Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting electrical currents on or in the vicinity of electrical conductors with at least one Reed switch as a magnetically responsive switch, which is arranged in the vicinity of the electrical conductor such that, when there is a significant current flow through the conductor, the magnetic field created triggers the switch and initiates an evaluation electronics connected to the switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-part universal housing for receiving information technology, measurement technology and communication technology components also with an integrated surge protector for applications under a very wide range of climatic conditions and with a high protection level. The housing consists of a main housing body, wherein a removable housing lid is provided on the front side and a mounting device can be attached on the rear side of the main housing body. The mounting device is furthermore designed as an elongate bracket having two elbowed portions, wherein each elbowed bracket end has at least one fastening recess, and at least two spaced fastening apertures are provided in the bracket region disposed between the elbowed portions, the distance between said apertures corresponding to fastening domes disposed on the rear side of the main housing body.

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

Abstract: An overvoltage protection device has a plurality of overvoltage arresters and a disconnecting apparatus. For each of the overvoltage arresters a blocking element is present, each of which is arranged so as to block the path of movement of a mechanically preloaded wedge slide having a wedge bevel. A rocker lever arrangement has first lever arms corresponding to the number of wedge slides and at least one second lever arm for blocking or releasing a displacement element, wherein ends of the first lever arms each have a surface for contacting the respective wedge bevel of the wedge slides in such a way that, when the respective path of movement is released, at least one of the wedge slides lifts the corresponding first lever arm with its wedge bevel, as a result of which the second lever arm releases the displacement element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally triggerable indication or switching device, having a movable, mechanically preloaded slide which directly or indirectly triggers or actuates the indication or switching device, and having a preformed part which changes its state of aggregation under the effect of heat, the preformed part, in the functional state, being adapted to be arranged so as to block the movable slide. According to the invention, in the initial state, the preformed part is loosely located in a receiving space. For transferring the preformed part to the functional state, the slide is moved in a position such that a gap space opens between the slide and a slide stop, wherein the preformed part enters the gap space and the slide is simultaneously preloaded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a triggered fuse for low-voltage applications for protecting devices that can be connected to a power supply system, in particular surge protection devices, consisting of at least one fusible conductor which is located between two contacts and is arranged in a housing, and also consisting of a trigger device for controlled disconnection of the fusible conductor in the event of malfunctions or overload states of the respective connected device, wherein an arc quenching medium is introduced into the housing. By way of example, an arc quenching medium-free region is formed in the housing such that the at least one fusible conductor is exposed, and a mechanical disconnection element can be introduced into the arc quenching medium-free region via an access point in the housing in order to mechanically destroy the at least one fusible conductor depending on the trigger device, and independently of its melting integral.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for overload protection of overvoltage protection devices, consisting of at least one type II surge arrester with or without a thermal disconnecting device that responds in the event of an of overload. According to the invention, a switching unit free of movable contacts is connected in series with the at least one surge arrester and structurally combined therewith, which switching unit has at least two fixed narrow spaced switching contacts, wherein the spacing of the switching contacts is specified in such a way that in the event of every surge current or discharge process, the switching device changes into a quasi-closed state because of the arc formed; whereas in the idle state, the voltage of the connected mains drops at the switching device, with the surge arrester arranged in series remaining free of leakage current.

Abstract: Circuit assembly for protecting a unit to be operated from a supply network against surges, comprising an input having a first and a second input connection, which are connected to the supply network, an output to which the unit to be protected can be connected, and a protective circuit which is placed between the first and the second input connections in order to limit the voltage applied thereto, said protective circuit comprising a power semiconductor device. The power semiconductor device includes at least one Zener element between the collector and the gate, or a digital-to-analog converter is placed between the collector and the gate of the power semiconductor device. The protective level of this type of protective circuit can be easily adjusted by setting the clamping voltage for the power semiconductor device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device with monitoring and communication functions, in particular for the information and process industries, having at least one surge arrester with a self-diagnostics unit and a wireless and/or wired standard interface for data transmission. According to the invention, an additional module is provided to detect the behaviour and/or the properties of a connected electrical energy source, wherein a bidirectional exchange of data and commands to and between a higher-level control system and among multiple overvoltage protection devices takes place and parametrisation of lower-level terminals to be protected can be realised via the standard interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting electrical currents on or near electrical conductors with at least one reed switch as a magnetically responsive switch, which is arranged near the electrical conductor such that when there is a significant current flow through the conductor, the magnetic field created triggers the switch and initiates evaluation electronics connected to the switch. For the detection of surge current variables and differentiation between long-term pulsed currents and short-term pulsed currents, a plurality of reed switches is arranged at pre-determined, different, increasing distances from the electrical switch, the evaluation electronics determining the response and the switching times of the respective reed switches. The surge current variables are determined from the association of the determined values with the respective reed switch and the pulse shape from the switching time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for designing a lightning protection system for the exterior lightning protection of buildings and systems and to an insulated lightning arrester device related thereto. The lightning arrester of the lightning protection system is at least partly designed as an insulated electric conductor with a conductive layer or casing on the insulation, and conductive structures can be found in the respective building or the respective system, wherein the structures are potentially exposed to inductions which occur in the event of a lightning current to be arrested, and correspondingly the conductive layer on the insulated conductor together with the respective conductive structure forms a secondary loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disconnection and switch-over device for overvoltage protection, particularly for DC systems, comprising at least one arresting element, and a thermal cut-off point incorporated into the electrical interconnect path of the arresting element, the thermal cut-off point comprising a movable mechanically prestressed conductor element that moves from a first position to a second position in the event of a cut-off, and when the second position is reached, an electrical switch-over to a safety device is generated, and the thermal cut-off point is formed by the movable conductor element and a stationary contact element, the movable conductor element being attached to the stationary contact element by a thermally releasable means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a short-circuiting device for use in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems for the protection of property and persons, comprising: a switching element, which can be operated by the tripping signal of a fault detection device; two mutually opposite contact electrodes having power supply means, which contact electrodes can be brought into contact with an electrical circuit having connection points at different potential; furthermore, in at least one of the contact electrodes, a movable contact part, which is under mechanical preload and executes a movement to the further contact electrode with the assistance of spring force in the event of a short circuit; and a sacrificial element as a spacer between the contact electrodes, with an electrical connection between the sacrificial element and the switching element on the one hand and one of the contact electrodes on the other hand, in order to deliberately cause current-flow-induced thermal deformation or destruction of the sacrificial el

