BE1026431B1 - Spark gap with ignition circuit and spark gap arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a spark gap (FS1) with a first ignition circuit (Z1), comprising - a spark gap (FS1) with a first main electrode (E1) and a second main electrode (E2) and an auxiliary ignition electrode (H1), - a first ignition circuit (Z1 ) with a first voltage-switching element (GDT), the first ignition circuit (Z1) being connected on one side to the first main electrode (E1) and on the other side to the auxiliary ignition electrode (H), - parallel to the first voltage-switching element (GDT ) a capacitor (C) is arranged. The invention further relates to a spark gap arrangement with a corresponding spark gap (FS1).

Description

Spark gap with ignition circuit and spark gap arrangement

The invention relates to a spark gap with ignition circuit and a spark gap arrangement.

background

From the normative environment, e.g. DIN EN 62305 (VDE 0185-305: 2006), concepts for lightning protection are known.

Spark gaps are used in so-called coarse protection. Coarse protection is also referred to as type 1.

In order to achieve better protection levels with the spark gaps, these are connected to external trigger circuits, which enable the spark gaps to be ignited at lower voltages.

Gas discharge tubes (abbr. GDT) are often used in these trigger circuits in order to provide an insulating section in the ignition circuit.

There are various embodiments for this ignition circuit arrangement, e.g. with a high-voltage ignition or ignition paths with a low response voltage. In addition to the gas traps, it may be necessary. additional elements such as Position varistors in the trigger circuit.

In many arrangements, however, multiple spark gaps are connected to one another in such a way that - at least for individual load cases - they act as a series connection. In such an arrangement, however, it also results that the ignition circuits also act like a series connection. However, this has the consequence that the ignition voltages of the “in series” ignition circuits are essentially to be added.

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Such a situation arises e.g. with an n + 1 circuit, i.e. a "series connection" of a spark gap between a phase and a neutral conductor and a spark gap between a neutral conductor and a protective conductor. If an overvoltage event occurs between the phase and the protective conductor, the protection level for a 230 V / 400 V system can be more than 2 kV.

However, it would be desirable to be able to provide protection levels of less than 2 kV in this area too.

The problem is solved by means of a method according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the description, the figures and the respective dependent claims.

Brief presentation of the figures

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing using preferred embodiments.

Show it

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4 shows a first schematic circuit diagram of embodiments of the invention, a second schematic circuit diagram of embodiments

Invention, a third schematic circuit diagram of embodiments

Invention, and a fourth schematic circuit diagram of embodiments

Invention.

the the the the

-3BE2018 / 5449 Detailed description

In the following, the invention will be presented in more detail (with reference to the figures). It should be noted that different aspects are described, which can be used individually or in combination. That Any aspect can be used with different embodiments of the invention, unless explicitly shown as a pure alternative.

Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, generally only one entity will be referred to below. Unless explicitly noted, the invention can also have several of the entities concerned. In this respect, the use of the words "a", "a" and "one" is only to be understood as an indication that in a simple embodiment at least one entity is used.

Insofar as methods are described below, the individual steps of a method can be arranged and / or combined in any order, unless the context does not explicitly state otherwise. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the processes can be combined with one another.

Data with numerical values are generally not to be understood as exact values, but also include a tolerance of +/- 1% up to +/- 10%.

Reference to standards or specifications or norms are to be understood as references to standards or specifications or norms that apply / were valid at the time of registration and / or if priority was claimed - at the time of priority registration. However, this is not to be understood as a general exclusion of the applicability to subsequent or replacing standards or specifications or norms.

In the following, "neighboring" explicitly includes a direct neighborhood relationship, but is not limited to this. “Between” closes explicitly in the following

-4BE2018 / 5449 a position in which the intermediate part has a direct neighborhood to the surrounding parts.

A spark gap FS1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1, among others. The spark gap FS1 will also be referred to below as the first spark gap FS1.

The first spark gap FS1 has a first ignition circuit Z1.

The first spark gap FS1 has a first main electrode E1 and a second main electrode E2. The shape of the main electrodes E1 and E2 can be chosen appropriately. There is a free space between the two main electrodes E1 and E2 and the main electrodes are electrically insulated from one another. If a sufficiently high voltage is present, a plasma is formed in which an electrical connection is established between the main electrodes E1 and E2 and an overvoltage pulse can flow off.

Furthermore, the first spark gap FS1 has an auxiliary ignition electrode H1. Such an auxiliary ignition electrode H1 can be arranged at a suitable location between the main electrodes E1 and E2. The auxiliary ignition electrode H1 can be arranged isolated from the main electrodes E1 and / or can be arranged opposite the main electrodes E2.

