WO2016008919A1

WO2016008919A1 - Series terminal system

Info

Publication number: WO2016008919A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/066150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Wetter; Thorsten Heil; Gerhard Wolff
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co.Kg
Priority date: 2014-07-15
Filing date: 2015-07-15
Publication date: 2016-01-21
Also published as: DE102014213728A1; CN206441883U

Abstract

The invention relates to a series terminal system (1), comprising a plurality of substantially identical series terminals (K₁, K₂, K₃, K₄,...K_n), which lie adjacent to each other and which are arranged on a mounting rail (HUT), wherein each series terminal (Κ₁, K₂, K₃, K₄,... K_n) has at least two bridging shafts (B₁₁, B₁₂; B₂₁, B₂₂; B₃₁, B₃₂; B₄₁, B₄₂,...B_n1, B_n2), and comprising an electrically conductive bus bar (S), which provides a common potential, wherein the bus bar (S) covers one of the at least two bridging shafts (B₁₁, B₂₁, B₃₁, B₄₁; B₁₂; B₂₂; B₃₂; B₄₂) in each of the series terminals (K₁, K₂, K₃, K₄,... K_n) lying adjacent to each other, wherein the bus bar (S) is in electrical contact with one of the series terminals (K₁), while at least some of the other series terminals (K₂, Κ₃, K₄,...K_n) are electrically insulated in relation to the bus bar.

Description

Modular terminal block system

The invention relates to a terminal clamping system.

Terminal clamping systems are often used in circuit technology to distribute potentials. For this purpose, typical terminal blocks in addition to the terminal block connections also so-called Brückungsschächte on, in each of which wires for electrical contacting can be introduced.

The fixation of the wires can be carried out in each case in a variety of ways, such. with screw, tension spring, push-in, quick or bolt connection. As a rule, the fixation is detachable again, so that a wire can also be removed again.

The big advantage of terminal block systems is that the organization of switchgear can be better organized. In doing so, e.g. Potentials of e.g. Sensors and actuators each distributed over specific terminal blocks, which are prepared on a mounting rail next to each other. As a rule, this arrangement is horizontal, so that subsequent position or directional information refer to this typical arrangement, which results in no limiting factor. That Due to the arrangement of the terminal blocks on the mounting rail results in a perpendicular distribution of the potentials. As far as a transverse distribution of potentials is provided, this is realized with jumpers in Brückungsschächten, which is intended to pass on the potential of a terminal to an adjacent terminal block. This is e.g. used when the terminals on a terminal block are not sufficient for the number of wires to be connected. As already indicated, the arrangement and the resulting distribution of potentials can also be provided differently, e.g. a vertical arrangement and a horizontal distribution.

In such systems, there are always requirements in that individual potentials should also be provided with an overvoltage protection device. One approach is to integrate such Überspanungsschutzeinrichtungen in the terminal, with usually two terminals, two potentials, eg two potentials of a signal wire, are guided side by side, and these signal wires are connected in the event of an overvoltage low resistance via the overvoltage protection device, so subordinate Protect equipment from overvoltage. Alternatively, simple terminal blocks are also used, in which the overvoltage protection device dissipates them to a ground potential in the event of an overvoltage. In this short-term low-impedance state, a compensation current can flow and the voltage overshoot is limited, so that the dielectric strength / insulation resistance of the terminals is not exceeded.

However, this approach is not maintenance friendly, because in case of malfunction of the surge protector, this malfunction must be recognized on the one hand, which is difficult in an integrated solution, on the other hand, but also the terminal block itself from the mounting rail and all connected to the terminal wires be solved. Afterwards, a new terminal block has to be replaced and again all wires have to be reconnected. This is on the one hand error prone, on the other hand time consuming. In addition, the use of materials should not be underestimated, since a complete terminal block must be replaced, although only the overvoltage protection device is faulty.

Another problem is the need for a variety of different terminal types. Not only that now terminal blocks must be provided with overvoltage protection device and without surge protection and recognizable, but also that now also with respect to the surge protection devices increasingly different demands on the nature of provided protection (coarse, medium or fine protection). Thus, the number of different products increases, so that on the one hand, the stocking as well as the production becomes more expensive.

In order to address these problems, attempts have been made in the past to separate the connector from the protective part of the products.

