inner leg 281 rest against a wiring block when the protector 200 is mounted therein. Each side 282 has a tapered latch surface 284 with a latch bushing 285 engageable with inwardly facing closure members 238 of arm ends 240 in the lower housing 206. A tapered fastening surface 273 is positioned on the surface of the housing. inner leg 275. Tapered clamping surface 273 receives stops 62 (Figure 2) disposed in connector block 50 to allow current shield 200 to snap into connector block 50. Preferably, upper housing 204 has a handle 286 disposed in its upper portion 288 so that the current protector 200 can be easily removed from a wiring block when desired. It is also preferable to have test holes 290 disposed in the upper portion 288 and extending in the upper housing 204 and in alignment with the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214 so that a test apparatus can be electrically connected to the contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214 to determine whether the fusible elements 116 are functioning properly. With reference to Figure 12, contacts 208 and 112 comprise L-shaped plate members. Contacts 210 and 214 comprise inverted T-shaped members. The contacts 210 and 212 have C-shaped upper portions 292 that face inward to hold the fuse 116 at one of its terminal ends 120. The C-shaped upper portion is resilient so that the fusible element 116 can be received from removable way in it. The contacts 208 and 214 have a U-shaped upper portion 294 that extends longitudinally inwardly and resiliently fastens the fusible elements 116 at the other terminal end 120 between the branches 296. The branches 296 are bent to resiliently hold the bifurcations 296. fuse elements 116 at terminal end 120. Contacts 210 and 214 additionally include a holding portion 340 having a contact surface 342. Each C-shaped portion 292 is aligned with a respective U-shaped portion 294 so that the fusible element 116 is held between them. The surge suppressor 298 is in surface contact with the contact surface 342. The contacts 208, 210, 212 and 214 are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. With reference to Figure 13, the ground contact 300 is made of a conductive material and includes a generally rectangular plate body 350 having two outwardly extending central lugs 352. The lugs 352 are adjacent to each other and include non-conductive surfaces. contact 354 which are in surface contact on one side of the surge suppressor 298. The lugs 352 are resilient to force the surge suppressors 298 on their opposite side against the respective contacts 210 and 214. In this way, the surge suppressors 298 are held in the interior 260 by contacting the lugs 352 which force the surge suppressors against the respective contacts 210 and 214 (on the surface 342 of the contacts 210 and 214). Additionally, the ground contact includes a twisted tip 356 extending through the central opening 314 for insertion into the ground bus bar 450. The ground contact 300 is held in the lower housing 206, between the contacts 208, 210, 211 and 214 by inserting the opposed slots 320 and 322. With reference to Figures 14-15A-15D, the ground bus bar 450 includes a U-shaped insulating structure 452 having a longitudinal axis with portions connectors 454 disposed at each end 456. The connector portions 454 also have a U-shape and have upper surfaces 458 having openings 460 thereon. The openings 460 have a generally rectangular shape and converge with the slots 462 in the walls 464 and 466. The walls 464, 466 and 468 form a channel 470. The wall 468 has a cut portion 472. The lock fingers 474 are disposed in ~ each side 476 of the connector portion 454 and are elastic. The structure 452 has a plurality of separate flanges 478. Disposed on the channel 470 are bus-receiving clips 480. The bus 450 includes a bar 484 having a plurality of clips 486 disposed therein which receives the tips 356 of the contacts to ground 300. Attached to each end 488 of bar 484 is a bar securing clip 490 which is frictionally engaged in the 480 bus receiver clips. As shown in Figure 8C, the ground bus bar 450 may be attached to a wiring block, such as the wiring block 20, by contacting the latch surfaces 492 of the latch fingers 474 against the post buttons 64. The ground bus bar 450 may also include a cover 494 having a plurality of aligned