Furthermore, the first ignition circuit Z1 — outlined by a dashed frame — has a first voltage-switching element GDT1. The first ignition circuit Z1 is connected on one side to the first main electrode E1 and on the other side to the first auxiliary ignition electrode H1. Without restricting generality, the first ignition circuit Z1 can have further elements, as will be explained later in connection with a second ignition circuit Z2.

It is essential for the invention that - essentially - a capacitor C is arranged parallel to the first voltage switching element GDT1.

If such a first spark gap FS1 together with the first ignition circuit Z1 is used in a “series connection”, as described above, the parallel capacitor C leads

-5BE2018 / 5449 in the event of an overvoltage, so that the applied voltage is initially only applied to the other spark gap, the second spark gap FS2 (in FIGS. 2-4), since the capacitor initially acts as a high-frequency short circuit for the first ignition circuit. This does not lead to the effect of “adding” the ignition voltages of the individual voltage switching elements GDT1, GDT2. Therefore, the second spark gap FS2 is initially excited to switch through, the ignition voltage now being lower as a result than in previous arrangements. After the ignition of the second spark gap FS2, however, almost the residual voltage, which almost corresponds to the original voltage, is present at the first spark gap FS1 or its first ignition circuit Z1, so that this first spark gap FS1 with a small delay after the second spark gap for switching through is excited. This does not lead to the effect of “adding” the ignition voltages of the individual voltage switching elements GDT1, GDT2. Now the series connection is completely controlled, so that an overvoltage can be derived.

That unlike previous solutions, e.g. in 230/400 V systems protection levels below 2.0 kV, in particular protection levels below 1.8 kV and even below 1.5 kV to below 1.2 kV are provided.

In one configuration of the first spark gap FS1 according to the invention, the first voltage-switching element GDT1 is selected from a group comprising gas-filled arresters, transient voltage suppressor diodes, varistors, PTCs, transistors and thyristors.

That the invention can be operated advantageously with different voltage switching elements GDT1 alone or in combination.

In a further embodiment of the first spark gap FS1 according to the invention, the capacitance of the capacitor C is greater than or equal to 9 times the intrinsic capacitance of the first voltage-switching element GDT1 in the idle state.

This enables a particularly reliable control of the voltage between the voltage-switching elements GDT1 and GDT2 to be achieved. It can be done in rough

-6BE2018 / 5449 generalization assume that the higher the capacitance of the capacitor C, the security of the previously described coordinated timing increases. The capacitance of the capacitor C is preferably at least 10 times better than 100 times the intrinsic capacitance of the first voltage-switching element GDT1.

In a further embodiment of the first spark gap FS1 according to the invention, the capacitor C is soldered to the electrodes of the first voltage switching element GDT1. In this way, parasitic line inductances that could negatively influence the switching behavior can be avoided.

In a further embodiment of the first spark gap FS1 according to the invention, the capacitor C is an SMD (Surface Mounted Device) component. That The coordinated circuit can be implemented with little structural effort, so that even in narrow designs, safe switching is possible and existing grid dimensions can be maintained.

In a further embodiment of the first spark gap FS1 according to the invention, an insulating material is arranged between the second main electrode E2 and the first auxiliary ignition electrode H1, which leads to a discharge along the surface when a voltage is applied to the first ignition electrode H1, so that the second main electrode E2 and the first auxiliary ignition electrode H1 are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. Such arrangements are known for example from the applicant's application DE 10 2004 009 072 A1, see there in particular FIGS. 2a and 2b, the description of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

With the first spark gaps FS1 as described above

Spark gap arrangements of various types can be realized. For this purpose, reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 to 4, without this excluding possible other spark gap arrangements.

For example, a spark gap arrangement according to the invention has a previously described first spark gap FS1 with an associated first ignition circuit Z1. Farther

-7BE2018 / 5449, the spark gap arrangement has a second spark gap FS2. The second spark gap FS2 has a first main electrode E3 and a second main electrode E4 and an auxiliary ignition electrode H2. For the rest, the previous comments on configurations of the first spark gap FS1 also apply to the second spark gap FS2. The second spark plug FS2 also has a second ignition circuit Z2 with a second voltage-switching element GDT2. The second ignition circuit Z2 is connected on one side to the first main electrode E3 of the second spark gap FS2 and on the other side to the auxiliary ignition electrode H2 of the second spark gap FS2. The second spark gap FS2 is electrically connected to one another with the first spark gap FS1 in the figures between the main electrodes E4 and E1. A common conductor - here the neutral conductor N - can be arranged between the main electrodes E4 and E1, as shown in FIG.

In one configuration of the spark gap arrangement, the second voltage-switching element GDT2 is selected from a group comprising gas-filled arresters, transient voltage suppressor diodes, varistors, PTCs, transistors and thyristors.

That the invention can be operated advantageously with different voltage-switching elements GDT2 alone or in combination.

