US3657594A - Lightning arrester - Google Patents

Lightning arrester Download PDF

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Publication number
US3657594A
US3657594A US848428A US3657594DA US3657594A US 3657594 A US3657594 A US 3657594A US 848428 A US848428 A US 848428A US 3657594D A US3657594D A US 3657594DA US 3657594 A US3657594 A US 3657594A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
gaps
ignition
quenching
series
spark gaps
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US848428A
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English (en)
Inventor
Werner Latal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BBC Brown Boveri AG Germany
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Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie
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Publication of US3657594A publication Critical patent/US3657594A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T4/00—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps
    • H01T4/16—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps having a plurality of gaps arranged in series
    • H01T4/20—Arrangements for improving potential distribution

Definitions

  • An overvoltage arrester for use on AC or DC voltages comprises a voltage dependent leakage component connected in series with a quenching arc path constituted by a series arrangement of main spark gaps and a magnetic blowing coil for extending the arcs drawn across the main spark gaps.
  • An auxiliary spark gap is structurally associated with and serves when struck to ignite each main spark gap and these ignition are connected in series with a first auxiliary impedance which may be an ohmic resistance to establish an auxiliary series circuit that is connected in parallel with the series circuit formed by the leakage resistance component and the main spark gaps.
  • a second auxiliary impedance component which also may be an ohmic resistance is provided for and connected in parallel with each of the ignition spark gaps.
  • Each of the main spark gaps may be paralleled by an auxiliary impedance component, and each of the auxiliary impedance components may be paralleled by a capacitor.
  • the auxiliary impedance components may be lumped or they may be sub-divided and the partial impedances distributed between and in series with the main and ignition spark gaps, respectively.
  • the string of ignition spark gaps when struck serve to ignite the string of quenching spark gaps whereupon the ignition gaps are then extinguished; the arcs struck at the quenching gaps then expand and cool and are extinguished, and the ignition gaps are then restruck to initiate a new quenching cycle. This cycle is then repeated until the discharge is finally terminated.
  • This invention relates to the art of over-voltage or lightening arrester constructions for use in the protection of direct or alternating current lines which include one or more voltage dependent leakage resistor components connected in series with a quenching arc path made up of a number of spark gaps connected in series, and there being a magnetic coil also connected in series with the spark gaps for producing a magnetic field which is blown upon the arcs established in the gaps for extinguishing them.
  • overvoltage arresters are connected to more or less long lines for limiting switching overvoltages, they must be capable of shunting charges in these lines.
  • the arresters In order to absorb the energy formed during the discharge, the arresters are equipped with magnetically blown quenching spark gaps. The ensuing extension and cooling of the arc in the spark chambers results in such a rise of the arc voltage that a large part of the energy is transformed in the spark gaps.
  • the discharge currents may reach values of the order of 1,000 amperes, with discharge times of several milli-seconds, so that the arc voltage may reach a very high value during this period.
  • the required level or protection is comparatively low. In the absence of special measures, the sum of arc voltage and voltage drop across the leakage resistance component in the arrester string may exceed the level or protection so that the arrester does not operate correctly.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a simple solution for an overvoltage arrester, having a high shunt capacity and in which the arc voltage is limited irrespective of the leakage current so that the prescribed level of protection is observed.
  • this objective is attained by connecting in parallel with the usual series string arrangement of a main leakage resistance component and a multiplicity of main quenching spark gaps, an impedance chain which comprises an auxiliary impedance component and a multiplicity of auxiliary spark gaps connected in series, there being an auxiliary spark gap structurally associated with each of said main gaps for igniting the main gaps and an auxiliary impedance element connected in parallel with each of the auxiliary spark gaps.
  • FIG. 1 shows in diagrammatic manner a lightning arrester which includes a quenching arc path constituted by a string of four spark gaps connected in series;
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a modification in which the main leakage resistance component as well as the auxiliary impedanceelement are divided into a plurality of impedances distributed along the series string;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of an actual construction of an arrester in accordance with the invention, the view being mostly in central vertical section;
  • FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken on line IV-IV of FIG.
  • the arrester structure is seen to include a main quenching arc path made up of four spark gaps 11 connected in a series string which also includes a coil 12 energized by a current flow through the arc path that produces a magnetic field for blowing upon and stretching the arcs so as to facilitate extinction.
  • Coil 12 is itself bridged by a spark gap 13.
  • a voltage-dependent leakage resistance component 14 is connected in series with the string of spark gaps 11.
  • an impedance chain which comprises an auxiliary impedance component 18 and a multiplicity of auxiliary spark gaps connected in series for igniting the main spark gaps 11 is arranged in parallel across the upper and lower terminals T, T1 of the arrester i.e.