rectangular apertures 496. Thus, when the ground bus bar 450 is mounted to a wiring block, such as the wiring block 20, the openings 496 are aligned with was that the tips 356 are received through the rectangular openings 496 in the clips 486 when the shield 200 is mounted to the wiring block 20. Thus, in use, a ground bus bar 450 is attached to a wiring block by locking latch fingers 474 to the post buttons 64 to secure the ground bus bar 450 to the wiring block 20. Then, the shield 200 is mounted to the wiring block 20. If a current is applied through the electrically coupled contacts 208 and 210, and / or 212 and 214, which exceeds a predetermined level, fusible elements 116 disrupt the electrical connection. An operator can easily test the fuse links 216 through test holes 290 and if an electrical connection has been interrupted, the operator simply removes the guard 200 from the wiring block by grasping the handle 286. An operator can easily open the housing 202 by separating force the arms 236 to separate the upper housing 204 from the lower housing 206. Then, a fused fusible element 116 is removed from its respective contacts 208 and 210, and / or 212 and 214. If a transient voltage exceeding a level is detected predetermined either at contact 210 or 214, the surge suppressor 298 lands the transient voltage through the ground contact 300 which is electrically coupled to the bus to ground bus 450. In this way, the leakage currents and the voltages transients are protected by protector 200. Referring now to Figures 16-18, another mode of a transient voltage protector is shown. and mountable current to a wiring block in accordance with the present invention in generally 500. The transient voltage and current protector 500 includes an insulating housing, preferably of plastic comprising an upper housing portion 504 and a lower housing portion 506. Partially disposed in each housing are the bar contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514. It will be appreciated that the contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514, the fuse elements 116, the surge suppressors 298, the ground contact 300 and the ground bus bar 450 function like similar elements of the protector 200 described above. The contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514 of this embodiment have a different geometric configuration. The contacts 508 and 512 comprise L-shaped plate members. The contacts 510 and 514 comprise T-shaped plate members. The contacts 510 and 512 have C-shaped upper portions 592 facing inward to hold the fuse 116. as mentioned earlier. The contacts 508 and 514 have upper grip fingers 594 with a space 595 therebetween which they view longitudinally inwardly. The fuses 116 rest against the inwardly facing side 597 of the clamping fingers 594. The contacts 510 and 514 additionally each include an outwardly extending side holding portion 540 having a contact surface 542 and a suppressive edge surface. 544 disposed at the inner end 545 of its respective T-shape. The surge suppressor 298 rests against the edge surface 544 and is in surface contact with the contact surface 542. The ground contact 300 is disposed between the surge suppressors. 298 which are inward from the contact surfaces 542. The lower housing 506 has a generally hollow interior 532 with the slots 524, 526, 528 and 530 disposed at the ends 534 extending inward to receive the contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514 Slot 524 receives contact 508, slot 526 receives contact 510, slot 528 receives contact 512, and slot 530 receives the contact 514. The ground grooves 520 and 522 hold the ground contact 300 in a similar manner to the shield 200. The lower housing 506 includes the side walls 536 and the end walls 538. A slit 541 having surfaces 543 is provided. and 547 at the intersection of the side walls 536 and the end walls 538. The bottom housing 506 has an upper surface 545 that rests against the upper housing 504. The slot 526 extends to an expanded slot portion 600 to receive the contact 510. The slot 530 also extends to an expanded slot portion 602 to receive the contact 514. The lower housing 506 includes a lower wall portion 604 having a generally central rectangular opening (not shown) communicating with the interior 532 a through which the ground contact 300 (not shown) extends.

