Title of Invention	AN OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE FOR LOW-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION .
Abstract	An overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, has a device base part with terminals for phase conductors and ground or neutral conductors and at least one overvoltage protection element, with at least one arrester which is located in a housing. The base part of the device has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, the base part of the device having plug contacts which are connected to the terminals, and the overvoltage protection element having corresponding connector contacts so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device. The overvoltage protection device is improved by the overvoltage protection element having an optical status display and the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact being actuated via a common mechanical actuating system.

Title of Invention

AN OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE FOR LOW-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION .

Abstract

An overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, has a device base part with terminals for phase conductors and ground or neutral conductors and at least one overvoltage protection element, with at least one arrester which is located in a housing. The base part of the device has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, the base part of the device having plug contacts which are connected to the terminals, and the overvoltage protection element having corresponding connector contacts so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device. The overvoltage protection device is improved by the overvoltage protection element having an optical status display and the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact being actuated via a common mechanical actuating system.

Full Text	-1 DF. 20 2004 006 227 5 OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, having a device base part with terminals for phase conductors (LI, L2, L3) and ground or neutral conductors (PE, N) and of at least one overvoltage protection element, with an arreste which is located in a housing especially a lightning and/or surge arrester, the base part of the device having at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for remote indication of the slate of at least one overvoltage protection element, and preferably, the base part of the device having plug-in Contacts which are connected to the terminals and which are made especially as sockets, and the overvoltage protection element having corresponding connector contacts made especially as plug pins so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device Electrical, but especially electronic measurement, control and switching circuits, mainly also telecommunications equipment and systems, are sensitive to transient overvoltages, as can occur especially by atmosphere discharges, but also by switching operations or. short circuits in power supply grids This sensitivity has increased lo the extent electronic components, especially transistors and thynstors, are being used, in particular, increasingly used integrated circuits are highly endangered by transient overvoltages Electrical circuits normal y work without problems using the voltage specified for them, the rated voltage (generally the grid voltage) This does not apply when overvoltages occur Overvoltages are considered to be all voltages which are above the upper tolerance limit of the rated voltage They also include mainly transtent overvoltages which can occur due to atmospheric discharges, But also due to switching operations ot short circuits in power supply grids, and can be galvanically, inductively or capacitively coupled into electronic Circuits In order to protect electrical or electronic circuit:, especially electronic measurment control and switching circuit, mainly also telecommunication equipment and system. - 2 - DE 20 2O04 006 227 5 wherever they are used, against transient overvoltages, overvoltage protection elements have been developed and have been known for more than 20 years The required measures for protection of the power supply of installations and devices are divided into different stages, depending on the choice of arrester and the expected ambient influences. The overvoltage protection devices for the individual stages, are distinguished essentially by the level of arresting capacity and the level of protection The first protection stage (type 1) is generally formed by a lightning arrester which is installed as an extremel high power protection device in the central power supply of a building An important component of such a lightning arrester is a spark gap with at least two electrodes, an are being XXX between the two electrodes when the spark gap is ignited The second protection ,stage (type 2) generally forms a varistor-based xxx arrester This protection stage again limits the remaining residual voltage over the lightning arrester. Depending on the xxx potential of the installation which is to be protected or the building which is to be protected, it can be sufficient in the individual case if the second protection stage, i e., the surge arrester, is used to start In addition, there are triggered-type lightning arresters which are based on the AEC principle (active energy control) and which constitute a combination of a lightning arrester and surge arrester In this arrester combination, lightning and surge arresters can be connected directly in parallel This is especially advantageous when the lightning and surge arresters cannot be installed specially separate from one another Within the framework of this invention, the above described versions can be called arresters without the intention to limit the invention to one special arrester type Such an arrester then forms the significant component of an overvoltage protection element, the overvoltage protection element having at least one housing which holds the arrester - 3 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5 Known overvoltage protection devices for connection to electrical lines have a device base part which can be mourted, for example, on a supporting xxx For installation of such an overvoltage protection device which is designed to protect for example the phase-carrying conductors LI, L2, L3 and the neutral conducts N, and optionally also the ground conductor PE, m the known overvoltage protection devices, on the base part of the device, there are corresponding terminals for the phase conductors and the ground and neutral conductor. In the overvoltage protect on device underlying the invention (Phoenix Contact brochure Overvoltage protection TRABTECH 2002, pages 24 xxx 25). the base part of the device has an asymmetrical connection pattern. In the known overvoltage protection device in which the base part of the device is made roughly U-shaped, on one leg there are the terminals for the phase conductors and the neutral conductor and on the other terminal leg there is the terminal for the ground conductor For simple mechanica and electrical contact-making of the base part of the device with the respective overvoltage protection element, in the known overvoltage protection device, the overvoltage protector elements are made as "protective plugs", i.e, the base part of the device has sockets connected to the terminals and the overvoltage protection element has the corresponding plug pins, so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device, In addition, the known overvoltage protection device has another changeover contact as a sensing element for remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, for this purpose, in the base part of the device, there being a switch, and on the overvoltage protection element, there being an actuating element In the known overvoltage protection device, installation and mounting are very simple and time-saving due to the plug-in capacity of the overvoltage protection elements The telecommunications contact enables easy remote monitoring However, moreover, it ean also be desirable to be able to read the state or status of the overvoltage protection element directly on site But it is a problem here that, especially in overvoltage protection elements which are made as "protective plugs," only relatively little space is available in the housing - 4 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5 Theiefore, a primary object of this invention is to further improve the initially described overvoltage protection device with respect to the ease of its operation This object is, first of all, achieved essentially in the initially described overvoltage protection device m that the overvoltage protection element has an optical status display and that the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact can be actuated via a common mechanical xxx system Because the overvoltage protection element or the individual overvoltage protection elements each has or have an optical status display, the state or the status of each overvoltage protection device is displayed directly on site. The simplifies both the installation of the individual overvoltage protection devices and also the maintenance and replacement of defective overvoltage protection devices since their state is directly displayed on the overvoltage protection device both via remote indication in a control center and also via the optical status display Thus, there is no longer any danger that an installer will replace the wrong overvoltage protection element Because the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact can be actuated via a common mechanical actuating system, on the one hand, the amount of space required for the optical status display is minimized, and on the other, electrical power is not needed for setting the optical status display According to one preferred embodunent of the overvoltage protection device in accordance with the invention, the mechanical actuating system has a first spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the switch and a second spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the optical status display. Here, the first actuating means is located in the lower part of the device and the second actuating means is located in the overvoltage protection element, the fust actuating means being controlled by the state of the second actuating means That the mechanical actuating system is in two parts has the advantage that different overvoltage protection elements can be plugged onto the same base part of the device without adaptations being necessary on the actuating means of the base part of the device In this way, the specific configuration of the actuating means of the overvoltage protection element can be adapted - 5 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5 optimally to the respective arrester type which is contained in the ovavoltage protection element The first actuating means which is located in the base part of the device, is preferably implemented by a mechanical lever system which can be switched between two positions, by which the switch of the telecommunications contact can be actuated The lever system can be formed especially by a rocker, an actuating plunger and at least one preferably two springs, the rocker being inovableout of a first position into a second position, by which the switch of the telecommunications contact is actuated. As was stated above the first actuating means is controlled by the state of the second actuating means Contra of the second actuating means takes place preferably according to the principle of a temperature switch, as is described, for example, in German Patent DE 42 41 311 C2. For thus purpose, the second actuating meartt has at least one spring element and solder site, the solder connection which is made at the solder site between the arrester or a component connected to the arrester and a part of the xxx means then being separated if the temperature of the arrester exceeds a certain response value When there is a solder connection the actuating means is held in the first position against the spring force of the apring element, while the actuating means with the solder connection separated is moved by spring force into the second position. The actuating means xxx thus pre-xxx when the solder connectaon is not separated, so that when the solder connection is separated due to the temperature increase of he arrester, the actuating means is automatically moved into the second position by the spring force The actuation of the second spring-loaded actuating means with the optical status display and with the first actuating means can be advantageously implemented in that the second spring- loaded actuating means xxx is the optical status display on its top end and on its other- bottom end, it has a blocking element In the first position of the second actuating means, the actuating plunger of the first actuating means is held in the first position by the blocking dement against the force of the sprng, while the actuating element releases the actuating - 6 - DE 20 2004 006 2275 plunger in the second position, so that it likewise travels into the second position by the force of the spring As has already been stated, there are various possibilities for how the second spring-loaded actuating means is specifically made, the specific embodiment especially being associated with which arrester type is provided in the overvoltage protection element According to a first embodiment the second actuating means is formed by a bent flexible circuit board, the solder connection which is made at the solder site being implemented between the arrester