OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION WITH INDICATION OF EXCEEDED OPERATING TEMPERATURE

Abstract

An overvoltage protection with indication of exceeded operating temperature, where the overvoltage protection includes at least one protection element from the group of a two-pole protection component, a two-pole protection component complemented with a temperature dependent fuse, and/or a three-pole protection component. All protection components used in the given overvoltage protection is linked via a thermal link to the status indicator including a thermosensitive layer with irreversible change of color in case a temperature of the destructed protection members of the overvoltage protection is exceeded

Claims

1. An overvoltage protection with indication of exceeded operating temperature, where the overvoltage protection comprises at least one protection element from the group of a two-pole protection component, a two-pole protection component complemented with a temperature dependent fuse, a three-pole protection component comprising all protection components used in the given overvoltage protection is linked via a thermal link to a status indicator consisting of a thermosensitive layer with irreversible change of colour in case a temperature of the destructed protection members of the overvoltage protection is exceeded.

2. The overvoltage protection according to claim 1, wherein all protection components are linked via the thermal link to one common status indicator.

3. The overvoltage protection according to claim 1, wherein each protection component is linked via the thermal link to its own status indicator.

4. The overvoltage protection according to claim 2, wherein the thermosensitive layer of the status indicator consisting of a paint coated directly onto protection components of the overvoltage protection.

5. The overvoltage protection according to claim 2, wherein the thermosensitive layer of the status indicator consists of the paint coated onto the thermos-conductive substrate located in a close distance from the protection members of the overvoltage protection.

6. The overvoltage protection according to claim 2, wherein the thermosensitive layer of the status indicator consists of a film, with the advantage of a self-adhesive label located directly on the protection components of the overvoltage protection.

7. The overvoltage protection according to claim 2, wherein the thermosensitive layer of the status indicator consists of the film, with the advantage of the self-adhesive label located on the thermos-conductive substrate located in a close distance from the protection members of the overvoltage protection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The technical solution will be explained in more details using the attached drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows the design of an overvoltage protection with a two-pole protection element, a temperature dependent fuse and status indicator linked to each other with a thermal link.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the design of an overvoltage protection with a two-pole protection element, a status indicator linked to each other with a thermal link without the temperature-dependent fuse.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows the design of an overvoltage protection with a three-pole protection element and status indicator linked to each other using the thermal link without a temperature-dependent fuse.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows the design of an overvoltage protection with three two-pole protection members, two temperature-dependent fuses and a status indicator linked to each other using a thermal link.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the design of an overvoltage protection with three two-pole protection members, two temperature-dependent fuses and three status indicators linked via a thermal link to the respective protection component and/or temperature dependent fuse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Generally, the overvoltage protection comprises at least one protection element from the group of the two-pole protection component 6, two-pole protection component 6 complemented with a temperature dependent fuse 8, three-pole protection component 7. Indication of exceeded operating temperature according to the new solution consists of all protection components used in the specific overvoltage protection linked via a thermal link to a status indicator 10 which comprises a thermosensitive layer with irreversible change of colour in case the temperature of the damaged protection members of the specific overvoltage protection is exceeded.

[0022] The example in FIG. 1 shows overvoltage protection which comprises one two-pole protection element 6 connected with its one end between the first input terminal 1 and the first output terminal 2. With its second end the two-pole protection component 6 is connected via a temperature dependent fuse 8 to the second input terminal 3 and, at the same time, it is interconnected with the second output terminal 4. A status indicator 10 is linked to both overvoltage protection elements via a thermal link 9. Similar design is indicated in FIG. 2 with a temperature-dependent fuse 8 left out.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the option of the design with a three-pole protection element 7, the medium pole of which is connected to the third input terminal 5 and to which a status indicator 10 is linked to the thermal link 9.

[0024] Another possible option is in FIG. 4. The overvoltage protection in this figure comprises three two-pole protection members 6, connected in a star without an output common junction. Two protection two-pole elements 6 are connected in series and connected with their one external end via temperature-dependent fuses 8 to the first input terminal 1, or the second input terminal 3 and, at the same time, they are interconnected with the first output terminal 2, or the second output terminal 4. The third protection two-pole element 6 is connected between their common point and the third input terminal 5. All these protection components are linked via the thermal link 9 to the single status indicator 10. FIG. 5 is an option of the design with each protection component linked via the thermal link 9 to a separate status indicator 10, whereas protective two-pole elements 6 complemented with dependent fuses 8 are considered to be one protection component.

[0025] The thermosensitive layer of the status indicator 10 may consist of a paint or a film, with an advantage in a form of a self-adhesive label. It is either applied directly onto the protection components of the specific overvoltage protection, or it can be created on the thermo-conductive substrate positioned in a close distance from the specific protection member. Should a temperature-dependent fuse 8 be used, the status indicator 10 should be located directly onto it.

[0026] In an overvoltage protection, the temperature at which the protection member is damaged, is known. Based on the temperature a specific thermosensitive layer of the status indicator 10 is chosen. If this temperature is exceeded, the protection member is damaged, and the thermosensitive layer of the status indicator 10 will permanently change its colour. It indicates the fact that the permitted temperature was exceeded, at which the temperature-dependent fuse disconnects and/or the protection member is damaged.

[0027] The protection component consisting of a varistor is connected in series in compliance with standards with the temperature dependent fuse. The thermal link 9 is then carried out between all elements in such a manner that they are located next to each other and touch each other.

[0028] Many other used types of design protection can be considered apart from those shown in the examples, and the status indicator can be used for all of them.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] The overvoltage protection with indication of exceeded operating temperature according to the submitted solution is a product which can be used where protection of electronic equipment and instruments from overvoltage is necessary, e.g. in installations of modern LED lighting systems, converters of photovoltaic systems, etc.