With reference to Figure 18, the upper housing 504 has a generally hollow interior 560 and an opening in its lower portion 562 for receiving the contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514, the ground contact 300, the surge suppressors 298 and the fusible elements 116. The upper housing includes end extensions 564 having rectangular openings 566 and dependent legs 568. Legs 568 have opposite vertical surfaces 570, grooved surfaces 571 and lower surfaces 569. Contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514 rest against opposing surfaces 570 and slightly below grooved surfaces 571. Additionally, upper housing 504 includes grooves 572, 574, 576 and 578 disposed on internal dependent legs 584 which include grooves 586 with surfaces 588. Surface 588 at each inner leg 584 rests against connector block 50 as shown in Figure 17. Slots 572, 574, 576 and 578 communicate with each other. n the interior 560 so that the contact 508 is partially retained in the slot 572, the contact 510 is partially retained in the slot 574, the contact 512 is partially retained in the slot 576, and the contact 514 is partially retained in the slot 578, Slots 572, 574, 576 and 578 are aligned with the grooves of the lower housing 524, 526, 528 and 530. Preferably, the ends 564 have a lower surface 580 that is engageable with the teeth of the connector block 56 and 58 so that when the current protector 500 is mounted to a wiring block 50, the teeth 52 and 54 can rest against the lower surface 580. A tapered clamping surface 583 is provided on the inner side of the leg 568 for receiving the stops 62 (Figure 2) in the connector block 50. The test holes 590 disposed in the upper part 608 are formed in the edges 610 of the upper part 608 and are generally semicircular and in alignment with the contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514 so that a test apparatus can be electrically connected to the contacts 508, 510, 512 and 514 to determine whether the fusible elements 116 are functioning properly. The end wall 612 includes a fuse outlet hole 614 so that a fuse can be removed from the protector 500 without disassembling the housing 502. The end wall 612 has an access hole 616 so that the fuse 116 can be pushed outwardly from a similar fuse outlet hole in the end wall 620. The end wall 620 has a similar outlet hole. The side walls 624 have a cut-out portion 628 that is engageable with the side walls 536 and the grooves 541 of the bottom portion 506. The opening edges of the side wall 630 engage the grooves 540 when the lower housing 506 and the housing are assembled. 504. Thus, in use, a ground bus bar 450 is attached to a wiring block by latch bolt fingers to the post buttons 64 to secure the ground bus bar 450 to the wiring block 20. Then, the protector 500 is mounted to the wiring block 20 in the connector blocks 50. If a load is applied through the electrically coupled contacts 508 and 510, and / or 512 and 514, which exceeds a predetermined level, the elements Fuses 116 interrupt the electrical connection. An operator can easily test the fuse links 116 through test holes 590 and if an electrical connection has been interrupted, the operator simply removes the shield 500 from the wiring block and inserts a tool or contact tip through the hole 616 or 622 for removing the fuse 116 from its respective fuse 614 or 618 output port without separating the upper housing 504 and the lower housing 506. If a transient voltage exceeding a predetermined level is detected either at the 510 or 514 contact, the surge suppressor 598 lands the transient voltage through the ground contact 300 which is electrically coupled to the ground bus bar 450. In this way, the leakage currents and the transient voltages are protected by the protector 500. Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, therefore, it should be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A protective module for a wiring block having at least one wiring strip comprising: an insulating housing having opposite ends; At least four electrically conductive contacts defining a first contact, a second contact, a third contact and a fourth contact, such contacts are partially arranged in said housing, said first contact and said second contact extend through one of said ends, said third contact and said fourth contact extend through the other end, said first contact and said third contact are aligned, said second contact and said fourth contact are aligned and adjacent to said first contact and said third contact; a first fuse in said housing, said first fuse is electrically connected between said first contact and said third contact; and a second fuse in said housing, said second fuse being electrically connected between said second contact and said fourth contact; wherein said wiring block is a type 1 wiring block 10 having two rows of connector blocks, said first contact and said second contact are engageable with a connector block in a first row and such third contact and the Mention fourth contact are lable with a block of connectors in a second row.
2. 2. A protective module according to claim 1, wherein: said housing includes a lower part; and further comprises a first surge suppressor electrically connected to said third contact and a second surge suppressor which is electrically connected to said fourth contact; and ground contact, said ground contact is electrically connected to said first surge suppressor and said second surge suppressor, said ground contact having a distal end through said lower part.
3. 3. A protector according to claim 1, wherein: said first contact and said third contact are parallel to said second contact and said fourth contact.