and an area of the flexible circuit board, The use of a bent flexible circuit board as a sprig-loaded actuating means is especially advantageously in spark gap-based arresters According to a second configuration, the second actuating means has a spring-loaded plastic element which is movably positioned in the housing of the overvoltage protection element and a fixed metallic retention element, an opening being formed in the plastic element through which one end of the retention element is connected to the solder site in the first position of the actuating means. When the solder connection is not separated, between one end of the metallic retention element and the arrester, the spring-loaded plastic element is then held in the first position against the spring force of the spring element, while when the solder connection is separated, he retention element releases the movably arranged plastic element so that the plastic element is moved into the second position due to the spring force of the spring element In another alternative embodiment of the second actuating means, there are, likewise, a spring- loaded plastic element which is movably positioned in the housing of the overvoltage protection element, and a metallic retention element The solder connection is likewise implemented between the arrester and the metallic xxx element When the solder connection is present, the spring-loaded plastic element xxx held in the first position against the spring force of the spring element, and when the solder connection is separated, the plastic element is moved into the second position due to the spring fore In this version, the metallic retention elemen is only attached by the solder connection, so that the retention -7- DE 21 2004 0062275 element changes its position together with the plastic element when the solder connection is separated The metallic retention element is fixed to the spring-loaded plastic element, and this connection can be xxx both positive and non-xxx According to another embodiment of the overvoltage protection device of the invention which is independent of the execution of the second actuating means, the base part of the device has at least one coding element and the overvoltage protection element has at least one corresponding opposing coding element, the coduig element or element and the opposing coding element or element being arranged in the same manners as the plug contacts of the base part of the device and the connector contacts of the overvoltage protection element as well as the contact element and the xxx contact element, each symmetrically to the transverse axis of the overvoltage protection device so that the base part of the device and the overvoltage protection element can be brought into contact with one another in two arrangements which are turned 80° relative to one another The execution of the coding element and the opposing coding element is especially advantageous when several overvoltage protection elements can be inserted at the same time into the base part of the device; thus, the overvoltage protection device in a multipin overvoltage protection device. The arrangement of the coding element and of the opposing coding element can then prevent an overvoltage protection element from being uncorrectly plugged into the wrong position on the base part of the device Because the base part of the device has a symmetrical connection pattern, the base part of the device can thus be mounted such that connection of the incoming power supply lines to the corresponding terminals is easily possible, and the overvoltage protect element can always be correctly mounted regardless of the alignment of the base part of the divice In particular there are a host of possibilities for xxx and developing the overvoltage protection device according to the invention Reference is made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction uith the accompanying drawings. -8- DE 20 2004 006 227 5 Figure 1 is a perspeitive view of a multipin overvoltage protection device with two overvoltage protection elements. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the base part of a multipin overvoltage protection device Figure 3 shows two representations of the base par of the device, each in a lengthwise section, with a first actuating means in two different positions, Figure 4 shows two representations of a first embodiment of an over voltage protection device, with second actuating means in two different positions, Figure 5 shows two representations of a second embodiment of an ova voltage protection device, with second actuating means in two different positions, Figure 6 shows a representation of a third embodiment of an overvoltage protection device and Figure 7 shows a perspective of a multipin overvoltage protection device with an overvoltage rotetion device as shown m Figure 6 The figures show an overvoltage protection device 1, with a base part 3 which has a housing 2 In the illustrated embodiments, the base part 3 of the cevice is essentially U-shaped, and it can be mounted with xxx bottom on a supporting rail 4. The base part 3 of the device in Figure 1 on the upper U leg xxx wo terminals 5 for each of the phase conductors Ll, L2, L3 and two terminals 6 for the ground conductor PE In the bottom U leg of the base part 3 of the device, there are two terminals 7 for the neutral conductor N In the embodiment of the overvoltage protection device 1 of the invention which is shown in the figures, the terminals 5, 6, 7 are each made as screw terminals. However, in addition, the terminals 5,6,7 can be made equally well as tension spring terminals, direct or leg spring terminals or as insulation xxx connecting devices or quick-connect terminals The arrangement of the terminals 5 for the phase conductors Lt L2, L3 and the terminals 6 for the ground conductor I'E on one U leg of the base part 3 of the device and the terminals 7 for the neutral conductor xxx on the other U leg results in the base part 3 of the device having an asymmetrical connection pattern -9- DE 20 2004 006 227 5 The overvoltage protect on device 1 includes in addition to the base part 3 of the device at least one overvoltage protection element 8 which has an arrester 10 which is located in the housing 9, especially a lightning arrester which has a spark gap, or a vanstor-based surge arrester. In Figure 1, the lower half of the housing 9 of the overvoltage protection element 8 is omitted, so that the arrester 10 which is located in the overvoltage protection element 8 becomes visible The sensing element for defect reporting in the overvoltage protection device 1 on the base part 3 of the device 3 is a common switch 11 which can be actuated by the first spring-loaded actuating means which is explained in further detail below. The signal of the switch 11 can be relayed via an electrical line for example, a bus line, or by radio, to an monitoring station The overvoltags protection elements 8 are made as protective plugs so that they can be easily mounted by plugging them onto the base part 3 of the device To do this, in the base part 3 of the device, there are two plug contacts 12 which are made as sockets and on the bottom of the overvoltage protection element 8 there are two corresponding connector contacts 13 made as plug pins. The general plug-in capacity of the individual overvoltage protection elements 8 in addition to easy installation of the overvoltage protection elements 80 also, enables simple replacement of a defective overvoltage protection element 8 For this reason, the corresponding overvoltage protection element 8 can be easily detached from the base part 3 of the device without the need for direct intervention into the installation The rotation capacity of the base part 3 of the device relative to the overvoltage protection elements 8 is achieved in that the plug contacts 12 of the base part 3 of the device and the connector contacts 13 of the overvoltage protection element 8 are arranged symmetrically to the transverse axis Q of the overvoltage protection device 1 To display the status or the state of the overvoltage protection element 8 and of the arrester 10, the overvoltage protection element on its upper narrow side i.e. the one facing away from the base pan 3 of the device, has a status display 14 The status display 14 shown in Figures 4 to 6 is actuated together with the switch 11 of the telecommunications contact via a -1 0 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5 common mechanical actuating system which comprises a first spring-loaded actuating means and a second spring actuating means A preferred structure of first actuating means which is located in the housing 2 of the base part 3 of the device will be explained below using Figures 2 and 3 The first actuating means is formed by a lever system and includes a rocker 15, an actuating plunger 16 and two springs 17, In the first position of the first actuating means shown m Figure 3a, the rocker 15 is deflected such that one end makes contact with the switch 11 Here, the actuating plunger 16 is pressed down by the second actuating means as will be explained below, against the spring force of the spring 17 which is assigned to the actuating plunger 16. In the second position, which is shown in Figure 3b, the rocker 15 is in an essentially horizontal position in which the end of the rocker 15 no longer makes contact with the switch 11 Figures 4a to 6b show three different overvoltage protection elements 8 which each have a different arrester type and a different second actuating means It is common to the three differently made xxx; means that they each have 3 spring element 18 a soldering point 19 and a locking element 20 In the embodiment show in Figures 4a and 4b, die second actuating means is formed by a bent flexible circuit board 2l, which is bent on one side around the arrester 10, has the status display 14 on its top end and the blocking element 20 on its bottom end The flexible circuit board 21 has an area 22 which, on the soldering point 19, forms the solder connection to the arrester 10 which is made as a spark gap As Figures 4a 4b show, the soldering point 19 need not be made directly on the arrester 10, so that the solder connection is not directly between the area 22 of the flexible circuit board 21 and the arrester 10, For operation of the second actuating means, it is simply necessary that, when the temperature of the arrester 10 uses above a given response value, the solder connection is separated In the illustrated embodiment, the soldering point 19 and the solder connection are made between the area 22 and the ignition circuit of he arrester 10. - 11 - DE 20 2004 006 227.5 In the first position of the second actuating means shown in Figure 4a, the solder connection is not separated, so that the flexible circuit board 21 is deflected against the spring force of the spring element 18 as a result of the solder connection at the soldering point 19, In the second position of the second actuating means, which is shown in Figure 4b. conversely, the solder connection is separated, so that the flexible circuit board 21 can be pulled into the second position by the spring force of the spring element 18, In the second embodiment of overvoltage protection element 8, which is shown in Figures 5a and 5b, in which a varistor is used as the arrester 10, the actuating means has a plastic element 23 which is movably positioned in the housing 9 of the overvoltage protection element 8, and a fixed metallic retention element 24. The plastic element 23 is held in the first position of the actuating means by the solder connection which exists at the solder site 19, between the metallic retention element 24 and the varistor, against the spring force of the spring element 18 which is made as a compression spring. For this reason, in the plastic element 23, there is an opening 25 through which one end of the retention element 24 is connected to the soldering point 19 in the first position of the actuating means. When the temperature of the varistor exceeds a given response value, the solder connection which is formed at the soldering point 19 is separated, so that the plastic element 23 is pushed into the second position by the spring force of the spring element 18 (Figure 5b). In this second position, the metallic retention element 24 is thermally and electrically separated from the varistor by the plastic element 23. Common to the two embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the fact that the top end of the flexible circuit board 21 or of the plastic element 23 is made as an optical status display 14, for which two marks 26,27 in different colors are printed or cemented on the flexible circuit board 21 or the plastic element 23 next to one another. The first mark 26 is green and the second mark 27 is red. The first green mark 26 is visible through the respective viewing window 40 (Fig. 1) in the first position, the "non-defective" position, while the second red mark 27 is visible through viewing window 40 in the second position, the "defective" position. -12- DE 20 2004 006 227.5 Moreover, as stated above, a blocking element 20 is formed on the lower end of the flexible circuit board 21 or of the plastic element 23. The blocking element 20 is made and arranged such that, in the first position of the actuating means, it closes the opening 28 made on the bottom of the overvoltage protection element 8, while in the second position of the actuating means, it clears the opening 28. Because the opening 28 matches the position of the actuating plunger 16 in the base fart 3 of the device when the overvoltage protection element 8 has been plugged in, thus, because the blocking element 28 in the first position of the