The approach is a basic element specialized for the requirements of overvoltage protection and to use a plug-in module with the protective circuit. That is, in the previous approaches always two directly adjacent terminal blocks were used to switch by means of an overvoltage protection device in the plug-in module, eg in plug form, these two terminal blocks in the event of an overvoltage low. In particular, in signal technology, however, three terminal blocks were provided for pairs of signals, each with a terminal for the connection of the signal wires and a terminal for the connection was provided at ground potential. This means that each pair of signal conductors generally requires three terminal blocks, so that the packing density of signal wires decreases and thus the distribution technology occupies a larger space.

Therefore, in the past, often omitted on an overvoltage protection and it would be desirable to be able to retrofit this cost.

Based on the disadvantages listed above, it is an object of the invention to provide a potential distribution potential that circumvents one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a space-saving possibility for potential distribution.

The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments.

Show it

1 shows a first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks,

2 shows the first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks with a

Busbar according to various embodiments of the invention, Fig. 3 shows the first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks with a

Busbar according to various embodiments in a further aspect of the invention, and

Fig. 4 shows the first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks with a

Busbar according to various embodiments in yet another aspect of the invention.

Insofar as similar reference symbols are used below in the figures, the respective descriptions for this are to be understood equally for all figures, unless a deviation from this is explicitly stated. In particular, aspects of individual embodiments described in the following description can also be combined with other aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly designated as an alternative. FIG. 1 shows a first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks in a terminal block system 1. The terminal clamping system has a plurality of substantially similar adjacent terminal blocks K ₂ , K ₃ , K4. K _N , which are arranged on a mounting rail HUT. The terminal blocks K ₂ , K ₃ , K, ... K _N each have at least two Brückungsschächte B, B ₁₂ ; B ₂₁ , B ₂₂ ; _B31 , _B32 ; B ₁ , B ₂ , ... B _n1 , B _n2 on. These bridging shafts are organized, for example, in planes, so that, for example, the bridging shafts Bn, B ₂₁ , B31, B ₁ ,... B _n1 shown in the illustration above are assigned to a (logical) first plane, while, for example, the bridging shafts shown in the illustration below B ₁₂ , B ₂₂ , B ₃₂ , B ₄₂ , ... B _{n2 are associated with} a (logical) second level. The bridging shafts of a terminal each provide access to the potential that is connected to the respective terminal block for distribution. Possible connected wires are shown as a curved line above or below the respective terminal block K ₂ , K ₃ , K ₄ ... K _n . FIG. 2 shows the first schematic arrangement of terminal blocks with a busbar S according to various embodiments of the invention. In this case, the modular terminal system 1 now also has an electrically conductive busbar S, which provides a common potential. For this purpose, the busbar S in the juxtaposed terminal blocks KL K ₂ , K ₃ , K ... K _N each covers one of the at least two Brückungsschächte Bn, B ₂₁ , B ₃₁ , B ₄₁ ; Bi ₂ ; B ₂₂ ; B ₃₂ ; B ₄₂ . In the figure 2, for example, the Brückungsschächte Bn, B ₂₁ , B ₃₁ , B ₄₁ , ... B _n i covered by the (logical) first level. However, other levels can easily be covered.

Without going into detail, it is also possible for certain purposes to cover several levels, each with its own busbar, or several adjacent levels can share a common busbar or, if there are a corresponding number of levels, mixed forms thereof, i. e.g. a level with a busbar, three levels with a common busbar or the like can be used.

In this case, the busbar S with one of the terminal blocks, in Figure 2, for example, with the terminal Κ in electrical contact, while at least part of the other terminal blocks, in Figure 2, for example, the terminal blocks K ₂ , K ₃ , K ₄ ... K _N , electrically isolated in relation to the busbar S are.

Although in FIG. 2 the first terminal is contacted, this is not necessarily so. It can e.g. also another terminal block can be used for contacting. The electrical contact may be e.g. be realized in that a contact pin KS is inserted into the busbar S and a corresponding bridging shaft and thereby produces the electrical (and mechanical) connection. But it can also be provided that the contact pin is already formed or attached to the busbar S.

