OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION ARRANGEMENT CONSISTING OF A HORN SPARK GAP ACCOMMODATED IN AN INSULATING HOUSING

Abstract

The invention relates to an overvoltage protection arrangement consisting of a horn spark gap accommodated in an insulating housing (1) having a deion chamber. A trigger electrode is located in the ignition area of the horn spark gap. A varistor is also present, electrically connected in series to the horn spark gap. According to the invention, a first and a second disconnection apparatus are formed in the housing, wherein the first disconnection apparatus (2) is in heat-conducting connection with the varistor and, when a limit temperature is reached or exceeded, releases a spring-loaded slide (3) which interrupts the series connection between varistor and horn spark gap. Furthermore, the second disconnection apparatus (13) comprises a fusible conductor which is located inside the deion chamber, for example, and can be exposed there to an arc, wherein the fusible conductor holds a spring-loaded disconnector element (14) in a first position and releases this disconnector element (14) when fused as a result of the effects of the arc in such a manner that the disconnector element (14) adopts a second position, wherein an electrical connection to the trigger electrode is interrupted when the second position is reached. A three-pointed, rotatably mounted star or a circular disc with lugs or prongs is formed in the housing such that a first star point (7) is carried along by the slide (3) as it moves to interrupt the series connection. In the same way, a second star point (16) is carried, as the disconnector element (14) moves, from the first to the second position, wherein each movement of the star results in a rotation of the star around its axis of rotation (17) with the consequence that a third point of the star (10) releases a spring-loaded pivoting lever (8) which operates a remote signalling contact (11) and/or a visual fault status display (12).

Claims

1. An overvoltage protection arrangement consisting of a horn spark gap accommodated in an insulating housing (1) having a deion chamber for arc quenching, wherein the deion chamber includes a plurality of spaced quenching metal sheets, and a trigger electrode is located in the ignition area of the horn spark gap, furthermore having a varistor electrically connected in series to the horn spark gap, characterized in that inside the housing (1), a first and a second disconnection apparatus are formed, wherein the first disconnection apparatus (2) is in heat-conducting connection with the varistor, and when a limit temperature is reached or exceeded, releases a spring-loaded slide (3) which interrupts the series connection between varistor and horn spark gap, furthermore the second disconnection apparatus (13) has a fusible conductor located in the area of the deion chamber, wherein the fusible conductor holds a spring-loaded disconnector element (14) in a first position and releases this disconnector element upon fusing caused by load in such a manner that the disconnector element (14) adopts a second position, wherein an electrical connection to the trigger electrode is interrupted when the second position is reached, furthermore, a three-pointed, rotatably mounted star or a disc is formed in the housing (1) such that a first star point (7) is carried along by the slide (3) as it moves to interrupt the series connection, and in the same way, a second star point (16) is carried along as the disconnector element (14) moves from the first to the second position, wherein each entraining movement of the star results in a rotation of the star around its axis of rotation with the consequence that a third star point (10) releases a spring-loaded pivotable lever (8) which operates a remote signaling contact (14) and/or a visual fault status display (12).

2. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the trigger electrode is in connection with one of the main electrodes of the horn spark gap via a voltage limiting element, and said connection being interruptible by means of the disconnector element (14).

3. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a first housing plane (26), the housing has the horn spark gap and the varistor, wherein in a second housing plane (27), at least the disconnector element (14), the star (100) and the lever (8) as well as an operating protrusion of the slide (3) are formed.

4. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that when reaching the second position, the disconnector element (14) lifts off a spring contact bracket (14) from a contact surface of the voltage switching element (22) and thus interrupts the electrical connection.

5. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide (3) and the disconnector element (14) consist of an electrically insulating material.

6. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever (8) is mounted to be pivotable in the housing (1) and, at a first lever end (81), has an angulation which releases or covers a display surface, wherein an operating lug for the remote signaling contact (11) is formed at a second lever end (82).

7. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the axis of rotation (17) of the star (100) and the pivot axis (18) of the lever (8) are parallel to one another.

8. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that at least the axis of rotation (17), the pivot axis (18), the star (100) and the lever (8) are components of a housing insert part located in the second housing plane (27).

9. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed as a plug-in part with plug contacts (20; 21) for accommodation in a base part.

10. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the fusible conductor is contacted to two spaced quenching metal sheets of the deion chamber.

11. The overvoltage protection arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the voltage switching element is formed as a gas arrester (22).

Description

[0037] The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to Figures.