In one embodiment of the spark gap arrangement, the second ignition circuit Z2 has a third voltage-switching element VAR, which is different from the second voltage-switching element GDT2. The first ignition circuit Z1 can alternatively or additionally also have a further voltage-switching element which is different from the first voltage-switching element GDT1.

Without restricting generality, the first spark gap FS1 and the second spark gap FS2 can be constructed in the same way. The first voltage switching element GDT1 and the second voltage switching element GDT2 can also be constructed in the same way without restricting the generality.

-8BE2018 / 5449 In one configuration of the spark gap arrangement, the first ignition circuit Z1 and / or the second ignition circuit Z2 has a disconnection device AE. A separation device can e.g. be realized by a pretensioned and soldered connection, which loses its strength when thermal energy is input and, under the influence of the pretension, releases the electrical contact through a mechanical separating movement.

As is clear from Figure 4, such a spark gap arrangement can e.g. can be used in an AC voltage system, the first spark gap FS1 being arranged between a neutral conductor N and a protective conductor PE, and the second

Spark gap FS2 is arranged between a neutral conductor N and a phase, for example L1. Without limiting the generality, the spark gaps and the associated ignition circuit can also be used differently. For example, the second spark gap FS2 can be arranged between a neutral conductor N and a protective conductor (PE) and the first spark gap FS1 between a neutral conductor N and one

Phase L1 may be arranged. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the spark gap arrangement can also be used in a 5-wire AC system with 3 phases L1, L2, L3.

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name list

FS1, FS2 radio link Z1, Z2 ignition circuit E1 ... E4 main electrode H1, H2 auxiliary ignition GDT1,2 first, second voltage switching element C capacitor VAR third voltage switching element AE separating N neutral PE protective conductor L1, L2, L3 phase

Claims (12)

Expectations 1. spark gap (FS1) with a first ignition circuit (Z1), comprising • a first spark gap (FS1) with a first main electrode (E1) and a second main electrode (E2) and an auxiliary ignition electrode (H1), • a first ignition circuit (Z1) with a first voltage switching element (GDT1), the first ignition circuit (Z1) being connected on one side to the first main electrode (E1) and on the other side to the auxiliary ignition electrode (H), • being parallel to the first voltage switching element (GDT1) a capacitor (C) is arranged. •. 2. Spark gap (FS1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first voltage-switching element (GDT1) is selected from a group comprising gas-filled arresters, transient voltage suppressor diode, varistor, PTC, transistor, thyristor. 3. spark gap (FS1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the capacitance of the capacitor (C) is greater than or equal to 9 times the intrinsic capacitance of the first voltage switching element (GDT1) in the idle state. 4. spark gap (FS1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitor (C) is soldered to the electrodes of the first voltage switching element (GDT1). 5. spark gap (FS1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitor (C) is an SMD component. 6. spark gap (FS1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the second main electrode (E2) and the first Auxiliary ignition electrode (H1) an insulating material is arranged, which leads to a discharge along the surface when a voltage is applied to the first ignition electrode (H1), so that the second main electrode (E2) and the first auxiliary ignition electrode (H1) are electrically conductively connected to one another , 7. spark gap arrangement with a first spark gap (FS1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second spark gap (FS2), with a first main electrode (E3) and a second main electrode (E4), and an ignition auxiliary electrode (H2), the second Spark plug (FS2) furthermore has a second ignition circuit (Z2) with a second voltage-switching element (GDT2), the second ignition circuit (Z2) on one side with the first -1110 BE2018 / 5449 main electrode (E3) of the second spark gap (FS2) and the other side is connected to the auxiliary ignition electrode (H2) of the second spark gap (FS2), the second spark gap (FS2) with the first spark gap (FS1) on one each the main electrodes are electrically connected to each other. 8. spark gap arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the second voltage switching element (GDT2) is selected from a group comprising gas-filled arrester, transient voltage suppressor diode, varistor, PTC, transistor, thyristor. 9. spark gap arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the second ignition circuit has a third voltage switching element (VAR), which is different from the second voltage switching element (GDT2). 10. spark gap arrangement according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second ignition circuit (Z2) has a separating device (AE). 11. Use of a spark gap arrangement according to one of the preceding Claims 7 to 10 in an AC system, the first Spark gap (FS1) is arranged between a neutral conductor (N) and a protective conductor (PE) and the second spark gap (FS2) is arranged between a neutral conductor (N) and a phase (L1, L2, L3). 12. Use of a spark gap arrangement according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 10 in an AC voltage system, the second spark gap (FS2) being arranged between a neutral conductor (N) and a protective conductor (PE) and the first spark gap (FS1) between a neutral conductor ( N) and a phase (L1, L2, L3) is arranged.