second actuating means closes the opening 20, the actuating plunger 16 is pressed down against the spring force of the spring 17. Conversely, in the second position of the second actuating means, the opening 28 is no longer closed by the blocking element 20, so that the actuating plunger 16 can be moved up through the opening 28 due to the spring force of the spring 17. Depending on the position of the blocking element 20, and thus, on the position of the second actuating means, therefore the position of the actuating plunger and thus the first actuating means located in the base part 3 of the device are actuated. The overvoltage protection element 8 which is shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs, first of all, from the above described overvoltage protection element 8 in that, in the overvoltage protection element 8 shown here, there are three arresters 10 which are made as spark gaps in an insulating housing which is provided in addition in the housing 9. The overvoltage protection element 8 which is shown in Figure 6 thus constitutes a plug-in, cumulative spark gap. The cylindrical arresters 10 each have pin-shaped connecting contacts °29, 30 on their ends with which they are locked into the corresponding recesses in the housing 9. The individual arresters 10 make contact on their jacket surface with spring clips 31, the electrical connection between the individual arresters 10 being produced by essentially U-shaped electrical connecting pieces 32 which are plugged onto the connecting contacts 29, 30 and are connected to the spring clips 31. In the overvoltage protection element 8 which is shown in Figures 6 and 7. the second actuating means is implemented by a spring-loaded plastic element 33 which is located movably in the housing 9 and by a metallic retention element 34, the plastic element °33 being -13- DE 20 2004 006 227.5 located between two arresters 10, essentially parallel to the lengthwise extension of the arresters 10. In the first position of the actuating means shown in Figure 6, the metallic retention element 34 is connected by a solder connection to two connecting pieces 32 of two arresters 10. For this reason, the retention element 34 is made U-shaped, the two U-legs each forming a soldering point 19 with a respective connecting piece 32. When the solder connection is present, the plastic element 33 is held in the first position shown in Figure 6 against the spring force of a spring element 18 which is made as a compression spring. For this reason, the plastic element 33 has a projection which adjoins the U-back of the retention element 34. If the solder connection between the metallic retention element 34 and the two connecting pieces 32 is opened due to the temperature rise of the arresters 10, the plastic element 33 moves up due to the spring force of the compression spring 18, together with the retention element 34. The optical status display 14 in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 is formed by a rocker arm or pivoting element 35 which is pivotally supported in the housing 9 and which is connected to the plastic element 33 via a flexible crosspiece 37 which acts outside of the pivot pin 36 which forms the axis of rotation for element 35. By this type of connection of the plastic element 33 to the hemispherical pivoting element 35, a rotary or pivoting motion of the pivoting element results from the transnational motion of the plastic element 33, so that the pivoting element 35 is moved out of the first position into the second position. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pivoting element 35 also has two differently colored section 38, 39, and depending on the position of the second actuating means only one or the other colored section 38. 39 is detectable from the outside through the respective viewing window 40 (Fig. 7) which is located in the housing 9 of the overvoltage protection element 8. The first, green section 38 is visible in the first position, the "non- defective" position, through the viewing window 40. while the second, the red section 39 is visible in the second position, the "defective" position. -14- DE 20 2004 006 227.5 To hold and support the pivoting element 35, on the insulating housing of the arresters 10, there is a hinged cover 41 in which a bearing eye 42 is made for the pivot pin 36 of rotation of the pivoting element 35. As has already been explained in conjunction with Figures 4 & 5, the lower end of the plastic element 33 which faces the base part 3 of the device also has a blocking element 20 by which the opening 28 can be covered depending on the position of the plastic element 33. In conjunction with Figure 7, it is recognizable that the overvoltage protection element 8 within the housing 9 (which is shown only partially in Figures 1 and 7) has an insulating housing which holds or surrounds the arresters 10. As was stated at the beginning, the overvoltage protection device 1 in accordance with the invention is used preferably as a multipin overvoltage protection device, i.e., several overvoltage protection elements 8 are inserted next to one another into the base part 3 of the device. Depending on the number of lines of the low voltage network which is to be protected (3-conductor, 4-conductor or 5-conductor network) and depending on whether a lightning arrester is necessary, the corresponding number and type of overvoltage protection elements 8 is inserted into the correspondingly dimensioned base part 3 of the device. In order to prevent the overvoltage protection element 8 from being plugged into the wrong position within the base part 3 of the device, there are coding elements 43 on the base part 3 of the device, and there are the corresponding opposing coding elements 44 on the bottom of the overvoltage protection element 8. To ensure a rearrangement capacity, the coding elements °43 and the opposing coding elements 44 are each arranged symmetrically relative to the transverse axis Q (Figure 1) of the overvoltage protection device 1. -15- DE 20 2004 006 227.5 What is claimed is: 1. Overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, comprising: a device base part (3) with terminals (5, 6. 7) for phase conductors (L1, L2, L3) and ground or neutral conductors (PE, N). and at least one overvoltage protection element (8) with at least one arrester (10) which is located in a housing(9), especially a lightning and/or surge arrester, wherein the base part (3) has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch (11) for remote indication of the state of the at least one overvoltage protection element (8), and wherein the base part (3) of the device having plug-in contacts (12) which are connected to the terminals (5, 6, 7) and which are made especially as sockets, and the overvoltage protection element (8) having corresponding connector contacts (13) made especially as plug pins, so that the overvoltage protection element (8) can be plugged onto the base part (3) of the device, characterised in that the overvoltage protection element (8) has an optical status display (14) and that a mechanical actuating system is provided for actuating of both the optical status display (14) and the switch(ll)of the telecommunications contact. 2. Overvoltage protection device as clained in claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating system has a first spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the switch (11) and a second spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the optical status display (14), the first actuating means being located in a lower part (3) of the device and the second actuating means being located in the overvoltage protection element (8), and wherein the first actuating means is actuated by the second actuating means. 3. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first actuating means has a rocker (15), an actuating plunger (16) and at least one spring (17), the rocker (15) being movable out of a first position into a second position, by which the switch (11) of the -16 - DE 20 2004 006 227.5 telecommunications contact is actuated, 4. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the second spring- loaded actuating means has at least one spring element (18) and a soldering point (19), a solder connection being provided at the soldering point (19) between the arrester (10) and a part of the actuating means, the solder connection being adapted to separate when the temperature of the arrester (10) exceeds a certain response value, the actuating means being held in the first position against the spring force of the spring element (18) by the solder connection, and being moved by spring force into the second position when the solder connection sep arates. 5. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the optical status display (14) is located on a top end of the second spring-loaded actuating means and wherein the opposite, bottom end has a blocking element (20), in the first position of the second actuating means the actuating plunger (16) of the first actuating means being held in the first position by the blocking element (20) against the force of a second spring element (17) and in the second position of the second actuating means the blocking element (20) releasing the actuating plunger (16), so that it is moved into the second position by the force of the second spring element (17). 6. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded actuating means comprise a bent, flexible circuit board (21), the solder connection at the soldering point (19) being implemented between the arrester (10) and an area (22) of the flexible circuit board (21). 7. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded actuating means has another spring-loaded plastic element (23) which is located movably in the housing (9) of the overvoltage protection element (8) and a fixed metallic retention element (24), an opening (25) being provided in the plastic element (23) through which one end of the retention element (24) is connected to the soldering point (19) in the first position of the actuating means. -17- DE 20 2004 006 227,5 8. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the optical status display (14) comprises two marks (26, 27) of different colors which are located next to one another. 9. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded actuating means has an spring-loaded plastic element (33) wherein is located movably in the housing (9) of the overvoltage protection element (8) and a fixed metallic retention element (34), the solder connection at the soldering point (19) being implemented between at least one arrester (10) and the metallic retention element (34) and the plastic element (33) being held in a first position against the spring force of the spring element (18) when the soldor- connection is present, and being moved into a second position by the spring force when the solder connection separates. 10. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the optical status display (14) comprises a pivoting element (35) which is pivotally supported in the housing (9) and which is connected to the plastic element (33) via a crosspiece (37) which acts on the pivoting element (35) outside of an axis (36)of rotation of the pivoting element (35). 11. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pivoting element (35) is hemispherical and has two differently colored sections (38,39). 12. Overvoltage protection device as clamed in claim 8 or 11, wherein said optical status display (14) comprises a viewing window (40) provided in the housing (9), the viewing window (40) being dimensioned such that, depending on the position of the second actuating means, only one or the other colored mark (26,27) or section (38, 39) is externally detartable through the viewing window (40). 13. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the overvoltage protection element (8) there are several, preferably three arresters (10) which are made as spark gaps. -18- DE 2C 2004 006 227.5 14. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the arresters (10) is cylindrical with connecting contacts (29, 30) on opposite ends by which the arresters (10) are mechanically attachable in the overvoltage protection element (8). 15. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the arresters (10) are electrically connected to one another by spring clips (31) and connecting pieces (32) which are connected to them, the connecting pieces (32) being plugged onto the connecting contacts (29,30). 16. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the device base part (3) has at least one coding element (43) and the overvoltage protection element (8) has at least one corresponding opposing coding element (44). 17. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device base part (3) has a symmetrical housing shape, preferably U-shaped, and is adapted for being locked on a supporting rail(4). An overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, has a device base part with terminals for phase conductors and ground or neutral conductors and at least one overvoltage protection element, with at least one arrester which is located in a housing. The base part of the device has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, the base part of the device having plug contacts which are connected to the terminals, and the overvoltage protection element having corresponding connector contacts so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device. The overvoltage protection device is improved by the overvoltage protection element having an optical status display and the optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact being actuated via a common mechanical actuating system.

