Arrangement for non-reversible detection and display of electrical overcurrents or current limit values by means of a pre-finished conductor

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for non-reversible detection and display of electrical overcurrents or current limit values by means of a pre-finished conductor. The conductor according to the invention has at least two conductor sections, spaced apart from each other and extending parallel to each other, which are designed for current to flow through in the same direction. At least one of the parallel conductor sections has a protrusion, a nose, or similar blocking element, which limits the path of movement of a mechanical display or switching element, such that the electromagnetic force acting on the parallel conductor sections during the flow of current transitions the blocking element into a release position in respect of the path of movement of the mechanical display or switching element. Such an arrangement can be used particularly advantageously as a prior damage indicator in surge arresters.

Claims

1. An arrangement for the non-reversible detection and display of electrical overcurrents or current limit values by means of a pre-finished conductor, characterized in that the conductor (1) has at least two conductor sections (2; 3) that are spaced apart from each other and extend in parallel to each other, which are designed for current to flow through in the same direction, at least one of the parallel conductor sections (2; 3) has a protrusion, a nose, or similar blocking element (4; 5), which limits the path of movement of a mechanical display or switching element such that the electromagnetic force (F) acting upon the parallel conductor sections (2; 3) during the flow of current (I) transitions the blocking element into a release position in respect of the path of movement of the mechanical display or switching element.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element (4; 5) is formed as a stop.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element is a deformation of the parallel conductor sections (2; 3) realized by embossing or punching.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (1) is formed as a flat conductor or tape conductor which has a two-dimensional middle section merging into two parallel conductor stripes.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that a displaceable sleeve (6) is mounted on the conductor (1).

6. The arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the path of displacement of the sleeve (6) is limited by the blocking element (4; 5), wherein the blocking element (4; 5) releases the path of displacement of the sleeve (6) when a current flow limit value (I) is reached.

7. The arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) actuates a status display (10) indirectly or directly via a lever mechanism (9).

8. The arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) is subjected to a prestressing force (7; 8) in the direction of the path of displacement.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that varying the cross-section and the spacing of the conductor sections (2; 3) extending in parallel allows the response sensitivity to be adjusted and a corresponding surge current limit value to be defined.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by its use as a load or prior damage display of a surge arrester (11), wherein the conductor (1) is in this case formed as a part of an internal electrical wiring or connection of the surge arrester.

Description

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and referring to Figures.

(2) Shown are in:

(3) FIG. 1 a principle representation of the conductor according to the invention, comprising at least two conductor sections spaced apart from each other and extending in parallel to each other, through which current flows in the same direction in the case of use;

(4) FIG. 2 a principle representation of an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention with a sleeve and a lever mechanism, which is in communication with a display slide; and

(5) FIGS. 3 to 5 an embodiment of a surge arrester, formed here as a plug-in part having an integrated arrangement for the non-reversible detection and display of an overcurrent load in terms of a potential prior damage, wherein FIG. 3 symbolizes des status “no prior damage” (green), FIG. 4 symbolizes the status “prior damage occurred” (yellow), and FIG. 5 symbolizes the status “red”, “thermal disconnection device has triggered”.

(6) The arrangement according to the invention for the non-reversible detection and display of overcurrents and current limit values is based on a pre-finished conductor which can be produced, for example, by punching as a flat or tape conductor according to FIG. 1.

(7) In its middle section, the conductor 1 has two conductor sections 2; 3 spaced apart from each other and extending in parallel to each other.

(8) These are configured such that, when the conductor 1 is coupled into a power circuit, current will flow through the conductor sections 2; 3 in the same direction.

(9) According to FIG. 1, both conductor sections 2; 3 each have a nose 4; 5.

(10) These noses 4; 5 act as a blocking element, for example, for limiting a path of displacement of a mechanical display or switching element (see FIG. 2).

(11) During a current flow I, an electromagnetic force F acts upon the parallel conductor sections 2; 3.

(12) As a consequence, the conductor sections 2; 3 attract each other, and the blocking elements 4; 5 reach a release position (here, as well, see FIG. 2).

(13) In the principle representation according to FIG. 2, the explained conductor 1 having the parallel conductor sections 2; 3 together with the nose or blocking element 5 can be found again.

(14) The blocking element 5 is realized here as a stop with respect to a displaceable sleeve 6.

(15) The sleeve 6 is prestressed with respect to a fixed point 8 by means of a spring element 7.

(16) Via a lever mechanism 9, the sleeve 6 is in communication with a status display 10.

(17) When upon reaching a current limit value the electromagnetic force F upon the parallel, current-carrying conductors 2; 3 becomes so large that these attract each other, the nose 5 gets into a position such that the path of displacement of the sleeve 6 will be open.

(18) Consequently, the sleeve 6 will move toward the fixed point 8 while using the spring force 7. As a result, the display will displace while using the lever 9.

(19) The display may now signalize the relevant load situation that has occurred, via a window or similar arrangement not shown in FIG. 2.

(20) There is likewise the option for a remote signaling device not shown or an electrical switch to be operated, for example, triggered via the lever mechanism 9.

(21) FIGS. 3 to 5 show a surge arrester formed as a plug-in part. For better visibility of the arrangement according to the invention, the relevant cover has been omitted in the representation of the plug-in part 11.

(22) From FIGS. 3 to 5 it is apparent how the special conductor arrangement has been coupled into the current path of the surge arrester starting from the plug connections 22 and 23.

(23) The lever mechanism 9 and the sleeve 6, which is mounted to be displaceable on the conductor 1, are also visible.

(24) FIG. 3 shows the status “green”, what means that prior damages have not occurred so far.

(25) FIG. 4 is related to the status of an already occurred prior damage due to current. By a deformation of the conductor sections 2; 3, the sleeve 6 reaches a lower end position.

(26) The lever mechanism 9 releases the slide 12 which is under spring force. The slide 12 travels downward. The yellow display 13 is released with respect to the viewing window 14.

(27) At the same time, the slide 12 actuates a further slide 15 which is capable of controlling a remote signaling unit 16.

(28) When, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermal disconnection device, which is configured in a known manner, has responded due to an overload of the actual surge arrester, the yellow display 13 will be moved to the left in the representation according to FIG. 5, and the display “red” will be visible in the viewing window.