  • the impedance chain also includes an auxiliary impedance 16 connected in parallel with each of the auxiliary spark gaps 15. As will be later explained, an auxiliary spark gap 15 is associated with each of the main spark gaps 11. If the auxiliary impedance component 18 and the auxiliary impedances 16 are constructed as linear or voltage-dependent resistances, it may be desirable to connect a capacitor l9, 17 respectively in parallel therewith in order to control the voltage distribution. Similarly, the spark gaps 11 may be provided with parallelconnected control impedances 20, either in the form of resistances, as illustrated, or capacitors.
  • the ignition spark gaps 15 Since the width of the auxiliary spark gaps 15 is less than that of the main spark gaps 11, the ignition spark gaps 15 respond first and the discharge current flows across them and through the auxiliary impedance 18 which limits the amount of the current and thereby keeps the voltage at the arrester at a value necessary for igniting the main spark gaps 11. This causes immediately the ignition of the spark gaps 11 and simultaneously that of the spark gap 13. Then the ignition spark gaps 15 are extinguished and the blow coil 12 takes up more and more of the current which originally flowed across the bridging gap 13 causing the arc to be widened and cooled by the magnetic blowing of the spark gaps 11.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 wherein the main leakage resistance element 14 and the auxiliary impedance 18 are sub-divided.
  • the main leakage resistance element is constituted by three part resistance components 14a, 14b and Me connected respectively in series association with each of the three spark gaps 11.
  • the magnetic blow coil 12 and its paralleling spark gap 13 is located at one end of the series string of spark gaps and leakage resistances.
  • the auxiliary impedance 18 of FIG. 1 is subdivided into three part impedance components 18a, 18b and 18c connected respectively in series association with each of the three auxiliary spark gaps 15.
  • This arrangement is of advantage where the parts ll, 15, 16, 14a and 18a are assembled always as a structural unit and several such units are combined to form an arrester.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show, by way of an example, one practical embodiment of the arrester in accordance with the principles illustrated in FIG. 1. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 1.
  • the active parts of the arrester are enclosed within a housing 1 made of insulating material having, at both ends, closures 2 serving also for making the electrical connections to opposite ends of the arrester.
  • a plate 3 rests against each of the closures 2.
  • the plates 3 are constructed as breakage or relief members against undesirable internal overpressures, as known to the art. When the internal pressure rises too high within the housing 1, one or both of the plates 3 fractures and the gas within the housing flows outward through the ports la.
  • a stack of arrester elements is constrained between the plates 3 by means of a compression spring 4 which is paralleled by a copper strap 5 so as to relieve the spring from carrying current.
  • the arrester stack comprises a conductive metallic plate 6 on which rests the main leakage resistance component made up in the form of two blocks 14 of resistance material and a further metallic disc 6.
  • the parts 7 are constructed in the form of spark cham- 11 is less than bers, known per se, in each of which are housed, as shown in more detail in FIG.
  • electrodes 11a, 11b and 15a, 15b forming respectively, one of the main spark gaps ill and an ignition spark gap 15 the electrodes 15a, 15b being located between the electrodes Ila, 11b of the main, quenching gaps 11 so that as soon as an arc is struck across electrodes 15a, 15b, this are will serve to ignite the main, quenching gaps 11.
  • the parts are electrically connected by connections 8, 9 and 10 according to the electrical schematic of FIG. ll.
  • the auxiliary impedances 16 and 18 are arranged within the housing 1 but outside of the arrester stack itself.
  • the spark gap 13 connected in parallel with the magnetic blow coil 12 and having electrode ends denoted by 13a, 13b is located within the blow coil itself and hence is not visible in FIG. 3. Also, for the sake of clarity, the control components 17, 19 and 20 depicted schematically in FIG. 1 have not been included in FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • the advantage of the improved arrangement in accordance with the invention is principally that it is now possible to construct the arrester, by suitably dimensioning the spark chambersand the leakage resistance for a large energy absorption, whilst maintaining a low level of protection as is necessary particularly for transmitting ultra-high voltages.
  • an overvoltage arrester construction for use in conjunction with direct current and alternating current voltages, the combination comprising a first series circuit constituted by a voltage-dependent leakage resistance means connected in series with a quenching arc path constituted by a series arrangement of quenching spark gaps and a magnetic blowing coil for extending the arcs drawn across spaced electrodes defining the quenching gaps, an ignition spark gap structurally and functionally associated with each of said quenching gaps,
  • each said ignition gap having spaced electrodes thereof positioned adjacent the electrodes of the quenching gap correlated therewith so as to effect ignition of the quenching gap, said ignition gaps being connected in a second series circuit including an impedance means to limit current flow therethrough and said first and second series circuits being arranged in parallel with respect to the arrester connections such that the ignition gaps of said second circuit strike initially upon an occurrance of an overvoltage thereby to effect a striking of the quenching gaps of said first circuit followed by extinction of the ignition gaps, widening of the arcs at said quenching gaps under the magnetic action of said blowing coil, re-striking of said ignition gaps to effect striking of new arcs at said quenching gaps and extinction of the said widened arcs.
  • said impedance means of said second series circuit includes an impedance component connected in parallel with eacliof said ignition gaps and impedances connected between ignition gaps, and wherein said leakage resistance means of said first circuit includes leakage resistance components connected between quenching gaps.