Full Text

-1 DF. 20 2004 006 227 5

OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION DEVICE
The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage
electrical installations, having a device base part with terminals for phase conductors (LI, L2,
L3) and ground or neutral conductors (PE, N) and of at least one overvoltage protection
element, with an arreste which is located in a housing especially a lightning and/or surge
arrester, the base part of the device having at least one telecommunications contact which has
a switch for remote indication of the slate of at least one overvoltage protection element, and
preferably, the base part of the device having plug-in Contacts which are connected to the
terminals and which are made especially as sockets, and the overvoltage protection element
having corresponding connector contacts made especially as plug pins so that the overvoltage
protection element can be plugged onto the base part of the device
Electrical, but especially electronic measurement, control and switching circuits, mainly also
telecommunications equipment and systems, are sensitive to transient overvoltages, as can
occur especially by atmosphere discharges, but also by switching operations or. short circuits
in power supply grids This sensitivity has increased lo the extent electronic components,
especially transistors and thynstors, are being used, in particular, increasingly used integrated
circuits are highly endangered by transient overvoltages
Electrical circuits normal y work without problems using the voltage specified for them, the
rated voltage (generally the grid voltage) This does not apply when overvoltages occur
Overvoltages are considered to be all voltages which are above the upper tolerance limit of the
rated voltage They also include mainly transtent overvoltages which can occur due to
atmospheric discharges, But also due to switching operations ot short circuits in power
supply grids, and can be galvanically, inductively or capacitively coupled into electronic
Circuits In order to protect electrical or electronic circuit:, especially electronic measurment
control and switching circuit, mainly also telecommunication equipment and system.