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-rotationally symmetrical spark gap, in particular a horn spark gap with a deion chamber, a multi-part insulating material housing (1) as a support and receiving body for the horn electrodes and the deion chamber, means for conducting the gas flow related to the arc, wherein the insulating material housing (1) is divided on the plane defined by the horn electrodes and has two half shells, and plug or screw connections (4, 5) which lead out on the end face. According to the invention, with the exception of the sections of the plug or screw connections (4, 5) leading out, the insulating material housing is surrounded on all sides by a cooling surface (14) which is near the housing and lies against the housing surface, and the cooling surface (14) is at least partly supported on webs (8) which are designed to conduct the gas flow on the outer surface of the half shells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device with at least one overvoltage protection unit, consisting of a socket part and a plug part which can be connected to the socket part and which receives means for protecting against an overvoltage, wherein insulated electric conductors can be introduced into the socket part, said electric conductors being contacted using vampire or cutting clamps, thereby penetrating the conductor insulation, and with contact surfaces which can be found on the socket part and which correspond to mating contact surfaces on the base of the plug part. According to the invention, the socket part is made of multiple parts consisting of a base part and a lever part. The base part is designed as a marble panel and has multiple parallel grooves for inserting and receiving the insulated electric conductors. On one face of the base part, hook-shaped protrusions are provided parallel to the grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection arrangement consisting of a horn spark gap accommodated in an insulating housing (1) having a deion chamber. A trigger electrode is located in the ignition area of the horn spark gap. A varistor is also present, electrically connected in series to the horn spark gap. According to the invention, a first and a second disconnection apparatus are formed in the housing, wherein the first disconnection apparatus (2) is in heat-conducting connection with the varistor and, when a limit temperature is reached or exceeded, releases a spring-loaded slide (3) which interrupts the series connection between varistor and horn spark gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightning and overvoltage protection device for data networks, telephony services, electroacoustic installations or bus systems having at least two grid-side input terminals and at least two output terminals, to which the load that is to be protected can be connected, furthermore having a gas-discharge surge arrester that connects the input terminals and an inductance located between the respective input and output terminal. According to the invention, the inductances are configured as current-compensated inductors having a core and a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the load current flows through the windings in different directions so that the respective magnetic fields cancel out.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit-breaker for a load (RL) that can be connected to a low-voltage dc-voltage network, the circuit-breaker consisting of assemblies provided between input terminals and the load and said assemblies comprising a voltage monitoring unit (TVS1, R1), a current monitoring unit (Shunt, OPV), semiconductor switch units (MOSFET) and controllers (uC) associated therewith. According to the invention, a series circuit consisting of a TVS diode (TVS1) and a resistor (R1) is connected to the input terminals, the resistor having a connection to a first connector (1) of a microcontroller (uC) and the resultant voltage drop at the resistor providing the microcontroller with an overvoltage identification signal if a breakdown voltage is reached at the TVS diode as a result of an overvoltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally triggered, mechanical switching device, consisting of a heat-sensitive means and a mechanical force-storage means, wherein the heat-sensitive means blocks or unblocks the movement path of a switching piece; furthermore, the switching piece is preloaded and held by the mechanical force-storage means, and comprising a housing that accommodates the aforementioned means. According to the invention, the housing is designed as a cartridge-shaped shell which receives a plunger in the interior thereof, which plunger is mounted in a movable manner through a first end-side opening in the housing and is supported against a fusible shaping part under pretension, wherein the fusible shaping part is arranged so as to cover a second opening, which is located opposite the first end-side opening, in such a way that, when the melting temperature of the fusible shaping part is reached, said fusible shaping part is displaced by the plunger and the plunger takes on a changed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing lightning-current parameters at installations comprising a plurality of capturing devices and lightning-current diversion paths, in particular for exposed and/or tall buildings, including wind turbines, by using a plurality of sensors on the lightning-current diversion paths to identify a lightning-current event, and comprising subsequent evaluation of the lightning-current event and the effect of the lightning-current event on the particular installation. According to the invention, a lightning-current detection sensor is formed on each of the capturing devices or each lightning-current diversion path, which lightning-current detection sensor provides a yes/no statement concerning a lightning-current event with respect to the particular capturing device or the particular lightning-current diversion path.