Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a block and a plurality of clip-type terminals mounted to the block. The block is a dielectric body having a central section and fanning strip sections at opposed margins. The terminals are loosely received through the holes and have wire receiving portions on one side of the central section and lying intermediate the fanning-strip sections and base portions on the opposite side of the central section. A retaining plate engages with the body for enclosing the base portions of the terminals within the dielectric body. The retaining plate further has a plurality of elongate, parallel and spaced-apart raised rib portions arranged for engaging the base portions of the terminals, such that wire receiving portions thereof are held in position projecting through the holes. The terminals comprise clip terminals having a flat body that includes two opposed resilent arms cantilevered from the base of the terminal.

Abstract: A line protector has an arrester through which overvoltages on the line of short duration are grounded. The arrester may be of the type having an arc gap sealed within a gas tube. For an overvoltage of longer duration, a pellet is melted causing a spring to close a circuit bypassing the gas tube and provide a direct metallic path from the line to ground. A secondary arc gap between opposed conductors separated by an insulating sleeve has an arc-over voltage that is greater than the normal arc-over voltage of the first-mentioned arc gap and provides a path to ground for short duration overvoltage conditions in the event of failure of the arrester. Excessive current across the secondary arc gap may melt the insulator sleeve and engage the opposed conductors for grounding purposes.