- 2 - DE 20 2O04 006 227 5
wherever they are used, against transient overvoltages, overvoltage protection elements have
been developed and have been known for more than 20 years
The required measures for protection of the power supply of installations and devices are
divided into different stages, depending on the choice of arrester and the expected ambient
influences. The overvoltage protection devices for the individual stages, are distinguished
essentially by the level of arresting capacity and the level of protection
The first protection stage (type 1) is generally formed by a lightning arrester which is
installed as an extremel high power protection device in the central power supply of a
building An important component of such a lightning arrester is a spark gap with at least two
electrodes, an are being XXX between the two electrodes when the spark gap is ignited
The second protection ,stage (type 2) generally forms a varistor-based xxx arrester This
protection stage again limits the remaining residual voltage over the lightning arrester.
Depending on the xxx potential of the installation which is to be protected or the building
which is to be protected, it can be sufficient in the individual case if the second protection
stage, i e., the surge arrester, is used to start
In addition, there are triggered-type lightning arresters which are based on the AEC principle
(active energy control) and which constitute a combination of a lightning arrester and surge
arrester In this arrester combination, lightning and surge arresters can be connected directly
in parallel This is especially advantageous when the lightning and surge arresters cannot be
installed specially separate from one another
Within the framework of this invention, the above described versions can be called arresters
without the intention to limit the invention to one special arrester type Such an arrester then
forms the significant component of an overvoltage protection element, the overvoltage
protection element having at least one housing which holds the arrester

- 3 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5
Known overvoltage protection devices for connection to electrical lines have a device base
part which can be mourted, for example, on a supporting xxx For installation of such an
overvoltage protection device which is designed to protect for example the phase-carrying
conductors LI, L2, L3 and the neutral conducts N, and optionally also the ground conductor
PE, m the known overvoltage protection devices, on the base part of the device, there are
corresponding terminals for the phase conductors and the ground and neutral conductor. In
the overvoltage protect on device underlying the invention (Phoenix Contact brochure
Overvoltage protection TRABTECH 2002, pages 24 xxx 25). the base part of the device has
an asymmetrical connection pattern. In the known overvoltage protection device in which the
base part of the device is made roughly U-shaped, on one leg there are the terminals for the
phase conductors and the neutral conductor and on the other terminal leg there is the terminal
for the ground conductor
For simple mechanica and electrical contact-making of the base part of the device with the
respective overvoltage protection element, in the known overvoltage protection device, the
overvoltage protector elements are made as "protective plugs", i.e, the base part of the
device has sockets connected to the terminals and the overvoltage protection element has the
corresponding plug pins, so that the overvoltage protection element can be plugged onto the
base part of the device, In addition, the known overvoltage protection device has another
changeover contact as a sensing element for remote indication of the state of at least one
overvoltage protection element, for this purpose, in the base part of the device, there being a
switch, and on the overvoltage protection element, there being an actuating element
In the known overvoltage protection device, installation and mounting are very simple and
time-saving due to the plug-in capacity of the overvoltage protection elements The
telecommunications contact enables easy remote monitoring However, moreover, it ean also
be desirable to be able to read the state or status of the overvoltage protection element
directly on site But it is a problem here that, especially in overvoltage protection elements
which are made as "protective plugs," only relatively little space is available in the housing

- 4 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5
Theiefore, a primary object of this invention is to further improve the initially described
overvoltage protection device with respect to the ease of its operation
This object is, first of all, achieved essentially in the initially described overvoltage protection
device m that the overvoltage protection element has an optical status display and that the
optical status display and the switch of the telecommunications contact can be actuated via a
common mechanical xxx system
Because the overvoltage protection element or the individual overvoltage protection elements
each has or have an optical status display, the state or the status of each overvoltage
protection device is displayed directly on site. The simplifies both the installation of the
individual overvoltage protection devices and also the maintenance and replacement of
defective overvoltage protection devices since their state is directly displayed on the
overvoltage protection device both via remote indication in a control center and also via the
optical status display Thus, there is no longer any danger that an installer will replace the
wrong overvoltage protection element Because the optical status display and the switch of
the telecommunications contact can be actuated via a common mechanical actuating system,
on the one hand, the amount of space required for the optical status display is minimized, and
on the other, electrical power is not needed for setting the optical status display
According to one preferred embodunent of the overvoltage protection device in accordance
with the invention, the mechanical actuating system has a first spring-loaded actuating means
for actuation of the switch and a second spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the
optical status display. Here, the first actuating means is located in the lower part of the device
and the second actuating means is located in the overvoltage protection element, the fust
actuating means being controlled by the state of the second actuating means That the
mechanical actuating system is in two parts has the advantage that different overvoltage
protection elements can be plugged onto the same base part of the device without adaptations
being necessary on the actuating means of the base part of the device In this way, the specific
configuration of the actuating means of the overvoltage protection element can be adapted

- 5 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5
optimally to the respective arrester type which is contained in the ovavoltage protection
element
The first actuating means which is located in the base part of the device, is preferably
implemented by a mechanical lever system which can be switched between two positions, by
which the switch of the telecommunications contact can be actuated The lever system can be
formed especially by a rocker, an actuating plunger and at least one preferably two springs,
the rocker being inovableout of a first position into a second position, by which the switch of
the telecommunications contact is actuated.
As was stated above the first actuating means is controlled by the state of the second
actuating means Contra of the second actuating means takes place preferably according to
the principle of a temperature switch, as is described, for example, in German Patent DE 42
41 311 C2. For thus purpose, the second actuating meartt has at least one spring element and
solder site, the solder connection which is made at the solder site between the arrester or a
component connected to the arrester and a part of the xxx means then being separated if
the temperature of the arrester exceeds a certain response value When there is a solder
connection the actuating means is held in the first position against the spring force of the
apring element, while the actuating means with the solder connection separated is moved by
spring force into the second position. The actuating means xxx thus pre-xxx when the
solder connectaon is not separated, so that when the solder connection is separated due to the
temperature increase of he arrester, the actuating means is automatically moved into the
second position by the spring force
The actuation of the second spring-loaded actuating means with the optical status display and
with the first actuating means can be advantageously implemented in that the second spring-
loaded actuating means xxx is the optical status display on its top end and on its other- bottom
end, it has a blocking element In the first position of the second actuating means, the
actuating plunger of the first actuating means is held in the first position by the blocking
dement against the force of the sprng, while the actuating element releases the actuating