Thus, a certain potential, namely that of a certain terminal block, can now be distributed over the normal bridging shafts. Since the so bridged bridging shafts are now no longer readily accessible, conventional plug can now be used or only limited. Nevertheless, any potential can now be distributed, as will be explained below using the example of the earth potential in relation to a further aspect of the invention. In this case, the respective connection means to the busbar S are usually formed so that an electrical connection to the underlying bridging shaft is omitted, so an electrical connection is not explicitly desired. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, for example, in FIG. 2, 3 or 4, the terminal block with which the bus bar S is in electrical contact provides an electrical connection to the mounting rail HUT. This mounting HUT can now be connected to the ground potential itself, so that a ground potential can now also be made available later via the busbar.

Now, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the terminal block 1, a plug-in module M are inserted. Depending on the embodiment, the plug-in module has a certain number of contact pins as electrical connection devices S ₂ , S ₃ for making contact with the busbar S and at least one of the terminal blocks.

In Figure 3, a plug-in module M has been inserted into the terminal block system 1. The plug-in module M here has 2 contact pins, namely electrical connection devices Si, for contacting the bridge shaft B ₂ 2 of the terminal K2 and electrical connection devices S ₂ for contacting the busbar S on.

The arrangement of the busbar S and the ability to provide a plug-in module M in addition to the potential of the terminal and another potential of another terminal blocks available, it is now possible the plug-in module M varied functions to transfer. These may e.g. as status indicators or as overvoltage protection device and so on. Other options include monitoring and / or logging facilities. However, complicated functions can be readily provided, in particular from the point of view that it is also possible to use a plurality of busbars with different potentials, so that it can be used e.g. It would also be possible to set up a bus system with a sufficient number of busbars S. A potential that can be distributed is, as already described, a ground potential.

Here, it makes sense that the plug-in module M, for example, has an overvoltage protection device which, in the event of an overvoltage, diverts an overvoltage on the terminal block, which is contacted in the respective bridging shaft, via the busbar S. For example, the plug-in module M in FIG. 3 could contact the busbar S via the electrical connection device S ₂ , which in turn is connected to the terminal block Ki via the contact pin KS. The terminal Ki in turn is connected to the ground potential, either directly or via the mounting rail HUT. Furthermore, the plug-in module M is also connected via the electrical connection device Si to the potential of the terminal block K ₂ . If an overvoltage now occurs at the terminal K ₂ , it is discharged via the overvoltage device contained in the plug-in module M, the busbar S and the terminal block to the ground potential.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement similar to FIG. 3. However, here the plug-in module M is chosen larger, so that it covers not only one but several terminal blocks. Preferably, the plug-in module M then has a width which corresponds approximately to a multiple of a terminal block width. In Fig. 4, e.g. the case of a roughly double terminal block width shown.

Here now the busbar is contacted at several locations by means of the electrical connection means S ₂ and S ₃ . Such an arrangement is advantageous, for example, in the case of overvoltage devices which carry a high current, since a better discharge can now be made available.

Without further ado, it can also be provided, as already indicated with regard to the most diverse functionalities of the plug-in modules M, that the electrical module M contacts different busbars and / or different potentials of different terminal blocks, so that a multiplicity of functions can be represented by means of the plug-in modules M.

Although only one terminal block is in contact with the bus bar S at the top and in the figures in order to provide the corresponding potential to the busbar S, the invention is not limited to this, but the busbar S may also be at any one or more locations be connected to the same potential of the first contacted terminal block. This is advantageous, for example, at ground potentials, in particular when using a large number of overvoltage protection devices or high-voltage overvoltage protection devices in plug-in modules M, because now even large currents can be reliably dissipated to the ground potential. For example, each of the marginal terminal blocks Ki, K _{N provide} the connection to the ground potential. Such marginal connection may serve as the mechanical support. This means that with the retrofitting of one or more grounding terminals and busbar S and the corresponding plug-in modules M as overvoltage devices, an existing switchgear can also be retrofitted without the need for massive changes to the wiring. In addition, a space-saving solution is thus offered, so that compared to previous systems, a construction space gain of up to 1/3 can be realized.