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  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
US848428A 1968-08-28 1969-08-08 Lightning arrester Expired - Lifetime US3657594A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1289868A CH486788A (de) 1968-08-28 1968-08-28 Uberspannungsableiter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3657594A true US3657594A (en) 1972-04-18

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US848428A Expired - Lifetime US3657594A (en) 1968-08-28 1969-08-08 Lightning arrester

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3657594A (de)
AT (1) AT294227B (de)
BE (1) BE738001A (de)
CH (1) CH486788A (de)
DE (1) DE1803162B2 (de)
GB (1) GB1210629A (de)
SE (1) SE368486B (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4072998A (en) * 1975-03-18 1978-02-07 Asea Aktiebolag Over-voltage protection device
US4727449A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-02-23 Chiu Technical Corporation Filament bypass circuit
US4760486A (en) * 1985-08-28 1988-07-26 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh Protection device against flashover in a transmitter circuit
US5995352A (en) * 1994-11-29 1999-11-30 Erico Lightning Technologies Pty. Ltd. Ignition apparatus and method
US6111740A (en) * 1998-02-02 2000-08-29 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Overvoltage protection system and overvoltage protection element for an overvoltage protection system
ES2192149A1 (es) * 2001-03-24 2003-09-16 Bettermann Obo Gmbh & Co Kg Explosor capaz de soportar la corriente de un rayo.
WO2017129291A1 (de) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Epcos Ag Anordnung zum ableiten von überspannungen
EP3751685A1 (de) * 2016-04-01 2020-12-16 RIPD IP Development Ltd Gasentladungsrohre

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005060096B4 (de) * 2004-12-17 2008-01-17 Dehn + Söhne Gmbh + Co. Kg Gekapselter Überspannungsableiter für den Einsatz als Netzfunkenstrecke im Niederspannungsbereich mit getrennten, elektrisch in Reihe geschalteten Funktionseinheiten
FR2904893B1 (fr) † 2006-08-11 2008-10-10 Soule Prot Surtensions Sa Dispositif d'amorcage a deux electrodes pour eclateur et procedes correspondants
CN102545196B (zh) * 2012-02-10 2015-01-28 四川中光防雷科技股份有限公司 一种多层放电间隙型电涌保护器

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3414759A (en) * 1966-12-01 1968-12-03 Ohio Brass Co Spark gap unit for lightning arresters
US3489949A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-01-13 Gen Electric Lightning arrester with main and preionizing gaps
US3515934A (en) * 1968-01-17 1970-06-02 Mc Graw Edison Co Lightning arrester sparkover control
US3544847A (en) * 1968-09-16 1970-12-01 Gen Electric Flip-flop lightning arrester with reduced protective level

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3414759A (en) * 1966-12-01 1968-12-03 Ohio Brass Co Spark gap unit for lightning arresters
US3489949A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-01-13 Gen Electric Lightning arrester with main and preionizing gaps
US3515934A (en) * 1968-01-17 1970-06-02 Mc Graw Edison Co Lightning arrester sparkover control
US3544847A (en) * 1968-09-16 1970-12-01 Gen Electric Flip-flop lightning arrester with reduced protective level

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4072998A (en) * 1975-03-18 1978-02-07 Asea Aktiebolag Over-voltage protection device
US4760486A (en) * 1985-08-28 1988-07-26 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh Protection device against flashover in a transmitter circuit
US4727449A (en) * 1986-10-01 1988-02-23 Chiu Technical Corporation Filament bypass circuit
US5995352A (en) * 1994-11-29 1999-11-30 Erico Lightning Technologies Pty. Ltd. Ignition apparatus and method
US6111740A (en) * 1998-02-02 2000-08-29 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Overvoltage protection system and overvoltage protection element for an overvoltage protection system
ES2192149A1 (es) * 2001-03-24 2003-09-16 Bettermann Obo Gmbh & Co Kg Explosor capaz de soportar la corriente de un rayo.
ES2192149B1 (es) * 2001-03-24 2004-10-16 OBO BETTERMANN GMBH & CO. KG. Explosor capaz de soportar la corriente de un rayo.
WO2017129291A1 (de) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Epcos Ag Anordnung zum ableiten von überspannungen
EP3751685A1 (de) * 2016-04-01 2020-12-16 RIPD IP Development Ltd Gasentladungsrohre

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1210629A (en) 1970-10-28
BE738001A (de) 1970-02-02
DE1803162A1 (de) 1970-05-27
AT294227B (de) 1971-11-10
CH486788A (de) 1970-02-28
DE1803162B2 (de) 1978-09-21
SE368486B (de) 1974-07-01

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