- 6 - DE 20 2004 006 2275
plunger in the second position, so that it likewise travels into the second position by the force
of the spring
As has already been stated, there are various possibilities for how the second spring-loaded
actuating means is specifically made, the specific embodiment especially being associated
with which arrester type is provided in the overvoltage protection element According to a
first embodiment the second actuating means is formed by a bent flexible circuit board, the
solder connection which is made at the solder site being implemented between the arrester and
an area of the flexible circuit board, The use of a bent flexible circuit board as a sprig-loaded
actuating means is especially advantageously in spark gap-based arresters
According to a second configuration, the second actuating means has a spring-loaded plastic
element which is movably positioned in the housing of the overvoltage protection element and
a fixed metallic retention element, an opening being formed in the plastic element through
which one end of the retention element is connected to the solder site in the first position of
the actuating means. When the solder connection is not separated, between one end of the
metallic retention element and the arrester, the spring-loaded plastic element is then held in
the first position against the spring force of the spring element, while when the solder
connection is separated, he retention element releases the movably arranged plastic element
so that the plastic element is moved into the second position due to the spring force of the
spring element
In another alternative embodiment of the second actuating means, there are, likewise, a spring-
loaded plastic element which is movably positioned in the housing of the overvoltage
protection element, and a metallic retention element The solder connection is likewise
implemented between the arrester and the metallic xxx element When the solder
connection is present, the spring-loaded plastic element xxx held in the first position against the
spring force of the spring element, and when the solder connection is separated, the plastic
element is moved into the second position due to the spring fore In this version, the
metallic retention elemen is only attached by the solder connection, so that the retention

-7- DE 21 2004 0062275
element changes its position together with the plastic element when the solder connection is
separated The metallic retention element is fixed to the spring-loaded plastic element, and
this connection can be xxx both positive and non-xxx
According to another embodiment of the overvoltage protection device of the invention which
is independent of the execution of the second actuating means, the base part of the device has
at least one coding element and the overvoltage protection element has at least one
corresponding opposing coding element, the coduig element or element and the opposing
coding element or element being arranged in the same manners as the plug contacts of the base
part of the device and the connector contacts of the overvoltage protection element as well as
the contact element and the xxx contact element, each symmetrically to the transverse axis
of the overvoltage protection device so that the base part of the device and the overvoltage
protection element can be brought into contact with one another in two arrangements which
are turned 80° relative to one another The execution of the coding element and the opposing
coding element is especially advantageous when several overvoltage protection elements can
be inserted at the same time into the base part of the device; thus, the overvoltage protection
device in a multipin overvoltage protection device. The arrangement of the coding element and
of the opposing coding element can then prevent an overvoltage protection element from
being uncorrectly plugged into the wrong position on the base part of the device
Because the base part of the device has a symmetrical connection pattern, the base part of the
device can thus be mounted such that connection of the incoming power supply lines to the
corresponding terminals is easily possible, and the overvoltage protect element can always
be correctly mounted regardless of the alignment of the base part of the divice
In particular there are a host of possibilities for xxx and developing the overvoltage
protection device according to the invention Reference is made to the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction uith the accompanying
drawings.

-8- DE 20 2004 006 227 5

Figure 1 is a perspeitive view of a multipin overvoltage protection device with two
overvoltage protection elements.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the base part of a multipin overvoltage protection device
Figure 3 shows two representations of the base par of the device, each in a lengthwise
section, with a first actuating means in two different positions,
Figure 4 shows two representations of a first embodiment of an over voltage protection
device, with second actuating means in two different positions,
Figure 5 shows two representations of a second embodiment of an ova voltage protection
device, with second actuating means in two different positions,
Figure 6 shows a representation of a third embodiment of an overvoltage protection device
and
Figure 7 shows a perspective of a multipin overvoltage protection device with an
overvoltage rotetion device as shown m Figure 6
The figures show an overvoltage protection device 1, with a base part 3 which has a housing
2 In the illustrated embodiments, the base part 3 of the cevice is essentially U-shaped, and it
can be mounted with xxx bottom on a supporting rail 4. The base part 3 of the device in Figure
1 on the upper U leg xxx wo terminals 5 for each of the phase conductors Ll, L2, L3 and two
terminals 6 for the ground conductor PE In the bottom U leg of the base part 3 of the device,
there are two terminals 7 for the neutral conductor N
In the embodiment of the overvoltage protection device 1 of the invention which is shown in
the figures, the terminals 5, 6, 7 are each made as screw terminals. However, in addition, the
terminals 5,6,7 can be made equally well as tension spring terminals, direct or leg spring
terminals or as insulation xxx connecting devices or quick-connect terminals
The arrangement of the terminals 5 for the phase conductors Lt L2, L3 and the terminals 6
for the ground conductor I'E on one U leg of the base part 3 of the device and the terminals 7
for the neutral conductor xxx on the other U leg results in the base part 3 of the device having
an asymmetrical connection pattern

-9- DE 20 2004 006 227 5
The overvoltage protect on device 1 includes in addition to the base part 3 of the device at
least one overvoltage protection element 8 which has an arrester 10 which is located in the
housing 9, especially a lightning arrester which has a spark gap, or a vanstor-based surge
arrester. In Figure 1, the lower half of the housing 9 of the overvoltage protection element 8 is
omitted, so that the arrester 10 which is located in the overvoltage protection element 8
becomes visible
The sensing element for defect reporting in the overvoltage protection device 1 on the base
part 3 of the device 3 is a common switch 11 which can be actuated by the first spring-loaded
actuating means which is explained in further detail below. The signal of the switch 11 can be
relayed via an electrical line for example, a bus line, or by radio, to an monitoring station
The overvoltags protection elements 8 are made as protective plugs so that they can be easily
mounted by plugging them onto the base part 3 of the device To do this, in the base part 3 of
the device, there are two plug contacts 12 which are made as sockets and on the bottom of the
overvoltage protection element 8 there are two corresponding connector contacts 13 made as
plug pins. The general plug-in capacity of the individual overvoltage protection elements 8 in
addition to easy installation of the overvoltage protection elements 80 also, enables simple
replacement of a defective overvoltage protection element 8 For this reason, the
corresponding overvoltage protection element 8 can be easily detached from the base part 3 of
the device without the need for direct intervention into the installation The rotation capacity
of the base part 3 of the device relative to the overvoltage protection elements 8 is achieved in
that the plug contacts 12 of the base part 3 of the device and the connector contacts 13 of the
overvoltage protection element 8 are arranged symmetrically to the transverse axis Q of the
overvoltage protection device 1
To display the status or the state of the overvoltage protection element 8 and of the arrester
10, the overvoltage protection element on its upper narrow side i.e. the one facing away
from the base pan 3 of the device, has a status display 14 The status display 14 shown in
Figures 4 to 6 is actuated together with the switch 11 of the telecommunications contact via a

-1 0 - DE 20 2004 006 227 5
common mechanical actuating system which comprises a first spring-loaded actuating means
and a second spring actuating means
A preferred structure of first actuating means which is located in the housing 2 of the base
part 3 of the device will be explained below using Figures 2 and 3 The first actuating means is
formed by a lever system and includes a rocker 15, an actuating plunger 16 and two springs
17, In the first position of the first actuating means shown m Figure 3a, the rocker 15 is
deflected such that one end makes contact with the switch 11 Here, the actuating plunger 16
is pressed down by the second actuating means as will be explained below, against the spring
force of the spring 17 which is assigned to the actuating plunger 16. In the second position,
which is shown in Figure 3b, the rocker 15 is in an essentially horizontal position in which
the end of the rocker 15 no longer makes contact with the switch 11
Figures 4a to 6b show three different overvoltage protection elements 8 which each have a
different arrester type and a different second actuating means It is common to the three
differently made xxx; means that they each have 3 spring element 18 a soldering point 19
and a locking element 20
In the embodiment show in Figures 4a and 4b, die second actuating means is formed by a
bent flexible circuit board 2l, which is bent on one side around the arrester 10, has the status
display 14 on its top end and the blocking element 20 on its bottom end The flexible circuit
board 21 has an area 22 which, on the soldering point 19, forms the solder connection to the
arrester 10 which is made as a spark gap As Figures 4a 4b show, the soldering point 19 need
not be made directly on the arrester 10, so that the solder connection is not directly between
the area 22 of the flexible circuit board 21 and the arrester 10, For operation of the second
actuating means, it is simply necessary that, when the temperature of the arrester 10 uses
above a given response value, the solder connection is separated In the illustrated
embodiment, the soldering point 19 and the solder connection are made between the area 22
and the ignition circuit of he arrester 10.