[0038] Shown are in:

[0039] FIG. 1 a principle representation of an overvoltage protection arrangement having an illustrated first and second disconnection apparatus in addition to a rotational star and a lever function display in a state of complete function of the employed overvoltage arresters, in particular a horn spark gap and a varistor;

[0040] FIG. 2 a representation similar to that of FIG. 1, however, in the state of the first disconnection apparatus with the slide being triggered and the hereby resulting rotational movement of the star in addition to the releasing of the lever for the spring display;

[0041] FIG. 3 a representation similar to that of FIG. 2, however, here with a triggered second disconnection apparatus, wherein the disconnector element entrains the rotational star, so that the rotational star in turn may release the lever for status display; and

[0042] FIG. 4 a perspective representation of a overvoltage protection arrangement formed as a plug-in part with a housing partially broken away and a discernible housing insert part (upper part) in addition to a rotational star, lever and the disconnector element of the second disconnection apparatus with the detail of a spring contact bracket which is in connection with a contact surface of a gas arrester when in the proper state.

[0043] The overvoltage protection arrangement shown in the Figures takes a housing 1 as a basis.

[0044] In this housing, a horn spark gap that is not shown having a deion chamber for arc quenching is located.

[0045] In a manner known per se, the deion chamber has a plurality of spaced quenching metal sheets.

[0046] In the ignition area of the horn spark gap, a trigger electrode is located that is not shown.

[0047] Furthermore, a varistor (not shown) electrically connected in series to the horn spark gap is located in the housing.

[0048] Inside the housing 1, a first and a second disconnection apparatus are located.

[0049] The first disconnection apparatus 2 is in heat-conducting connection with the varistor that is not shown. When a limit temperature is reached or exceeded, the slide 3 is released which is mounted on a guide (see FIG. 2) while being spring-loaded by a spring 4. In the proper operational state, the electrical connection between the contacts 5 and 6 is closed.

[0050] In the overload event of the varistor that is not shown (see FIG. 2), a movement of the slide in the arrow direction takes place. As a consequence, the slide 3 gets into the space between the contacts 5 and 6 with its front end resulting in the desired interruption of the respective current circuit.

[0051] On this occasion, the slide entrains a first point 7 of a rotatably mounted star with its front edge.

[0052] As a consequence, the star rotates in the arrow direction so that the lever 8 is released (see FIG. 2). Hereby, the movement of the lever 8 is assisted by a further spring 9.

[0053] The third star point 10 thus releases the lever 8.

[0054] This allows a remote signaling contact 11 to be triggered or a status display in terms of the positional change of the lever 8 be performed with respect to a display window 12 in the housing 1.

[0055] Furthermore, a second disconnection apparatus 13 comprising a fusible conductor (not shown) is present. This fusible conductor is located in the deion chamber that is not shown and can be exposed there to a developing arc.

[0056] The fusible conductor of the second disconnection apparatus 13 holds a spring-loaded disconnector element 14 in a first position. The spring force assistance is performed by a third spring 15.

[0057] After fusing of the fusible conductor due to the effects of an arc or a power follow current load, the disconnector element 14 is released. The consequence is that the disconnector element 14 adopts its second position as shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] When the second position is reached, a respective end of the disconnector element 14 acts upon a second point 16 of the rotatably mounted star.

[0059] This is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0060] Here, as well, the consequence is that the rotatably mounted star executes a rotational movement, wherein the third point 10 of the star performs a positional displacement and releases the lever 8 in the same way as explained on the basis of FIG. 2.

[0061] The axes of rotation 17 and 18 of the star, on the one hand, and the lever, on the other, have a spacing from one another and are mutually parallel.

[0062] In the perspective representation of FIG. 4, it is obvious that the overvoltage protection arrangement can be formed as a plug-in part having plug contacts 20 and 21.

[0063] On the basis of this representation according to FIG. 4 with a housing partially broken away, a gas arrester 22 is recognizable comprising a contact surface on one of its front faces.

[0064] A corresponding spring contact 24 rests upon the contact surface of the gas arrester with its bracket-side end.

[0065] Upon a movement of the disconnector element 14 toward the spring bracket 24, an end of the disconnector element is pushed into the space between the spring bracket and the contact surface of the gas arrester 22, so that the current flow of the trigger circuit is interrupted. As already explained on the basis of FIG. 3, the disconnector element 14 simultaneously entrains the point 16 of the rotatably mounted star so as to release the lever 8 of the display and fault signaling device.

[0066] It is also apparent from the representation according to FIG. 4 that the housing has a first, lower plane 26 accommodating the horn spark gap and the varistor. A second, overlying housing plane 27 accommodates at least the disconnector element 14, the start with its star points, the lever 8 as well as an operating protrusion of the slide 3.

[0067] It is apparent from the representations that the lever 8 is mounted to be pivotable by means of the axis 18.

[0068] At a first lever end 81, the lever 8 has an angulation which releases or covers a display surface, wherein an operating lug for the remote signaling contact 11 is formed at a second lever end 82.