The presented solution can also be introduced very easily into typical measuring / control / regulating devices (MSR devices). As far as the bus bar S is described in relation to terminal blocks, for example, the design of the busbar S with respect to the electrical connection means Si, S ₂ , S ₃ be designed so that the busbar S has plug openings corresponding to the pitch of the terminal blocks. Depending on the configuration of the electrical connection devices Si, S ₂ , S ₃ and the contacting KS, the execution of the insertion openings can now be such that they are designed, for example, in the dimensional design of the bridging shafts.

Due to the arrangement of the busbar S in a form covering the bridge shafts, the plug-in modules M must have two different height profiles for the electrical connection devices Si, S ₂ , S ₃ if the bridging shafts of a terminal lie in a physical plane.

The design of clearances and creepage distances between signal-carrying potentials and ground potential and between the individual signal-carrying potentials shall be interpreted to the maximum signal or rated voltages, taking into account the applicable overvoltage categories and pollution levels. The busbar S can be prefabricated or assembled in the field. In particular, in an embodiment in which the contacting is realized with a terminal by means of a contact pin KS to be used, offers itself for this purpose, in which case a corresponding busbar S is created as required by separating / kinking / cutting off / or the like from a larger (profiled) strand on site.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Terminal block system 1

Terminal block ι, K ₂ , K3, K ₄ , ... K _N Mounting rail HUT Brückungsschächte B, Bi ₂ ; B21, B _22; _B31 , _B32 ; B41, B ₄₂ ... B _m , B _N2 electrically conductive busbar S

Plug-in module M electrical connection devices S ^ S ₂ , S ₃ contact pin KS

Claims

claims

Terminal block system (1) having a plurality of substantially similar juxtaposed terminal blocks (K ^ K ₂ , K ₃ , K ₄ , ... K _n ), which are arranged on a mounting rail (HUT), wherein the terminal blocks (Κ ^ K ₂ , K3, K ₄ , ... K _n ) each have at least two bridging shafts (B, B ₁₂ , B ₂₁ , B ₂₂ , B ₃₁ , B ₃₂ , B ₁ , B ₄₂ , ... B _n i, B _n2 ) comprising, further comprising an electrically conductive busbar (S), which provides a common potential, wherein the busbar (S) in the adjacent terminal blocks (KL K ₂ , K ₃ , K4, ... K _n ) each one of at least two Bückungsschächte (Bn, B ₂ i, B ₃₁ , B ₄₁ , B ₁₂ , B ₂₂ , B ₃₂ , B ₄₂ ) covered, wherein the bus bar (S) with one of the terminal blocks (K ^ is in electrical contact, while at least one Part of the other terminal blocks (K ₂ , Κ ^ Κ ^ ... K _n ) are electrically isolated in relation to the busbar.

Terminal block system according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal (K ^, with which the busbar (S) is in electrical contact, provides an electrical connection to the mounting rail (HUT).

Terminal block system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that further a plug-in module (M) is provided, the electrical connection means (S- _\ , S ₂ , S ₃ ) suitable for contacting the busbar (S) and at least one of the terminal blocks (K ₂ , K3, K _4l ... K _n ).

Terminal block system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (Ki), with which the busbar (S) is in electrical contact, provides an electrical connection to the mounting rail (HUT), wherein the mounting rail (HUT) is grounded and that Furthermore, a plug-in module (M) is provided which has electrical connection means to the busbar (S) and at least one bridge shaft of one of the terminal blocks.

Terminal block system according to claim 4, characterized in that the plug-in module (M) has an overvoltage protection device, which in the event of overvoltage an overvoltage on the terminal block, which in each bridging shaft is contacted via the busbar (S) derive.

6. Terminal block system according to claim 5, characterized in that the plug-in module (M) has a multiple of the terminal block width, wherein a plurality of connection means are provided to the bus to provide a reliable dissipation of high currents.

7. Terminal block system according to claim 6, characterized in that the plug-in module (M) has an overvoltage protection between at least two Brückungsschächten (B ₁₂ , B ₂₂ , B ₃₂ , B ₄₂ ... B _n2 ).

8. Terminal block system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the busbar (S) by means of a contact pin (KS) with one of the terminal blocks (K ^ is in electrical contact.

9. Terminal block system according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least two terminal blocks (Κ ^ K _n ) are provided, which are in electrical contact with the busbar (S), wherein in each case an electrical connection to the mounting rail (HUT ) provided.