- 11 - DE 20 2004 006 227.5
In the first position of the second actuating means shown in Figure 4a, the solder connection
is not separated, so that the flexible circuit board 21 is deflected against the spring force of the
spring element 18 as a result of the solder connection at the soldering point 19, In the second
position of the second actuating means, which is shown in Figure 4b. conversely, the solder
connection is separated, so that the flexible circuit board 21 can be pulled into the second
position by the spring force of the spring element 18,
In the second embodiment of overvoltage protection element 8, which is shown in Figures 5a
and 5b, in which a varistor is used as the arrester 10, the actuating means has a plastic element
23 which is movably positioned in the housing 9 of the overvoltage protection element 8, and
a fixed metallic retention element 24. The plastic element 23 is held in the first position of the
actuating means by the solder connection which exists at the solder site 19, between the
metallic retention element 24 and the varistor, against the spring force of the spring element
18 which is made as a compression spring. For this reason, in the plastic element 23, there is
an opening 25 through which one end of the retention element 24 is connected to the soldering
point 19 in the first position of the actuating means. When the temperature of the varistor
exceeds a given response value, the solder connection which is formed at the soldering point
19 is separated, so that the plastic element 23 is pushed into the second position by the
spring force of the spring element 18 (Figure 5b). In this second position, the metallic
retention element 24 is thermally and electrically separated from the varistor by the plastic
element 23.
Common to the two embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the fact that the top end of the
flexible circuit board 21 or of the plastic element 23 is made as an optical status display 14,
for which two marks 26,27 in different colors are printed or cemented on the flexible circuit
board 21 or the plastic element 23 next to one another. The first mark 26 is green and the
second mark 27 is red. The first green mark 26 is visible through the respective viewing
window 40 (Fig. 1) in the first position, the "non-defective" position, while the second red
mark 27 is visible through viewing window 40 in the second position, the "defective"
position.

-12- DE 20 2004 006 227.5
Moreover, as stated above, a blocking element 20 is formed on the lower end of the flexible
circuit board 21 or of the plastic element 23. The blocking element 20 is made and arranged
such that, in the first position of the actuating means, it closes the opening 28 made on the
bottom of the overvoltage protection element 8, while in the second position of the actuating
means, it clears the opening 28. Because the opening 28 matches the position of the actuating
plunger 16 in the base fart 3 of the device when the overvoltage protection element 8 has
been plugged in, thus, because the blocking element 28 in the first position of the second
actuating means closes the opening 20, the actuating plunger 16 is pressed down against the
spring force of the spring 17. Conversely, in the second position of the second actuating
means, the opening 28 is no longer closed by the blocking element 20, so that the actuating
plunger 16 can be moved up through the opening 28 due to the spring force of the spring 17.
Depending on the position of the blocking element 20, and thus, on the position of the second
actuating means, therefore the position of the actuating plunger and thus the first actuating
means located in the base part 3 of the device are actuated.
The overvoltage protection element 8 which is shown in Figures 6 and 7 differs, first of all,
from the above described overvoltage protection element 8 in that, in the overvoltage
protection element 8 shown here, there are three arresters 10 which are made as spark gaps in
an insulating housing which is provided in addition in the housing 9. The overvoltage
protection element 8 which is shown in Figure 6 thus constitutes a plug-in, cumulative spark
gap. The cylindrical arresters 10 each have pin-shaped connecting contacts °29, 30 on their
ends with which they are locked into the corresponding recesses in the housing 9. The
individual arresters 10 make contact on their jacket surface with spring clips 31, the electrical
connection between the individual arresters 10 being produced by essentially U-shaped
electrical connecting pieces 32 which are plugged onto the connecting contacts 29, 30 and are
connected to the spring clips 31.
In the overvoltage protection element 8 which is shown in Figures 6 and 7. the second
actuating means is implemented by a spring-loaded plastic element 33 which is located
movably in the housing 9 and by a metallic retention element 34, the plastic element °33 being

-13- DE 20 2004 006 227.5
located between two arresters 10, essentially parallel to the lengthwise extension of the
arresters 10. In the first position of the actuating means shown in Figure 6, the metallic
retention element 34 is connected by a solder connection to two connecting pieces 32 of two
arresters 10. For this reason, the retention element 34 is made U-shaped, the two U-legs each
forming a soldering point 19 with a respective connecting piece 32. When the solder
connection is present, the plastic element 33 is held in the first position shown in Figure 6
against the spring force of a spring element 18 which is made as a compression spring. For
this reason, the plastic element 33 has a projection which adjoins the U-back of the retention
element 34. If the solder connection between the metallic retention element 34 and the two
connecting pieces 32 is opened due to the temperature rise of the arresters 10, the plastic
element 33 moves up due to the spring force of the compression spring 18, together with the
retention element 34.
The optical status display 14 in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 is formed by a
rocker arm or pivoting element 35 which is pivotally supported in the housing 9 and which is
connected to the plastic element 33 via a flexible crosspiece 37 which acts outside of the pivot
pin 36 which forms the axis of rotation for element 35. By this type of connection of the
plastic element 33 to the hemispherical pivoting element 35, a rotary or pivoting motion of
the pivoting element results from the transnational motion of the plastic element 33, so that
the pivoting element 35 is moved out of the first position into the second position.
According to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pivoting element 35 also has two
differently colored section 38, 39, and depending on the position of the second actuating
means only one or the other colored section 38. 39 is detectable from the outside through the
respective viewing window 40 (Fig. 7) which is located in the housing 9 of the overvoltage
protection element 8. The first, green section 38 is visible in the first position, the "non-
defective" position, through the viewing window 40. while the second, the red section 39 is
visible in the second position, the "defective" position.

-14- DE 20 2004 006 227.5
To hold and support the pivoting element 35, on the insulating housing of the arresters 10,
there is a hinged cover 41 in which a bearing eye 42 is made for the pivot pin 36 of rotation of
the pivoting element 35. As has already been explained in conjunction with Figures 4 & 5, the
lower end of the plastic element 33 which faces the base part 3 of the device also has a
blocking element 20 by which the opening 28 can be covered depending on the position of the
plastic element 33. In conjunction with Figure 7, it is recognizable that the overvoltage
protection element 8 within the housing 9 (which is shown only partially in Figures 1 and 7)
has an insulating housing which holds or surrounds the arresters 10.
As was stated at the beginning, the overvoltage protection device 1 in accordance with the
invention is used preferably as a multipin overvoltage protection device, i.e., several
overvoltage protection elements 8 are inserted next to one another into the base part 3 of the
device. Depending on the number of lines of the low voltage network which is to be protected
(3-conductor, 4-conductor or 5-conductor network) and depending on whether a lightning
arrester is necessary, the corresponding number and type of overvoltage protection elements
8 is inserted into the correspondingly dimensioned base part 3 of the device. In order to
prevent the overvoltage protection element 8 from being plugged into the wrong position
within the base part 3 of the device, there are coding elements 43 on the base part 3 of the
device, and there are the corresponding opposing coding elements 44 on the bottom of the
overvoltage protection element 8. To ensure a rearrangement capacity, the coding elements °43
and the opposing coding elements 44 are each arranged symmetrically relative to the
transverse axis Q (Figure 1) of the overvoltage protection device 1.