4. 4. Protector according to claim 1, wherein: said housing includes four slots, two of said slots are arranged at one of said ends and receive such first and second contacts, the other two such slots are arranged in the other of the mentioned ends and receive said third and fourth contacts.
5. 5. A protector according to claim 4, wherein: said housing comprises a top housing portion and a lower housing portion; said lower housing portion includes opposed elastic arms extending outwardly, each of said arms having a bolt surface thereon; and said upper housing portion includes opposing tapered surfaces for releasably coupling said latch surfaces.
6. 6. A protector according to claim 5, further comprising: four holes disposed in said upper housing portion, each of said holes communicating with one of said contacts.
7. 7. A protector according to claim 1, wherein: said first contact and said fourth contact include U-shaped upper portions that face inwardly in said housing; said second contact and such fourth contact include upper portions in a C-shape; and said first fuse and said second fuse comprise cylindrical fusible elements having opposite end ends, one of said opposite terminal ends of said first fuse being fastened in said upper U-shaped portion of said first contact and the other of said terminal ends of said first fuse is fastened in said upper C-shaped portion of said third contactone of said terminal ends of said second fuse is fastened in said upper U-shaped portion of said second contact and the other of the said terminal ends of said second fuse is clamped in said upper portion in a C-shaped manner. such a fourth contact.
8. 8. A protector according to claim 2, wherein: said first contact and said second contact are L-shaped plate members having lower portions extending through said housing, said first contact includes an upper portion in U-shape that looks inward, such second contact includes a C-shaped upper portion; -third contact and said fourth contact are T-shaped members having lower portions including first and second ends, each of said first ends extends through each said housing, each of said second ends ending in such housing, said third contact includes a C-shaped upper portion, said fourth contact includes a U-shaped upper portion that faces inwardly; said first fuse and said second fuse comprise fusible elements in cylindrical form having opposite terminal ends, one of said terminal ends of said first fuse being fastened in said upper U-shaped portion of said first contact and the other of said aforementioned terminal ends of such first fuse is clamped in said upper C-shaped portion of said third contact, one of said terminal ends of said second fuse being clamped in said upper U-shaped portion of said second contact and the other of said terminal ends of said second fuse is clamped in said upper C-shaped portion of said fourth contact; and said ground contact is disposed between said first surge suppressor and said second surge suppressor, said surge suppressor is connected to said second terminal end of said third contact, said second overstrain suppressor being connected to said second terminal end of the mentioned fourth contact.
9. 9. A protector according to claim 8, wherein: said ground contact further includes opposing elastic tips extending outward, one such point forces said first surge arrester against said third contact, the other of the said force point said second surge suppressor against such fourth contact. A protector according to claim 1, wherein: said housing further includes a portion extending depending on each end, one of said extending portions holding said first contact and said second contact in a separate and parallel relationship , the other of the mentioned portions that extend holds said third contact and said fourth contact in a separate and parallel relationship. eleven . A protector according to claim 1, wherein said housing additionally includes two holes, one such hole is aligned with such first and third contacts, the other mentioned hole is aligned with said second and fourth contact, wherein said first fuse and said second fuse can be removably inserted into said housing through said holes. A protector according to claim 5, wherein: said upper housing portion includes four slots, two of said slots are disposed at one of said ends and receive such first and second contacts, two of said slots are arranged in the other of the mentioned ends and receive such third and fourth contacts; and said lower housing portion includes four grooves, two of said grooves are disposed at one of said ends and receive such first and second contacts, two of said grooves are disposed on the other of said ends and receive such third and fourth contacts A protector according to claim 1, wherein: said housing further includes opposite sides, one of said sides has an opening for viewing said first fuse and the other of said sides has an opening for viewing said second fuse. 14. "A protector in accordance with claim 2, wherein: such a wiring block includes a ground bus mounted to such a block, said ground bus is engageable at said distal end of said ground contact means.