-15- DE 20 2004 006 227.5
What is claimed is:
1. Overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations,
comprising:
a device base part (3) with terminals (5, 6. 7) for phase conductors (L1, L2, L3) and
ground or neutral conductors (PE, N). and
at least one overvoltage protection element (8) with at least one arrester (10) which is
located in a housing(9), especially a lightning and/or surge arrester,
wherein the base part (3) has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch
(11) for remote indication of the state of the at least one overvoltage protection element (8),
and wherein the base part (3) of the device having plug-in contacts (12) which are
connected to the terminals (5, 6, 7) and which are made especially as sockets, and the
overvoltage protection element (8) having corresponding connector contacts (13) made
especially as plug pins, so that the overvoltage protection element (8) can be plugged onto the
base part (3) of the device,
characterised in that the overvoltage protection element (8) has an optical status
display (14) and
that a mechanical actuating system is provided for actuating of both the optical status
display (14) and the switch(ll)of the telecommunications contact.
2. Overvoltage protection device as clained in claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuating
system has a first spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the switch (11) and a second
spring-loaded actuating means for actuation of the optical status display (14), the first actuating
means being located in a lower part (3) of the device and the second actuating means being
located in the overvoltage protection element (8), and wherein the first actuating means is
actuated by the second actuating means.
3. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first actuating means
has a rocker (15), an actuating plunger (16) and at least one spring (17), the rocker (15) being
movable out of a first position into a second position, by which the switch (11) of the

-16 - DE 20 2004 006 227.5
telecommunications contact is actuated,
4. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the second spring-
loaded actuating means has at least one spring element (18) and a soldering point (19), a solder
connection being provided at the soldering point (19) between the arrester (10) and a part of the
actuating means, the solder connection being adapted to separate when the temperature of the
arrester (10) exceeds a certain response value, the actuating means being held in the first position
against the spring force of the spring element (18) by the solder connection, and being moved by
spring force into the second position when the solder connection sep arates.
5. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the optical status
display (14) is located on a top end of the second spring-loaded actuating means and wherein the
opposite, bottom end has a blocking element (20), in the first position of the second actuating
means the actuating plunger (16) of the first actuating means being held in the first position by
the blocking element (20) against the force of a second spring element (17) and in the second
position of the second actuating means the blocking element (20) releasing the actuating plunger
(16), so that it is moved into the second position by the force of the second spring element (17).
6. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded
actuating means comprise a bent, flexible circuit board (21), the solder connection at the
soldering point (19) being implemented between the arrester (10) and an area (22) of the flexible
circuit board (21).
7. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded
actuating means has another spring-loaded plastic element (23) which is located movably in the
housing (9) of the overvoltage protection element (8) and a fixed metallic retention element (24),
an opening (25) being provided in the plastic element (23) through which one end of the
retention element (24) is connected to the soldering point (19) in the first position of the
actuating means.

-17- DE 20 2004 006 227,5
8. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the optical status
display (14) comprises two marks (26, 27) of different colors which are located next to one
another.
9. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second spring-loaded
actuating means has an spring-loaded plastic element (33) wherein is located movably in the
housing (9) of the overvoltage protection element (8) and a fixed metallic retention element (34),
the solder connection at the soldering point (19) being implemented between at least one arrester
(10) and the metallic retention element (34) and the plastic element (33) being held in a first
position against the spring force of the spring element (18) when the soldor- connection is
present, and being moved into a second position by the spring force when the solder connection
separates.

10. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the optical status
display (14) comprises a pivoting element (35) which is pivotally supported in the housing (9)
and which is connected to the plastic element (33) via a crosspiece (37) which acts on the
pivoting element (35) outside of an axis (36)of rotation of the pivoting element (35).
11. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pivoting element
(35) is hemispherical and has two differently colored sections (38,39).
12. Overvoltage protection device as clamed in claim 8 or 11, wherein said optical status
display (14) comprises a viewing window (40) provided in the housing (9), the viewing window
(40) being dimensioned such that, depending on the position of the second actuating means, only
one or the other colored mark (26,27) or section (38, 39) is externally detartable through the
viewing window (40).
13. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the
overvoltage protection element (8) there are several, preferably three arresters (10) which are
made as spark gaps.

-18- DE 2C 2004 006 227.5
14. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the arresters
(10) is cylindrical with connecting contacts (29, 30) on opposite ends by which the arresters
(10) are mechanically attachable in the overvoltage protection element (8).
15. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the arresters (10)
are electrically connected to one another by spring clips (31) and connecting pieces (32) which
are connected to them, the connecting pieces (32) being plugged onto the connecting contacts
(29,30).
16. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the device
base part (3) has at least one coding element (43) and the overvoltage protection element (8) has
at least one corresponding opposing coding element (44).
17. Overvoltage protection device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device
base part (3) has a symmetrical housing shape, preferably U-shaped, and is adapted for being
locked on a supporting rail(4).

An overvoltage protection device for protection of low voltage electrical installations, has a
device base part with terminals for phase conductors and ground or neutral conductors and at
least one overvoltage protection element, with at least one arrester which is located in a housing.
The base part of the device has at least one telecommunications contact which has a switch for
remote indication of the state of at least one overvoltage protection element, the base part of the
device having plug contacts which are connected to the terminals, and the overvoltage protection
element having corresponding connector contacts so that the overvoltage protection element can
be plugged onto the base part of the device. The overvoltage protection device is improved by
the overvoltage protection element having an optical status display and the optical status
display and the switch of the telecommunications contact being actuated via a common
mechanical actuating system.

Documents:

00306-kol-2005-abstract.pdf

00306-kol-2005-claims.pdf

00306-kol-2005-description complete.pdf

00306-kol-2005-drawings.pdf

00306-kol-2005-form 1.pdf

00306-kol-2005-form 2.pdf

00306-kol-2005-form 3.pdf

00306-kol-2005-form 5.pdf

306-KOL-2005-FOR ALTERATION OF ENTRY.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-claims.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 2.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 26.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-priority document.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-specification.pdf

306-kol-2005-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

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Patent Number

235076

Indian Patent Application Number

306/KOL/2005

PG Journal Number

26/2009

Publication Date

26-Jun-2009

Grant Date

24-Jun-2009

Date of Filing

12-Apr-2005

Name of Patentee

PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG

Applicant Address

FLACHASMARKTASTRASSE 8, D-32825 BLOMBERG

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	JOACHIM SCHIMANSKI	DREIMANNSTRAßE 3B 32760 DETMOLD
2	DR. MARTIN WETTER	DREIMANNSTRAßE 5 32760 DETMOL
3	RAINER DURTH	BICKELBERG 2, 32805 HORN-BAD MEINBERG
4	JOACHIM WOSGIEN	AM OSTERBUSCH 21 32584 LÖHNE
5	CHRISTIAN BIRKHOLZ	BROCKHAUSER STRAßE 55 59510 LIPPETAL
6	MICHAEL TEGT	BLOMBERGER STRAßE 7 32825 BLOMBERG

PCT International Classification Number

H01J 31/34

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	DE 20 2004 006 227.5	2004-04-16	Germany